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Entropia Universe: Treasure Hunting Planet Announced
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
Game developer Arkadia Studios has announced a partnership with Swedish developer MindArk to create a treasure hunting planet. Planet Arkadia will be part of Entropia Universe. Players will have the chance to search for treasure that has real world cash value and will have the option to withdraw profits back to their real life bank account.
Utilizing the world class capabilities of the Entropia Platform, Arkadia’s new colonists will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outstanding graphics of a 3D world, interact with their friends, hunt, mine and explore together, and be entrepreneurs as they take a real part in the building of the new world.
Planet Arkadia CEO, David Dobson explains, “When colonists arrive, they will be able to explore Arkadia’s rich and intriguing history, and have the chance to become skilled treasure hunters, with ancient ruins to explore”.
Read more here.
Click the image below to see a short introductory video about the game and the team behind it.
Comments
1 day since it was anounced Arkadia's forum/site already has more activity than any of the new planet partners (except for calypso the original)
It looks like it will tie in with the concept of "universe" more than any of the other new planets as well.
It has potential to draw the interest of alot of the original Calypso settelers as well as new players.
I am excited to see how it turns out and hope im not spread too thin to try it out. (so many new planets comming that travel will be difficult to visit them all)
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
I tried this game before and let me say I wasn't that big of a fan. Here is why:
First, you are thrown out into a dangerous world where you have to get equipment to survive... Problem is: You have to buy said equipment. So... Go grind.... Oh wait! Everybody and their mother is doing that! Every, and I mean EVERY, player is ganging up on anyuthing that moves. I recall 5 to 10 players after one small critter. This is the first game, both online and offline, where I actually felt sorry for the NPC monsters.
Now lets say through the grace of God, Xenu, or whatever diety you worship (if you do), you get a creep killed without you getting killed yourself. (Oh... Forgot to mention your starting items are barely able to cut melted butter...) You get your loot... Oh no, its just one piece of trash loot... So, go sell it at a NPC... Nope. No NPCs to buy your loot. Oh they will sell you stuff alright, just not buy your stuff. Only way to do that is to Auction it.... Shoot! Again, everybody, their mom, and now cat has the exact same loot up for sale! If you are lucky and the diety you worship feels generous, (Don't worship a diety? You will if you actually get a sale!) you may get $0.01 for 1,000 junk loot...
So, you got your $0.01 burning a hole in your pocket... May as well stay there because even mediocre stuff costs $10 and epic stuff... Well, you may have to put a new morgage on your house!
So... Now you figure to forgo that and go questing... Well, finding questing spots are rarer than monsters and when you do, guess what? Thats right! Everybody, their mom, their cat, and now Lord Xenu are doing it! You feel rather Kamakase so you go for it, get killed half a googleplex times and finally get the quest done... Only to find out Lord Xenu (User: LULZ@U) got all the good loot. You get even more junk loot to maybe sell if you are lucky for $0.01!!!
If you can't tell, I am not big on this "game". To me, it lacks core elements of game design and is more focused on getting people to buy items in game with real cash in hopes to make real money. If I want that experience, I'll log out and go to work...
Well DiE80, I think we have established that I am a fan of the game and you are a hater of it.
I have to respond though that if it was easy I wouldn't be playing. I played for free for the first 6 months and then have been depositing off and on from my entertainment budget since and feel that its been worth it. (my wife playes as well)
If I wanted something simple and brainless I would be playing uno or skip-bo with the kids.
You also need to be careful with what you are attacking as the "game" because Entropia Universe has become a platform on which many games or "planets" are being built. Just because you didn't like your experience on Calypso doesn't mean you wouldnt like your experience on Rocktropia, Next Island, Cyrene, Arkadia, Planet Michael, etc.... Each of these is being created by different companies and developers to fit into the Entropia Universe "platform"
I am excited to see the diversity and new inovations that these new companies bring with their planets. It is true that they will still be based in the Entropia Universe and so it may be that the consept of a RCE (real cash economy) is not something you can enjoy anywhere, but there are lots of people eager and willing to meet the chalenges and conquer them.
