Entropia Universe Version Updates

PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 5.2
2003-10-15

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING STRANGE IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 5.2 (“VU 5.2”) for Project Entropia is a major step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the version update is located in this document.

VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

SYSTEM UPGRADES

Item Management System
The Item Management System of Project Entropia has been extensively upgraded. This means that the internal system handling all items and transactions has been upgraded, to increase performance and to reduce the number of issues occurring in regards to item manipulation.

As Project Entropia is built to utilize maximum security, all item manipulation and trades are conducted on the secure server, before the client shows what’s going on (the Project Entropia client does not hold any vital data whatsoever). This has sometimes caused confusion, as the client predicts actions. These predictions have sometimes shown incorrectly on the client, even though everything is perfectly okay on the server. The most common area where misunderstandings occur is the shown ammunition when quickly logging off and logging on again.

One obvious change is that the participant may notice some of his or her items become ”faded” into a blue-gray icon when moved. This means that the item is currently being handled by the server and cannot be manipulated until the server says so. This has always been the case, but before it was not shown to the participant.

Inventory
The inventory functions have been revamped. One of the areas that has been an issue for participants using slow connections is synching of items between the Project Entropia Servers and the client software on the participant’s own computer. The major reason for participants’ timing-out, crashing, starting with ”no inventory in newbie clothes”, etc was due to the sheer number of items in the avatar inventory. Even though no real problems were derived from this, it caused confusion. Therefore, we have made several upgrades to reduce this behavior.

One major change is the introduction of ”container” items, which are boxes, cases, chests, etc in which items are stored. The system only synchs items between the server and client that are in the currently used container, meaning that a participant will not experience long load times while logging onto Project Entropia, but will experience somewhat longer load time while manipulating cases of different kinds, as the containers are synched when accessed. With the containers, the synching of items has been distributed to many different areas, instead of one giant area. Please feel free to put seldom-used items in a special container and leave them be – then that container won’t use your connection or disturb your load times.

In future releases more types of containers will be implemented, even such that will bring a reduction to the weight carried in it. At the moment a participant cannot drag items to a closed container, but must open it to place items inside.

An inventory can at most show 500 items. More items than that in an inventory will render the additional items invisible. MindArk strongly recommends that participants restrain themselves to have inventories with max 200 items. More items will cause performance hits on you, loss of connection and possibly other strange effects, especially if you have a lesser connection (below 2Mbit) or have an ISP of lesser quality.

Auction
The auction system is completely redone to eliminate the issues with ”stuck items”. Also, the interface has been redone to utilize for much meaner and leaner operations. The new auction has a fee of one PED for each item put on the auction, to reduce ”Spam”. When VU 5.2 is applied, all current bids are nullified and returned, and all items offered are also returned to respective participant. The new auction will therefore be completely empty directly after the VU 5.2 is applied.

Another area that is upgraded is how transactions in the auction are handled. Instead of the participant needing to visit the auctioneer to get the latest info, all such messages are handled in real time. If a participant is offline, the message will be stored until he or she logs on again. All money is also transferred the moment a change occurs. The only thing that has to be manually collected is an item won.

Crafting
As stated above, the major reason for having performance problems is due to a high number of items. One of the most cumbersome areas is crafting, or more specifically, the blueprints. Therefore there have been changes to the crafting system. The number of unique blueprints has been reduced to about half, and some crafting categories have disappeared (Tool, Weapon, Armor, and Attachment Components, and Tailoring Materials) completely. The associated skills have also been removed. Some skills have also changed name (the old “Assembling” skills are now called “Manufacturing” instead, and the old “Manufacturing”-skill are removed). Those who have blueprints and/or skills in these areas should read the ”Compensation” section, below, before contacting MindArk.

The crafting system overall has been changed in that way that there are no longer any overlaps between lootable items and craftable items. All craftable items are craftable only. Therefore, a whole range of new craftable items is introduced. With this, several new minerals and EnMatters have been introduced as well.

Tailoring now works more like the rest of crafting. You have a raw material; you use a refiner on it and get a refined piece of material you can use together with a blueprint to make clothes.

The Manufacturing Interface is also revamped, and more logical than before. The participant is also informed on the relative chance of success, based on skills, blueprint QR and the level of difficulty.

Overall, the crafting system is somewhat easier to manage, with fewer steps needed from start to finish.

We are very much aware of that this is a major change and can feel like a letdown for some participants. This simply had to be done; otherwise the crafting area of Project Entropia would hamper performance across the board for every participant.

Compensation
There is an automatic compensation system in place when you load up Project Entropia the first time after the VU. If you are entitled to any compensation you will receive messages to that effect. Obsolete blueprints and components will be changed to current blueprints (with QR 1) and into minerals. Items/money stuck in the auction will be returned to your personal storage facility. Also, those affected by lost Quality Rating (including QR on converted blueprints) will be reimbursed for this, in a compensation system, where the participant can select which kind of compensation he or she desires. In this compensation system obsolete skills are also taken in consideration.

PCGamer Quest
Those participants that joined Project Entropia through the client distributed on the PCGamer (US) edition also have a special quest available.

MIXED FIXES/UPGRADES

In no particular order:

If you lose connection to the chat server the system automatically tries to re-logon, without the need to re-logon Project Entropia.

Added a connection indicator in the client. A three-lights display is located by the radar. If the load is light, they are green. If the load is heavy, it changes to yellow, and if the load is high, it changes to red. This display is updated a couple of times per minute.

Added functionality to the Friends-list, indicating when friends come on- and offline.

Added new, more Asian looking face textures to Avatar Creation Interface.

