After an eventful and challenging 2011, Entropia Universe enters the new year with solid plans for growth and the opportunity to dramatically improve the user experience for current and future participants. Before detailing some of our upcoming development plans for the new year, let me first take a few moments to summarize the progress that was made in 2011.

Entropia Universe participants enjoyed many improvements and additions in 2011. One of the most anticipated of these was the launch in May of Entropia’s fourth planet, Planet Arkadia. Throughout the year, the existing planets of Calypso, ROCKTropia and Next Island received numerous content updates and patches to expand and improve the overall user experience and fun-factor.

On the platform side of things, work continued in 2011 on reimplementing some of the older game systems into the CryEngine2 environment, such as make-up and robot beacons. Several exciting new game systems were also developed and released, including an impressive achievements system, space travel and combat, fort PvP events, and wave spawn logic for boss-level creatures.

By far one of the most exciting events of 2011 was the announcement late in the year of Calypso Land Deeds, which allow avatars to become citizens of Planet Calypso and receive a share of the Planet Partner Gross Revenue. In addition, each of the 60,000 land deeds will provide the holder with voting rights in a new Political system scheduled for development later this year, which will allow avatars to have a direct influence on the future development of Calypso. Probably due to the high rate of return received since they were released (currently over 28% ROI), Calypso Land Deeds are being snapped up incredibly quickly on the Entropia Universe global auction, with less than half of the original offering of 60,000 deeds remaining.

While much was accomplished during the last year, 2012 offers even more opportunities and promises to be even brighter for Entropia Universe in terms of number of participants, active Planet Partners and the continued development of rich new game systems. MindArk is very much looking forward to welcoming two exciting new planets into the universe in 2012: the sci-fi themed Planet Cyrene, and the Arabian themed Planet Toulan.

To accomodate the increasing number of planets within Entropia Universe and to encourage the growth of local planetary economies, one area that will receive special attention in the coming months is space travel and interplanetary trade. Resources and materials will be rebalanced among the planets in order to enable each planet to develop a thriving and healthy local economy, while at the same time creating opportunities for participants to engage in commerce across multiple planets.

One of the main priorities for MindArk and its Planet Partners in 2012 will be improving the experience for new participants. Our development team is already hard at work redesigning the Genesis new arrivals area, with a focus on making it easier for new participants to become familiar with the user interface and Entropia Universe game concepts. Another priority during 2012 will be improving the balance and performance of existing game systems, along with finalizing the reintroduction of prior game systems disabled after the CryEngine2 conversion.

MindArk’s plan for maximising the potential of Entropia Universe in 2012 focuses on two key areas:

1. Upgrade existing game systems to provide an enjoyable and rewarding user experience.
2. Develop innovative and reliable new game systems to enable our Planet Partners to deliver engaging and immersive content for Entropia Universe participants.

As these planned improvements and developments are completed during 2012, MindArk will ramp up its efforts to promote Entropia Universe and expand the active user base.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your participation in Entropia Universe. The most important ingredient for a successful virtual universe is a dedicated and enthusiastic community of participants. Without a doubt, Entropia Universe would not be the vibrant and unique experience it is today without your involvement.

I hope that you share my excitement and outlook for the future of Entropia Universe. All of us at MindArk promise to do all we can to make 2012 the best year yet to be an Entropian!

Warm Regards,

Jan Welter Timkrans

Chairman of the Board, MindArk PE AB
Humble Creator of Entropia Universe

Gothenburg, Sweden – November 16, 2011 /MindArk/

– MindArk, developer and publisher of the largest real money MMO, announced today that it will introduce a groundbreaking Citizenship System to Planet Calypso. The new system will provide revenue sharing to participants, and add a political system that will allow players to vote on major decisions affecting their virtual world, all for as little as $100 USD.

