This article aims to examine one aspect of the MMO game, Entropia Universe. Entropia is unique in that you can transfer in-game assets to a paycheck outside of the game if you choose. In Entropia, there are several professions that use in-game combat mechanics to make a living. Often these professions are designed to be as cheap as humanly possible, in order to maximize profits. This article is intended to give a brief semi-academic look at this aspect of the game.
One of the essential parts of this group of combat professions is the use of Laser Weaponry. These weapons are cheap from the start of the game, have traditionally higher ranges and faster reload times, so they often become the weapon of choice for inexperienced hunters. However, few hunters seem to use this weapon or its amplification equipment seriously. The correct application of a Laser Amplifier is the mark of a professional in this subset of combat professions.
The specific amp I’m going to talk about is the A101, as it’s probably the best weapon amp in the entire game. The amp adds 3 damage to a laser carbine (usually the Opal Sollomate), which is a significant boost to the Opal’s capabilities, solidly putting it in the lower end of the mid-range weapon field. However, it’s not the amount of damage it does that’s significant, it’s the fact that the A101 boasts an economy of 4,601 Damage per 1 pec spent.
This is notable considering that the Opal Sollomate is considered to be at the higher end of the economy and has only an economic rating of 2.71 Damage per 1 PEC. However, once the amp is added, the economy jumps to 2.85 Damage per PEC spent. Add in the fact that the lasgun can also dispatch enemies much faster (thereby preventing them from doing as much damage to your avatar), the amp’s improved efficiency is ticked.
Indeed, given what one expects from the entropian economy, one might expect that for the ability to neutralize pray faster, one might be penalized with a less efficient amplifier. In some cases this is exactly what happens, but not in the case of the A101. The A101 noticeably improves weapon economy, damage dealt per minute, etc.
However, there is a drawback. The A101 has a markup of over PED 100 (USD 10). This makes the amp expensive and rare, and many people dismiss the A101 as an overpriced piece of ‘new jackpot’.
Anyway, this is far from the case. First of all, the A101 is unlimited, so it can be repaired and reused an infinite number of times, without ever losing the part. Also, the markup does not affect the condition of the item, or vice versa. So the price of the amp is really its markup, plus whatever is left of its condition value, which is subject to depreciation. This markup is not subject to depreciation, and over the last year I’ve had my Amp, I’ve only seen it increase.
So owning this UL amp is like owning shares in a house (albeit much smaller). I discovered during my first repair that the increase in profit margin on this equipment was 7 PED higher than the repair cost. The item not only made me a more efficient hunter, not only allowed me to kill prey faster, but literally within the first month of use, the Amplifier had paid for itself with its own profit margin. I wouldn’t dare put that on any financial sheet, but the fact remains.
Therefore, if someone asks me my opinion on this topic, well, it depends on the person with whom I speak. If I like them, I tell them my research and what I think. And let’s just say, if he’s hurt me in the past, I’m happy to ‘help him take down that stupid amp’; Of course, being so stupid, I can’t pay the full surcharge, not even 80%, since I’m doing you a ‘favor’.
