Life Can Wait

Jully

Article originally published on the french blog on 6 Jully 2009

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“Entropia has the means to clear a path in the history”

Master Franck has joined the Entropia Universe. There are periods of life which are not always subjected to seasons. “Summer” does not automatically rhyme with nostalgia and however by seeing Master Franck logging in a few weeks ago I could not help but remember about all what Calypso lived since its launching and attempt to review an assessment at the dawn of a new era. Not the one of CE2, but the one of planets of course. For those who don’t know him, and there is nothing wrong with that, Master Frank is a distinguished member of the forum Playmmo (now abandoned like those ships around the desert of the Oil Rig), on whom he creates the first guides at a period when the existence of some creatures and some objects was barely suspected and that the discovery of a new skill was also as much looked for as an ATH. When Master Franck logs in, a bunch of situations come back to me: 2003, the absence of L items, creatures who fight between them, the blood, money in loot windows, the absence of numerous indications (Market Value window, stats knowledge of weapons and creatures). All this is over. But there was also the simple meaning (in the background, not in the definition) of Real Cash Economy or the slogan “It’s not a game” that many people didn’t understand yet.

While we are going to celebrate forty years of the first step the man on the Moon, it make us to wonder if the (unique) experience of an adventure as Entropia has the means to clear a path in the history of tomorrow. The history which will set up in the books of the twenty-first century, between the current mores which are terrorism and climatic challenges: the history of multimedia. The one who get dressed of internet and feeds of numerical.Entropia, forerunner? Better, according to Marco | FPC’s statements and projects, we can thrown hypothesis that Entropia will be able to be the Genesis, the origin, the source.

“Tomorrow, we will also be able to enjoy the view of Calypso from another planet”

But let us return one instant to the present and to the summer which struggles to become established in some of our regions. The most lackluster period of the year. FPC’s team therefore deserts Gothenburg to go to get a tan and it will be necessary to rely on the events organized by players and … What do I hear in the back of the room? “It’s great!”. Words of a drunkard or of an erudite person, I let you the choice to decide. We thought that the wave of summer festivals was going to rhythm all season the pace of videos posted by Marco | FPC on Entropia Gateway, but as sudden and unexpected as the death of the King of Pop, this was not the case. All those who waited patiently for the CE2 for summer fell from the top by learning that FPC would give, at the Augusts’ beginning only, the test results obtained in July. Balance: about fifteen videos (they didn’t post on weekends) extremely short of whom some reviewed by the great McCormick interested Entropians more than the originals. So actually we wanted other things than pictures and promises. And between an auction system that appears to have been reviewed and reworked avatar movements the only thing we can say is cheer. But FPC probably has more than that to reveal (creatures, PvP …). The players went sunbathing and get some fresh air with well-deserved holiday after a tough year but Marco’s team should be careful: in September, once back, the players will ask for results. This is maybe not the moment to take some holidays.

In the section “flop of the month” the palm goes to FPC’s answers awaited from now over sixty days by our site(Entropia France). We could also add the results of the creatures creation contest (Create a critter) which should be announced “a few days after the closing, the June 1st by the way, and we are still waiting for any news.
In fact, by complaining on all sides, which remains quite justified, we almost forget that Calypso isn’t the planet Earth and that its rate of revolution on itself and in its solar system are not the same as ours. Maybe that in six earth years, Calypso has just finished its first revolution and a new page finally opens up. Tomorrow is another day. But yesterday Buzz Aldrin, putting down his foot on the lunar ground a few minutes after Neil Armstrong, spoke of “splendid desolation” by grabbing the contrast between the abundant blue planet and its natural satellite on which he was.

Tomorrow, we will also be able to enjoy the view of Calypso from another planet. From several other planets. A view from a different angle. Take a step back. Diversify living and evolutions conditions.

“A little step for man…“

Marco’s sweet words

Article originally published on the french blog on 18 June 2009

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Land Grabs have just finished and still make play up a lot of chat lines, but it’s however an announcement from Marco which will hold most the attention of all players this month. Let us bury DOA of war and let us gather around what only can gather Entropians: the Cry Engine 2. Such a bone thrown daily into the arena to feed our desires for renewal, FPC has recently undertaken to provide us some Mini Teaser showing stopwatch in ten seconds (less three for the logo) the new capabilities which we will be able to enjoy in a few weeks. However even with this series of video previews that we gulp down such of tiny pizzas of aperitif, one day we will have to pass to the dish and the problem is that this last does not yet have definite date, because Marco|FPC announced it (without shouting it): the end of summer, if everything goes extremely well, should be the airstrip of the new big update. On the contrary we know, after the announcement made on Entropia Gateway, that the test phase of the VU 10 (heralding of CE2) is initiated. This mini-announcement has in fact nothing very particular, because even if many people begin to feel the thrill such the 5 minutes of waiting before the entrance to their favourite artist on stage, it’s necessary to read well that comments will arrive on this phase of testing in the next weeks. Therefore to envisage also (mis)chances that FPC announces that some things are still to be resolved and that the release is therefore postponed.

