Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you leave your current MMO for its sequel?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-leave-your-current-mmo-for-its-sequel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-leave-your-current-mmo-for-its-sequel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-leave-your-current-mmo-for-its-sequel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Guild Wars 2 Engineer
With Guild Wars 2 in the offing, long-time Guild Wars fans have an interesting dilemma on their hands. Trading up is probably a foregone conclusion in most cases, but abandoning Guild Wars altogether may sting a bit if you've invested a lot of time and energy into the original incarnation of Tyria.

The same could be said for faithful EverQuest fans when EverQuest II rolled around in 2004, and perhaps again whenever Sony Online Entertainment formalizes its EverQuest Next project. For today's Daily Grind, then, we'd like to know how easily you could leave your current MMO if a sequel were to materialize. We know you'd check out the new shiny, but would you leave the older title for good?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you leave your current MMO for its sequel? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdaily-grindeqeq-2eq-iieq-nexteq1eq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-3everquest-iieverquest-nextf2pfantasyfree-to-playguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2mmo-sequelsncsoftopinionsequelssoesonysony-online-entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindThu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-soapbox-the-perils-of-passive-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-soapbox-the-perils-of-passive-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/the-soapbox-the-perils-of-passive-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Couch potato cat
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

My folks don't really understand my infatuation with video games (and MMORPGs in particular). "How can you sit there and play a game for two or three hours at a time?" my mom is fond of asking. Ironically, this usually happens on a visit that ends where most of our visits do: on the couch in front of the television.

Don't get me wrong; she's no couch potato, and in fact she has the meanest green thumb you'll ever see. When the sun goes down, though, my parents (like most of their generation, I'll wager) park their butts in front of the TV. That I should park my own posterior in front of the computer is exceedingly strange to them even though online gaming is to the 21st century what television was to the 20th.

I wonder, though, if games are starting to become more passive forms of TV-like entertainment.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The perils of passive gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualchallengecomplexitycouch-potatoeditorialeqeq1everquestf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgames-vs-tvhardcorehardcore-vs-casualinteractivitylets-playlivestreamlivestreamingmmo-industryop-edopinionpassivepassive-consumptionpassive-gamingpassive-vs-activepassivitypaying-to-skip-contentperils-of-passive-gamingrantrantsskipping-contentsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoesonysony-online-entertainmentthe-perils-of-passive-gamingthe-soapboxTue, 01 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE games down Monday for 24-hour maintenance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/soe-games-down-monday-for-24-hour-maintenance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/soe-games-down-monday-for-24-hour-maintenance/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/soe-games-down-monday-for-24-hour-maintenance/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SOE logo
We imagine that the word downtime makes Sony Online Entertainment employees cringe, convulse, and eye-twitch for hours on end after last summer's disastrous hacker-induced service outage. Happily, though, the next service interruption is planned, and we've got plenty of notice.

SOE will be performing maintenance this Monday, April 23rd, and the firm says that all of its game services will be unavailable for approximately 24 hours. The downtime starts at 3:01 a.m. EDT. Commerce transactions and account management functionality will also be affected, so you might as well cross all of your SOE-related plans off Monday's calendar.

MassivelySOE games down Monday for 24-hour maintenance originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedclassic-mmoconsoleconsolesdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoeqeq-2eq-iieq1eq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfpsfrfree-realmsfree-to-playhistoricalkid-friendlykidskids-mmommofpspiratespirates-of-the-burning-seaplanetsideplaystation-3playstation3potbspsps1ps3sandboxsci-fisoesoe-downtimesoe-maintenancesoe-planned-maintenancesoe-service-interruptionsonysony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperheroestelonvanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgFri, 20 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE trumpets EverQuest's F2P success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/soe-trumpets-everquests-f2p-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/soe-trumpets-everquests-f2p-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/soe-trumpets-everquests-f2p-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest - a living legend
How's that free-to-play experiment working out for EverQuest? Pretty well, according to Sony Online Entertainment's latest press release. The company has just published a few facts and figures relating to the recent conversion of its long-running fantasy themepark. Some of the more interesting nuggets include a 125% spike in item sales, a 150% uptick in unique log-ins, and over three times as many account registrations when compared to the subscription model.

