Shortage of technological components

Due to a shortage of technological components effecting the smaller colonies on Calypso, Consul Tiberius Calderon, the consul appointed by Omegaton, will be placing a number of orders on the auction in an effort to supply colonies experiencing acute shortages of technological resources.

Omegaton is one of the 3 major corporations on Calypso and the Federal Empire's official logistics company, although Omegaton was originally bidding for exclusive control over the original colonial contract for Calypso, it was unable to hold onto it, and the contract was shared with the two other corporations.

Genesis Star CEO Maximilian Wolfe says "The initiative is anything but generous, claiming the import-dependent colonies are being forced into a monopoly arrangement. No other importer can get near those planets, the Imperial Navy's got them surrounded. Only Omegan freighters are allowed in."

The accusations were denied by Tiberius Calderon, "The Genesis will say anything to discredit their competitors. It's pathetic."

Omegaton will also be offering the additional incentives to help the procurement effort, for each component, 100 PED will be awarded to the colonist who makes the largest contribution to fulfil an  order for each individual component, and 1000 PED will be awarded to the colonist who contributes the most total Trade Terminal value, of any combination of components.

Simple 4 Conductors - 12000 PED
Simple 3 Conductors - 60000 PED
Simple 2 Conductors - 160000 PED
Simple 3 Plastic Springs - 90000 PED
Simple 2 Plastic Springs - 112000 PED
Simple 3 Plastic Ruds - 17000 PED
Simple 2 Plastic Ruds - 110000 PED
Hardened Metal Ruds - 30000 PED
Basic Filters - 50000 PED
Basic Sensor - 22000 PED
Basic Structure - 45000 PED
Standard Matrix - 50000 PED
Standard Plate - 25000 PED
High Performance Engine - 15000 PED
Electropositive Processor - 10000 PED
Reinforced Bearings - 10000 PED
Heavy Duty Core - 10000 PED

Omegaton will place orders until the total Trade Terminal values listed above have been successfully purchased. Note that all of the orders listed above may not be active on the auction at the same time. Some components may be purchased using multiple orders.

A Report: The effect of events on supply and demands

As updates of the the migration was released today, the mighty Eomon Matriarch is the closest to Ashi as it going to get for this year before moving south, with the Eomon herd following behind, and as the migration goes on, I want to take a closer look at an example of how mass hunting in events has on the market value.

Currently in the migration Longtooth are easily the most accessible when it comes to hunting, the lower levels can be hunted by many of the new and old players alike, with the lowest level being the Longtooth adolescent at level 4.

Animal Kidney Oil is one of the items that can be acquired frequently from the Longtooth. It does not need refining unlike hides, wools and skins and it more commonly used in crafting in its raw form.

At the start of the migration season we can easily see that the markup price falls drastically. The main reason for this drop is supply and demand, but there is a little more to this than meets the eye.

In the migration season many people will hunt Longtooth, and many people will acquire Animal Kidney Oil, and with many having Animal Kidney Oil, a number of them will try to sell their items quick on the auction offering lower prices than the people before them.

This happens when there is an oversupply of any resource, more supply means more people have that resources to sell, which means more competitors when selling.

However, this does not mean that there is less demand for that resources, in fact the exact opposite, any smart person who crafts would use this the chance to buy the resource they need when the price is low, secondly, a trader who understand when there is an over supply of an item will buy when the price is low and hold onto it until the price returns to an average level again.

As a hunters and a miner, understanding this will allow you to maximise the return you get from selling your loot, As a crafter understanding this will allow you to minimise the cost of the resources you need when buying.

Many traders will use this chance to use their PED to buy into to low value resources, which tends to cause other markets to raise in markup, the demands from crafters will still be there, but with less of a supply, market prices tend to raise. An items with hardly any sales, does not necessarily mean there are hardly any buyers, it could just as equally be a hard to acquire item, and if so, the markup would be greater.

News: New PED Earning Site

A new item trading and PED earning web site recently become publicly available.

Like many earning websites, you can complete tasks to earn PED which will be exchanged in Entropia via the representatives of the website.

