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EverQuest Mac saved by the fans
EverQuest Mac, or EQMac, is a fascinating version of the very popular (and classic, at this point) MMO EverQuest. The title is basically an unsupported version of EverQuest, still running on Sony's servers, but a version that does not include most of the current PC game's expansions and new features. In that way, fans see it as a time capsule of EverQuest's history, a way to go back in time on the constantly evolving MMO, and not only play the game on the Mac, but also see what it was like way back when. EverQuest announced plans a little while ago to go free-to-play, and with those plans, the company also decided that it would finally shut down EQMac, closing the book on that chapter of the game's history. Fan outcry, as you might imagine, was huge, and Sony's John Smedley has now tweeted that thanks to the outpouring of fan voices, EQMac is here to stay. Unfortunately, that's just one tweet from late last night, so there aren't any details on exactly how Sony will navigate the changeover to free to play from an EQMac point of view. But it is at least good news for Mac users still playing EverQuest and a sign that there are tons of passionate and active gamers on the Mac platform.
GDC10: Massively set to appear on live Internet TV
Massively's own Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster will be appearing on Internet television today at 12pm PST live from GDC 2010. That's right, Gamebreakr with Gary Gannon is going to do a live streaming web show and this particular blogger thinks it'll be worth catching -- even if only so Shawn knows that countless people are staring at him while he's on air. Actually, the show's had plenty of interesting people from the gaming realm on already including CCP's Nathan Richardsson, President of SOE John Smedley and Christina Norman of BioWare. And, as our leader extraordinaire, Shawn will most definitely make for an interesting guest. We can't wait to see it! [Edit: see the recorded video after the jump]
SOE's John Smedley calls PlanetSide sequel 'PlanetSide Next'
Sony Online Entertainment could go all the way crazy and officially announce that it's working on the sequel to the popular MMOFPS PlanetSide, but why bother? No, SOE would much rather release a survey mentioning the sequel, only to be called "PlanetSide Next" by company prez John Smedley a few weeks later on his LiveJournal (has it really come to this, folks?).Though few details are given, Smedley takes the time to thoroughly declare his love for the series, and in doing so speaks of SOE's intentions with PlanetSide Next. "To me, PlanetSide Next means we get a chance to take the essence of everything that was fun in PlanetSide and make it a lot better ... massive battles on a scale no other FPS will touch ... none of this 64-player stuff ... REALLY MASSIVE." We're just hoping our measly laptops will be able to handle the game's sheer massiveness.[Thanks, Hamma!]
New SOE video blog confirms announcement of DC Universe Online at E3 [UPDATED]
The inaugural video blog of Sony Online Entertainment features CEO John Smedley talking with Courtney Simmons, Media Consultant Senior Director at SOE. Smedley goes on a little bit about Free Realms, Everquest 2, and The Agency, but the punch is when the two of them state that they'll be announcing DC Universe Online at E3.Throughout, Courtney comes off as relaxed and engaged, but Smedley appears stiff and uncomfortable. Clearly, he's got a script he needs to stick to, and not even the playful poking of his interviewer can ease that burden from him. Or maybe he's just like that. But the best part is the following quote coming in right around 3:30: "I think for the first time, people are gonna feel like there's a superhero game that makes you feel like a superhero." We hope those words don't come back to haunt you, Mr. Smedley.The Sony press conference is at 11:30 PST -- watch for the announcement![UPDATED: We've corrected this post to reflect Ms. Simmons's actual position as Senior Director, instead of her previous title. Thanks, Courtney!]