In form of quotation form, let us take back and cut the last two releases of Marco on Entropia Gateway (“The future of the planet Calypso” and “The reinvention of Calypso”) and let us see all the nice things which he assesses or that he promise to us. As a reminder to the youngest of you or to those who would have spent the last six years on another planet than Calypso, Marco Berhman was from the beginning involved in the development of Entropia Universe (Information Director) and in the relation with the community (Community Director) alongside of MindArk. In the eyes of Entropians, and more particularly the more ancient ones, it’s an emblematic figure because for a long time he was the only way to have valid and fair information, but also a wonderful scapegoat often wiping the shots of the community. He’s today the CEO of the planet Calypso (First Planet Company Director).

Marco at the Game Convention 2008

Original title by Marco: « The future of planet Calypso » (posted on March 20th, 2009)

Announce after analysis: «Plans, towards the infinity and beyond !»

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“MindArk has as objective to create a virtual world 3D fully immersive capable to provide high quality entertainment, education, e-commerce, and social network to everybody; together with a unique real cash economy, component to lead real businesses.“

Then there Marco begins strong. He will explain later in another press release (and it reassures us) that his various projects spread over eighteen years. Speaking today to institute in Entropia Universe a universe joining services such as education, e-commerce and a advanced social exchange platform can almost come close to utopia. And however bases are there. Let us put aside for a moment the exchange of virtual properties as well as social exchange that performs the players and let us imagine Entropia Universe as a  universal and unique platform, but above all independent. What could it give? A kind of Web 3.0. It isn’t absolutely forbidden to receive in Marco’s dreams the Entropia Universe’s platform to allow to make all his real purchases by stores and virtual catalogues (this has already begun with New Oxford or the loot of real items, but … it stagnates) or to communicate vocally, visually and textually with his family and friends via Entropia Universe. By speaking with Duncan (owner and administrator of Entropia France and General of Faction Beta II) the other day we developed some more developed ideas, by taking some examples from daily life:

- You want to watch a film in any “legality” (sic!) and you’re fed up of your outdated and simplistic interface that offers you your operating system? You will only have to connect to the Entropia Universe and go to one of the cities hosting a cinema, to buy the movie of your choice by a VOD system and you will be able to enjoy in full screen the last box office’s success.

-  Something unexpected at home, madam can’t make your favourite meal? No problem, after your last session of  hunt on one of the planets of Entropia Universe you are hungry and you just have to teleport in one of the cities hosting one of the supermarkets of your country which is in partnership with the planet concerned. You order, pay in PED and the time of a few hundred hits to the machine of craft and your meal will be delivered to you.

These two examples are of course chosen randomly in a multitude of diverse ideas which could be applied in Entropia Universe. But just imagine that instead of using all services that Internet offers you via a browser, you could do it via the multimedia platform that offers your favourite game?

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“Separating this group (FPC) from the platform developers allowed them to define their own goal of providing a top class MMO, and shed its role as a “test bed” of sorts for the development of the Entropia platform.[...]The way this goal is intended to be realized is to refocus on game play, storyline, events and an overall engrossing and engaging experience for the user.“

Marco raises a very interesting point and I think one of the most decisive of next years for the planets that which are going to compose the Entropia Universe. Competition or influence?

Competition, because today the alternative is reduced. If a player doesn’t like what is going on Calypso he has no choice but to leave towards another MMO offering him another world and other activities. Tomorrow, that same player will have the choice between several planets as diversified as each other. And to do it he will not even need to purchase another subscription, create a new account or install a new game. He will just have to temporarily disconnect from the planet which doesn’t please him anymore and he will choose another one to blow for a few hours or to begin a new adventure.

Influence, because where MindArk sinned during many years with his planet “test”, the owners of new planets should be already informed and therefore not repeat some of their mistakes (delay to start the RP and events) or else to not launch activities that haven’t already had a big success on Calypso (New Oxford and its ghosts rooms, banks, etc. …).

Calypso was irremediably disguised as planet test, with its lands, its shops and its banks: such major projects which have more or less pierced and will be still present in a few years or completely forgotten. But Calypso disguised as a planet test with NEVERDIE also and his purchase of CND. Even if the American doesn’t own via CND as much asset that he will have with Next Island, it was a kind of opened question put down by the MindArk’s team: Is a player able to pay several thousand dollars for virtual property on which he has the hand? The answer being yes, it seemed logical to offer this type of investor the opportunity to pick a team and buy a full platform of game, in form of planet.

Marco (second from left) in May 2007 when the contract was signed between the CEO of MindArk (Jan Walter) and the CEO of the Chinese planet CRD (David Liu)

Marco original title: “The reinvention of Calypso” (posted on 15 May 2009)

Announce after analysis: «The communication, the weakness of FPC»

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“The reinvention follows suit with other recent reinventions of older concepts or icons in the media. The James Bond franchise was kick-started again with “Casino Royale”. The movie “Batman Begins” gave the caped crusader a new life after a series of less-than-stellar movies“

So we start with this very nice metaphor putting two monster of the box-office with the franchise recognized for decades in parallel with our brand new platform of game. Where the rub is, is that the very first appearances of the character of James Bond date of 1953 and the one of Batman of 1939. We can therefore think that effectively after half a century of existence each and several generations having seen both heroes under different forms it’s time to give them at new a helping boost in the eyes of the public. Calypso is in its sixth year and wanting to give it at new a helping boost wouldn’t tend to show a difficulty in keeping his players interested? Besides, the “reinvention” is a word which can disturb. As mentioned above, we expect that Entropia Universe uses in 100% all the multimedia aspect that has been slowly anticipated in recent years with various tests on Calypso. But as with James Bond or Batman, we don’t just expect more special effects than in the previous one. Careful to not rely on the praises of players only thanks to the graphic update. As Marco said, the players also expect a complete overhaul of the baselines and above all avoid putting forward too much the multimedia and entertainment capabilities at the risk of forgetting the “game” aspect. The balance must be fully controlled. Renewal yes, but for everyone and everywhere.

