Entropia Universe, which we recently toured, will be getting a sharp new look. According to a statement on its website, Crytek (Far Cry) has signed a license agreement with Sweden-based MindArk, creators of Entropia Universe, that will allow Entropia to use Crytek's game engine, called CryENGINE 2. The transition's expected to be completed by 2008, and Entropia users can expect more realistic graphics, improved physics, and more lifelike animations.

"When we saw what the engine was capable of, we immediately understood that it would be perfect for Entropia, as both MindArk and Crytek are pioneers in their respective fields," said MindArk's Jan Welter Timkrans.

"We think the combination of our CryENGINE 2 technology and their extremely popular virtual playground will result in a new kind of rich and immersive experience that has not been possible until now," added Crytek managing director Avni Yerli.

Seems MindArk hopes that the engine boost will help Entropia compete a little better against World of Warcraft and Second Life in terms of subscriber numbers, where its approximately 600,000 users are dwarfed by WoW's recently-announced 9 million and Second Life's reputed 7 million.