Though there are already a number of massively multiplayer role-playing games available, it seems as though developers are engaged in a race to see which company can produce the best and most unique massively multiplayer experience. MindArk hopes that its massively multiplayer RPG, Project Entropia, stands out from the upcoming wave of games in the genre because of its unique features such as the ability to purchase items or additional Project Entropia money with your credit card. Moreover, MindArk wants to implement a unique insurance system that lets you take out insurance on each of your items, thus decreasing the possibility of losing them after your character's death. The Project Entropia gameworld will be massive with plans to support 1 million players on a single server along with landmasses that are nearly 350 square miles each. We had a chance to speak with Patric Sundstrom, marketing manager for Project Entropia, to discuss these aspects and others such as the story, character creation, and interaction as well as how characters will be able to affect the environments around them.

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GameSpot: What is the historical setting for Project Entropia?

Patric Sundstrom: Project Entropia is set in an era of human interplanetary travel and conquest. It takes place on the far-away planet of Calypso, a rather unique world that is very similar to planet Earth. Calypso was discovered by an aged unmanned probe, which was launched from Earth at the early era of space travel during the human colonization of the solar system. This probe left behind robots that prepared the world for human colonization. When the first human settlers arrived at the new world onboard a giant colonization vessel, it didn't take long before their new paradise was torn apart by a sudden unexplained conflict with the robots. These robots nearly wiped out the whole human population on Calypso before new settlers came to Calypso with reinforcements, just in time to save the few surviving colonies. The conflict escalated into a war that raged until all renegade robots were finally destroyed.

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It was a time of great loss but also hope for a new and better future as the colonies were rebuilt with corporate aid. The settlers had just constructed their new cities when the ancient probe that discovered Calypso mysteriously returned only to be destroyed by space battleships guarding the colony, deeming it hostile. After this event, new enemy robots suddenly began to resurface on the planet again. This time the enemy came from a distant robotic mining colony in another star system, originating from the same ancient probe that left its robots on Calypso. Still, no one really knows why the robots keep attacking the humans on Calypso or why the ancient probe returned, and although legends provide some clues, these mysteries are still waiting to become unraveled.

Isolated by space and politics outside the rim of known space, the settlers on Calypso are left to deal with the situation on their own, but they are not alone or without hope. Embraced by powerful financial interests from several large space corporations, the settlers receive all the aid they need to live their lives very freely. While some settlers choose to defend their freedom against the robots, it allows other settlers to preserve and enjoy it. Despite the hostile activities, the major colonies remain as protected islands of tranquility and continue to prosper. The cities are overflowing with merchandise as well as visitors who are drawn to the legendary planet for various reasons. [Some are] attracted by trade, recreation, or the growing population but also by the wild and untamed nature, the possibility to build a home, or to fight in the ongoing conflict.