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Articles MMORPG News MMORPG News. |
By Khimera
Far, far from Earth, the planet Calypso was discovered by an unmanned space probe - launched from Earth many years before. As was its function, the probe left behind robots programmed to prepare Calypso for colonization. The humans should have had an easy time getting settled in once their colonization transport arrived at Calypso. But, things don't always go as planned …
This is the world of Project Entropia, where settlers have been and continue to be attacked by robots. Some settlers choose to fight these attackers, while others turn to the development and management of their cities and the planet.
Project Entropia is being developed by MindArk, which is based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was officially formed in Spring 1999. Today, there are 45-55 employees working to bring together a very unique MMORPG. Currently in Beta, the game is set for release in the second quarter of 2002.
Anyone who's read anything about Project Entropia has learned about the most novel aspect of the game - the live economy system that will allow players to exchange real money for "Project Entropia Dollars" - also known as PEDs. Players will be able to use credit cards or other options to transfer funds, at an exchange rate of $1.00 to 10 PEDs, into the Project Entropia world. That money can be used freely within the game, and then converted, if desired, back into real cash. It will actually be possible for players to make money playing this game! Any item needed or wanted in the game can be purchased - first from MindArk, and later from other players. There are even plans to eventually allow this economic model to allow players to invest in in-game companies, as a part of the "Project Entropia Stock Exchange", or PESE.
In Project Entropia, objects will wear down and out, which works perfectly with MindArk's strategy to make the game profitable. "Everything that will be used by citizens in this universe will have some form of deterioration or wear," said Jan Welter Timkrans, managing director of MindArk. "If you use armor ... it will wear down and you will need to replace it."
Other items affecting the economy of the game will include players' ability to set themselves up as merchants and sell their hand-crafted game items, equipment auctions, and who knows what else!
To begin the game, a player must first create a character avatar. There will be five to eight characters allowed per account. All characters in PE are human. A player can select a male or female character, and then personalize that character using more than 30 variables. These variables include height, weight, hair color, nose size, and shoulder width!
All players begin at the same level. There are no classes in Project Entropia - players form their characters during play. Rather than levels, players will concentrate on developing skills - with more than 50 different skills available.
When a character first appears, it will wake up in a private apartment. Characters will be able to log onto a "home computer terminal" to check local news and get hints/tips on things to do. Each character will have a storage facility and a "home vault" that connects with the real-world bank and will allow transfers of real currency into PEDs.
Later, players will be able to claim a piece of free land where they can place a purchased house. There will be many different types of houses available, ranging from small cottages to huge skyscrapers. Players will be able to arrange and shape the interior of their homes to suit themselves.
Players will be able to use "televators" to transport from one location to another if they don't feel like walking or running to their destinations. There will also be vehicles available!
Cities will be "safe areas" where players can train their combat skills in Arenas before heading out into the big wide world. In the cities, players will be able to meet with friends, visit restaurants, nightclubs and cafés, and visit various shops. There will also be the ability to log onto stations that will allow players to view and purchase real-world merchandise.
Players will be able to greatly affect the Entropia universe. They'll be able to build towns, cities, and buildings. They can create robot NPCs as companions. If they have an entrepreneurial bent, they'll be able to start their own businesses or become landlords and collect rent! NPCs will be available to mind the businesses, go with players on quests, and help out in various ways.
There is no magic, per se, in Project Entropia. Instead, there is "Mindforce." In the world of PE, humans can use far more of their brain capacity, and there will be implants available to increase certain types of brain capacity.
The PE world will be home to various Societies, or groups of players that will work towards a common goal. Societies will be ruled in a manner determined by their founders. Members of a society will be able to have a special communication system allowing them to speak directly to each other at all times. Societies will be able to own land and/or buildings as a group, as well.
Once a player moves outside the city, or down into the old underground sewage systems, there are various creatures that will be encountered - both land and air-based. Animals, both harmless and dangerous, will be found. Additionally, there will be "creatures", which will be intelligent beings that can use weapons and Mindforce. These will include mutants, former humans that were severely genetically altered during the Robot Wars, and robots. Players can loot the creatures they kill to obtain credits, equipment, and weapons. In addition to killing animals and creatures, players will also be able to participate in various quests with different levels of difficulty and danger.
Player-vs-Player combat will be possible in certain areas, but with safeguards built in to prevent abuse of the system. All players will be able to acquire various types of insurance. If Player A, with insurance, is killed by Player B, Player A will not lose any possessions or loot. Additionally, Player B will lose his insurance for a certain time period, making him more vulnerable to being killed/looted.
Players who been killed will be able to be revived - either through another player who uses MindForce to "reawaken" their life, or by getting to a hospital for reinstatement.
MindArk has not yet decided on server location. They will have what they refer to as "server parks since they in fact will contain many servers cooperating on various tasks." The developers' goal is to have at least one million people online on a single server at any one time!
Project Entropia will be released simultaneously around the world. The game will also be distributed through various magazine CDs, and will be available for purchase from MindArk for the price of shipping/handling.
Project Entropia will not only be free to obtain, it will also be ... wait for it! ... free from montly subscription fees. According to MindArk, "there are NO requirements to ever insert money. The only cost that ever falls on the user is his internet connection fee. Since it is freeware it can also be copied and distributed freely as long as the code remains intact." Now *that's* a totally new concept!
This unique facet of the game will definitely be of interest to many players who have not yet made the plunge into MMORPG gaming because of the expense. In fact, one of the questions most often submitted to MMORPG Cafe' is whether there are any totally free 3-D MMORPGs. When Project Entropia goes live, these players will finally have a home.
All things considered, how can you *not* give this game a chance? Where else will you be able to play for free and actually have a shot at making a living playing a MMORPG? I'm definitely in - See you in Calypso!
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