Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/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/<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Will Age of Discovery be the last EQII expansion?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/the-tattered-notebook-will-age-of-discovery-be-the-last-eqii-expans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/the-tattered-notebook-will-age-of-discovery-be-the-last-eqii-expans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/the-tattered-notebook-will-age-of-discovery-be-the-last-eqii-expans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQiI Jester
It's amazing how much can change in just over a year. At the end of last summer, we were wrapping up Fan Faire and looking forward to Destiny of Velious, the upcoming expansion and the first of what was supposed to be a two-part expansion. This past weekend, just over a year later, I was headed to #OccupyNorrath to check out the planned protest, part of which was aimed at the cost of the new expansion, Age of Discovery. While the protest was light, to put it mildly, there has been quite a bit of rumbling on the forums about this upcoming expansion and the fact that while it might be heavy on features, it's pretty light on new content.

Now, when I question whether Age of Discovery will be the last EverQuest II expansion, I'm certainly not predicting that all production will cease and desist in the game afterwards. But I think it's worth asking whether we're seeing a shift away from the traditional expansion model. Let's take a look back the past year and a half because I think it offers hints that might help explain the bigger picture for the game.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Will Age of Discovery be the last EQII expansion?

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Will Age of Discovery be the last EQII expansion? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aqe-of-discoverydave-georgesondestiny-of-veliouseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanrise-of-kunarksentinels-fateshadow-odysseysoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttattered-notebookSat, 26 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Fan Faire knowns and unknowns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/the-tattered-notebook-fan-faire-known-and-unknowns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/the-tattered-notebook-fan-faire-known-and-unknowns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/the-tattered-notebook-fan-faire-known-and-unknowns/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As we inch closer to Fan Faire, speculation begins to mount about what news EverQuest II fans will finally get to hear. Last year, players were smarting from the announcement of EQII Extended, the free-to-play server, and it seemed to deflate the mood among EQII Fan Faire attendees. This year, EQII is full of knowns and unknowns, to borrow a phrase from former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. We have known knowns, which are things that we know we know. And then there are known unknowns, or things that we know but we actually don't know. Lastly, there are unknown unknowns, which are things that we don't know we don't know. That's where things are in EQII currently. Confused? Me too! This week's Tattered Notebook will look at what we know and what we hope to find out more about at this year's Fan Faire.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Fan Faire knowns and unknowns

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Fan Faire knowns and unknowns originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousdominoemily-tayloreqeq-nextEQ2eq2xEQIIeqII-extendedeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iieverquest-nextfan-fairefan-faire-2011featuredfreeportfreeport-revampitemizationjohn-smedleysentinels-fatesmokejumpersoesoe-fan-faireSony-Online-Entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookveliousMon, 27 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: If we all look cool, how do we know who's really cool?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/the-tattered-notebook-if-we-all-look-cool-how-do-we-know-whos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/the-tattered-notebook-if-we-all-look-cool-how-do-we-know-whos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/the-tattered-notebook-if-we-all-look-cool-how-do-we-know-whos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Last week, we looked at the amazing job that EverQuest II does with providing ways to make your character look unique. EQII is one of the best when it comes to making your character look special, cool, and fitting of who you are. But there's another side of this coin, and as one forum poster has rightfully pointed out, the best-looking items aren't always the best items in the game. As Rayven2 noted recently on the official forums:
A good example is the Elemental War Sword. Sure it drops from an easy-mode mob, but it's a 4x raid and takes time and effort to beat (at least the first time you do it). The sword should look somewhat cool, but the graphic is just the same reused sword graphic painted gold. The chillborne sword is the one that has the particle effects for 200SC. So you bust your hump beating a mob that took 24 people to take down only to get a reward that looks worse than an appearance weapon anyone can acquire for little or no effort. None of the scout weapons look anywhere as cool as the SC daggers out there.
Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson replied, saying, "It's a fair point, although if we're not paying attention to that now, it's by oversight, not by intent. Everyone wants something cool looking (not just cool stats) when they overcome big challenges. That's natural."

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll take a closer look at "looking cool" and how the rise of cash shops has changed the way we view each other.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: If we all look cool, how do we know who's really cool?

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: If we all look cool, how do we know who's really cool? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-itemsappearance-tabcash-shopclass-gearclass-hatcosmeticsDave-georgesoneq2EQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumgearkingdom-of-skymarketplaceprismaticsraidingraiding-gearrayven2sentinels-fatesmokejumperMon, 11 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: What will Velious bring?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/the-tattered-notebook-what-will-velious-bring/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/the-tattered-notebook-what-will-velious-bring/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/the-tattered-notebook-what-will-velious-bring/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been a long wait, but tomorrow, EverQuest II players will finally get to explore the frozen continent of Velious. Longtime players, including me, worried that the expansion would not pay tribute to the features that made the original Scars of Velious so popular. The official site isn't very reassuring, either, as it's dominated by announcements of appearance gear and marketing promotions. Veteran players are left feeling like the Wendy's lady, pointedly asking, "Where's the beef?"

With the arrival of launch day, what will the Destiny of Velious expansion bring to players? Is there more to this expansion than flying mounts and cute othmir illusions? Read on to see what players might expect to see.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: What will Velious bring?

