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EVE Online: Devs Respond to Internal Newsletter Leak & Fan Reaction

SBFordSBFord Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129

A new post on the CCP blog from Zulu uses the title "Fearless, Virtual Goods, and Rage". The post deals with players' reactions to a leaked internal newsletter called' Fearless' that discussed developers' opinions on the subject of virtual goods and pricing. The letter goes on to discuss the pricing structure in the NeX store.

The opinions and views expressed in Fearless are just that; opinions and views. They are not CCP policy nor are they a reliable source of CCP views as a company. The employees who submitted articles to that newsletter did exactly what they were asked to do, write about theories and opinions from an exaggerated stand.

While it‘s perfectly fine to disagree and attack CCP over policies or actions we take, we think it‘s not cool how individuals that work here have been called out and dragged through the mud due to something they wrote in the internal company newsletter. Seriously, these people were doing their jobs and do not deserve the hate and shitstorm being pointed at them.

Read more on the EVE Insider.


¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 


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Comments

  • Grand_NagusGrand_Nagus Member UncommonPosts: 335

    Anyone have a link to this leaked newsletter? Exactly what caused the uproar?

  • rubydragon5rubydragon5 Member UncommonPosts: 693

    As usual CCP is corrupt and unprofessional.

    "Seriously, these people were doing their jobs and do not deserve the hate and shitstorm being pointed at them."

    Then goes on to comparing in game eve clothes to top dollar RL designer clothes, therefor justifying insane prices ccp wants to charge...





  • CujoSWAoACujoSWAoA Member UncommonPosts: 1,781

    It sounds like it was a really boring newsletter.

  • JayBirdzJayBirdz Member Posts: 1,017

    205 pages, 6125 posts, under 24 hours old and still growing. However it has slowed down. Link

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    There's a bunch of gems floating around. But this one is pretty good.  Shows how out of touch some of the CCP staff really are. Not just CCP Zulu.   LINK

    CCP Fallout

    image

    image


    Posted - 2011.06.24 18:16:00 - [36] - Quote





    image Originally by: Aineko Macx


    It's working!






    No, it's not. It's a waste of my time, which I could be spent gathering more feedback and talking with people making sure the player's perspective is being shared with people higher up the ladder, I'm wasting time with extremely childish antics that get no one anywhere.



    Really, this needs to stop.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CSM gives a warning to CCP before the blog was posted. Link


    Black Friday


     

    I woke up this morning to find the forums even more afire with rage about Incarna, the "Fearless" newsletter, and the Virtual Goods store. I could tell in a few minutes that I wasn't going to get anything else done today.



    "I can't work today, dear," I told my wife, "EVE is on fire."



    "Piss on EVE, then", she replied.



    "I would, if I thought it would help."



    So, I've spent most of the last 12 hours answering player questions, trying to give CCP good feedback on the issues, trying to get them to see how bad things have gotten. My fellow CSMs were doing the same.



    Late in the day, we were presented with a draft devblog, and asked to comment on it. With the exception of the removal of a rather unfortunate analogy, that draft was essentially identical to what was just published.



    None of CSM's concerns -- the ones the players were asking about -- were addressed; in particular:



    * Will non-vanity virtual goods be introduced?



    * Will CCP change their virtual goods pricing strategy?



    * Will the CQ remain optional, or will it eventually be forced on the players?



    To say that CSM is disappointed by the contents of this devblog would be an understatement. Incredulous is more like it.



    Based on the devblog, and my impressions from the conversations I have had in recent days, it is my opinion that CCP has decided upon a strategy with respect to virtual goods and Incarna, and that they are going to fearlessly implement it regardless of feedback from CSM or the players.



    Our words, and yours, appear worthless. Only our actions may have weight.

