MindArk is planning an IPO

Via Marketwire:

MindArk is in the process of preparing for its upcoming IPO, which will likely include an offering of newly issued registered shares as well as existing shares. MindArk intends to use the proceeds from the newly issued shares to implement its growth strategy, in particular the expansion of its market position and pursuit of potential acquisition opportunities.

MindArk is the face behind the creators, and developers of the MMORPG Entropia Universe, with a real cash economy (RCE).

I’m not quite sure what to think about this. On one hand it will give the developers the extra capital to expand in-world events, economies, graphics, trades, and players goods. The recent updates(VU 9) required users to upgrade their graphics drivers, and for some their graphics cards. With the CryEngine coming it’s quite possible users may have to make substantial upgrades or even entire system replacements just to keep up. Most hard core players won’t mind.

The 2 pec “tax” (which I believe has been reduced to 1 pec, but I haven’t confirmed it) was supposed to deter users from wearing too many items in highly populated areas. A lag preventer, if you will. Firstly in my opinion it’s degraded the EU life. There are many avatars that are running around in underwear because they won’t pay up. For others (like myself) it doesn’t matter. I want to play the world how it was meant to play. What’s that got to do with an IPO? I’m concerned being publicly owned won’t make a hill of beans difference in how the money is used on the backend. I’ve seen too much greed in Second Life. The Lindens have a plentiful income, and SL still has scaling issues. Will they beef up the backend in Entropia with all the extra cash and let us have a rich environment?

On a positive note, maybe with all that extra cash the loots will get better. “Loot” is objects that have value that are awarded to an avatar based upon their skills, and some work they’ve done. Some of which include; crafting, mining, hunting, and trading.