CCP clamping down on EVE gambling sites with freemium switch in sight

With the launch of EVE Online: Ascension and a new era of freemium space exploration in sight, EVE creator CCP Games is looking to clamp down on the buying and selling of in-game goods. 

As part of its new End User License Agreement (EULA), which will take effect when Ascension lands on November 8, the Icelandic studio is taking a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of gambling, selling, auctioning, and buying of in-game goods. 

In a developer blog post, CCP explained that going forward no player will be allowed to "transfer, sell or auction (or offer to do any of the foregoing), any content appearing within the game environment."

Such content includes all forms of characters, character attributes, items, currency, and objects -- aside from those that can be moved via a permitted character transfer. 

"In short, this addition to the EVE Online EULA means that as of the launch of Ascension, players will be prohibited from using in game assets and currency, as well as the EVE IP, to take part in or promote gambling services or other games of chance that are operated by third parties." continues the post. 

CCP says it has already moved against two third-party organizations that were offering gambling services relating to the game. 

The companies in question, EVE Casino and IWANTISK, have both been shut down in-game and stripped of all assets and ISK -- EVE Online's in-game currency. Permanent account suspensions have also been handed to those involved with the running of both outfits.

CCP is warning anyone else involved in third party gambling activities to start winding down their operations before November 8. 

"During the time from this announcement until the release of EVE Online: Ascension, our security team will be closely monitoring all these in game entities to ensure that no illicit behavior occurs, and that any movement of in game assets and currency remains in line with our current EULA and Terms of Service."

The developer has posted information relating to other upcoming changes, and is welcoming questions, over on its dev blog.