EBN News: A panel of scientists from the Imperial Geological Office announced in a press release that they have been monitoring a seismic anomaly under Eudoria.

The anomaly consists of a regular series of seismic shockwaves from between 12 and 5 kilometers down in the ground. This is in itself not alarming, but an indication of constant release of tension in the tectonic plates. It is also an isolated phenomenon. The trend is that the anomaly is moving upwards and at a location that has not been seismically active for millennia, which is a cause for alarm.

The regularity is also a matter of concern. Although it is possible that such a phenomenon might originate from natural reasons, such as the orbits of Calypso’s moons, the regularity does not fit any known Calypsian cycle of significant magnitude (lunar orbits, Calypso’s rotation period, orbits of other major bodies in Calypso space etc).

Finally, there’s the strange nature of the anomaly. It is too harmonic, almost as if it were artificial. “To tell the truth”, the spokesman for the scientists said, “we don’t know what we’re looking at, but whatever it is, it’s strange, seismic and approaching. In about a week or two, we will know if and what will have happened.”

Thought I’d spend some time to clarify a little about how I’ll work, and my responsibilities as a Community Manager.

First of all I will hang a lot around the community forum and in-game to pick up the latest buzz and concerns. Right now I’m pretty new in the job, so all the information you require are not necessarily something I’ll know right off the bat; however I am in that position that I can direct the questions to the right people and then bring their answers to you via Entropia Gateway, where I’ll continually post.

When I’ve gotten settled, I’m planning on also doing frequent live chat Q&A’s.

I will take over the newsletters, which will come out on a steady basis from here on. I will also work on updating the website, and I’ll work on acquiring feedback from the community via surveys that will be available on our website.

I really want to keep in touch with the non-English speaking forums. So if you running a non-English forum and haven’t yet gotten a mail from me yet, please contact me so I know where to send information in the future. Its important for these large communities not to fall behind on information.

Emma and Simon are still the ones you’ll contact regarding FPC sponsored events.. However, I might be relieving them off some duties, so if you’re running a major event, we might talk. However, direct your inquiries to Emma first.

Of course, if you have anything on your mind, feel free to contact me!
Yours,
Hanne

As there’s been some questions about this, here’s a quick reminder:

MindArk: Develops the Entropia platform, that all planet partners will use. Responsible for Engineering and Technical issues, such as loot balancing and creature AI. Also lag, bugs, uptime,and game engine falls into their jurisdiction.

First Planet Company: Planet Partner and developer of Planet Calypso. Responsible for design and gameplay issues such as usability, design flaws, busted graphic models and textures. Also responsible for events and Calypso storyline.

For example, MindArk have developed a system they call Quests/Missions. When they’re done at their end, its our turn. At FPC, we’ll use the system they’ve created, but we’ll design and create storylines around it, and use the possibilities it gives to give the colonist a way into Calypso’s lore and economic landscape.

The year 2010 is a turning point for both First Planet Company (the developer of the MMORPG Planet Calypso) and for MindArk (the developer of the Entropia Platform). Beginning with the next version update the releases will further show the separation between the two companies; MindArk will release the familiar VU 10.8 containing systems updates for the platform and FPC will release its first exclusive content release, called 2010|01. The name derives from the current year and which release in order for that year that’s being released.

I want to address three different areas of development in this statement. First I want to take a peek on some new stuff never before seen on Calypso, followed by a status report on old pre-VU10 systems not yet available, and finally share my thought and ideas on what FPC’s grand goal and ambitions are.

First Planet Company has some very exciting stuff going on for 2010. In mid February the next addition comes to the Planet Calypso colonists – the preview of the Quest/Mission system! This preview will contain a limited number of missions both for us to show what can be done but also allowing FPC to gather feedback in a controlled environment. A few weeks later we intend to release a large number of additional missions and will continue doing so for future releases to come. Missions will come in various forms, some ranging from assignments or jobs (typical MMO “grind” quests) while others focus on the experience, background and storyline of Planet Calypso. The mission system is a very advanced tool that MindArk has developed allowing for some quite interesting and unique-feeling experiences. Expect the complexity and depth of the missions supplied to increase with each new mission expansion release.

Another new system MindArk has shown FPC is one of the most anticipated systems ever (I think it was first mentioned back in 2005!) – The Vehicles system. We have had the opportunity to race through the Calypso underbrush at 60 km/h, jumping off cliffs and skidding into lakes. I personally believe the vehicle system is a great addition on many levels, from the actual experience of driving around, using it as tool for day to day activities but also from a business standpoint; who will become the Henry Ford of Calypso? Vehicles are expected to arrive during the spring.

Going back to the missing systems from VU 9.4, there are currently a few left that have not yet been re-implemented into the VU10 generation. The first of the missing systems to make a comeback is the Beauty system which will come in the Entropia Platform VU10.8 coming in February. Soon the avatars can get their hair done and make those nip/tucks needed after the Christmas festivities. The system next in line after that is the Mindforce system, which will come with additional powers and a new revised vision on what it is supposed to be; which part it will play in the bigger scope of things from player activity to the economy as a whole. The old system has been analyzed quite a bit and you can expect a better balance and more purpose in the new one. The MA devs also promise us that the basic system allows for adding additional powers quite easily, which I personally think is ideal as it brings FPC the ability to expand this area as time goes by.