     

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What a shame.

    http://www.evenews24.com/2011/06/25/ccp-hilmar-global-email-shows-the-reasoning-behind-ccp-zulu-devblog/

     

    Alternate: I don't know if the other link is being hammered or what.  http://eve.theelitist.net/evenews24-mirror/ 

    — Email Starts—-

    Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:16:54 -0400

    To: riverini@gmail.com

    Subject: ccp ceo global msg sent today

    From: evewatch@hush.com

    Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”UTF-8″

    Message-Id: <20110623221654.CF1E76F438@smtp.hushmail.com>

    sent by hilmar to ccp global list-

    (strt)

    We live in interesting times; in fact CCP is the kind of company that if things get repetitive we instinctively crank it up a notch. That, we certainly have done this week. First of we have Incarna, an amazing technological and artistic achievement. A vision from years ago realized to a point that no one could have imaged but a few months ago. It rolls out without a hitch, is in some cases faster than what we had before, this is the pinnacle of professional achievement. For all the noise in the channel we should all stand proud, years from now this is what people will remember.

    But we have done more, not only have we redefined the production quality one can apply to virtual worlds with the beautiful Incarna but we have also defined what it really means to make virtual reality more meaningful than real life when it comes to launching our new virtual goods currency, Aurum.

    Naturally, we have caught the attention of the world. Only a few weeks ago we revealed more information about DUST 514 and now we have done it again by committing to our core purpose as a company by redefining assumptions. After 40 hours we have already sold 52 monocles, generating more revenue than any of the other items in the store.

    This we have done after months of research by a group of highly competent professionals, soliciting input and perspective from thought leaders and experts in and around our industry. We have communicated our intention here internally in very wide circles through the Virtual Economy Summit

    presentation at the GSM, our Fearless newsletter, sprint reviews, email lists and multiple other channels. This should not come as a surprise to anyone.

    Currently we are seeing _very predictable feedback_ on what we are doing. Having the perspective of having done this for a decade, I can tell you that this is one of the moments where we look at what our players do and less of what they say. Innovation takes time to set in and the predictable reaction is always to resist change.

    We went out with a decisive strategy on pricing and we will stay the course and not flip flop around or knee jerk react to the predictable. That is not saying nothing will change, on the contrary, in fact we know that success in this space is through learning and adapting to _what is actually happening_ and new knowledge gained in addition to what we knew before and expected.

    All that said, I couldn’t be prouder of what we have accomplished as a company, changing the world is hard and we are doing it as so many times before! Stay the course, we have done this many times before.

    (end)


  • ClocksimusClocksimus Member Posts: 354

    It's their job to brainstorm ideas that goes so much against what EVE is that it created such a negative reaction?  I dont see the value of that unless it was a list of things to never do and  it was titled instead "Lets not go there."

    Whats worse is stating they intend to go foward with NeX and adding more items (note items could mean more the just clothing).... in short saying that  NeX is here to stay so get in or get out.

  • LeetheLeethe Member UncommonPosts: 893

    I don't know who called it 1st but that was the non-apology apology I was expecting. Eve has metrics up the arse and they must know by now what's selling and what isn't. If the numbers are good there isn't a heck of a whole lot you can do about it. he internal newsletter made for som pretty interesting reading. Exagerations or not, they talk about taking MT to the next level.

    There is NO miracle patch.

    95% of what you see in beta won't change by launch.

    Hope is not a stategy.
    ______________________________
    "This kind of topic is like one of those little cartoon boxes held up by a stick on a string, with a piece of meat under it. In other words, bait."

  • GarkanGarkan Member Posts: 552

    CCP Zulu is an idiot, you can actually buy real life designer jeans for the cost of some of those vanity items.

    Currently playing:

    EVE online (Ruining low sec one hotdrop at a time)

    Gravity Rush,
    Dishonoured: The Knife of Dunwall.

    (Waiting for) Metro: Last Light,
    Company of Heroes II.

  • CecropiaCecropia Member RarePosts: 3,985

    Here's a gem : "Assume for a short while that you are wearing a pair of $1,000 jeans from some exclusive Japanese boutique shop. Why would you want to wear a pair of $1,000 jeans when you can get perfectly similar jeans for under $50? What do other people think about you when they see you wearing them?"

    *golf clap

    LMAO. Yeah, great direction to steer your baby in, CCP. This is exactly what I have been waiting for in the many years I have played your game.

