SEE Virtual Worlds, the company behind the upcoming Planet Michael virtual world, has announced that it has acquired Planet Calypso from MindArk, the parent company behind the Entropia Universe. The purchase came to a total of $6 million, with SEE Virtual Worlds gaining the rights to Planet Calypso and all assets of the First Planet Company, a development subsidiary of MindArk.
SEE had already been planning to add new planets to the Entropia Universe with Planet Michael, a world being developed with the Michael Jackson Estate, and a Universal Monsters world featuring the classic Universal movie monsters and Van Helsing.
First Planet Company will see a rebranding as SEE Digital Studios. The new studio will continue to improve Planet Calypso while hiring for the development of the other two titles.
“As we move into 2011 and beyond, SEE Virtual Worlds will continue to bring its innovative product offerings to the virtual world marketplace,” said Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE VirtualWorlds. “We know that virtual worlds are extremely lucrative and much of our success will be strengthened by working with MindArk and the added experience that First Planet Company brings to the process, having developed the most successful planet in the Entropia Universe to date.”
“SEE Virtual Worlds is an excellent addition to the Entropia family due to their commendable reputation in the entertainment licensing space and their impressive list of upcoming entertainment properties such as Planet Michael,” said Jan Welter Timkrans, founder and CEO of MindArk PE AB. “As a platform provider in interactive online entertainment, we are focused on sharpening and expanding the highly successful Entropia Universe working alongside partners as they create and run new planets.”
MindArk has been focused on the Entropia Universe for almost a decade now. With the acquisition, the company intends to strengthen their business model as a “platform provider in 3D interactive online entertainment.”
To get more perspective on See Virtual Worlds and the virtual worlds marketplace, we chatted briefly with Marco Behrmann, Managing Director of SEE Digital Studios.
IndustryGamers: It seems that virtual worlds have taken a backseat to online social games, Facebook, browser-based titles and MMOs in recent years. What role do you see the virtual worlds having in this marketplace?
Marco Behrmann: Virtual worlds provide a deeply immersive experience that isn’t available in the casual and social gaming space. The degree to which participants can interact, both socially as well as while performing activities, is greatly enhanced in a virtual world. A Virtualworld continues to grow, change and improve - conceivably forever. It is a living, breathing thing that can react to participant’s needs and wishes over time. Updates and alterations in a virtualword literally take place several times a month, making it responsive in real time and with the very best and latest as gauged by the user.
IG: Virtual worlds have largely been PC-focused. Do you see any of the worlds existing on a console service one day, such as Xbox Live or PSN perhaps?
MB: Right now, we’re staying laser focused on the PC, but we haven’t ruled out other platforms in the future. Only time will tell.
IG: What updates can you give us on Planet Michael and the Universal Monsters virtual worlds?
MB: Both Planet Michael and Universal Monsters are currently in the early development stages. Stay tuned for more updates shortly.
IG: MMOs are hugely expensive to develop and maintain/operate online. How do virtual worldslike the forthcoming Planet Michael compare?
MB: We’re using the Entropia Universe platform, which allows us to come to market quickly, and deliver a highly competitive MMO. The many unique features of MindArk’s Entropia Universe engine, on which Planet Michael and others will be built, will make the experience on these worlds unlike any that came before it. From the real-cash economy, to the cutting edge graphics, participants will have a level and degree of freedom and options that are truly groundbreaking.
IG: What's the experience been like working with the Michael Jackson estate? What will the fans of the King of Pop be able to witness in the world that they've never seen before?
MB: The Estate is an integral part of the creation of Planet Michael. They will continue to have an important role throughout the life of the virtual world. This is truly a group effort by the people best qualified to both build the world and those that know the subject best. This is a dream team for the completion of Michael’s virtual vision of the future. While the team at SEE VW and The Estate continue to conceptualize what will be in Planet Michael, there are already clear directions that have emerged. Music, dancing, quests and healing are only the very first ideas to be considered.
IG: What will First Planet Company bring to the Planet Michael virtual world that no other developer could?
MB: Years of experience in the MMO development space within the Entropia Universe. FirstPlanet Company, now SEE Digital Studios, has developed and maintained Planet Calypso for 8 years and is the leading developer in the Entropia Universe. They’re the best development partner we could have for Planet Michael.
IG: Thanks for your time Marco.
Interview by James Brightman
