Entropia Universe takes Virtual World Citizenship to a whole new level!

Tass · Nov 8, 2011

Entropia Universe takes Virtual World Citizenship to a whole new level!

Planet Calypso introduces a groundbreaking Citizenship System that includes Land Lot Deeds with an expected annual return on investment of up to 30%.

Gothenburg, Sweden, November 8th, 2011 – MindArk, developer of Entropia Universe, announced today that it will introduce a groundbreaking new Citizenship System. This system will provide planet-wide revenue sharing to participants, as well as a forthcoming political system that will allow users to influence the future development of the planet.

“The Citizenship System will have a strong impact on the social and virtual worlds industry”, said Jan Welter Timkrans, Chairman of MindArk, “Now people can make money using their game-playing skills and by engaging in the micro transactions economy. They can both share in the revenues of their favourite world and help decide its future via the political system! “

The new system will allow participants of Entropia Universe to acquire a Land Lot deed. This deed grants holders citizenship on Planet Calypso, along with political voting rights. Citizens of Planet Calypso will receive a share in the planet partner Gross Revenue. Based on Planet Calypso’s performance over the last twelve months, the potential ROI (Return of Investment) of such shares is expected to be between 27% - 30% per year.

Jan Welter Timkrans: “So far, land management in Entropia Universe has been a very exclusive thing, as the market price for land area deeds have ranged from $5,000 on the low end, to upwards of $500,000. Now, participants of all levels and budgets can manage a piece of an entire virtual world for $100 USD – less than the price of two regular PC games. The Citizenship System brings a new era in MMO and Virtual World participation, something people have been crying out for. It will bring value to people who are passionate about games and global online culture.”

The new Citizenship System will showcase the economics of a successful Planet Partner on the Entropia Universe platform. Planet Calypso is a profitable Virtual world. It is the oldest of the planets in Entropia Universe, has over 1 million registered users and over $ 400,000,000 USD per year in user-to-user transactions.

In total, sixty thousand (60,000) Land Lot deeds will be created, each representing a 100 square meter plot on Planet Calypso. Starting on November 8, 2011, batches of these deeds will be offered on the Entropia Universe auction. Each Land Lot deed will have a start-bid price and a buyout price of 1000 PEDs ($100 USD). The Land Lot deeds will be implemented as stackable items, and will be made available in single units, as well as in stacks of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Batches will continue to be offered on the auction until the entire sixty thousands deeds have been sold.

Each Land Lot deed entitles the holder to a share of the 50% planet partner Gross Revenue generated by Planet Calypso. Payouts of revenue share dividends to deed holders will be made once per week, as opposed to once per year or once per month for many other investments!"

The success and profitability of the planet will determine the revenue received as a land lot deed holder. If Calypso becomes more popular, the ROI will be higher; similarly, if the popularity of Calypso decreases, the ROI would also decrease. First revenue payouts are planned for the beginning of December 2011.
Once every six months, audited figures will be presented on MindArk’s homepage so that deed holders can verify their revenue share payouts.

Current land area deed holders on Calypso will be entitled to one free land lot deed. This does not include deeds for claim battle areas, houses, apartments, shops or sub-divided areas, only Outback Land Areas (OLAs). Treasure Island, FOMA, Crystal Palace and Medusa’s Head will receive one deed, issued to the main estate manager. Management of existing Outback Land Areas will remain unaffected.

Land Lot Deed holders will have the opportunity to take part in a Calypso Citizenship land grab. Certain areas will be opened on Calypso where deed holders can stake out their land plots. This system development is scheduled to begin in 2012.

Land Lot Deed holders will be able to build house(s) on the plot(s) they have staked out. (Minimum of 9 plots in a 3x3 format suitable for a structure). This system development is scheduled to begin in 2013.

Additionally, a comprehensive political system is planned that will allow Land Lot Deed holders to become directly involved with decisions affecting the future development of Calypso, with voting power relative to the number of Land Lot Deeds held. This system development is also scheduled to begin in 2012.

This information has been released prior to the official press release planned for 16th November as a courtesy to Entropia Universe participants. Further information and specifications may be applied.