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: What will Velious bring? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destiny-of-veliousdoveqEQ2eq2xEQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iifeaturedkael-drakkelkingdom-of-skykunarklodizalothmirpublic-questssentinels-fatethe-shadow-odysseytower-of-frozen-shadowveliousvelketorMon, 21 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Highlights from the Destiny of Velious webcast]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/the-tattered-notebook-highlights-from-the-destiny-of-velious-we/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/the-tattered-notebook-highlights-from-the-destiny-of-velious-we/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/the-tattered-notebook-highlights-from-the-destiny-of-velious-we/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With Destiny of Velious just around the corner, the team at SOE has announced a webcast schedule to provide details about the upcoming expansion and answer player questions. The first one was this past Friday and was attended by Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson and Siliam "Silius" Grant, whom Vanguard fans might recognize. While the show was brief, the duo did touch on many different areas -- from itemization to raids and even to the addition of new public quests. Read on for highlights from the first Velious question-and-answer session.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Highlights from the Destiny of Velious webcast

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Highlights from the Destiny of Velious webcast originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousdoveqEQ2EQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iiexpansionskael-drakkellodizalothmirpublic-questsrallos-zeksentinels-fatesilium-grantsiliussmokejumpersoetower-of-frozen-shadowveliousvelketorWarhammer-OnlineWebcastwebcastingMon, 31 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: A look forward, with a look back]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/the-tattered-notebook-a-look-forward-with-a-look-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/the-tattered-notebook-a-look-forward-with-a-look-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/the-tattered-notebook-a-look-forward-with-a-look-back/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's definitely feeling like the dog days of January in EverQuest II right now. Frostfell is almost over, Destiny of Velious beta is in high gear, and there are only a few weeks left before Sentinel's Fate becomes "last year's" expansion. While a visit to the Gigglegibber lotto has helped pass the time, I've been fighting a losing battle with pre-expansion doldrums.

But then I got thinking about those first few days in Sentinel's Fate and our first foray into The Conservatory, and I began to get really excited about the Velious expansion that's right around the corner. Read on for my trip down memory lane and see why I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of February.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: A look forward, with a look back

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: A look forward, with a look back originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The stockings might be stretched and frayed from being stuffed with presents, and the Frostfell tree might be shedding all over your Halasian home, but that doesn't mean the celebration is over! While the holidays are winding down, things are hopping in EverQuest II. If you're looking to dodge those post-holiday blues, look no further! I've composed a list of fun things to do in EQII during the month of January, and all are doable no matter what your level.

Read below for a look at 11 for '11, and ring in the New Year in EverQuest II.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Eleven ways to ring in 2011

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Eleven ways to ring in 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EverQuest II may be the ripe old age of six, but it certainly isn't showing signs of slowing down. With 2010 coming to a close, it's time to look back on the past year, which was marked with several major changes to the game.

Read on for The Tattered Notebook's year in review, and then share your memories of the past year in EverQuest II.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: EverQuest II's year in review

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: EverQuest II's year in review originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brenlodesert-of-flamesdestiny-of-veliousend-of-the-year-2010EQ2eq2xEQIIeverquesteverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-underfootEverquest2featuredplanetsidesentinels-fatesmokejumpersoesoe-eq-2soe-eq-iisony-eq-2sony-eq-iistation-cashtribes-2zOMGMon, 27 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Six years of EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/the-tattered-notebook-six-years-of-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/the-tattered-notebook-six-years-of-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/the-tattered-notebook-six-years-of-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I looked down at the dog-eared journal and shivered. As excited as I was to finally be in possession of The Tattered Notebook, I recalled the fates of its previous owners. First, seemingly out of madness, Seccia made a sudden and unexpected career change to blog about kittens. Now, Scarve, a Ratonga, has disappeared in the night, leaving behind only a wedge of cheese, this tattered notebook, and a tiny stuffed Kerran doll. Rumors spread of his appearance among a shadowy cult of Gnomish tinkerers, but it's unclear whether he's with them by choice or by force.

Regardless, I took a deep breath and opened the cover. What a perfect time to begin adding my entries to the journal, right at the celebration of EverQuest II's six-year anniversary! To celebrate, the game is holding its second annual Festival of Heroes, from November 19-30. In honor of this milestone, my first entry into The Tattered Notebook is a retrospective of those past six years, with an eye towards the future.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Six years of EverQuest II

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Six years of EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packanniversaryappearance-slotbillybirthdaybloodline-chroniclesdesert-of-flamesechoes-of-faydwereqEQ2EQIIeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexchangeexchange-serversf2pfallen-dynastyfan-fairefan-faire-2010featuredfestival-of-heroesfree-to-playfreemiumhousingkingdom-of-skymarketplaceNorrathplayer-housingRetrospectiverise-of-kunarksentinels-fateSOEsoe-eq-2SONYSony-Online-Entertainmentsplitpaw-sagathe-shadow-odysseythe-tattered-notebookMon, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fate for free: EQII upgrades the celebration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/fate-for-free-eqii-upgrades-the-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/fate-for-free-eqii-upgrades-the-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/fate-for-free-eqii-upgrades-the-celebration/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The party continues! If the offer of a free cosmetic armband wasn't enough to get you to log back into EverQuest II, then SOE is hoping that opening up Sentinel's Fate for all to experience will do the trick. All current EQII players now have access to the Sentinel's Fate content through tomorrow, May 14.

SOE obviously wants players to upgrade to the new expansion as well, so they're offering a variety of discounts to nudge the playerbase along. Active players can get Sentinel's Fate for $5 off the current price if they purchase it by May 30, while inactive players will receive the same offer in addition to a $5 discount for their first month's resubscription.

