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EQII: Echoes of Faydwer previewed
GameSpy has put together a preview of SOE's new EverQuest II expansion, Echoes of Faydwer. Scheduled for a November launch, Echoes is the third proper EQII expansion following Desert of Flames and Kindgom of Sky. Perhaps hoping to court new players who may only be familiar with the PS2's Champions of Norrath series (or to convert stalwarts of the original EQ), SOE returns the action to the popular setting of Faydwer. The Faydark zone will actually be a starting point for a new pixie race, and you'll have the opportunity to pray at the altars of classic deities such as Mithaniel Marr and Innoruuk to earn miracle items that will aid you in your quests. While you're on your knees, pray you have enough time to actually play Echoes with the deluge of new games and console launches arriving this holiday season.
New Cash Money Chaos details revealed
Earlier last month, we learned the first details of Cash Money Chaos, Sony Online Entertainment's new SmashTV clone game show shoot 'em up, and even saw an video interview with gameplay footage. But before we go any further, I think we need to clear something up. Players won't take the role of Elvis, as previously reported; instead, they'll have the option of controlling Sonny, Cher, Ike or Tina. Yeah, I know it's disappointing not being able to control The King, but isn't Cher the next best thing?IGN's Jeff Haynes recently had the opportunity to preview an early version of the game, and he gives us some fresh details. The game has more than 50 different episodes (or levels); Each episode consists of three rounds; Five episodes will complete a season, and at the end of a season, players must face a boss; Players will be able to use 12 weapons, including a shotgun or laser; The game will feature three difficulty levels; Players can replay levels by using the Rerun mode; and Controls are almost identical to SmashTV (firing directions are mapped to the face buttons). Jeff said the game controls very well and can handle "dozens of enemies and projectiles on screen without any slowdown."Cash Money Chaos appears to be shaping up pretty well, and if you're a fan of similar games, you should find yourself right at home.(Via IGN)
Sony Online snags license for Unreal Engine 3
Some good news from IGN today. Epic's Unreal Engine 3, the most talked about graphics engine for next-gen consoles, has been licensed by Sony Online Entertainment. Sony Online has already released statements about using the engine for their future titles, including an unnamed MMO based on the DC Comics universe. This may be a good substitute for the voided Endless Saga. Although the MMO isn't limited to PS3, it's still at least one coming to the PS3.SOE president John Smedley had this to say about the license aquisition: "The combination of a top-notch graphics engine and a robust set of design tools will enable our teams to deliver incredible and innovative game content for next-generation consoles and the PC." Hooray! Right? Well, until we actually can play this engine ourselves to judge its hyped awesomeness, let's just assume this is a good thing.
Untold Legends interview reveals untold details
This one's for the Action-RPG fan in all of us. Over at Firing Squad, an interview was held with senior producer Kevin O'Hara where some questions about the new Sony Online Entertainment game, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, were answered. This is SOE's first PS3 exclusive title and it follows the previous two titles, released on the PSP.How's the storyline? Basic MMO fare (although this isn't an MMO, just an A-RPG) about kingdoms waging war, but the twist is the game begins when the war ends. The king of your kingdom discovers a new source of power, thanks to tampering with the darker side of the arts. His secret? The suffering of his citizens. Depending on who you play as, your objective is different. Seize the throne? Kill the king and leave the kingdom? Find a way to bring salvation to the people? Take your pick, role-players.Fast and tactical gameplay (although it sounds very much like the Dynasty Warriors system), pick up n' play action, advanced physics and particle effects, cooperative mode (online and off), and future downloadable content/extras make this worth a glance, even if the concept of HP and free-roaming aren't your cup of tea. Or coffee. Water? Check out the other screenshots at Firing Squad and see if any tickle your fancy. Granted, the graphics aren't superb, but this is still fairly early in development. Backgrounds look pretty good, though.
Curt Schilling to become EQII villain
Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling is about to go on a murderous rampage! From June 5-7, the 2004 World Series champ will stalk the online world of Norrath to benefit the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The virtual Schilling will challenge fellow EverQuest II players (careful, the guy takes notes!), and for every opponent who manages to defeat him, Sony will donate $5 to the ALS Association.Schilling has also been raising funds through his charity, Curt's Pitch for ALS, but sees online gaming as an excellent way to spread awareness of the disease, so log in and join the cause!The Sox just happen to be playing in New York on those same three days. Slay a few more Yankees for us, will ya Curt?See also: Curt Schilling loses the mitt for the ole' mouse & keyboard
PC impressions: Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising
Games like Rome have gained some following, so a Roman-themed MMO doesn't seem too surprising a concept. Marking a departure from the elves-and-orcs staple of so many MMOs, Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising takes place in a stylised Roman setting of approximately 300BC.The game's setting assumes that Roman mythology was more-or-less fact, so players can attain favour with various gods and battle a range of mythological creatures. The focus of play is a cross between hack-and-slash combat and squad-based strategy -- execute combo moves and fight hand-to hand, or deploy a squad of soldiers to do your dirty work for you.
