In the space MMORPG EVE Online, there was a scam involving the powerful alliance Goonswarm: An important member returned after a long hiatus, and the head of the alliance entrusted him with a position of power. However, the “old friend” had switched to the enemies and shamelessly exploited the trust.
This was the situation:
- Goonswarm has long been a powerful alliance in EVE Online, and its leader is now Asher Elias. He is the heir of the powerful space tyrant “The Mittani”.
- A former commander of the alliance, who had been a member for almost a decade, recently returned after a long hiatus: Jay Amazingness.
- Because the leader had known him for a long time, they got along well personally, and communicated regularly, Asher did something that is usually taboo: He gave the returnee his full rights as “Director” back. This is typically not done. Because in EVE, it’s said: “Trust no one.”
Asher says in a conversation with mmorpg.com_
He recently returned to EVE, and I gave him the director role because I trust him. I would say he is the person I trust the most in EVE.
The new expansion Havoc launched yesterday in EVE Online:
The scam came without warning
This was the scam: Without any signs that something was wrong, Jay used his new power and removed the “Jump Clone Service” from a Goonswarm structure.
This leads to all 52,670 Jump Clones of the station inevitably being destroyed, which would mean a setback for Goonswarm. It would restrict their options for response and make the alliance vulnerable to their enemies, PanFam.
However, this move was apparently only the preparation for a heist: Because now Jay massively stole money from his alliance, as well as capital ships and more.
As Asher says, it would take about 3 months to make up for the losses. Fortunately for Goonswarm, a server maintenance prevented the worst, as at least 70% of the Jump Clones could be saved.
“Jay is stealing everything that isn’t nailed down”
This is what the alliance leader says: The head of the alliance still does not understand what exactly happened. He says he did not suspect Jay at all, having talked to him on the day of the robbery. Jay never indicated that he was dissatisfied or had any problems.
We were friends and talked to each other, then I wake up, my phone rings, and someone tells me: Jay is stealing everything that isn’t nailed down.
What does the fraudster say? He is not commenting. However, he has added to his player profile with the phrase: “Sometimes we need a rogue, it makes for an exciting story”.
And Jay Amazingness is now a member of the Pandemic Legion, the arch-enemies of Goonswarm.
I’ve never liked these “That’s EVE” stories – I still don’t like them
How does the alliance leader reflect on the incident? Asher says: “I know these “That’s EVE” stories, but I’ve never liked them and I still don’t like them. My side used to benefit from them, so I would never say that [this behavior] is unfair, but I am sad about the loss of trust and the loss of a friend.
I was quite sad in the last 24 hours, and it is not because my spaceship guild has lost money.”
With “That’s EVE” story, Asher apparently means something like this:
In 1 hour lost everything he built in 14 years of EVE Online