It's a good time to be an EverQuest II player, with the expansion pack still going strong, this celebration pulling players back in, and a decent chunk of new content on the way with the Halas Reborn patch. So head on over to EQII to get your goodies, see the new sights and secure your discount today!

MassivelyFate for free: EQII upgrades the celebration originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 May 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdiscounteq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iihalas-rebornpromotionruby-armbandsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentThu, 13 May 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQ2 handing out free armbands in celebration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/eq2-handing-out-free-armbands-in-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/eq2-handing-out-free-armbands-in-celebration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/eq2-handing-out-free-armbands-in-celebration/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Everybody likes free stuff, right? There's always something irresistible about a little freebie, something that makes people do crazy, crazy things to snag it. Well, in the case of EverQuest 2, all you have to do is log on sometime during May 12-14 to claim your very own Rose Quartz Inlaid Gold Armbands. Whew, that's a mouthful!

The armband is a cosmetic item only that fits in the shoulder slot, and cannot be traded. It normally sells on the Station Marketplace, but SOE has waved the cost for a few days in celebration of Sentinel's Fate's success. You can grab yours by typing /marketplace in EverQuest 2, or by clicking on the Marketplace tab.

Some players have wondered if the armbands were beholden to that one look. As one forum poster asked, "Do they come in any other color than pink?" The response was quick: "Yes, they also come in light red."

MassivelyEQ2 handing out free armbands in celebration originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iifreebiegaudylight-redrose-quartz-inlaid-gold-armbandssentinels-fatesoestation-marketplaceWed, 12 May 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: No one is left behind]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/the-tattered-notebook-no-one-is-left-behind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/the-tattered-notebook-no-one-is-left-behind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/the-tattered-notebook-no-one-is-left-behind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

'Allo again, lovelies. Last week has been a week of danger and intrigue as I battled through Nektulos Forest and worked on getting my unique Shadowknight armor. During all of this, though, I thought to myself -- how can I apply any of these experiences to my notebook entry for this coming week?

Then of course, it hit me. Why not just explain what I've been doing to get through the areas in a short amount of time? A few tips and tricks for playing the level game? Sure, I've been up and down with grouping and preparations for Sentinel's Fate, but many players are always intimidated when entering a game and "being behind."

Well, don't worry about being behind. You're not entering the game late at all when it comes to EverQuest II, especially thanks to the recent additions to the game in Sentinel's Fate. Interested in catching up and experiencing some great content? Then click on through after the break!

Also, I'm still looking for questions anyone has on EverQuest II, so I can answer them in an upcoming Tattered Notebook. Ask me anything, from EverQuest II questions, guild leadership and raiding questions, and even questions on my Dark Elven heritage. Send them over to seraphina@massively.com, and she'll be sure to forward them on through the Norrathian Express mail to me.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: No one is left behind

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: No one is left behind originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The EverQuest II players have spoken. The results are in, and the sales of the newest expansion, Sentinel's Fate took the #1 spot in the PC game sales charts for a second week in a row. We'd bet there will be much celebratory battleground playing or virtual pillow-fighting at the Sony Online Entertainment offices today.

The sixth expansion to EverQuest II, Sentinel's Fate is chock full of content, taking players from level 80 to 90. Packed into this expansion are two new overland zones, 15 new dungeons, 400 new quests and over 2,000 new items to check out. There's also some pretty cool armor and 500 station cash to go shopping with as well. Not too shabby.

If you're curious for more details about the expansion, Sera's compiled a great roundup of our coverage. For now, we'll just say grats on the ding, EverQuest II team!

MassivelySentinel's Fate rises to the top of the charts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsales-chartssentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentFri, 26 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Sentinel's Fate aftermath and advice]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/the-tattered-notebook-sentinels-fate-aftermath-and-advice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/the-tattered-notebook-sentinels-fate-aftermath-and-advice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/the-tattered-notebook-sentinels-fate-aftermath-and-advice/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hrm. After a brief vacation, darlings, I am back at the reigns of my column. Neriak was lovely this time of year -- I encourage you all to stop by for a visit if you have the time.

But who has the time these days, right? All of your are off exploring Odus as if you haven't seen the place in 500 years. I hear that some adventurers are already tackling some of the most dangerous dungeons on that continent already! My, my, my, how you all tackle your challenges so quickly.

Many of you have had some very interesting things to say about Odus, and I've been silently watching and taking some notes. I've got them all right here, tucked away in my notebook. I've even amassed some answers for a few of your more common problems, just in time for the digital download release today. But, all of you can never say that Seccia Ravenloft was a secretive elf. I'm more than happy to share my findings so come closely, gather around the campfire, and listen here.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Sentinel's Fate aftermath and advice

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Sentinel's Fate aftermath and advice originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaalternate-advancementeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexperiencegraphicsgroupingodusquestingrepeatable-questssentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentstatisticsthe-holetoken-questsTue, 23 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragons abound in the Sentinel's Fate launch day trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/dragons-abound-in-the-sentinels-fate-launch-day-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/dragons-abound-in-the-sentinels-fate-launch-day-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/dragons-abound-in-the-sentinels-fate-launch-day-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

An epic expansion deserves an epic trailer, and that means adding as many dragons as possible to your video. The new Sentinel's Fate launch day trailer takes a good look at all of the new monsters and encounters available in the game, but it seems to have a particular focus on large dragons and how they destroy people with their acidic breath. Fun if you're a dragon lover, bad if you're on the receiving end of that breath.

