Project Entropia : Gambling or Gaming? |
Ó
I have received several comments about the MMORPG Project Entropia, a game which utilizes a real cash economy system. After spending some time scanning through different news postings and comments related to the game, I thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the concerns and future impacts of what this game has introduced. In 2004, when Project Entropia was first introduced to the gamers no one really new what to expect. Was it just another MMO? Or, was it something bigger - something that could potentially change the way governments, gamers and industry looked at the world of massivley multiplayer online games and their potential impact on the global economy. As sighted by the BBC News in December 2004, "...economists calculated that these massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs) have a gross economic impact equivalent to the GDP of the African nation of Namibia". This comment was made after a 22-year-old gamer spent $ 26,500US on an island located somewhere on Calypso, the planet in Project Entropia.What we have to realize is that P.E is bascially allowing users to sell off and trade virtual items for real cash, similar to the way that many people have been using eBay auctions hopeing to sell in game currency or high level characters for other MMOs. In an interview with Benny Iggland, Chairman of P.E. he stated that, "...it is even possible to make a living in Project Entropia. This is being demostrated by several of our commercial users. A market economy is rapidly evolving, with our users defining prices on various commodities and items available in the virtual universe. Project Entropia will also incorporate real world commodity trading in a three dimensional environment." The estimated investment towards the development of P.E. as of early 2004 was projected to be somewhere around 15 million US, with a continuing developing budget of at least 5 million US anually according to Managing Director Jan Welter Timkrans. Developed since 1997, this makes Project Entropia Sweden's largest software project ever.
Below I have picked out a few headlines and comments I thought everyone would find interesting.
"I got my first hunting HOF (Hall Of Fame) kill at a value of almost 500PED. ThatÂ’s $ 50 for clicking my mouse to fire an imaginary weapon at an imaginary animal. Hours later, I located a mineral deposit worth about 130PED, or $ 10. IÂ’ve put exactly $ 60 into this game and those two prizes paid it back. With all of the other hunting and mining rewards I have received, IÂ’m already ahead on this game." - skelotac
"I have been playing PE for about a year now and really enjoy it, I think that most of us playing PE have considered this question and compared MA to a casino. I have had a couple of HOFÂ’s which mean I am about even with the amount I have deposited and had back through loot and trading." - Rotten Ice
"PE is an emersive world and although you really have to pay to play, I feel that this is ok as I only pay when I can afford it (unlike other MMORPGÂ’s that have monthly subscriptions). However, the marketing hype surrounding this game is unbelievable, it should be investigated who is winning this money and if they really are, I begin to have doubts and this company is not regulated, it should be, it is as far as I can see a gambling game, nothing more." - technocat
"'I'm already in talks with some of the worlds biggest DJs about spinning live sets inside the nightclub.' The gamer who bought a virtual space station for $ 100,000US says he wants to turn it into a nightclub to change the face of entertainment." - BBC News
"The real estate market inside the Project Entropia universe is on fire, because there is so much money to be made and gamers everywhere are realising that our virtual worlds can compete with reality on an economic level." - Neverdie
"A 22-year-old gamer has spent $ 26,500 US on an island that exists only in a computer role-playing game." - BBC News
"Make no mistake this is a rich mans game IF you want to see the finer aspects like space etc. I also feel that many gamblers wont speak about there losses so much and on top of the many hof messages this does create the illusion that one can make money in the game." - David Walker
"I think Project Entropia represents an interesting form of online gambling. You have to remember that it is online gambling and satisfies criteria for this; Enjoyment is gained through use, the majority of participants lose in the long term so that MindArk (The House) makes money and a minority of players are successful - which attracts other participants. If you are considering playing Project Entropia, please remember: The House Always Wins." - world of games
Well, I hope some of this shed some light on the game for those who of you have been commenting about whether or not it is a scam or a real opportunity to play and get paid. Try it out yourself and send us your comments, we'd love to hear them.
2 Jumps Play World of Warcraft Offline
Contact Us:
The QJ.net Network |
 |
| Site | Feed |
| QJ.NET | RSS |
| Nintendo DS | RSS |
| PlayStation 3 | RSS |
| PSP Updates | RSS |
| Wii | RSS |
| Xbox 360 | RSS |
| MMORPG | RSS |
| Personal Computer Games | RSS |
| iPhone - iPod Touch | RSS |
| QJ.NET Forums | RSS |
Add QJ.NET
User Favorites - December
User Favorites - December
Categories
Archives
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
Comments
No Comments, be the first to Comment
Add New Comment