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“To deliver “you had to be there!” moments is vital. To experience larger-than-life happenings right before your eyes is fundamental. We have various ideas for future content into Planet Calypso that will make this drama more and more interactive, putting the avatars into the storyline, and thus being part of the creation of history in the Calypso timeline.“

Once again, Marco knows where and how to affect us and in which domain to promise some good days. With an announcement like this what can we hope? That the avatars play a direct role in the role-playing and that they are more integrated into the “essential instants”. Clearly probably more unique items which will mark the avatar owning it. Among examples on which we can quickly extrapolate: the “Unique Lady Kraster Helmet” which we now know that there will be no full set and which is unique, or more formerly the weapon “Unique Dub & McCormick Terminator” who has the name of the two rewarded, but this weapon, as the «Unique Legend War Axe», aren’t anymore for a long time in the hands of those who found them. We don’t sell our Oscar. Would MA have therefore found the parade with personalized items like jacket WOF and other Protection Of The Empire, which symbolize a receipt property for a part of RP played in the game? However between rarity and the “notable fact” it will be necessary to choose. Another option which can become very interesting, the integration of specific avatar in events. But for that it will be necessary to develop a little more these event and to fully put forward the winners of Merry Mayhem, for example, or the various heroes of the robots war (society or individual) and not just to give them some toys. Land Grabs already make this? Let’s see, a little of common sense, the era of LG’s heroes is over … since this year.

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“The corner stone of the Entropia experience has always been the real cash economy. This is one area I feel has been neglected some until now. “

By who exactly? Let us be good judges and observe both parties represented in front of the audience: developers and players.

The developers first of all because even if their mistakes are lower and that their approach of RCE is totally controlled on some points, it’s still accessible in some areas. With two examples among so many others we quickly fall on the interface of the auction, which can push back more than one investor and then to easiness of the free exchange of properties and money with among other things as his own society (inter-society bank) which is asked since years.  Some mistakes erased with the arrival of CE2? We’ll see.

The players then, because on their side we still hear too many sentences like “Entropia is a casino,” “I’m only losing I earn nothing” or “it’s unfair.” The players (and MindArk had a bit of responsibility into) have since the beginning of the game confused two very different words: play and invest. First let us return to the big tirade of the last decade “Entropia is a casino.” We’ll do quickly, this sentence is false. Simply because in a casino that it’s be on black jack, on roulette or on poker, you take your money and you exchange it for tokens, which you play. In Entropia Universe you take your money and exchange it for PEDS, which you invest to exercise an activity. At no time you play it.

Oh I suspect that this explanation will not suffice you. I am aware of it. I’ll try for this summer to make an article on this big difference between Entropia and a Casino, but this beginning of explanation was essentially to return on our distinction between “play and invest.” Because effectively there are two ways to observe Entropia. According to ages and the social worlds we don’t see immediately the difference between playing in Entropia on one side, to enjoy and have a good time, regardless of the cost since it corresponds to your incomes, and investment on the other side, which is possible to make to begin on the same way as in real life, a thriving activity. This is besides something that few people saw coming in the very beginning of the game. Now, views have changed and we can besides see before making a deposit on the Entropia’s website the sentence “think about future, invest in your avatar” which was not actuality before and that was not during many years put forward by the developers.

So yes, if Marco thinks that the economic situation has been neglected it will be necessary to review its approach, but on both sides, all together.

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“The final area I am going to address is communication. I want FPC and the community to work together in a mutual understanding of what is going on and what the future holds. I believe that as long as people feel they have final say – are given the choice – then they are much more patient when rough patches arise. I want to have a bigger level of openness than before, because I firmly believe it creates a dynamic win-win situation. Constructive criticism is good; whining and frustration is not. “

Let’s go now in the heart of the subject. I’m going to tell you a story: once upon a time the French website regrouping the French community of Entropia (at least the vast majority attending the forums) which contacted FPC with the intention to propose them about twenty questions posted by the members and after receiving Franck|FPC’s strong approval and once questions selected and sent … silence was as weighing as the heat prevailing in south Fort Pandora, in the Eudorian desert. It was over a month and a half ago that the questions were sent and we still don’t have anything. So actually there is no reason to whine and even less to frustrate. On the contrary let’s go to constructive criticism as please to quote Marco: must we really, because of FPC, feel faulty for not being able to exercise one of the wishes of our members have requested? Especially when they ask us some news and that we can’t provide any to them, Franck not answering to our mails. Then, shall we, whereas MS9 receives a photo of Emma in the environment of CE2 to make a contest on EF, feel us put aside while firstly the French community is currently on a curve which grows from month to month and secondly, we have also made requests for “mini contest” to offer to our members in partnership with FPC?

