$5 plan to charm back Eve Online rebels

CCP is offering a substantial subscription discount to a number of EVE players who quit the game during recent fan rebellions.

In June, a vast community of Eve players threatened to abandon their monthly subscriptions to the MMO, following a crisis in confidence over controversial microtransactions policies.

More than 5,000 accounts were due to be cancelled in protest, representing an annual loss of at least €1 million.

Now CCP is targeting those who followed through on their threats, according to a Massively report.

The company is offering a special rate of $4.95 for 30 days of subscription time. A monthly subscription usually costs about $15.

CCP’s summer of woe began when leaked documents appeared to suggest that the company wanted to charge for virtual items that give buyers an advantage.

The subsequent uproar engulfed the company, before it promised that no such plans would go ahead.

Last week its CEO, Hilmar Pétursson, issued an extensive apology for the fiasco.

“We have re-examined our processes, hired experienced industry professionals for key leadership positions, reassessed our priorities, moved personnel around and, above all else, recognized our limitations,” he said.

CCP Games made more than $46 million in 2008, according to financial statements.