SOE has also released a handy video recap for EverQuest newbs. The game has been around since 1999, after all, so have a look at the Living Legend clip after the break to catch up on 13 years of MMO history.

[Source: SOE press release]

Continue reading SOE trumpets EverQuest's F2P success

MassivelySOE trumpets EverQuest's F2P success originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-f2peq-free-to-playeq-living-legend-videoeq-videoeq1everquesteverquest-videof2pfantasyfree-to-playsoesonysony-online-entertainmentvideoTue, 17 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist: Bio break!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-game-archaeologist-bio-break/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-game-archaeologist-bio-break/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/the-game-archaeologist-bio-break/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Anarchy Online
Man oh man, why couldn't I just take a month or so off of this column without getting sucked back into it? Why must classic MMOs be so compelling and newsworthy these days?

I planned to take some time off of TGA while I went through Dark Age of Camelot in Choose My Adventure (which you're all reading, yes?), but there was so much to talk about regarding older MMOs that I couldn't sit back and stay mum. Ergo, I've dashed off this special "break" column devoted to commenting on recent news about classic games. Hopefully this will help tide you over until I get back into the full swing of things in April.

On the docket for today's discussion is Vanguard's forthcoming F2P change, EverQuest's recent conversion, Anarchy Online's stunning graphic engine video, and more!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: Bio break!

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist: Bio break! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoclassicclassic-mmoclassic-mmosclassicseqeq-nexteq1eqoaeverquesteverquest-nexteverquest-online-adventuresf2pfantasyfeaturedfpsfree-to-playfuncomgame-archaelogistmmofpsnostalgiaopinionplanetsideplanetside-2playstation-2playstation-3psps1sandboxsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentstationstation-accesstelonthe-game-archaeologistvanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgTue, 03 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Ultima Online vs. EverQuest vs. Asheron's Call]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/leaderboard-ultima-online-vs-everquest-vs-asherons-call/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/leaderboard-ultima-online-vs-everquest-vs-asherons-call/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/leaderboard-ultima-online-vs-everquest-vs-asherons-call/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Back at the turn of the century, you didn't have the equivalent of cable's infinite choices when it came to MMOs. No, you pretty much had the standard Big Three of network programming: Ultima Online, EverQuest, and Asheron's Call. With the subscription model firmly in place, most players had to choose their loyalty and choose it well.

For today's Leaderboard, we're going to pretend that no other MMOs exist other than those three and see how the 2012 crowd divides up between them. Would you fly your banner for Ultima Online and its enormous sandboxy world? Would you cast your lots with EverQuest, the once great and powerful king of the genre? Or would you throw in with Asheron's Call and its monthly stories?

Call it a popularity contest, a trip down memory lane, or an all-out brawl between MMO senior citizens. It's a three-way title fight on this week's Leaderboard, and only one game will live to see next week!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Ultima Online vs. EverQuest vs. Asheron's Call

MassivelyLeaderboard: Ultima Online vs. EverQuest vs. Asheron's Call originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acasherons-callbattle-royalclassic-mmoeaelectronic-artseqeq1everquestf2pfantasyfree-to-playleaderboardlord-britishmythicmythic-entertainmentone-on-oneone-vs-oneopinionpollpollssandboxsoesonysony-online-entertainmentturbineturbine-entertainmentultimaultima onlineuoversusvotevotesvotingvsMon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 193: Happytime face smiles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/massively-speaking-episode-193-happytime-face-smiles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/massively-speaking-episode-193-happytime-face-smiles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/massively-speaking-episode-193-happytime-face-smiles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Massively Speaking
Massively Speaking Episode 193 asks this question: If we had $25 million to spend on an MMO, how sarcastic would we make its quests? And would there be a special skill called "Fire One Shots!"? And would your character die if he or she were downvoted in a group raid? And would we ever look as happy as the guy in the picture above?

