An update on the EVE Online starbase exploit
In the wake of last week's revelation of a market disrupting exploit in EVE Online, a growing number of players have been calling for increased transparency on the situation. EVE's developer CCP Games has stated they've discovered seven player-run corporations taking advantage of the player owned station (POS) exploit, which yielded a vast amount of materials used in the EVE Online's manufacturing (crafting) system. Three of those corporations were in two alliances, and over 70 accounts have been banned thus far in connection with the exploit. The starbases used in the exploit have been destroyed by CCP, and they've stated that the corporations in question are now effectively inactive following the bans.
CCP Games has not released the names of characters, corporations, or alliances linked to the exploit, but a player named "moppinator" of the AMT. corporation (part of Ev0ke alliance) stepped forward and issued the following statement on the extent of his alliance's involvement:
"In order to clarify the involvement of Ev0ke in the recently uncovered POS mechanics exploit we hereby release our official statement to set the record straight. As you might have already heard from various sources we had several accounts banned for reasons of EULA violation.
Some of the individuals in question have confessed to us that they in fact did engage in such and that those bans are a direct result from it. We were just as surprised to learn about the utterly flawed game mechanics as you probably have been and downright enraged that members of our own alliance took advantage of it.
It is important for us to point out that the vast majority of our membership was unaware of the existence of such an exploit, let alone that someone from our midst would utilize it. Further on it is important to note that not all members who had their accounts banned were directly involved, at least they didn't consciously support it.
CCP's investigation of that matter is still ongoing and we believe that time will tell who can be considered innocent and who not.
Still we want to apologize to the whole EVE Online Community for our failure at discovering the actions of that group of former members ourselves. They have fooled and disappointed us even more than they did you."
With Ev0ke alliance stepping forward and admitting some within their ranks were involved, it does leave the question of who else benefitted from the exploit. This information has not been officially released at this time. The last announcement CCP Games made stated that they're still looking into the matter and that the issue would be brought up this weekend with the newly elected Council of Stellar Management, who are player-elected community representatives.
CCP Games has declined to comment further to Massively at this time, and stands behind its most recent announcement on the matter.