“Our new Citizenship System will have a strong impact on the social and Virtual Worlds industry”, said Jan Welter Timkrans, Chairman of MindArk. “People have always had the opportunity to make money playing our game and engaging in the micro transactions economy. Now they can actually share in the revenues of their favorite planet with a Land Lot deed and help decide its future via the political system.“

The new system grants users Planet Calypso citizenship and political voting rights. Citizens will also receive a share in the Planet Partner gross revenue of Calypso, paid weekly. Based on Planet Calypso’s performance over the last 12 months, the potential return of investment (ROI) is expected to be between 27% and 30% per year. Each planet in the Entropia Universe is a separate Planet Partner, and the revenue share paid to deed holders will come from the Planet Calypso revenue stream. Sixty thousand land lot deeds offered at $100 USD each are available exclusively through the Entropia Universe global auction and can be acquired by anyone after creating a free avatar.

The new Citizenship System will showcase the economics of a successful Planet Partner on the Entropia Universe platform, and allow users to participate in that success. Planet Calypso is the oldest of the planets in Entropia Universe, with over one million registered accounts and over $400 million USD per year in user-to-user transactions. Until now, possessing land in Entropia Universe has been very exclusive, with the market price for land deeds ranging from $5,000 to upwards of $500,000 USD. In the new Citizenship System, just about anyone can share a piece of an entire virtual world. For more information on MindArk or the Citizenship System please visit www.entropiauniverse.com.

FAQ
Q. How many Land Lot deeds will be offered?
A. 60,000 (Sixty Thousand).

Q. What is the price of each Land Lot deed?
A. Land Lot deeds are available for 1000 PED each (equivalent to 100 USD).

Q. Where can Land Lot deeds be acquired?
A. Land Lot Deeds are acquired from the Official avatar James Bowerbird EstateBroker on the Entropia Universe auction, under the Global Auction (selectable from the drop down menu in the top right corner of the auction interface).

Q. What quantities of Land Lot deeds are available?
A. Land Lot deeds are available in single units, as well as in stacks for 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. For those interested in larger quantities of over 500 and need help or advise please contact info@mindark.com

Q. I can not see any single deeds available on the Auction?
A. Land Lot deeds will be added to the Entropia Universe global auction at varying times throughout the day for the convenience of participants from different timezones.

Q. Is there a limit on the number of Land Lot deeds each participant can acquire?
A. Participants may acquire as many Land Lot deeds as they wish.

Q. How will the proceeds of the Land Lot deeds be used by MindArk?
A. The proceeds from the Land Lot deeds will help to finance a substantial Entropia Universe marketing campaign, along with further development of Entropia Universe and Planet Calypso.

Q. How is the revenue share for Land Lot deeds calculated?
A. The Planet Partner Gross Revenue will be divided as follows: 50% paid to Land Lot deedholders (1/60000), and the remaining 50% retained by Planet Calypso (AR Universe AB) to cover the ongoing development, marketing and operating costs of Planet Calypso.

Q. How is the Planet Partner Gross Revenue calculated?
A. Planet Partner Gross Revenue is calculated and paid by MindArk to the Planet Partner, and includes avatar activity on Planet Calypso, along with the activity of Calypso avatars in Space and on other Entropia Universe planets. Avatar activity includes deterioration of items, as well as various other fees and avatar activities.

Q. How will Land Lot deedholders receive revenue share payments?
A. Payments will be deposited directly onto each deedholder’s Entropia Universe PED Card balance.

Q. What is the expected yearly return on investment (ROI) of a Land Lot deed?
A. Based on Planet Calypso’s performance over the last 12 months, expected ROI is between 27% and 30% per year. The actual revenue share paid to deedholders may be higher or lower than this, depending on the amount of activity on Planet Calypso in the future.

Q. When will Land Lot deedholders begin receiving revenue share payments?
A. Revenue share payments are planned to begin distribution on Dec. 5, 2011.

Q. How often will revenue share payments be made?
A. Revenue share payments will be made weekly, calculated based on the Planet Partner Gross Revenue generated by Planet Calypso during the preceding week.

