Honored Ambassadors
- Being an ambassador isn't just fun and games, says Zap.
Zapra Zap Greadon travelled together with his wife and teammate Aleksiane Mrs-Zap Greadon from their home in Finland to attend the
International Science Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden. After working full days from Monday to Thursday, he is well aware that being a ambassador is a demanding task.
"But it's fun and very rewarding. I get to meet people from the game and put faces to the avatars. We are expecting to see one of our societymates from Hunter Unlimited here, we are looking forward to that. Not to mention, I get to speak about my hobby to people and help promote the game," Zap explains while sitting
behind the computer-screen. He is currently mining, and his activities are also shown above on a large plasma screen to passerby in real-time. Zap and Mrs-Zap sent in an application to attend the festival as a team of two, and MindArk accepted them as ambassadors.
To the question of whether he thinks they were somehow favored for getting the opportunity to work next to MindArk, he shakes his head and looks a bit confused.
"No, I don't think we are favored. That's my opinion anyway. It's not a fantasy to stand here for 10 hours straight. It's alot of work and not just fun and games like some people think" he explains.
"Still, I am honored to be chosen for the task. I'm just trying to do my best to promote the game," says Zap modestly.
Choosing the ambassadors
"We choose people of all kinds. Ubers, noobs, different sexes and ages. Not too much of the same people" says Justin Sorrell, the special events manager of MindArk
PE AB.
"We do choose people that do something for the game aswell. Players that are giving their time for the development of EntropiaUniverse, whether it be community-work or ingame. Like the Zaps, for example, who have made and managed the infamous loot table for ages. It used to be my bible when I started out, as I'm sure it has been for many others," he says.
Choosing the ambassadors is not done at random. Alot of the people chosen are chosen on the basis of their sent applications, but it's also verified to make sure that it's not a bunch of lies.
"We check our ambassadors' Entropia background via forums, ingame, support and so on. It doesn't mean we only choose people who say nothing bad about the game. Giving negative feedback is a positive thing, as long as it stays constructive," Justin points out.
Knowledge is power
Of course an ambassador needs to know the game. Zap has been active ingame for more then five years now, and is well qualified for the task.
"That's something we need to expect from those who are attending. The most common question 'What is this, what is Entropia Universe?' is not an easy one. Where do you start explaining a universe? Being easy to talk to, outgoing and enthusiastic is a huge advantage as well," Justin explains from the red couches where tired MindArk staff and ambassadors are resting sore feet.
The ambassadors lining up for a "family-photo" in front of the Entropia convention stand.