No. Because we are, of course, not like that. This is not our way to be. For the moment the French don’t blench. This community who, at the international level, has nothing to envy to some of its neighbours. France’s position in the Entropia Universe is not anymore to justify or prove.

On the contrary where she completely blends herself in the international mass constituting the Entropia Universe, it’s in perplexed movement who became established in front of developers these last years concerning the said communication. Moreover, it’s no longer useful to clone many debates and the many complaints that have taken place on the forums since the creation of the universe, or more recently concerning information filtering on CE2.

Wanting to keep secrets and surprises is a thing, but doing this FPC is faced to a hungry public, almost rickety after months fed with some rare pictures and more recently with short videos. The result? A huge part of players want to decide of their future on the Entropia Universe with the arrival of CE2. One more pressure for developers who already have a tasks book well filled.

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“The above stipulates the general path ahead for Planet Calypso and for First Planet Company. One thing I want to say right now is that I see this as long term overall goals. To add all the components require years of development. Some things will come quickly; some will take a lot of time and will be down-prioritized based on the current situation at the time of decision. If you are patient then we will, together with you, create a kick-ass MMORPG and a no-bullshit atmosphere in the community. “

I really want for my part to say that this article is aimed only to begin this strong communication between FPC and its players, throwing some ideas, discuss the good and bad things. More clearly: to show that yes, we are all concerned and interested by Marco’s messages, then let’s do all together to grow once again this adventure that follow us since 2003. Marco always use to receive, from the players, the most beautiful praises as the most redundant complaints, but if he’s getting out safe since 2003 it’s also that it does not displease him. He should then find his count in each paragraph of this article and in the comments which will follow it. Long-term goals or short term, obviously every connexion issued on Calypso reserves for us its abundance of adventures and discoveries.

Quotation : Sent by Marco

“As an added bonus I can today say that when you for the first time log into Planet Calypso in VU 10.0, you avatar will be given the chance of a new appearance. But we have managed to very closely save your pre-VU10.0 looks (including customized work from plastic surgeons, hair stylists, etc) so you can keep your old looks almost intact.“

(To finish therefore), today we learnt on EF in a Marco’s message that roughly the CE2 would not be launched before the month of August, date on which Marco will make an assessment of test phases performed this summer. So feel free to sunbath in July, you can always change your skin’s complexion at the reopening.

Marco (center) in December 2006, during the evening award of the Nobel Prize in Stockholm. On his left Dave Simmonds (responsible of commercial development) and on
his right Carl Uggla (responsible of special projects)

June

Article originally published on the french blog on 2 June 2009

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“The reinvention is running”

Reinvention, revolutions, new foundations, redefinings and reconstruction, in short, you’ll have understood it, Entropia Universe is currently living a big turn in its development and the summer risks, despite the predictions, to be hot.

A flavourless month of March been extinguished itself: the robots attack suddenly finished, an exhibition without any monitoring, FPC has no time to polemic or debate, to announce or propose. No, FPC let the month of May to take place very slowly and plays on its laurels, letting quietly the Land Grabs to arrive. Big mistake! Because if any good political must be able to anticipate and react in case of major events, then it must be even more for developers  controlling their subject since over a quinquennat! But for better let pass the pill of two events in a half shade as the RX units and Chirpy, what’s better than a total clamour around one of the most emblematic events of Entropia? Nothing. Because we have just attended a historical session of the Land Grabs which, more, raised two of the issues in the community the most burning, certainly, but the most ridiculous of theses last years, to know firstly the line “anti-Warants ” scanned by more than a colonist, and this long before the LG, and secondly the total lack of communication between FPC, societies and players. These two problems the one into the other one however didn’t create an irreparable split in the high spheres of the societies of the game as some pleases to say. However, several other facets showed themselves this weekend, because we knew the hatred and jealousy and we could observe the manipulation, spying, organization and communication. One for all and all against one. Each party had his grief: MA / FPC, the LG and their history, societies in general.

I’ll come back on it for a longer time on Entropia France in a few days and, if possible, with as much objectivity and informations as possible, even if it seems extremely complicated in the views of many pages (over a hundred if we take all subjects) who succeed one another since this weekend on EntropiaForum and multiple divergent opinions on a very prickly subject. The goal will not be to slice, but to explain. To make it more clear in retrospect.

“give it all from the launching of CE2 to renew the long list of things obsolete and inappropriate”

And if all that was recovering only from FPC having difficult to contain its own planet, just some weeks before the launching of the project on which they may have spent too much time these last months, at the expense of the good organization of intra-community events on Calypso? Last month, I raised the too heavy problem of communication, but what conclusions can we do again today? Still no answer to questions sent to Franck | FPC by EntropiaFrance more than a month ago and a piece of atom of teaser dropped by Marco | FPC on EntropiaGateway who dismayed more than it pleased. I’ll come back on during the month on the blog in an article dedicated to Marco | FPC’s last message concerning the future of Calypso.

FPC inherits via MA of a planet who was a test platform for a too long time, to them now to do the max from the launching of CE2 to renew the long list of things obsolete and inappropriate, to re-form and to rebuild a liveable and interesting planet, as in the first days of the game.