Additional Info:

Bjorn|MindArk said:

To clarify various questions raised by participants, the following information has been added to the original Land Lot Deed announcement:

Land Lot Deeds can be found on the Entropia Universe auction, under the ‘Global’ location (selectable in the top right-hand corner of the auction interface), and are sold by the avatar James Bowerbird EstateBroker.

Land Lot deeds will be added to the Entropia Universe global auction at varying times throughout the day so that participants from all timezones will have an opportunity to acquire deeds during the initial offering.

The Land Lot deeds are tradeable just like any other item in Entropia Universe. Revenue share dividends will be paid once per week, into the PED card balances of all participants currently holding Land Lot deeds at the time of disbursement. Land Lot deeds need not be held in an avatar’s carried inventory; as long as the deed(s) are included on the ‘My Items’ list, dividends will be received.

The Planet Partner Revenue paid to Planet Calypso (AR Universe AB) will be divided equally: 50% paid to Land Lot deedholders and the remaining 50% to cover the ongoing development, marketing and operating costs of Planet Calypso.

Land Lot deeds are unable to be looted in PVP areas.
Click to expand...

Bjorn|MindArk said:

The Land Lot deeds are tradable just like any other item in Entropia.

Revenue share dividends will be paid once per week, to whichever participant currently holds the deed at the time of disbursement.
Click to expand...

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Bjorn|MindArk said:

Each Land Lot deed provides an equal share of the total Planet Calypso Planet Partner Gross Revenue. The plots that will be made available later will not affect a deedholder's share of revenue.
Click to expand...

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David|MindArk said:

Other planets in Entropia Universe

Once a planet partner has reached a certain criteria, such as level of users and a record of profitable revenue stream they will have the chance to include this system on the planet.
Click to expand...

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EULA said:

Virtual items are fictional in-world graphical objects with a predefined set of parameters in Entropia Universe and will often have names similar or identical to corresponding physical categories such as "people", "real estate", "possessions”, “currency”, “cloths” and the names of specific items in those categories such as "house", "rifle", "tools", "armor", “coat”, “money” etc. (“Virtual Items”). Despite the similarity in terminology, all Virtual Items, including virtual currency, are part of the Entropia Universe System and/or features of the Entropia Universe, and MindArk and/or respective Mindark’s Planet Partner(s) retains all rights, title, and interest in all parts including, but not limited to Avatars, Skills and Virtual Items. These retained rights include, without limitation, patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other proprietary rights throughout the world. Notwithstanding any other language or context to the contrary, as used in this EULA and/or in the Entropia Universe in the context of Virtual Items, You expressly acknowledge that all terms like “exchange of”, “trade with”, “purchase of”, “sale of” or “use of” Virtual Items, and all similar terms in context of transactions with Virtual Items, refers to the licensed right to use a certain feature of the Entropia Universe or the Entropia Universe System in accordance with the terms and conditions of this EULA.

As part of Your interactions with the Entropia Universe, You may also, “construct”, “craft”, “compile”, “design”, “modify” or in any other way “create” Virtual Items. Notwithstanding any other language or context to the contrary, as used in this EULA and/or in the Entropia Universe in the context of the in-world creation of Virtual Items, You expressly acknowledge that You do not obtain any ownership right or interest in the Virtual Item You “create” but all such terms refer to the licensed right to use a certain feature of the Entropia Universe System or the Entropia Universe in accordance with the terms and conditions of this EULA. For clarity, MindArk and/or the respective MindArk’s Planet Partner retains all rights, title and interest to all Virtual Items You create in-world.
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Official Press Release on 16 November 2011:

Entropia Universe Introduces Citizenship and Revenue Sharing System With Expected Annual Returns of Up to 30%

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, November 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

MindArk, developer and publisher of the largest real money MMO, announced today that it will introduce a groundbreaking Citizenship System to Planet Calypso. The new system will provide revenue sharing to participants, and add a political system that will allow players to vote on major decisions affecting their virtual world, all for as little as $100 USD.

