EVE Frontier, for those new to the project, plans on using Web3 technology. Forget all the libertarian talking points and theory about the subject. When most regular people find out that the blockchain and cryptocurrencies are involved, they tend to think of people like this guy.
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| FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried - Photograph: Faith Aktag/Getty Images |
Sam Bankman-Fried, often referred to as SBF, is an American entrepreneur who founded the cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the trading firm Alameda Research. At his peak, he was considered a major figure in the crypto industry, even ranking among the richest Americans. However, his empire collapsed in November 2022 when FTX filed for bankruptcy amid allegations of fraud.
In December 2022, Bankman-Fried was arrested and later convicted on multiple charges, including wire fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud, and money laundering. In March 2024, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $11 billion. His downfall has been compared to some of the biggest financial scandals in history.
The circle of legal action concerning Bankman-Fried didn't just engulf his confederates. Several high-profile celebrities have been sued in connection with Sam Bankman-Fried and the collapse of FTX. The lawsuits allege that these celebrities promoted FTX and misled investors. Some of the notable names include:
- Tom Brady (NFL quarterback)
- Gisele Bündchen (supermodel)
- Larry David (comedian and actor)
- Stephen Curry (NBA player)
- Shaquille O’Neal (NBA legend)
- Kevin O’Leary (businessman and TV personality)
- Naomi Osaka (tennis star)
- Trevor Lawrence (NFL quarterback)
- Shohei Ohtani (MLB player)
- David Ortiz (MLB legend)
- Udonis Haslem (NBA player)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA team)
The only person not fooled by Bankman-Fried, or at least lured by the millions SBF threw around, was Taylor Swift. So the record that crypto-bros will pay people to say nice things about a project to fool the public is pretty much a given at this point.
One of the goals of my trip is to act more like Taylor Swift and less like Tom Brady where EVE Frontier is concerned. Attending all the presentations about the project to try to give myself a good base about the game is a good start. Right now I don't even possess a level of knowledge where I can ask intelligent questions about the game. That I am in the process of changing.
The other point is actually more relevant to the trip. If I come out and write nice things about Frontier, I don't want people to say I am bought and paid for by CCP Games to have the opinion. Well, I know that may happen anyway. After all, crypto-bros don't care about how much they have to pay for good reviews, right? But I want to make any such accusation as hard to stick as possible. Which means my trip to Iceland this year is a little more expensive than it otherwise might be.
For some reason I'm considered some sort of gaming journalist, at least by someone over at CCP Games. Possibly because I was on a list when I got a press pass working with Matterall and Talking In Stations at Fanfest back in 2018 and my name probably wasn't taken off. Out of date lists for the win!
I don't know how many people realize, but most game companies will pay for games journalists to attend events and CCP is no exception. But that caused a problem, because now that CCP Games is one of those evil corporations run by cryptobros, taking advantage of the practice would probably discredit any good things I might find.
I made the most of the situation. Instead of flying economy class for a 4-day trip, I'm flying out Saga Class for a 6-day trip. Back before the pandemic CCP had a deal with Center Hotel Plaza and their guests would stay there. Now with the move of CCP's offices out near the airport the company may be using, the trip to the venue might really be long and inconvenient. Instead, I am staying at Center Hotel Arnarhvoll. Right across the street from Harpa, the venue hosting the convention.
Along with a couple of other perks the media gets I'm abstaining from I think I'm inoculating myself from charges of being bought and paid for. However, if I do somehow wander into the press area and grab a blueberry muffin or bag of chips I'll make sure to record it as part of my experience. Although I'm pretty sure the price to purchase my integrity is a lot higher than that.
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