We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on October 11, 2011.

Good News to Share about Starlite (!!!!)

Update #30 · Nov 28, 2012 · 6 comments

Hello loyal backers and awesome peepz. :) Good news to share. The Federal funding, after a long proving period, is happening, yesterday the CMF announced to the country that after a long and arduous (but productive) process, Starlite has been awarded funding of 750,000 - which matches Kickstarter plus contributions to the badges aspect of the game through MacArthur Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates foundation under University of California Irvine, plus internal funding from Project Whitecard and friends.

So you heard it right, your little teams of devs at Project Whitecard and Wisdom Tools have now been funded for a total mix of just over a million - and we just keep building.

We have due diligence (paperwork) and have been working on that for 18 months... here's the announcement:

http://www.cmf-fmc.ca/documents/files/funded/2012-13/decisions/2012-13_en_exp-prod-decisions-2nd-round.pdf

I wanted all of you to know first... feel free to post your congrats - we love hearing from you: it really is incredible news. "The little kickstarter project that could. " :) Imagine the best news you could receive in your life. Number one is the miracle healthy baby George Antony who was born 4 weeks ago (thanks to my beautiful wife Katy's superhuman moves), and second is this incredible news that, yes, the NASA MMO is fully funded and you, Daniel Laughlin at NASA, Don Fraser and Sonny Kirkley had all our dreams come true.

Here's to exploring and building those new horizons together with you,

Khal.

6 Comments

A Bold Awakening - Starlite: Johanna T

Update #29 · Oct 2, 2012 · 4 comments

This is the T-Shirt Design for the  "generic" T. We're doing a final Pass on the 3D render.

:)

  • Image-165761-full
4 Comments

Schwag? Schwag.

Update #28 · Oct 1, 2012 · 3 comments

Here is a very short update. We are sending the first t-shirts to press.

We've attached one for your perusal. Thanks and I will keep posting updates.

The whole team continues to work apace.

I expect we will get the first round of t-shirts only out very shortly.

Oh who is Professor Thadeus? Who indeed. :)

  • Image-165007-full
3 Comments

MINDARK PARTNERS WITH PROJECT WHITECARD STUDIOS INC.

Update #27 · Aug 8, 2012 · 1 comment

Hello gang: here is an update for you:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINDARK PARTNERS WITH PROJECT WHITECARD STUDIOS

Developer of the NASA-Themed MMO to help bring Entropia Universe to Tablets

Gothenburg, Sweden – August 8th, 2012 /MindArk/ – MindArk, the developer of the largest real cash economy Massively Multiplayer Online Game, announced today it is working with Project Whitecard, Inc. to develop a new client that can deliver their MMO projects on virtually any browser and mobile based platform. This new technology will allow users to play from virtually anywhere they have a connection.
“By working together with Project Whitecard Studios we will have the ability to bring our fans a new way to stay connected with Entropia Universe,” said David Simmonds, CEO of MindArk.
Founded in 2008 by CEO Khal Shariff, Project Whitecard Inc. is an award-winning company currently developing the NASA-themed MMO, code-named “Starlite.” The official massively multiplayer world developed in conjunction with NASA will deliver exciting adventures in the year 2035 with accurate science, technology, engineering and mathematics content while players vie to be the best and brightest Astronauts.
“It became clear that Project Whitecard Studios and MindArk have many of the same goals and passions, and primarily, we want to deliver the best possible solution to our collective customer base, one that gives them freedom and one that allows us to fully express our creative visions. I am very excited to be working within such an incredible alliance. I also feel this collaboration gives us the best option to set a new standard for multiplayer engagement, and let’s face it, modeling the possible futures of space travel, and sharpening minds: that’s simply the coolest, isn’t it? ” says Khal Shariff, CEO of Project Whitecard Studios Inc.
MindArk is the developer and publisher of Entropia Universe, the largest real economy Massively Multiplayer Online Game in the world. Players have no monthly costs, but deposit and withdraw real funds for their adventures on any planet in the Entropia Universe For more information on Entropia Universe or to download the free game please visit www.entropiauniverse.com. 