"Our new Citizenship System will have a strong impact on the social and Virtual Worlds industry", said Jan Welter Timkrans, Chairman of MindArk. "People have always had the opportunity to make money playing our game and engaging in the micro transactions economy. Now they can actually share in the revenues of their favorite planet with a Land Lot deed and help decide its future via the political system."

The new system grants users Planet Calypso citizenship and political voting rights. Citizens will also receive a share in the Planet Partner gross revenue of Calypso, paid weekly. Based on Planet Calypso's performance over the last 12 months, the potential return of investment (ROI) is expected to be between 27% and 30% per year. Each planet in the Entropia Universe is a separate Planet Partner, and the revenue share paid to deed holders will come from the Planet Calypso revenue stream. Sixty thousand land lot deeds offered at $100 USD each are available exclusively through the Entropia Universe global auction and can be acquired by anyone after creating a free avatar.

The new Citizenship System will showcase the economics of a successful Planet Partner on the Entropia Universe platform, and allow users to participate in that success. Planet Calypso is the oldest of the planets in Entropia Universe, with over one million registered accounts and over $400 million USD per year in user-to-user transactions. Until now, possessing land in Entropia Universe has been very exclusive, with the market price for land deeds ranging from $5,000 to upwards of $500,000 USD. In the new Citizenship System, just about anyone can share a piece of an entire virtual world. For more information on MindArk or the Citizenship System please visit http://www.entropiauniverse.com.

About MindArk
MindArk is the developer of the virtual 3D environment Entropia Universe. It is the leading platform for micro transaction driven 3D virtual worlds and MMO games. The Swedish company MindArk, develops, operates and markets Entropia Universe and the Entropia Platform. Entropia Universe is a 3D internet virtual environment with a unique, integrated economic system and stunning graphics. The Entropia Platform is a secure entertainment and business platform, enabling companies and organizations all over the world to build content on differently themed planets all connected inside Entropia Universe.

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause MindArk's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. MindArk and the MindArk logo are registered trademarks of MindArk. All other company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information on MindArk please contact us at the email below or go to our website at http://www.mindark.com

Copyright © 2011 MindArk. All Rights Reserved.

For further information, please contact: MindArk Media:
David Tractenberg
+1-310-453-2050 x111
david@tractionpr.com

Distributed by PR Newswire on behalf of MindArk

Wiki: http://www.entropiaplanets.com/wiki/Calypso_Land_Deeds
Wiki Shortcut: www.entropiaplanets.com/wiki/CLD
Wiki RSS: Calypso Land Deeds RSS
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NotAdmin · Nov 8, 2011

That's pretty cool.