"How many hours have you spent in the sweat circles lately? Looking to create some extra funds for ammo, or to repair your weapons and tools?" 

You can earn PED by watching adverts, promoting products or services, doing surveys and buying products to earn a bonus back in PED.

"Earn money through completing tasks on PEDflow.com, or through our mobile apps. Each time you complete a task, you will be rewarded with PED! Infact, singing up today automatically earns your 25PEC!"

All items that you wish to trade can also be displayed on the website for other to see, navigating threw what is on the website is easy, and the process of adding, changing and removing is very simple.

"PEDflow brings you a simple to use, free item market to sell any item you might have. Just post what you have, add a price, and wait to get an offer or purchase agreement. It's easy, and waiting for you!"

As this is a recently released website, currently there is an advertisement drive to acquire new members, and more features are expected to be implemented in the future.

To start earning visit: https://pedflow.com/

News: MindArk Q&A Speculation

Entropiazine News Update
Entropia Universe News Report

In this issue:
> MindArk Conducts Q&A
> Suspected Auction And Society Interface Update
> Hunting, Mining, Crafting & Space Updates.
> MindArk Hiring in 2019




Last month MindArk conducted a public question and answer session on the Calypso Forum, a lot can be speculated from these posts about updates we might expect in the futures.

I have highlight some of the responses to these questions which would indicate the current future of Entropia behind the scenes.

More Interface Updates And Tweeks

One response to a general auction question about copying links on the auction has lead me to suspect that auction window will likely be updated. MindArk official Dennis responded with:

"This is a good suggestion and something we plan to include in a more general update to the auction interface."

MindArk official Magnus stating to a response to the question "What would you be asking for if you were on our side of this?"

"With the auction system being such a central part to EU what are your plans in modernising it?"

These comments by MindArk have led me to believe that a part of this interface update currently ongoing, we are likely to see a change in the auction interface, and maybe even changes in how the auction process is conducted.

Many may have noticed that the society terminals have been removed and have been replaced with the F11 key (Current Default). MindArk Official Dennis said,

"We do have quite a few plans to implement new features for the Society system, several of which were inspired by suggestions from the community. Unfortunately we cannot give any time projection on when those might be implemented."

MindArk Goals

MindArk Official Henrik discuses plans to expand in 2019 with the hiring in new staff:

"We plan to increase the number of employees at MindArk during 2019. This will allow us to focus on more projects and delivery them more quickly and at a higher quality." 

With many of the side projects developed by MindArk, being put on hold or cancelled and refunded, like Deep Tokens and ComPets, Henrik has stated,

"MindArk has renewed its commitment to focus its resources exclusively on Entropia Universe for the foreseeable future."

On further questioning about the ComPets Deeds and the state of ComPets, if it is actually suspended and still capable of producing revenue for ComPet Deeds holders in the future, Kenrik said,

"As stated in the message to all ComPet Deed holders, there is no ongoing development with ComPet; any revenue it does generate is being accumulated for a later payout but this is expected to be quite small."

All plans involving Arkadia Moon Deeds is set to continue with its current status. MindArk has maintained that they will continue sell Arkadia Moon Deeds on the web store, and only when they have all been sold via the web store, the Deeds will become trade-able among people in Entropia.

Currently a few players have been asking if the MindArk had any intention of updating the game engine, Henrik responded with

"There are no immediate plans to move Entropia Universe to a new game engine, but we do of course keep ourselves informed of the latest developments in the game engine scene."

With the last major graphics engine update leaving many people behind on hardware compatibility and with the intense internal changes to the code that would be required as they adapt Entropia for the new engine, this would not be a viable option for MindArk. The cost and time involved could be spent dealing with current issue, and am personally glad they have responded this way.

Hunting

In the not so distant future expect to see more events and missions based around the lore of Entropia, Henrik stated

"We do indeed intend to put more emphasis on lore and storyline. In fact, we have a dedicated Game Writer and all-around loremaster (James|MindArk) who has been heavily focused on the Calypso storyline for quite some time now."

