MindArk Spins Out First Planet Company to Manage MMORPG; Focuses on Platform

MindArk announced today that it had created First Planet, a wholly owned subsidiary, to manage the economy and game of Planet Calypso, an MMORPG inside Entropia Universe. Last year MindArk opened up its planets to third-parties interested in developing new businesses and, as of last month, had partnered with or was in talks with 12 companies. While Entropia had always had a bit of an RPG element to it with its sci-fi themes, it's shifting to become more of a platform as built on Cry Engine 2. It sounds like it is on its way to becoming a true universe, with themed zones ranging from Hollywood properties to musicians and bands to the Chinese government to a full-blown roleplaying game.

MindArk will continue to develop the platform--that's been it's focus for some time now--and work with new partners. First Planet will manage the user experience of Calypso and, according to MindArk, its $400 million economy.

First Planet will be managed by CEO and Creative Director, Marco Behrmann. Behrmann previously served as MindArk's Chief Information Officer after starting a career with the company in 2002 as concept writer, game designer, community director and information officer. Behrmann has also worked as marketing director for the glossy lifestyle magazine Codex and Lead Designer and P.R. Manager at the game studio, Computer House.

"My vision is to supply the resources needed to allow the creative team the freedom and time to create interesting short- and long-term storylines, enhance and polish game-play, add role-playing aspects, and cater to events," said Behrmann. "My role and objective is to bring and maintain a coherency to the Planet Calypso history and storyline. We are dedicated to achieving our over-arching goal of making Planet Calypso a truly outstanding Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game."