I can only take so much stupidity before I start to do crazy things. I really shouldn't listen to ShadowandLight defend input broadcasting. I want to support CCP's new policy, but ShadowandLight makes such a great case for why the policy does not go far enough. Well, that and the arrogance. Drives me up the wall.
So what did I do this weekend? I played just enough EVE to finish my latest faction grind and get the loyalty points for two high-end implants and spent the rest of the time playing Star Wars: The Old Republic. That's right, I'm playing an EA game. I told you I start doing crazy things.
I haven't seriously played TOR since the game went free-to-play. Well, F2P violates truth in advertising since the game now seems designed to nickle-and-dime players until their wallets bleed so much they subscribe. I'm fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on your point of view) that I purchased the collector's edition shortly after launch. Still, I wound up spending $10 on a package to get my third crew skill, 10 inventory slots, a pilot's license so I can use the speeder I received with the collector's edition at level 10, and a couple of other perks. But after that sour experience, I really don't want to pay any more. Really, paying for action bars?
I should mention something pretty shady. EA/Bioware offers an authentication service. Only one problem. I can't place an authenticator on my account because I'm not a subscriber. Okay, EA. I've heard of Pay-To-Win, but never Pay-To-Secure.
But with all the problems, once I got everything situated, I enjoyed the game. I'm playing the Imperial Agent and chose the female option because I love listening to Jo Wyatt. Besides, I tried playing a male IA a long time ago and Jo's portrayal just sounds better. Plus, less sex. Maybe one day I'll go back through and play a male, if I can find a male look that doesn't remind me of the 70s, but for now I like the cold, professional operative. Besides, I wanted to role a healer, and nothing tells geeks you've rolled a healer like making your character female.
Pro-tip for people coming into EVE from other games. Don't assume that women EVE players have the same mentality. Do so only if you want a quick trip to your medical clone.
I managed to get to level 13 by the end of Sunday night. I think I'm doing content a little above my level, which means I need to do a little grinding if I want to continue. I don't blame that on my lack of subscription status, because I experienced the same on the Smuggler I rolled up at launch.
Will I continue playing? I think so. One thing about TOR is that the stories are good, so playing the game is pretty much like reading a book. Well, maybe a magazine, since I've never seen a book that contains the constant barrage of ads as TOR. Still, the challenge of getting through the rest of the story without paying any more money is tempting to take.
Going back to the whole input broadcasting issue in EVE, I just want to conclude with a question Dirk asked on the GRN Show yesterday. He asked those who oppose input broadcasting if CCP came out and stated everything about the current version of ISBoxer did not break the EULA, would we leave EVE. My answer is, I might grumble if CCP did not balance EVE around the software. But as this weekend shows, I might play other games just to get away from their yapping.