Q. Will there be regular statements of revenue share earnings?
A. Yes. Every six months, audited figures will be presented on MindArk’s website (www.MindArk.com) so that deedholders can verify their revenue share payouts. In addition, a dedicated web page will be made available where deedholders can check their weekly payments, and will include an ROI calculator.

Q. Once acquired, can Land Lot deeds be traded?
A. Indeed, deeds can be traded among participants at a participant-determined market price, just like every other item in Entropia Universe.

Q. If I trade one of my Land Lot deeds, who will receive the revenue share payment for the current period?
A. Revenue share payments are always distributed to the Entropia Universe avatar account currently holding each deed at the time of disbursement.

Q. Do I need to keep the Land Lot deed in my avatar’s inventory in order to receive revenue share payments?
A. No. Deeds can be kept in personal storage, estates, containers, etc., and still receive payments. As long as the Land Lot deed(s) appear on the ‘My Items’ page in the Account section of the www.EntropiaUniverse.com website, your avatar will receive revenue share payments.

Q. Can Land Lot deeds be looted from other participants in PVP areas?
A. No, Land Lot deeds are not lootable in PVP areas.

Q. When is the Citizenship and Politics system expected to be released?
A. The Citizenship and Politics system is scheduled to begin development in 2012.

Q. How many votes in the forthcoming Political System will Land Lot deedholders receive?
A. Each individual Land Lot deed entitles the holder to one vote. Thus, each political issue will have a maximum of 60,000 potential votes.

Q. How exactly will the political system work? What kinds of issues will Citizens take part in shaping?
A. The full details of the Citizenship and Politics system are still being finalized. More information will be provided as the design and development stages of this exciting new Entropia Universe system progress.

Q. Are Land Lots the same as Land Areas?
A. No. Outback Land Areas (commonly referred to as Land Areas) are part of a different system within Entropia Universe, through which participants can purchase a defined area of land and impose taxes on the hunting and mining activities of other participants. By contrast, Land Lot deeds offer participants the opportunity to receive a share of the entire activity on Planet Calypso, not just activity made in a particular area.

Q. When will existing Outback Land Area owners receive the complimentary Land Lot deed mentioned in the original announcement?
A. The complimentary deeds for Outback Land Area owners will be distributed shortly before revenue share payments begin on Dec. 5, 2011.

Q. The original announcement mentions a ‘Calypso Citizenship Land Grab’. How will this system work?
A. Various regions of Planet Calypso will be designated where Land Lot deedholders will have the opportunity to stake a claim on a 10x10 meter plot of land for each deed held.

Q. How will building houses or other structures on Land Lots function?
A. In order to to build a structure on claimed land, participants will need to hold a minimum of nine (9) Land Lot Deeds, and claim plots in a 3x3 (or larger) format, suitable for the construction of a structure.

Q. Will I be forced to engage in PVP combat in order to claim my Land Lot plots?
A. No. The regions designated for Land Lot claims will be offered in both PVP and non- PVP areas.

Q. What happens to my revenue share payments if I do not claim any Land Lot plots?
A. You will still receive all revenue share payments. Land Lot plots are simply an additional feature offered to those who choose to support the future growth of Planet Calypso.

Further information and specifications may be applied.

Entropia Universe takes Virtual World Citizenship to a whole new level!

Planet Calypso introduces a groundbreaking Citizenship System that includes Land Lot Deeds with an expected annual return on investment of up to 30%.

Gothenburg, Sweden, November 8th, 2011 – MindArk, developer of Entropia Universe, announced today that it will introduce a groundbreaking new Citizenship System. This system will provide planet-wide revenue sharing to participants, as well as a forthcoming political system that will allow users to influence the future development of the planet.

“The Citizenship System will have a strong impact on the social and virtual worlds industry”, said Jan Welter Timkrans, Chairman of MindArk, “Now people can make money using their game-playing skills and by engaging in the micro transactions economy. They can both share in the revenues of their favourite world and help decide its future via the political system! “

The new system will allow participants of Entropia Universe to acquire a Land Lot deed. This deed grants holders citizenship on Planet Calypso, along with political voting rights. Citizens of Planet Calypso will receive a share in the planet partner Gross Revenue. Based on Planet Calypso’s performance over the last twelve months, the potential ROI (Return of Investment) of such shares is expected to be between 27% - 30% per year.

