VERSION UPDATE FEATURES
Mining
Mining is launched by using a Detectonator tool. When the Detectonator tool is used, a bomb is automatically placed and detonated in one smooth motion. An interface is shown to see the result of the prospecting attempt. If a resource deposit is found, move within 5 meters of the site, wait for about one second and you will claim the deposit automatically. You will receive the Resource Claim deed in a loot window.
In order to extract the resources you need the correct Excavation tool, have the deed in your inventory, and aim the tool towards the Resource Claim rod.
The Claim Deed is transferable to other avatars and the owner of the deed is the one who may extract the deposit. Claim deeds cannot be put the auction, due to the time constraints. The Claim deed always shows the current resource deposit size, to avoid confusion when trading it.
The number of available bombs or survey probes is shown in the HUD area of the screen.
Even the smallest deposit will always yield at least one unit of the resource.
Drill towers
The mining drill towers are available once again. They are automatically constructed when a resource of sufficient size has been found.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is initiated by clicking on the corresponding manufacturing machine. Select the blueprint in the correct blueprint book by clicking on it. Add the input materials specified by the blueprint. When ready, press the Manufacture button.
On the bottom-left side is the Success rate indicator. You have the highest rate of success when the bar is full and green. When red, the success rate on the selected item is low, with a scale in between. Higher blueprint Quality Rating and avatar skills will increase the success rate. The success rate indicator replaces the old “CoS” which displayed a text word feedback.
The Condition/Quality slider specifies whether the manufacturer would like to make fewer items but with a higher initial Condition (which can be important when making “Limited” items, please see the “Items with limited uses” entry) or a larger number of items with a lower individual Condition.
If you have residue of the correct kind you may add it to the input materials section in the interface. Residue will then be used in any following successful attempt in order to boost item Condition. Failure when making an item will not waste residue. The boosted item Condition does not count towards the value when determining a Hall of Fame entry.
Refining
The refiner now accepts any number of input materials. When refining, deterioration is calculated on each output item. The deterioration levels of all refiners are lowered to reflect this and are balanced towards the previous maximum output stack size per attempt, for example 50 ingots using pre-VU 7.6 refining.
Blueprints
New blueprints have been added to Project Entropia. Some of these are “Limited”, please see the “Items with limited uses” entry.
Blueprint Books
The blueprint books can now be stored in Storage. The three equipment books are consolidated into one single equipment book for administrative purposes. The various book levels (“Apprentice”, “Beginner”, etc.) are removed; instead various “Volumes” are introduced. Blueprint books for limited blueprints are added.
Blueprint books have a searchable index page for quick access and evaluation. Book appearance will change to reflect the completeness of the book. Blueprints stored in a Blueprint book do not count towards the 200 visual items limit in the Inventory.
NOTE that any old pre-VU 7.6 Blueprint book will be automatically sold to the Trade Terminal. Your PED Card balance will be updated accordingly. This also means all your blueprints will be scattered in your inventory. If you have more than 200 blueprints and other items, you will not be able to see all of your carried items. You need to get a new blueprint book and place as many blueprints as possible therein and relog. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Navigation
Added the initial choice of choosing navigation when starting Project Entropia, between First Person and Third Person. The navigational control has been streamlined and more options have been added. You can customize your controls using the options interface, available through the “O” key.
If you had personalized your control setting prior to the VU 7.6 release you can press “Cancel” to keep these settings.
A method of movement is also suggested by pressing down both mouse buttons at once.