I agree. Anyone that wants to peer into the equivalence of work with video games that does not peer into the culture Eve Online has developed is missing a core part of the research, in my opinion.
There is the literal "spreadsheets online" part of the "gameplay". I used to be one of them. I literally spent hours pouring over resource numbers and timing, and that's not even touching the in-game market that has complexities of the same magnitude as the real-world market.
Then there is the "millionaire-turned-retired" myth persistent throughout the in-game culture. It was cited as a ha-ha-only-serious joke for whoever seemed to dump a ton of money-for-ISK into the game, but if there is a kernel of truth in humor then that is something that could always be more fleshed out.
Then, of course, the entire premise of the game is built on top of the simple mechanic "when you get blown up, you lose everything with you". Loss is very real and requires real work to keep and maintain your in-game status quo. Whether it is having good allies or finding a less-crowded corner of the universe.
There is the literal "spreadsheets online" part of the "gameplay". I used to be one of them. I literally spent hours pouring over resource numbers and timing, and that's not even touching the in-game market that has complexities of the same magnitude as the real-world market.
Then there is the "millionaire-turned-retired" myth persistent throughout the in-game culture. It was cited as a ha-ha-only-serious joke for whoever seemed to dump a ton of money-for-ISK into the game, but if there is a kernel of truth in humor then that is something that could always be more fleshed out.
Then, of course, the entire premise of the game is built on top of the simple mechanic "when you get blown up, you lose everything with you". Loss is very real and requires real work to keep and maintain your in-game status quo. Whether it is having good allies or finding a less-crowded corner of the universe.
Very many missed opportunities indeed.