FPC must however be wary, because even if no referendum is in view and if no elections are planned, several planets will orbit around the “oldest one” and would be well advised to use FPC’s errors not to repeat them, and so offer much better worlds to players bored by a planet which however initiated everything, and to whom we owe all this beautiful universe. Of course this is not what we want, because cohabitation must be part of projects to come and the promises of developments thrown by FPC are making salivate. The question is to know until when? They will soon no longer be the only ones and the war of promises will be able to begin.

Warlock

Article originally published on the french blog on 23th May 2009

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In these hard times of fierce fighting in the war which lead robots to entropians, it’s not easy to defend itself and to stand up to various types of electronic carcasses, which we  can  find in some cities. However some people may be frightened and helpless facing Big Bulk and others Legionaries, that’s nothing  facing one of the most powerful robots and the  less met on Calypso these last months, the Warlock. Both videos made by JamHot during an attack that led the two societies Warants and then Menace to Society facing this tough robot finding easily their place in the category favorites.

He’s therefore one of the most feared robots of the game and whose speed, design and gameplay are the most popular, but also the most feared. Indeed, to hear the sound of a squeaky Warlock to a few hundred meters from itself can bring as much adrenaline as one Araneatrox’s hiss during a session of suntan on the southern shores of Fort Troy. Present on the grounds of Calypso since the beginning of the game, the Warlock is an integral part of the history of the robots war and of various invasions of cities by these last. According to his description, he’s the leader of robots armies and combines a human aspect to his side “heap of scrap metal “. His exact type of damage is still hard to estimate (some people speak about Burn 100% but it remains hard to believe, other deeper tests allow to say that they pass better with 5B than 6A), but reassure yourselves, from generation 01 to 10, it’s between 260 and 485 damage that you will can cash in and between 3000 and 12 000 health points which you will have to withdraw to them. More often used during the various city attacks, there is not therefore real “spot” of Warlock, even if it happens to some of them to walk not far from Echidna.

Shots of a Warlock Generation 10 (by Akbar)

We can now to see them more often during various Robot events (it is for example one of the rare times when Warlock walked on Amethera) or also during the rounds of WoF (at this time even in Pandora). Concerning his loots, informations are also enough hard to catch. But nothing exceptional, after all even if they loot them, he’s not the only one to drop the M71A1, the Sentinel Thigh, Foot and Arm Shadow (L) or the DOA Foeripper. However, and to my big amazement, he seems to be the only one to drop the AS-147.

Robots attack in Port Atlantis

Scylla and Telloton’s Cases

I’ll spare you the various mythological notifications because really, as for the city of Echidna (and others), where appeared some Warlocks, the etymology of Scylla relates (again) to some legends, on the one hand reporting that Scylla was a girl (the one of Nisos the King of Megare), and of the other a monster with six heads (in Homer’s story). The one who interests us is simply coming from Calypso and is therefore called “Scylla” but with the skin almost identical of a Warlock, and whose echoes can make to turn pale several colonists however advised. Even if the recent arrival of The Eviscerator has could push back some, he doesn’t come about the ankle of 45 to 000 HP on meter of Scylla and of his damages afflicted probably exceeding 500 damage, without counting his “crazy” regeneration, according to Optima (Art Of War).

Scylla’s Stats

This big Warlock is recognized and more or less renowned because he has somehow closed the robots war in last December. Eliminated by the society Art Of War, it’s Sirhc who had recovered a one of the big gifts of the nasty pile of scrap metal: the Carramone Harness (M).

Screen of the Carramone Harness M loot (seen by Avery)

In the same way as the Scylla, the Warlock Lord Telloton (name which appeared on the creature in game) or Telleton (name which appeared in informations given by MindArk, in reference to the telethon which had taken place) is unique, like a “named “in other MMOs, and appeared in Hadesheim in the same time as the Scylla. Are us not a bit bored by all the conspiracies (jealousy?) who trail around this famous battle between the Warants and the Lord Telloton ? A favoritism coming from MA towards them? Remain serious one instant, or then what to say about Axxelis (Shaolin) who had the Carramone Tigh F on his first Big Bulk or else the BAHQ in the same period of time on Drone Exterminator for the Arms M ? Nothing, because these hypothetical blows of favoritism are unfounded and shows only one very dark side of the community. However the history of this battle and its results are relatively simple: in May 2006, the Lord Telloton is mentioned for the first time in an announcement of MA in the Client Loader. Even if he’ll will not appear this time, it was during this event that it was necessary to recover the “Rare Robot Secret Transmitter” (4 on Drone G10 and 1 on Second Entity) and who allowed to discover the armor Protection Of The Empire. It will then be necessary to wait more than two years for that the Telloton shows the tip of his nose, as mentioned above, in Hadesheim. Thirty minutes before his appearance a transcription appeared on the screens of players announcing his arrival a half hours later in the big abandoned city, and the poor one did not last long under the shoots of Warants. A part of Carramone Helmet F and a pair of Chronicle Foot (L) later the scamp had already delivered his secrets…

The Lord Telloton in Hadeisheim

Before to let you to watch the two videos by JamHot, and for your greatest pleasure, i gone briefly to interview several players from both societies to know their best memories concerning the Warlock, and what do they think about this robot of a more general point of view.

Dreicc (Warants): “Comment on Warlock: where are they? ^^ My best memory of Warlock, it was city attacks with the siren which started, the appearance of flying drone (I can’t remember the name, jamraider or something like that) who deactivated the turrets then the drones arriving and one or several (2/3) Warlock who attacked.”