Upgraded the performance substantially in the Fast key Interface.

Added new music and sounds.

”Nothing to loot here” – The frequency is reduced, but you will still encounter critters with no loot. It’s not a bug.

Updated an instance where client-to-client synch mismatched in PvP Trade.

The Hadesheim Siren is now silenced when no attacks are in progress.

Updated functions when stacks are split, to show more accurate info in the client.

Update the servers extensively to reduce lag and performance slowdowns.

Several new items added, especially high-level equipment.

T-key changed to move stuck avatars to a random location, instead of a fixed.

Fixed so newbie clothes should not multiply.

Fixed an issue with claim deeds not being removed after deposit was depleted.

Updated the defense turrets.

Updated that both parties engaging in a PvP Chat gets automatic focus in the Chat window.

Fixed an issue with blueprints weighing double if inserted into a blueprint book.

Fixed an issue with items picked up from the ground weighing incorrect.

Fixed a minor issue with the selected title being reset to the top one in the Avatar Information interface with each login.

Fixed an issue with being able to vote multiple times in the Vote Booth.

Fixed an issue where uncolored clothes could not be used in the Coloring Interface.

Further secured the Trade Terminal Interface.

Upgraded how the teleporters behave if the system is under heavy load.

Upgraded the looks and functionality on the various Loot Interfaces.

Empty blueprints books are now sellable.

Fixed issues in the Repair Interface when using the quick-buttons (not making items un-accessible anymore).

Quality Rating on Blueprints associated with Value, meaning that Value will rise with higher QR, to the max of one PED at QR 100.

Fixed an issue with a full inventory covering buttons in the auction.

Fixed an issue with current value/condition not always showing the correct amount in the auction.

Several upgrades of functionality in the PvP Trade Interface, most noticeably the removal of ”Cancel” functionality once ”Accept” is pressed. You may however cancel once the order confirmation is presented.

Clothes and armor with a value/condition of zero are not wearable (exception: newbie clothes).

The autofire bug (the weapon could uncontrollably fire due to an ALT+TAB change) is eliminated.

Fixed an issue with the PED Card while withdrawing PEC, making the PED Card crash.

Fixed an issue with ever-active decoys.

Corrected a client bug when merging two full stacks, one stack would go missing.

Corrected some tool tip errors.

Added more detailed error messages for rarer instances.

Fixed an old issue that allowed avatars to chat even while dead using the Focus button.

Fixed various graphical glitches.

An avatar should only have one set of newbie clothes.

Many items have enhanced looks in Items Info view port.

Fixed a potential issue with the mouse pointer focus changing when someone requests a PVP Trade or PvP Chat. The pointer does not automatically change to pointer mode now.

Fixed ”leveling” of blueprint books (visual leveling).

Enhanced the Trivia/Background info.

Enhanced the messaging when leaving/entering PvP zones, to ensure the message is displayed.

Fixed the prefix elimination on ”Uncolored” clothes when colored.

Fixed an issue with commands being sent to the Main Chat instead of the PvP Chat.

Fixed an issue with NPCs just spinning round and round.

Rebalanced success rates while crafting and mining. Generally you will succeed with your action more often, but the output value is reduced.

Rebalanced skill advancement. Several skills now have a higher increase rate, mostly those that have less skill checks per time frame. This mostly affects mining and crafting, and does not affect hunting much.

Update to the PvP Chat informing the other party when the first party left the chat.

Fixed so the Avatar busy message is shown correctly.

Updated the boxing ring bell to have a two second delay.



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

In no particular order

You can’t repair a weapon with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing.

Currently, the virtual companies on the Exchange don’t offer any shares.

The drill tower cannot be accessed. The minerals within it will be transferred to the avatar’s Personal Storage Facility.

Sometimes attachments may detach from a weapon when logging on.

The Team chat is not always initiated when the Team Leader invites the first member.

_________________
Regards

-Marco Behrmann
-PE Community Manager
-MindArk PE AB

Hello crew,

Today’s update was a minor bugfix-update. Most noticeable is the increased spawn rate for the new minerals, and the completely new Support Section.

The PE web page and Support is a work in progress and have some glitches right now, it will be fixed the following days. For those of you who get an error when watching - this is due to an updated DNS entry (meaning that the pages are now at a different address, and the servers on the Internet that act like "phonebooks" sometimes are slow to update this info).

Please familiarize yourself with the new Support section. Mail to Support will still work, but will soon be shut off. You get the picture when you browse the new Support. You may change your login the first time you enter info into the Account info. Please note that the account info given here is for everything you do with PE and/or MA.

This update includes several lag fixes, but we still have some lag monsters that needs to get killed. The devs have found a major culprit and will annihilate him as soon as possible (even if it might take a while).

In the future, the annoying "overweight when logging in" bug, as well as the "HoF strangeness" bug, will be fixed.

A note to miners, some resources expiry dates acts up, showing strange data (like expiry on the year 24567). Such deposits should be extracted as fast as possible, as they may disappear within a minute’s time.
_____________
Regards

-Marco Behrmann
-Director of Community Relations
-MindArk PE AB

VU 5.3 Listing




PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 5.3
2003-11-24

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING STRANGE IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information The Version Update 5.3 (“VU 5.3”) for Project Entropia is a major step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the version update is located in this document. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

Housing system
The first version of the PE housing system is in place! Several small communities have been set up for future buildings. You can acquire your own house by bidding on the corresponding lot deeds in the auction. The lot deed’s item info (right-clicking on the deed) shows the location of the lot and house. You may also store items safely in your house. In the next VU’s the system will be enhanced and will allow an almost complete customizability. The supply of houses on Calypso will be quite limited, and we will not litter the countryside with houses.

