Speculation on Entropia Universe Returns

Fact: MindArk's standard response regarding any payback issue or loot streak issues says that total returns are based on a PERCENTAGE.

So, since this is an important question everyone tends to ask at some point, I thought I would offer my own opinion as to the subject.

First, every indication is that the system does NOT pay out more Peds than it takes in. The system is obviously sustainable, and no company in their right mind would put that at risk. Many real life friends have obtained their payouts without problem other than waiting several weeks to several months for it to finally arrive. However, I do want to point out some people that haven't been paid have likely given Mindark a reason not to pay them such as violation of terms and conditions. There HAVE been exploits. There may still be some exploits. But the thing of it is... Exploits destroy the value that makes this game worth playing. It is a theft against each and every one of us that play.

Second, I believe the percentage paid out is based on the total spent into the system. Most of what everyone puts in, comes out somewhere along the line. The main edge they would have would be in keeping a portion of the repairs and decay, as well as auction fees, but who knows what percentage of each bomb or gunshot goes to MA directly. However, granted that even an absolute noob can tower on their first day unamped, which has happened, not often though, indicates that you do not have to pay in more than you loot.

But what I feel takes place is this: Every ped and pec spent is tracked. Every transaction you make. Loots are only figured in TT returns. But the higher markup items you use, the higher markup your loot tends to be, such as finding Rugaritz or Dunkel with the VRX2000 finder. But the thing is, the percentage kept by MA is easily compensated for by markup. Markup is extra value which derives from supply and demand. There is a limited amount of money fighting for a limited amount of resources and items. Markup is essentially what has come out of other people's pockets. But it ensures that everyone stands a good chance at either break even or profit.

IF you had to rely only on TT returns, you notice quickly that you almost NEVER run a surplus. You might have 1 in 10 mining runs that give you more in TT value than you spent. However, 7 of those 10 runs may bring you profit with markup.

I also want to stress that skills do affect returns as well. As a level 1 or level 5 prospector, I almost exclusively mined lysterium, oil, belkar, blausariam... As I ranked up, I gradually seen shifts from the low value ores to higher value ores such as narcanisum and niksarium, and later, kanerium became a regular find. Also, I have noticed as my skills go up, the frequencies, and average sizes of my hofs and globals have gone up.

I am not saying you can't hit good ores with low skills. I'm just saying you are going to hit fewer than if you had more skill. At level 28 prospector, I almost never hit Lysterium, and only occasionally hit Belkar and Blausariam.

So while they are paying out a percentage of what they take in, I wholly believe they use skills to control the distribution of that percentage. Certain finders are better at finding certain ores. But it takes certain skills to use certain finders. But also, another variable comes into play. It does matter where you are. You can mine all you want on those islands south of Port Atlantis and never hit anything but Lysterium and Oil. But... That's not to say you wont have ANY compensation for your troubles since you do still stand a chance of finding say, angel scales or hansidian, but TT value is low, and so your reward is simply dependent on what others are willing to pay for the stuff. But it works out, because chances are to use a 3K% markup ingredient to craft, the item it goes into is worth a great deal of markup as well, so the crafter can easily recoup his investment, and it is ultimately the final customer footing the bill for the materials that went into making the item.

There are a lot of complex principles at work here in Entropia... I hope I've been able to shine some light and open some minds as to this complexity. Think and play smarter, and more economical, and you will be rewarded as I have. But if you treat it like a casino, expect the same results. There are days no matter how much you spend you simply can't buy a global or a hof, I am proof of that. But if I play cautiously, and I am not expecting the big hits, they do happen! I certainly did not expect my XXI cobalt that I hit for 1322 peds, my largest loot in game and first four digit hof.

Good luck!!!