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 193: Happytime face smiles

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 193: Happytime face smiles originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosaction-rpgactivisionamalurbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrantbrianna-roycecash-shopd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiieqeq1everquestf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgaikaigothic-fantasyhumorjustin-olivettimassively-speakingmists-of-pandariamultiplayeronline-multiplayeropinionpodcastpodcastingpodcastsproject-copernicusroguelikerpgsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttodd-mcfarlanewarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 20 Mar 2012 14:30:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 193Massively.com Staff01:06:26podcasts<![CDATA[Terrazas talks EverQuest F2P launch and anniversary celebration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/terrazas-talks-everquest-f2p-launch-and-anniversary-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/terrazas-talks-everquest-f2p-launch-and-anniversary-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/terrazas-talks-everquest-f2p-launch-and-anniversary-celebration/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

everquest
March is definitely roaring in like a lion for EverQuest. It's launching its new free-to-play program, and it's also celebrating its 13th anniversary with a big bash in game. With all of the changes, players are sure to have more than a few questions about the free-to-play transition and the state of the game today. We recently sat down with SOE Producer Thom Terrazas at a roundtable to answer those questions, so read on for details on the new free-to-play plan as well as the Hero's Journey, revamped maps, birthday celebrations, and the announcement of a brand-new server!

Gallery: EverQuest Free-to-play and 13th anniversary

Continue reading Terrazas talks EverQuest F2P launch and anniversary celebration

MassivelyTerrazas talks EverQuest F2P launch and anniversary celebration originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq-revamped-mapseq1eq2eqiieverquesteverquest-13th-birthdayeverquest-2everquest-anniversaryeverquest-free-to-playeverquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryheros-journeyinterviewinterviewspreviewpreviewsscreenshotscreenshotssoesonysony-online-entertainmentthom-terrazastrailertrailersvideovideosvox-serverFri, 16 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest's massive 13th anniversary and free-to-play celebration events revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/everquests-massive-13th-anniversary-and-free-to-play-celebratio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/everquests-massive-13th-anniversary-and-free-to-play-celebratio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/everquests-massive-13th-anniversary-and-free-to-play-celebratio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest
In two days, EverQuest will not only be celebrating its 13th (!) anniversary and adding a sizable update to the game, but also will be making the jump to a free-to-play hybrid model. Since this is no small potatoes, SOE has planned a huge array of events to celebrate the occasion.

The fun begins on the Plane of Knowledge, where players can enjoy 13 special quests that harken back to the greatest hits of EverQuest's history. There's also a new raid and the return of 40 events from previous anniversaries to keep everyone busy.

The update has a new feature called the Hero's Journey, which is a guidebook that will lead players through a path in EverQuest. To make things even more user-friendly, EverQuest's map system will see a major overhaul that includes the ability to show you paths to your destination.

Finally, SOE has an absolutely gigantic F2P conversion FAQ that covers nearly every conceivable question about the transition, including payment options and previous status in the game. EverQuest will go F2P starting at 3:01 am EDT on Friday, March 16th.

MassivelyEverQuest's massive 13th anniversary and free-to-play celebration events revealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>13th-anniversaryanniversaryanniversary-eventseqeq1eventseverquestf2pf2p-conversionf2p-launchf2p-transitionfantasyfree-to-playfree-to-play-launchheros-journeyin-game-eventsmapmap-upgradepatchraidsoesonysony-online-entertainmentupdateWed, 14 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest Online Adventures sunsetting March 29th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/everquest-online-adventures-sunsetting-march-29th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/everquest-online-adventures-sunsetting-march-29th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/everquest-online-adventures-sunsetting-march-29th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQOA
It appears that Leap Day 2012 is not destined to be kind to the MMO industry. On top of layoffs and struggling studios, we've received word that Sony Online Entertainment has delivered a pink slip to EverQuest Online Adventures. According to the company, EQOA will be sunsetted on March 29th.

