Message from David Post to the community ...

David Post asked me to relay the following message from him to the community in order that we be fully informed not only regarding the delay in the launch of Next Island, but also what the direction is going forward. When emailing David inquiring about the delay in the launch, I shared how incredibly important it would be to establish a more open communication with the current community, even though the plan is to mass market Next Island to draw in a new player base.

David is absolutely on board with this, as I had the feeling he would be based on my interaction with him during the interview process for the launch issue of the EntropiaTimes magazine (page 38). I think we can have an expectation that David will remain in communication with us, and his marketing team (Erik Reynolds and Katlean de Monchy) as well, so I think we have much to look forward to. Our introduction to Next Island doesn't seem that far off, which is just before publishing our next issue of the EntropiaTimes magazine on December 12th, so perhaps I can get an updated interview in time to include in the magazine. It will be cutting it close, but I'm willing to go there.

HERE IS DAVID'S MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY

"Hi everyone - this is David Post, Chairman and Chief Complaint Officer.

The delay in the launch dates is my doing. I know that Entropians have seen this before, but I made some difficult decisions based on what is good for us in the long-term.

So here's the scoop:

• We will open our Beta on Dec 7-8 so you all can play - it will not be publicized.
• We will have our trade launch - to the media at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 5th. This was the decision I made because we will have TV coverage then.
• We will announce and allow the media entry on Jan 5th at the Digital Experience Show at CES.
• We will have our consumer launch around the 3rd week of January 2011 with events in New York City and Los Angeles (maybe other places as well).

My reasoning is, that we make some impact which cannot occur in December, but can occur at CES. I did not want something almost finished, and then have to make excuses.

We do appreciate your patience, and hopefully will gain your support. I truly hope you will love Next Island and Time Travel.

David Post"​

I can only say personally, that I am very appreciative that David took the time to respond. Communication between developer and player base is key, and quite important, and I think David will keep us "in the know" as much as he can.

 

Well, I could agree that it would have been nice to get the information earlier ... and not to offer an excuse, but ... according to my communications with David, he has been eyeball deep in keeping on top of the development aspect and perhaps hasn't gotten his footing with the community as of yet. I think he was rather forthcoming in his interview, and now after my email to him, he absolutely realizes the importance of a relationship with the community.

I would have contacted him sooner, but there was no indication that the launch still wasn't on until I saw the "server down tomorrow" thread at PCF and realized it was ROCKtropia-related. That's when I contacted David to see if he would be willing to share what he could about the launch. In my exchange of emails (which was rather rapid), he gave an indication that it was important for the community to be informed, so I'm guessing that going forward, we will most likely get information in a more timely fashion.

 

As a further update ... I sent an additional email to David since people have been asking (elsewhere) about the length of time the Beta of Next Island will be available. I asked specifically if it would be discontinued at the time that Next Island is made available to the media at CES, and this is the response I got from David.

"The beta is just to get some feedback. It is the real thing and players can continue. This is just a three pronged introduction."​

So there you have it ... once the Beta version is launched on Dec 7th or 8th, we will be able to continue playing until it goes live with no lull in between.

I just can't believe how quickly David has been responding to my emails ... it's amazing!

 

The entire Entropia community gets to play Beta when it is launched on Dec 7th or 8th Hon, and we get to continue playing, even when they open it up to the media at CES in January, so no special requests needed. ;)

 

Yes, I saw that ... quite interesting actually.

 

It has already been confirmed that MA mandates the travel cost between planets, and it is 40 PED. Planet Partners can't go below this mandated cost, but I get the impression that they can charge more if they want based on what David Post said in his interview - that they won't charge more than what MA mandates. Dave from Planet Arkadia has also confirmed that the 40 PED cost between planets is mandated, and they will not be charging more. I can tell you this much ... people already complain about this cost as it is, and if any planet partner dares to make the cost higher than what MA is mandating, it will certainly mean more grumbling, and not be a good thing for the planet partner.