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 Firing Line: Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-epic-soe-memories-on-planetsides-ninth-anniver/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-epic-soe-memories-on-planetsides-ninth-anniver/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-epic-soe-memories-on-planetsides-ninth-anniver/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Firing Line - Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary
So PlanetSide is nine years old this week (nine!), and Sony Online Entertainment is journeying down memory lane to look back at its ground-breaking MMOFPS. The firm is of course hard at work on the sequel, but some of the devs have taken a time-out to share their favorite memories with us.

Though the word "epic" is overused in MMO discourse, it's a recurring theme here. Due to the size, scope, and sheer ambition on display in the original PlanetSide, it's actually appropriate too. While you're reminiscing with the devs, take a stroll through our side-by-side gallery that compares vehicles and equipment from the original PlanetSide with their counterparts in PlanetSide 2.

Gallery: PlanetSide vs. PlanetSide 2 comparisons

Continue reading The Firing Line: Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary

MassivelyThe Firing Line: Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew-rischclassic-mmodave-georgesonfeaturedfiring-linefpsmargaret-krohnmmo-shootermmofpsopinionplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-aftershockplanetside-dev-memoriesplanetside-epic-momentsplanetside-memoriespsps1ps2pvpsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmenttflthe-firing-linethird-person-shooterthom-terrazastpstramell-isaacFri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Reading the tea leaves of EQII's May update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-tattered-notebook-reading-the-tea-leaves-of-the-may-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-tattered-notebook-reading-the-tea-leaves-of-the-may-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-tattered-notebook-reading-the-tea-leaves-of-the-may-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EQII golem
The paint has barely dried on the Skyshrine Update, and already we're hearing tidbits about what's planned for this month. On Thursday, EverQuest II Producer Holly "Windstalker" Longdale announced a few highlights that players can expect to see in the May update. The monthly letters are always welcomed by players, and this one announces several changes that should shore up the foundation of the game even more. "More" and "new" are often used when it comes to update announcements, but if you heap too much on the very top, you need to go back and work through some of the older content and features to make sure they can support the burden.

Read on for a look at the highlights, which bring a welcome change to Dungeon Maker fans, add a new tool that should make testers happy, and hint at changes to bring about more "low-impact" gameplay.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Reading the tea leaves of EQII's May update

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Reading the tea leaves of EQII's May update originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agnostic-levelingdave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playholly-longdalekaren-bryanmay-updateopinionqeynos-revampsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookwindstalkerSat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Skyshrine, mercs, Qeynos, and shields that roar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/the-tattered-notebook-eqii-webcast-talks-skyshrine-mercs-qeyn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/the-tattered-notebook-eqii-webcast-talks-skyshrine-mercs-qeyn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/the-tattered-notebook-eqii-webcast-talks-skyshrine-mercs-qeyn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Withered Lands Giant
For those gamers who have been patiently waiting to hear about GU63, the past few weeks have been a treat. We've shown off a few trailers on Massively, the official site has hosted a couple of team interviews, and even the SOE Twitch TV channel has been focused on EverQuest II. In fact, the recent webcast was the second part of a featured series on the update, and this one took a closer look Skyshrine and also answered a few fan questions. EQII Producer Holly "Windstalker" Longdale, Lead Designer Akil "Lyndro" Hooper, and SOE Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson sat down to preview what's coming to a server near you. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at the highlights and analyze what it means to both new players and old. Read on for the skinny!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Skyshrine, mercs, Qeynos, and shields that roar

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Skyshrine, mercs, Qeynos, and shields that roar originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akil-hooperanimated-shieldsdave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEQII-PvPeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playholly-longdalekaren-bryanmercenariesopinionqeynosQeynos-revampskyshrinesmokejumpersoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebooktradeskill-apprenticesSat, 14 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: Publishing heavies weigh in on F2P conversions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/gdc-2012-publishing-heavies-weigh-in-on-f2p-conversions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/gdc-2012-publishing-heavies-weigh-in-on-f2p-conversions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/gdc-2012-publishing-heavies-weigh-in-on-f2p-conversions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

GDC 2012 logo
Like it or not, free-to-play is rapidly coming to dominate every corner of the gaming industry. While that's good on the surface, it also blurs the line between business and design, and it creates a lot of tension for both consumers and developers who are increasingly faced with the challenges inherent in separating monetary decisions from gameplay decisions.

One of the more interesting GDC 2012 round-tables featured Sony Online Entertainment executive producer Dave Georgeson, NCSoft publishing director Steve Levy, Perfect World VP John Young, GamersFirst monetization director Joe Willmon, and Digi-Capital Limited managing director Tim Merel, all of whom convened for a mind-meld on successfully migrating subscription games to F2P.

