3pointD.com

Is the massively multiplayer game Project Entropia “evolving” into a non-game virtual world? That’s what GameZone reports, along with a change in name from Project Entropia to Entropia Universe.

The new name embodies the concept of Entropia Universe as more than just another MMORPG, but rather a complete virtual world with the unique identifier of allowing players to utilize a RCE (Real Cash Economy). The built-in RCE links the internal Entropia Universe economy to that of a real world through a fixed exchange rate of $1 USD for 10 PED (project entropia dollars).

Unfortunately, Entropia Universe’s “unique identifier” is not very unique. Second Life, of course, has its own currency that floats freely against real-world currencies, and games like Roma Victor also allow players to buy game currency with “real” money.

Also unfortunately, the item in GameZone hauls out the story about Jon Jacobs’ purchase of an in-game space station for US$100,000. Why unfortunately? Because Jacobs is a US spokesperson for Project Entropia [see this link and this blog entry] and has a vested interest in creating big stories about people investing in the Entropia Universe. Word is, nonetheless, that a number of Second Life residents have migrated to PE (or EU, now) to take advantage of opportunities in real estate there, though I haven’t heard how they’ve found thing in comparison.

So can an MMO transform itself into a non-game virtual world? I tend to doubt it. Is it even a worthy ambition? Maybe. But like most other sharp left turns in marketing and game design (see Star War Galaxies’ New Game Enhancements), it smacks slightly of desperation.