Entropia Universe: the greatest MMO you might never have heard of

MMOs come and MMOs go, but the online games that hang around are often the best of the lot. Entropia Universe was originally launched in January 2003 as Project Entropia, which makes it older than World of Warcraft, and this Swedish-developed game is going from strength to strength, with a move to Unreal Engine 5 giving a graphical update, the integration of AI providing immersive NPC conversations, and a strong virtual economy.

Entropia Universe, from Gothenburg-based studio MindArk, is a virtual sci-fi universe built around a developed planetary system through which players are free to travel, socialise, and have adventures. From initial character creation and planetside adventures to the moment you burst through the clouds to enter space and the dangers of the interplanetary void, then go on to become a dominant force in the galaxy, your time will be filled with adventures that unfold in real time, political machinations, and the pursuit of profit.

Beyond the game’s remarkable longevity, its in-universe economy is the thing that attracts new players and keeps them coming back for more. It’s arguably the truest virtual economic sandbox among MMO games, with a GDP of over $400m – more than some countries. Completely free to play, Entropia Universe uses a virtual currency (the PED, or Project Entropia Dollar) which has a fixed exchange rate with the dollar, and allows for users to transfer currency both ways. This means that every item, every transaction, has a real-world value. There is no “get rich quick” scheme or similar scam here, and no use of cryptocurrency, just a vast game with a core real cash economy that creates a unique opportunity for players who can run shops, businesses, trading empires, services and more, just like in the real world.

A galaxy of opportunity