As you would expect, the panel was heavy on business-speak, but it also featured plenty of insight into the pricing phenomenon that has become the rule rather than the exception.

Continue reading GDC 2012: Publishing heavies weigh in on F2P conversions

MassivelyGDC 2012: Publishing heavies weigh in on F2P conversions originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsconconferenceconventiondave-georgesondesignf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gamersfirstgdcgdc-2012grindjoe-willmonjohn-younglootmmo-industrymonetizationncsoftopinionpanelsperfect-world-entertainmentpolishing-a-turdpwesci-fisoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttim-merelwesternizationSun, 11 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: New executive producer, new wishlist]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-tattered-notebook-new-executive-producer-new-wishlist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-tattered-notebook-new-executive-producer-new-wishlist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-tattered-notebook-new-executive-producer-new-wishlist/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Georgeson and Longdale
I was all set to sit down and talk about raiding and the big news of critical mitigation disappearing from gear, and then some even bigger news appeared. Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson has handed the reins over to Holly "Windstalker" Longdale. She is new to take the lead on EverQuest II, but she's not new to the team; in fact, she worked on EverQuest in the past under the name Vahlar.

What's the first thing to do when there's a new leader taking over? Form a wish list, of course! EverQuest II has come a long way since its bumpy launch, but there's always stuff that would make the game that much more fun. Let's look at a few ideas, and then you can add yours to my list.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: New executive producer, new wishlist

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: New executive producer, new wishlist originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playholly-longdalekaren-bryanopinionsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 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[The Tattered Notebook: The significance of the update delay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-tattered-notebook-the-significance-of-the-update-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-tattered-notebook-the-significance-of-the-update-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-tattered-notebook-the-significance-of-the-update-delay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Othmir
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum, and you could almost hear the record scratch when it did. Players have been speculating on two things recently: the release date of GU 63 and the absence of Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson from the forums. As it turns out, SmokeJumper was simply on vacation, but his first post after returning created quite a stir. He reported a new timetable for game updates this coming year, and it's different from what had been announced.

Game Update 63 is now scheduled for April, not February. Furthermore, there are only three planned updates this coming year, rather than four, along with an expected expansion at the end of the year. Let's look at some reasons for the change in schedule and what it means to EverQuest II fans.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The significance of the update delay

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The significance of the update delay originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playopinionpatchpatchessmokejumpersoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookupdateSat, 28 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-tattered-notebook-plat-loot-and-the-morality-of-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-tattered-notebook-plat-loot-and-the-morality-of-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/the-tattered-notebook-plat-loot-and-the-morality-of-cash/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQII gold
There's a dirty little secret going on in EverQuest II, and every now and then it bubbles up to the surface in forum complaints from players. With the arrival of Station Cash, the Marketplace, and Legends of Norrath cards, players have worked out a way to buy in-game coin with real money, without fear of getting banned. And with the transition to free-to-play, it seems like that practice has grown even more.

The problem is that there are several things that factor into the plat-for-cash scenario, so it's impossible to find a quick fix. Are we at a point that SOE should just put plat on the marketplace and be done with it? Let's look at a few reasons for and against it.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanopinionplat-for-cashplexrmtselling-loot-rightssoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashtattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: A wish list for EQII's 'phase two']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-tattered-notebook-a-wish-list-for-eqiis-phase-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-tattered-notebook-a-wish-list-for-eqiis-phase-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-tattered-notebook-a-wish-list-for-eqiis-phase-two/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EQ2 Beastlord
EverQuest II has had quite a year, but I was recently thinking about a comment that Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson made regarding the future of the game. In a recent interview, he discussed plans for "phase two," which is an ongoing list of things the team wants to do to improve the game but don't make it to live. With all of the new changes to the game, the team usually comes up with lots of extra ideas, and Georgeson said the focus going forward will be to knock out some of those ideas on the "phase two" list.

I thought it would be fun to put together a list of things I'd like to see on the phase two list, and since it's the season for wish lists anyway, the timing is perfect. Read on for a look at a few things I'd like to see in EQII next year, and then share your ideas below!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: A wish list for EQII's 'phase two'

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: A wish list for EQII's 'phase two' originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastlord+eq2beastlordeq2dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eq2+new+contenteq2-traders-cornereq2-wish-listeq2newcontenteq2wireEQIIeverquesteverquest+nextEverQuest-2everquest-iieverquestnextf2pfantasyfeaturedfeldonfree-to-playitemizationjethylkaren-bryannaimiopinionsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE makes EQII veteran rewards available to F2P players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/soe-makes-eqii-veteran-rewards-available-to-f2p-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/soe-makes-eqii-veteran-rewards-available-to-f2p-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/soe-makes-eqii-veteran-rewards-available-to-f2p-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Mistmoore Estate veteran reward
Sony Online Entertainment is pulling out all the stops when it comes to the courtship of EverQuest II's new free-to-play constituency. In a post on the game's official boards, producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson has announced that both free and silver-level players are now eligible for the fantasy title's extensive veteran rewards program.