Very interesting photo that shows what Dreicc is talking about : a fight against Warlock where you can actually see behind him, two Jam Raider

Star (Menace to Society) “I don’t know … maybe the night when cK had the most of the HoF because MA had made a mistake with loots of Warlock and I had some of (but not with nick Star, in fact a lot of my memories on Warlock are with my old avatar).“

An extract of the famous “night” mentioned by Star

Ter (Warants) “Hi Liam, my best memorys of Warlocks are from the early years when they were first introduced if I remember correctly they arrived during robot attacks and unless you had a very strong team you avoided them at all costs of course if your team were lucky enough to kill 1 then you had a very good chance of a very nice loot,  most of the early Foerippers came from them. I seem to remember later that a lone Warlock used to hang around the outskirts of pvp3 but my memory is not great so I could be wrong…

I love Warlocks, I love the way they look, the way they sound and most of all the fact that gen 10 can kill anyone pretty easily ”

Lodidodi (Warants) “It’s with pleasure that I’ll tell you my experience with the Warlocks. To begin, I never met the Warlock Scylla, but I participated in the assassination of the Warlock named Lord Telleton. It happened in Hadesheim center during the event where we could win the PoE armor.

Then, for my first meeting with the Warlocks, I would have to make some research to get an idea of the period because I don’t remember it anymore. But it was in Orthos West Mound, around the mountain just in south of the tp. I remember that we were in team, made up of hunters from different societies which, mostly, have stopped to play. I remember to have looted some Starkhov (as 147 I think) during this crazy night. Another player whom I can’t remember the name (damn memory) had the chance to loot some Sentinel Thighs during those few days of spawn.

To finish, it’s a robot that I like to hunt and who often hidden some nice surprises, especially during the old cities attacks. It’s a mob that we can’t forget with his diabolical look. “

I did several researches and in the final I succeeded in putting the hand on the screen about whom speaks Lodidodi with the part of Sentinel Thighs M

I leave you now with these two achievements covering the battles of both societies.

Warants vs Warlocks with : Skalman, Neomaven, Ter and Silverfox

Menace to Society vs Warlocks with : Metatron Mick, Sammy Sosa, Jenna Star, Princess Gladriel and Miss Emma Peel

Thanks to JamHot for his videos, to Akbar, Logan and Maniac for pictures, to Lodi and Dreicc for their further informations.

May

Article originally published on the french blog on 1st May 2009

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“In May, FPC do what he likes“

Such “the recession” for the economists, “the hyper presidency” for all kinds of politicians, or “internet laws” for the artists, First Planet Company needs to put an expression in the players’ head, a catchy word and then this is the ” Golden Age” that spear to who wants to hear it FPC to make (still) a little more wait the players. A slogan without tail nor head which tries as best it could to contain the waiting of Entropians already well immersed by the recurring problems of the current game. Marco|FPC and his team lure by pictures, and not by communication of concrete information. A too easy dodge. However we don’t ask for a “hyperinformation” with all now, in the moment, but some more developed professionalism is increasingly expected concerning the Cry Engyne 2. Arlésienne or Watergate scandal ? In both case, information seems to keep people waiting at best, to the worst being too well hidden so that whatever could not leak out, but when they will come into the world, it will agree.

After the total failure of the pseudo “chat press relation “initiated by Franck | FPC on Entropia Forum (some days later supported and rescued in a new session by Marco | FPC) which has revealed itself  more a drinking session around a Longu’s dribble, we expect a little more than a few photos of avatars at New Switzerland. Bad will? Mystery, especially when we see the evolution that takes place in parallel “In Game”. This last, totally paradoxical to the CE2’s communication, have a rising curve which pleases the players. The event for the miners has just been finished (even if there were a few failures) and the migration of Eomons, Longtooth and Exarosaur Elite makes already explode the Hall of Fame. Besides, to show us that FPC knows the words innovation and big classics, two other events may to occupy your beautiful days in May: innovation with the contest of artistic creation of the future new creature of Calypso, and big classics with the most interesting event of the already long history of the planet : Land Grabs. Indeed these last were announced for the end of the month and no doubt that the lands areas are not going to misfire under persevered battles of the top 50+ societies of the game.

“Next to all that big building site, a new era could begin on Entropia Universe”

However all this should not make us forget that FPC still have eternal count to be regulated with too many points of questionings which trail along in the head of some players. Future of “unlimited” objects, development of 60% of unoccupied Amethera, the add of interactivity within and between societies, an auction as obsolete as craft system and the lack of novelties in objects IRL are only the beginning of a list far from being exhaustive. But the month of May also promise an interview of Franck | FPC through Entropia France. However  these last one can reassure themselves, there is not much chance that the French fashion (shameful!) of hostage-taking of the bosses of companies get a foothold in Gothenburg’s headquarters FPC / MindArk. We remain civic, social and courteous, we sent questions, we now hope that the answers which we will receive will be, them, satisfactory.

