Transcript of Live Chat with Frank|Mindark

[711]

EntropiaForum was very honored to host a Live Chat session with Mindark Community representative Frank Campbell.


Over 80 EntropiaForum members barraged Frank with questions about many different aspects of EntropiaUniverse, as well as Mindark's plans for future development.

This is the first in a series of upcoming live community chats with various Mindark employees EntropiaForum looks forward to hosting in the future.

Below is the transcript of that chat session.


JohnCapital: Who came up with the idea for the PVP4?
Frank_MindArk: No one person in particular came up with PVP4. It came about from a wish to do something entertaining for the participants. A team effort.

Rizzet: why are there safezones in pvp4?
Frank_MindArk: Safe zones? It's more like that the whole Island isn't PVP, just the westerly zone

mackbrich: To reward mindforce users, will there be creatures (ghosts or something) that only can be killed by mindforce weapons?
Frank_MindArk: Not exclusively that they can be killed only with MindFroce, but we are looking at developing MindForce so that it can do more

kygon: do MA think these new upper level (L) fap skill requirement are 'fair' and attainable?
Frank_MindArk: Yes, with respect to the future.

majorputty: are there any plans to stock the bar's up with beer this year ?
Frank_MindArk: Eventually yes (hick!)

dakusingh: MA have announced a few times, there will be 2 LG's every year and have never commited to this, and when it was annouced it was within 2/3 days which is not enough time really! I dont think MA realise how much people want LG, whens the ETA on nextLG?
Frank_MindArk: We are well aware that LG's are great fun and are dedicating time to making sure the proper technology is in place to make the next LG live up to its expectations. With regards to a time frame, we're looking at Q3/Q4 this year

black_rain13: What is the plan for the Thorifoid Temple area? In the last two VU's we have seen many changes, but nothing seems to be happening aside from some textures and landscape changes. Any comment?
Frank_MindArk: Our aim in creating such interesting places is to use them in storylines eventually. As you know, there are many interesting places around Calypso.

PeteHines: Is there anything being done about the lack of colorers in entropia ?
Frank_MindArk: We're always evaluating systems in the Entropia Universe, and will continue to develop them to reach a maximum entertainment level for each system. So basically, it's far from finished - it will be improved upon.

Uniqu3: In the new lootable PvP there are safe areas, what is the point of spawning mobs unique to this area near these, allowing ppl to hunt them in safety, they may aswell been spawned elsewhere on the planet?
Frank_MindArk: Actually I quite like the idea of unique special mobs in special areas. The Mul are the Guardians of Akmuul Island. Have you noticed that there are different levels of Mul.
Frank_MindArk: Well the fact that the Mul only exist on Akmuul Island. Thats what I meant by unique.

Trabin: With regards to DNA, are there any plans to increase the availability of DNA for other mobs, such as the Armax, Oculus, KingFisher etc and also increase the drop rate of the rarer parts for existing mobs, such as the Neconu Jaw Bone ?
Frank_MindArk: Even the DNA system will be expanded in the future, so the answer is yes.

Skippie: the skill nerf we had in the fall was extremely harsh for mid and lower skilled players to get over. any plans with SIB weapons to help assist mid level players in more normalized skilling in the future? was this part of the decision to nerf skill?
Frank_MindArk: We will naturally include more objects for every level in the future. Balance is the aim.

majorputty: What is your impression of the WoF ?
Frank_MindArk: Absolutely brilliant!!
Frank_MindArk: We loved it so that's why we wanted to get involved with some prizes.

Klod: Will there be any upgrades to the event system (soonish) especially with a a upgrade of the score board. Atm only the top three is wiewable during the event and a info about the winner is given after. Perhaps top 5 during event and all positions aft
Frank_MindArk: We have a whole list of improvements for the event system, including increasing to Top 5, but unfortunately they are not planned for the near future.

Francine: What can we expect about the egg of Club Neverdie?
Frank_MindArk: Something to take your breath away.

TrinityIV: Why have the attributes changed after all these years? has this anything to do with mindark reconsidering to implement Attribute chips?
Frank_MindArk: Attribute changes are part of a long term plan to achieve a balance that can last.

sahel: Any news you can share regarding the Video Competition?
Frank_MindArk: The Video Competition winner will be announced in about 2 weeks.

vanmol: It's getting quite crowded in Crystal Palace. Any plans to expand or otherwise control the amount of visitors?
Frank_MindArk: Nothing I can say I've heard about, but obviously if it becomes unsustainable we'll do something about it.

Alice: well, my standard topic, are there any improvements planned for mentoring ?
Frank_MindArk: We are aware that the mentor system can be improved, and will make changes to it.

dakusingh: Shouldn't MA have more freq events to keep the playerbase more engrossed? 1 event now and again does not seem to cut it anymore, what are the plans for the future events?
Frank_MindArk: Yes, we have started discussions about getting some tools to allow us to hold events more regularly. For the moment though, we'll be sticking with the one time specials.
Frank_MindArk: Just have to make sure that they have something special each time

Samuel19: What is MA doing to stop the high price inflation on unlimited weapons and armor ingame?
Frank_MindArk: Thats difficult because preserving the free market is very important for us. The Balancing Manager is always following developments and takes appropiate action when necessary.