Georgeson's post is short and to the point as he briefly outlines SOE's approach. "There are a lot more [payment] options available to folks, and it just doesn't make sense that a free or silver player shouldn't be able to accumulate veteran rewards," he explains. You can view both the announcement post and a feedback thread on the official EQII forums.

MassivelySOE makes EQII veteran rewards available to F2P players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playnorrathsmokejumpersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentvet-rewardsveteran-rewardsFri, 09 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II grandfathers in established characters]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/everquest-ii-grandfathers-in-established-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/everquest-ii-grandfathers-in-established-characters/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/everquest-ii-grandfathers-in-established-characters/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EQII
EverQuest II players got a pleasant surprise today, as Executive Producer Dave Georgeson announced that any and all characters created prior to Age of Discovery's launch would be grandfathered into the game. This means that any characters that were locked due to a player going from, say, subscription to free-to-play are now available. The company is also refunding any Station Cash points spent to unlock these characters following the expansion's release.

From the full announcement on the EQII forums:
But, we don't really want to force those decisions on returning players. It's not a fun experience to come back to something that seemed exciting (F2P) and then get hit with a bill as soon as you arrive, just for the privilege of using your current characters.

So here's what we're going to do.

*Every* character that was created before 12/06/2011 at 12:01 a.m. will be grandfathered in without race or class restriction. This means that regardless of your membership level, you will be able to play any character created before 12/6 without paying for race- or class-pack unlocks.

For any player that previously subscribed to EQII Live servers, or as a Gold or Platinum member on EQ2X, we will also refund all the class/race pack purchases made after 12/06/2011 at 12:01 am and before the time of this posting (12/08/2011, 4:30pm) so that no one loses any SC due to this change.

MassivelyEverQuest II grandfathers in established characters originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoveryclassclass-unlocksdave-georgesoneqiieverquest-iif2pfree-to-playgrandfathergrandfatheredsmokejumpersoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashThu, 08 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE releases EQII Age of Discovery expansion, Freeport revamp, F2P model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/soe-releases-eqii-age-of-discovery-expansion-freeport-revamp-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/soe-releases-eqii-age-of-discovery-expansion-freeport-revamp-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/soe-releases-eqii-age-of-discovery-expansion-freeport-revamp-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Sinking Sands boss fight
There are big days, and there are big days, and today is definitely the latter when it comes to EverQuest II. First of all, as producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson says in his newly minted producer's letter, "today we stop requiring any sort of payment."

Yes, free-to-play is here (again, and across the board this time). That's just the tip of the iceberg, though. Today also marks the introduction of the much-ballyhooed Freeport revamp along with the rest of Game Update 62, and oh yeah, did we forget to mention the Age of Discovery expansion?

If so, the short version of AoD includes the dungeon-maker tool, mercenaries, the Beastlord class, and a ton of customization and collectible updates sure to make your stay in Norrath even more enjoyable. We could tell you about 20 additional alternate advancement points, a new launchpad and website, new social networking integration, and more, but then you'd have no reason to check out the official forums for yourself. Check out the official AoD trailer after the break.

Continue reading SOE releases EQII Age of Discovery expansion, Freeport revamp, F2P model

MassivelySOE releases EQII Age of Discovery expansion, Freeport revamp, F2P model originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverybeastlordbusiness-modelsdave-georgesondungeon-makereq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playfreeportfreeport-revampgame-update-62gu-62mercenariessmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentvideoTue, 06 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II Age of Discovery launch date, new features revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/everquest-ii-age-of-discovery-launch-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/everquest-ii-age-of-discovery-launch-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/everquest-ii-age-of-discovery-launch-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Freeport Rain
For months, EverQuest II fans have been patiently waiting for the launch date of the latest expansion, Age of Discovery. Fortunately, the wait is over: SOE has announced that Tuesday, December 6th is the official live date for EQII's free-to-play transition, the Age of Discovery, and the Freeport Reborn game update (GU62). Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson and EQII Associate Producer Emily "Domino" Taylor both took time to give Massively a tour of some of the new features, so read on for an up-close look at Beastlords, the new Freeport, mercenaries, and the dungeon maker, and check out some new screenshots in our gallery below!