Next to all that big construction site, a new era could begin on Entropia Universe and that’s not the one of new graphics, some windows of loot filled to the brim or new professions, no, it’s slowly but carefully that the mysteries of the new planets which come to light. It will be necessary to observe NeverDie Studio (Next Island, RockTropia with Lemmy’s Castle and Kevin’s Island) and the other ones as competitors of our good old Planet Calypso, that MA / FPC had not specifically used to have in front of them. And speaking of that, notice to the old ones of the old of which i am part, such  the change of the Francs to Euros, you would not should to complain anymore about lacunas and absences of  MindArk  but well of First Planet Company, which are the only masters aboard (a big change when, since 2003, we couldn’t avoid to put MA in front of each issue). So which captain will innovate, will passionate and will provide content to the players to go out victorious of the frequenting of the planets?

Appointment in a few months to assess in a Chinese bar of  the planet CRD around a bottle of champagne saved from Calypso with Lemmy and Kevin both wearing their fur hats bought in 400 before JC on Next Island.

Modified April Fool’s

Article originally published on the french blog on 8th April 2009

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Before of to leave you the time to read this article i would like to add that at his time Lester Bangs (1948 – 1982), great music critic whose main writings you will be able to find in Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung (Anchor Press, 1988) and Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Tastewould have dangled a text as this one to the readers of Creem or Rolling Stone without warning, no ultimatum. I however prefer make one. Even if all tender team of First Planet Company shout that the “Golden Age” approaches, the community is extremely dispersed and eclectic, coming from any horizon of any age and every culture and not reacting the same way in front of a point of view. Besides, the world of Entropia does not have “media” in properly speaking and the arrival of extravagance as the one who is going to follow may surprise. Oh well.

There is just one week, one of the most sought after and (obviously) most expensive item of Entropia Universe re-emerged after having disappeared from the windows of loots during several years … or not.Really this huge April fool’s well organized by a inset photo on Entropia Forum will serve me as of pretext to deliver you a little “sweetness” at some hours of my holiday departure. A well-deserved week after 560 hours of connection on Calypso in three months. A good return after two years of  break according to some …

40 000 $ at bottom word for a few  pixels, the doctor Jagaar Ivel Dithaal does not know crisis

So it’s Adam Nebu Jackyll who had the good surprise to find on a Letomie (the recent new mobs of  Deathifier) the so much coveted Modified Omegaton First Aid Pack, also known as under abbreviated Mod FAP. On our Earth, we could compare it to your eternal fantasy of driving a Lamborghini hair to winds, or your footing in the Bahamas in the middle of the dolphins. But do not exaggerate, remain objective. The Modified FAP is more economic than most of the “bling bling” properties which i could list during hours. Because don’t forget that your Lamborghini still consumes a more and more rare resource, and that your house under the coconut trees of the Bahamas is subjected to the crisis, about the dolphins (your only friends there), they are being disappearing in a dozen years. The Modified FAP, he, has statistics which have never moved and which, used properly (to know as a “no life”) will satisfy you 100% of the time. However this so much coveted object of Entropiens is not the one about which we speak the most often. And for good reason, allowing me to personify it, it seems more in the ways of Kim Jon-il than of Nicolas Sarkozy, of a media point of view at least. Understand therefore that we don’t find it in all inventories, and even less in all loot’s windows. He can make speak about him, but while remaining very rare in his appearances. It is necessary to say that with a price near 400 000 PED (last public screen at 425 K PED), we speak more and more of a “Joconde” who will make slobber our Asiatic friends on their future planet CRD (Cyber Recreation Development). Regarding the price quoted above, it is in fact an estimate, at bottom word. It never passes through the auction, very few by forums, it is in fact as to try to know if the CIA and ISI respectively participated on September 11th or Bombay attacks : something very vague leading on an endless debate, and which only the main protagonists have the key (and it’s still not sure!). Besides, number of post concerning the object proves it. It was necessary to be there before, “and that’s all” as says our friend Phillipe Lucas. Remember that some did put it in Trade Terminal and that others sold it to TT + 3000 PED (sic!), there remain traces on Playmmo forums.

What after ? Because Dominique Strauss-Kahn said some months ago that “the hardest was behind us” (after all, what is happening on the other side of the Atlantic, to the IMF does not concern us) concerning the crisis . But what could say Voland, Star, Skippie or even ColonelBowles  (ah, the good old days of White Tigers, # 1 Skill Society Rank, already ancestor of Elite Group now disappeared), who all possessed the Modified FAP? Resell it, yes but why and above all for who? He can’t have the same vision of this object when players have loot it in the first hours of Calypso and that only his stats could define his first asset, and now a mix of dollars due to its rarity and his matchless stats. There is a gap there. Can the MODIFIED FAP still be found? Who will buy the next one? A rich avatar lost in the Nevada to make pretty in his flat between the first full  Sentinel set and an Frescoquda’s egg (yes it will come you will see, regarding the noise which this creature makes) or will MODIFIED FAP be in the hands of a hunter full of boldness who will use it wisely? Do First Planet Company and Marco’s team intend to find him a successor ? It’s whispered here and there of a stabilisation of price in months to come, is MODIFIED FAP going to be countered? Does next MODIFIED FAP(s) found hunting will simply be carefully kept by their lucky looter such an invaluable Olympic gold medal so much fierceness (or the nudge in the right direction) is represented there?

All these answers, we will have them but be sure on one thing : this loot’s window was rigged, but at least she allowed us to see the passion that may have Entropians when the object will fall at new in a loot’s window. The Modified Omegaton First Aid Pack has not finished to make flow the ink and move crowds…

That’s the goal isn’t it?