    Personally, I can't believe anything they say. Not too long ago (as someone on these forums reminded me), CCP declared that they would never even consider a cash shop. So.....whatever they at this point....it doesn't matter.

    "Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb

  • markh777markh777 Member UncommonPosts: 150

    and so I give up Eve..and am now playing a solo form of Eve called X3: The Reunion will soon get Terran Conflict. CCP has gone from bad to worse with so many flaws from the miniscule to the outrageous. Goodbye Eve...may yer need for expensive Icelandic Vodka prove more loyal then yer playerbase which you lost due to too many flaws and indiscretions.

  • tachgbtachgb Member UncommonPosts: 791

    Been playing EVE Online on and off since 2003. And I can definately say I don't like where CCP/EVE is heading. Infact, I have very little desire to return to this game now that CCP have slipped in a cash shop.

    Will see where CCP take it to.

  • JinnserayeJinnseraye Member Posts: 30

    I honestly wouldn't care if they kept a vanity cash shop. I think it's pointless. I think CCP makes enough money off the subscriptions. But whatever. Should they ever add anything besides vanity items, Eve will die.

    I think the person who wrote this reply is an idiot. There is no justification for charging 60 dollars for a virtual monocle. Let's hope that the people of CCP regain their sanity before they lose their playerbase.

  • jadedlevirjadedlevir Member Posts: 628

    Rofl man, when blizzard was selling those little ponies, who'd of thought  ccp would be the first to sell at this level, with crazy prices, and then justify it with a comparison to real life designer cloths... Don't worry loyal eve fans who pay subs, they will be adding cheaper items and some more expensive items. Probably exclusive ships and weapons too!


  • eric_w66eric_w66 Member UncommonPosts: 1,006

    Epic Fail for an apology. Epic Fail at a response. Seriously considering giving the axe to both my accounts, since I play once a week to move my PI stuff around at most.

  • jdilling00jdilling00 Member Posts: 26

    the problem I see is that now new things wont come from the player economy. they will come from the item shop. New paint job for your battleship? Well you can get it for 50 bucks, but it didnt come from the player who bought the modules made by players to put together a station that paints ships in space and then charges players for the work. RTM beyond plex simply means the have left behind the idea of creating worlds in favor of developing new shineys. Why fix bugs when you an lure in new players and try to make then interested long enough to buy a coat for 50 bucks. I thought the vampire MMO was in good hands but now it most likely will be a gothic cash shop. I never expected CCP to follow in the footsteps of soe.

  • JojinJojin Member UncommonPosts: 120

    I think his reply was fine.  An internal discussion document is for internal use.  Individual ideas need to be considered and talked about so they know how to deal with them.  The players taking way out of context and raging over some theory talk is kind of overboard.

    As for the vanity items, some people want to play dressup, so let them.  The costs do make things semi-exclusive and a status symbol, but there are already items like that in game with the rare ships.  

    Most of all, it is funny how people want to associate RL money to the cost of NeX goods without the consideration that it can be purchased with ISK.  Compairson would be a faction fitted mission runner, which can be destroyed, costs just as much as the most expensive item in the NeX, an item which cannot be destroyed while worn.

  • fatboy21007fatboy21007 Member Posts: 409

    jojin go read the fourm link in the thread ull see alot more my friend on why the rage is continueing.

  • miceinblackmiceinblack Member Posts: 122

    I don't mind the MTs as long as the store is restricted to vanity items. As much as I would like to see new ships I would prefer them to be introduced into the game without being placed in a store. However, on that same note I'd like new ships to be somewhat common/affordable unlike faction ships and actually have decent fit capabilities so they are not just junk. The high prices of the vanity items don't bother me as well.... No one is forcing me to buy them. Outrageous prices? Yes. But I've seen more than my share of real life cars that are outrageously priced and that I'll never have. CCP will be okay as long as they keep to vanity items for the store. Of course.... Hopefully there will not be any hot pink battleship paint schemes with carebear logos on them. @.o

  • DeathTrippDeathTripp Member UncommonPosts: 263

    "The opinions and views expressed in Fearless are just that; opinions and views. They are not CCP policy nor are they a reliable source of CCP views as a company."