Gallery: EverQuest II Age of Discovery Screenshots

Continue reading EverQuest II Age of Discovery launch date, new features revealed

MassivelyEverQuest II Age of Discovery launch date, new features revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverybeastlordsclassclassesdave-georgesondev-tourdominodungeon-makeremily-tayloreq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedfree-to-playfreeport-rebornhands-onmercenariespgcplayer-generated-contentpreviewpreviewssmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmenttourwarderTue, 29 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New launchpad coming to all EverQuest II users tomorrow [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/new-launchpad-coming-to-all-everquest-ii-users-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/new-launchpad-coming-to-all-everquest-ii-users-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/new-launchpad-coming-to-all-everquest-ii-users-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Kingdom of Sky islands
EverQuest II's official site has updated with a news blurb heralding the launch of, er, well, a new launcher. Currently, Sony Online Entertainment's fantasy title has multiple access points including the streaming launcher, the retail box launcher, and SOE's station launcher.

As of November 30th, all EQII users will be migrated to a new launchpad.

What's new about it? Well for starters, it doesn't require Flash. It also boasts a "much faster patching speed" and a "general aesthetic upgrade." The migration process should be painless for the end user, as Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson says that all you'll have to do is point the new launcher at your existing EQII directory when prompted. There's a bit more info on the official site if you're curious.

[Update]: EQ2Wire has a great dev rundown on what exactly is coming with the new launcher.

MassivelyNew launchpad coming to all EverQuest II users tomorrow [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneq2eq2-launchereqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playlaunchernew-launchernorrathpatchessmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentTue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![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: What free-to-play means for EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-tattered-notebook-what-free-to-play-means-for-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-tattered-notebook-what-free-to-play-means-for-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/the-tattered-notebook-what-free-to-play-means-for-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EverQuest II
Thursday was quite the news day for EverQuest II. Normally, the announcement of pre-order specifics and details on the new expansion would be pretty big news by itself, but it was completely upstaged by the announcement that all EQII servers will be free-to-play.

As expected, there are lots of mixed emotions from the players regarding this new transition. Here at Massively, readers generally welcomed the move with open arms, but on the official forums and on the fansite EQ2Flames, there was a lot more trepidation. That's understandable because this move could change quite a lot going down the road. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at what the free-to-play transition means for the future of EQII.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: What free-to-play means for EverQuest II

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: What free-to-play means for EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverycash-shopdave-georgesoneq2eq2xeqiieqII-extendedEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanpay-to-hopesmokejumpertattered-notebookSat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II goes fully free-to-play: Our chat with Dave Georgeson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/everquest-ii-goes-fully-free-to-play-our-chat-with-dave-georges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/everquest-ii-goes-fully-free-to-play-our-chat-with-dave-georges/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/everquest-ii-goes-fully-free-to-play-our-chat-with-dave-georges/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Freeport
Earlier in the fall, Massively's EverQuest II column, The Tattered Notebook, took a look at the differences between the live servers and the free-to-play server and speculated on the possibility of making all servers free-to-play. As it turns out, we no longer need to speculate because SOE has officially announced that EverQuest II will make the full transition to free-to-play in early December. Just in time for the release of the newest expansion, Age of Discovery, all servers will now share the same subscription plans, Marketplace, and forums. Last week, Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson took time to share with us the details of the free-to-play transition as well as highlight some of the new features coming with the expansion. Read on for a look at what's to come for EQII.

Continue reading EverQuest II goes fully free-to-play: Our chat with Dave Georgeson

MassivelyEverQuest II goes fully free-to-play: Our chat with Dave Georgeson originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoveryage-of-empires-onlinebeastlordsdave-georgesoneq-2eq-iieq2xEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playinterviewinterviewskaren-bryansmokejumperThu, 10 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Players bracing for EverQuest II's GU61 AA changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/players-bracing-for-everquest-iis-gu61-aa-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/players-bracing-for-everquest-iis-gu61-aa-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/players-bracing-for-everquest-iis-gu61-aa-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - leaper in Rivervale
Big changes are afoot in the world of Norrath, or at least the version of it on display in EverQuest II. Game Update 61 is just around the corner, and ZAM has a brief rundown on the major alternate advancement and tradeskill changes coming when the patch goes live.

While many players are cautiously optimistic, some are concerned over the fact that such sweeping changes will affect their playstyles. How sweeping, exactly? Well, every character is getting a free AA respec, so there's your first clue. Also of note are the new class, subclass, and tradeskill trees available at level 10. Of particular concern to some is the fact that the Shadows AA tree will now be off limits to characters under level 50, depriving them of some very useful health, power, and run-speed AAs and making life that much harder for dedicated crafting characters.

In other EQII news, EQ2Wire offers a brief look at the veteran reward changes hinted at during last month's Fan Faire. While no release date is forthcoming, producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson says that "the design is outlined and we're committed to the concept."