Jan Welter Timkrans: “So far, land management in Entropia Universe has been a very exclusive thing, as the market price for land area deeds have ranged from $5,000 on the low end, to upwards of $500,000. Now, participants of all levels and budgets can manage a piece of an entire virtual world for $100 USD – less than the price of two regular PC games. The Citizenship System brings a new era in MMO and Virtual World participation, something people have been crying out for. It will bring value to people who are passionate about games and global online culture.”

The new Citizenship System will showcase the economics of a successful Planet Partner on the Entropia Universe platform. Planet Calypso is a profitable Virtual world. It is the oldest of the planets in Entropia Universe, has over 1 million registered users and over $ 400,000,000 USD per year in user-to-user transactions.

In total, sixty thousand (60,000) Land Lot deeds will be created, each representing a 100 square meter plot on Planet Calypso. Starting on November 8, 2011, batches of these deeds will be offered on the Entropia Universe auction. Each Land Lot deed will have a start-bid price and a buyout price of 1000 PEDs ($100 USD). The Land Lot deeds will be implemented as stackable items, and will be made available in single units, as well as in stacks of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Batches will continue to be offered on the auction until the entire sixty thousands deeds have been sold.

Each Land Lot deed entitles the holder to a share of the 50% planet partner Gross Revenue generated by Planet Calypso. Payouts of revenue share dividends to deed holders will be made once per week, as opposed to once per year or once per month for many other investments!"

The Land Lot deeds are tradable just like any other item in Entropia. Revenue share dividends will be paid once per week, to whichever participant currently holds the deed at the time of disbursement.

The success and profitability of the planet will determine the revenue received as a land lot deed holder. If Calypso becomes more popular, the ROI will be higher; similarly, if the popularity of Calypso decreases, the ROI would also decrease. First revenue payouts are planned for the beginning of December 2011.

Once every six months, audited figures will be presented on MindArk’s homepage so that deed holders can verify their revenue share payouts.

Current land area deed holders on Calypso will be entitled to one free land lot deed. This does not include deeds for claim battle areas, houses, apartments, shops or sub-divided areas, only Outback Land Areas (OLAs). Treasure Island, FOMA, Crystal Palace and Medusa’s Head will receive one deed, issued to the main estate manager. Management of existing Outback Land Areas will remain unaffected.

Land Lot Deed holders will have the opportunity to take part in a Calypso Citizenship land grab. Certain areas will be opened on Calypso where deed holders can stake out their land plots. This system development is scheduled to begin in 2012.

Land Lot Deed holders will be able to build house(s) on the plot(s) they have staked out. (Minimum of 9 plots in a 3x3 format suitable for a structure). This system development is scheduled to begin in 2013.

Additionally, a comprehensive political system is planned that will allow Land Lot Deed holders to become directly involved with decisions affecting the future development of Calypso, with voting power relative to the number of Land Lot Deeds held. This system development is also scheduled to begin in 2012.

This information has been released prior to the official press release planned for 16th November as a courtesy to Entropia Universe participants. Further information and specifications may be applied.

Further information and clarification.

Land Lot Deeds can be found on the Entropia Universe auction, under the ‘Global’ location (selectable in the top right-hand corner of the auction interface), and are sold by the avatar James Bowerbird EstateBroker.

Land Lot deeds will be added to the Entropia Universe global auction at varying times throughout the day so that participants from all timezones will have an opportunity to acquire deeds during the initial offering.

The Land Lot deeds are tradeable just like any other item in Entropia Universe. Revenue share dividends will be paid once per week, into the PED card balances of all participants currently holding Land Lot deeds at the time of disbursement. Land Lot deeds need not be held in an avatar’s carried inventory; as long as the deed(s) are included on the ‘My Items’ list, dividends will be received.

