14 DAY TRIAL // Following the scam at the Eve Investment Bank (EIB) that took place several weeks ago, Eve Online developers held a virtual press conference this Saturday to clarify their official position. It was spring when user "Cally" started a banking initiative in the Eve universe, and soon enough gathered enough followers to make the money making machine a viable endeavor. Thus EIB was born and its fame grew by the hour as more and more satisfied customers deposited their excess ISK into the virtual fund. Rumors and controversy were eventually proven right, as several weeks ago, the CEO went AWOL and made off with almost 800 billion ISK in the process.
Since there are ways to measure ISK in-game wealth in real world currency, CCP officials estimated the amount stolen to a potential value of $170,000 if sold. Even so, they stated the sum is by no means large enough to throw off balance Eve Online's economy. The staff does not want to put boundaries on people in-game so they will not interfere unless someone is abusing the game mechanics by selling the ISK offline. It is up to EVE Online to reprimand Cally, if in fact, it is determined that he did something against the rules set forth in the EULA. As of yet, it appears that may not be the case. Game Masters are diligently watching and will go after him should he try to make a real world profit out of the gain.
As surprisingly spectacular Cally's crime might appear to those living in the Eve Online universe, it is unlikely law enforcement will be signing up and loging in a team of virtual investigators anytime soon. No actual money was stolen so there is no mobile for the crime. The legitimacy of any activities performed by the avatar known as Cally is determined solely by the operators of EVE Online. Still, Eve Online is able to provide a strange precedent for online gaming theft, one that could lead to a serious change in laws world over. For instance, should Cally cash in, would he be prosecuted? What would then be the proof, and could the $170,000 be charged for taxes if they were all legal? One man single handedly gave a brand new meaning to the definition of professional gaming, with profits to make even the richest of gaming pros envious.
CCP is looking at doing something that will make ISK sellers obsolete by taking a different approach of the issue. Although no details were revealed as of yet, it appears developers hint at some kind of tie-in between players and their respective currency, taking most of the virtual factor out of it and enabling better tracing.