About Project Whitecard Studios
Project Whitecard Studios Inc. Is an award-winning technical company specializing in serious games and digital training. From its inception, Project Whitecard has worked with luminaries such as the Canadian Space Agency, delivering an award winning educational game to over 1 million students. Project Whitecard Studios and CET Wheeling Jesuit University are the recipients of a Mozilla/HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation award to create a digital badge solution with NASA-themed content, and a series of digital activities starting with the Curiosity Rover landing are available http://www.starlitebadges.com .
For more information on Project Whitecard and the NASA-themed MMO Game, please visit
http://www.projectwhitecard.com | http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/mmo/


About MindArk
MindArk is the developer and publisher of Entropia Universe, a game space that encompasses multiple planet partners each with their own unique setting and gameplay style. As the largest real economy Massively Multiplayer Online Game in the world Entropia Universe offers players the ability to participate in a unique virtual world where they have no monthly costs. Its innovative real money economy uses a virtual currency which has a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. This allows players to deposit and withdraw real funds for their adventures on any virtual planet or in the real world. Planet Calypso uses a state of the art graphics engine to deliver the highest quality visuals in an MMO today.
For more information on MindArk please contact us at the email below or go to our website at http://www.mindark.com 


For further information about MindArk, please contact:
MindArk Media:
David Tractenberg
(310) 453-2050 x111
david@tractionpr.com
For further information about Project Whitecard or the NASA MMO, please contact:


Project Whitecard Inc.
Don Fraser and Rob Patterson
1-855-269-0718 (North America)
nasammo@projectwhitecard.com
###

1 Comment

Mars Curiosity Rover Activity to Reward with a Digital Badge!

Update #26 · Aug 3, 2012 · 2 comments

Hello everyone, below is a press release (we have another on tap).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mars Curiosity Rover Activity to Reward with a Digital Badge!
First Official Starlite Digital Badge available During the Landing on August 5th

Artist’s Concept of Curiosity Courtesy NASA/JPL

Winnipeg – 27/07/2012: When the Curiosity Rover lands on Mars on August 5th, 2012, web surfers will have a chance to earn the first Starlite Digital Badge developed in partnership with NASA. By interacting with a brand-new type of 3D content, visitors will have a chance to join in the excitement by testing out a game that mimics some of the exciting new rover’s capabilities. Try out Curiosity’s ‘ChemCam’ laser, or drill for water. It’s envisioned that this kind of interactive, space-themed content, in conjunction with an official digital badge, will set a precedent for the way we learn and share.

Earlier this year, Khal Shariff, CEO of Project Whitecard, Dr. Meri Cummings of the Center for Educational Technologies at Wheeling Jesuit University, and Dr. Bob Starr of NASA presented to a “Badges for Lifelong Learning” jury at the California Academy of Sciences in competition to develop digital badges for mastering NASA and science content. This is part of a new Mozilla system that tracks digital “badges” that recognize life’s achievements. By emphasizing advanced interactivity with robotics, science, technology, engineering and math, the team took one of the top prizes and the new Curiosity Rover Challenge Badge will be the first example of this collaboration.

A digital badge is a relatively new idea. It’s an ‘official’ image file, that contains all the hidden information about that achievement and who won it. The badge can then be shared and posted online. Specifically, the Starlite Digital Badges team will “use Mozilla’s new free and open source ‘Open Badges’ software to issue, manage and display digital badges for learning across the Web.”

To see the new Curiosity badge in action on August 4th, please visit:

http://www.StarliteBadges.com

About Project Whitecard
Project Whitecard (www.projectwhitecard.com) is a global leader in the development of simulation, training, and educational software. Employing ground-breaking technology and proprietary methods, Project Whitecard has established itself as a world class provider of compelling immersive training systems, using advanced interactive techniques to deliver highly complex learning materials in a new, simplified way. Project Whitecard has established itself as an international leader in the field of immersive learning, virtual training environments and interactive simulations. Project Whitecard is signatory to Space Act Agreements with NASA, according the rights to develop the NASA STEM MMO Game, and a cooperative agreement to develop the Starlite Digital Badges system to incorporate the Mozilla Open Badge Infrastructure and demonstrate scientific achievement. Project Whitecard works directly with Pug Pharm Productions on badge and gameplay-related technologies.

About the Center for Educational Technologies
CET has a 20 year history of curriculum development to create innovative educational activities such as interactive website, videogames, virtual reality experiences and iPad apps. CET has also pioneered the development of online, live educational simulations for Challenger Learning Centers. CET has created educational materials for NASA, NSF, NOAA, NIH, the US Dept. of Education and various private foundations.