Dennis goes on to describe in a number of replies the details of changes that was applied during the loot 2.0 update and the flexibility that it will provide the content team.

"Our development team was focused on big structural changes and design for the Mayhem events, as well as the release of Loot 2.0 along with general stability improvement for the client and platform. Now with those projects in place our team will have more time for content development. We have also added more resources to the content team and this is something you will notice in 2019."

This update will allow easier implementations of new equipment and new events in future updates

"In the past there were technical limitations to shared mission progress when teaming, however this is now possible for new missions with the contribution-based features seen in recent dynamic events and Mayhem quests. Our plan is for new missions to utilise this system. Loot 2.0 also gives us more flexibility with item and creature parameters, so look forward to some exciting new items and content in the future."

Mining And Crafting

Loot 2.0 was stated by Dennis does not deal with mining or crafting, and only deals with hunting loot, but mining and crafting stability is constantly being updated.

"We also later made adjustments to reduce volatility in the crafting and mining systems, but that was not directly related to the Loot 2.0 system. Those adjustments were in general very well received by the community, based on feedback received via support cases and forum discussions. The Crafting and mining systems are constantly being monitored and tweaked."

As already mentioned, a number of new things are expected to be released for crafting in the near future, that is clear, but we are also likely to see more mining events.

"We are actually currently working on a mining event that will happen alongside Easter Mayhem, stay tuned for more info soon!"

Space Updates

Henrik mainly answered questions pertaining to space, starting off by apologising for premature announcement of features,

"Development of space in Entropia Universe has certainly progressed much slower than we have wished or anticipated in the past, which led to premature announcement surrounding potential space features or other design plans. We understand that this has led to frustration within the community, and we apologize for that."

With the current camera update, any further development might be delayed due to the tweaking of this, as this is currently the main thing that effects most of the users currently, but MindArk is likely to be looking into updating space drastically in the future.

"Our vision for space is one in which there is a healthy and vibrant interplanetary economy between the various planets and space entities. We also envision space-specific content, but we are not prepared to share specific plans at the moment."

Even though specific plans are not publicly outlined, Henrik did let slip some information,

"We do plan to ultimately add space ships within different classes and with additional functionality, but that would be part of a larger Space release."

Guide: Trading Basics

This guide will teach you about the basics of trading, this is not only good knowledge for traders, but a fundamental aspect to all professions. Whether you are a hunter, miner or crafter, your success is down to your ability to trade.

Even if you are not a trader, you should make friends with a few traders! It is always better to have a selection of people you can sell to. Even with harder to sell items, simply store them and wait for that one person willing to pay you a markup!

Traders in Entropia not only always pay a markup on items, but many resellers sell via the auction generating a revenue for the planet owners and Mind Ark via auctions fees, one of many parts sustaining the existence Entropia.

Calculator At The Ready

It is always to handy have a calculator ready, most people have a phone to hand, and every phone has a calculator, even the older phones.

Limited And Stack Items

In the places where you find traders trying to buy and sell items, you will normally see a percent given for limited and stacked items. This percent represent the amount to pay compared to its trade terminal value.

For example, if you are buying or selling 2.00 PED trade terminal value of an any item for 102%, 2.04 PED is what should be payed.

To calculated this on a calculator, you would input: "2.00 x 1.02"

"TT Value x Percent".

Unlimited Items
Because unlimited items can be repaired at the trade terminal for PED directly, percents can not be applied in the same way as limited items or stacks.

The method for selling unlimited items is simply the trade terminal value of the item plus the desired markup.

"TT Value + Markup".

If you have 30 PED and want to buy an unlimited item with a max trade terminal value of 25, buying the item for "0+5" and having to repair "25", is the same as buying "25+5" at full value. They both will cost you 30 and the outcome is the same.

Local Trade And Trade Channels

In the bottom left corner of the chat window, to the left of where you enter text, you will be able to change chat channels by clicking on the chat channel link.

[Local] chat is designed for general talking, and [Trade] is like [Local] but designed for calling out wares and trading.

There are a number of custom global channels also designed for trading, which allows you to call out to a much bigger group of people, but because many use these channels, they can be very active with other traders, and messages move up faster.

If you wish to contact someone, simply click on their name link in the chat window. To send someone your location in a way point link, write "/pos" or "/p" into the chat window.

To learn more about the chat interface, click here.

Methods Of Trade

To trade with someone once you have located them, hold right click or "F (Default Control)" for a few second on their avatar. Once the context menu appears select private trade.

When the trade window is open, drag your offer to the bottom of the trade window from your inventory. You will see what the other person is offering in the top of the window.

Once both have agree to a trade, click on the tick button at the bottom of the window. Next a confirmation screen will appear, double check what are about to trade, and if you are happy click on the tick at the bottom of the window. The "C" button will clear the window. The "X" button will close the trade.

Your PED Card is found in the the top tab of your inventory. To exchange PED, right click on your PED Card in your inventory, then click Extract PED. To put PED as coins back on your card, drag and drop the PED to your card, or right click the coins in your inventory.

PED does not go directly go to your PED Card after a private trade, they will appear in your inventory as coins. The trader terminals and auctioneers only deal with what is on your PED Card, and ignores PED in coin form.

PED from auction sales will go directly onto your PED Card. PED from land areas, shop pads, shop and deeds will go to your "PED Flow Center", which can be transferred directly to your PED Card.

Auctioneers are located at many of the settlements and outposts across Entropia. The auctioneer will display what is being sold on the auction, and for a small fee, you can have deliveries set up from other planets. You can also place items on the auction on the planet your on for 7 days for a small fee.

There are a number of shops and malls located across Calypso, at these place you are able to buy almost anything that is on display. On Calypso the easiest mall for any new person to view is at Port Atlantis, which is just east of Camp Icarus.

Shop pad can be located on any player owned land or in any apartment. Unlike shops, apartments are unable to sell what is in the apartment on display, but shop pads are able to be placed and used. Shop pads provide 20 item slots and allows the storage of any item for an unlimited time to sell to other players.

It is good to explore, even as a trader, you never know what treasures you will find going for cheap in some hidden shop pad in someones apartment on a remote part of the map. Entropia is not just a way to spend or invest PED, it is a living breathing universe.

Services

There are many opportunities to earn PED, people provide many forms of services for a fee. Healing, taxi, colouring, texturing, hair cuts and plastic surgery are some of the services that are available.

Healing
Healing is one of the easiest services to get started in as basic healing tools are provided by doing some of the beginning missions.

The cost of this profession is down to the healing tool being used, unlimited items can be repair at a console with no markup cost, for limit items, it is down to how much markup you pay.

To profit, you want to be above this cost of the healing tool, and you want to be effective with the tool you use.

Taxi
With a Quad-Wing Intercepter (L), Space Thruster (L), Oil, Vehicle RK-5 (L) and Welding Wire you have the ability to traverse space safely, and with this, the ability to taxi people to other planets for a fee.

To profit at this you simply have to cover the cost of the Space Thruster (L) and Oil consumption from planet to planet.

Space itself is a loot-able player verse player (PvP) zone, because of this, you will want to make clear to the person you are flying that everything in the "Materials" and "Resources" tabs (hunting & mining loot tabs) of the inventory can be looted in space, and if they do carry loot it is at their own risk. You also should not carry anything in these two inventory tabs.

Vehicle RK-5 (L) and Welding Wire are essential for space flight. It is not a matter of if, but when you will get shot down, and it will happen if you fly in space enough, you will need to be able to repair your ship and continue with your passenger. Without this tool, you and your passenger are in real danger of getting trapped in spaces needing a rescue.  Just as importantly always check your Oil!

No skill is involved in simply flying from location to location, only time, as space is big.

Although a Sleipnir (C, L) can fly in space, it is not recommended to taxi people in space in it. The Sleipnir (C, L) is a very slow vehicle and will take longer to reach your destination. You are also more likely to be shot down due to its slow speed.


