NEVERDIE Studios and Universal Partnerships & Licensing Launch the First-Ever Massively Multiplayer Game Based on Universal Pictures’ Upcoming Thriller The Thing
Hunt The THING Delivers Unique, Authentic and Intense Feature Film Experience
Within NEVERDIE Studios’ Massive ROCKtropia Virtual World
LOS ANGELES, CA, September 22, 2011—NEVERDIE Studios, creators of the ROCKtropia Virtual World, a sophisticated, next-gen, cash prize–based game world with mythology drawn from pop culture, today announced the release of Hunt The THING. This new movie-length massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) event is inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming thriller The Thing, which opens in theatres nationwide on October 14, 2011. The game was developed through a licensing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing.
Hunt The THING exists as an experience within NEVERDIE Studios’ ROCKtropia, a vibrant, digital hangout where players can socialize and congregate with millions of other players worldwide. Players can go on missions; win coveted virtual prizes with high cash values; buy, sell and trade virtual goods in a $100 million-plus marketplace; listen to live music; play games; and even travel through space to other MMOGs. Additionally, Hunt The THING will be featured at ROCKtropia’s Hyperplex movie theater. Once players enter the theater, they will be transported to the Antarctic, and their Hunt The Thing adventure will begin.
Hunt The THING will allow fans to immerse themselves into the terrifying world of The Thing just before the new film arrives to tell the story of what exactly happened at the doomed Thule international research station in Antarctica. After downloading the free-to-play MMOG Hunt The THING, fans will be immediately thrust into a virtual Antarctic world where they are tasked with uncovering the mystery and ultimately hunting down The Thing. Whether they choose to play as a scientist or soldier, each of whom possess unique skill sets and upgrade paths, players will need to explore abandoned bases, decipher clues, take blood samples, secure gear, gather weapons, fight friends and enemies alike, and survive the many dangers presented by the world’s most inhospitable and uninhabitable continent.
“Hunt The THING is truly the first massively multiplayer game experience of its kind,” said Jon “NEVERDIE” Jacobs. “It brings together the depth of the classic MMORPG and the edge-of-your-seat excitement of the new feature film The Thing for a true movie-length MMOG that you can experience quickly, but also enjoy for extended periods of time.”
Hunt The THING will offer players numerous opportunities to win exclusive and highly collectible in-game virtual prizes. These include a collector’s edition flame thrower; a variety of automatic weapons and Antarctic survival gear; and, for those who are skilled enough to defeat The Thing, a combat helicopter that allows players to continue their adventures after the film is released on October 14. Players who complete the final Hunt The THING mission may enter expert mode for an opportunity to win even more valuable prizes.
Powered by the award-winning CryEngine 2, Hunt The THING will present players with an incredibly harsh environment alongside a mesmerizing storyline that weaves together elements from John Carpenter’s 1982 feature film, the upcoming companion piece and the previously released The Thing game. Hunt The THING takes place within NEVERDIE Studios’ ROCKtropia Virtual World, which allows players to utilize the same avatar within multiple game spaces and carry over friends, skills and gear from game to game.
Hunt the THING is now available for PC download at www.HuntTheThing.com. There are no fees or subscriptions required. Fans of The Thing can download the game and immediately embark upon their mission to hunt down and destroy one of the most terrifying movie monsters ever conceived!
About The Thing:
Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when a creature is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. In the thriller The Thing, paranoia spreads among a group of researchers as they encounter something inhuman that has the ability to turn itself into an exact replica of any living being.
The Thing serves as a prelude to John Carpenter’s classic 1982 film of the same name. Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen, the thriller is produced by Strike Entertainment’s Marc Abraham and Eric Newman (Dawn of the Dead). www.thethingmovie.net.
About NEVERDIE Studios
NEVERDIE Studios was founded by legendary Avatar Jon “NEVERDIE” Jacobs. The Studios’ main focus is expanding the frontiers of pop culture into virtual reality. NEVERDIE Studios is the developer of the ROCKtropia Virtual World, a richly detailed alternate reality with mythology drawn from pop culture. ROCKtropia’s wild landscapes and urban centers provide the backdrop for movie inspired MMOG ’s and Iconic artist attractions. ROCKtropia is free-to-play and features micro transactions.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.
