![]() ![]() Even with relatively low settings the experience was seamless, and despite entering areas with large gatherings of people there were zero lag issues, a constant negative in Second Life. The graphics engine behind Entropia Universe purrs. Second Life would have to be 99% ugly but it’s the raw passion of the user generated buildings that give it appeal. The non-user created areas look professional, but in some ways, compared to Second Life, it felt a little boring. I took a tour of Calypso Island and teleported to a number of other locations as well. Moving around is easy enough, and once short-cuts and mouse options are learnt it’s a pleasurable interface to use. I wouldn’t call it excellent but it’s definitely a slicker look and feel than Second Life. ![]() Much nicer looking than Second Life with more customization options than you’ll probably ever want to use. Entropia Universe claims that they have the best avatars in the business and it’s a fair claim. Users/ players must setup an avatar with a bewildering array of options. I had regular issues staying connected until I dropped by internet speed settings to a much lower figure than my actual internet speed. Login is simple although settings should be watched. TechCrunch writer Nick Gonzalez reported a 4 hour download from the US during the European night. I tried to download during the middle of the day European time (where the company is located). Best I could get initially on a 2mb Cable connection was 20kbs download speed with an estimated time to download of 17 hours! In part it could have been a timing issue. If you eventually mange to connect to the server, and it took me a several hours, you then have to wait an awfully long time for the download. The Windows only client is over 1GB in size and can only be downloaded from the one server using FTP. ![]() If Entropia Universe was to be judged alone on its installation procedures, there would be a lot less than the over 500,000 registered users. Whilst you could probably enter false information, Entropia Universe does want to know who you are. Signing up is free, though personal details are not optional. It all sounds great on paper, but how does it actually play? Entropia Universe recently sold 5 banking licenses for the amazing sum of $404,000 USD. Banking is also taken seriously, unlike the unregulated wild west of Second Life with it’s various in-world ponzi schemes. A MasterCard branded ATM Cash Card is available to players which allow direct withdrawal of funds earned in-world. Players are able to buy PED’s to use in-world or can transfer PED’s made in-world, out.īut there’s more to Entropia Universe than just the ability to transfer cash in and out. Unlike the Linden dollar that continues to decline in value, the Entropia Universe PED can be traded at a fixed exchange rate of 10 PED to $1 USD. Like Second Life, the in-world currency in Entropia Universe can be converted to US dollars. The addition that makes Entropia Universe a direct competitor to Second Life though is money. Moving towards a more Second Life experience, players are able to own and run shops, manufacture goods, own land and build on that land, as well as being able to trade, buy, sell and create goods and services. ![]() Mining is an option for those who don’t like swinging a sword. Players who prefer a World of Warcraft style experience can undertake quests and join in groups to hunt and fight monsters. Game play is open across a number of different fields. Set in a Sci-Fi future players assume the roles of colonists who must develop the untamed planet of Calypso. At the opposing end is Second Life with its embrace of capitalism and intellectual property rights. World of Warcraft has been an unrivaled success, bringing Dungeon and Dragons style fantasy role playing to an audience in excess of 8 million. To date there are two leading online spaces. Second Life needs no introduction and yesterday rumors surfaced that Sony was in talks to acquire Club Penguin for $500+ million. Depending on who you listen to, virtual worlds are the new black. ![]()
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