MassivelyPlayers bracing for EverQuest II's GU61 AA changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaalternate-advancementdave-georgesoneq2eqii-gu-61everquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-update-61gu-61if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-itnorrathshadows-nerfshadows-treesmokejumpersoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttradeskill-aatradeskill-alternate-advancementveteran-rewardsWed, 17 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Exec. Producer Dave Georgeson on EverQuest II and EverQuest Next]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-tattered-notebook-exec-producer-dave-georgeson-on-everques/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-tattered-notebook-exec-producer-dave-georgeson-on-everques/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/the-tattered-notebook-exec-producer-dave-georgeson-on-everques/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

If there's one thing that came out of Fan Faire about EQ Next, it's that no one will talk about EQ Next. No matter who you talked to, any time the subject came up, the answer was always, "I can't talk about that." However, Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson sat down with Massively during Fan Faire to talk more about EverQuest II, and during that interview, he did give a tiny glimpse into what that game would be like.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, Massively gets the scoop on Beastlords, the dungeon builder, Freeport's revamp, and much more.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Exec. Producer Dave Georgeson on EverQuest II and EverQuest Next

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Exec. Producer Dave Georgeson on EverQuest II and EverQuest Next originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akil-hooperaltsbeastlordbeastlordscitadelcrushbonedave-georgesondesign-your-own-dungeondungeon-builderdungeon-finderemily-tayloreqeq-nexteq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2EverQuest-iieverquest-nextfan-fairefan-faire-2011freeportgame-of-thronesitemizationnasa-moon-shotorcpetpet-classplanetside-2ps2revamprich-waterstattered-notebookveliouswarderwarlockMon, 18 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II Freeport and Beyond panel video released]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/everquest-ii-freeport-and-beyond-panel-video-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/everquest-ii-freeport-and-beyond-panel-video-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/everquest-ii-freeport-and-beyond-panel-video-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Earlier this week our own Karen Bryan brought you the details on all the EverQuest II happenings from last week's Fan Faire 2011. Today, EQ2Wire has added some lengthy video coverage to the mix in the form of an hour-long recording of the initial EQII dev panel entitled Freeport and Beyond.

The proceedings are captained by producer Dave Georgeson, and the panel features more info than one news post can adequately cover. The highlights include Game Update 61 (to be launched in late August), the new dungeon creator functionality, itemization and AA revamps, the addition of AA functionality to the crafting game, the Age of Discovery expansion, and of course, the Freeport revamp. That's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, so grab your favorite beverage and click past the cut to view the hour-long video.

MassivelyEverQuest II Freeport and Beyond panel video released originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverydave-georgesondungeon-creatoreq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionf2pfan-fairefan-faire-2011fantasyfree-to-playfreeport-revampgame-update-61gu-61videoFri, 15 Jul 2011 11:00:00 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[Leapers and gliders swoop into EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/leapers-and-gliders-swoop-into-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/leapers-and-gliders-swoop-into-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/leapers-and-gliders-swoop-into-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Slipping in under the cloud cover -- or soaring above it -- of a busy day for SOE is the news that leapers and gliders have landed in EverQuest II. These are special mounts for lower-level characters that allow them to get a taste of flight without the full thing, by giving them either the ability to "super-jump" or glide for a good distance.

We first heard about these mounts at E3, where David Georgeson revealed how players as young as level 30 could start earning their wings (so to speak). As part of this update, ground mounts have had their speeds significantly increased, going from 65% to as high as 130%. Ground mounts are still faster than leapers and gliders on land, and players will have to stick to the same category of mount for alternate appearances (no flying rhinos, alas).

EverQuest II has the details about where to get your spiffy new mounts, and don't miss our own thoughts about how these jumpers and soarers will change the landscape of the game!

MassivelyLeapers and gliders swoop into EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-appearancesdave-georgesondavid-georgesone3e3-2011eq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiflyersflying-rhinoleapersmountmountssoesony-online-entertainmentFri, 24 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Leapers, gliders, and Beastlords, oh my!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/the-tattered-notebook-leapers-gliders-and-beastlords-oh-my/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/the-tattered-notebook-leapers-gliders-and-beastlords-oh-my/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/the-tattered-notebook-leapers-gliders-and-beastlords-oh-my/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

E3 has come and gone, but EverQuest II fans are left with more questions than answers. Children of War has just launched, and already, players are wondering what's coming down the road. We do know about some of the more immediate changes, such as the rebuilding of the Dragon Ring and Spires live event, new mounts, and the Freeport Revamp. But there were some hints at much bigger changes down the road -- and few details on how exactly it would change the game.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll break out the crystal ball and speculate on whether EQII is growing closer to EQ2X and whether we might in fact see the arrival of Beastlords in game.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Leapers, gliders, and Beastlords, oh my!