When it comes to Taming, Mentoring, Makeup, and Beacons, MindArk has promised all of these will be back before the end of the year. Once FPC gets progress reports we will share them with you.

On a larger scale of things FPC is working on a Quality Enhancement Programme. We believe that quality is the key to achieving great entertainment and a fulfilling experience. We will not cut any corners when it comes to polish and the finishing touches on FPC content. The term quality is a difficult one to describe. The way we see it is to add beautiful vistas, great looking visuals as a whole, add to the Colonist Experience in terms of sense of purpose and belonging, adding much more lore, mythos, and background into the mix. To take Calypso to the next level and to make it feel energetic; as an entity that lives and breathes. The work of increasing the quality has already begun (you will see an updated server area in the 2010|01 release – we look forward to your feedback) and will continue during 2010 and beyond.

A very interesting reflection was when the Real Estate Development programme was launched late last year. It opened up options for estate owners to customize their lands and real estate. The programme has been a huge success. This has in turn allowed us to put more effort in quickly adding to it and advance it. As it looks right now we will probably add a new section and hire staff that will work full time with only the Real Estate Development requests and expand on it to allow more customization – I would like to see the option for an apartment owner to completely redecorate an apartment if desired and a land owner to be able to add villages and towns to their land.

I wish to close this statement by thanking each and every one of you who partake in Planet Calypso. Without you we wouldn’t be here. The last couple of months have been a bit rough and we really appreciate your patience and perseverance during this time. Together we can take Planet Calypso to the next level in every aspect of the word.

As Marco has mentioned before, we’ve been working on a new quest system which we call Assignments. With the Assignment-system we are hoping to achieve a smoother way to integrate the storyline of Calypso, and let people have a personal relation to the Calypso lore. It will also be another way for the colonists to get into the economy.

A preview of the system with just a few assignments is planned to arrive in FPC’s content release in the middle of February. And when it hits, we would really appreciate feedback from you lot. We are going to put up a survey about the assignment-system to get an overview of your general opinion, so I ask you to please take your time to fill it out.

For starters the assignments are going to be for the newcomers and lower skilled avatars, but soon we will also implement assignments for all levels.

Hi everybody,

My name is Hanne Gulbrandsen and I’m happy to announce that I’ve joined First Planet Company (FPC) as the new Community Manager. I’ve been an active Calypso resident since 2003, and now I’ve joined the developers with the task of filling the gap between the company and the community. I may be known to some of you already both in-game and at EntropiaForum as the avatar Silicon Skam Chip.

As your new Community Manager I’ll be working closely with you guys and gals, I will be your go-to woman. My main task will be to stand for a steady and reliable flow of information. This flow goes both ways: to and from the community, as well as to and from the developers. If you have any ideas or input on how to improve communication, they’re very welcome.

My Calypso persona, Silicon Skam Chip will have to be left behind. I will have a new Community Manager avatar that you will all be meeting in-game soon. I will also have new accounts at Entropia Forum, and Entropia Gateway blog that reflect my new status.

I’m really pleased that FPC has taken this step and are committing to increased communication with the community. I’m proud to play a major role in that, and I look forward to some great times ahead.

Ok, let’s get to it.

Regards,
Hanne Einan Gulbrandsen,
Your new Community Manager.

We bet you’re wondering what’s going on with the Mall event. We would, if we were you. Well, it’s been put on hold as you’ve noticed but it will restart in the middle of February. All rules and prizes still apply as stated before the Winter holidays, stay tuned and we’ll let you know when this thing shifts into gear again.

Some of the creatures on Planet Calypso have mysteriously disappeared! This phenomenon have been observed before, in relation to the organized abduction of the legendary LazerZoid that’s rarely spoken of but sometimes whispered about. While official sources deny any attempt at a purge, they offer this as an explanation: “They’ve probably just migrated to greener pastures. Besides, the planet just got safer. Enjoy it while it lasts.” Yeah, well, tell that to the hunters, G-man. We probably haven’t heard – or seen – the last of this.

During 2010 the new Mindforce system is expected to arrive to Planet Calypso. This time the concept is to release a much more complete system than the one available pre-VU10.0. While it is still a couple of months away from release, we would like to check the pulse of the community and see what kind of powers you would like to see in the next generation Calypso Mindforce system? We already have the Teleportation, Nerve Blasts, Firestorms, Wormhole and Resurrection powers, but beyond that? Maybe buffs/debuffs? Damage over time? Mezz/Stuns? Transformations? AoE? Fields? Or maybe you have some unique applications in mind?

Some basic guidelines:
• Please reply in the thread on www.entropiaforum.com.
• Keep each entry short and to the point (very important!).
• Briefly describe the effect the power is supposed to have.
• Motivate why you believe it is a must-have kick-ass power.
• Be on-topic, the feedback is about the powers, not the actual system.
• Do not flame or criticize other entries without constructive motivations or maybe even advance an idea into something new or better or different.

The work with updating the land areas, malls, shops and apartments continue. There’s been general fixes in land areas to improve the overall gameplay experience by making the areas more friendly for hunting and moving, and we’ve made updates and upgrades to the New Oxford area to accommodate for new and old shop owners. The work continues and we encourage feedback and comments from the community to make sure the spotlight stays on the subject.