Wistrel: Who wrote the original Calypso Backstory?
Frank_MindArk: Good question. Marco, myself and a guy called Fredrik Andersson
Frank_MindArk: Fun times

AkiranBlade: Firstly, Hi Frank and Marco thanks for enabling us to have this chat session. My question is, with the introduction of the Limited FAPs, it's been shown that at the highest end of the skill spectrum the biggest FAP only does the same kind of heal...
AkiranBlade: as a Modified FAP, does this mean that FAPs are going to always be limited to sub 200 HP healing ability?
Frank_MindArk: No

ReadBird: Is there any chance to let us see who actually bought our items on auction in the same window as markup and stuff is viewed when sold
Frank_MindArk: Maybe in the next update of the Auction system, but it's not a priority.

Zap: What MA is doing in promoting EU to Attract more players to join? Or trusting active players to do promoting? Is there a bigger plan in promoting, if any?
Frank_MindArk: Yes, it's defintitely getting going now. We are looking at a lot of options now and have just began with a banner campaign. Lots more to come. We have that mandate now.
Frank_MindArk: Its always great when participants also promote.

nutter: What is the future for participant content in EU? Just pictures / movies in frames, or items, clothes, tatoos etc?
Frank_MindArk: No, in fact we are now looking at an option where participants can create more content than just pictures, movies etc.
Frank_MindArk: So in other words, the future looks bright for Participant Content on other levels as well
Marco_MindArk: As a note to the PC - we just have to make sure it is integrated correctly into the real cash economy. Very important.

Blinding_Light: With the opening of the new Entropia Banks in about 28 days, will we expect to hear an ETA for the Stock Exchange? It has been there since PreGold, is it going to be made usefull anytime soon?
Frank_MindArk: Yes it will come when we feel the market can sustain it and that its both entertaining and worthwhile

Cougar: Are going to get more Beacon-like missions? Like looting a "key" to the thorio temple and go on an underground mission.
Frank_MindArk: What a good idea Eventually yes, but no time frame at the moment

Zilly: Will MA introduce more Haircut and the ability to give a beard to avatars so beauticians got more income, especially for the newcomers ...
Frank_MindArk: Beards, maybe they're there already

RobVee: When can we expect the taming system to be updated?
Frank_MindArk: I would be very happy if we got a document written for the development of the taming system this year.

Cee: What's the status on the vehicles development?
Frank_MindArk: Vehicles - we're currently looking at Q4 2007 - Q1 2008

JohnCapital: So many projects to work on, so little time. Any plans on hiring more programmers to help the work load?
Frank_MindArk: Yes, thats a priority for 2007
Marco_MindArk: We also have job applications out on mindark.com

Konve: So is it really true that the only income Mindark has, is from decay of items?
Frank_MindArk: Refer to Marco's posts on this forum

Blinding_Light: In a recent Thread, Dekel has brought up the crafting system, and the conundrum that it is, Is there a timefrime on when high-skilled crafters will be rewarded for the massive amounts of ped they have to spend?
Frank_MindArk: Same thing there, even the crafting system will develop over time, but it's difficult to make promises or give a specific time frame

MindBuster: Will there be any new continents or areas where miners can mine in peace, without being "forced" to also being a hunter, like a contaminated area where mobs cannot live, without the pvp looting though ?
Frank_MindArk: I doubt it, part of the adventure is to interact with the planet and all its inhabitants and elements.

Eld: Think we can have a roadmap for 2007?
Frank_MindArk: RoadMap 2007 - Continue to improve the graphical appearance of Entropia Universe. Increase user content abilities and opportunities. Allow Entropia to accomodate more participants. Improve current systems and increase the personell at MindArk.

Francine: Shotguns like the swine series are supposed in real life to have a damage area effect whereas they dont in EU. Do you plan to add this effect on weapons like Laganaus Canon, or new weapons like grenades?
Frank_MindArk: Theres are new VU on the way. Think you in particular will enjoy it hint hint

burnsey: From 2002 Marco mentioned Space combat... Hangars have been in the game for years now, will these be updated for space combat or will new ships be made for that and in what timeframe?
Marco_MindArk: Space combat, space mining and actually travelling between planets and systems are on the roadmap. However it is a long term and quite extensive system to implement and at this point MA feels the resources are better spent on other enhancements.
Marco_MindArk: I don't think space will be exploited until 2008 at the earliest.

Casay: Are the artists going thru and fixing older items that are causing lag and rendering problems? Also are they fixing the texture masks for items like clothing, plants etc?
Frank_MindArk: Yes
Frank_MindArk: You've seen some of their work recently (HUD, icons etc.)

