Jon Jacobs, also known as NEVERDIE, is a controversial avatar from virtual world Entropia Universe and arguably one of the most famous avatars in the World created by Jon Jacobs. Reuters describe him as “a legendary adventurer, celebrity, and fabulously wealthy entrepreneur in the online world of Entropia.”[1] The Associated Press describe him as an “Internet icon”[2] He has become synonymous with the growing popularity of the leading real cash virtual world platform – Entropia Universe.
Near the end of 2004, Jacobs sold his collection of armor and weapons and a war chest for over US$25,000 in mind of buying a virtual land area, Treasure Island. However, he was outbidded by an avatar Zachurm Deathifier Emegen[3][4]. He finally made headlines in 2005 on the BBC News and around the globe when he mortgaged his house to buy a virtual asteroid for US$100,000 being the most valuable virtual item ever sold[5]. The next day, he got an offer to sell the asteroid for US$200,000, but he refused[4].
He subsequently appeared in The Discovery Channel documentaries; Gamer Generation and I Video Game, he also appeared in the Canal+ documentary LA VRAIE VIE DES MONDES VIRTUELS[6]. Fox News did a 5 part video interview with him titled Portrait of an Avatar. The Los Angeles Times describe him as “the world's first cyber-superstar”[7] and Stuff magazine included NEVERDIE at #28 on their list of most powerful people under 30 (he was the only avatar on the list)[8].
NEVERDIE is included in the 2008 Guinness Book of Records for owning an asteroid Club NEVERDIE “the most expensive virtual item” Club NEVERDIE is recognized by MIXMAG as “ the #1 Virtual nightclub in the World”[citation needed]. The Club is also host to the Massive Multiplayer Online World Championships (MMOWC). NEVERDIE has appeared on 60 minutes[9] and numerous other international and US national Media and publications. He is included in the Book Altar Ego by Robbie Cooper.
Other than NEVERDIE asteroid, Jon Jacobs also possesses some other land areas at the Entropia Universe’s Calypso planet, a most notable being Bank at starting location, Port Atlantis, bought for US$90,000[3].
He is also known for his album under the name NEVERDIE which includes the song Gamer Chick[10] inspired by his late fiancé Tina Leiu (known ingame as Island Girl), who suddenly died after a flu complication[4]. There is now a memorial shrine on a special Island inside the game, commemorating Island Girl, which was made by developers.