Entropia Universe Expands

The online virtual world of Second Life might get more attention in the press, but Entropia Universe is also growing rapidly, with over 500,000 registered users from over 220 countries. Entropia Universe lets users create their own avatar persona with the character generation system, then have the option of "choosing a suitable life and virtual existence for their avatar."  Entropia Universe has a Real Cash Economy, and supports sales of virtual products with actual cash value within its real economy system. The Entropia Universe currency, the PED (Project Entropia Dollars), has a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar, where 10 PED = 1US$.

In December 2004, Entropia Universe set a world record, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, when it sold a virtual Treasure Island for $26,500 USD (the largest virtual dollar amount spent) to 22-year-old Australian David Storey, a.k.a. "Deathifier." The recent sale of the Space Resort for $100,000 USD to famed gamer, Jon "NEVERDIE" Jacobs, sets a new record for the most valuable virtual item. In 2005, the Entropia Universe GNP was an estimated $165 million US dollars and is expected to double in 2006.

About:

The Entropia Universe is a massive online virtual universe. Set in a distant Sci-Fi future where man has unlocked amazing mind powers, participants assume the roles of colonists who must develop the untamed planet of Calypso. Adventure across continents from snow covered mountain tops to ancient underground caverns. Discover an outback populated with fierce and dangerous creatures, the wilderness on Calypso is also rich in minerals and ore, all of which can be lucrative sources of income for would-be colonists.

Entropia Universe was launched in 2003, and is operated, developed, and marketed by the Swedish company MindArk.