The Planet Partner Revenue paid to Planet Calypso (AR Universe AB) will be divided equally: 50% paid to Land Lot deedholders and the remaining 50% to cover the ongoing development, marketing and operating costs of Planet Calypso.

Land Lot deeds are unable to be looted in PVP areas.

Beladcom and MindArks announcement at the World Economic Forum-Dead Sea was made in the presence of HM King Abdullah II of Jordan, certainly makes this a memorable event in our company's history.
Beladcom's next announcement is just around the corner, Arabian Nights, bring it on!

Create unique looks for you and your friends! The Makeup system will be updated with many improvements in early November 2011.

Fight your way through an off world robot base or an underground dungeon to defeat bosses and plunder their treasures. This improved and exciting system is set for release in the middle of December 2011.

This long awaited system is to be reintroduced in 2012, with many new features all have been waiting for; we expect the wait to be worth it!

Mutants will be back from their vacations in early 2012.

MindArk is pleased to report that a new internet advertising campaign has been launched. The first few months of this campaign will feature banners promoting the 'Hunt The Thing' attraction within ROCKTropia. Subsequent campaigns will focus on 'The Entropia Universe' along with campaigns for special events and individual planets.

We encourage existing participants to help support these marketing efforts by welcoming new arrivals to Entropia Universe in a friendly and helpful manner. Participants are also reminded that the newly relaunched Mentor & Disciple system offers veterans a great way to help share their knowledge with newcomers, and thereby stimulate the growth of the Entropia Universe player base. The Mentoring system also offers the opportunity for both Mentors and Disciples to earn some great rewards!

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.

The mentor & disciple system has been reintroduced with many improvements. The new and improved Mentor system offers veteran participants a great way to share their Entropia knowledge and experience with new participants.

After reviewing the original mentor system, and gathering feedback from the Entropia Universe community, the mentoring system has undergone a major overhaul, and incorporates many exciting new features such as: Mentor Registry, Mentor Rating, Mentor/Disciple dismissal, Disciple Graduation Gifts, and more. New players can now feel more confident during their first days in Entropia Universe, with the right Mentor by their side.

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.

I have heard, from a trustworthy source, that there IS some THING new! My source said that it is definitely worth a visit and to get there you should supposedly try the ticket booth at the Hyperplex Movie theatre in New Harlem on ROCKtropia.

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.

I overheard a conversation the other day and the mentioning of some thing new. I don't know how much truth it has to it, but I recommend you to keep your eyes and ears open.

There are different types of Entropia Universe Accounts that employees at MindArk, Planet Partners and other affiliates can have. These accounts are strictly monitored by MindArk and several rules apply to them. Most importantly, they must all abide to the EULA and ToU and they must not be used for personal economical gain.

These types of accounts are used for various reasons, such as keeping track of the day-to-day businesses in Entropia Universe or playing a part of important happenings, events or storylines.

One of these account types is the Role Playing Account. This is an avatar taking part in a storyline, with varying length, that can be presented and developed on a planet website. For example, this avatar can participate in events or in lootable PvP areas. However, possible loot from other participants cannot be withdrawn from Entropia Universe or used for personal economical gain, as mentioned above. Instead, money from loot has to be reinvested in role play or new events within Entropia Universe. This means that you can get your hands on this character's lootable stuff!

The following transmission was intercepted earlier today.

[START TRANSMISSION]

Brothers, it has come to our attention that on Thursday, Entropia Universe time 12:00, the pirate mothership Perception will perform a one-way trip between two planets in order to finalize a deal severely hampering our cause. According to our intelligence the ship's cargo contains huge amounts of gold meant to be used to facilitate this despicable act.

These pirates and scoundrels are under no circumstances allowed to go through with this deal. Therefore, we need all hands we can get to intercept and seize this ship, or better yet, destroy the whole thing! All spoils to the victorious, let nothing go to waste.

For the Black Hand!