No specific reason was given for the move, but a farewell letter posted on the site attempts to soften the blow: "This is not an easy decision, but there comes a time when it's best for our developers to move on to the next adventure, and that day has come." In the closure FAQ, SOE also promises a celebration at the end of the game's run.

To appease its remaining EQOA customers, SOE is offering three months of gold membership in both EverQuest and EverQuest II for current subscribers. This consolation prize will become effective on March 16th. SOE will also not be charging current players during March.

EQOA has always been the smallest member of the EverQuest franchise since its release in 2003 on the PlayStation 2. We covered it in our Game Archaeologist column late last year and were impressed by the passion and memories that the game's fans shared.

[Thanks to Omali for the tip!]

MassivelyEverQuest Online Adventures sunsetting March 29th originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqoaeverquesteverquest-iieverquest-online-adventuresgold-membershipleap-dayleap-day-2012playstation-2soeSony-Online-EntertainmentWed, 29 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist reminisces with EQMac vets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/the-game-archaeologist-reminisces-with-eqmac-vets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/the-game-archaeologist-reminisces-with-eqmac-vets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/the-game-archaeologist-reminisces-with-eqmac-vets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest
I can hear you right now: "What, another week on EverQuest Mac? There's, like, six people who play that! Move on to Neocron already!" Oh, be patient my lovelies. I know that the whole EQMac termination/salvation thing is so yesterday's news, particularly with SOE embroiled in a completely different community fiasco last week, but I had one last thing to share with you.

You see, a month ago when I heard that EQMac was going to be shut down, I put out some feelers for any players who might want to share their side of the story. Apparently, this small community is downright fanatical about this game and deluged my inbox with stories and pleas. While it seems like the crisis has passed for these players, I still want to share some of these testimonies with you because that's what this column is about.

So indulge me with one last week of EQMac discussion before we shift our attention elsewhere. If you're curious why players in 2012 would deliberately choose to game on an archaic server with extremely old-school rules, then the answer awaits you after the jump. And if you'd like to try out this completely free version of EverQuest, then head over to the EQMac.com forums for step-by-step instructions.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist reminisces with EQMac vets

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist reminisces with EQMac vets originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alkaboreqeq-maceqmaceverquesteverquest-maceverquest-macintosheverquest-macintosh-editionfeaturedinterviewinterviewsplanes-of-powerpopsoesonysony-online-entertainmentthe-game-archaeologistworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 28 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest sets sights on March 16th for free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/everquest-sets-sights-on-march-16th-for-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/everquest-sets-sights-on-march-16th-for-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/everquest-sets-sights-on-march-16th-for-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest
On March 16th, 1999, Sony Online Entertainment launched one of the most monumental MMOs in history, and 13 years later, the studio is taking EverQuest to the next level with a free-to-play model. That's right, SOE's set the date for EQ's F2P conversion to be Friday, March 16 in order to coincide with the game's anniversary.

SOE promises that this won't be the only highlight of the teenage game's big day, as anniversary events will arrive in the game on that date as well.

In the meanwhile, the studio is asking for talented map-makers and artists to submit their own custom maps to be included in the game. There's no specific details yet on this process, but SOE says that it will be asking for these maps soon.