-Hunt The THING now playing at the Hyperplex. (Starter & Expert Zones).
-No admission fee
-Pre-existing Weapons/Items are not required to participate in starter mode.
ROCKtropia
-ROCKtropia new arrival point moved to New Harlem.
-Missions added to New Harlem.
New Platform Systems Utilized
-Spread Weapons: Automatic firing while holding down the fire key.
-Damage Over Time (DOT) Weapons: DOT weapons continue to do damage to the mob or player over a period of time beyond the initial trigger pull.
-Explosive Area Damage: Certain PVP zones have new dangers and methods for inflicting high damage to vehicles & other players.
-Audio Driven Missions: Full command and audio directives of objectives and mission notifications.
-Environmental Hazard FX.
Fixes
-Kill Box removed from prison perimeter. Penalty for trespassing on prison grounds remains.
-Mobile phone no longer required to leave City of Dreams area.
-Performance optimization of City of Dreams, London & New Harlem.
-Mission fixes applied. Detailed list to follow.
Known Issues
-Estates still inoperable.
-Wave Spawners inoperable.
-Extraction point interaction ranges too short for smooth interaction.
-Extraction point passage rights currently function in single travel direction.
-Title shows up as ??? in achievements window.
-Weapons training requires the firing of 3 rounds while in the barricade at the targets, then the exiting of the barricade, re-entry into the barricade and the firing of an additional 3 rounds fired to complete.
-Weapons Crate #2 produces error.
Special Note: This version update contains strong language or certain language inappropriate for those younger than 18. Parent(s)/User discretion is advised.
A total of 6 Competetions will decide the outcome.
Hunting
Competition #1
Winner: Highest Single Hunting Loot
Prize: Full Set of Firewall MK-I Armor(L)
Competition #2
Winner: Most Amount of Hunting Globals
Prize: Full Set of Firewall MK-I Armor(L)
Mining
Competition #3
Winner: Highest Single Mining Loot
Prize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-II Armor(L)
Competition #4
Winner: Most Amount Of Mining Globals
Prize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-II Armor(L)
Crafting
Competition #5
Winner: Highest Single Crafting Loot
Prize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-III Armor(L)
Competition #6
Winner: Most Amount Of Crafting Globals
Prize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-III Armor(L)
The event starts on August 8th at 00:00
Event Rules
-All comp stats will be tracked through our friends at Entropia tracker. Look for the competition on entropia tracker and sign up.
- You can post globals here on the forum (Narfi can you hook us up with some threads?)
-All mobs & maturities are valid for this event
-All GLOBALS, ATHs and Mining Finds MUST MUST MUST OCCUR in Hell! (INCLUDING CRAFTING GLOBALS!)
-You can only win 1 of the 6 events. Meaning that 6 different people will win.
-Special prizes and additional mystery gifts will be awarded based on merit so if you’re uber, hunt the uber mobs & if you’re noob, hunt the noob mobs!
**SPECIAL BONUS**
Anybody who posts +50 competition approved global screenies on neverdie.com will win a mystery prize!
Hell Dwellers, Generals of Satan, Ghouls of the Underworld & Royalties of Darkness HEAR MY CALL!
August 8th marks the coming of the 48th sign of the digital apocalypse. The immortals have gathered at the Firewall in preparation of what’s to come!
You are being summoned to the depths of Hell to join forces and compete in mortal competitions to determine the winds of fate!
A total of 6 Competetions will decide the outcome.
Hunting
Competition #1Winner: Highest Single Hunting Loot Prize: Full Set of Firewall MK-I Armor(L)
Competition #2Winner: Most Amount of Hunting GlobalsPrize: Full Set of Firewall MK-I Armor(L)
Mining
Competition #3Winner: Highest Single Mining LootPrize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-II Armor(L)
Competition #4Winner: Most Amount Of Mining GlobalsPrize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-II Armor(L)
Crafting
Competition #5Winner: Highest Single Crafting LootPrize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-III Armor(L)
Competition #6Winner: Most Amount Of Crafting GlobalsPrize: Full BLUEPRINT Set Firewall MK-III Armor(L)
The event starts on August 8th at 00:00
Event Rules
-All comp stats will be tracked through our friends at Entropia tracker. Look for the competition on entropia tracker and sign up.
