Interview with Marco Behrmann

PINKY · 12-08-2006, 18:18

Entropia Universe:
Growing into its inhabitants' paradise?

Over recent months, MindArk, the creators of the Entropia Universe, have been rapidly increasing interaction with its player base. They have been asking what we want to see, have asked for our opinions on what they should do, and even invited us to ask what they are planning for our little slice of paradise….some of our suggestions have been rather quickly acted upon.

It all seemed to start back in August this year when Marco, fresh back for his July vacation, launched a thread inviting questions from Entropian citizens on this very forum. The thread, entitled Q&A (Aug 06), was such a massive change in direction for MA it made a front page news article by Skam. This was followed by:
. A further Q&A with answers coming out in October.
.Entropia going windowed at players’ request.
.A discussion about what we wanted to see from in-game auctions, only to see some of the ideas implemented in the next VU.
.Questions raised on the forum about the number of (L) items being introduced into the game, with the answers arriving promptly through the developer’s blog on the official MA site.
.Marco starting a thread asking our advice of Where to Advertise Entropia?
.MindArk saw we were not happy about the recent changes to the team loot distribution rules and have made a thread explaining why they changed them and promising to change them back!
.... and most recently, MindArk announced the introduction of a new community rep, Frank

I recently got the opportunity to ask Marco Behrmann, the Director of Community Relations of MindArk PE AB just what’s going on?

Pinky: So Marco, is this how MindArk will be operating in the future?

Marco: MindArk will continue to evolve and open up even more towards the community. In previous years we have had a fierce pace, and with limited resources, have managed to come to the point we are today, where Entropia is beginning to resemble what we envisioned it to be in its first phase. The turning point was when Project Entropia evolved into Entropia Universe. The various departments within MindArk have more resources today, and we are preparing to take the company and the virtual universe to the next level, we are about to begin the next chapter in the Entropia Saga.

Pinky: The community previously did not feel they had much input into the virtual universe, what made you change your communication strategy?

Marco: I have always thought, and still believe, that the community is a fundamental factor in Entropia’s success. The community is the virtual universe. The main enabler of this “new” communication is that I have received resources to do it and that MindArk has matured as a company meaning we have more specialized persons at various positions in the company, like Frank Campbell as a community rep, Carl Uggla as CMO and David Simmonds as Director of Business Development – all areas I previously handled by myself.

With this assistance, I have been able to formulate and begin implementing my plans to open up new forms of communication, inviting the community into various design plans and future developments, and to create opportunities to present questions to the MindArk staff. Many ideas still aren’t realized, but I will work to add those as well in the near and far future.

Pinky: This will obviously create a lot more work for you in your role, can we expect to see other MA employees from your department start to post on the forum?

Marco: Actually I have less work today compared to yesteryears. I now have a more specialized and focused work description, giving me the chance to work pro-actively and on a strategic level that was difficult before. With the recent addition of Frank as community representative it gives me even more options to meet today’s demands and those of the future. Frank will post on the boards, I gather a bit cautiously in the beginning, but more and more as time goes by. We also intend to beef up the communication using the Entropia web site, adding multiple language support, RSS-feeds and more interactivity in the “My Section.” The community section and the Portals will also be overhauled to allow more fluent action (the current solution for adding new Portal sites is plainly not working satisfactorily).

Pinky: Are you aware the community is very excited about how things are going at the moment - do you pass on the positive feedback from here on the forum to your colleagues?

Marco: Yes, that is part of my job. We have recurring weekly updates where everyone gets briefed on the current vibe of the community, based both on the various forums, emails, and also in-world (where I sneak around with my undercover avatar). But I pass along not only the positive but also the negative feedback as well as it is equally important. Entropia is a system that will never be finished and will always change – in a year it will not be the same as it is today. This kind of philosophy also means it will put strain on the community as people almost always strive for routine and predictability. Change does not cater those needs very well. One thing to remember is that MindArk doesn’t change things to deliberately annoy people. We make changes to meet demands for the future and balance things long term for the whole of the virtual universe. Despite a harsh environment from time to time we appreciate the feedback given, good or bad. That being said please don’t expect us to act on every opinion or suggestion, because that would be an impossible feat. I do think passion is a good thing though.

Pinky: Is it likely that we can expect further Q&A sessions on the forum?

Marco: Yes, several. I am in the process of setting one up now. It will come in December or January next year.

Pinky: A company asking its customers for advice, such as where to advertise, is a big step in community relations. What made you decide this was something that may benefit MindArk (and Entropia)?

Marco: It was easy. The community as a whole has much more experience, knowledge and time available than the whole of MindArk. Tapping into these resources is a win-win situation. The advice is now being compiled and we will be starting new campaigns soon.

Thank you Marco, on behalf of the community, a big thank you to every one at MA for listening to all us loyal citizens of Calypso. Just one last question...

Pinky: Are there any plans to bring in the "Pinkynator" Handgun with fluffy handle and pink ammo?

Marco?..... Marco.....?