CCP has heard the cry of it's players about the removal of the 30 day ETC (EvE Time Code). We had the opportunity to talk with CCP about this new ability to split EvE time codes and sell them or give them to other players. We discuss all of this in the video. Below is a quote from their site.
ETC secure transfers made easier, more accessible and ingame
We�ve had the secure transfer mechanism for almost 2 years now. Players have been able to exchange their EVE Gametime Codes (ETC) to other players for ISK through the account management pages and now more than 30 thousand players utilizing it on a regular basis.
We felt it was time to move forward with it--do another iteration to make it much easier and accessible exchange ISK for game time. The current situation has a series of flaws with it which we hope to address, while at the same time opening up totally new ground for current and potential EVE players.
With this new approach, you can take your run of the mill ETC code and enter it in-game through the escape menu, converting it into two in-game items called �CONCORD 30 Day Pilot License�. You can then put them directly on to the market or into a contract! This means:
Benefit to you as a player
Lower barrier of entry for exchanging ETCs. Everybody can do it easily in-game
ETCs now use a transparent and efficient market, our very own EVE market
Fights price fixing--one of the single most complained about issues with the current secure exchange
Some new wording was added specifically addressing businesses (Real Life) that are accessing the game. The EULA can be found here: http://www.eve-online.com/pnp/eula.asp
"Accounts may not be used for business purposes. Access to the System and playing EVE is intended for your personal entertainment, enjoyment and recreation, and not for corporate, business, commercial or income-seeking activities. Business entities and anyone who is acting for or on behalf of a business or for business purposes may not establish an Account, access the System or play EVE. Accessing the System or using the Game for commercial, business or income-seeking purposes is strictly prohibited."
This is a very positive thing for the game. EVE is one of the few game economies that has gold sinks. In this case ISK sinks. That actually work well.
Character Transfers: They are ok. But only as a gift. They don't use the word gift. But reading the language of this addition to the EULA this is how it reads to me.
"You are not permitted to transfer your account to another person. If you wish to discontinue your account please refer to section 6. of this EULA. You may transfer a character from your account to another account, either belonging to you or another person. This transfer option is available from the EVE Online Account Management web site https://secure.eve-online.com/login.asp and is subject to fees and the following limitations: You may not offer to transfer characters except your own, or act as a "broker" or intermediary (for compensation or otherwise) for anyone wishing to transfer or obtain characters. The transferee will obtain all rights to your character in a single transaction, and you will retain absolutely no control or rights over the characters, items or attributes of that character. You may not transfer any characters whose attributes are, in whole or in part, developed, or which own items, objects or currency obtained or acquired, in violation of the EULA."
It seems that Eve's latest grand update to their serviers (codenamed: Trinity) will blow up your computer:
Quote: Please do not reboot your computer without reading this information and determining if your system might be affected.
(Note that Windows Vista is not affected)
If you are only using the Classic client or installed the Premium client using the full Premium installer than you are not affected.
If you upgraded from the Classic client to the Premium client, using the content upgrade, then please read on.
Check the root directory of your hard drive and see if you have a boot.ini file, if so then you are not affected. The file is normally hidden so you need to click Tools : Folder Options : View and select "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" to be able to see it.
You can also check for the presence of this file by clicking Start : Control Panel : System : Advanced : Startup and Recovery : Settings (third button down). Windows will alert you if the boot.ini file is missing.
If there is no file then please read the following articles:
Microsoft Articles
How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP "Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer Contents of a sample boot.ini:
Secure Time Code Exchange Video Transcript Transcribed by Kimmi Clark
Hello, I'm Marcus Eikenberry; I'm the managing member of www.ShatteredCrystal.com . We've got some really exciting news, EVE online just announced a new way to securely purchase ISK. Now in the past it’s been a violation of the Terms of Service for EVE to buy or sell ISK. They have allowed the trading of game time codes for ISK for quite awhile now in the forums. Well, this has worked really well and a lot of people have been really successful at it. It’s been a pretty easy way to buy ISK.
Although there have still been fraud issues. Now with the fraud issues, most people learn how to do it okay. There were always complaints about people getting ripped off and sold an invalid game time codes in exchange for ISK and stuff. Well CCP has instituted an official way to now safely buy a game time code and convert it into ISK.