MassivelyEverQuest sets sights on March 16th for free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>13th-anniversaryanniversarycontestcustom-mapseqeverquestf2pfree-to-playin-game-eventsmapmapssoesony-online-entertainmentthirteenth-anniversaryThu, 23 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE opens up about multi-year European partnership]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/soe-opens-up-about-multi-year-european-partnership/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/soe-opens-up-about-multi-year-european-partnership/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/soe-opens-up-about-multi-year-european-partnership/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

ProSiebenSat.1
While we heard about Sony Online Entertainment's partnership with ProSiebenSat.1 Games Group to publish MMOs in Europe last month, the specific details of this deal were lurking under a cloud cover of mystery and speculation -- until now. SOE has posted a quite lengthy FAQ about this partnership and what it entails for the future of the studio in the Old World.

According to the deal, ProSiebenSat.1 has the license to officially publish eight of SOE's titles in 40 countries. These MMOs include DC Universe Online, EverQuest II, Free Realms, PlanetSide 2, and EverQuest Next (although not, oddly enough, EverQuest itself). SOE hopes that ProSiebenSat.1's location and expertise will result in in a greater audience for its games as well as more support and better localization for those under ProSiebenSat.1's umbrella. SOE even hopes that the partnership will result in "special content" for European players.

Previously, SOE had distribution agreements for Europe but nothing on the scale of what it now has with ProSiebenSat.1. It looks like EU players will need to transfer their accounts and characters over to ProSiebenSat.1's domain, although SOE promises that this will be an easy process. It's also important to note that these games and their servers will not interact with their North American counterparts, effectively separating the communities.

MassivelySOE opens up about multi-year European partnership originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-universe-onlinedcuodealeq2eqiieueu-playerseuropeeuropeaneverquesteverquest-iieverquest-nextfree-realmslegalpartnershipplanetside-2prosiebensat.1ProSiebenSat.1-Games-Groupps2soeSony-Online-EntertainmentTue, 21 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist chats with John Smedley about EQMac's salvation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-game-archaeologist-chats-with-john-smedley-about-eqmacs-sal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-game-archaeologist-chats-with-john-smedley-about-eqmacs-sal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/the-game-archaeologist-chats-with-john-smedley-about-eqmacs-sal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

John Smedley
A week ago I sat here writing up what I thought was going to be the epitaph for EverQuest's odd foray into an Apple-only product, EverQuest Macintosh. The word came down from on high that with the coming of free-to-play, EQMac's diminutive server population would be ushered out the doors as Al'Kabor got sent to the retirement home.

That was a week ago. Boy, what a difference a week makes, right?

Since the writing of that article, we received word that not only did Sony Online Entertainment reverse its decision to kill EQMac but that it will be making the server completely free for its community for the indefinite future. I learned that while under the influence of a 102-degree fever, so I initially thought it was just my brain cooking in my skull. But no, it was the truth. So what happened in the span of that week? Why did SOE do a 180 and keep alive an ancient relic of its flagship MMO?

For the whole, unadulterated truth, I called up SOE President John Smedley to get the full scoop on the wild rollercoaster he's taken this loyal community on these past few weeks. Finding out what he said will only cost you one click. It's worth it, trust me.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist chats with John Smedley about EQMac's salvation

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist chats with John Smedley about EQMac's salvation originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classicclassic-mmosclassicseqeq-maceverquesteverquest-macf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-archaelogistinterviewinterviewsjohn-smedleyopinionsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-game-archaeologistTue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reports of EverQuest Mac dying have been greatly exaggerated]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/reports-of-everquest-mac-dying-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It gets knocked down, but it gets up again.
Nothing gold can stay, it seems. EverQuest on the Macintosh, affectionately dubbed EQMac, was announced as facing a shutdown in wake of the game's impending free-to-play transition. John Smedley confirmed this, players mourned, and our own stalwart Game Archaeologist lamented its passing. And so, as the game approaches its final month, Smedley has... apparently rescinded the entire thing via a late-night Twitter post that has taken the entire EQMac community by surprise.

Yes, there is apparently both a Santa Claus and a Tooth Fairy, because John Smedley has stated that not only are the EQMac fans "a wonderful group of players," the game will be left running. Better yet, it will continue to run as-is and with no subscription fees. If you're part of the fanbase, no, you don't need to pinch yourself, this is actually a thing that is happening. Further details are to be announced soon, but just the facts alone should make fans very happy.