Space travel
The initial steps has been taken in the quest of personalized space travel.

Interactive content
In PE there you can now find the first of a series of puzzles, or “quests”, requiring in-universe manipulation of items and scenery. Search and find out!

Map
The map is updated with the new house communities, as yellow dots. If you hover the mouse pointer over one of these, you get a tooltip displaying the name of the location.

Mindforce
Mindforce is introduced! The first version is in, allowing for the use of extra sensory powers. You need a Mindforce implant to use the Power chips found here and there. To activate a Power, you need to have it in your fast key interface and use the corresponding F1-F12 key. One Mindforce can be used without any equipment though, and that is the Sweat gathering skill. If you have nothing equipped in your hands, you may use this power. The requirement is that you are close to the creature you want to extract its fluids from.

New EnMatter
A new Energy Matter is available, which is one of the two parts of making the Mind Essence energy needed for using Mindforce Powers. You combine this EnMatter with the other part in an EnMatter refiner to make the Mind Essence.

Crafting Equipment
Some of the “Equipment” crafting (Mechanical, Metal, Electronics) material have been updated to be used at various places on Calypso.

Skills
New skills have been added in the Mindforce section of the Avatar Information Interface.

Fast key
The performance of the fast key system is enhanced.

Friends chat
If you receive a message from a person not on your Friends list, you now get the info that the person isn’t on your list, as well as you see who it is.

Server load indicator
The Server load indicator is upgraded to more actively show the system load. An indicator in the reds may indicate that the system might be heavily loaded, and can affect the experience. However, this is not an exact indicator.

Avatar weight calculation
An error in the avatar weight calculation when logging on has been fixed.

Decoy
An issue concerning decoys and logging off has been corrected.

Teleport stacking
Sometimes when several avatars teleported to the same place at the same time, they got stacked on top of each other. This has been fixed.

Containers
Several minor glitches with containers have been fixed.

Lag/stability fixes
Several server and client updates have been applied to reduce lag and performance slowdowns. The system login process is enhanced, as well as how a participant performs – an avatar performing a lot of activities may experience “lag” him-/herself, but other participants do not get as affected as prior to VU 5.3.

Nude avatar
By manipulating the inventory interface, you could make your avatar nude. This has been fixed.

Spelling errors
Spelling errors have been fixed. --



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

You can’t repair a weapon with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing.

Currently, the virtual companies on the Exchange doesn’t offer any shares.

Sometimes attachments may detach from a weapon when logging on.

The Team chat is not always initiated when the Team Leader invites the first member.

Some kind of items cannot be placed in a house. Hall of Fame does not display time correctly in the 24 hours section.

VU 7.0 Content List

PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 7.0
2005-01-25

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 7.0 (“VU 7.0”) for Project Entropia information is located in this document.

--

VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

New Navigation backbone
There are several ways of performing actions in Project Entropia. An action can be anything from moving the avatar to using items.

Help screen
To get a default view of the keyboard and mouse settings, please press the ‘H’ key on your keyboard.

Aim/Cursor modes
There are two general modes in Project Entropia – Aim mode and Cursor mode. In Aim mode, moving the mouse changes the view direction. In Cursor mode, when you move the mouse, you move a cursor around on the screen. In order to click on items and buttons, you need to be in Cursor mode. To change mode, press the Spacebar key.

Options
Pressing the ‘O’ key will open up the Options interface, in which you can assign various keys for various actions. You can select other settings as well. Everyone who partakes in Project Entropia has the same default key layout.

QuickBar
The QuickBar is the main quick access interaction tool in Project Entropia. There are nine bars available, each with twelve slots. These slots are generic and you may assign a multitude of actions to them. These actions are visualized by icons. You activate an icon by either left-clicking on it, or pressing the corresponding key on your keyboard.

Each slot can be assigned an action or item:

To assign an action to a slot, open the Action Book (default key X) and drag the action to to the slot.
To assign an item to a slot, open the Inventory (default key I) and drag the item to to the slot (Note: only items that can be held in your hands can be used in the QuickBar).
Some examples:

Your avatar holds nothing in his or her hands. You click on a rifle icon in the QuickBar and the avatar equips the rifle. If you click the rifle icon again, you will fire the now readied rifle.
You click the run icon. Your avatar begins running straight ahead, until you influence the movement.
The nine QuickBars can be cycled using the arrows at the end on the bar. You can also access them using the keyboard – using the F1 to F9 key. You can access each slot in a bar by using the keyboard keys beginning with 1 and the next eleven keys to the left. Note – if you want to invert this, just click the ‘F’ icon in a QuickBar. If inverted, you cycle bars using the 1-9 keys and you access the slots using the F1 to F12 keys.

Holding the cursor still over an icon in the QuickBar will show a tooltip with the name of the action or item.

Action Book
The Action Book is a collection of all available action icons you can use, from movement, item manipulation, to emotes. You can use the actions in Book directly, by clicking on the icons, but it is often easier to drag the icons you want to use to a QuickBar slot.

Inventory items
Inventory items can be dragged to a QuickBar slot. Left-clicking on an item icon will equip the item, if not already equipped – then it will be used instead. If you right-click on an item in a slot, you will receive its ‘Items Info’.

Status bars
All creatures, avatars and interactive objects in Project Entropia have a shortcut, called a Status bar. A status bar is created when you left-click and hold down, and drag, the mouse button over an eligible target. A small floating Status bar is then formed, which you can move around the screen. You can choose to interact with the target of the Status bar by clicking on it directly.

Some examples

You have a Status bar of a Storage facility on your screen. You click on the Status bar and thus selecting it, the next click will move your avatar to the Storage facility and when in front of it opens it.
You have a Snablesnot Status bar created. You click on it with a held ranged weapon. You will automatically align yourself to the Snablesnot and fire when in range. If the weapon was a melee type, you would move towards the Snablesnot and then attack. When the Snablesnot is killed, you can loot it using the Status bar as well.
Status bars are floating and can be moved around on the screen. If you move Status bar close to one another, they will ‘snap’ together, creating larger blocks of Status bars.

Movement
Default movement in Project Entropia is through the steering keys 'Q', 'W', 'A', 'S' and 'D' and using the mouse to move the screen.

As an alternative way of navigating the virtual universe, you can in cursor mode click on the terrain. The former auto-run function accessed with '3' is now replaced with a double click on a spot in the terrain and your avatar will now run there, or if you click in the sky it will run forever in that direction.

Targeting and selecting
Aiming on or holding the mouse over a creature or object will target it. A frame will be shown around the target with its name and health status. Left clicking on a targeted creature or interactive object will make it your selected target and you can now perform actions on the target. If you initiate an action but has no target selected, you will be prompted to do so. If you want to target yourself as an override (useful e g when using a Fast Aid Pack in combat) you press the ‘ALT’ keyboard key. You can also click on your name in the main interface.

Mouse scroll wheel
The mouse scroll wheel is used to zoom. If scrolled back, the camera will move behind the avatar, and scrolling forward will set the camera in the eye level of the avatar. If the avatar has a held weapon with a scope, scrolling forward from eye level will zoom the scope.

Mixed additional notes

The default navigation setting is the old pre-VU 7.0 way. You need to access the Project Entropia Options (key ‘O’) to enable the updated methods of navigation.
Running with a held item in a ready state reduces your movement speed somewhat.
Remember that the ALT key will target yourself – useful when using Fast Aid Packs for instance.
Right-clicking and holding down the mouse button will open up a context menu with options and actions.
Note that you will operate a held item if you select the icon for that item, i.e. a weapon will fire.
To unequip a held item, using the QuickBar, you need to use the ‘Unequip’ icon. If you are in Cursor mode and press and hold down the mouse scroll wheel, while moving your mouse, you will move the camera around.
--

KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

The Action book may disappear. It will be fixed in a patch on the 26th of Jan.

The option settings gets reset from time to time. This will be fixed in a patch on the 26th of Jan.

If you have an item in your hands while accessing a manufacturing machine, your avatar will disappear in your inventory. This is a visual glitch only.

All tailored clothes shown as “Uncolored” in the auction, even if they are colored.

The PED Card has issues when removing PECs.

You can’t repair an item with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing.

VU 6.3 Content List




PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 6.3
2004-11-23

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 6.3 (“VU 6.3”) for Project Entropia is a big step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the version update is located in this document. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

Auction updates
The auction has received several updates;

• A “Last Calls” section added, where offers that are close to expiring are shown. A good place for making last minute bargains.
• The number of items a single seller may put in the auction is changed to 15, from the old number of five.
• Split the mineral section into subsections, and every mineral type receives a heading. So if you look for iron, you select the “Iron” section to see all iron offers.
• Changed so that feedback messages from auction (like item sold, bids returned, etc) comes in dialogue boxes, instead of lines in the chat area. This will reduce the risk of missing vital information.

Public houses
The owner of an estate may now select to make his or her property public, using the Estate terminal. This means anyone may enter the estate, and have a look around.

Treasure Island open
The auction for Treasure Island on the Amethera continent is progressing. Now the area and buildings are opened up for public viewing and inspection. The Treasure Island is expected to be a center hub of communication, commerce, and logistics.

Loot rebalance for tougher creatures
Higher-level creatures have received a loot rebalance, meaning they carry loot more often.

New items
Various items added.

Graphics update
Some areas in Project Entropia have received enhanced graphics.

Fixed an issue with PvP trading
Carried weight now is calculated correctly on both parties involved in a PvP trade.

Fixed target boxes
Several creature target boxes have been updated to make it easier to hit and loot the creature.

Fixed issue with decayed bleaching attachment
A bleaching attachment could in some instances be used even when it was decayed to zero value. This is fixed.

Fixed creature animation
Some creatures had the wrong animations showing while walking. This is corrected.

Fixed health bar mismatch
Sometimes the health bar on a creature did not update correctly from the server to the client. This is fixed. --



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

All tailored clothes shown as “Uncolored” in the auction, even if they are colored.

The PED Card has issues when removing PECs.

You can’t repair an item with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing. The client shows the carried weight wrongly. It is just a visual issue, and does not affect your movement abilities.

VU 6.2 Content List




PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 6.2
2004-11-02

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 6.2 (“VU 6.2”) for Project Entropia is a major step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the version update is located in this document. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

Teaming updates
Teaming is massively updated. Here comes a list of features.

• A team can now consist of twelve members.
• A team is created by clicking on the Team button in the row in the main interface.
• While it is possible to have a one-man team, loot cannot be acquired under such circumstances. The team must be at least two members strong for looting to work.
• Loot distribution added. This means that when a team leader creates a team, he also chooses a set of rules that determine how team loot is distributed between the team members. Once these rules are confirmed they cannot be changed. If changes to the rules set are needed the team must be disbanded and a new team must be created. This is to ensure that once the rules are set, the team leased will not be able to change the conditions of the teaming activity without the consent of the team members. The various loot distribution rules are:
  • Item Distribution
  • Damage Decides Order: The team member who does the most damage receives the highest valued item (if present) in the loot, the member who did the second highest damage receives the second highest valued item (if present), etc.
  • Leader Takes All: The team leader always receives all items found.
  • Most Damage Wins All: The team member who does the most damage receives all the items present in a loot.
  • Queue: The first found item is given to the topmost team member, the next found item is given to the second member, etc, going through the roster of members. The queue position is saved every time looting occurs.
  • Random: Any item present in a loot is randomly distributed to a random team member.
  • Money Distribution
  • Damage Determines: Any PED and/or PEC found is divided among the team members, in accordance to the damage each member did.
  • Equal: Any PED and/or PEC found is divided as equally as possible among all team members.
• All team members can look at the rules by clicking the team button at any time. If the rules are not to your liking, we suggest you leave the team.
• In the event a member disconnects from Project Entropia, he is still a part of the team for a period of five minutes. Team members kicked from the team does not have this grace period. A disconnected team member will continue to receive loot, if he, according to the team rule set is entitled to receive any. The member will however not see any loot window or text feedback concerning this. The team member will simply find the items/PED’s looted during his absence placed directly in his inventory.
• A team member will receive loot regardless of distance. This even works over continents!
• If the team leader quits the team, the team is automatically disbanded.

Hall of Fame updates
The Hall of Fame has been updated, with new looks and functions. Some of the new features include:

• Entries in the HoF list now show to which society an avatar belongs to at the time of the HoF-event.
• The top 25 avatars is shown instead of top 15.
• The mining section will now present the correct mineral found, instead of sometimes showing “Unknown”.
• When manufacturing items, the manufactured item name is shown in the entry instead of the just the category shown prior to the update.
• The previous “PK Streak” is back, including an All time high and a 24h version. This is now called “Killing Spree”.
• A loot must contain a minimum value of 50 PED to be added to the HoF list, if the value is above the current lowest entry. For Killing Spree, the minimum is ten different avatars.
• Please note that the HoF entries are not updated in absolute real time. This means the HoF list may, at rare times, appear to have different entries when two different avatars look at the list at the same time. Any such difference is updated within an hour at the most.

Share owners
All avatars owning shares from the time the Project Entropia Exchange was in operation will have their shares reimbursed at twice the purchase sum. The shares are then removed from Project Entropia. The Exchange is closed but may be reopened in a later VU.

Visuals of clothes and armor
When you drop clothes and armor on the ground, or on a shelf, they look much better than before.

Updates to visual interface styles
The overall feel in the dialogue boxes and interface is updated to a more coherent style and look.

Updated looks on armor
The Chronicle, Vain, Sentinel, and Supremacy armor, among others, have added details and looks.

Chat updates
If you type “/?” in the chat you will get help info about shortcuts. You can now send messages directly to the team (if present) by adding “/t” or “/team” before your message. The same goes for society messages, where the prefix is either “/s” or “/soc”.

More furniture
New pieces of furniture added, including gothic looking stuff and shelves.

New weapons
New weapons added, especially as loot on the Amethera continent.

New armor sets
Armor sets added.

Added confirm to Mentor
Now you need to confirm the kicking of a disciple before it happens.

Server backbone updates
A lot of changes to the server system has been made, both with software and hardware. It is our continuous strive in bringing you better stability and performance.

Fixed avatar synch issues
Some issues showing avatars running on the spot and similar things updated.

Fixed an issue with Map updates
The map interface should now show all locations, including the unsafe (PvP) ones.

Fixed an issue with Society tax
You sometime couldn’t see the land tax using the Society terminal (using the land area marker worked though). This is fixed.

Fixed an issue with Society attitudes
You should be able to once again change your official standing towards other societies.

Fixed an issue with death teleportation
If you pressed “No” in the interface, you no longer have to wait 60 seconds before pressing “T”. --



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

All tailored clothes shown as “Uncolored” in the auction, even if they are colored.

If you are selling or buying an estate, make sure no activated and deployed shopkeepers and/or mannequins are present. They must be traded separately in a trade between the avatars. Else they may stop working.

The PED Card has issues when removing PECs.

You can’t repair an item with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing. The HoF shows old All time high hunting entries as "unknown" with regards to creature killed.

VU 6.1 Content List




PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 6.1
2004-10-06

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 6.1 (“VU 6.1”) for Project Entropia is a major step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the VU is located in this document. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

The Amethera continent is live!
The all new continent of Amethera is released! The planet Calypso’s second continent is available for exploration. The land contains never before seen creatures, threats, plants, and trees. The area of the continent is roughly three times size of the old Eudoria continent. This addition brings another great location to the Project Entropia experience, together with the Crystal Palace Space Station released earlier this year.

The first real virtual land grab!
The first real virtual land grab event will commence on the new Amethera continent! Those avatars meeting the skill requirements or who have an estate will be able to travel to Amethera and take part of the land grab. The land grab means that a society will battle for the control of a land area, on which they can set taxation on and later improve to make it better.

The preliminary rules and regulations of the land grab is available here.

Dynamic lights
A system for dynamic lighting implemented at indoor areas. Various light sources, like lamps or energy weapons, will now emit light. This creates a much more immersive experience.

Teaching system
A system for transferring skill levels between avatars is introduced. The system works with skill implants which functions as skill holders. The system dynamically handles how the advanced skill system in Project Entropia works, and shows the results when checking out an active skill implant.

Creature AI
The AI for the Project Entropia creatures is completely rewritten, allowing for more elaborate behaviors. In this VU we focus on the basic activities, while slowly evolving the creatures with group behavior and the like.

Speed change and synch enhancement
The general speed of movement is somewhat lowered, together with an improved synchronization. This is to allow for a more smooth experience and making the synch between client and server better. It reduces the bandwidth use, suggesting a better feel while partaking. Of course many of the creatures also have their movement rate reduced as well. Damage is lowered on some critters. Melee weapons will work better. The general experience in PvP fights is enhanced. This also creates a good foundation for the future vehicle system.

Bleaching
A new attachment for the color tool is available, allowing for the removal of colors from colored clothes. Note that it only works on clothes colored after the application of VU 6.1.

Mannequins and shopkeepers
Shopkeepers, and the new mannequins, can now be dressed and equipped. Just drag the items or clothes you wish to add to the mannequin or shopkeeper. To remove items or clothes, just drag it from them. All shopkeepers (old as well as new) and mannequins only have their undies from.

Increase of characters on lots
Depending on the size of a lot, you may now place more than one shopkeeper or mannequin to an outdoor lot.

Loot and creatures
The loot on creatures is rebalanced. The general loot balance is increased, meaning the loot will be somewhat higher after the VU. It is common that creature doesn’t carry any loot after this update. However, when loot is found the value is often a lot higher and will include items more often than before.

Creatures removed when looting
When a creature is looted, it disappears almost instantly.

New creatures
A dozen or so new creatures have been added to Project Entropia. These will be found mainly on the Amethera continent, and they pack a mean punch. Reports of a behemoth monster has been circulating as well…

Creature rebalanced
A lot of the creatures are somewhat changed, in regards to speed, damage done, behavior, etc. Some are fiercer, while some are whimpier.

Increased stack sizes
The max number of items per item stack is increased, most notable when concerning ammo packs and PED stacks – a single ammo stack now contains a maximum of 1,000,000 shots, while a PED stack contains 10,000 PEDs. Stacks containing more than 999 units will now show the abbreviation “k” and “M” for “kilo” (a thousand), and “Mega” (a million), in the stack icon.

Ammo in Trade Terminal
Updated the max ammo stack size in the Trade Terminal to 10,000 shots per unit.

Chat activated emotes
You can now activate a number of emote gestures and action from the main chat. You activate an emote by typing “/em emotename”, where emotename can be “giggle” or “movealong”. Dances and postures are not activated this way yet.

More furniture
New pieces of furniture added, among the lot is fireplaces and candles suitable for romantic encounters.

New market places
Added more market places to Hadesheim and the Crystal Palace Space Station.

Space flight and hangar updates
Numerous issues with the hangars, space flight and ownership transfers fixed.

Sweating modified
A single creature now has a definite number of vibrant sweat available.

New weapons
New weapons added.

New armor sets
Armor sets added.

New melee weapon
The whip is added to the range of melee weapons. Some claim it can be used for something else…?

Updates to the Society function
An applicant can now see a list of the current Socs s/he has applied to. You can see land areas owned by a society. Society members get shares in the society when the society takes ownership of a land area. A member that is dismissed from a Soc in which s/he has shares is listed as “suspended”, and will still receive income for as long as s/he doesn’t join a new Soc. No other activities are accessible to the suspended member though. A Soc with shareholders cannot be disbanded. The society log system is updated on several counts, mostly associated with land area management. Society members are now shown on the radar.

New minerals added
Some oldies and some new ones added to Amethera.

Blood spatters removed
The blood spatters when hitting creatures is removed. This should enhance client performance. Also, in some countries, the visualization of blood is forbidden. In the future more options will be available on this matter.

New payment options added
You can now transfer money into Project Entropia using pre-paid PED certificates or using direct bank transfers. Info is available in the client, under “Transfer”. The Project Entropia Transaction Center is updated with new functions.

Misc Fixes
At rare instances, the damage received when being in a yellow sulphur lake would stay on the avatar, regardless of action – even after revival. This should not happen anymore. An issue making a female avatar in sexy pose that chatted looking “bent” is now fixed. If you chose to lie down while jumping, things could get strange. This is fixed. Spelling errors
Several spelling errors fixed. If you find more, please file a support case about it.

VU 6.0 Content List




PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 6.0
2004-08-10

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 6.0 (“VU 6.0”) for Project Entropia is a major step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the version update is located in this document. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

New Graphics Engine implemented
After almost three years the old NetImmerse graphics engine is retired and the new GameBryo engine is in place. This new graphics engine will enable us to add a lot of really cool graphic effects to Project Entropia, like weather, shadows, dynamic lighting, etc. In the course of the next few months several such graphic upgrades will come.

Client software feedback system
If the client software happens to Crash-to-desktop (“CTD”), the client now have a feedback system in place. This system asks whether the participant is willing to help MindArk by sending in his or her current PC configuration. This information will help us track down any potential driver/hardware issues causing client stability problems.

New Avatar Trading interface
A brand new avatar to avatar trading interface added. The new interface is more secure and have a lot more feedback panels. Items can no longer be removed from the offer area without clearing the entire offer. A personal chat also appears when trade is initiated.

Note: You cannot trade items that have attachments added; you have to remove attachments prior to trading, to minimize confusion.

New Map interface
The addition of new locations spawned the new map interface. A map of the Eudoria continent and the Crystal Palace Space Station is supplied, as well as a sneak peak of the newly discovered continent “Amethera” (also known as “The land grab continent”). The new map interface has various filters, a quicker navigation system, and three distinct zoom levels.

New weapons
New weapons added.

New armor sets
Armor sets added.

Longus
An issue with the Longus hit probability fixed.

Robots and lying about
Robots finally realized their prey could lie down, so the aim is adjusted accordingly.

Scrollbar added to Manufacture interface
Scrollbar added to the input material list, to allow for designs with six inputs.

Container content usable in manufacturing
You may now drag input materials directly from a container to the manufacturing interface.

Scanning issues fixed
When scanning mutant, the correct skill is increased (‘Scan Mutant’, instead of ‘Scan Animal’, even if some scientists claim the old classification should stand ,-)

Scanning oneself no more
When scanning another avatar, you no longer see your attribute levels. Now you see the target levels instead, as intended.

Skill lists
Fixed an issue when a single new skill was added and that skill was the only one on a new page, it was impossible to change to the new page.

PED Card transfer interface
Corrected the interface so it doesn’t become locked when you tried to withdraw more money from your PED card than you had on it.

Avatar interaction interface update
Fixed a potential issue with the avatar interaction menu (the one you get when you right-click on an avatar) that could cause the interface to lock up and making the avatar becoming forever “busy” until logoff.

Refiner interface
An issue corrected in the refiner interface when you added multiple stacks to it and they were auto-moved back to the inventory.

Info about blueprint books in the auction
Now it doesn’t crash when you check the info of a blueprint book that is in the auction.

Long avatar names
Limited the maximum length of the full avatar names (first+nick+last name) to 40 characters. Also updated the Friends list, estate guest list, and space ship guest list.

PED Card transactions from containers
The inventory no longer locks up if you drag and drop money from a container directly onto your PED Card in the inventory.

Mourner
Mourner now is called Mourner again.

Pixie armor
The Pixie armor is now shown correctly in the auction.

Adjusted Guardian armor
Fixed non-decaying adjusted Guardian armor bug. Increased durability on the armor.

Armor attachments
Fixed an issue with armor attachments not showing in the PvP Trade.

Repair interface and mindforce implants
Fixed issue with "Repair All" and mindforce implants in the Repair interface. --



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

All tailored clothes shown as “Uncolored” in the auction, even if they are colored.

Currently, the virtual companies on the Exchange do not offer any shares. You can’t repair a weapon with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing.


VU 6.0 Miniupdates 11 Aug 2004

Several minor updates has been applied to PE VU 6.0.

• Added sounds to PvP Trade, as well as minor tweaks to usability
• Added Map interface updates, including the removal of "screen-like" noise due to feedback from the vibrant PE community, as well as added a "memory" function, meaning the interface now remembers its previous selections and position on the screen until logout.
• Better crash analysis system for the client.

VU 5.7 Miniupdates 07 Jun 2004

Several minor updates has been applied to PE VU 5.7 the last few days. Some of the issues corrected are:

• NEW: The Firestorm chips can be put in the auction.
• NEW: Update to the Shopkeepers, enhancing performance and removed annoying glitches.
• NEW: The Pixie armor now have correct name and description.
• NEW: Visual update to the hangars, including the previously hard-to-walk-in stairs.
• NEW: The Standard Compressor blueprint updated.
• NEW: Massive amount of technical fixes, including CTD elimination, performance, upgrades and added verification in the PE Transaction Center and when you create an account.
• General stability upgrades
• Fixed an issue with targeting - including creatures. This will make it easier looting dead MOBs.
• Avatars and MOB's should no longer be invisible.
• Removed Storage boxes and Orange paint from the Trade Terminal. Boxes will be made craftable in a few weeks, and paints will be found as loot to a greater degree than before.
• Enhanced the probability of acquiring items instead of PED's while looting.
• You may no longer place general items in a space ship. Items already placed in such way will be located in each individual owner's storage facility.
• Fixed the decoys to no longer scare off the creatures.
• And many of other minor issues...

VU 5.6 Content List




PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 5.6
2004-03-05

*** PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IF YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY IN PROJECT ENTROPIA! IT MIGHT PROVIDE THE INFO YOU NEED BEFORE CONTACTING PROJECT ENTROPIA SUPPORT! ***

General Information
The Version Update 5.6 (“VU 5.6”) for Project Entropia is a major step in the development of Project Entropia. Information about the content of the version update is located in this document.

Project Entropia Gold Member Smartcard Security System
The Project Entropia Gold Member security system goes live with VU 5.6. Those who have acquired the Smartcard and Reader (through the Trade Terminal Real Life Items section) should receive the equipment during April, to the address supplied with the Project Entropia account. If you need to update the info, please do it as soon as possible through the Project Entropia Support Section. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

Mentor & Disciple system
We are aware of the great effort our participants put into helping newcomers to Calypso and making them feel welcome. To show our appreciation for this we have decided implemented a Mentor & Disciple system.

Being a mentor is about helping newcomers get a foothold in the new universe. When you offer your help to a newcomer, and they accept, they become your disciple and you become their mentor. As a mentor you advice your disciples and support them in their advancement. When a disciple reaches certain skill levels, the disciple is deemed to be sufficiently trained to manage on her or his own. At this point the mentor receives special surprise gifts as a reward for helping out.