EP-Newsbot · Nov 8, 2011

Gothenburg, Sweden, November 8th, 2011 – MindArk, developer of Entropia Universe, announced today that it will introduce a groundbreaking new Citizenship System. This system will provide planet-wide revenue sharing to participants, as well as a forthcoming political system that will allow users to influence the future development of the planet.
“The Citizenship System will have a strong impact on the social and virtual worlds industry”, said Jan Welter Timkrans, Chairman of MindArk, “Now people can make money using their game-playing skills and by engaging in the micro transactions economy. They can both share in the revenues of their favourite world and help decide its future via the political system! “
The new system will allow participants of Entropia Universe to acquire a Land Lot deed. This deed grants holders citizenship on Planet Calypso, along with political voting rights. Citizens of Planet Calypso will receive a share in the planet partner Gross Revenue. Based on Planet Calypso’s performance over the last twelve months, the potential ROI (Return of Investment) of such shares is expected to be between 27% - 30% per year.
Jan Welter Timkrans: “So far, land management in Entropia Universe has been a very exclusive thing, as the market price for land area deeds have ranged from $5,000 on the low end, to upwards of $500,000. Now, participants of all levels and budgets can manage a piece of an entire virtual world for $100 USD – less than the price of two regular PC games. The Citizenship System brings a new era in MMO and Virtual World participation, something people have been crying out for. It will bring value to people who are passionate about games and global online culture.”
The new Citizenship System will showcase the economics of a successful Planet Partner on the Entropia Universe platform. Planet Calypso is a profitable Virtual world. It is the oldest of the planets in Entropia Universe, has over 1 million registered users and over $ 400,000,000 USD per year in user-to-user transactions.
In total, sixty thousand (60,000) Land Lot deeds will be created, each representing a 100 square meter plot on Planet Calypso. Starting on November 8, 2011, batches of these deeds will be offered on the Entropia Universe auction. Each Land Lot deed will have a start-bid price and a buyout price of 1000 PEDs ($100 USD). The Land Lot deeds will be implemented as stackable items, and will be made available in single units, as well as in stacks of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Batches will continue to be offered on the auction until the entire sixty thousands deeds have been sold.
Each Land Lot deed entitles the holder to a share of the 50% planet partner Gross Revenue generated by Planet Calypso. Payouts of revenue share dividends to deed holders will be made once per week, as opposed to once per year or once per month for many other investments!"
The success and profitability of the planet will determine the revenue received as a land lot deed holder. If Calypso becomes more popular, the ROI will be higher; similarly, if the popularity of Calypso decreases, the ROI would also decrease. First revenue payouts are planned for the beginning of December 2011.
Once every six months, audited figures will be presented on MindArk’s homepage so that deed holders can verify their revenue share payouts.
Current land area deed holders on Calypso will be entitled to one free land lot deed. This does not include deeds for claim battle areas, houses, apartments, shops or sub-divided areas, only Outback Land Areas (OLAs). Treasure Island, FOMA, Crystal Palace and Medusa’s Head will receive one deed, issued to the main estate manager. Management of existing Outback Land Areas will remain unaffected.
Land Lot Deed holders will have the opportunity to take part in a Calypso Citizenship land grab. Certain areas will be opened on Calypso where deed holders can stake out their land plots. This system development is scheduled to begin in 2012.
Land Lot Deed holders will be able to build house(s) on the plot(s) they have staked out. (Minimum of 9 plots in a 3x3 format suitable for a structure). This system development is scheduled to begin in 2013.
Additionally, a comprehensive political system is planned that will allow Land Lot Deed holders to become directly involved with decisions affecting the future development of Calypso, with voting power relative to the number of Land Lot Deeds held. This system development is also scheduled to begin in 2012.
This information has been released prior to the official press release planned for 16th November as a courtesy to Entropia Universe participants. Further information and specifications may be applied.

Continue reading...

RAZER · Nov 8, 2011

Interesting, but will this only be on Calypso? Smart to, this will make Calyptians be more active in getting more people to the planet, because they will make more money that way.

GeorgeSkywalker · Nov 8, 2011

wow now that's a surprise

GeorgeSkywalker · Nov 8, 2011

perhaps other pp's will do something similar

Will buyers of lots get income from calypso's profits for this year?

RAZER · Nov 8, 2011

OK one thing that's kinda strange and possible dangerous to me is this. The deeds have a TT of 0.00 PED, so MA sells 60.000 deeds for 60.000.000 PED and they do not have to do anything in return. If they do some creative accounting they are not making any money for a year (by buying another castle) and they do not have to pay us anything.

There is also no legal contract between us and MA that will make them pay us anything. I mean real shares are pretty dangerous these days and these are even more so I believe.

RAZER · Nov 8, 2011

Oh and why on Global auction, I think this again is a conflict of interest from Calypso / MindArk. Wonder if they would do the same if a PP thought of this first, or whould they just sell on the PP auction?

Tass · Nov 8, 2011

RAZER said: ↑

OK one thing that's kinda strange and possible dangerous to me is this. The deeds have a TT of 0.00 PED, so MA sells 60.000 deeds for 60.000.000 PED and they do not have to do anything in return. If they do some creative accounting they are not making any money for a year (by buying another castle) and they do not have to pay us anything.