If you haven't gotten a look at the expansion in motion yet, or want to watch some dragons eat some people, we have the video for you embedded after the break. Just click the continue reading button to see the eye candy if you dare to cross into the dragon's lair!

Continue reading Dragons abound in the Sentinel's Fate launch day trailer

MassivelyDragons abound in the Sentinel's Fate launch day trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragonseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iilaunch-daypaineelsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentsundered-frontiertrailervideoTue, 16 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: A look into grouping, and a roundup of our Sentinel's Fate coverage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-tattered-notebook-a-look-into-grouping-and-a-roundup-of-ou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-tattered-notebook-a-look-into-grouping-and-a-roundup-of-ou/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-tattered-notebook-a-look-into-grouping-and-a-roundup-of-ou/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While Sentinel's Fate doesn't hit the digital download shelves for another week, retail players (and the many winners of retail access keys) are already enjoying the brand new lands of Odus as of this morning, thanks to today's headstart launch! The magical barrier protecting the continent has fallen, and many adventurers have already accessed the wizard spires to throw themselves into the Sundered Frontier and right into the intrigue.

But, while you're waiting to patch (or if you're an international customer, waiting for the servers to come up) we have just the thing for you -- our roundup of Sentinel's Fate coverage. Plus, this week we're taking a look at forming groups in EverQuest II, and how you can quickly and effectively put one together.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: A look into grouping, and a roundup of our Sentinel's Fate coverage

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: A look into grouping, and a roundup of our Sentinel's Fate coverage originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedgroupinggrouping-tipslandslaunch-dayodusroundupsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentsundered-frontierthe-tattered-notebookTue, 16 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win a copy of EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate tonight in Massively's "Keys of Fate" event! [Closed!]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/win-a-copy-of-everquest-ii-sentinels-fate-tonight-in-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/win-a-copy-of-everquest-ii-sentinels-fate-tonight-in-massively/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/win-a-copy-of-everquest-ii-sentinels-fate-tonight-in-massively/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You have an EverQuest II subscription (or want to sign up for a trial?) You want to participate in a fun event, solve a few puzzles, and have a chance at winning a collector's edition key for Sentinel's Fate just in time for tomorrow's launch? Then do we have the offer for you!

Tonight, starting at 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM PT), boot up your EverQuest II to the Lucan d'Lere server and get your browsers pointed to Massively.com. We're hosting an across-the-internet scavenger hunt, finishing out with a race across Norrath to find our roving Dark Elven reporter, Seccia Ravenloft.

Seccia has been equipped with not one, but two key codes that will unlock the Sentinel's Fate collector's edition in addition to 10 key codes that will unlock the standard retail version. All of these keys will let you access the Sentinel's Fate headstart, which begins tomorrow!

Need all the details? We have them right after the break!

Continue reading Win a copy of EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate tonight in Massively's "Keys of Fate" event! [Closed!]

MassivelyWin a copy of EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate tonight in Massively's "Keys of Fate" event! [Closed!] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contesteq-iieq2eventeverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionfeaturedin-game-eventkeys-of-fatemeet-massivelypuzzlesscavenger-huntsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashMon, 15 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Catch up for Sentinel's Fate with a bonus exp weekend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/catch-up-for-sentinels-fate-with-a-bonus-exp-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/catch-up-for-sentinels-fate-with-a-bonus-exp-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/catch-up-for-sentinels-fate-with-a-bonus-exp-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Behind on your leveling? Stuck in a mire of experience? Looking for a quick boost to get you set for the latest expansion to EverQuest II, Sentinel's Fate?

Well, starting at 3 PM PT today (6 PM for those of us on the east coast) you'll be able to get bonus experience to everything you do in EverQuest II! Leveling experience, alternate advancement experience, tradeskill experience, country experience, and western experience will all benefit from the bonus event. (Editor's Note: We don't remember country or western experience being in EQII, but hey, he is the executive producer, after all. He should know what he's talking about.)

Your new experience buff will be running out on Monday at Noon PT (3 PM ET) so be sure to take advantage of it while you can! Get some more experience under your belt before Sentinel's Fate launches on Tuesday!

MassivelyCatch up for Sentinel's Fate with a bonus exp weekend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-exp-weekendbonus-experiencebrenlocatch-upeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentFri, 12 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Conquer the Keys of Fate, win a copy of Sentinel's Fate!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/conquer-the-keys-of-fate-win-a-copy-of-sentinels-fate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/conquer-the-keys-of-fate-win-a-copy-of-sentinels-fate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/conquer-the-keys-of-fate-win-a-copy-of-sentinels-fate/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"Seccia quickly looked over the treasured keys one last time. Her fingers lightly traced the ornate engravings on the two platinum and ten golden keys as a smile pulled itself across her lips. She took a deep breath before slowly wrapping them up in a large piece of canvas, hiding the package at the bottom of her backpack.

"In a few short minutes she had finished packing her camping supplies and had donned her armor. Without a second look back across her apartment she quickly moved towards the front door, praying that the right adventurers would find her before it's too late."

This Monday at 8:30 PM EST, join Massively as we set out on a bold quest across not only the face of Norrath, but the internet itself! Our intrepid Dark Elven reporter, Seccia Ravenloft, is holding the keys for brand new copies of EverQuest II's Sentinel's Fate collector's edition and retail edition! To claim them, however, one must track her down, wherever she is hiding, and politely request a key.

Tracking her down, however, will lead you through multiple puzzles and riddles in a race against the rest of Norrath! You will need an active EverQuest II subscription to participate in this contest, readers, so be sure to reactivate if you're interested in winning yourself a brand new expansion pack. Full instructions will be posted here and on the EverQuest II Community News forum come Monday, so keep your eye out!

