Curious about what SOE has in store for the future of their various MMOGs? Join us behind the break for the up-to-the-minute news from the front lines![Note: all times are EST]
8:44 pm - We're waiting outside the Barron ballroom at the Las Vegas Hilton. Many people keep trying to sneak into the ballroom, but so far nobody has made it in beyond SOE employees.
8:49 pm - Sony PR was good enough to scoop us up and get us in so we could set up front row center.
8:56 pm - They're tweaking video settings. All we can think of is how cool it would be to game on screens that huge.
9:04 pm - Now we're enjoying some jaunty piano music while they get finished with some last minute tweaks. We'd break into jazz hands, but we'd drop our laptops.
9:07 pm - John has been spotted. The fans are still waiting outside, however. There are some problems with the projector screens showing black bars on the side.
9:12 pm - They teased us with a few seconds of Outkast. Hey now! The SOE employees around us were bummed when they cut it off.
9:17 pm - Last minute prep. John: "Great, great, love it, put it in a box and ship it. Yep, people will love it." Outside we can hear players hooting and hollering. Sounds like they're having a blast.
9:21 pm - John: "Cut the mics", disappeared behind curtain. Apparently they were accidentally broadcasting the soundcheck. Whoops.
9:30 pm - We're still waiting. More people have filtered in, but the crowd can still be heard outside.
9:33 pm - Looks like they've got it all worked out. They're letting everyone in now.
9:34 pm - Overheard from SOE employees: "I hope there's a Dance Dance Revolution contest!" "We should motion-cap that and use it as a /dance command!" [they break into laughter]
9:37 pm - Correction, they've let some people in. Someone's working the crowd outside -- we can hear the shouting and cheering.
9:41 pm - Here comes the crowd!
9:45 pm - We're now sitting with the Dwarf, Brasse, who thinks this event needs more beer! Really, very few events couldn't use more beer.
9:51 pm - At this point, we're closing in on almost an hour past original scheduled time, but considering the mood of the crowd, nobody seems to really mind here.
9:17 pm - Last minute prep. John: "Great, great, love it, put it in a box and ship it. Yep, people will love it." Outside we can hear players hooting and hollering. Sounds like they're having a blast.
9:30 pm - We're still waiting. More people have filtered in, but the crowd can still be heard outside.
9:33 pm - Looks like they've got it all worked out. They're letting everyone in now.
9:34 pm - Overheard from SOE employees: "I hope there's a Dance Dance Revolution contest!" "We should motion-cap that and use it as a /dance command!" [they break into laughter]
9:37 pm - Correction, they've let some people in. Someone's working the crowd outside -- we can hear the shouting and cheering.
9:41 pm - Here comes the crowd!
9:58 pm - Someone from PBS is recording this. We're curious about that particular documentary.
10:00 pm - Brenlo has started up the crowd. Time for the show to begin!
10:03 pm - Just called out EverQuest II and EverQuest. The response was deafening. Now Brenlo's getting everyone to sing Viva Los Vegas.
10:05 pm - SOE is calling an open bar later tonight. The response was deafening.
10:06 pm - "Please don't make me run again. I have a fine gamer's physique."
10:07 pm - Video of different SOE games. John Smedley now on stage.
10:09 pm - This is our favorite time of the year. we come out of this all pumped up and excited... Discussing the Living Legacy events, and upcoming Guild Halls.
10:11 pm - Living Legacy brought about 20% increase in EQ and EQ II population. [crowd goes nuts] Notes that EverQuest is opening new expansion on Oct 21st, Seeds of Destruction in time for their 10th anniversary.
10:14 pm - Clint Worley, Senior Producer for EQ on stage. Expansion will start you in a distant void and next to a sapling that will be about all that is left of Norrath. This will take you back into the history of EverQuest to "make sure the gods of Discord stay at bay." They will allow players to try out two of the areas previous to launch.
10:18 pm - The Seeds of Destruction beta is open to everyone. Opened on the 4th, and looking to go open beta on the 19th of this month. It will not be full beta, but will give players an idea.
10:27 pm - "Zam.com will be best of show. We are allowing them access to our data feeds."
10:34 pm - Legends of Norrath: over 1 million games played since Fan Faire last year. They are looking to expand these in-game TCGs to more of the SOE games. All SWG players will get 5 free booster packs per month, and all players here will get a free card for their accounts. Many of these cards include items, and even iconic characters.
10:41 pm - Players will be able to use Vivox in combination with Station Voice to not only allow you to talk via headsets, but also with a cell phone, per their demo. There is no need to download additional software for SOE players; it will all be built in. This will be built in from the ground up in Free Realms, DCUO, and The Agency.
10:53 pm - Introduce Laralyn McWilliams, Lead Designer of Free Realms.
11:03 pm - All characters can be all classes at all time. You may be required to unlock them via quests, but you will be able to do everything. All characters level up graphically. "We want you to be a walking leaderboard" -- showing off how gear improves and gets fancier as you level up.
11:10 pm - You can also apparently go cow tipping. The crowd goes nuts. Beyond that, movement is handled by teleportation on the map. John: "All dogs and cats are programmed to be completely different." Showing off time elapsing, changes in shadows that are rendered. Showing off darker area in the game that contains a hedge maze. If you like exploration, you can go through the maze. If you hate it, there is a path straight through, but there are rewards to finding your way through the maze.
11:18 pm - John thanks everyone for coming out, hopes everyone enjoys all the free goodies that players are getting for attending this weekend. Alan came out to thank the crowd, wrap things up, and remind everyone of the party tonight. It certainly sounds like this is a good time to be an SOE fan between old favorites and new titles.
With two new expansions coming out, a bunch of new content for other favorites, and a host of ambitious MMOs on the table, we're looking forward to what the future holds. Rest assured that we at Massively will be there every step of the way to bring you all the latest.
