Project Entropia anyone?

[Andail]

https://www.project-entropia.com/about/Index.ajp

Has anybody tried this? The concept is pretty interesting, although I haven't had the time to check it out yet.

A quick intro: This is a free game; free software, free acount, however the money system in the game is based on real money. The game itself seems to be some sort of 3D roleplaying game with emphasis on social interaction, but also with fighting involved.

Since it's developed by a Swedish company (and played by an awful lot of people) I'm kind of curious.
They even showed it on the news here, so it's perfectly safe to play.

If anybody here has played it, please tell your opinion!

[Privateer Puddin']

I was playing it before SWG was released.

You won't get anywhere without putting a little money in at the start, i hear its vastly improved since i played it though.

You dont have to hunt, theres also mining and such.

Theres various outposts, you can only use the ingame travel system when you have walked there once before which forces you to explore really.

Good game, if your willing to put a bit of money in to get it going.

[TheYak]

It sounds intriguing and I would become horribly addicted if I played with the kinda crowd that frequents AGS.  However, given that much of the game's population is going to be 13 year-old kids and self-described 1337 haX0rz, I'll pass. Particularly when cash is concerned.  Still, a tempting concept.

[Layabout]

I'm thinking it wouldnt be that overrun by kids since you would need a credit card for cash, which most kids cant get.

[rodekill]

Wow. So a game where rich people get all the advantages?
I'm already playing one like that. It's called R3aL L1f3.
It sucks, but I'm addicted.

[m0ds]

I don't understand what you get out of spending money on it.

[Darth Mandarb]

Reminds me of There.

I think it's a fascinating idea, with much potential.

I'm not interested in paying for it, but it's a cool thing I think.

Between work, girlfriend, and AGS ... I just don't have the time!!

~ d

[Meowster]

It's an awesome idea. Stupid but awesome. Technically a civilisation that is just as feasible as our own can be created, the only setback being quite a serious one; that none of it exists. The money system is a money maker. For instance, somebody breeds sheep to sell. Somebody buys those sheep, hoping to breed more to make money the same way as the previous breeder. Medical expenses cause 'vets' to kick in and then people begin starting companies selling medical supplies to supply the medecine etc for the vets. The medical supplies need herbs and chemicals and such, which are supplied by various other organisations. At the end of it all, people are quite literally making money, and it doesn't matter if any of it is real or not, because most of what we do every day in real life anyway is centred around making money.

It's like some sort of sub-existence.

[Andail_unplugged]

Precisely, Indy, with the addition that here, you can make money, real money. According to the staff interviewed, there are people living entirely on this game.
True or not, it's pretty fascinating.

Rode has a point that richer people will be better off materially, although I think one aspect of fully enjoying a game of this sort is to make your way to success by playing well, and not by just pouring in money. In that aspect, the real money "funding" would just spoil the gameplay.

Since I haven't played it, and can't be sure I'll ever get the time to, I'm not gonna advocate it in any form.

[Isegrim]

Don't you think that this is some kind of snowball-system money trap?
Once there is enough money in the game (and, of course, some players have been paid out, to keep the rumour alive, you could make real money with it), suddenly the company that's running it collapses, the guys who ran the company grab all the money and live happily ever after... Doesn't that happen all too often? Why shouldn't that be the case with entropia, too?
Even if it has already gotten so big and well known, I'm still not sure whether it's a good idea to spend money on that.
And, in my experience, things always get tricky when real money is involved  :

[LGM]

I'm trying it now.. Pretty cool.. Kinda like everquest.

You really do need money to get much enjoyment out of it.. I think there's ways to battle animals and get some though. I dunno if you can steal or not.