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Leapers, gliders, and Beastlords, oh my! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packbeastlordclassesdave-georgesoneq2eq2xEQIIeverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedexpansionsfandomfeaturedflightflying-labfree-to-playleapingmountssmokejumpertattered-notebookMon, 13 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-everquest-iis-dave-georgeson-in-3-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-everquest-iis-dave-georgeson-in-3-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/e3-2011-everquest-iis-dave-georgeson-in-3-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you're going to fly, why not fly with a little style -- and in 3-D? At E3, we were able to grab some facetime with Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson, EverQuest II's executive producer, as he showed us the next dimension of MMO gameplay while we checked out some of the new aerial races in the game.

"We wanted to do a little more with the flying creatures than to go from Point A to Point B," Georgeson said, referencing EQII's aerial races. "So we put in these flying race courses, which is a good test ground for showing off 3-D."

It's one of those things that has to be seen to be believed. The 3-D effect while flying is, in a word, awesome. The user interface is up close, your character is somewhere in the middle, and the environment is in the background. The effect is very noticeable when you turn, which happens a lot while flying.

Hit the jump to hear more of Georgeson's thoughts on 3-D in EverQuest II as well as a get tantalizing sneak peek at the game's future!

Continue reading E3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D

MassivelyE3 2011: EverQuest II's Dave Georgeson in 3-D originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-daerial-racechildren-of-warclasscontent-updatedave-georgesondavid-georgesondungeon-findere3e3-2011eq2eqiieverquest-iiexpansionf2pfan-fairefeaturedflightfree-to-playfreeportglidersgugu-61interviewleaperslfgnew-classpeople-finderqeynossmokejumperWed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE welcomes players back, Mark Anderson named DCUO's new game director]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/soe-welcomes-players-back-mark-anderson-named-dcuos-new-game-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/soe-welcomes-players-back-mark-anderson-named-dcuos-new-game-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/soe-welcomes-players-back-mark-anderson-named-dcuos-new-game-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

"It's good to be back!" Many Sony Online Entertainment customers have said this these past few days as the studio's titles came back online after a two-week absence. They're not the only ones, either; many of the leads to SOE's host of MMOs are saying the same thing today.

Eight developers representing a large portion of SOE's library posted "Welcome back!" messages on the Station Blog, expressing a mixture of relief, happiness, and hopeful visions for their games' futures. Several of these developers have also used the opportunity to show that they were working hard during the break.

"We're incredibly glad to have our worlds back online again," EverQuest II's David Georgeson said, "and we really appreciate you all being so patient with us while we strengthened the castle walls."

There's certainly a lot of information to digest in these eight posts. Lorin Jameson dropped the news that Mark Anderson's been moved up to become DC Universe Online's latest game director, while Georgeson hinted at a "major new feature set" for EQII that's in the works. Several of the devs mentioned that the downtime will result in a delay of future patches and expansions so that they can be properly tested.

You can read the full assortment of "Welcome back!" posts at the Station Blog.

MassivelySOE welcomes players back, Mark Anderson named DCUO's new game director originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondavid-georgesondc-universe-onlinedcuodeadmeateqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionfree-realmslorin-jamesonmark-andersonNick-Parkinsonpatchpromotionpromotionssmokejumpersoesony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-clone-adventuresstar-wars-galaxiesswgThom-TerrazasTodd-CarsonTony-Tysonupdatewelcome-backWed, 18 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQII's Georgeson talks GU60, low-level flying mounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/eqiis-georgeson-talks-gu60-low-level-flying-mounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/eqiis-georgeson-talks-gu60-low-level-flying-mounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/eqiis-georgeson-talks-gu60-low-level-flying-mounts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's a pretty safe assumption that Sony Online Entertainment's MMO developers and its IT security staff are separate groups of people, and that begs the question of what EverQuest II's coders were doing during the recent 12-day downtime. Perhaps an impromptu vacation or some quality time with other games (or hobbies) was in the cards?

Not so, according to producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson, who says that the team was hard at work on Game Update 60 (and 61). EQ2Wire's Feldon has a breakdown of various and sundry Smokejumper quotes gleaned from the official EQII forums, and there's a lot of ground to cover. Topics range from GU60 testing to update notes and updated abilities to potential flying mounts for lower-level players. "Also, the mysterious flying mount thing I promised to explain... well... I don't want to build it up too big, but it's aimed at lower-level characters also," Georgeson says. Hit up EQ2Wire for more details.

MassivelyEQII's Georgeson talks GU60, low-level flying mounts originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The past week has certainly been difficult, both for Sony Online Entertainment and EverQuest II fans. The attack and the downtime has certainly been on players' minds as they wonder when the game will go live again and how much of their personal information was compromised.

But while these seem like dark days for EQII, there will be lots to look forward to in-game once things are back to normal. A few weeks ago, Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson took time to answer some questions for Massively about Game Update 60, The Children of War. And he met again for a roundtable interview just before news of the attack on SOE broke.

Read on for highlights of the interview and a look at what's on the horizon once services are restored.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundschildren-of-warcrystal-cavernsdave-georgesondrundereq2eq2-extendedeq2xEQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iifeaturedfrozen-tundrapublic-questssmokejumpertattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookvanquishMon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Free level 90? Heck yeah!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/the-tattered-notebook-free-level-90-heck-yeah/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/the-tattered-notebook-free-level-90-heck-yeah/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/the-tattered-notebook-free-level-90-heck-yeah/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm a bit late to the party, but I want to throw my two coppers into the discussion on the level 90 winback suggestion that Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson made recently. In a recent forum thread, he tossed out the idea of EverQuest II's offering level-capped characters to new players who purchased Destiny of Velious. After a fairly robust discussion, he pulled it off the table, but I actually think it should still be an option.

Before you make fists of fury at the screen, hear me out! In this week's Tattered Notebook, I'm going to look at why this promotion is needed and suggest a way that it actually could work for everyone's benefit.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Free level 90? Heck yeah!

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Free level 90? Heck yeah! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousdoveq2eq2xeqiiEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iifeaturedmentormentor-systemmentoringsmokejumpertattered-notebookwinbackMon, 02 May 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Dave Georgeson on EQII's Children of War]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/the-tattered-notebook-dave-georgeson-on-eqiis-children-of-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/the-tattered-notebook-dave-georgeson-on-eqiis-children-of-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/the-tattered-notebook-dave-georgeson-on-eqiis-children-of-war/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Even though Destiny of Velious has only been out for a couple of months, EverQuest II is about to see some big improvements and new content in the upcoming Game Update 60, Children of War. Despite the recent cuts to Sony Online Entertainment's staff, the team working on EQII seems more focused than ever, and over the past couple of weeks, fans have received a constant stream of information on both near- and long-term plans for the game.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson was kind enough to take some time to talk about the future of EverQuest II. In a bit of a surprise, he discusses how the team will continue to release Velious content in the form of regular updates rather than a larger part II as originally planned. He also gives some detail on highlights from the next update as well as future plans. Multiple housing, deity changes, the Freeport revamp -- Georgeson sheds some light on all that and more. Read on for the interview!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Dave Georgeson on EQII's Children of War

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Dave Georgeson on EQII's Children of War originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ages-end-prophecybattlegroundschildren-of-warcity-revampcrystal-cavernsdave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousdrunderEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedfeaturedfreeportfreeport-revampgame-update-60gu60housinginterviewinterviewsmultiple-housingprestige-housingqeynossmokejumpertattered-notebookvanquishMon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you care if players get free max-level characters?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/24/the-daily-grind-do-you-care-if-players-get-free-max-level-chara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/24/the-daily-grind-do-you-care-if-players-get-free-max-level-chara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/24/the-daily-grind-do-you-care-if-players-get-free-max-level-chara/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Poor Dave Georgeson.

All he wanted was a bit of discussion regarding the possible (not definite, nor even probable) implementation of free level-90 characters as an enticement for returning to EverQuest II. What he got was a 16-page (and counting) thread full of whining about how it's grossly unfair to those who've "worked" for their levels.

Never you mind the fact that Guild Wars has had a similar system in place for the last six years, or that Age of Conan started giving away free levels (and, essentially, free max-level characters if you subscribe long enough) in 2010. Georgeson ran afoul of that segment of the MMORPG-playing population that loves to grind, and the only thing that certain grind fans seem to enjoy more than the treadmill is forcing other players to partake of it with them.

What about you, Massively folk? Are you outraged that some folks consider the grind an unfortunate (and disposable) fact of MMO life, or are you content to live and let live? Do you care about free max-level characters?

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: Do you care if players get free max-level characters? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocdave-georgesoneq2eqiiEverQuest-2everquest-iieveryone-must-grindf2pfantasyfree-max-level-characterfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussiongrindguild-warsmax-level-charactersmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionsmokejumpertdgthe-daily-grindSun, 24 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II's Georgeson mentions free max-level toons, community foams at the mouth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/everquest-iis-georgeson-mentions-free-max-level-toons-communit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/everquest-iis-georgeson-mentions-free-max-level-toons-communit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/23/everquest-iis-georgeson-mentions-free-max-level-toons-communit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EverQuest II producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson recently touched off a firestorm of controversy by asking the fantasy game's community how it would feel about a win-back promotion featuring free max-level characters. Predictably, the howls of protest are still reverberating around the internet, and EQ2Wire has a bit of analysis regarding both the discussion and the high-level flying mount portion of the game's latest expansion that led to it.

