UPDATE 0n "Lock-out Looming for Many EVE Players" - UPDATED!!!

~ New update info at the bottom ~

The new Dev blog by CCP Zulu - Shader Model 2.0 Support Discontinued April 5th - has finally shed some light on the issue of players possibly facing a lockout due to not being able to access the Character Creator that I blogged about on Sunday, February 27, 2011. Apparently Shader Model 3.0 IS the requirement for the Character Creator that has caused so many to have issues with the CC.

In the Dev Blog, it is also announced that the grace period for the CC has been extended for another few months and that they (CCP) are working with a graphics card company (as yet undisclosed) to secure a discount for us to upgrade our cards.  Now THAT is something you won't see a gaming company do everyday!  I was upset with the way CCP handled this issue with their silence but I think this balances the equation and then some.  I'd like to say thank you to CCP for this effort and for giving us time to upgrade our systems to comply with the new minimum requirement.

On a side note here, the blog states that they estimate that approximately 9000 players have graphics cards with Shader Model 2.0.  Personally, I suspect that the number is significantly higher.  They claim that these systems are roughly eight years old but they aren't taking into consideration newer computers built by companies that used the older tech to build cost-effective systems.  My laptop is a prime example.  It's a Dell Inspiron with a 17" screen that is only a little over four years old yet the Intel chipset only supports Shader Model 2.0  I'd wager that there are a LOT of others out there in the same situation.

Anyway, even though the possible discount won't help me much (as I stated above, I'm on a laptop with an integrated graphics chip - no upgrade for me.  It's new system build time!), those of you who are affected by this should keep a watch on the Dev Blogs and/or here on my blog.  As soon as they announce who the graphics card company is that they are working the deal with, I'll post it.

Guess I'd better close this now and start shopping for parts for that new build which should have occurred over a year ago when my old system fried.  I've procrastinated long enough (now I've just got to come up with the money O.o )...


UPDATE: On 03/26/2011, CCP sent out emails to everyone about the graphics cards deal...

__________________________________________________________________

OUT WITH THE (VERY) OLD
IN WITH THE NEW... FOR 10% LESS!

As mentioned in CCP Zulu's latest devblog, to ease the transition for those that need to upgrade to the new minimum video requirements, EVGA, NVIDIA and CCP Games have banded together to offer a 10% discount on select model EVGA video cards supporting Shader Model 3.0, Shader Model 4.0 and even DirectX 11 for today's latest games!

{Your Charter's Name's} EXCLUSIVE EVGA DISCOUNT CODE

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Your exclusive discount code is valid until April 17th 2011 at the EVGA US online stores for 10% off of any of the following popular video cards:

• EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti FPB
• EVGA GeForce GTX 460
• EVGA GeForce GTX 450
• EVGA GeForce GTX 440
• EVGA GeForce GTX 430

We want to thank you for being a part of the world's most incredible online universe. Visit the EVGA EVE Discount Page for more details and to order your blazing new video card with a 10% discount, courtesy of EVGA and CCP Games.

- The EVE Online Dev Team

__________________________________________________________________

If you haven't seen yours, check the email you used for your account(s) or check your junk/spam folder.

~~~ Spyke