# # #

For more information or images, please contact:

Khal Shariff
CEO, Project Whitecard Inc.
khal@projectwhitecard.com
http://www.projectwhitecard.com
204-269-0718
Fax: 204-262-6407

Dr. Meri Cummings
Center for Educational Technologies
Wheeling Jesuit University
meri@cet.edu
304-243-2499

Dr. Robert Starr
NASA LE&RN Project Manager
robert.m.starr@nasa.gov
757-864-9492

“The car-sized Curiosity rover will land on the Martian surface at approximately 1:31 a.m. EDT on Aug. 6 (10:31 p.m. PDT on Aug. 5).”
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/main/index.html

For more information on the “ChemCam”
http://www.msl-chemcam.com/

For more information on the DML Badges Competition:
http://dmlcompetition.net/competition/4/badges-competition-cfp.php

2 Comments
962
Backers
$46,719
pledged of $25,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Aug 12, 2011 - Oct 11, 2011 (60 days)

  • Pledge $5 or more

    24 backers

    We love you. Plainly put, your $5 pledge means you care, and we will place your name into the credits of A:MMB under "Beautiful Dreamers", lit by the full moon.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    202 backers

    The giver of the pledge will receive a founder's credit in Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond (all versions), a Beta invitation, and a single license for when the game comes out on your platform of choice - PC, Mac, iOS - (about half of retail). (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $24 or more

    277 backers

    Okay - this is it: the sweet spot. By pledging your 24 dollars, we will cite you as a founder of the game in the credits, and when available, a Beta invitation, and we send you 2 keys for the full version of the game when it arrives and an exclusive collection of schwag, including an unlock key for special custom vehicles and a Space Ranger Elite™ collectible suit for your character in the game - exclusive to Kickstarter.com donors. See you. Out there. (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $30 or more

    194 backers

    Pledge two licenses to a school. At this level we will earmark two license keys for students at a school, and include a card stating you as the Pledge: "may you enjoy this software in the spirit it was given. I share with you the joy of discovery and science." Wow - that's a great gift . Thanks. :) (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    130 backers

    Backers will receive a credit _in_game_ in the in-orbit, in-situ Hall of Fame wall as a founder of the Arthur C. Clarke Academy Space Station, and be mailed an exclusive signed official poster of the Astronaut Academy, an exclusive first-look beta invitation when available, targeted at PC computers, when available, and a license pair for when the game comes out. (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $125 or more

    85 backers

    Sweet! You will appear _in_game_ as a 3D hologram member of Astronaut Academy Space Council (and mostly likely a secret Space Ranger). When the game launches you will receive instructions to unlock an Academy "First Flight" Space Suit, be mailed an exclusive signed official T-Shirt , and a license pair for when the game comes out on your platform of choice - PC, Mac, iOS - and collector's edition packaging. (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $200 or more

    34 backers

    "Yo gang, the game on the no-grav court on this side of space is G-Ball, and to get your style in order, we're offering the first-ever Astronaut Academy NASA G-Ball Team Jersey. Choose from "Goddard," "Hawking," or "Turing" and be the first earthbound team members in the history of the game. It's all cool mate. You've got time to practice. You'll also get an exclusive first-look , a beta invitation when available, of course, a license pair for when the game is available on your platform of choice - PC, Mac, iOS - and your name on one of the walls in the G-Ball Astro-Sphere. And it's aaaaaaall G, Baby." -K-Bango, AAGB MVP 2029, Team Hawking. (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    1 backer

    If you know what a Letterman jacket is, then this prize is for you. An all-exclusive Arthur C. Clarke (AA) Academy Letterman Jacket, in space-blue and white, with logos emblazoned. Not only this - but for your trouble we'll put your likeness in the game as an Armstrong-Smythe Trophy winner on the walls of the Academy Pavilion (!) (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    3 backers

    The first ever of it's kind: A Mars Duster. Emblazoned with an Academy wing-set, a NASA logo, and your local Mars Union leader's Dome Designation, this off-white, long-length cowboy-inspired jacket will keep the dust off your back, and your spacesuit on track. Nothing is cooler than a Mars Duster from Astronaut: Moon Mars and Beyond. Not only will you have a founder's key version of the game when it unlocks (fast-tracking your journey to Mars), we'll put you into the game as a non-player character, forever exploring those back-water plains of Mare-Incognitum. (Note - also includes the rewards from the previous categories).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012