There is also no legal contract between us and MA that will make them pay us anything. I mean real shares are pretty dangerous these days and these are even more so I believe.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

EULA said:

Virtual items are fictional in-world graphical objects with a predefined set of parameters in Entropia Universe and will often have names similar or identical to corresponding physical categories such as "people", "real estate", "possessions”, “currency”, “cloths” and the names of specific items in those categories such as "house", "rifle", "tools", "armor", “coat”, “money” etc. (“Virtual Items”). Despite the similarity in terminology, all Virtual Items, including virtual currency, are part of the Entropia Universe System and/or features of the Entropia Universe, and MindArk and/or respective Mindark’s Planet Partner(s) retains all rights, title, and interest in all parts including, but not limited to Avatars, Skills and Virtual Items. These retained rights include, without limitation, patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other proprietary rights throughout the world. Notwithstanding any other language or context to the contrary, as used in this EULA and/or in the Entropia Universe in the context of Virtual Items, You expressly acknowledge that all terms like “exchange of”, “trade with”, “purchase of”, “sale of” or “use of” Virtual Items, and all similar terms in context of transactions with Virtual Items, refers to the licensed right to use a certain feature of the Entropia Universe or the Entropia Universe System in accordance with the terms and conditions of this EULA.
As part of Your interactions with the Entropia Universe, You may also, “construct”, “craft”, “compile”, “design”, “modify” or in any other way “create” Virtual Items. Notwithstanding any other language or context to the contrary, as used in this EULA and/or in the Entropia Universe in the context of the in-world creation of Virtual Items, You expressly acknowledge that You do not obtain any ownership right or interest in the Virtual Item You “create” but all such terms refer to the licensed right to use a certain feature of the Entropia Universe System or the Entropia Universe in accordance with the terms and conditions of this EULA. For clarity, MindArk and/or the respective MindArk’s Planet Partner retains all rights, title and interest to all Virtual Items You create in-world.
Click to expand...

nutrageti · Nov 8, 2011

73 sold till now
3 years to recoup investment, 9 k ped for opportunity to get a house....not buying so far

NotAdmin · Nov 8, 2011

60.000.000 PEd = 6.000.000 USD. Or, in short, the same amount they tried selling it for before, but as stated here by RAZER already, without any solid guarantee whatsoever.

RAZER · Nov 8, 2011

and some more, don't we need to have a bit more info on the economics of the planet before we invest in fake shares at least, income, profit, revenue, stuff like that?

GeorgeSkywalker · Nov 8, 2011

MA do something intresting and good and you guys shoot it down. Sad really...

Tass · Nov 8, 2011

Well, difficult. It's something between symbolic value and shares.

Offering shares to players in that way is a good thing. Also linking it to in-game features. But I think they should make really clear what this is all about and what it is not.

They are asking for 6 Million USD!

RAZER · Nov 8, 2011

GeorgeSkywalker said: ↑

MA do something intresting and good and you guys shoot it down. Sad really...
Click to expand...

well George it is indeed interesting, but the risk is much greater then with RL shares and there is nothing on paper that gives us any rights and MA any obligations to come through with what they said. We also have no financial info on Calypso at all so no way to determine what the shares are worth. It is up to everyone to decide if they wanna buy shares, I will not.

MindStar9 · Nov 8, 2011

Personally, I don't think anyone is shooting anything down, but rather engaging in some critical thinking discussion, which is always a good thing when considering making a sizeable investment ... virtual or otherwise.

However, that's as far as I can take any personal opinion regarding this discussion.

Whatever the case may be ... I hope it all turns out for the best for everyone involved.

Softhart · Nov 8, 2011

Seriously? I would like to see what the first week profits are on one plot.

Here buy a piece of land, but in order to put a house on it you need 9 of them. How big is the house? One room? Can you design what it will look like? .......

Whats next, maintenance fees?

Neuromancer · Nov 9, 2011

Also, some people have bought up the land deeds and are reselling them. It would have been nice if the BO were frozen.

Tass · Nov 9, 2011

Isn't this actually a little bit like adding LAs worth 6 Million USD to Calypso? Not needing any fertilizer, DNA or any management.

What does that mean for the value of all the existing LAs? Will see some value adjustments now that we will be able to see the interest 1 share of Calypso generates?

narfi · Nov 9, 2011

I don't see what this has to do with the value of land areas.
Land areas can still be managed well or poorly to produce income based on taxes accrued from hunting/mining activities on it.

narfi

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