The Cost of Bot-Aspirancy, Part 2

Previously, on MinerBumping... We took a look at CCP's increasing reliance on microtransactions as an alternative to monthly subscription payments. In the course of this discussion, we discovered that all of the miners who profess to care so much about CCP's revenues are now forced to support the ganking of whales!

The hypocrisy of the bot-aspirant carebears is well known. By this point, we expect it--though that doesn't let the carebears off the hook. Regardless, the carebears' concerns and hypocrisies do not govern highsec; the Code does. This, in turn, raises a far more important question: What does the Code say about microtransactions and the like?

Fortunately, we don't need to search too far for the answer: The Code plainly forbids carebears from participating in a whole host of activities, including the purchase, possession, and use of PLEX. The Code likewise prohibits carebears from partaking in the Skill Injector craze.

But why?

At the core of the highsec carebear's bot-aspirancy is his single-minded obsession with isk. Most visibly, carebears eschew PvP and its joys (i.e., EVE's reason for existing) in exchange for PvE. They mindlessly gather isk, generally while AFK or semi-AFK. But that's not all: They view EVE entirely through the prism of isk. They think they can solve any problem with isk. They'd rather bling-out their ship than learn how to pilot it.

As you'd expect, this makes carebears a natural market for RMT'ers who sell isk--including CCP. Instead of learning how to play EVE, carebears buy PLEX and Skill Injectors. They think that if they can only get into a more expensive ship with more expensive modules, they'll win.

...And then a bunch of gankers in throwaway Catalysts take down the carebear's blingy ship. At which point the carebear makes a bunch of death threats and fills up local with racial slurs.

The Code is merciful, though. Agents of the New Order restrain carebears from the worst impulses of bot-aspirancy by teaching them the futility of placing one's trust in isk and bling. Agents, by example, demonstrate the superiority of skill over skillpoints. Carebears could save so much money and avoid so much anguish by obeying the Code.

The Carebear's pay-to-win mentality sometimes manifests itself in multiboxing. A carebear may understand that spending all day mining in highsec with a Retriever is fruitless. But then he decides that multiboxing a dozen Retrievers in highsec will give him victory. What a Goofus! He simply spends more money on subscription fees and loses more Retrievers as a result. Then come the tears.

"But James 315," whines the carebear. "I know for a fact that you have Agents who multibox ganking ships. And I'll bet some of them use PLEX or Skill Injectors, too! You're not following your own CODE!"

Miner, calm down.

Unlike carebears, Agents of the New Order are not prohibited from multiboxing. It's also perfectly legal for Agents to use PLEX and Skill Injectors for their own purposes. Our Agents have proven themselves to be good citizens who can be trusted to use PLEX, Skill Injectors, and multiple accounts in a responsible manner--and for a good cause. While the carebear blows through billions of isk to equip a Marauder with bling--only to go AFK and lose it--an Agent makes efficient use of Skill Injectors to create a Catalyst squad for the good of highsec. The two situations couldn't be more different.

It is only logical that Agents are permitted to use resources that carebears are not. Take a real-world example: The United States military has, in its possession, a number of nuclear weapons. On the other hand, convicted serial killers are not allowed to possess such weapons. This is not inconsistency; it's common sense.

Have you noticed that "you're not following your own CODE" is never a good argument?

(A side note regarding the new gambling system: I advise carebears not to use the HyperNet relay at this time. Carebears, if you wish to gamble, please send your isk to an Agent who will set the terms of your game of chance. Alternatively, please seek the services of a reputable isk-doubler.)

Carebears often complain about not being warned enough, so I will close today's post with a word of caution. Our Agents are constantly enforcing the Code, including its rules against microtransactions. Miner, don't allow yourself to become the next X-FEANOR.