Chronicle

Article originally published on the french blog on  3rd March 2009

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“You do not imagine all that Chronicle can make for you!”

A little “coups de coeur” (as we say in french) for the video which accomplished Mathias as “add” for the sale of his full set Chronicle.

Ah! The Chronicle. An old fantasy, it was Nicole (cK Coat Killers) who had noticed that the skin of Arms and Harness were beautiful, but who would not slobber in front of ? (The Chronicle eh, not Nicole)

To make a quick lesson of history, the Chronicle is an armor that comes from the time of our Earth (such as Vain for example), and more specifically the time of the gladiators (such as Hermes or Spartacus). Designed by champion Pompeii Max, we find the first part (Thigh) put  for sale (via auction at least) on November  1st 2005 for  + 7500 PED. It will be finally sold fifteen days later for +2947 PED.

The set has a value today extremely hard to estimate (the rumors rife from +100 K to + 200 K), and we wonders even if the Unlimited parts can still be looted.

With statistics covering all domains of damage and notably distinguishing itself in Stab (70), Cut (60) and Close (143), Chronicle has everything to please. However its rarity irritates, and the description ” in game ” leaves a doubt concerning the part “Several sets were imported to Calypso right before the robot wars”.

Because actually, this set is the only one completed and available in the game, and it’s slither (Menace To Society) who had first achieved to constitute it.

Not especially to help Mathias in its sale but rather for the originality of the promotion wich he made, i wanted to offer you this video which put in pretty situation this armor wich make as much dream as the Vain and Sentinel for qualities such as their rarity, their seniority, their protection and of course we do not hide from it, their aestheticism.

Enjoy !

Photos of the Chronicle worn by slither (left) and Mathias (right).

Photos of the rare windows loots with a part of Chronicle.

Welcome to Life Can Wait

Welcome to Life Can Wait blog

Eudoria, 2005

After having held several music blogs since 2005 (via 20six.fr and lemonde.fr) and having write on some famous web-zine more or less respectable, it was pretty obvious for me to look for open space writing concerning Entropia Universe. In parallel to my editor’s activities within Entropia France I therefore allow me to throw the adventure of a blog through the site, and I hope to bring you some interesting reading, pleasant and above all, innovative.

Indeed, the Project Entropia I knew when I was fifteen years old during a hot month of July 2003 evolved into a unique world which offers to every passionate player, opportunities continually renewed and without common measures with another MMO. However by definition, a game like this is meant to be progressive, and to be therefore liable to be always pointed by players in research of a perpetual renewal. It is also in this context that i decided to release this blog. To allow the community of Calypso to evolve, to provide information, point of views, analysis, critics, and to allow everyone to talk about it in the same goal: live Entropia with the most pleasure possible.

On this blog you will find analysis and summaries of sessions of various jobs of  Entropia, interviews, favourites, rants, competitions, but also anecdotes of those famous “good old days” for who I am so nostalgic and why not, in long terms, some weekly and monthly rubrics and columns.

However do not hurry things, we will celebrate “soon” 10 years of beta and we will have the time in the years to come to relive those past, to discuss about current months and anticipate the future of this world.

As an opening I therefore propose you a simple presentation of your author by inspiring me of the record player that Pagondorf, an old friend since long time who is now retired from Entropia, he had the idea to launch on the big father of the French-speaking forums of Project Entropia, the site Playmmo.

(I will submit regularly updated information)

Nickname ingame: Nils Liam Chapuis
Age: 22
Job(s): hunter, miner, crafter
Your equipment: DOA Strikehammer + Dante / Ek 2600 – UR 125 / Ghost + 5B /  OF 105
Some skills:  202K skill & 172 HP  http://entropedia.info/Info.aspx?chart=Avatar&id=3543
Skills unlock: Marksmanship, RDA, Serendipity, Medecine,  CGA, Extraction, Coolness, Mineral Sense, Power Catalyst, Wounding, Combat Sense, Avoidance, Treatement, BPC,
Your society: La Faction Beta

What you like about EU: If I had to select only 3 things, otherwise I could to get away in some too long praises: the experience without limits, the lack of zone and maturity / persistence asked to players to succeed.

What you do not like in EU: people who complain In Game, lags.

The beginning of your adventures on Calypso: July 2003 (all sold [skills and equipment] and stopped in 2006 then I came back in December 2008

Your best hunting loot: in PED: 2166 PED Itumatrox Dominant, Items: Angel Helmet SGA (M), a Longu claw sold for 15 K PED / In team: 3K PED with LFB on Longu Dominant.

Discover: Sentinel Foot SGA (F)

Your best craft loot: 2522 PED (OA 101 Ligth)

Your best mining loot: 540 PED GAZZURITE

One comment: No matter of age, time, tastes, social and geographical situation, it’s always good to be able to find entertainment that allows you to escape, Entropia Universe is part of it, so life can wait…

With Pagondorf at Nymphtown between 2003 and 2004

Full information about my avatar’s skills: Entropedia profile being created

P.S: Note that I am not used to answer to the comments of my own articles on the blog directly. Simply because I believe that the author, in the print media, has no possibility of discussing directly with his readers. If you want to have details on article or if you expect answers from me, thank you to writing to me at liam@entropiafrance.com or create a post on the forum.