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
Well Narfi, the word is critic not 'hater'. Basically your post is complete nonsense. You can't play this game for free for 6 months unless you wander around doing absolutely nothing because it costs money to do everything. The game is bascially a game of chance, some get lucky, most do not. Yes, if you have a lot of patience and luck you can make some money in this game. If gambling is your vice, this game is probably for you.
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
DiEx80's account of this game is on the money. It's very much a gambling game, you can grind for sometime like $0.01 an hour or something retarded like that or pump some money into your account and play it like a slot machine.
I still love that song, My girl is a gamer chick, from the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McBJ3ieJikw
What Diex80, Osmosis, and gutech aren't getting is that PLANET ARKADIA ISN'T THE SAME GAME THEY PLAYED! It's a different game on the same platform. Same goes for the Universal Monsters planet, the Michael Jackson Planet, Next Island, Planet Cyrene, etc.
Your complaint is like saying you hate the show Top Gear because it's delivered to you on the same TV as Allie McBeal, having never actually watched Top Gear. But, I suppose some people do have that intellectual... capacity.
Alpha AG Geek
Founder- Manticore Society
I see alot of posters who need to visit gamblers anonymous in these Entropia threads. When you can't admit a game is basically a gambling game you need help.
When you can't defend, divert and insult, eh Osmodan? You're bashing a game you've yet to even see. My previous statement stands.
Alpha AG Geek
Founder- Manticore Society
Ozmodan,
There are plenty of documented logs of people who have approached this game intelectualy without gambling and done well.
Yes, if you want to approach the game like a casino that option is there, but it is rather hypocritical of you to accuse Alpha or I of having gambling issues when you have said in this thread that you couldn't play without gambling.
It would appear that you may have a gambling problem in which case a RCE is definatly not a good idea for you or the health of your family.
I know dozzens of people personaly and hundreds more that I have read about that play for free, and have for some time, I also know even mroe that play for a small (<50$ a month) budget.
Everything in life is a gamble, you gamble every morning you get out of bed and place your feet on the floor that it hasnt rotted out in the night and that you wont plumet to your death. In that sense yes everything we do is a gamble, even staying in bed would be a gamble because what if the floor only rotted where the bed was?
Critisizm is good, and so is debate, but please use logic and critical thinking when you do
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
To Narfi and AlphaGeek I want to make this as clear as humanly possible: I do not hate or dislike Entropia or its fans. While you two have made some valid points, I am more disappointed with Entropia than anything else.
Let me give you a wise saying: You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
When I started playing Entropia, I KNEW the game was going to be rough and not as easy as other games I have played before because it involves real life money. Now, on the plus side: The game is beautiful looking and is almost like a Sci-Fi version of Second Life. There is a lot of good that I am sure you have experienced and I'd be willing to try. That is great and all...
However, I felt and still do feel like when I got out of the starting ship that I was not just thrown out, but ejected out to the wolves with absolutely no means to protect myself.
Narfi, you said it took 6 months of sweating, harvesting and mining to get some cash to do something. That is great and I wouldn't have a problem with that. My problem is that EVERYBODY is doing that and finding spots to do it without getting ganked and claim jumped is almost impossible. Every time I looked or turned around, somebody else got to it before I could blink. You may have tolerated it for 6 or so months, but to me that got frustrating fast. Especially if I have to do that for 6 months to get anywhere.
Now, this whole "Platform X VS. Platform Y" to me is moot. I am NOT saying that it isn't great to see the locals and do things other than "Mine, Sweat, Harvest, Repeat". However, having (in this game) real life money attached to things that I may find interesting is what did it in for me. I don't want to use money I make at a real life job to do something in a fictional world. Now if there was a way to make money in the game to be able to participate in these things that would bring me back... However, how the game has it set up and coupled by the fact everybody, their mom, Xenu and their cat is doing that in all parts and platforms... It goes back full circle!
I don't think this has anything to do with "smarts" as it does with spending exorbitant amount of time searching for spots and hoping you don't get ganked. It doesn't matter if Planet Zebes is not the same as Planet Xenu and isn't the same as Planet Marcab... If participation in what I want to take part in cost real money or getting money in this game is ridiculously difficult because I have to compete against others that have spent real money on it, then it all it amounts to is sight seeing.
