Entropia News: Letter from the CEO

Discussion in 'Entropia News' started by EP-Newsbot, Sep 25, 2018.

  1. Letter from the CEO
    [​IMG]

    Entropians,

    When I was announced as the new CEO of MindArk I stated that one of my priorities would be improved communication between MindArk and the community. As you may have noticed, there has not yet been so much communication from my side. The main reason is that I did not want to announce new ideas and plans without first engaging with the employees at MindArk. It is important that everyone within the company steer in the same direction and look towards the future with enthusiasm. In the eight months since being appointed as CEO, I have met intensively with the various MindArk departments to solicit suggestions on the best way forward, as well on refining the near and long-term vision for Entropia Universe. We now have a solid plan in place to implement that vision.

    I realized the incredible potential of Entropia Universe immediately upon creating my avatar and logging in for the first time. It has now become my job to ensure that MindArk achieves that potential. There are many things that we can improve in Entropia Universe, including the relationship and communication with the community. There are many different communication channels where we plan to be more active, including community forums, Discord, and possibly Reddit.

    2017 in Retrospect


    Before looking ahead to the future, let’s review some of the things accomplished during 2017. In terms of content we are always working to expand storylines, missions and events and 2017 was no exception. Last year’s Merry Mayhem event featured the first implementation of a new event system that is more integrated into the client and accommodates new event formats.

    With Loot 2.0 we revamped the hunting loot formula in order to achieve a more flexible, balanced, and rewarding system. Those changes have led to significantly improved loot returns for the vast majority of players and an overall better loot balance. Further improvements to the loot system have been ongoing since the initial implementation of Loot 2.0.

    During the second half of the year some of our participants experienced serious lag issues. While the issue itself was not an isolated one with a single cause, a complete review of the engine was made. In addition to fixing the issue, several improvements were made to other systems which made the core server infrastructure more robust as a result. This work has been continuing throughout 2018, with the aim of performing a similar overview and optimization of the client to ensure that Entropia becomes more stable and smooth-running.

    2018 and Beyond

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    For the remainder of 2018 and into the early part of 2019, MindArk will be primarily focused on improving existing Entropia Universe systems and content.

    This does not mean that no new content will be added or that no new events will be implemented, however it does mean that there will be a few selected areas that will receive the bulk of our attention. One of these focus areas will be system interaction, modernizing some of the legacy systems we have today, and upgrading others to conform to industry standards. These efforts will improve avatar interaction with the universe and feel much more engaging. Some of you may have noticed that we are inviting a group of participants to MindArk headquarters to help test and provide feedback for some of the upcoming improvements to the client camera system. These changes are something we believe will benefit newcomers and veterans alike.

    A similar overhaul will be performed for the various user interfaces, where the aim is to create a more visually appealing, unified and responsive experience. This will be an iterative process to ensure that we are moving in the right direction.

    Moving forward, I will share periodic Development Manifestos like this one on the Entropia Universe Buzz page to keep the community informed of MindArk’s design philosophies, decision-making process, future plans, and more.

    Finally, I am planning to do an AMA (Ask Me Anything) sometime in the near future, either on the Entropia Universe subreddit or on PlanetCalypsoForum.com. More detailed info to come soon!


    Kind regards,
    Henrik Nel
    CEO, MindArk PE AB

    Source
     
  2. "Someone have McCormicks email address? Please forward url to this thread. Thank you"

    :bigsmile:
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. whahaha :'D

    Here is a rough translation btw.:

    "The main reason was...I did not want to announce new pr-gags and scams, after my Deeptoken disaster...without talking to Mr. Simmonds 1st."

    "I talked to those 2 guys at lunch now and then...during my 8 months...there are even women at MA...epic times, I tell ya..."

    "we thought about just another dozen of user interface overhauls. You know, just like we did those years before...things noone asked for...and we did it again and again and again...as we dont have the manpower to do anything else and are stuck in this fucking Cryengine using DirectX 9...*grrrr*"

    "we will modernize legacy systems...like, uh, wait...Im planning some kind of "Ask me stuff"...some day...this doesnt mean I have to answer your stuff...but...but, I will share some development manifestos I found in Marcos...aheee... Davids Drawer...maybe...dunno...you heard that all before I think...but I say I will do so...and the lag...we work on it since 2009...I think...the whole engine and stuff...you know...kthxbye"
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  4. Too many superlatives (ie. typical MindArk-speak).