Can you conquer the Keys of Fate?

MassivelyConquer the Keys of Fate, win a copy of Sentinel's Fate! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectors-editioncontesteq-iieq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionkeys-of-fatenorrathpuzzleretail-keysscavenger-huntsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentFri, 12 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II unveils a new puzzle upon Norrath, and we've got some pieces of it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/everquest-ii-unveils-a-new-puzzle-upon-norrath-and-weve-got-so/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/everquest-ii-unveils-a-new-puzzle-upon-norrath-and-weve-got-so/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/everquest-ii-unveils-a-new-puzzle-upon-norrath-and-weve-got-so/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Once again, we've gotten another package from that strange community Dark Elf, Kiara. This time, however, instead of sending us a set of tablets, we've gotten sheets of paper containing some foreign language!

We're told that once the language is successfully deciphered, it should provide clues to a brand new questing opportunity to those who play EverQuest II. If you've been itching for more information on Sentinel's Fate, then look no further than these various scripts to provide you with information -- if you can crack them.

We've placed our four sections of writing in the article after the break, so be sure to click on the continue reading button to get a glimpse of the stuff you'll need to understand. We hear you'll need a big forehead to beat this one. *wink wink*


Continue reading EverQuest II unveils a new puzzle upon Norrath, and we've got some pieces of it

MassivelyEverQuest II unveils a new puzzle upon Norrath, and we've got some pieces of it originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contesteq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedkiarapuzzlequestsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 09 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's developer tour of Sentinel's Fate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/massivelys-developer-tour-of-sentinels-fate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/massivelys-developer-tour-of-sentinels-fate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/massivelys-developer-tour-of-sentinels-fate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With the EverQuest II team hard at work on their newest expansion, Sentinel's Fate, we were invited by community manager Kiara to drop by the Shattered Lands and take a closer look at the new zones in the expansion. While we were expecting to see some nice content, it's amazing to see just how beautiful these zones are when you walk through them in person.

I'm not one to open an article with such a bold statement, but the zones we got to tour in Sentinel's Fate were impressive. Hopefully today we can impart some of the beauty of these zones to you as we talk about three major areas in the new expansion: The Hole & The Seal of the Underfoot, the Erudin Library, and the Vasty Deep Conservatory.

Gallery: EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate

Vasty Deep ConservatoryVasty Deep Conservatory: Void Zone 1Vasty Deep Conservatory: Void Zone 2The Great Seal of the Underfoot

Continue reading Massively's developer tour of Sentinel's Fate

MassivelyMassively's developer tour of Sentinel's Fate originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brett-scheinertconservatorydev-tourdeveloper-toureq-iieq2erudin-libraryeverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionfeaturedkiarascreenshotssentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentthe-holetimetravellingvasty-deepzonesFri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II to host live tour of Sentinel's Fate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/everquest-ii-to-host-live-tour-of-sentinels-fate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/everquest-ii-to-host-live-tour-of-sentinels-fate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/everquest-ii-to-host-live-tour-of-sentinels-fate/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sentinel's Fate is the upcoming expansion to Sony Online Entertainment's EverQuest II, and fans are looking forward to exploring Odus, checking out all the new dungeons, and learning more about the Erudites and their fate.

Sony Online Entertainment has been giving us peeks into Sentinel's Fate for quite a while now. We've seen the screenshots, read up on the lore, and heard behind the scenes tales from the creators, and now it's time for a guided tour!

The end of this week will bring Sony Online Entertainment's first Ustream Beta Tour. Senior Producer Alan "Brenlo" Crosby will be the host, taking players through the world of Sentinel's Fate and giving them a producer's-eye view of the expansion.

The tour will begin this Friday, February 5th, at 4:00 PM PST on the SOE Ustream channel. There's no need to register or log in, just visit the site Friday and enjoy the tour!

MassivelyEverQuest II to host live tour of Sentinel's Fate originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-crosbyeverquest-2everquest-iisentinels-fateSOEsony-online-entertainmentustreamustream-beta-tourWed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Vigilant dungeons previewed on EverQuest 2 players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/the-vigilant-dungeons-previewed-on-everquest-2-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/the-vigilant-dungeons-previewed-on-everquest-2-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/the-vigilant-dungeons-previewed-on-everquest-2-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ok, so, disclaimer: It's not actually a dungeon in the common definition of the term. The Vigilant is a massive airship used by the Paineel Erudites, abandoned by the Odus Erudites when the void leaked into Odus. The Vigilant sits silently above Paineel and watches the city like a hawk to protect it.

Even though the Vigilant is flying, adventurers will find a way to board it in EverQuest 2: Sentinel's Fate to brave the challenges within. The ship is broken down into three distinct dungeons -- Vigilant: Incursion, Vigilant: Infiltration, and Vigilant: Rescue.

But watch your step when you're in the Vigilant! The zone designer, Kyle "Kander" Vallee decided to insert a few areas where adventurers will be able to fall out of the ship to their deaths. So be careful up there, walk safely!

We have, as usual, a few screenshots of the Vigilant to show off to those interested. Check out the gallery of shots from the ship below and be sure to visit EQ2Players.com for Kander's commentary on the zone!