MassivelyReports of EverQuest Mac dying have been greatly exaggerated originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreakingeqeqmaceverquesteverquest-macjohn-smedleymacintoshnewsnews-itemsoperating-systemosshutdownssoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist mourns the end of EQMac]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/the-game-archaeologist-mourns-the-end-of-eqmac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/the-game-archaeologist-mourns-the-end-of-eqmac/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/the-game-archaeologist-mourns-the-end-of-eqmac/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EQMac
In 2003, Sony Online Entertainment tried an experiment to reach out to the (then) small-but-growing community of Mac users. The company released EverQuest Macintosh Edition -- quickly abbreviated to EQMac -- which incorporated the core game and the first four expansions of EverQuest: The Ruins of Kunark, The Scars of Velious, The Shadows of Luclin, and The Planes of Power. Because EQMac was a separate version of the game, SOE segregated Apple players on their own server called Al'Kabor and then, for all intents and purposes, abandoned them as the "real" EverQuest continued to expand and advance.

While the population didn't exactly explode, especially as the progression of time rendered EQMac stuck in a type of video game amber, a singular community of dedicated, helpful players formed, and they became proud of their hardcore home. According to many of them, EQMac was the way EverQuest was always meant to be played, frozen in time at the release of one of the game's best expansions. It was a mark of pride to say that you played on Al'Kabor, especially now as massive AAA MMOs dwarf the original EQ -- to say nothing of this odd EQ spinoff.

Yet, as SOE posted, "all good things must end," and with the news that EverQuest is being prepped for free-to-play, EQMac players learned that they would not be joining the rest. Unless higher powers intervene, on March 29th, Al'Kabor will be turned off for good. As such, I felt this was a good time to look briefly at the history of this unique title and the testimonies of its passionate fans.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist mourns the end of EQMac

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist mourns the end of EQMac originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-maceqmaceqmac.comeqoaeverquesteverquest-iieverquest-maceverquest-macintosheverquest-macintosh-editioneverquest-online-adventuresfeaturedhobartjohn-smedleylord-of-the-rings-onlineosxplanes-of-powersoesony-online-entertainmenttgathe-game-archaeologistthe-planes-of-powerthe-ruins-of-kunarkthe-scars-of-veliousthe-shadows-of-lucinTodd-Schmidtworld-of-warcraftTue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: EQ was the first MMO edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/the-mmo-report-eq-was-the-first-mmo-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/the-mmo-report-eq-was-the-first-mmo-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/the-mmo-report-eq-was-the-first-mmo-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Casey Schreiner
Casey Schreiner returns with this week's MMO Report, G4TV's weekly newscast about all things massively multiplayer. First up is a shout-out to the newly free-to-play EverQuest, though Ultima Online, Meridian 59, and The Realm players might dispute Casey's notion that EQ "started it all."

Funcom's new Blue Mountain trailer for The Secret World also gets a mention, as does the Family Research Council's facepalm-inducing reaction to the prospect of same-sex snogging in Star Wars: The Old Republic. TERA's legal troubles are next, and Uncle Casey's mailbag rounds out this week's show. Head past the break to watch it in full.

Continue reading The MMO Report: EQ was the first MMO edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: EQ was the first MMO edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluehole-studioen-masseen-masse-entertainmenteqeverquestf2pfamily-research-councilfree-to-playfuncommmo-reportstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorterathe-mmo-reportthe-old-republicthe-secret-worldtorvideoFri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II producer handing over the reins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/everquest-ii-producer-handing-over-the-reins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/everquest-ii-producer-handing-over-the-reins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/everquest-ii-producer-handing-over-the-reins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

CHEEEEEEEEEESE
EverQuest II players will probably be familiar with the name Smokejumper, the forum handle of the EverQuest franchise's Executive Producer Dave Georgeson. Georgeson has served as Executive Producer for EverQuest, EverQuest II, and the upcoming EverQuest Next while simultaneously filling the role of Producer for EverQuest II. As you might imagine, that's quite a lot of work for a single person. With that in mind, Georgeson announced on the official EQII website today that Holly "Windstalker" Longdale has rejoined SOE in order to take over the position of EverQuest II's Producer.

