CCP Invites Eve Online Players To Donate PLEX For Pakistan

CCP Games is allowing Eve Online players to take a break from their virtual scams and wars by donating their in-game PLEX currency to contribute real aid to those affected by recent catastrophic flooding in Pakistan. In the science fiction-themed online MMO, users can spend ISK, another form of virtual currency, on Pilot's License Extension (PLEX) items. Players can activate a PLEX item to add 30 days of game time to their paid subscription, or they can sell such items to others. From September 15th to October 6th, CCP will accept PLEX donations from players and convert them into cash, which it will then send to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, a local humanitarian and relief organization working towards helping the millions of Pakistanis affected by the monsoonal flooding. The "PLEX for GOOD: Pakistan" program, as it's officially known, comes just a couple weeks after an Eve Online player stole $45,000 worth of ISK in an investment scheme. The virtual world's player-driven economy and lawless setting has made heists like this possible and almost commonplace -- it's also what's attracted many players to the game. CCP, though, cautions players against ripping each other off in matters concerning its PLEX for GOOD campaigns. The publisher warned potential hornswogglers: "CCP regards any scamming attempts surrounding this effort to be morally reprehensible and they will be met with swiftest action." The Reykjavik, Iceland-based publisher's first PLEX for GOOD campaign this February raised more than $40,000 to support the Red Cross' efforts in helping the victims of Haiti's 7.0-magnitude earthquake earlier this year.