Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[EVE Online players raise over $44,000 for Japan relief fund]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/eve-online-players-raise-over-44-000-for-japan-relief-fund/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/eve-online-players-raise-over-44-000-for-japan-relief-fund/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/eve-online-players-raise-over-44-000-for-japan-relief-fund/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Never let it be said that gamers don't have big hearts. When Japan was hit by an earthquake and the ensuing tsunami, people around the world stepped up to donate to disaster relief programs. Several MMO developers have made substantial donations using profits from their games. NCSoft made a huge donation of 500 million yen (6.3 million USD), and Sony Online Entertainment donated 300 million yen (3.6 million U.S. dollars). SOE, gPotato, Perfect World Entertainment and Hi-Rez studios have all been running schemes to help players donate, ranging from special once-only microtransaction items to just donating a percentage of all cash shop proceeds to charity.

EVE Online's developer CCP Games has encouraged donations through their unique PLEX system. Players who couldn't afford to donate cash were encouraged to buy PLEX in-game using ISK and donate them to the relief fund. CCP would then scrap the PLEX items and donate their full purchase value to charity. The scheme has been very successful at raising money in previous disasters, raising over 40,000 USD for the Haitian earthquake fund and roughly a further 20,000 USD for the flooding in Pakistan.

In a new devblog, CCP Fallout has released the final results of EVE's charity drive. A total of 2549 PLEX, each worth 17.5 USD, was donated to the scheme by players. CCP will be donating the full value of 44,607.50 USD to the Red Cross in the name the EVE Online community, and will be paying for all of the tax and management costs themselves. EVE players have now donated a total of 108,000 USD through the PLEX for Good scheme. Head over to the devblog for the details of the charity drive and some interesting information on three players who helped make it a success.

MassivelyEVE Online players raise over $44,000 for Japan relief fund originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When it comes to collecting aid for disaster relief, EVE Online developer CCP Games has a unique way of helping players donate. While many MMOs ask for donations or release limited-edition cash shop items, CCP has managed to devise a way for players to donate in-game currency to help people in the real world. During the relief effort for last year's earthquake in Haiti, CCP began accepting donations of 30-day Pilot's License EXtensions (PLEX) for their full monetary value in game time. With the recent devestation in Japan, CCP has once again asked for the EVE community's help to raise money for relief aid.

Each PLEX bought on the in-game market and donated to charity represents 30 days of game time that someone in the world originally paid for with cash but that won't be redeemed into game time. Because of this, CCP can donate the full cash value of that game time to a registered relief charity without taking a big loss. CCP absorbs all management and tax fees to ensure that 100% of the donated game time's value is passed on to registered charities (in this case, the Red Cross).

To donate to the relief effort in Japan, EVE players are encouraged to buy PLEX on the open market and contract them to the character "CCP PLEX For Good" before March 31st. As usual, EVE Online's normally permissive rules on scamming have been suspended in relation to the charity drive. Anyone attempting to scam players out of ISK or PLEX using this charity drive will be dealt with harshly. With notable rich players and corporations able to potentially donate thousands of dollars' worth of PLEX, this charity drive is sure to raise a substantial amount of money for disaster-stricken Japan.

MassivelyDonate EVE ISK to help disaster relief efforts in Japan originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aidccpccp-eveccp-gamesdonatedonationearthquakeeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegame-time-cardgame-time-codegtciskjapanplexreliefrelief-effortstsunamiMon, 14 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE introduces "Hours for PLEX" reactivation scheme]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/eve-introduces-hours-for-plex-reactivation-scheme/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/eve-introduces-hours-for-plex-reactivation-scheme/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/eve-introduces-hours-for-plex-reactivation-scheme/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In today's subscription MMO market, EVE Online is in the unique position of allowing players to pay for their game time with in-game currency. To help cash-poor players afford a subscription and to aid in CCP's ongoing war against RMT, the company introduced the 30 day Pilot's License EXtension (PLEX).

Cash-rich players who want a little extra in-game ISK would ordinarily be tempted to buy from illicit sources that rely on destructive botting and hacking practices to obtain their currency. Instead of putting themselves at risk of being keylogged, banned or just outright ripped off, players can buy 60-day game time codes and convert each of them into two in-game pilot's licenses to sell on the in-game market. ISK-rich players can then buy those licenses from the in-game market and activate them to add 30 days of game time to their accounts. If an account is expired but has the funds to buy a PLEX, players can even ask for a temporary reactivation so that they can buy one and apply it to the account.

Until now, reactivations have had to be processed manually, with players filing an in-game petition through the EVE website. In a devblog yesterday, GM Grimmi of CCP announced that a new automated reactivation scheme will give players access to the game for four hours to purchase PLEX and apply them to their accounts. In addition to reducing GM workload, this scheme will allow people who have previously quit the game to temporarily reactivate their accounts and attempt to pull together enough ISK for 30 days of essentially free game time. The service has been temporarily taken offline to resolve a conflict with the current CSM voting procedure, but once it's back online it will be accessible through the account management page on the EVE website.

