Contact Information: Contact: Kathleen Schneider TERPIN COMMUNICATIONS (310) 821-6100 x111 kathleen@terpin.com
Entropia Universe Reaches Membership Milestone With Over 500,000 Registered Users
As Traditional Video Game Enthusiasts Migrate Towards the Budding Virtual Universe Trend, Many Experience the Social and Monetary Opportunities Inside Entropia Universe
| Source: Entropia Universe
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 17, 2006 -- Entropia Universe, the fastest growing
virtual world utilizing a real cash economy, today announces that it has
reached over 500,000 registered users from over 220 countries. Since its
launch in early 2003, Entropia has rapidly expanded its reach to thousands
of participants, internationally. The virtual world is expected to see
exceptional growth over the next three years.
"The growth of Entropia Universe is an enormous achievement for us and the
members," says Jan Welter, CEO of MindArk, developer of Entropia Universe.
"As the world of video games evolves to become more than just a means of
two-dimensional entertainment, we are seeing a demand for the integration
of real-world features in virtual environments. Individuals are joining the
Entropia Universe (EU) community to interact, meet new people, learn new
ideas, reach entrepreneurial aspirations, create societies and even foster
new relationships in everyday reality."
Entropia offers a variety of entertainment and social interaction for its
citizens. Users can create their own persona (avatar) via a character
generation system, then have the option of choosing a suitable life and
virtual existence for their avatar. Entropia Universe offers opportunities
in numerous professions which are unique and completely different from that
of the members' real-life occupation. Entropia uses a system based on
Skills and Experience which allows for occupational proficiency in areas
ranging from event promotions and store ownership to hunting and mining.
Entropians have the chance to buy and sell property, become financially
successful, and even find a mate in their virtual world.
Entropia Universe is the only virtual gaming community that actively
supports sales of virtual products with actual cash value within its real
economy system. The economy offers the user a secure and safe way to make
purchases, sales and exchange real-life currency into PED (Project Entropia
Dollars) and back again into real money, at a fixed exchange rate to the US
Dollar. PED allows members to invest in personal development and growth
through the acquisition of goods, buildings, and land in the virtual
universe.
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 Entropia Universe and MindArk
Entropia Universe is a registered trademark of MindArk PE AB. MindArk
supports and monitors the services and maintenance of the Entropia Universe
site. MindArk began in April of 2003 in Sweden, and has expanded to have
partners throughout the world. Entropia Universe was launched in 2003 and
has reached over 500,000 registered accounts. MindArk offers the Entropia
Universe software to users free of charge with no monthly costs or
associated subscription fees. For more information or to download the free
Entropia Universe software please visit www.entropia-universe.com. For
more information on EU developer, MindArk, please visit www.mindark.com.