- You can post globals here on the forum (Narfi can you hook us up with some threads?)
-All mobs & maturities are valid for this event
-All GLOBALS, ATHs and Mining Finds MUST MUST MUST OCCUR in Hell! (INCLUDING CRAFTING GLOBALS!)
-You can only win 1 of the 6 events. Meaning that 6 different people will win.
-Special prizes and additional mystery gifts will be awarded based on merit so if you’re uber, hunt the uber mobs & if you’re noob, hunt the noob mobs!
**SPECIAL BONUS**Anybody who posts +50 competition approved global screenies on neverdie.com will win a mystery prize!
We are proud to announce our 1st official Hell-A-Thon!
The Hell-A-Thon will be an ongoing event exclusive to HELL!
Prizes4 Market Stalls In HELL!
Event Categories
Hunting
Market Stall #1 -Total Value Of Global Loot
Market Stall #2 -Total Number Of Globals
Minning
Market Stall #3 -Total Value Of Global Loot
Market Stall #4 -Total Number Of Globals
Competing Is Simple!
Either Mine or Hunt or DO BOTH in Hell Starting on May 10th!
Everytime you global, post a picture of you (with a timestamp) into the appropriate forum thread. (Links Below)
Post Your Hunting Globals Here
Post Your Mining Globals Here
The forty seven signs of the digital apocalypse have been witnessed by the immortals.
What has been done cannot be reversed! The gates of Hell will open by next light!
It is foretold that the opening of the gates will bring forth an age of darkness where the Devil will imprison the soul of the Teleman inside Hell for a period no shorter than 30 days.
Until said time, the gates can be traversed without paying the passage!
Good Luck To You All And May The ROCK Legends Protect Your Soul!
You are Cordially Invited to the 1st Annual ROCKtropia OSCAR Party
Top Prize: A Studio House in the City of Dreams
2nd Place: Penthouse Loft in the Ballister.
3rd Place: 3rd Floor Apt in the Ballister
Highest Single Loot V.I.P Event
Date: February 27th 2011
Time: 18:00 RT
50 FREE TICKETS being handed out at Club NEVERDIE between 15:00 and 17:00 RT
I am happy to announce the December 2010 ROCKtropian of the Month. This is an ongoing feature that will be announced near the beginning of every month. You could be next! This time around we left it up to the players to pick the RotM. Register at Neverdie.com for more info and your chance to be our next featured ROCKtropian!
John Conner GUNNER
1. How long have you been playing in Entropia Universe?
In total 3 years with a few breaks here and there.
2. What made you travel to ROCKtropia?
I travelled to the Rock to try out some new mobs, it was going to be a short visit but I would never leave now.
3. What do you like most about ROCKtropia?
The community, most players are so nice I find myself stood in City Of Dreams for hours just chatting.
4. What is your favorite thing to do in EU? (hunting, mining, crafting, etc…)
Hunting I try to do a few hunts everyday if I can, plus it is a real blast in a team.
5. What would you like to see in ROCKtropia?
The main item missing for me is the shops, I would love to get a market stall to sell my looted weapons and other items I find.
6. What is your favorite area/land on RT?
ZomHattern it is like a scene from all those classic zombie films, deserted city full of undead trying to eat you alive.
7. What is your favorite creature/monster on RT?
That would be the Motorheads I seem to get some very nice items from them.
8. What is it you want to be known for most on ROCKtropia?
Helping new players either with my tutorial videos or just answering questions in COD.
You may have noticed recently that the NEVERDIE.com forums were a little out of sync. Okay, so they were broken, but we are proud to announce that they are back and better than ever!
NEVERDIE.com has been transformed and has a whole new look. Gone are the days of logging in over and over again (we hope). So make a point to check out all the news, updates, and latest and greatest on our newly renovated forums.
You can also connect your Facebook account to your forum account using FaceBook Connect (button at the top of any page). As always, please be sure to let any of the forum staff know if you encounter any problems with the new layout.
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