Behind me here we have EVE’s website and we'll get back to that in just a second here. For buying your game time, of course, I'm going to tout www.ShatteredCrystal.com because that’s the shop that we run here. Shattered Crystal sells EVE game time in both 30 day and 90 day increments. Once you go to the Shattered Crystal site, which is www.ShatteredCrystal.com, simply scroll down to the EVE Online category and click that and you’re presented with two options there. The options are to buy EVE game time in either the 30 day increment or the 90 day increment. The prices you’ll find are very low. For those of you who are in Europe with the exchange rate you’ll find that it’s actually about 20% lower than what you can buy it for in Euros.
So, you go through the “buy” process, it’s pretty easy and painless. We accept Paypal and you get your codes in email. First time buyers you’ll get the code usually within about 20 minutes and if you’re an existing buyer it usually only takes a couple minutes, so it’s pretty easy. After you’ve received your ...
Read more about The SAFE way to buy EVE ISK
In this thread over at the EvE Online forums kieron ( Community Manager EvE Online ) addressed the recent allegations of CCP employee misconduct.
Quote:
Our goal is to provide the best possible game, gaming experience and development process possible. In light of that, we would like to address the recent allegations of CCP employee misconduct. CCP has taken these charges very seriously and since they surfaced we have launched a thorough investigation consisting of an examination of character histories ranging back to their creation as well as into any connected characters owned by the developers involved. This examination was performed by the same internal division which is also tasked with standard periodic audits of all developer and volunteer accounts. Areas of investigation include, but are not limited to: messaging history, financial and transactional history, combat and corporation logs, item and cash transfers and IP logs.
As for the allegations themselves, they consist of two parts. The first part involved a case that happened seven months ago when a CCP employee’s identity became public knowledge within his corporation. Per company policy, the incident was investigated and actions taken where appropriate, including the removal of characters whose identities were compromised.
The second part of the accusations stem from a leak of information pertaining to an in-game event arc. Due to the amount of time that has passed since the planning and execution of the event arc, we have not been able to confirm nor deny the veracity of these allegations.
In both cases, these accusations were recently brought forward when a player revealed the identity of numerous CCP employee characters. Since these play characters are known to belong to CCP employees, they will be removed from the game. Many of them have been around since the creation of EVE and it is most unfortunate that these developers are now forced to end their relationships with their in-game friends, but that is our policy when the anonymity of staff members has been compromised.
Last summer, CCP implemented stricter monitoring procedures and audits on all CCP employees’ EVE accounts. We are confident that our rigid procedures and protocol will prevent any misconduct or, at...
I got to say, this game is indeed one of the most complicated games I have ever played.
Quote: (…)Eve is the equivalent of solving algebra problems in college. It is just too complex at the very beginning for most people to jump in to. They scared off potential customers by shoving too much information at them in the beginning, rather than easing them in to it. My first thoughts when I tried the game: "Good God, this will take me forever to figure out." And I was right. As I played, I kept wondering how long it was going to take me to get to the fun part.
(I lost the link for that quote; if anyone has it, please send to me so I can give proper credit. Thanks.)
Yeah, the game is certainly NOT for everyone. But know what? I like it.
Before I continue, let me stop and get a few things out of the way.
It took me so long to get this last part to you wonderful readers because I couldn’t run from my girl’s dad anymore. That damn shotgun is scary! So, yeah, I got hitched. If you are getting married, and can afford it, hire a professional wedding planner. Planning and actually executing the plans to a wedding is a pain. Thankfully the goal of our planning was met and the ceremony was awesome.
Good times.
Where was I? Oh yeah, Eve.
I am now flying a Ferox (Battlecruiser). I got to say, it’s a slow [censored] ship. I hate its speed. But I love the fact that I can pound it out with massive shielding and ability to carry a good amount of missile launchers and/or turrets. This ship kind of reminds me of the Battlestar Galactica as it pounds into a Cylon Base-star. Well, almost. It’s got 7 slots for missile and gun batteries, decent power and CPU output as well as good shielding. It definitely tanks better than the Caracal I used to fly. Another advantage is the fact that I can now use decent level drones. Two hammerheads can certainly generate heat on targets. By using one turret or missile launcher on a target, I can keep its attention (“agro”) on myself while the drones tear it up. This allows me to concentrate firepower on other targets and taking 2 out at a time. Not bad really.