    Gem : "While it‘s perfectly fine to disagree and attack CCP over policies or actions we take. . ."


    Which is it... is it a policy or not? I smell a stinking pile of ****.

    -----------------------------
    Real as Reality Television!!!

  • FaelanFaelan Member UncommonPosts: 819

    I'm axing my 3 accounts. It's just not worth paying for 3 subs considering where EVE is heading now that CCP has shown their true colors and trying to do everything I do now with just one account isn't really possible and would make the game outright tedius.

    I'm a big ol' fluffy carewolf. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

  • gaeanprayergaeanprayer Member UncommonPosts: 2,341

    Originally posted by Grand_Nagus



    Anyone have a link to this leaked newsletter? Exactly what caused the uproar?


     

    http://www.evenews24.com/2011/06/22/greed-is-good-purportedly-leaked-internal-bulletin-shows-ccps-refreshing-new-direction/

    Link to the mediafire download is at the bottom of that blog post.

    "Forums aren't for intelligent discussion; they're for blow-hards with unwavering opinions."

  • ComnitusComnitus Member Posts: 2,462

    Originally posted by deathtripp



    "The opinions and views expressed in Fearless are just that; opinions and views. They are not CCP policy nor are they a reliable source of CCP views as a company."






    Gem : "While it‘s perfectly fine to disagree and attack CCP over policies or actions we take. . ."






    Which is it... is it a policy or not? I smell a stinking pile of ****.


     

    Uh, Fearless is a pallette of ideas, not policies. In your second quote, he's referring to policies or actions that players may disagree with - i.e., not Fearless, as he clearly stated Fearless is not representative of CCP policies. Not hard to understand, right?

    Don't think I'm defending this thing, though. It was the wrong kind of response at the wrong time (took too long).

    image

  • JojinJojin Member UncommonPosts: 120

    Originally posted by fatboy21007

    jojin go read the fourm link in the thread ull see alot more my friend on why the rage is continueing.

    I have.  I play EVE and have been watching the forums.  If people would just take a moment to consider the real information, there isn't much to be upset about.

    Most of the rage is from things which might be or people listening to incorrect information.  I mean I guess more power to people if they wish to rage and quit a game because something might happen in the future.  Then again, why even bother to do anything if you only assume the worst and react before it comes to pass?

  • CeridithCeridith Member UncommonPosts: 2,980

    Originally posted by Jojin

    Originally posted by fatboy21007

    jojin go read the fourm link in the thread ull see alot more my friend on why the rage is continueing.

    I have.  I play EVE and have been watching the forums.  If people would just take a moment to consider the real information, there isn't much to be upset about.

    Most of the rage is from things which might be or people listening to incorrect information.  I mean I guess more power to people if they wish to rage and quit a game because something might happen in the future.  Then again, why even bother to do anything if you only assume the worst and react before it comes to pass?

    If CCP wasn't planning to implement intrusive RMT, then they have little to worry about...

    ...they seem awfully worried.

  • EleazarosEleazaros Member UncommonPosts: 206

    Like softball, I don't care if a team shows up with battered old hand-me-down bats and uniforms to face off against a team wearing gold trimmed silk outfits with etched bats.  Either side may win.

    I do care when they can pay the ref to move the bases closer when they are at bat and the bats only they use are custom engineered so as to be more powerful than their opposition.

    Little leagers envy highschool students.  Highschoolers envy college who envy the pro's.  Time invested, etc... I can handle but this $$$ for "I win" expressed is a bit much.

    Too many people I've come to know in games like these cannot break out the visa with the frequency someone like I can so I avoid the RMT store games and stick with more even playing fields where we each advanced based upon our effort and NOT who's got a deeper pocket book.

  • jmcgrathjmcgrath Member Posts: 23

    People are overreacting greatly (nothing new for the Forum Minority of the EVE Online community). it is possible to gather tens of Billions of ISK in this game monthly and use in game currency to buy these useless items (if you wanted them) - or you can pay cash to make the isk to buy them. 

     

    Such wasted energy on something so optional and with no impact on gameplay whatsoever. *sigh*

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