Exploit destroyed, market collapses [Updated]

I only wish my stocks looked like this...

Winterblink is spreading the word that a starbase exploit that lasted for well over four years has been destroyed in the latest patch. What does CCP have to say about it?

“We have discovered an exploit involving starbases that made it possible for some players to gain an unfair advantage over others. We have taken measures to address this by removing the starbases used in the exploit. Additionally, assets gained from its use have been seized and bans levied against the players involved. We will continue to monitor the game for issues such as this one. We encourage players to create a petition if become aware of any activities which may permit others to gain an unfair advantage in the game.”

Typical exploit reaction, but there’s so much more to this one.

“The corporations were producing high end materials for T2 production. Working with the Research & Statistics team we have established that the effects on the markets have been considerable and far reaching. The effects of our actions against the exploiters will also be felt on the market as the production of the materials has been cut substantially. However, supply should increase again once players have mastered the alchemy process.”

Meander on over to the Scrapheap and read what the persona behind the exploit has to say. For four years, exploiters such as that had been supplying the market with the materials needed for many T2 products. The market adapts to this supply input and the exploit becomes the norm. Then suddenly, the carpet is pulled out from the supply chain and normalcy has no clear definition. With supply way the hell down in an instant, what is the market doing? It looks strikingly similar to a NASA shuttle launch. Prices for T2 items related to the minerals used by the exploiters have already jumped and some predict that the wars being fought at this very moment could soon hit a supply snag, changing the political and military fields immensely. As CCP stated, we should see supply increase. I believe it will increase sooner rather than later since capitalists will get in there to fill the void and make some money. We live in interesting times, do we not?

[via Winterblink]

~ by xiphos83 on December 11, 2008.