Holly also takes the opportunity to introduce herself to the community, remarking that "the opportunity to be a producer on this team is surreal and certainly perfect." She goes on to say that "EverQuest... has had a place in [her] life for well over a decade now," making it clear that she's not just some corporate suit who doesn't care about the game -- she's a player who is passionate about the game and is in-tune with the playerbase. To read the full announcement from Smokejumper as well as the follow-up by Windstalker, just click on through the link below.

MassivelyEverQuest II producer handing over the reins originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneq-iieq2everquest-2everquest-iiexecutive-producerf2pfree-to-playholly-longdaleproducerproducerssmokejumpersoesony-online-entertainmentwindstalkerThu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest Mac fans fight for survival; SOE responds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/everquest-mac-fans-fight-for-survival-soe-responds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/everquest-mac-fans-fight-for-survival-soe-responds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/everquest-mac-fans-fight-for-survival-soe-responds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EverQuest Mac
While many players are celebrating the announcement of EverQuest's upcoming free-to-play transition, there is one EQ community that was crushed by the news. The small but dedicated fanbase of EverQuest: Macintosh Edition found out that with F2P, EQMac and its one server would be sunsetted on the same date.

EQMac fans have begun to stage a campaign to save their favorite game, but it looks like there will be no budging SOE's mind on the matter. SOE President John Smedley took to the forums today to answer specific questions about the shutdown. "It breaks my heart to have to do this," he laments, before admitting that it's a done deal. Smedley cites the fact that the codebase is so ancient that only one SOE programmer knows how to work it, the player population is too small, and SOE was never that "proud" of the version.

However, Smedley promised that he will run a poll to see if there's enough interest in a Mac port of the current version of EverQuest. If the response is big enough, he says, the company will consider doing it. Meanwhile, the game will be available for current players free of charge until the March 29th shutdown. SOE has a celebration planned for its final hurrah.

EQMac came out in 2003 and was unique for remaining "frozen in time" in the years since, receiving no further active development or expansions. We will be covering this game and its shutdown more in-depth in a future Game Archaeologist column, so stay tuned.

MassivelyEverQuest Mac fans fight for survival; SOE responds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleeqeq-forumseqmaceverquesteverquest-macintosheverquest-macintosh-editionf2pforumsfree-to-playjohn-smedleymacmac-editionmac-portmac-versionpollshutdownsmedleysoeSony-Online-EntertainmentsunsetsunsettingTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[It's official: EverQuest goes free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/its-official-everquest-goes-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/its-official-everquest-goes-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/its-official-everquest-goes-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EQ Veil of Alaris
Back in December, when EverQuest II made the transition to free-to-play across all servers, many gamers wondered whether its sibling, EverQuest, would follow. Today, the speculation has become reality, and EverQuest will officially go free-to-play in March, which also is the month that the game first launched back in 1999. As the game closes in on its 13th birthday, it's worth taking a look back at this game's amazing history.

Continue reading It's official: EverQuest goes free-to-play

MassivelyIt's official: EverQuest goes free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-mcquaideqeq+free+to+playeqfreetoplayeverquesteverquest+freeeverquest+free+to+playeverquest-free-to-playeverquestfreeeverquestfreetoplayfantasyfeaturedfree+everquestfree-to-playfreeeverquestgeoffrey-zatkinmercenariesseeds-of-destructionsoesony-online-entertainmentveil-of-alarisMon, 30 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST