Community. The word is a derivative form of the Latin noun communitas, which, in simple terms, is used to describe a fellowship of individuals who interact with each other in a common location. For centuries scholars and sociologists have argued over the definition and its application: by the mid 20th century attitudes toward the interpretation of community varied so greatly that there were 94 individual definitions.

 

Today, thanks largely to the internet, the concept of community is even harder to define – the barriers that once ensured that a community shared a common location have dissolved, and now a community can, and often does, consist of like minded individuals from every corner of the globe.

 

The Entropia Universe (EU) community is the quintessential example. It consists of thousands of people from diverse cultures and geographical locations, many of whom speak disparate languages, yet somehow it has become a vibrant, passionate, and most importantly, caring society of individuals who, for the most part, have not met in real life, and probably never will.

 

Like any large society, there are many levels of community within the EU social fabric. When you join, you essentially become a part of the greater community, but there are many communities within the community, and many ways in which you can engage with your gaming peers. Players have the option to go it alone, to ally with an in-game society or to participate as little or as much as they like in the greater Entropian social scene.

 

Whilst freelancing does have some advantages, the opportunities presented by joining a society should not be underestimated. Societies vary in structure, regulation and joining criteria, and many have dedicated forums that are often essential sources of information for newer players.

 

The largest Calypsan society, the Natural Born Killers (NBK), is a powerful and influential collective consisting of eight different groups: the NBK, NBK Elite Squadron, NBK Elite Miners, NBK Squadron, NBK Miners, NBK Entrepreneurs, NBK Legion and the NBK Army. Whilst you can’t select which group you would prefer to join (the majority of the groups have a set skill criteria that your avatar must satisfy), you can join one of the societies for which you possess the required skill level and become a part of the greater NBK. As you progress further along the path of your EU journey your avatar will generate a more impressive skill set, which will allow you to advance through the society structure.

 

The Natural Born Killers (Pre VU10 Screenshot).

NBK group founder Max HardWrath Mayhem's personal journey mirrors the NBK ethos that an individual’s progress is only limited by his or her determination. Max joined the NBK as a recruit in 2005 but quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the society’s leaders (the society is also led by Eil imoyaro Murderhugh). He may have reached the pinnacle of social hierarchy, but like any fledgling empire builder, he immediately embarked on an ambitious project designed to transform the society into “something very special.”