Crafting And Customisation
Crafting items to orders, and customising items for a fee is not only a way to make PED but it is also a way to add visual content and expression to the world, allowing people to have their own unique look. Many items offer the ability to customise, if a (C) exists in the items name, it can be customised.

The cost of this profession depend on the costs of the paints, textures, and the degrade of the tools. Painting and texturing have their own separate tools. People can provide their own paint, which can cut back on cost. Skill is highly involved in this profession.


Hair And Beauty
With an apartment or land and the particular chairs designed for hair cutting or plastic surgery, you can charge people for hair cuts, hair colouring and provide plastic surgery. This allows people to adjust how their avatar looks under all their cloths and armour.

The resources required and the cost of the degrade on the chair and tools are the main costs to this profession. People can provide their own hair colour, which can cut back on cost. Like colouring and texturing skill is heavily involved hair and beauty.

To Be A Trader

To be a trader is easy in concept, you just have to keep track of what you spend and earn. Earn more than what you spend, and your winning. All the usual phrases would apply here, like "Buy low, sell high!". If you are good at trading in other MMORPGs, you will easily slip into the role as a trader in Entropia!

You have to be smart with what you can get for what you got, you will need to be pro-active yet patience, and your prices will need to firm yet flexible.

The prices for any item can fluctuate over time, not only this, but there is a vast difference between buying on the street, buying bulk amounts, and buying retail amounts.

Another important aspect to trading is being social and making friends, with out letting people know what you want to buy and sell, how will people know what you want to buy and sell?

There are many types of people in Entropia, from people who just like to hunt for fun now and again to people who are serious full time players. More than often people tend to return to people with friendly helpful attitude for trading.

Here is a real example of how the social aspect can effect trading:

"A few years ago I sold Oil at Camp Icarus when I had a constant supply of it coming in, while I was advertising that I sold Oil, I repaired peoples vehicles for free.
Not only did this help people to continue using their vehicles, consuming more Oil in the process, but also people saw me as a friendly face, and was more likely to return to me for Oil.
The amount of Oil sold covered the cost of repairs and also led many people to return and continue to trade other items with me."

Common Trading Questions

Do people really pay that much markup?
The simple answer is yes, they do. The more complicated version of this answer is down to supply and demand, markets values can fluctuate over time and there is a price difference in the amount sold on the auction. Just like in real life, buying in bulk is cheaper. Just like a shop selling chocolate bars, you do not pay the value based on the whole box, just the bar, and the shop must make enough for

What is a good resource to start trading in?
Animal Eye Oil and Animal Muscle Oil are perfect to start trading, not only are they the most traded items in Entropia, they do not need refining before crafting and can be brought and sold directly as they are.

The next step up from that is Lysterium Ingots and Belkar Ingots, These two are the next most traded items in Entropia, just below Animal Eye Oil and Animal Muscle Oil. Ingots are easier to sell than ore, and any ore brought will need to be refined.

Iron Ingot and Caldorite Ingot are the next most sold out of all the resources. These resources are harder sell than the above resources, not only because less are brought, but each single unit has a bigger trade terminal value, this makes it harder to to adjust the percent in the auction. These resources also need to be refined if brought in ore form before selling.

Because of the high market activity of these resources, all these resources are perfect to get started with a small quick turnover, the profit on these will be small, but constant. Other resource tend to be sold in bigger bulks due to their slower market page.

What is what percent?
The best way to get a good idea of the current prices is to look on the auction, the auction with the lowest buyouts on an item is the bulk price of that item. These stacks tend to be the biggest on the auction. Street price is always below bulk price. Smaller stacks on the auction tend to go for higher prices, this is retail price.

What is not good to resell?
Items that are valueless to the system, some of these for an example are: Vibrant Sweat, Blazar Fragment, Nova Fragments, Calypso Bone Samples (Mission). If you intend to buy valueless items, it is best to buy to use, not buy to resell.

If you are looking to invest into something, you will want security, this is provided by the system,
if you spend 101 on 100 PED of resource at trade terminal value, at worse you will lose 1 PED.

If you spend 101 PED on Vibrant Sweat, and the price suddenly drops to half its value, you will lose 50.50 PED.