everquest-2 posts

In 2004 both World of Warcraft and Everquest II launched. In the six years since both fantasy MMO games were released, Blizzard's title has signed up over 12 million players while Sony Online's sequel to its first MMO has, well, not been quite as successful in player subscriptions (Sony Online has never revealed its player number for the game).

Next week World of Warcraft Cataclysm ships and the expansion pack will change the face of the game's entire world. By contrast Sony Online has released a number of expansion packs for Everquest II but has simply added new zones and quests to the game. In speaking to Kotaku, Sony Online's head man John Smedley stated that the company has considered doing a similar reboot of the game, stating, "We are looking at it closely, we have been for a number of years now." He added that such a move, if it were to occur would not happen for the game's next expansion pack.

Sony Online has already launched a separate free-to-play version of the game, Everquest 2 Extended, and this summer at the publisher's Fan Faire event it revealed very early plans for a new game code named Everquest Next.

The free-to-play MMO genre officially got another addition today. Sony Online has taken off the "beta" label for EverQuest II Extended, the free version of its fantasy MMO title. As we have reported before the main EverQuest II game will continue as a separate title with a required monthly subscription fee. EverQuest II Extended players can have access to much of the game's content for free with paid options for additional content and features.

To celebrate the official launch players can pick up the in-game Staff of the Rising Phoenix (show above) in the game's Marketplace until the end of the day on Sunday. Our sister site Massively has a chat with the game's producer Dave Georgeson and is also giving away a 30 day gold subscription to EverQuest II Extended.

Everquest 2, despite stiff competition from other major titles, is still going strong. It also seems to be following in the footsteps of other major fantasy titles, but not in the realm of content. Much like Dungeons and Dragons Online or Lord of the Rings Online, Everquest 2 is going free. Granted, we've already mentioned this, but Sony has released a trailer for all those sitting on the fence about trying the classic MMO. It showcases some of the areas, enemies, playable races, and abilities, so those that are looking for a good example of what to expect should definitely give it a look.

Download HD EverQuest 2 Extended Trailer
Check out all Everquest 2 downloads

The promised launched of the free-to-play MMO EverQuest 2 Extended has now gone live in a beta version via Sony Online Entertainment. As previously announced this is a separate game from the still running EverQuest 2 that will allow players to enter and play in much of the game's content for free.

While the game is still technically in a beta phase, Sony Online is offering Silver and Gold memberships in EverQuest 2 Extended for those players who want to play more than just the free (or Bronze) level. Silver memberships are sold with a $10 one time purchase while Gold membership is $14.99 a month. A Platinum membership for the game is also planned but is currently not available in the beta stage. It will cost $200 a year and will open up full access to all of EverQuest 2 Extended's content and features.

Sony Online suprised attendees at its annual Fan Faire fan event in Las Vegas this weekend by revealing very early plans for a new EverQuest MMO with the code name "EverQuest Next". Now comes word that the two EverQuest Next panels (and indeed all of the Fan Faire panels) have been captured on video and posted on Sony Online's Fan Faire Facebook page.

The Facebook videos are not of the best visual or sound quality but it does the job of showing the info at the panel presentation. Sony Online's CEO John Smedley told the audience that EverQuest Next won't be replacing EverQuest 1 and 2 and that both games will stay live until Sony Online feels they are no longer profitable. He also stated that EverQuest Next is designed to be scalable in terms of its PC hardware requirements, saying it will run on a laptop or the most powerful hardware desktop PC. Finally he stated that there will be some way for players of the first two EverQuest games to transition to EverQuest Next but details are still vague.

[Via Massively]

The annual Sony Online fan gathering Fan Faire is currently under way in Las Vegas and it looks like the MMO publisher is taking the opportunity to give fans attending a glimpse into the future of the company's flagship series EverQuest. During a panel at Fan Faire, Sony Online talked about a new MMO game that at the moment is being called "EverQuest Next" as an internal title among the development team.

Fan site EQ2 Wire covered the panel which yielded few details, perhaps because Sony Online has admitted the game is still early in its development. The report states the new game will be a "reimagining" of the EverQuest series rather than a direct progression of EverQuest 1 and 2. The game will also be developed with Player Vs Player features in mind and with "more engaging" combat. The picture you see above is supposedly an in-game screenshot from the project.

[Via Massively]

Sony Online has already achieved some success with its casual free-to-play MMO Free Realms. Today the developer has announced that it is now bringing that free-to-play business model to its EverQuest series with EverQuest II Extended. Unlike Turbine who turned Dungeons and Dragons Online completely into a free-to-play game (and will do so for Lord of the Rings Online this fall) EverQuest 2 Extended is being handled as a separate game from EverQuest 2 that launched in 2004. Sony Online states that EverQuest 2 will continue with its monthly subscription model and will continue to get updates and content expansions.

EverQuest 2 Extended will allow players to check out a large portion of the EverQuest II game world for free via a new download client that will allow players to start playing the game in minutes. However there will also be ways to pay for access to even more content. You can check out the rather extensive options for EverQuest 2 Extended at the game's official web site. The beta for EverQuest II Extended is expected to launch on August 17.

One of the major forces behind the launch of the MMO EverQuest has announced he is returning to making games. Brad McQuaid has announced on his personal blog site that he is now a co-founder of a new but unnamed game developer in San Diego. McQuaid says that the company will be working on casual and social games but, "At some point we will also return to developing MMOs." The company is now hiring as well.

McQuaid was the co-designer and producer for the original EverQuest. After its launch he left Everquest's developer in 2002 to become a co-founder in Sigil Games. At his new company he helped to create another fantasy MMO, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. The game launched in early 2007 but the launch had significant issues. Just a few months after the game's launch Vanguard and Sigil Games were bought by McQuaid's former employer Sony Online. McQuaid decided at that point to leave game development entirely until now. His web site states he took time off for "hobbies and to spend time with friends and family."

[Via Massively]

It's just Tuesday but Steam already has a number of games on sale, including BioWare's hit fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins. From now until Thursday you can get either the regular or deluxe digital version of the game for 33 percent off their regular price, making them $33.49 and $43.54, respectively.

But that's not all. Rebellion's WWII shooter Sniper Elite is also on sale until March 22 for a mere $2. Also, Sony Online's first MMO Everquest is on sale until March 26 for just $2.50. It includes the original game and 15 expansion packs along with an exclusive in-game item, the Shroud of Steam (get it?).

It may be the first week of March but some folks are already looking forward to the summer where there will be a number of gaming events that fans will be attending. Sony Online's annual Fan Faire event has just announced that the 2010 edition will be held on August 5-8 in its usual location of Las Vegas.

Usually the event concentrates on their long running EverQuest MMO franchise with announcements of the next expansion packs for both EverQuest 1 and 2. However other games are shown off during the event and we suspect one of the will be the long awaited DC Universe Online. There are several pricing plans for this year's event ranging from a bare-bones $39 day pass to a $139 Platinum Pass with lots of extras and special privileges.