"The growth of Entropia Universe is an enormous achievement for us and the members," says Jan Welter, CEO of MindArk, developer of Entropia Universe. "As the world of video games evolves to become more than just a means of two-dimensional entertainment, we are seeing a demand for the integration of real-world features in virtual environments. Individuals are joining the Entropia Universe (EU) community to interact, meet new people, learn new ideas, reach entrepreneurial aspirations, create societies and even foster new relationships in everyday reality."
Entropia offers a variety of entertainment and social interaction for its citizens. Users can create their own persona (avatar) via a character generation system, then have the option of choosing a suitable life and virtual existence for their avatar. Entropia Universe offers opportunities in numerous professions which are unique and completely different from that of the members' real-life occupation. Entropia uses a system based on Skills and Experience which allows for occupational proficiency in areas ranging from event promotions and store ownership to hunting and mining. Entropians have the chance to buy and sell property, become financially successful, and even find a mate in their virtual world.
Entropia Universe is the only virtual gaming community that actively supports sales of virtual products with actual cash value within its real economy system. The economy offers the user a secure and safe way to make purchases, sales and exchange real-life currency into PED (Project Entropia Dollars) and back again into real money, at a fixed exchange rate to the US Dollar. PED allows members to invest in personal development and growth through the acquisition of goods, buildings, and land in the virtual universe.
In December 2004, Entropia Universe set a world record, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, when it sold a virtual Treasure Island for $26,500 USD (the largest virtual dollar amount spent) to 22-year-old Australian David Storey, a.k.a. "Deathifier." The recent sale of the Space Resort for $100,000 USD to famed gamer, Jon "NEVERDIE" Jacobs, sets a new record for the most valuable virtual item. In 2005, the Entropia Universe GNP was an estimated $165 million US dollars and is expected to double in 2006.