Entropia Universe (Planet Calypso)

[Morreion]

Entropia Universe is a massively multiplayer online virtual universe designed by Swedish software company MindArk, based in Gothenburg. Entropia uses a micropayment business model, in which players may buy in-game currency (PED - Project Entropia Dollars) with real money that can be redeemed back into real world funds at a fixed exchange rate.[1] This means that virtual items acquired within Entropia Universe have a real cash value, and a participant may, at any time, initiate a withdrawal of their accumulated PEDs back into real world currencies according to the fixed exchange rate, minus transaction fees,[citation needed] the minimum amount for a withdrawal is 1000 PED. As a result, revenue of the business is largely generated from activities within the virtual universe. As of 2009[update], the revenue model has proven to be sustainable and profitable.

Planet Calypso official site

Planet Calypso player pays nearly $70,000 for virtual egg (Massively)

Planet Calypso continues to bring in the big spenders. At the end of December, word got around that a Planet Calypso player had won an auction for the Crystal Palace Space Station, paying $330,000 real world cash for the item. A few years ago, another player mortgaged his home to pay around $100,000 for a virtual nightclub in Planet Calypso. Hold off on the laughter, though: the nightclub wound up turning quite a profit, and the space station looks to be well on its way to the same.
Now another player is following in the footsteps of those two, taking a chance on the mysterious Atrox Queen Egg. David "Deathifier" Storey purchased the egg in a public auction, paying the equivalent of $69,696 for the item. The egg has been around since 2006, and players don't know when it will hatch, or even what exactly is inside. Deathifier is taking a bit of a chance with his purchase, perhaps hoping it will turn the same sort of profit as previous newsmaking purchases in the game.

Unique Virtual Egg Sold For Over $69,000 USD (Planet Calypso)

[Regolyth]

That's just crazy. What's even crazier is the guy who mortgaged his house for $100,000 and turned it into a profit.

[Morreion]

Planet Calypso's David "Deathifier" Storey talks about his purchases (Massively)

So why did he buy it? As he puts it in a recent interview available on Forbes.com, the same reason people make any expensive purchase -- because it makes you feel good. According to the interview, it's not as if the investment has been a poor business decision. The virtual island he bought in Planet Calypso for $26,500 brings in roughly $100,000 a year, as he uses it for a rare game preserve and taxes local hunters. The full piece has more information on his outlook and business practices, as well as a brief overview of the markets of virtual worlds and MMOs in general.

[Regolyth]

Wow, nice investment.

[Morreion]

Entropia Universe: A Beginner's Guide to Planet Calypso
MMORPG.com Entropia Universe expert, Arno Laurman, has written a terrific guide for players just starting out on Planet Calypso. He gives some starter advice and goals to accomplish when starting the game. Read on to find out the best steps to take in Entropia Universe.

Cash Rules Everything Around Me: A Look at Planet Calypso (Ten Ton Hammer)
Is it an MMOG or a Roulette Wheel?

Rise and Shiny recap: Planet Calypso (Massively)

"So, how did the game feel to play? Well, I felt overwhelmed, abandoned on an alien planet with only my fellow humans for help. If you have played Ryzom, then you know that feeling of "us against the planet." It's actually a very uncommon feeling in many MMOs. In most games, the evil stuff is always tucked away in some dungeon, instance or clearly defined zone. In Planet Calypso, though, you have to be very careful."

Planet Calypso aims to attract new players with starting area (Massively)

Entropia Universe: From Gamer Chick to ROCKtropia (MMORPG.com)
Carolyn Koh brings us more new information from the worlds of Entropia Universe, covering the story behind the latest musical crossover into the game: ROCKtropia.

Entropia : Vehicle System Added (MMORPG.com)

Entropia Universe expands with treasure hunting on Planet Arkadia (Massively)

"The game is going to bear another similarity to its predecessor, however, in that the treasures being unearthed will potentially be worth real-world currency."

Entropia's Club NEVERDIE sets new record for most expensive virtual item sale (Massively)

"Now, an Entropia Universe fansite is reporting that the remaining portions of Club NEVERDIE have been sold to a gamer named John Foma Kalun in a transaction valued at US $335,000."

[Morreion]

Planet Calypso's new content takes players on a wild ride (Massively)

The Harbinger event brings new content to nearly every facet of Planet Calypso: new and revamped zones, two completely new methods of travel, new crafting and trading items, and new combat and quests. This is no fluff event designed to amuse players for a few days, but rather a deep storyline that includes something for almost everyone in the Planet Calypso community.

Drivers wanted on Planet Calypso (Massively)

...a new update has offered the perfect vehicles for running through an unspoiled tropical paradise -- high-powered combat tanks, helicopters, and warboats bristling with deadly armaments.

General: Club Neverdie Announced (MMORPG.com)

A new virtual world called Club Neverdie has been announced as an upcoming addition to the Next Island group. Club Neverdie was announced by developer Jon Jacobs who recently made headlines by selling the first iteration of Club Neverdie (Entropia Universe) for over $600,000 USD. Club Neverdie is dedicated to the memory of Jacobs's deceased fiance and a her virtual avatar will be a major part of the new Club Neverdie.

Club Neverdie official site

Entropia Universe: Next Island
MMORPG.com writer, Carolyn Koh, recently had the opportunity to check out Entropia Universe's Next Island. Next Island was created by David Post and is being developed by Neverdie Studios. Developers hope that Next Island will attract more females and casual gamers to try out the combat-less environment. Check out Carolyn's preview of Next Island and then let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

General Review for Entropia (MMORPG.com forums)

Hello everyone, for those that follow me from game to game, then you know who I am. For those that don't. Just know that I will make this as painless (or painful if you prefere) as possible. This is a general breakdown of Entropia Universe. All opinions and observations are my own, feel free to disagree. But a word of warning. Do not troll this thread, or you will find yourself on the recieving end. So, without further ado, here we go.

SEE buys Planet Calypso for $6 million, talks with Massively for an encore

Corey Redmond: MindArk has spent over a decade developing and investing in the technological advancement of the Entropia Universe Platform, providing a unique opportunity to transform new and existing IPs into interactive entertainment. With SEE Virtual Worlds' acquisition of Planet Calypso and First Planet Company, MindArk can focus their efforts, as they have long intended, on fine-tuning their business model as a platform provider in 3-D interactive online entertainment. This was a strategic move on MindArk's part.