I am glad Narfi and AlphaGeek enjoys this game and I hope you aren't taking this as offensive. I just think this game has a glaring flaw: Real Life Greed. As long as that remains in Entropia, it will be a hard sell to convince me to come back.
Sure, keep your TV off because it once showed you the Star Wars Holiday Special, It's all good!
As for the finiancial details, we have no idea what the incoming planet partners expect to take in compared to the old monolythic MA (developer and game provider all in one) business model, Since some of them have other far more lucrative business ventures based on their intellectual properties (Universal and Michael Jackson and other SEE partnerships) those partners would likely need less income from the game since they are more about advertising their other intellectual properties and wares.
Greed effects more than just EU. I understand there are plenty of gold farmers on other game systems.
Alpha AG Geek
Founder- Manticore Society
I appreciate you clarifying yourself DiE,
Basicly you are agreeing that it it can be a good game but is not for everyone, I can agree with that as well.
Something I was telling one of my new recruits today (I run a society which is like a guild in other games)
"EU is like a complex economical simulation wraped up to look like a pretty mmo. Play it like an economical simulator and you can have lots of fun. Play it like a normal mmo with no regard to the economics and you can loose alot of money fast."
Unfortunatly because of RL obligations I only have time for one game in my life, so I can't mess around with the multitude of other options out there. I do know that I do enjoy this one and can play it within my budget and so I will stick with it and am excited about any improvements or changes that may come down the road.
GL and have fun in your games
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
First and very foremost: You are right with your TV analogy... However, to be more accurate: EU is more a TV Show than a TV. I just won't watch the TV show because I was disappointed.
However, you are missing the issue I am raising here. That issue is that this game offers a lot of great things and all: But to get the most out of it, you either have to pay with real life money or take your chances mining, sweating, harvesting for months at a time in hopes to make money.
The greatest issue that you also are not seeing is that in order to make ANY money, you have to compete with other players over the scarce resources. That the way to get better things is to grind for months at a time... all the while dodging gankers and claim jumpers in the process. That to get any currency is to either market it on an oversaturated auction system or hope to find other players that want to part with RL money in order to gain said goods.
Now, it seems you AlphaGeek are a loyal fan of EU. That is great and I am not (I hope) insulting your believe in this game. You obviously have had a better experience than I. I just simply did not have a great experience at all. Those reasons I have stated: Lack of opportunities to make progress without buying with real life cash. The fact harvesting is virtually impossible and ridiculously time consuming IMO. Maybe you are right though: This new partnership may make the game different enough for me to try it again.
As far as gold farming: Games like WoW and what not are proactive in trying to stop or prevent it. However, no system is perfect and it will always be a problem in constantly persistent worlds like WoW and EU. EU, as far as I could tell, didn't have the problem of gold farming. What I did see was getting even $0.01 was a feat in and of itself. That getting resources to sell to others was hard because of the fact gankers were everywhere. I do not like the idea that I have to be a ganker in order to make my way. I play fair. Just like I am (hopefully) avoiding insulting EU or Narfi or AlphaGeek.
Let me state it again: I was disappointed with EU and do not hate it. I would give it another chance because of some of the things AlphaGeek and Narfi said, but I am still not convinced due to my own personal experiences of the game and not because of a lack of "intellectual capacity".
I enjoy a good conversation and that seems to be what your working at as well DiE.
I am confused a bit by your termanology but thats likely because I havent played alot of games. What do you mean by "gankers and claim jumpers"?
I am also curious what you feel the main game play features are/should be, since you have pointed mining out as not being one of them.
I would also be interested in what you would consider a fair price to pay per month for a game like this and what level of play you feel you should get for that.
Here is the summery of my questions.
