EVE Online's The Mittani issues formal apology for crossing the line [UPDATED]

@Tiresias 'sociopathic tendencies' yeah thanks for that. I've found EvE players to be among the most passionate, intelligent and fun loving player base I've ever played an MMO with. Next you'll be saying all those MW3 players are murderers getting a fix for their addiction or something stupid. Can't believe people voted your post up.

@Tiresias Lowered inhibitions does NOT make you say what you actually believe; it makes you say or do whatever crosses your mind. Add that to the euphoric affect of alcohol, and you end up with people saying and doing things that they know are a bad idea but don't care since their brain is pumping out enough of the 'pleasure chemicals' to make them think they are enjoying doing it; thus, the "What the hell did I just do?" effect.

@Moonaura

People here are an example of the current MMO community... I've commented on this subject a few months ago.

What saddens me is that people here are taking this isolated incident as a reason to attack the entire EVE community, CCP and all the 99% other respectful people that make this a very fun game to play.

@Tiresias

I've voted down your comment, emphatically. As others have said, I've found EVE's community to be filled with the most passionate and helpful gamers that I've ever been around, and I've been around plenty. Too bad the players here on Massively write so much hyperbole and make such gross generalizations.

@Kaoy Okay everyone Let give Mel Gibson a free pass after all he didn't mean it nor is he an Anti-Semite Hew as just drunk

Right?
Right?

Please he just doesn't want to lose his E-position and his perks from CCP.

@Tiresias I'm going to take my right to defend myself here and post something that I have stated many times in the past:

I like the CONCEPT of EVE more than I actually like the GAME of EVE.

And yes, I've played it. It's a bit slow for my liking -- not a criticism of the game itself but more a reflection of my tastes -- but the community is what continually drives me away.

The game is designed to be an outlet for griefers and scammers. There are, basically, no rules concerning anything, and CCP has made it abundantly clear that they will not intervene in any situation unless a hack or exploit is involved. The game systems are tailored to allow players to endlessly grief each other and there is no place in the game that could be considered "safe".

Now all this seems good on paper, but it completely discounts that truism of human nature, "John Gabriel's Greater Internet F-wad Theory" -- which can be viewed here: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19. (warning: coarse language)

And this is why I don't play EVE anymore. Even though a good 60% of the community are decent human beings who interact with each other in a positive, rational manner, the other 40% are simply sociopaths looking for an outlet for their aggression.

@Kaoy

Absolute hogwash.

His drunken state just lowered his guard, and opened up a little window into his soul for everyone to look through. What they saw inside was an ugly, malformed human being. There's something missing in his character that most other people have.

This incident is the same type of behavior he routinely exhibits in-game with the benefit of the anonymity of the internet. Just, this time, that anonymity was gone, and everyone got to see the real sociopath in full view.

I hate to say it, but these types of games attract a higher ratio of immature, sociopathic human beings than the average themepark. This internet tough guy just outed himself in a very public way.

This is the face of EvE.

@Tiresias
He only retracted after CCP restated their harassment policy. He not truly sorry for his words, he's just scared of the good old ban hammer.

@DeeBeeP In his apology and on Twitter, The Mittani said himself that being drunk is no excuse and he takes full responsibility for hs words. He's also sent a personal letter of apology to the victim along with 11 billion ISK, and said on Twitter that he will resign from his chairman seat or the CSM if necessary.. It does appear that he's taking this very seriously.

Leaving the CSM may be an overreaction as he did a good job as CSM chairman last year and it would be a real shame to lose him over a poor decision during an event panel. We'll await the final result of CCP's investigation, which may or may not be revealed publicly as EVE does have a privacy policy. It's possible he could be banned from the game, which would most likely be a temporary ban as per EVE's terms of service if he has no other infractions on his account.

@Brendan Drain

"...[Gianturco] said on Twitter that he will resign from his chairman seat or the CSM if necessary..."

In a position of power / responsibility you do *not* get up on stage in a drunken state, expose the details of a depressed, potentially suicidal individual and then - to make it even worse - encourage others to commence a campaign of harassment against the individual. Regardless of your 'position' - that sort of behaviour is sickening.

So is it 'necessary' that he resign his position ? Absolutely.

@Ekphrasis

Its also just a sheer insult to the entire EVE community that he wasted such an amazing opportunity to give a speech about the hobby so many of us hold dear and he shows a complete lack of class and feels compelled to bring up the particulars of this garbage like theirs some worthy takeaways from it or something? What a drunk.

Everybody has a funny "troll story" to tell if they've gamed long enough (probably not nearly as low as a Goonie troll story but its still probably as absurd). To think its ever worthy of discussion at a convention panel is disgraceful to the online gaming community as a WHOLE.

@Brendan Drain

If he was taking this seriously, he wouldn't have been defending his position for up to 5 days after the event with "just deal with it" comments.

If he was taking this seriously, he wouldn't wait to resign until "it was necessary."

And If you took this seriously, you'd be more concerned about having this person removed from the CSM instead of defending his position.

@Brendan Drain

11 billion ISK or any amount of ISK for that matter for someone at his level in the game is meaningless. It is a good gesture but it be more of a slight inconvenience for him rather than a major punishment. Also his whole gaming lifestyle resolves around lies and misinformation, so his words are rather meaninglessness. Going off his personality it seems doubtful that he actually regrets his conduct, he probably just regrets doing this in such a public way and now having repercussions. In short if CCP wasn't bringing pressure on him, I'd doubt him or his ilk would be apologizing. Can't really change the nature of scum. plenty of decent pilots in Eve that could take his place and help give a better image of the Eve community.

@Brendan Drain

If I was the affected party here my response would be "Thanks for the apology bro. But since the principal of your outburst was so abusive on so many levels...so really, no thanks. And see you in court."

Futhermore, I would not accept that 11 billion ISK since whether The Mittani intended it or not, it could be perceived as hush money.

@Brendan Drain

Actions > words. Until Mittens actually steps down from chairman it's just words.

@(Unverified)
This shouldn't be an issue of "he should resign". The resolution should be made by CCP. In this instance, banning. Popular Eve players have been banned in the past for lesser infractions.
I'm confident that CCP will haul off and do absolutely nothing though.

@Marchosias

Actually, reading about his history, I am of the same thought as you: He probably is doing this because he's being called out on it.

And while his actions are wrong, we have to consider the culture of the game and CCP: There tends not to be any clear "line" in this game that should not be crossed. We can be hopeful maybe this event will, at least, start to point out a more clear line of what is acceptable in-game and out-of-game.

He may be crafty and is just "going through the paces" but, in this situation, we really cannot know his intent. Right or wrong, we have to assume he is sincere in reparations. He's going through the actions and has expressed remorse. It is hard to ask for more, even in a court of law (although I am dealing with one wonky judge atm who really should retire or take his meds more often iRL).

Sure, we can try to read behind his veneer and point-him-out and know what his "true intentions" are, but these actions are also the actions of the innocent and repentant. So, where do *we* cross the line in our "passing judgement"?

Like I said, I am also skeptical about this guy, but he is doing all the "right moves" in the "public court of opinion" and we have to consider that he is innocent and repentant, just as much as you have to consider he is guilty and may do it again if given half-the-chance.

Being "fair" and "impartial" does not work out that way (and shouldn't with judges). He may be "working the system" and he may do something like this again, but as a civilized people, we have to give him "a chance" and hope for the best. Sure, we can watch for any future slip-ups, for now, he is doing "all the right moves".