Blinding_Light: What do you think of Entropia Universe's players trying to use the Nintendo Wii remotes to play EU with?
Frank_MindArk: We love technology

nutter: How is the testing on MS Vista going?
Frank_MindArk: We're looking at it but won't be able to offer support for it until it been around for a little while longer though

Jake_Rogue: Will there ever be in-game player "professions" introduced that depend less on luck/chance as the dominant factor and more on a participant's actual real life skill, wit, intelligence or creativety?
Frank_MindArk: I think there already are. I mean, starting a successful shop depends on a lot of real life skills. Even sign making and art. And what about event organizing?

Zyie: Are the ATM cards going to come back, and if not, will the regular withdrawls get more resources to be able to handle withdrawls faster?
Vixen78 has left the room.
Frank_MindArk: ATM cards are definitely on their way back. Refer to Marco recent post about 30 minutes ago

Konve: How many headlines are there on the "Internal List of Stuff to Develop"(I L S D?)? In 2004 Marco claimed there to be "1300 headlines right now. ,-)"..
Frank_MindArk: It's growing every day. Especially after a chat like this. Thats what makes prioritizing such a hard pill to swallow. Its actually several thousand headlines now

Venus: About half of Amethera has no mobs because of unowned LG areas or LAs that are not tended by inactive/locked avatars. Any plans to address these wastes areas?
Frank_MindArk: Expect a statement in the near future

Blinding_Light: How does the balancing manager decided when an Uber item (ImkII, Mod Fap, etc.) be dropped? Is it a player vs. item ratio? like say when 100k players join, 10 ImkII's will be allowed to drop? or is it completely random?
Frank_MindArk: That is a well kept secret

Frank_MindArk: I'm goin to go home now but I'll take one more question

ThunderCat: Any news on piloting improvements?like use terminals for keeping the order and etc
Frank_MindArk: Not at the moment

[onyx oZ Zombie]

thanks for throwing that together 711, saved me some time

[Blinding Light]

THis is nice, maybe 711 you could bold the Asker's names too? THis would make it much easier to follow.

I think I had the most questions...

Originally Posted by 711

Blinding_Light: With the opening of the new Entropia Banks in about 28 days, will we expect to hear an ETA for the Stock Exchange? It has been there since PreGold, is it going to be made usefull anytime soon?
Frank_MindArk: Yes it will come when we feel the market can sustain it and that its both entertaining and worthwhile

Blinding_Light: In a recent Thread, Dekel has brought up the crafting system, and the conundrum that it is, Is there a timefrime on when high-skilled crafters will be rewarded for the massive amounts of ped they have to spend?
Frank_MindArk: Same thing there, even the crafting system will develop over time, but it's difficult to make promises or give a specific time frame
Blinding_Light: What do you think of Entropia Universe's players trying to use the Nintendo Wii remotes to play EU with?
Frank_MindArk: We love technology

Blinding_Light: How does the balancing manager decided when an Uber item (ImkII, Mod Fap, etc.) be dropped? Is it a player vs. item ratio? like say when 100k players join, 10 ImkII's will be allowed to drop? or is it completely random?
Frank_MindArk: That is a well kept secret

w000t

[711]

Originally Posted by Blinding Light

THis is nice, maybe 711 you could bold the Asker's names too? THis would make it much easier to follow.

All done

[Banger]

Some excellent questions in there, and also some exciting tit bits of info dropped by Frank. Looking forward to the rest of the year, but as always will wait for each VU before getting too excited

[Blinding Light]

Thanks, makes it wayyyy easier

[Cougar]

Francine: Shotguns like the swine series are supposed in real life to have a damage area effect whereas they dont in EU. Do you plan to add this effect on weapons like Laganaus Canon, or new weapons like grenades?
Frank_MindArk: Theres are new VU on the way. Think you in particular will enjoy it hint hint

Cool

[Frigid]

I really hope they don't go too crazy with the player content. The "Paperdoll" MMO has a lot of problems due to their extensive PC system, where bad scripts are introduced.

I would rather they spend effort finishing things they have already started, and promised, long ago instead of spending time and effort on esoteric tangents.

They speak about "balance", but they seems to lose their focus so often I do not trust them. Balance requires long-term attention...both looking back and looking ahead.

While I appreciate Frank coming, I wish the PR dept would put more "R" into the "P". All I got form this was a few glossy comments and and extension of previous estimates on long-standing promised content (i.e. vehicles).

Reading the transcript, it seemed Frank missed the point of several questions and we were keeping him late from going home. Some people made time to be here and be involved, but he had to rush off? Rude. I am trying to be more involved in the community and events that are to further that end get cut short? Also, my question about the Secret Transmitters wasn't posted...not that I was expecting much. Oh well...

[Frigid]

Originally Posted by Banger

and also some exciting tit bits

You mean "tid"