[END TRANSMISSION]

Space is out and we are here announcing the winners to the competitions that started June 8th.

Congratulations to you lucky 7!

The winners will find the deed to a mothership in their Inventory. The motherships are docked at the space station outside Planet Calypso.

Hunting Winner

Darth Skippie Boobie killed a Proteron Young worth 41537 PED and will find the deed to the Mothership - Saratoga in the Inventory.

Mining Winner

Max Extreme Hunter found Melchi Water worth 84576 PED and will find the deed to the Mothership - Yamato in the Inventory.

Crafting Winner

Sam Diafelx Sara crafted a Rutic Bett (L) worth 83965 PED and will find the deed to the Mothership - Bismarck in the Inventory.

The winners will find one Medium Fighter each in their Inventory.

Winner on Arkadia

Tomas T79x Hope killed a Halix Young worth 1189 PED and will find the Quad Wing Interceptor - Torchbearer in the Inventory.

Winner on Calypso

Simones Fu Kill killed a Shinkiba Young worth 1017 PED and will find the Quad Wing Interceptor - Pioneer in the Inventory.

Winner on ROCKtropia

Ed Lguigui Ward killed a Rocktropian worth 71 PED and will find the Quad Wing Interceptor - Groundbreaker in the Inventory

Winner on Next Island

Vlad Dracula Tepes killed a Brown Papoo Old worth 1104 PED and will find the Quad Wing Interceptor - Trailblazer in the Inventory

The winners will find one Medium Fighter each in their Inventory.

Three motherships have now been entered to the global auction. You find these auctions in the Auctions UI: in the most right column, click on the drop-down list and choose "Global Auction".

These three motherships are docked outside the planet space stations. The coordinates can be found in the Items Info of the deeds.

For information on how to utilize and activate a mothership, see section Utilizing New Mothership in Space in Beginner's Guide.

With the introduction of space, you will see several changes and more dynamics to Entropia Universe. Besides from the thrill of exploring space this new dimension of the universe will provide new entrepreneurial opportunities; space pilots, prepare yourselves for a new age in the transportation services!

The space release next week will also include two important changes that you might want to be prepared for: disabled interplanetary teleportation and planet bound auctions.

With the introduction of space and spacecrafts, teleportation between planets will be disabled and traveling through space will be the way to go instead. However, it will still be possible to teleport from CND and Crystal Palace to Planet Calypso for a fee.

To further spur the interplanetary travel and economy, the auctions will be bound to each planet. This means that you can still view auctions on all planets, but for you to place a bid on an auction or collect an item, you have to be on the specific planet.

Items that MindArk put up for auction, such as the motherships after the release, will be universal. These auctions can be bid on and the items collected from all planets having an auctioneer.

Tip! As a space ship manager, remember to keep an eye on supply and demand for various goods on different planets; you will have the opportunity to retain the interplanetary trade balance.

The figure below shows an overview of the competition and auction in a simple timeline. For complete rule descriptions, see the post below: Space is Imminent.

Note: If you have already read the rules, make sure you check the competition addition, corrections and clarification in this post!

For the creatures to sustain the fire power that has been unleashed by you in the Competition for Medium Fighters, we have decided to add creatures to this competition. The complete list of valid creatures:

Some errors were present in the initial published text in the post Space is Imminent. Also, some clarifications are needed. These errors and clarifications are now corrected in the post.

Corrections:

• Teleportation between planets will disabled when space is released. Incorrect: "The space will connect all planets in one universe and you can choose to travel between them in space ships instead of using teleportation."
• The maximum number of gunner positions in motherships in the first space release: 6 + 1 co-pilot. " Incorrect: "Mothership characteristics: Gunner positions: 6 + 1 pilot."
• In the pipeline for later space releases, the maximum number of gunner positions will be increased. Incorrect: "To increase protection for the motherships and its crew from opponents the number of gunner positions will be increased to 13 and 4 shield sections will be added."

Clarifications:

• In the competitions, only individual Hall of Fame and loot values are valid, not team ones.

