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Game economy grows with micropayments
As was recently discussed in a similar topic here at Massively, the idea of micropayments for our MMOs and virtual worlds is growing in popularity among game developers, but is it the best option? According to several highly-successful companies such as Nexon and MindArk, it's not only the best option, it's the future of online business models.A spokesperson for MindArk, maker of Entropia Universe, says that over $400 million in U.S. funds has changed hands in their game's four year lifespan. While some companies have strict rules against the interchange between real world money and virtual credits, there are plenty of others who swear it's the only way to go these days. A perfect example of this, as cited by a PCworld article, reminds us that the downloadable album from Aerosmith's Guitar Hero ventures have earned them more sales than all other album sales combined. "Who would have thought ringtones, wallpaper screensavers, and non-game mobile entertainment would be a $250 million business?", adds Joseph Olin, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.
One Shots: Overlooking New Switzerland
For today's One Shots, we're bringing you a treat. This is a screenshot from a virtual universe we don't see very often at all, but is absolutely gorgeous. What title is this, you might ask? It's Entropia Universe, developed and published by MindArk. While the graphics are somewhat stylized, nobody can dispute that they're not lovely to look at. What else can we tell you? Well, according to Mike S. who sent this screenshot in, this is prior to the upgraded CryEngine2 graphics -- so it looks even better now, if you can imagine that! With lovely graphics, a free-to-play model, and the ability to cash out items you find into real-world funds, we're surprised we don't see this title more often. Do you have a screenshot from a world we haven't seen recently? Would you like to brag on your favorite game or world? We'd love to see your screenshots. All you have to do is email them to us here at oneshots AT massively.com along with a note telling us a bit about what's going on in the screenshot, your name and the name of the game. Then relax and enjoy the limelight! %Gallery-9798%
Entropia Universe bidding war leads to $12,000 payout for newbie
How would you like to wake up and find that you made $12,000 overnight? Seems like a dream, doesn't it? How would you like to have that $12,000 come from a single drop you found one day while farming in your favorite MMO? Now it seems even more like a dream.But this is the reality for Timon "Stuka" Miles, a relatively new player to Entropia Universe, the game where the fictional currency is linked to real world money, akin to Second Life. Stuka's fortune stems from a piece of DNA from the extinct "Letomie" monster -- an item that can resurrect the creature if all of it's DNA fragments are found inside of the game. After a brief placement on the Entropia Universe forums, Stuka moved the auction to the official in-game auction house where it attracted the attention of Zachurm "Deathifier" Emegen, owner of the 26,000 real world dollar Treasure Island, and Jon "NEVERDIE" Jacobs, owner of the 100,000 real world dollar space station.
Entropia Universe Ambassador interview: Why play EU?
So what is it about Entropia Universe that has kept players hooked for five years now? What sets it apart from the other virtual worlds or MMOs out there? Well, according to one of EU's Ambassadors, Buzz Erik Lightyear, the game is about much more than simply playing a game. It's about playing a game that actually gives something back. "I'm not paying to play. I'm profiting from playing," he says.This real-world money system is not unique to EU, as it's seen in other virtual worlds, such as Second Life. In most other online games, the exchange of in-game currency for real-world currency is against the terms of service. But EU is seen as more of a venture into the MMO space than Second Life, using skills, crafting and auction houses as you would in something like WoW or LotRO. In addition to this, EU is updated monthly, with word of new planets on the horizon and the new CryEngine2 platform being introduced soon.
Entropia Universe learns three new languages
Microtransaction-based Entropia Universe is set to expand into new markets, as developer/publisher MindArk has announced the completion of translations of the Entropia client into three new languages -- German, French, and Spanish. Previously, the virtual world was only accessible to English-speakers. The translations were performed by a company called Lionbridge. MindArk rep Frank Campbell said his company made the move to increase market penetration, address users' needs, and increase the company's credibility.Entropia is a Sci-Fi-themed virtual world. It's an unusual combination of MMO-style combat and crafting, and Second Life-esque e-commerce. MindArk suggests to potential users that they can make money -- or even a living -- within the virtual world. Unsurprisingly, though, a substantial investment of real funds and time is required to become competitive.
ION 08: Virtual worlds for the masses
What's a virtual world? Why do we even call them virtual worlds when we could easily call them digital worlds, or just simply, worlds? This was just one of the many interesting topics discussed at ION 08 this year in a panel entitled, "Redefining Virtual Worlds for Mass Markert Consumption" which is quite the mouthful. So lets put things in a more understandable -- and far more interesting -- perspective.Whether you're talking about Club Penguin, Gaia Online or Second Life the truth of the mater is that these "worlds" are here to stay and they all share similarities -- social interaction. Not only are they here to stay, but they've only just begun to grow as a market. Which is why this panel was all the more interesting. The panel includes Erik Bethke (GoPets Ltd), John K. Bates (Mindark/Entropia Universe), Craig Sherman (Gaia Online), Rob Lanphier (Linden Lab/Second Life) and was moderated by David Elchoness (Association of Virtual Worlds).%Gallery-22798%
Cinemassively: Entropian Rockstar TWO
I can't believe that someone actually made a Machinima in Entropia Universe! Color me shocked, but when I tried it out, I spent about $50 USD on buying and repairing my armor before I gave up. I never found any of the cool places that are in this video. It almost looks fun.Created by Ingame Productions, the credits thank Jon "NEVERDIE" Jacobs, among others. At least Mr. Jacobs is getting use out of Club Neverdie, which he paid a whopping $100,000 USD for!
E for All galleries
We had a chance to hit up the inaugural year for E for All in Los Angeles, and while turnout wasn't so hot, there were a few goodies we were able to get our hands on. We collated the MMO-related shots for a Massively-flavored E for All gallery: %Gallery-9572% We also offer a screenshot gallery from the time we got to spend with Warhammer Online: %Gallery-9466% And some initial screenshots from the upcoming title from Avatar Reality, Blue Mars: %Gallery-9463% For the full mega-gallery featuring your required dosage of cosplay and Rock Band almost-stars, check out the complete Joystiq E for All gallery: Gallery: E for All 2007
Prof debunks MindArk hype; causes CEO tantrum
Not sure how we missed this bit of juicy drama, so forgive us for the weeks-old nature of this post in advance, please. A chronological format works best: MindArk creates major media buzz with its announcement that they would allow players to draw money out of their Project Entropia accounts with a new debit card. We admit, it sounded novel, so we published our own uncritical account of the news. Wharton Professor and Terra Nova blogger Dan Hunter took a step back to ask whether the big news was really as fantastic as MindArk made it out to be. He analysed the deal then concluded, "Hey, guess what? This new frontier in virtual currency is...wait for it...a co-branded debit card." He went on to state that previous MindArk press releases, upon further analysis, appear to be "nothing but bullshit." MindArk's CEO throws a fit, sending a nasty email to one of Hunter's bosses at Wharton, accusing Hunter of "spreading slander." Hunter blogs it. Awesome. As Terra Nova commenter Peter wrote, "Someone should have told [MindArk CEO] Welter his god-mode is limited to [Project Entropia] alone...." See also: Aleks Krotoski's take, Daniel Terdiman's summary.