1. What is a ganker/claim jumper
2. What features of gameplay do you feel are worthy of you playing and which are beneath you?
3. What monthly fee would be appropriate for a game like this and what level of play should be deserved for that fee?
If I know your answers to these questions I could recomend activities for you if you ever decided to give it a try again, or recomend against trying again based on what you think.
gl and have fun
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
Die, nice reponse. Let me tweak one point I was making though. In regard to Planet Arkadia, Planet Michael, Next Island, the Universal Studios Monster planet, et al, those would also be different channels on the same TV since they are different operating companies that have simply chosen EU as the platform to create their game on. Relax, I'd never try to force anyone to watch the Star Wars Holiday Special...twice. Once, maybe... just to watch the look of horror on their face. ;-)
Seriously though, each of these will have their own dynamics and financial bottom line. What will drive how residents of those planets prosper will be the ratio of free players versus depositors. Every coin in game has a counterpart on Earth.
Available loot = deposits - overhead- operating expenses -other expenses.
There have been efforts in gold farming in EU. I *believe* those efforts have lessened since an exploit that allowed it to be nearly effortless has been fixed for over a year. There may still be a glut of vibrant sweat on the market from those days, but that will likely end soon with a major upgrade to the mindforce aspects of the game. More types of mindforce use means more vibrant sweat converted to mind essence, which means stockpiles should reduce and we may see an increase in the value of sweat. That prediction is mine alone, and I am by no means a financial analyst.
The RCE does make the game more of a challenge, especially if a participant is hell bent on not spending any cash. Then again, how many earthly businesses do you walk in, recieve their product, and walk out with more cash than you went in with? No, I'm not saying everyone is a winner on Planet Calypso, I'm questioning the expectation to become the heroic champion warlock slayer while playing on someone elses dime. There are things to do for folks at all levels of economic participation, but they aren't the same activities across the board.
Fan? Me? Nah, just an active player. I'm the guy that tried to organize a player strike a few years back. LOL
Cheers, and I look forward to your answers to narfi's questions.
Alpha AG Geek
Founder- Manticore Society
The point being you have to spend money in this game to make money. This game is most certainly NOT f2p.
Secondly, luck is a huge modifier in this game, and it is not a common happening. Like any game, if you work at it, you can be successful, but for the vast majority of people who play this game it is strictly a money sink with little reward. That is exactly why I call it gambling, people play it with the intention of making money and few do.
None of these positive posts on this thread can change any of the above stated facts. If you enjoy the game fine, have it, but don't come to these forums and attempt the misrepresent what the game is, you will get called on it!
I am confused as to why you feel that you should be able to make money from a game?
Yes if you want to operate a money making buisenss in the game then it will cost you money, but that isnt playing a game, that is a buisness approach and a compleatly different topic.
You have reverted to your vague statements and simi-attacks. Please return to your critical thinking mode and let me know what you think of my questions.
gl and have fun
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
Ozzy, again you're failing to differentiate Planet Arkadia (the game this discussion is about) with Planet Calypso, which is another game running on the same platform. My TV can show both Teletubbies and Babylon 5. I don't berate the TV for having the ability to show teletubbies, I simply say "Oh, cool, B5 is on!" and tune to that.
To sidebar Planet Calypso for a moment...Ozzy, you're failing to distinguish between "playing" and "becoming some kind of uber" or "making money for free". You can indeed play for free. Your actions may be somewhat limited by free play...especially if you don't pay attention to market values and your personal budget, but then again, you're not going to drive a Lambourgini if your RL income is dumpster diving.
Back to Planet Arkadia, It's a game you've yet to see, you have no idea what it's economic model will be, and you have no basis to complain lest someone accuse you of tilting at windmills.
Alpha AG Geek
Founder- Manticore Society
Narfi and AlphaGeek: I'll try to answer as best as I can. However, I have come to a realization last night and from your discussions that most of what I experienced happened when I played a long time ago. I don't know when you two started, but after a read on Wikipedia, I got the impression it had changed since then. So it maybe possible I could have a different experience if I retry it. I downloaded the client yesterday and am waiting on the email for confirmation.
1) I maybe wrong in how I am wording it, so bear in mind I maybe coining a term that is called something different:
"Claim Jumping" is when another player unintentionally or intentionally takes another player's resource node. Usually this happens when Player B starts killing a monster and Player A comes up and kills the monster. In some games, I don't think EU does this; the player that kills the monster or does the most damage gets all the drops.
