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 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[EVE Online microtransactions won't impact gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/eve-online-microtransactions-wont-impact-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/eve-online-microtransactions-wont-impact-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/23/eve-online-microtransactions-wont-impact-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Some time ago, CCP Games announced its intention to add microtransactions options to its popular subscription MMO EVE Online. In an interview with EuroGamer, the game's Creative Director Torfi Frans Olafsson said that the industry has been moving toward additional microtransactions for the past few years, adding that CCP would "evolve just like everyone else" and would "certainly not become a dinosaur." The first and most controversial of those options to be announced was a paid neural remap. Neural remaps allow players to re-distribute their attributes so they can learn a particular set of skills faster. New players currently get several free remaps, and all players can do one remap per year for free. The plan was to allow players to buy a remap with PLEX, 30-day game time codes that can be bought and sold on the in-game market.

It wasn't long until a fierce debate erupted. Players began complaining that neural remaps allowed players with more money to train skills at an accelerated rate by letting them switch between the optimum attributes for different skill types as often as they wanted. Further questions were raised on the future of microtransactions in EVE -- how long would it be, players thought, until skill points and in-game benefits start hitting the table and causing an upset? In a new devblog, CCP has allayed all of those fears. The previously announced PLEX for neural remap scheme has been scrapped, and the company has announced a clear vision for its microtransaction strategy. Much to the relief of players, CCP will not be offering anything that alters the rate of skill gain over time or any items that have a gameplay impact. Potential releases include Incarna clothing and furniture and the ability to apply a logo to your ships, both options which are sure to be popular if they materialise.

MassivelyEVE Online microtransactions won't impact gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineincarnamicrotransactionspilot-license-extensionplexTue, 23 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: EVE players debate microtransactions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/eve-evolved-eve-players-debate-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/eve-evolved-eve-players-debate-microtransactions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/eve-evolved-eve-players-debate-microtransactions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sometimes it seems as though the entire MMO industry is moving toward microtransaction-based pricing schemes. With the success of free-to-play titles like Runes of Magic and Free Realms, it's clear that microtransactions are becoming a popular alternative to the standard subscription model. Famously, Dungeons and Dragons Online also proved that a hybrid model with both subscription and microtransaction options could be a great success. Even World of Warcraft has hopped on the microtransaction bandwagon with its infamous sparkle pony and cosmetic pets.

With the industry moving firmly in one direction, questions have been raised over whether EVE Online will ever implement any kind of microtransactions. Believe it or not, the first steps toward doing just that have already been taken. It was discovered some time ago that the Incursion expansion this winter would give players the ability to buy extra neural remaps with PLEX. Neural remapping allows players to re-assign a character's attributes using a points-based system. As attributes are only used to determine the speed with which skills train, remaps allow players to max out the stats required to train a particular branch of skills.

In this opinion piece, I look at the microtransaction debate currently raging in the EVE community and weigh in with my opinions on this controversial issue.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: EVE players debate microtransactions

MassivelyEVE Evolved: EVE players debate microtransactions originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdebateeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedforumincarnaincursionmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsneural-remappingopinionpilot-license-extensionplexrmtSun, 10 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE player destroys over $1000 worth of game time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/eve-player-destroys-over-1000-worth-of-game-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/eve-player-destroys-over-1000-worth-of-game-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/08/eve-player-destroys-over-1000-worth-of-game-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Like many MMOs, EVE Online has a problem with players buying ISK from shady websites to short-cut the ISK-making process. On the other end of the spectrum, many players are great at making ISK but unable to afford the monthly subscription. To kill two birds with one stone, CCP created PLEX. Sixty-day game time codes purchased for cash can be converted into two 30-day Pilots License Extensions, which become items in the game. The PLEX can then be traded to other EVE players for ISK, creating a legitimate way to buy ISK without fear of being hit by the ban-hammer. Players with some ISK to spare can buy PLEX from the market and redeem them for game time, essentially playing for free. It's an innovative system, and until recently it was a completely safe market to deal in.

Continue reading EVE player destroys over $1000 worth of game time

MassivelyEVE player destroys over $1000 worth of game time originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billionbreakingccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinegankiskpilot-license-extensionplexpvpSun, 08 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively to hold EVE Online contest this week, win copious amounts of game time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/massively-to-hold-eve-online-contest-this-week-win-copious-amou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/massively-to-hold-eve-online-contest-this-week-win-copious-amou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/massively-to-hold-eve-online-contest-this-week-win-copious-amou/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In the time our columnist Brendan Drain and I have spent covering EVE Online for Massively, it's grown into one of the site's most popular game categories. With that in mind, we've decided to run a contest that's really a thank you to our readers who've been following along with our EVE coverage. CCP Games was kind enough to provide Massively's readers with 50 Pilot License Extensions (PLEX) as contest prizes which we'll give away over the next two weeks.

As most every EVE Online player knows, one PLEX = one month of game time, but is also a virtual item that can be bought and sold on the market in-game. Massively's EVE Online PLEX contest will actually give our readers two chances at winning -- once this week, and once next week, too. The first thing we must note is this contest will only be open to North American residents (U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec). Sorry to our other readers abroad, but it's a legal thing. For everyone else who is eligible to enter, read on for more info:

Continue reading Massively to hold EVE Online contest this week, win copious amounts of game time

MassivelyMassively to hold EVE Online contest this week, win copious amounts of game time originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesccp-plex-contestcontestseveeve-onlinegiveawayspilot-license-extensionplexSat, 21 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST