CCP investigation into ‘suicidal player jokes’

Icelandic studio CCP Games has launched an internal review into allegations that a player who “indicated suicidal thoughts” was publicly mocked at last week’s FanFest convention.

A panel discussion, moderated by CCP staff and featuring a Council of Stellar Management member, reportedly featured video of in-game communication between two Eve Online players, where one showed "obvious" signs of severe depression.

According to an eyewitness account by Eve Online player ‘Kestrel’, many on the panel and in the audience “all had a good laugh" at the player’s expense.

"The [unnamed] presenter went on to encourage other players of Eve Online to harass this player in the hope that he would eventually be compelled to act on his suicidal thoughts,” read Kestrel’s note, sent to Eurogamer.

“I found this section of the presentation to be in extremely poor taste,” he said.

CCP, months away from the full release of its PlayStation 3 freemium shooter Dust 514, has moved quickly to act on the allegations.

"We are undertaking a full internal review of this panel as well as the process used for vetting the panel’s materials,” said CCP public relations boss Ned Coker.

“Even though this panel was billed as unfiltered by CCP, we expect public presentations to be courteous and professional towards others,” he added.

"CCP in no way condones the harassment of players, especially those who suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts, as we understand the possible consequences of such abhorrent behaviour. While the content of online interactions between players cannot realistically be gated within our game worlds, we do take very seriously accusations of such behaviour between our players.

"Furthermore, we have a suicide hotline protocol which has, in specific cases, made a difference for several unfortunately troubled players.”