However, most claim jumpers are polite and may give Player B the drops especially if the kill or the resource was taken without knowledge of Player B's intent.
Gankers vary based on the game's mechanics, but to put it in the perspective of my experience in EU: They are players that swarm over all the resource nodes and camp out around the nodes. Usually they will defend their "camp ground" or have better equipment that gives them advantages over new or non-paying players.
Mostly though, when I have said "gankers" here, I meant players like more than 2 that were going from one resource node to another and crowding out others. Had I visited PVP areas, then these players may have been killing one another.
2) One of the major aspects I like about EU is that it is similar to games like Second Life and now extinct There. The fact it has worlds created by others and an economic system that is gamer defined is also great. Also, I like the element of fighting monsters for loot.
But my major conflict is that because game cash can translate to real life cash, a lot of gamers want to play to make money in real life. Its very similar to what Ozmodan is saying except I want to play and participate without being there to "just make and spend real money". I know that is part of the draw of the game, but I am not looking to be rolling in money. I am just looking to participate in the world and work at getting things fair and square. Even if it means I have to be sweating and mining for months on end.
3) If this game had a "subscription based" model, I don't think it would be as successful as it is now. In addition, it may wreck or diminish what you Narfi and AlphaGeek have done.
That said, I think if:
There was a tutorial at the beginning explaining what to expect and how to do things
Have some Career Missions that give you a feel for how to do things
Maybe a stipend for being on X times a week/month... This stipend could even be only for a while (Like for Y amount of hours starting out). The amount could even be just $0.05… Nothing big.
Have newcomers start with a tiny bit of cash or starting equipment and armor to mine/hunt.
It may help out and may not scare off newcomers. Now, if it did become subscription based, couldn't that money be used on PED? If I had to pay a subscription, maybe the only thing I would expect is maybe own property... a small fraction or a big part depending on how much I was paying per month or year.
Honestly though, most of the issues in game play is simply all the newcomers having little direction and left fending for themselves. Had I known where to find starting quests and/or websites and/or tutorials that may have made all the difference? Granted that was a long time ago so perhaps that has changed and my disappointment is without merit now.
I will give it another try and see.
1. ok that makes sense, its what I have heard called "killstealing" yes whoever does 50%+ dmg to an animal gets its loot. So this can be an issue when there are people abusing it. It isnt a comon problem though and I have only witnessed it in the new new player areas, once you have played even a day or two you can go to areas that are less crowded and have more mature players. (the idiots never really find their way away from there :P) Killstealing only works on animals though, if you are mining there is no way for another player to steal your stuff. (excluding the special pvp areas which are hard to get to esp for a new player, you dont really need to worry about them)
2,3. If you are willing to work at it, but want to progress fairly and naturaly I would recomend setting your mindset to a subscription type mindset. Deposit the amount you would pay for a subscription and play with that. Sure you may loose it or profit from it, but its just a subscription fee so it doesnt really matter(with the proper mindset)
They have added a "Gateway Island" this summer where all new players start out. It has new player missions to help you get oriented with the game, those missions give you small weapons and mining equipment so that you can get a feel for how the game is played before you are released into the main game.
Here is a link about the "gateway island" and the missions there,
http://www.entropiaplanets.com/wiki/Calypso_Gateway
You can also look for tutorials and guides on entropiaplanets.com and planetcalypso.com
Take your time in the gateway, once you leave you cant go back. Also note that the weapons and ammo they give you will just cover the missions assigned, so dont take your freebie weapon and just go shooting or you wont be able to complete your assignments.
Once you get into the main game there are lots more missions you can do, but they wont necessairly have the free stuff provided to compleat them like the ones in the gateway.
If you are going to give it a real try, you might apply at the ANF program on entropiaplanets.com they will hook you up with a society to join. You can learn alot more from a society than you could on your own from trial and error.
http://www.entropiaplanets.com/forums/adopt-newbie-foundation/
I will be curious to know how you think the changes have improved or worsened the game since last time you tried it.
