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The Game Archaeologist and the NeverEnding Quest: A cozy chit-chat with Thom Terrazas
Welcome back to the Game Archaeologist's third week of our EverQuest expedition! So, OK, we lost a few valued members of our team crossing the wilds of Norrath, but who would ever think that 10 rats could be so vicious when out for vengeance? It comes with the territory, and really, it's well worth the loss of human life if we can educate just one soul on one of the most influential MMOs of all time. Their mothers will understand their sacrifice. We've already taken a look at the highlights of EverQuest and the perspectives of several veterans of the game, which means this week we must be gearing up for an inside look into the machinations of grinding, hell levels, alternative advancement and DKP. For this, we struggled through the Swamp of Sony to find the ramshackle hut of Thom Terrazas -- and he was expecting us. A fight ensued, with many a chicken flung in anger, not to mention a few pokes in the eye, Three Stooges-style. But in the end, Terrazas capitulated and told us everything we wanted to know. Thom Terrazas almost has all his SOE merit badges, having worked on Planetside, Vanguard and now EverQuest in various roles. I was curious -- what was it like to be handed the keys to not just a game, but a veritable institution? Hit the jump to see what Terrazas has to say about his favorite memories, the future of the game, and why EQ hit it out of the park in 1999.
This week on the MMO Report
This week's MMO Report is full of stars! Star Wars, that is. Casey's top story was the seven-page look at SWTOR's space combat in the newest PC Gamer magazine, followed shortly thereafter by a look at SWTOR's four new species. The new trailer for Stellar Dawn, the upcoming MMO from Jagex, was up next. Finally, Casey covered John Smedley's surprise announcement from Fan Faire: EverQuest Next. The MMO Report wrapped up with Uncle Casey's Mailbag and a special surprise. Remember the Red Wolf Hat? Well, G4TV got a couple of them as well, and are giving them away. All you have to do is... well, follow along after the jump to watch The MMO Report and see for yourself!
Fan Faire 2010: John Smedley and the SOE crew talk EverQuest Next
EverQuest Next, the surprise news out of this year's Fan Faire, has certainly gathered a lot of attention from the general MMOGsphere since word broke about the game last night. Across Twitter, Facebook, and myriad blogs, many people are wondering just precisely what the plans are, and what this new incarnation of the world of Norrath might be like. Well, the developers behind the game sat down with attendees at Fan Faire not only to show off screenshots and concept art from EverQuest Next, but also to solicit questions and ideas from the SOE-devoted -- and they've captured it all on video for those of us who couldn't make it! While they stress that this is all in the very early stages, there are some great insights on the thinking behind this reboot of their beloved franchise. There's also some information on what players can expect with regard to support for subscribers of EverQuest and EverQuest II once EverQuest Next comes out. If you're hungry for more details straight from the people behind this surprising new title, then check out the videos behind the break!
SOE unveils 'EverQuest Next' at Fan Faire
The third edition in the EverQuest franchise was teased by Sony Online Entertainment prez John Smedley this weekend at SOE's annual Fan Faire event. The publisher also held an extended panel on it -- tentatively titled EverQuest Next -- where Smedley revealed that the game will have "less classes" and be "more like EQ1" in that regard. He also said it has been "built from the ground up to be scaleable" and that it'll be playable on anything from "a laptop" to "a powerful PC." Alongside the reveal, SOE released a couple of in-game screenshots, which we've dropped into a gallery below. No projected release window was given, but a smattering of specific details about the next EQ installment can be found on EQ2 Wire's liveblog of the event.%Gallery-99029%
Fan Faire 2010: EQII flying mounts, EQNext art revealed [updated]
The EverQuest franchise looks to be the big winner at this year's Fan Faire event, as several large announcements regarding the games in the long-running series were featured in SOE president John Smedley's community address. EQ2Wire's Feldon has the details on the short presentation. In addition to restating the features coming your way when EQII Extended hits in mid-August, Smedley discussed the next EverQuest expansion, House of Thule, which adds several new dungeons as well as player housing and launches on October 14th. EverQuest II players will have a to wait a bit longer for their expansion, Destiny of Velious, which debuts on February 8th. The wait will likely be well worth it, however, as flying mounts will be introduced in many of the game's zones. Finally, Smedley revealed a presentation slide labeled "The Future of EverQuest" and preceded to show off the first concept art in-game art from the cryptically titled EverQuest Next, which you can view in our gallery below. He also hinted that more information would be forthcoming as Fan Faire wraps up this weekend. [Update: We received a note from SOE clarifying that the screenshot here is not mere concept art -- it's actual in-game art. Only makes you more curious, doesn't it!] %Gallery-98975%