MassivelyEVE introduces "Hours for PLEX" reactivation scheme originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-reactivationccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegame-time-cardgame-time-codegtcpilot-license-extensionplexrmtFri, 11 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Changes to EVE Online's PLEX make it possible to loot game time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/changes-to-eve-onlines-plex-make-it-possible-to-loot-game-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/changes-to-eve-onlines-plex-make-it-possible-to-loot-game-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/changes-to-eve-onlines-plex-make-it-possible-to-loot-game-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When it comes to fighting the gold-sellers, Icelandic game developer CCP Games took an innovative approach to the problem. Players of EVE Online can buy game time with cash and then trade it with other players as in-game "Pilots License EXtensions" (PLEX). This lets people with cash to spare effectively purchase ISK from other players, while those with plenty of in-game ISK can effectively play for free. With a legitimate method for buying ISK, players needn't face the inevitable threat of bans and key-loggers from nefarious sources. Fearing that the market for PLEX might not take off if they were at risk of being lost during transport. To combat this issue, CCP made it impossible to move them from the station they were redeemed at.

In a new devblog, CCP Zulu explains plans to remove all the transport restrictions on PLEX. In addition to being able to undock with a PLEX in your cargo hold, you'll also be able to place them into courier contracts. When these changes come into effect, you might see someone hauling game time from station to station. If you plan to move any PLEX around, be extremely wary of suicide attacks. EVE's darker social element routinely scans passers-by in high-security space, looking for juicy targets to gank. The possibility of finding game time amongst the loot may send them into overdrive. The changes are due to come into effect on Tuesday the 13th of July.

MassivelyChanges to EVE Online's PLEX make it possible to loot game time originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Credit cards (including debit cards), Paypal, Microsoft Points, game-time cards. Every payment method has its positives and negatives. As a famous and profitable social-media personality, you probably have more dollars in your Paypal account than you do on your credit card. You can get a Paypal debit card for that, that you can use pretty much anywhere you'd use regular plastic.

Microsoft Points or game-time cards? They've got definite advantages - you can buy them when you've got a little extra cash in your account, and use them when you need them rather than getting awkwardly billed on the very day of the month your mortgage payment is due (two days before you get paid each month - oh, yes. We've been there!)

Given a variety of payment options, how would you prefer to pay for your MMOG subscriptions, if you had the choice?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your preferred payment method? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>credit-carddebit-cardgame-time-cardmicrosoft-pointspaypaltdgthe-daily-grindThu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will that be cash, credit, or...?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/the-daily-grind-will-that-be-cash-credit-or/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/the-daily-grind-will-that-be-cash-credit-or/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/the-daily-grind-will-that-be-cash-credit-or/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With as many people as are concerned about credit card fraud these days - or who just don't want to run up a credit card bill at all - there are all manner of ways to pay for MMOs. Sure, we've had game time cards for a while now, which are really handy for those who prefer to go month-to-month rather than recurring. You have debit cards, but those work pretty well the same as credit cards; Visa logo and all that. Another option recently added to the payment plans for some MMOs has been PayPal, which is great for those who like to use online payments but like an extra layer of security. And in terms of interesting ideas - EVE Online players have the option of turning their hard-earned (or ocasionally easily-swiped) ISK into game time codes through player trades handled on the EVE website. These are by no means the extent of it when you look at options people have around the world.

With that, this morning we figured we'd ask - how do you prefer to pay for your MMO subscriptions? Are you into monthly subscriptions, do you head out for the game time cards, or perhaps you prefer paypal? Is there a system out there that you wish the gaming companies would look into? Do you look forward to the day when you can walk into a store and just swipe your cellphone to pay for things too?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will that be cash, credit, or...? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>credit-cardgame-time-cardpaylappayment-optionstdgthe-daily-grindSun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Changes coming for EVE time cards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/changes-coming-for-eve-time-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/changes-coming-for-eve-time-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/changes-coming-for-eve-time-cards/#commentsFiled under: , ,

To simplify the EVE Online Time Code (ETC) and Game Time Card (GTC) reseller program and to become more consistent with what other MMORPGs offer, CCP is replacing all their myriad time cards with one. The 30- and 90-day time cards sold by authorized resellers, and the 50- and 100-day cards and game time cards sold in the EVE Online store will be replaced with a 60-day ETCs and GTCs. The old cards and codes will still be available while supplies last, or until CCP makes the changeover to the new cards on June 15.

Not announced is whether or not these new codes will still be able to be bought with the in-game currency, ISK, but it's certain that will still be an option.

MassivelyChanges coming for EVE time cards originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpetceve-onlinegame-time-cardgtcnewssci-fiSun, 25 May 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[30-day game cards available for Pirates of the Burning Sea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/30-day-game-cards-available-for-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/30-day-game-cards-available-for-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/30-day-game-cards-available-for-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A lot of people out there prefer not to have an ongoing direct debit from their bank accounts for game subscriptions, and this crowd will be pleased to know that there are now 30-day game cards available for Pirates of the Burning Sea. The cards can be used on a new or existing PotBS account, and this sort of thing is also a great gift for MMO-inclined friends -- or for convincing the reluctant ones to try the game out with you.

30-day game cards cost USD$14.99 and can be purchased from Sony's Station store.

Massively30-day game cards available for Pirates of the Burning Sea originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30-day-game-cardflying-labgame-cardgame-time-cardpotbsstation-storetime-cardSat, 26 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST