Wish I would have joined Entropia earlier/requirement for new blood

MA have hardly ever been that into advertising alas. But yes the planet partners do that now. ITs a shame about Calypso being reposessed really as I expect that company would have advertised eventually...

 

Hi BRT,

and welcome! It's good to hear that this game still is able to create such enthusiasm :)

Your questions seems to have been answered already, so I'll make just a few side notes that haven't been mentioned yet, or not enough.

1. "Recommending to friends ..."
   I'd be careful, and would wait a while. As you know for sure it takes quite some time to fully understand how a MMO is run, and what "ugly sides" are hiding below the ground. How often have I started with one, whow, how great, best game ever - only to discover after a few months where the nasty details were hidden that then made me leave enraged.
   
   And, most important - EU is about real money. Money loves to eat friendships. As mentioned, I'd be careful, and wait a bit. This way you'd be more helpful to your friends, too, should they decide to join a bit later.
   .
2. Fighting for it in other forums, and the "trolls" there
   Again, I'd be careful. Again, EU is about real money.
   Nasty things have happened amongst players, many claims that MA had made in its Ad statements have proven brazen lies, and many promises have not been fulfilled since years now.
   
   Many people have lost quite serious sums of money to this game, and not for all of them it was their own mistakes. So there might be people out there that are warning from EU in a perfectly honest way, based of their own experiences, and some of them not even exaggerating too much.
   
   Not everybody that isn't all this happy with EU is a troll, and not everybody praising it does this just of honest persuasion, many people might have a financial interest in having a lot of excited, PED spending new players - to be honest, I have, too. Someone has to pay for my loot, and it will never be MindArk or one of the Planet Partners, all that I "profit" (rarely enough ...) necessarily means a loss for someone else.
   .
3. "The money ..."
   My best advice for any new player, as usual:
   "Watch your purse, and choose your friends carefully!"
   It's very easy here to spent ways more than intended, and ways more than that is good for you, and for your family!
   
   Last time, this is about real money! Think about it in this way:
   You're a poker novice that has entered a club mainly populated by pro's and seasoned players. Many of them honestly welcome you, but some smell fresh, tasty meat. And the club owner needs to pay for his Ferrari, too ...
   For sure this doesn't mean doom to you. Playing carefully, watching your steps, thinking twice before trusting any claim are the keys to success. It's up to you.

This now isn't meant to repel you. EU is a wonderful game, not in vain I'll have my anniversary #6 soon. But it's very different to any other MMO, and keeping this in mind a vast universe full of challenge and possibilities is open to you now. But it's although a universe where you can get lost, and can severely hurt your real life, always remember this!

My best wishes to you, may your enthusiasm last for long, and may phat lootz rain on you! Just be careful - I don't want to see you as a part of the badmouthing crowd on mmorpg.com in a few months!

Have a good time!