Since last Thursday we’ve been covering the reaction of Eve Online players to the leaked internal newsletter and CCP’s response to it. Over the weekend, on Saturday, a second internal email was leaked with CCP’s internal response to the whole fiasco.
While we do not know for sure the author of the internal email, it is believed that it was Hilmar, the CEO of CCP. In the email, Hilmar states:
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.
The newsletter also gives out some recent sales figures:
After 40 hours we have already sold 52 monocles, generating more revenue than any of the other items in the store.
Up until now, I have restrained myself from giving my opinion on the matter, but after reading this new leaked email, it seems like a major overreaction by the Eve Online community.
Of the two major issues, to me the fact that CCP is contemplating adding non-vanity items is the bigger of the two. After all, Eve Online already charges a subscription fee, so to also charge for in-game items that give an advantage to those players with a bigger bankroll would be completely unfair to all subscribers. But this has not happen yet. Eve Online players have every right to protest against it so it doesn’t happen, it just seems like they are going a little overboard.
The other overreaction comes from the price points of the vanity items in the NeX store. I hate to be the one to say it, but you don’t HAVE to buy anything. They are vanity items, if you can’t afford it, then it’s not for you. CCP has chosen a price point that will make the items very exclusive. If the price was less, then more people would buy them and they would become less exclusive to have.
The fact that you dont’ want to pay for those items doesn’t give you the right to demand lower prices. It’s like forcing Mercedes to lower their prices to that of Toyota. Mercedes wants to be an exclusive brand and it seems CCP wants their vanity items to be exclusive as well.
I’m in complete agreement with the statement above, “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“. It is very clear that not all players agree with the protests that are taking place and are purchasing these items.
The internal email has already come out to announce the major success of the new store and items. If CCP is happy and the players purchasing the items are happy, then that’s all that matters. The players complaining they don’t want to pay those prices have no grounds to complain on. Not everything needs to be affordable, especially items that don’t do anything.
To be fair, the “over reaction” of the players is directly proportional to how badly CCP has handled their pricing, pr-wise. Eve is the game with the complex player-run economy – how does a $60 fluff item fit logically here? A simple explanation of the ‘why’ of the price would have sufficed. Instead the players get the smug and stand there with there arms crossed while pointing to sales figures a la Bobby Kotick.
Then there is the disappointment with Incarna’s implementation – terrible camera controls and terrible character animation. Its the stacking effect of disappointment and confusion that has lead tO the outcry, with CCP just stirring the pot to make things worse.
“The fact that you dont’ want to pay for those items doesn’t give you the right to demand lower prices.”
The single most stupid statement i read in a long time.
Although for me this game is concentrating to much on politics and money instead of discovery and exploration, im with you Eve community. Dont let ccp bleed this great game. Its one of the kind.
” “The fact that you dont’ want to pay for those items doesn’t give you the right to demand lower prices.”
The single most stupid statement i read in a long time. ”
You forgot to explain why this is the stupidest statement you’ve read in a long time.
@Cura, it seems to me that a lot of people are still buying the items regardless of the high price. As I said in the article, if CCP is happy with it and the players buying those items are happy, then what does it matter if others think the price is too high?
What right do you have to demand a price change on vanity items if it’s already a success for CCP?
“What right do you have to demand a price change on vanity items if it’s already a success for CCP?”
We just leave. Its a gateway, and if you cannot see the writing on the wall with 6-$ imaginary monocles, don’t know what to say.
On the plus side, holding space and ratting will be much easier.
To use your car analogy. It would be more accurate to say Toyota suddenly decided that their brand is premium, and jacked up their price by ten times.
No we are not being forced, yes premium brands in nearly every market do the same, yes it is their game but none of that makes it right.
The time and effort spent on the service, and the price they charge does not make an equal exchange. They are significantly devaluing our money, and in turn us. It is disrespectul and injuring, people have a right to be offended.
Anyone who has a clue does not begrudge them for making money, or even for money being their primary concern. It is not the concept but the degree, the value they place on their money, OVER us and an equitable exchange.