Eve Online....

Well, well, well, a freebie worth claiming on the in game store. 7 days of free Omega game time.

Who'd have thunk it! Akin to the way Star Trek Online does some giveaways, but this is one of the few times something of actual value has been given free on the in game store in Eve. I can't really think of anything else that springs to mind. It's a precedent for sure, both for Eve and the store never mind it being of 'real' value. CCP has a hard time of doing things like giveaways of value, real value.... So fair dues to them.... That it coincides with the expansion launch and a week of login 'gifts' is also no real coincidence but it's good for gamers. Or should I say better for gamers. Either way I don't get to say that often at all in regards to Eve and CCP.....  

So once I'd seen the news the first thing I did was to confirm on my main that it was real. It was(It's CCP, you never know what the 'catch' is)! The next thing was to contact two friends, old Eve veterans. One returned within an hour of contact; The other not so much. By'the'by for anyone who reads this blog long-term, the guy who did come back is the guy I mention more for loosing ships and isk than anything else. I contacted him at 11PM his time(we're still on opposite sides of the globe), we stayed online chatting etc for about 30 mins... That's to say I then logged off... He stayed online for another 4 hours reworking his P.I. and production chains. When Eve hooks you it hooks you.

Not sure he'll spend cash on any more game-time, neither will I but I can see why CCP would want to give the freebie etc. It's just so strange that there should be a hint of good will along with the blatant 'pay for our overpriced subscription'(something else to be bitter over). It'll take a lot more 'good will' for my CCP Gripes to be alleviated... But I wont drone on about those I've enough past posts bemoaning CCP actions etc(here, here, here, here, here and here).

So I've 12 Alt accounts from a verity of times(old trials etc etc that I've also blogged about a long time ago) and my 2 main accounts means that 14 accounts are now active. I'm sure that will help with the CCP statistical skew. Of course I have an unhealthy dose of skepticism. Presedence may be set but CCP has a history of not being consistent. This is a freebie that may never be seen again(odds are more in favour of that).

So what am I going to do with my mains and alts with this gift of game-time.... Nothing. CCP has not learned form what STO knows about keeping players active. CCP may mimic in store freebies to get players into the game, claiming from that store and seeing what they could buy; But Eve is a passive skill point game. STO takes active play and gives freebies to boost and be used! Yes that's a very simplified version of 'things'. But for CCP to have meaningful giveaways to draw players AND keep them will take more than just a valuable claimable store item. I'm waffling and it's all very off the cuff; But CCP need to come up with more to make it more meaningful for players long-term. Something like what Star Trek Online's Lifetime sub does. Oh wait! CCP did.... Mystery code(FFS)! I'm gonna stop now before I really rant and link all my old ranting blog posts. With the games third decade on the horizon I'll just leave this here:

"This is just the beginning of what the Mystery Code will unlock.  In the future, whenever we have big things happening—not just across the EVE Universe but across all CCP games—you will find a Mystery Code element to enjoy.
There’s much more planned we can’t discuss right now, but you can rest assured that as we continue our journey into the Second Decade with you, the Mystery Code will be your perfect traveling companion."