Gallery: EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate

Vasty Deep ConservatoryVasty Deep Conservatory: Void Zone 1Vasty Deep Conservatory: Void Zone 2The Great Seal of the Underfoot

MassivelyThe Vigilant dungeons previewed on EverQuest 2 players originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeoneq-2eq-iieq2eqiiever-quest-2ever-quest-iieverquest-2everquest-iikyle-valleeoduspaineelpreviewsentinels-fatesoesoe-eq-2soe-eq-iisony-eq-2sony-eq-iisony-online-entertainmentthe-holethe-vigilantzone-previewSun, 31 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively proclaims victory and rage over all citizens of Norrath!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/massively-proclaims-victory-and-rage-over-all-citizens-of-norrat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/massively-proclaims-victory-and-rage-over-all-citizens-of-norrat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/massively-proclaims-victory-and-rage-over-all-citizens-of-norrat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

See, this is what happens when we let Seccia write titles for us. Ughs... sorry about that readers. We don't proclaim any victory, nor do we have any rage towards the citizens of Norrath or EverQuest II. We are, as always, unbiased in our viewpoints... unlike some new Dark Elven interns.

However, Seccia has noted that we've received a package today from a member of her elven bretheren, a certain community management elf by the name of Kiara. Enclosed were two pieces of a shattered tablet, one named "Victory" while the other was entitled "Rage." We're not sure what this whole thing will form once it's put together, but we do know that other fansites have more pieces of the tablet. (Oh, Dark Elves and their puzzles.)

We've put the pictures of victory and rage after the break, so good luck with assembling the tablet and we can't wait to see what it reveals!

Continue reading Massively proclaims victory and rage over all citizens of Norrath!

MassivelyMassively proclaims victory and rage over all citizens of Norrath! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquest-2featuredmini-gamepuzzlesentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmenttabletTue, 26 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II continues Sentinel's Fate previews]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/everquest-ii-continues-sentinels-fate-previews/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/everquest-ii-continues-sentinels-fate-previews/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/everquest-ii-continues-sentinels-fate-previews/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The latest preview of EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate takes us farther into the Vasty Deep, an area Sony Online Entertainment began exploring a little over a week ago.

This newest preview takes us into the Vestigial Cella, the third and most difficult of the dungeons in the Vasty Deep -- it's designed for players level 90+. Back in the Conservatory, players will have encountered the Onaya, and the Cella will introduce them to the Ca'Na, the mortal enemies of the Onaya. In addition, players may have been able to guess at the fate of the Erudites during their quests in the Abandoned Labs, but a trip through the Vestigal Cella will confirm the fate of those Erudites who served there.

More information on the new area can be found on the official site, and as always, Sony Online Entertainment provided plenty of screenshots of this new area, so take a look at the gallery!

Gallery: Vasty Deep: Vestigial Cella

MassivelyEverQuest II continues Sentinel's Fate previews originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>everquest-2everquest-iisentinels-fateSOEsony-online-entertainmentvasty-deepvestigial-cellaTue, 19 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: International community members will get the Sentinel's Fate headstart after all]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/exclusive-international-community-members-will-get-the-sentinel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/exclusive-international-community-members-will-get-the-sentinel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/exclusive-international-community-members-will-get-the-sentinel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

With only a month to go before the release of the newest EverQuest II expansion, Sentinel's Fate, many members of the international community were up in arms in the forums over the expansion's pre-order bonuses. Why? Because only the boxed editions of Sentinel's Fate were eligible for the exclusive one week headstart to the expansion.

In order to give retail distributors incentive to carry the boxed version of the game, Sony Online Entertainment made the decision to only provide the head-start access to those who picked up the physical box from retail distributors, while the digital download version of the game would not offer the seven day access and would be available for purchase only when the expansion was officially "live" on February 23rd. Problems began to arise when international community members noticed that they could either not import the game from the US, or importing would take too much time and cost them almost double of what the expansion was worth.

After contacting SOE for a statement on this situation after the many tips we've received from the EQII community, the company has revealed to us that there is now a plan in place for international community members to participate in the retail headstart via a digital download system. Follow after the break to view SOE's plan to get Sentinel's Fate into the hands of their international members.

Continue reading Exclusive: International community members will get the Sentinel's Fate headstart after all

MassivelyExclusive: International community members will get the Sentinel's Fate headstart after all originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdigital-downloadeq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-ii-sentinels-fateexpansionforumsinternational-distributionpre-orderretailsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentFri, 15 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II goes down The Hole]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/everquest-ii-goes-down-the-hole/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/everquest-ii-goes-down-the-hole/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/everquest-ii-goes-down-the-hole/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Ahhh, The Hole. Fond memories of losing our corpses in this zone, there are. Well, the infamous dungeon with the name of an adult movie is back and better than ever in EverQuest II, as the former city of Paineel will be re-introduced in the new Sentinel's Fate expansion pack.

The ancient city of Paineel is coming with a brand new swath of content, featuring over 30 bosses and 80 quests in the contested open world version of the city, as well as 3 new instanced areas for groups level 85+ to conquer.

The EverQuest II main site has just posted their interviews with Timetraveller and Gninja, two of the developers who worked hard on putting together the contested and instanced versions of The Hole. The interview covers their perspectives and thoughts in breathing new life into this old EverQuest area, and how the new fallen city will lure in the many adventurers of EverQuest II.

MassivelyEverQuest II goes down The Hole originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contested-dungeondungeoneq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iieverquest-ii-sentinels-fateinstanceinstanced-dungeonoduspaineelsentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentthe-holeMon, 11 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Sentinel's Fate preview: Vasty Deep]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/another-sentinels-fate-preview-vasty-deep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/another-sentinels-fate-preview-vasty-deep/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/another-sentinels-fate-preview-vasty-deep/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The latest look at the upcoming EverQuest II expansion Sentinel's Fate is Vasty Deep: The Conservatory, and the lead creative mind behind this area offered a closer look at the area and the thoughts behind it.

Leah "Mortalus" Swigart led the design of this conservatory where the Erudites studied the sea creatures and plants around them, and wanted the look and feel of the dungeons to tell as much of a story as the dialogue does. "Vasty Deep is really another side to the fall of Erudin so as you progress through the zone it falls further and further into disrepair," says Swigart.

The Erudites built the conservatory, as well as the attached labs and temple, to study the magical waters of the Vasty Deep. As players progress through the zone, they'll get a view of the original purpose of the areas and what has happened since they were built.

More information on the area can be found on the official site.

MassivelyAnother Sentinel's Fate preview: Vasty Deep originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2EQIIeverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionleah-swigartsentinels-fateSun, 10 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II preview of Stonebrunt Highlands]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/everquest-ii-preview-of-stonebrunt-highlands/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/everquest-ii-preview-of-stonebrunt-highlands/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/everquest-ii-preview-of-stonebrunt-highlands/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sony Online Entertainment has released another preview of the upcoming EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate, focusing again on the overland areas. After our last peek at Sentinel's Fate, we were eager to see more, so this is welcome news.

Today's preview is of the Stonebrunt Highlands, an area for players level 85-90, with quests to "reveal long buried mysteries about the inhabitants." Players will begin in Moonfield Hamlet, a starter zone that will familiarize everyone with the area and give some hints about how and where to proceed. The majority of the area seems to center around the Erudites of Erudin (we are guessing they are a brainy lot) and the dangers threatening them, and it's sure to provide plenty to learn, explore, and of course battle.

Adam "Zaphax" Stevens is responsible for putting this new area together, and his comments on the preview page reveal the fun the artists had creating it. Take a look at the gallery for some preview images, and the official page for some hints from Stevens and a look at some preview images.

Continue reading EverQuest II preview of Stonebrunt Highlands

MassivelyEverQuest II preview of Stonebrunt Highlands originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-stevensEQIIEverQuest IIeverquest-2sentinels-fateSOEsony-online-entertainmentstonebrunt-highlandsTue, 05 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why You Should Be Playing EverQuest II: It's five bucks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/why-you-should-be-playing-everquest-ii-its-five-bucks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/why-you-should-be-playing-everquest-ii-its-five-bucks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/why-you-should-be-playing-everquest-ii-its-five-bucks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


"Why you should be playing ..." is a freeform column from Massively.com intended to inform you about our favorite parts of our favorite games. We want you to know why we're playing them, so you can know what to play.

When Steam offers a sale, Steam pulls no punches. This holiday has been one of the best sets of sales in the video game industry that I can remember, mostly thanks to Steam's Black Friday deals and this insanely long holiday special that's currently going on. Their deals are so great that the sales are actually crippling their bandwidth -- quite a feat for a service that has one huge bandwidth pipeline.

But we're not here to talk about Steam today. We're here to talk about EverQuest II and specifically why you should consider getting back into the game if you were a former subscriber, or if you're a brand new player. The reason? The game is five bucks.

Five. Five dollar. Five dollar MMO game. (Not to be confused with five dollar footlong subs.)

Continue reading Why You Should Be Playing EverQuest II: It's five bucks

MassivelyWhy You Should Be Playing EverQuest II: It's five bucks originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eqIIeverquest-2everquest-2-sentinels-fateeverquest-iifeaturedopinionsalesentinels-fatesony-online-entertainmentsteamwhy-you-should-be-playingMon, 28 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II reveals The Sundered Frontier]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/everquest-ii-reveals-the-sundered-frontier/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/everquest-ii-reveals-the-sundered-frontier/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/everquest-ii-reveals-the-sundered-frontier/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Who likes sexy screenshots? We all do! It's lucky for us that the The Sundered Frontier, one of the two new zones in EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate is so darn beautiful. Who doesn't like floating islands, awesome armors, and pandas? How can you turn down pandas?! Easy answer: You can't turn down pandas. You just can't.

Sony Online Entertainment has gifted us with an armload of new pictures of the zone, so go on down below and check out our gallery of high resolution screenshots to see what Norrath has to offer in this upcoming expansion. We think you'll like what you see.

Gallery: EverQuest II: The Sundered Frontier

MassivelyEverQuest II reveals The Sundered Frontier originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionnorrathscreenshotssentinels-fatesoesony-online-entertainmentTue, 22 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chaotic prelude in new EverQuest II game update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/chaotic-prelude-in-new-everquest-ii-game-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/chaotic-prelude-in-new-everquest-ii-game-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/chaotic-prelude-in-new-everquest-ii-game-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's easy to become complacent in an MMO, and it's always good news for the players (though not so much the characters) when things get shaken up dramatically. Cue the most recent game update to EverQuest II, in which all sorts of madness is breaking loose. Two of the game's most central cities, Qeynos and Freeport, are both suffering from major disruption. Deathknell Citadel has vanished over Freeport, queueing up an almost immediate elimination of the city's tenuous peace with the Overlord's disappearance. Qeynos, meanwhile, is having information and the lineage of the royal family assaulted, preventing them from doing much beyond surveying the chaos in Freeport.

