Entropia Universe Version Updates

VU 5.4 Content


PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 5.4
2003-12-17

*** 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 5.4 (“VU 5.4”) 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. --



Update Personal Info
You must update your Project Entropia account info through the Project Entropia Support section. Logon using your standard Project Entropia Login and Password. Account with faulty information will be locked down and a dialogue will be initiated with the person handling the account.

Old Support Mail
In VU 5.3 a new Support Section was launched, which is available through the Project Entropia client and through the Project Entropia web page. Now when this new system is up and running all future communication/support inquiries will go through the Project Entropia Support Case Center (“PESCC”). This means that old unresolved matters that was supplied using email needs to be entered by the participant into the PESCC to be attended by the MA Support staff. --



VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

Christmas season
MindArk continues the tradition started last Christmas, with presents to the active and contributing participants.

Enhanced Manufacturing
Added the Apprentice Level of manufacturing weapons, armor, and clothes.

More weapons
Some 100 weapons added to Project Entropia, of various performances. Among these several new models are introduced, like a dedicated BLP Submachine-gun. Several of these weapons are manufactured, even various BLP rifles.

More armor
Almost a dozen new armor sets added, including the new “Undead”-series.

More clothes and accessories
With the enhanced level in tailoring several new kinds of clothes can be found and/or made. A tailor may now make coats, jackets, miniskirts, boots, hats, shades, etc.

Coloring re-vamped
The coloring functionality changed to be clearer. It now shows the Chance of Success (as in Manufacturing) of coloring an item to best possible output.

New paints added
Several new paints have been added, allowing for even greater variety of participant-colored clothes.

Chance of Success update
The various levels of feedback when the Chance of Success is displayed (currently in the Manufacturing Interface and the Coloring Interface) has been split up into more steps, meaning you will see a more rapid advancement to your chance of success.

Skill increase changes
Skills related to the Mining and Manufacturing areas have received enhanced increase rates.

Blueprint acquiring
The chance of getting a new blueprint while manufacturing is enhanced. The chance of getting a blueprint that can be bought from the Trade Terminal is removed.

Added Mindforce
Several Mindforce upgrades added, as well as a completely new Mindforce power.

Project Entropia Smart Card Verification system
Are you sure that your personal computer is clean from viruses and key-sniffing hacker tools that is gathering data, passwords and other personal information? In a world where malicious intrusions on home computers are more and more common, one cannot be too secure with sensitive information.
Add an even higher level of security to your Project Entropia account with this Project Entropia Gold Member Smart Card Verification system. With this combined Smart Card and Smart Card Reader your Project Entropia login procedure will have a level of security equal to the most secure real life banks. The Smart Card includes a personalized CPU Unit that creates a unique verification password each time you logon to Project Entropia. This means you never use the same password twice, rendering unwanted attempts to acquire your password obsolete.

Become Lord of the Manor - A castle is available!
Who will be the proud owner of the Calypso Castle?

More functions added to Hangars
Are you one of those with a pioneering soul and lust to reach the stars above? Space has never been closer.

Portable terminals
There are now portable terminals available, that can be placed where the participant feels is a good spot. Remember that placing an item out in the open means that anyone can pick it up though, so be advised to place it in a secure location, like a house. To access a portable terminal, you need to SHIFT+Right click on it.

House decorations
Several new ways of personalizing your house is introduced.

Increased some mineral availability
Some of the rare minerals and enmatters have become somewhat less rare.

Updated Drop functions
The Drop Item request is updated to inform about the fact that anyone may pick up dropped items. Also, when dropping items, the item is placed below the avatar position, positioned in the same facing as the avatar.

Merge of skills
The skills “Make Pants” and “Make Shirt” have been merged to “Make Clothes”, and the old skill levels have been added up.

Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame 24h section is updated.

Fixed a mismatch of Tailoring blueprint level in Items Info
Some tailoring blueprints showed as having level one when they indeed had a higher level.

Change of Plasma category
The Plasma rifle is now under the correct section “Rifle” in the Auction.

Mindforce animations
Fixed some animation-lockups when using Mindforce.

Stackable items invisible fix
Corrected a rare issue with merged stackable items becoming invisible on the client.

Manufactured items with negative value
Fixed an issue with manufactured items in rare instances having a negative value.

Auction time change
The added time to an offer in the auction if it is about to expire is changed from 15 minutes to six minutes.

PK and teleporting
Fixed an issue where the PK status was not updated correctly when teleporting while in the 30 second “grace period”.

Billy Revival Terminal
Updated an issue with reviving at the Billy Spaceship Afterworld making the avatar invisible for some monsters. --



KNOWN ISSUES/MISSING FEATURES

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

You cannot drop item onto a hangar floor.

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.

All tailored clothes shown as “Uncolored” in the auction, even if they are colored. There are some issues with the Society terminals that will be fixed in next VU. Some laser carbines have the wrong graphics on the client when shown in the auction. They appear "fatter" than they should be. The looks is correct outside the auction after a logon.

List of 5.4 mini updates 08 Jan 2004
System updated (5.4.0.4) [2004-01-08].

Fixes

• Fixed the names in the auction for the new paints.
• Fixed an icon issue with Attachment blueprints (they all showed being level I, regardless of actual level).
• Some minor stability fixes.

--

System updated (5.4.0.3) [2003-12-21].

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with "Corrupt Paladin arm-guards" in the loot. The correct armor will be found in the storage terminal.

--

System updated (5.4.0.2) [2003-12-19].

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with "gluefeet" when moving on rolling terrain.
• Updated accuracy synch between server and client

--

System updated (5.4.0.1) [2003-12-18].

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with "stickiness" when moving near walls and up ramps.
• Updated a skill experience bug with Laser Weaponry Technology, BLP Weaponry Technology, and Plasma Weaponry Technology, where the increase rate was to high above the level of 3000.

VU 4.2 PE Gone Gold!!!

PROJECT ENTROPIA VERSION UPDATE 4.2
2003-01-28

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

Welcome!
The Version Update 4.2 (“VU 4.2”) 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. The VU 4.2 is scheduled for a release at the 30:th of January 2003.

VERSION UPDATE FEATURES

Participant versus Participant combat available
In a special area on the western shore of the continent of Eudoria (marked on the in-universe map) there is a special area where combat between participants is allowed. When entering this area the participant will be notified about the current status. Avatars are not lootable. The area in itself is quite valuable, with rare mineral deposits and uncommon creatures roaming round.

Personal Storage Facilities present
In various areas in Project Entropia each Avatar has the ability to use a Personal Storage Facility. This functions as a safety deposit box, in which you can store items of your choice. Certain items may not be placed here, namely Blueprint books, Deeds, the PED Card, Exchange certificates, and the orange starting clothes. The maximum amount of items that can be stored is at present limited to 500 items. A single stack of several items counts as one item in this Storage Facility. The Storage Facility is currently free of charge.
NOTE: In the next VU (4.3), the weight allowance will be reduced on your Avatar. Therefore we urge you to maintain a reasonable number of items on your Avatar. Also remember that a smaller inventory will increase performance and load times across the board.

Avatar look redesign
All old participants have the option to redo their Avatar looks. The Avatar will keep all items and skills. To keep the old Avatar look just press “Accept” without modifying the settings. You will also be able to change your Avatar name.
PLEASE NOTE that the name chosen is indeed your Avatar name, not your personal name. Also note that titles and ranks will soon be implemented in Project Entropia, reducing the need for entering such “names” as Avatar names. The Avatar name CANNOT be changed after it is entered and accepted.

Hall of Fame updated
The Hall of Fame (“HOF”) has been updated. A new area of fame is the crafting section. The HoF is also split in two sections, one for “All Time High” events, and one that shows the greatest effort of the last 24 hours.

Exchange enhanced
Several updates and enhancements have been made in the Project Entropia Exchange. Better information is available, and the interface has been tweaked for better understanding and functionality.

Skills are rated
Each skill has an individual rank associated with it, indicating how good an Avatar is in their respective field.

Skill experience tweak
The rate at which an Avatar gains experience in his or her skill levels has been set to the correct level.

Skill icons
The skills interface has new icons, making it easier to find a typical skill.

NPC:s populate Project Entropia
In various location there will be NPC:s (Non-Participant Characters) present, doing their thing.

Enhanced transfer capabilities
Several enhancements in the Bank Interface while transferring money from a real life credit card to PED:s have been made. Many of the problems with getting the now infamous “Internal error” message have been eliminated.

Limit amount of items per transfer
The number of items you can transfer in a Trade Terminal is limited to 40. A single stack of items (for example ore or ammunition) counts as one item.

Blueprint books tradeable
You can now trade and sell blueprint books.

Drop Confirm dialogue box
Every time you try to drop an item you have to confirm it.

Monsters drown
After a short while below water the monsters not ordinarily living in water will drown. Drowned animals will not drop loot.

Clothes
More various clothes are present in Project Entropia.

Faster Society functions
The technology running the Societies has been updated and should not take as much time as before accessing it.

Attributes Rating Values Fixed
The avatar attributes (Strength, Agility, etc.) were shown wrongly on the client. The correct values are now shown.

Invisible weapon accessories now visible
Weapon accessories, like scopes, laser sights and amplifiers, are now shown correctly.

Weapon decay mismatch fix
In some rare instances the value of a weapon was shown differently from the time you last logged out of Project Entropia, compared to the next time you logged in. This has now been resolved, and the correct value is always saved on the server.

New client loader and login screen
Project Entropia has a new leaner and more capable client loader, updater and information viewer.

Resumable downloads
The auto-updater utility keeping Project Entropia current has received an added resumable download capability. This means that if the connection should fail during a download, once you restart it, you will begin downloading the files from the point the connection failed.

New firewall ports
Sometimes the participant can’t connect to the Project Entropia Virtual Universe because of their firewall. Opening the following ports in the firewall you use can easily solve these problems.

· 20, 21 (TCP outbound) - Additional TCP port outbound for passive mode FTP
· 30584 (UDP inbound/outbound)
· 30592 (TCP outbound)
· 31111 (UDP inbound/outbound)

Newbie Guide online
On the Project Entropia web page there is a newbie guide present to educate newly arrived colonists about Calypso of what to expect and how to use Project Entropia, while downloading the client software.

Exploit Information Reward System active
At the Support section at www.project-entropia.com a new Exploit reporting category has been added. Participants who encounter “exploits” (bugs that can be manipulated into cheating) and report these to MindArk can be rewarded with up to 1000 PED:s.

KNOWN ISSUES

Radar is not updating all the time
Yes, we know. It has become better though. It will be completely fixed in the future.

Yes, you can run through trees
This is not a bug.

Missing icons on clothes and items
On certain PC configurations sometime the item icons in the inventory become invisible, or you receive a dummy icon called “Unable to show”. If this happens to you, please update to the latest video card drivers, check if Project Entropia officially supports your video card, and also change the video settings on the Setup button in the initial login screen. If this fails, please contact the Project Entropia Support.

Background music causing Crash To Desktop (“CTD”)
Sometimes a bug in mp3 decoder system causes the Project Entropia client to crash to desktop while playing a music file. If you experience a lot of CTD you could try to completely shut down the music in Project Entropia using the Options Interface.



This message was edited January 28, 2003 15:30:56 GMT

Regards

Marco Behrmann
Community Representative
MindArk AB