    For me, too little too late (EU has been around a good few years and it’s always about improvements, optimisation, ‘listening to the community’ etc., etc.).

    ‘If things don’t alter they’ll stay as they are’ and I expect more of the same, more or less.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  5. NotAdmin

    NotAdmin Administrator

    Wow, it takes apparently 8 months to talk to 50 employees. Is that the Swedish pace of working?
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  6. Fan_boy99

    Fan_boy99 Ignore Spawn and San they are Sheeples

    Usual fanboy/family replies:

    ''Thank you Sir for showing a sign of life. Plan sounds solid''

    ''Yay some progress!''

    ''thanks!''

    ''we will wait and see'' (my note - yup like GREEAAAT things planned for sure!!! jeezfc)

    Usual shit another day. Same sheep same MA sock puppets.

    Fan ''idiot' boy99
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  7. NotAdmin

    NotAdmin Administrator

    • Agree Agree x 2
  8. In other news, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the Ark landplot winners.
     
  9. San

    San

    You don't get irony, do you? That from someone who calls himself "Fan_boy". And while I want anything but make this personal or take the thread off topic, the i-word was a response to a specific, singularly asinine and personally insulting comment. To incorporate it into your identity is your very own choice. If I have a message for the CEO, I will deliver it through the channel I deem most promising to reach him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
     
  10. The first new, holy samaritian, family member has posted between the rage and anger : x'D

    1st family troll.jpg



    oh and of course :


    2nd family troll.jpg
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  11. Google 'fika' :)

    (it's also likely the reason maintenance windows and VUs start at 10am Gothenburg time and not earlier)
     
  12. Wistrel

    Wistrel Kick Ass Elf

    I've not read it yet, but does this count as a "State of the Universe 2018" ? If so I need to update my "guess the date" thread and allocate a winner :D
     
  13. NotAdmin

    NotAdmin Administrator

    I was actually informed by a colleague today that apparently in Sweden an employer is obliged to provide a "nap room". That explains a fucking lot if it's true.
     
  14. I will try to make a positive comment, Maybe you will quote me too, wouldn't that be cool!
     
  15. Only if you can post in the true style of family members...
    ...else dont try to pretend how happy you are about this lousy CEO post. Noone would believe you anway.

    But feel free to post again, that you used Entropia as Education Software with your students...that would be top notch even ! *lulz*
     
  16. :nana:

     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Wistrel

    Wistrel Kick Ass Elf

    OK I've read it... it's somewhat lighter than usual but I think it counts as a state of the universe for 2018. I'll see if I can find my thread.

    I dunno what to say really... I'm so confused about the camera thing. That and the ability to remap almost every single control plus define your own on screen UI icons is one of the few bits about Entropia that is absolutely TOP NOTCH. If they fuck it up or replace functionality (rather than add new options) they'll loose players in droves. If a game has a shit UI I can't play it. Getting the camera right is CRUCIAL. I don't mind if they add a new camera mode (like when they did over the shoulder mode - which is good actually) rather than replace one that is fine. If they try and "simplify things", they might as well close up the shop. I remember when opera webbrowser did that... all the power users stopped using it or refused to patch.

    One thing about the overlay interface on CE2 though... it IS in fact... rather pants. I mean for example on a lesser computer, you struggle to move the loot window without getting some lagginess. So if they want to improve that and the map, this would be good.

    I'm OK with them generally just concentrating on back end performancy stuff and generally polishing but I think they need to stop being so goddamn secretive about what they change. 'Fess the fuck up. Do what Planet Explorers did and post a minor change list a mile long. If you improved a tree SAY you improved a tree, if you changed the hit box on a mob, TELL US which mob and what was wrong with it.

    Sigh ok rant over. Anyhow the thing about an AMA is, you CAN ask.... but there is nothing in "Ask me anything" about giving responses.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  18. I will soon do that again, It's a yearly returning thing, because it blends in well with our curriculum.
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
  19. Wistrel

    Wistrel Kick Ass Elf

    OT but I'm interested. What educational thing do you do with Entropia? (feel free to refer me to other posts)
     
    • Optimistic Optimistic x 1
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