December 2013 Version Update Preview

The last major Version Update and Planet Content Release has just been last month. Another big VU wasn't really expected this year, nevertheless it seems to be scheduled for Tuesday 10 December 2013.

This thread is supposed to collect everything that is confirmed to be in the update and/or highly speculative potential content as well. In case anything new is revealed the thread will be updated accordingly.

So, what do you think is the reason for this VU? Anything specific you are looking forward to?

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Entropia Universe / Platform

Developer Notes #7 gave a Sneak Peek on new / significantly improved social features, the release of this upgrade could be the true reason for this version update:

Sneak Peek - New Social Interface
Since before the summer, members of MindArk's development team have been hard at work creating a completely new Social UI which is expected to be released later this year. The new Social UI will include a boatload of new and improved features, here are some of the highlights:

• Offline Messaging
• Custom chat channels with optional passwords, data feeds
• Tabbed chat interface with the ability to arrange or dock/undock individual tabs
• User-defined thresholds for global loot messages
• Completely redesigned Contacts List with custom user status settings (Away/Do Not Disturb/Invisible/etc.), user notes, and much more.
• Completely redesigned Society interface with new features such as message of the day (MOTD), Society alerts
• Looking for Group (LFG) functionality to facilitate the creation of teams.
• Custom Avatar thumbnail images that appear in other participants' Contacts Lists and chat channels
• Integration with Entropia Universe Auction in the form of detailed alerts relating to offers and orders.
• Calendar displaying upcoming events, EU system notifications, etc.
• Much, much more!!

Below is a screenshot of a current prototype of the new unified Message Center:



Notice the various types of information in the feed: auction alerts, private chat, personal notes. Also note the filter buttons along the top which allow quick filtering of various types of messages.

Our design and development teams are working hard to make sure that the new Social UI will provide Entropians with a vastly more effective and user-friendly platform to communicate and connect with friends, society mates and other Entropia Universe participants.

More preview screenshots will be shared as the exciting new Social UI approaches release.

 

Planet Calypso

Instances

• The Halloween Mayhem instances will probably become inaccessible.

Dynamic (!) locations

• Dynamic creature camps might be added (but probably not), moving between various locations, hosting new/rare boss mobs, containing lootable chests

Mutant Camp Concept Art​

 

ROCKtropia

Apocalypse

ROCKtropia will face the Apocalypse. Expect the most dramatic changes in the existence of ROCKtropia. Missions might become inaccessible, instances close down, locations vanish, even complete server areas might go offline - quite likely Hunt The THING will disappear forever.

It's possible that a new New Player Experience with dedicated mobs will be implemented, it's possible that a new movie experience will replace Hunt The THING but it's currently uncertain whether development of ROCKtropia will continue at all...

 

Next Island

Stalemate

Next Island is not supposed to receive any updates and will remain belly up.

 

Planet Arkadia

Missions

• Arkadia will receive new missions.

Premium estates

• Avatar owned Land Areas such as Sanctuary Cove will use the DNA system instead of natural spawns.
• The set of Land Areas known as 8 Coins will change ownership from David ‘Deathifier’ Storey to Planet Arkadia. David ‘Deathifier’ Storey has been issued shares in Planet Arkadia Pte Ltd (as was always contemplated under the terms of the sale agreements) in lieu of 8 Coins.

 

Planet Cyrene

TEN Event

• Planet Cyrene might have its TEN event 'activated' in this VU. The event will begin on 20 December 2013 at 00:00:01 EUT.

New missions

• More newbie friendly missions will be introduced

New instance

• Release of a non-combat instance that "will be fun and something outside the norm for Entropia Universe".

New spaceship?

• Planet Cyrene is working with MA to introduce the Imperium Fighter a flying vehicle capable of space travel. Probably won't make it in this VU.

Imperium Fighter​

Loot

• Many weapon drop improvements

Bug fixes

• Fixes for many bugs

 

Monria

Minor fixes and tweaks

Monria will receives fixes, smaller adjustments, update of item descriptions, etc.

 

Planet Toulan

Early 2014

Unfortunately Planet Toulan will not be released in this VU but is currently scheduled for early 2014. Looks like we just have to wait a little longer to meet these nice gentlemen:

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