Good luck and have fun
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds
Ok the last couple days I have tried EU and all I can say is: Wow. This is definitely NOT the same game I played before. Granted, I have not left Gateway Island yet (making sure I get everything before I leave) and still got some questions (like: Why is it that it say "Player X defeated a Furry valued at XX PED" and does that player get said PED? If not, how can they?) However, I am sure I will find those answers as I go along.
Thanks for the link Narfi, but the Wiki didn't seem fully complete... A lot of pictures and instructions were missing. However, there was some info I was able to gleam from it and at least I have a couple resources that I can use. Now I can at least find answers myself instead of asking for answers in game.
One gripe I do have is minor: I am not keen on using Z&C to turn... I am use to WASD, but I can at least work around it. As for making PED: Considering I spend $13 a month for Ultima Online and Lord of the Rings Online in addition to playing F2P games like DDO and Facebook Games, I can spare $5 or so dollars for the occasional thing in EU. The defunct game There had a similar system that I am use to so EU will be about the same as far as getting supplies and PED.
Long story short: Retrying EU may have been a good thing. Had I not tried this game before, I would be really impressed. Maybe my first impressions will get erased and changed over time because I like what I see so far. I'll wait and see.
DiE, cool!
PlayerX didn't get that many PEDs. Unlike the VU... was it 8.x?... days, PEDs no longer are directly looted from your kills. Instead, the Trade terminal value of the animal parts and possibly artifacts equal the displayed amount. Some items have a value that can be significantly more in street value, but you can always get the TT price by dropping said items in the trade terminal. Those global messages always reflect the trade terminal value of the loot, not the street price.
One of the potential big profit items is an empty skill implant (ESI) by which a player can sell some of their aquired skill in a given attribute. Currently, the street price on an ESI is roughly 5.5 times it's trade terminal value. There are others too, but that example comes to mind. One important thing about Planet Calypso is that the player needs to pay attention to the market when selling their loot! The inattentive player that tosses a10 PED ESI in the trade terminal may as well have thrown 40 PED in the trash can!
The wiki that narfi sited is a relatively new data product. The staff is quite agressive at filling the voids, but it still has a few rough edges. It'll be a really sharp produdct ina few more months! Another Entropia related wiki may be found at www.entropedia.info
As for your gripe, you can remap your keyboard! I believe there's a tutorial aroundsomeplace for it.If you can't find it let me know and I'll do some digging.
Cheers, and welcome! Once you get to Port Atlantis, let me know here or on the Planet Calypso forum and I'll help you get a few teleporters on your map.
Seeya,
AG
Alpha AG Geek
Founder- Manticore Society
Ok here is an update:
This EU is definitely a lot better than I remember it. Most, if not all, my criticisms are now null and void.
First, I was glad to see that things I got could be sold without doing an auction. Granted, the whole sweating needs to be sold player to player. Still, I like I can mine and sell it to a machine... I may not get much, but in someways that isn't a problem for me yet.
Next the whole ganking and claim jumping seems significantly less than I remember. I love the idea mining makes a spot for only you to gain the resources. Also, I don't see many players trying to kill off monsters, much less seeing several players swarming after one monster. I also like the loot is sellable too at machines. Again, money may not be much but it at least it is something.
I also like it has some RPG elements: Gaining skills and those skills change your performance. Granted, I got to work at skills and to do that I need tools... Still, I can also get skills by doing missions that are reserved for you and the rewards are not dependent on how fast you do it.
This game has started to take root on me. I am glad Alpha Geek and Narfi were civilized in their comments towards me. I think that may have been the driving force to convince me to try it again. As for my gripe about the keyboard layout: It was minor and I knew I could change it. I am leaving it as is since it seems more comfortable with my injured hands. (Tendinitis in both my middle fingers)
Glad to hear you liked it Die, Now that you have been playing a few days I would highly recomend finding a good society to join. (if you intend to keep playing) A good society really makes all the difference between an ok but pretty game, to a true universe/lifestyle.
narfi
Playing with Real Money: Colonizing Virtual Worlds