EVE Online is increasing monthly fees, adding new tiers and recalculating PLEX, and addressing community criticism

Citing “global trends affecting overall production costs and years of inflation,” CCP announced they are increasing the 1-month subscription price for EVE Online for the first time since 2004. This will also result in a reformulation of PLEX levels. Of course, the community has something to say about it.

The new monthly subscription price increases from $14.95 to $19.99 per month, with discounted subscription pricing for longer-term subscriptions. With the increases taking effect on May 17th, they are also adding two new tiers, 2 months and 24 months. With a 2-month subscription, the price drops to $17.99 for each month and if you subscribe for 24 months, your monthly rate drops to $11.29.

The PLEX tiers are also changing: 50 PLEX is $2.49, 1000 PLEX is $44.99 and 20,000 PLEX is $649.99.

There has been controversy over the past few weeks over selling the Prospector’s Pack with a pre-built ship, leading to a vow to change it, as well as other considerations, leading the community to be vocal about how that adds value to the subscription and how many other opportunities did they consider before pushing a price increase? Of course, CCP pointed out that the last increase was in 2004.

Feedback was critical, ranging from criticizing the amount of the increase, to the lack of significant new content in some time, to stating that it would make an improvement EVE the only major game priced at $20 a month.

User Kuno Akachi on the EVE forums called, “30% price increase and literally no content for 2 years. Well done ccp, this will make me totally resubscribe.” Others wondered if there might have been some kind of incremental price increases that didn’t have to add up to such a big jump anytime soon. There’s a lot of mixed feedback across the community, but a general dissatisfaction with the timing and (lack of) content.

Recently there was also an announced increase for RuneScape, which also drew criticism. Citing inflation and spending, these are also things affecting players.

With Fanfest taking place in Reykjavik next month, they certainly have plenty of time to prepare for a slap they may yet overcome. See announcement over there EVE Online.