First impressions: Everquest II addons
Everquest II, released over 18 months ago, is being continually revived with expansions and adventure packs. Expansions are full-blown boxed releases which add a great deal of content to the game, sometimes introducing major gameplay changes -- adventure packs are cheaper digital downloads that add new zones and story arcs. The third adventure pack, The Fallen Dynasty, features the addition of a new set of Eastern-themed zones. In order to feel foreign, a strong Oriental touch runs through the landscape, from pagodas to rice paddies. The adventure pack is heavy on story, and players will have to earn the trust of NPCs before parts of the story unfold.
Splitsville for Microsoft and Sigil after "varying visions"
Sigil Games Online, developers of upcoming MMORPG Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, announced today that they'd be co-publishing the game with Sony Online Entertainment after "it became clear that [Microsoft Games Studios] and Sigil had varying visions and direction for the title's development," according to Brad McQuaid, CEO of Sigil Games Online, as quoted in a company press release on the break-up. It's rare that a game in beta switches publishers. We have no inside information, but a little digging makes it clear that something's not quite right fresh in Denmark. At least one high-profile game designer recently quit, and Sigil's CEO has been defending the game from legions of WoW Fanboys doubters that have been questioning whether it'll ever be commercially viable. The surest sign that the game may be in choppy waters is the fact that McQuaid's now doing business with SOE after his high-profile departure from the same company in the fall of 2001. According to MMOG-community gossip circulating at the time, this departure was also the result of diverging creative visions between McQuaid and Sony on the evolution of Everquest, the successful MMORPG that McQuaid co-founded and designed. Smart observers suggest that the culprit behind all of the churn und drama is the tremendous success of World of Warcraft. To wit: how will Vanguard fare against WoW and the other bajillion MMOGs slated for release? For reaction to this announcement from MMORPG insiders, check the FoH forums, where the unruly mob is being characteristically brutal. Even the President of Sony Online Entertainment is trolled into doing some damage control.
Koster says goodbye to SOE
Massively multiplayer game designer and theorist Raph Koster has parted ways with Sony Online Entertainment, after being with them for six years. There's no word on where he is headed yet, although his blog hints that he is "getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path", a direction SOE isn't quite ready for. About all that's clear is that it won't involve single player games, but MMO developers had better watch out.
Curt Schilling loses the mitt for the ole' mouse & keyboard
Curt Schilling is out of the closet. The one-time World Series MVP recently came clean about his long-time EverQuest addiction. Today, Schilling needs to play multiple EverQuest II characters simultaneously to keep up with his body's craving (see his 4-monitor setup, pictured right). "EverQuest II provides me an opportunity to remain in touch with my family... My son Gehrig and I play together when I'm not working and he's not in school." C'mon Schill, do you really expect us to buy that excuse?The pitching great recently took this other passion to the next level, signing an endorsement deal with SOE. Look for Schilling to lead his guild on daring quests and calculated raids in the recently released Kingdom of Sky expansion.[Thanks, mordecai]
Sony's MMO marketing shows signs of desperation
Many of you showed scorn at one of Sony Online Entertainment's recent moves, their "all-in-one" Station Access Collection MMO bundle. But wait; they're not done yet. If playing PlanetSide for free isn't enough for you, SOE have teamed up with FilePlanet to offer a month's free play of EverQuest II. Not tempted? How about some Star Wars Galaxies TV commercials to pique your interest? (Ignore what dedicated players are saying; hardcore players are so last season.) We hope the marketing department hasn't run out of ideas yet; SOE are definitely piling on the publicity, but given the reaction to their Station Access Collection announcement, all this still won't be enough to rejuvenate their aging MMOs. Casual gamers or those new to MMOs might get suckered in briefly, but we're unlikely to see a huge rush of new players as a result of all these campaigns; if anything, the over-promotion will put people off.
Sony's MMOs to be available in one package
The variety of MMOs on the market can be confusing to new players, especially if you want to try multiple games out before you subscribe. Sony appear to have acknowledged this need with their new Station Access Collection which includes Sony Online Entertainment's top MMOs in one package. The collection, available for $39.99 from March 14th, consists of EverQuest Evolution, EverQuest II, PlanetSide Aftershock, The Matrix Online and Star Wars Galaxies. Crucially, it'll include a month's free play for each bundled game, giving players a chance to try out all the offerings. Other publishers with a wide range of MMOs on offer may want to take a tip from Sony for a change; the perceived value is likely to make this product far more appealing than a single standalone game for the same price.