There's an excellent trailer for the event that should help get players ready for what's coming in the near future. The update itself is a prelude to the upcoming Sentinel's Fate expansion, which launches early next year. While a great deal of the patch has been devoted to relentless bug-squishing, it's hard not to get into the energy of an update that attacks a very core part of the game, so if you're playing EverQuest II what are you waiting for? Log in and start helping to restore order... or attacking everything in sight and spreading chaos. It's really up to you.

MassivelyChaotic prelude in new EverQuest II game update originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathknell-citadeleq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansion-preludefreeportgame-updatesin-game-eventspatchesqeynossentinels-fatewill-of-a-tyrantThu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQII's producer discusses the next update and scrapped features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/eqiis-producer-discusses-the-next-update-and-scrapped-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/eqiis-producer-discusses-the-next-update-and-scrapped-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/eqiis-producer-discusses-the-next-update-and-scrapped-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The latest EverQuest II producer's letter has shed some light on what the next game update, Will of a Tyrant, is likely to contain when it is released on the 9th of December. Senior producer Alan Crosby freely admitted that the patch will not bring as much new content as players might be used to getting; instead, the focus for this round of updating has been to fix lots of little bugs, some of which have been mildly irritating folks since EverQuest II's launch. Crosby said that this approach was chosen to give the game a nice clean slate for the coming expansion, Sentinel's Fate.

The letter goes on to discuss a couple of features (that may or may not have once been considered a part of the Will of a Tyrant update) that have been scrapped altogether. The Item Ratings system was abandoned, at least partially due to feedback from the player base, and the Fighter revamp that was in the works has been considerably scaled back. Both of these negatives do have a silver lining though -- the developers are looking at alternative ways to enhance gear, and Fighters will still see some tweaks, albeit "small changes, rather than sweeping revamps". Crusaders will be among the first Fighter classes to be looked at -- see the full letter for some early details.

While the producer's letter makes Will of a Tyrant sound overwhelmingly lacklustre, keep in mind that it doesn't go into some previously announced events that should give players something new to do for at least a little while. Hopefully the decision to squash all those bugs pays off with a smooth launch for Sentinel's Fate in February.

MassivelyEQII's producer discusses the next update and scrapped features originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest expansion for EverQuest II, EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate, is slated for release in February both digitally and in retail, but why wait until then to pick up your copy? No, far better to pre-order the expansion and be ready for the day it launches -- which, not coincidentally, is now an option. There are both Regular and Collector editions available, as is the standard for MMOs these days, and each one comes with its own little bonuses as well as the usual little extras for ordering ahead of time.

Sentinel's Fate promises to be a broad expansion for everyone playing EverQuest II, offering a level cap of 90, several hundred new quests, new dungeons, and new alternate advancement systems for characters. If you're a dedicated player of the game, they probably had you at "EQII expansion," but the expansion also looks to be the perfect point for new players to jump in and start getting involved in the world of Norrath. Take a look at the full list of the expansion's features, go ahead and pre-order, and get ready for February to be booked solid.

MassivelyEverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate opens up pre-orders originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Online Entertainment Fan Faire 2009 is happening in Las Vegas, and of course they've had a number of things to unveil so far. SOE president John Smedley gave his community address last evening, and other speakers made an appearance as well. We've got a few highlights from SOE Fan Faire 2009 for you:

Station Cash

Smedley jumped right in by talking about the state of the SOE game lineup and some of the new directions they've explored with them in this past year. One of those new directions has been the introduction of Station Cash, and he talked about the growing adoption of Station Cash among SOE game subscribers in EverQuest and EverQuest II, as well as how it will soon be tied into new services and customization options. He announced a partnership with Hewlett-Packard which will allow players to purchase matte print images of art from the games using Station Cash. You'll be able to have your own character rendered in a high-quality art print, or even have your entire guild depicted and sent to you as a hardcopy art book.

EverQuest: Underfoot and EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate

On the topic of EverQuest, remember that mention we had of SOE trademarking new EQ properties? It turns out these are the new expansions: EverQuest: Underfoot and EverQuest II: Sentinel's Fate. Smedley kicked off the EQ announcements by reflecting back on 10 years of EverQuest and looking to where the IP is headed in the future. EverQuest II producer Alan "Brenlo" Crosby discussed the game's sixth expansion, Sentinel's Fate, where players will travel to the land of Odus and see what's happened there since The Shattering.

He dropped a few details about this next expansion, slated for a February 2010 launch, and the updates they plan to release between now and Sentinel's Fate. These updates will include the ability to downtier characters, allowing you to go back and replay older content, plus achievements are coming to EverQuest II. In addition, the EQ II level cap will increase by ten levels.

SOE hasn't forgotten about their long-term fans either, those who have stuck with the original EverQuest through the years. EverQuest producer Thomas Terrazas announced the sixteenth EQ expansion, Underfoot, which will launch in November 2009. Underfoot will feature 12-15 zones at launch, with bonus zones and additional content to release in April of 2010. Underfoot will have twice as many weapons as any of the previous 15 expansions, a new focus targeting window (allowing you to add specific targets to your list, monitor health of friends and foes), and achievement tracking that will help players remain aware of the objectives to be completed in their progression path. "In other words," Terrazas said, "you won't have to go looking online on somebody else's website so see what you need. It'll be in-game."

Fan Faire 2009 attendees will get both expansions for free.

Continue reading Highlights from the SOE Fan Faire 2009 community address

MassivelyHighlights from the SOE Fan Faire 2009 community address originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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