The Real Cash Economy in Entropia Universe is interplanetary; only one currency, Project Entropia Dollar (PED) (c) , is valid on all planets and the PED is pegged to the US Dollar with a fixed exchange rate of 10 to 1. This means that your activities - traveling, trades, etc. - affect the market values and the economical balance in the entire Entropia Universe.

The ownership and intellectual property rights to the planet resources - e.g. items, vegetation, mobs, etc. - belong to either the Planet Partner or to MindArk. The Planet Partner resources only spawn at that planet, while resources owned by MindArk can spawn on any planet in the universe, even though some of the MindArk resources are designed to spawn on specific planets. Both of these types of resources can be transported between planets with your help: take them with you on your travels throughout the universe.

Entropia Universe is a universe with several planets and is constantly growing. Already today, items and mobs can be available on several planets; either from the aid of traveling avatars or when different Planet Partners choose to include the same resources when creating their planet. The most common category to be found on several planets is crude material. This is also the category that will have the greatest demand between planets, since some crude materials are only available on one planet, but can be ingredients to recipes on another planet.

Universe Balance

MindArk is responsible for maintaining the balance throughout the entire Entropia Universe, no matter if the balancing concerns an object on one planet or all of them.

For example, if one item is rarely found on one planet, it will not suddenly be common on another, or if animals that are only available through rare DNA on one planet those animals will not suddenly be commonly spawned on another planet. Also, the released number of estates and land areas is restricted to keep the planet and universe in balance.

Platform and Content Development

MindArk is the developer of the platform, including development of new features, systems and services while the Planet Partners is responsible for creation of most of the content you see and use on their specific planet. Therefore, each planet can use what MindArk develops differently to suit the specific planet and its environments the best.

Except from hiding from my colleagues in conference rooms I have my hands on many of the cookies in the jar at MindArk.

The office is buzzing with excitement as we are getting closer and closer to the space release. With this release Entropia truly becomes the Entropia Universe with space travel between the planets and space stations for intermediate landing.

The target date for the release is set to the 21st of June 2011. Make sure you are ready for this exciting happening!

To celebrate this occasion MindArk will have two competitions before the release and then add interesting objects to the auction after release.

The competitions start tonight (8th of June) at 00:00 Entropian time and end at 24:00 Entropian time on the 20th of June.

Note: In the competitions, only individual Hall of Fame and loot values are valid, not team ones.

Competition for Motherships

The first competition will be won by the participant or participants receiving the biggest Hall of Fame entries for Hunting, Mining and Construction respectively during the competition time. If you win this, a Mothership Deed will be added to your Inventory.

Note that the motherships are unlimited!

Competition for Medium Fighters

The second competition will be won by four participants, one on each planet. It is possible for an individual participant to win the competition on more than one planet. The winners have to receive the largest loot, during the competition time, from hunting the following creatures:

Note that these mobs are also suitable for newly entered participants to hunt.

If you win this, a Medium Fighter will be added to your Inventory.

Auction

On the first day after the release, three Motherships will be placed in the Entropia Universe auction on a 24-hour auction period.

When the initial three auctions are won, one Mothership will be placed in the auction every 24th hour until MindArk deems there are an adequate number of Motherships for the current space and Entropia Universe population. There will be no prior notification that MindArk will stop releasing new Motherships to the auction.

No limit or buyout prices will be set for these auctions.

Note that the motherships are unlimited!

There will be some special treats for our current hangar managers in this space release and a subsequent release.

The space will connect all planets in one universe and you will now travel between them in space ships. Teleportation between planets will disabled when space is released.

Motherships, unlimited and the Titans of Space, are large spaceships with awesome firepower and transportation capabilities. You will be able to configure your ship for basic usage or adjust it into one of the most fearsome and dominating space crafts you can find today. Rule space with your ship and a crew of gunners and engineers: attack and defend, repair the ship and manage the Structural Integrity for maximum defence! Bring large groups of friends and other passengers on the ship for voyages deep into space or between planets. Let your allies find a somewhat safer harbour in space by landing a smaller space craft inside the Mothership hangar while moving.