I started to make my own ammunition in game. Once you figure out how to use the manufacturing ‘...
Read more about Should you play Eve Online?
It is said that “money”, and the means by which you acquire it, “is the root of all evil”. In any MMO one of the most important phases of game development is how will players acquire money. Even though money can drive people to do evil things, money pays the bills. It assists you in acquiring goods, services, and pay fees. It is no different in Eve Online. Eve allows a player to earn ISK (Eve form of currency) through mining, missions, player versus environment (drones/NPC pirates), pirating or anti-pirating, and crafting.
When I first started playing Eve, my goal with the initial 14 day trial was to earn ISK through mining and possibly crafting. I had played enough games to know you can earn money via the PvE and PvP routes. What makes a game really good is how well it’s crafting and non-combat means of earning money is built. Many players don’t like combat as much as they enjoy working the various trade skills found in most games and working the world economy for profit and gain. Note that “gain” isn’t something you can put a direct price too. Being known as a respected merchant and business person in the game world is just as valuable as the quality items you could produce. Reputation helps makes sales because we all know word of mouth helps make available better business opportunities than any advertising you could do on your own. So, I plug in to Eve building my skills and start mining. I earn some decent ISK along the way and then start to get missions from Agents in the game. Agents are NPCs that give you missions and offers to earn more ISK. Missions are usually courier or combat in nature. Offers can be courier type missions or purchasing items (contraband included) and delivering them to your agent or to a station dictated by the agent. Sometimes your agent will sell you something. Again, I turn these down. Note that turning down a mission can lead to a loss of standing (reputation) with that agent and the corporation you are associated with. Turning down offers does not cause a loss in standing but completing one can as some offers require you to pay some measure of loyalty points. So far, I have turned down most offers I have been given. Most of these offers require me to deliver drugs, gun running, etc. Not my cup of tea and I personally don’t want to lose the reputation points. For those that want to do that kind of stuff, they can. There is another type of mission I have encountered. ...
Read more about Money Is Evil.
Back when Eve Online (EO) was in development I got a personal invitation to play EO from the lady herself, Ex-Ultima Online Seer Pann.
Unfortunately, I didn't take her up on the offer. After reading about all the games in development and reviews of various games, I see that EO is actually a highly rated game. What interested the most about this game was the fact that all players play on one game server only. I decided to contact Pann and see if I could participate in the 14 day trial and have her available for questions. Alas, Pann had moved on to
NC Soft. I had forgotten she told me that back in '04! I am getting old! The current Community Rep, Keiron, offered to upgrade my trial account to a 60 day 'Press Account' and to answer any direct questions I have regarding the game. Why would I say no!?
What is Eve Online? The official answer from Eve-Online.com: EVE is a massive multiplayer online game (MMOG) set in a science-fiction based, persistent world. Players take the role of spaceship pilots seeking fame, fortune, and adventure in a huge, complex, exciting, and sometimes hostile galaxy.
The quick version? Eve is about you and your spaceship and the Eve Online Universe.
I have played this game on two different computers to see how it handles itself. The game runs very well on either platform. The descriptions of those systems follows.
System Specifications -
Primary Computer (Custom Built) - AMD Sempron 2.8GHZ CPU, 1GB DDRam, 256GE Force II Video Card; Connection-Cable Modem
All players for EO play on ONE game 'world' (or in the case of EO, one 'universe'). This is a plus in my opinion as all the players affect what happens in the EO universe. Economic Market conditions are controlled and affected by the players. Believe me when I say that the Market is indeed your friend. It actually feels like a true market economy in game (more about this in a later article).
In EO you can be a a crafter creating items off of 'blueprints', a miner that gathers resources for your crafting use or for sale on the Market, or even a fighter pilot that hunts down pirates (game or human controlled) or rogue drones (think mini-Borg).
The space ship IS the character. Your character lives inside a
cybernetic Pod that is connected,...
Read more about An invitation from the lady herself
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