Some details about the Mentor system:

• A mentor “Adds disciples” by right-clicking on the potential disciple.
• To be able to act as a mentor you need to at least have reached the level "Unskilled" in any one professional standing (seen in the left section of the Avatar Info interface).
• To be eligible as a disciple you must be "Newcomer" in all of your professional standings (including Sweat Gatherer). This means as soon as a Newcomer achieves the rank of “Inept” (the rank above “Newcomer”) in any professional standing, they may not be selected as a disciple.
• When the disciple reaches certain skill levels, the Mentor reward kicks in. The Mentor has a progress rating on each disciple in his training. The actual skill levels are shown in the Disciples interface. The skill goal is quite high as the rewards are special items only acquired through this means.
• A mentor can have a maximum of 100 disciples at once. The mentor can at any time contact a disciple.
• A disciple may only have one mentor. A disciple may be a mentor for others.
• Once a link is formed between a mentor and a disciple, the disciple cannot leave it (a short "grace period" is given). A mentor may kick a disciple at any time (but why would s/he? If the avatar has stopped participating is one reason).
• When a disciple finishes his or her training the mentor gains skill in the new "Mentor" skill. The Mentor skill shows how many successful disciples s/he has guided.

First person view of items and actions
You now see the items your avatar is carrying in first person view. Weapons and tools are shown, as well as mindforce powers. The “Z” key toggles between FPV w/ items – FPV w/o items – 3rd PV behind – 3rd PV free.

Visual item update
Almost all weapons in Project Entropia have received a visual overhaul, and are now displayed with a much higher detail. This is a first in a series of grand visual upgrades being done to Project Entropia over the coming months.

Monster visuals update
Almost every creature in Project Entropia has been given a visual overhaul, meaning more detailed graphics with higher clarity.

New drop functions
When dropping an item from the inventory to the ground you may now determine the placement of the item in detail. This is especially useful for indoor decorations and furniture. You can rotate items by holding down the right mouse button and move the mouse right and left, and drop some specific items on walls or in the ceiling.

New creatures
A lot of new creatures have been spotted by explorers. Someone stated a warning about being unwary in rocky terrain…

Updated robots
Several changes has been applied to the robot population of Calypso, meaning changed behaviour, damage done, and hit points. Also, the robots seems to have found new ways to spread their terror.

Logoff delay update
An “Abort” button added to the Logoff delay interface, due to community demand.

More weapons
Over 50 new weapons added.

More armor
New armor sets added.

House decorations
Someone saw indistinguishable creatures stealing rare paintings, tables, and lamps from a cargo shuttle…

Society templates
Two new society templates added based on community input – the “Mystic” and the “Basic”.

Society ranks shown
You may now view the various ranks associated with a society template.

Society Leaderboard update
Pending societies are no longer eligible for Leaderboard positions.

Increased chance of success in crafting
The chance of success is increased on lower levels of crafting.

Octagons
Several new Octagon Boxing / Training areas added all over Eudoria.

Hadesheim Marketplace update
Added a storage terminal to the Hadesheim marketplace.

Skills renamed
The skill “Ranged Critical Hit” and “Melee Critical Hit” are renamed to the more appropriate “Inflict Ranged Damage” and “Inflict Melee Damage”, as that is what the skills actually influence. No rule mechanics have changed though – the name change is a cosmetic one to avoid confusion as the term “Critical hit” can suggest a range of effects.

Avatar animation updates
Many avatar animations have been polished, among others the infamous grip on some of the BLP rifles (no more holding the rifle in you’re stomach).

Item rebalance
The infamous Improved A-3 Justifier Mk.III is rebalanced, after community feedback. The new stats are acquired by repairing the weapon.

Server upgrades
A server crash issue has been eliminated. The entire Project Entropia universe server park is upgraded with new hardware to meet the ever-increasing number of Project Entropia participants. The new system will reduce “lag” and latency issues, as well as some disconnect issues.

Client upgrades
Several fixes have been applied to the client, to reduce the rate of disconnects and Crash-to-desktop (“CTD”) issues.

Item/houses streaming optimization
The way buildings and items are streamed to your Project Entropia client has been optimized to reduce the “lag” felt when entering/exiting buildings.

Fixed issue with floors in hangars
Fixed an issue that meant you could fall through the floors in a hangar.

Fixed issue when sitting down
Fixed an issue with sitting down and becoming difficult to hit.

Fixed issue with long range gathering of items
Fixed an issue that meant you could pick up items from far away.

Fixed issue with avatar position after server crash
Fixed an issue with the avatar position not being saved when a server crashed. --



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

All tailored clothes shown as “Uncolored” in the auction, even if they are colored.

Currently, the virtual companies on the Exchange do not offer any shares. You can’t repair a weapon with attachments attached to it. You have to detach them prior to repairing.




VU 5.6 Miniupdates 05 Apr 2004Several minor updates has been applied to PE VU 5.6 the last few days. Some of the issues corrected are:

• New - General stability upgrades
• New - Double the item limit allowed in estates.
• New - Shopkeeper issues updated
• Laser sight alignment updated
• The Allophyl and Snablesnot is now much easier to loot
• The Allophyl has received its skin once again
• Ghosts may no longer pick up stuff
• Some graphics issues in the Society and Mentor interface fixed
• Fixed the use of ALT+TAB and other keyboard key usage
• Corrected a pesky server crash issue
• Updated the login server to accept participants with more eagerness
• Miscellaneous items got polished (like getting the correct description, etc.)
• And many of other minor issues...

A clairifaction about the disciples – a disciple is deemed finished once at least one of the skill levels is attained. The Cache system (in the Options interface) handles how graphics, models and textures are cached (stored for easy and fast access to the client). This affects the speed while manipulating the inventory, as well as when meeting creatures and other avatars. Once the graphics has streamed from the hard drive it is kept in RAM, allowing for smoother operations. The slider is set dynamically by Project Entropia at start up, depending on your system memory. Up to 1 Gb RAM is used for cache. If you want to allocate more, please move the slider more to the right, in the red area. Beware, that setting the slider too high will result in less performance, as a lack of RAM means the computer slows down as the hard drive is used as virtual RAM.