The first space release will include the following features:

• Space travel and commodity transportation between the planets, space-stations, asteroids etc.
• PVP fighting in the entire universe except in the parking zones outside the space stations.
• A reputation system for your heroic or not so heroic deeds in space is provided.

Mothership characteristics:

• Engineering for various upgrades.
• Maximum gunner positions: 6 + 1 co-pilot.
• Passenger Teleport: Planet to Mothership.
• Passengers: Max 50 including crew.
• Initial weapon type: Plasma cannons.
• Revival faculties.

In the pipeline for the coming space-related releases we have warp speed to experience the thrill of space travel and more advanced engineering features. To increase protection for the motherships and its crew from opponents the maximum number of gunner positions will be increased and 4 shield sections will be added. Also, heavy weapons, torpedos, will be added.

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.

Yet another planet is discovered and available to explore in Entropia Universe. As most of you already know, Planet Arkadia will be focused on Treasure Hunting and we all look forward to the implementation of this very soon.

We are also welcoming the newcomers from South East Asia which is a region where few Entropians are from today.

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.

Finally we have a Proximity Voice Chat system available in Entropia Universe for free!

We have taken another step in developing the in-world voice system towards what we believe will be a unique state-of-the-art system. Due to the complexity, it has taken some time and there are still features in the pipeline, but things are really starting to fall into place.

As announced earlier, MindArk has been working together with Ericsson to create a high-tech voice system. We're aiming for creating an experience unique to Entropia Universe, rather than implementing an existing service. We choose to work with Ericsson since they are experts in network, voice and telecom technology services and it is of essence that the voice quality matches the high quality graphics in the universe. The cooperation with Ericsson provides further development opportunities for more usable features in the future!

The introduction of both Proximity and Team Chat will further enhance the Entropia Universe experience. As a participant, you can now hear everyone within a 30-meter radius and the proximity technology makes it possible to distinguish the distance between you and the others. You'll also notice if the other avatars are directly in front of you or for example to your right. The Team Chat function enables more efficient communication in PVP areas and other situations, but take care, someone might be eavesdropping on you (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCVENKh05CQ).

We hope that you'll enjoy this addition to the universe. If you're using a sound card that enables voice alteration feel free to use it on your avatar. It may also be wise to use the Push to Talk function; you might take a private phone call or you might like to chew tons of bubblegum while logged in to Entropia Universe.

Over and out for this time!

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.

I'm so glad to be able to share this with you, because we're working on something really exciting: SPACE!

Ever since the beginning of Entropia Universe, our grand idea has been a universe with planets surrounded by space. Now, this concept is finally taking form. Basically, this is the reintroduction of the space ships, but in a totally new setting, compared to pre-VU10. You'll be able to take a space ship and fly through space, travelling between all planets in Entropia Universe. Of course, space is not just traveling grounds, but the place for space battles, pirating, logistics, gaining good or bad karma and much, much more.

New awesome space ships are being created as I write. The motherships are fast and extremely large vessels that can take both crew and many passengers. Small ships can dock inside it, in its hangar. Check out the mothership exterior and interior concepts in our Media section.

Also, the VTOLs will be able to take off into space, with special attachments added to them.

When flying close to a planet you'll see it from the ship and if you fly a small ship you can fly through the planet stratoshpere and land directly on the planet surface. Larger ships will have to dock at a space station, from where you'll be able to use a teleporter as transfer between space and the planet. Each planet has a space station located just outside their stratosphere.

We'll present you with a unique space environment with meteors, stars, space mobs, and the already mentioned space ships, planets and space stations.

Well, this is all for now. Take care and prepare yourself for an epic space adventure! I am, drinking tea at one end of the universe.

When I don't harass my co-workers with yoga, I'm at the heart of things at MindArk: writing, collecting info for Release Notes, working on the web and doing other important tasks that come in my way.