Despite the fact that Georgeson was clearly engaging in a bit of speculative thinking with the community (i.e., there are no plans for EQII insta-90s), and despite the fact that Guild Wars has been offering max-level PvP toons since 2005, the EQII discussion quickly turned hostile and demonstrated the minefields that developers must occasionally navigate when engaging their playerbase.

MassivelyEverQuest II's Georgeson mentions free max-level toons, community foams at the mouth originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>90community-discussioncontroversydave-georgesoneq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyflying-mountsfree-max-level-characterfree-to-playgrindmax-levelnorrathsmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentSat, 23 Apr 2011 17:00:00 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[New EQII producer's letter outlines roadmap for 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/new-eqii-producers-letter-outlines-roadmap-for-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/new-eqii-producers-letter-outlines-roadmap-for-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/new-eqii-producers-letter-outlines-roadmap-for-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Recent layoffs at SOE may have caused a certain amount of trepidation in terms of future development on some of the company's most popular titles. Thankfully, the most recent Producer's Letter from Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson should put many EverQuest II players' minds at ease. He took some time to sit down and give us an outline of plans the EverQuest II developers have for 2011, indicating that things are very good for the game's future.

Those who purchased the most recent expansion, Destiny of Velious, will be glad to hear that en route is even more content that will further expand on the Age's End Prophecy storyline. That content will only be available to those who picked up the expansion, however, so if you've been thinking about getting it, now would be a good time. Next up, it appears that Freeport is going to be getting a pretty heavy makeover both in terms of layout and what it will offer to players -- along with becoming a single zone open to flying mounts! We don't want to spoil you for all the interesting information mentioned, so if you're curious, head over to the EverQuest II site and check out the newest Producer's Letter.

MassivelyNew EQII producer's letter outlines roadmap for 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dave-Georgesondestiny-of-veliousdoveq2eq2xeqiieverquest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedproducers-lettersmokejumpersoesony-online-entertainmentWed, 06 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Velious itemization and flying Gnomes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/the-tattered-notebook-velious-itemization-and-flying-gnomes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/the-tattered-notebook-velious-itemization-and-flying-gnomes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/the-tattered-notebook-velious-itemization-and-flying-gnomes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With the launch of Destiny of Velious rapidly approaching, EverQuest II fans are starting to hear a lot more about what this expansion will bring. This past week was filled with new lore, new screenshots, and another live Webcast with Senior Producer Dave Georgeson, Lead Designer Rich Waters, and Itemization Developer Salim Grant.

As in previous webcasts, the hosts talked about flying mounts, launch day events, and othmir, but the main topic they discussed was itemization and gear progression. There is no level cap increase with Destiny of Velious, and because of that, many players wondered what items would look like, especially since a lot of Sentinel's Fate gear was already loaded with procs, wards, and effects. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at how the developers tackled this difficult area and what changes players should expect to see with the arrival of Destiny of Velious.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Velious itemization and flying Gnomes

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Velious itemization and flying Gnomes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10th-ring-waradornmentsbattlegroundscoldain-ringdave-georgesondestiny-of-veliouseqEQ2EQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedflying-mountitemizationKaelnatures-defenderothmirrich-waterssalim-grantsoeSony-Online-EntertainmenttinkerfestveliouswebcastMon, 14 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: More on flying mounts, public quests, and prestige homes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/the-tattered-notebook-more-on-flying-mounts-public-quests-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/the-tattered-notebook-more-on-flying-mounts-public-quests-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/the-tattered-notebook-more-on-flying-mounts-public-quests-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


SOE has been slowly getting new information out about Destiny of Velious. As part of an ongoing promotion to showcase the upcoming expansion, Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson and Greg "Rothgar" Spence took part in the second installment of the Destiny of Velious webcast. They took the opportunity to elaborate on topics from the first show and also revealed some exciting new features. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at the highlights of last Friday's webcast. Read on to hear more about flying mounts, prestige housing, and public quests.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: More on flying mounts, public quests, and prestige homes

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: More on flying mounts, public quests, and prestige homes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dave-Georgesondestiny-of-veliousEQ2eq2xEQIIeqII-mobile-appErollisi-DayEverQuest-2everquest-iieverquest-ii-extendedexpansionflying-mountsfreebloodGreg-Spencemarketplaceothmirprestige-homespublic-questsrothgarsmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentveliousMon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:00 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[EverQuest II Destiny of Velious webcast schedule released]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/everquest-ii-destiny-of-velious-webcast-schedule-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/everquest-ii-destiny-of-velious-webcast-schedule-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/everquest-ii-destiny-of-velious-webcast-schedule-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The EverQuest II development team is gearing up for the long-awaited Destiny of Velious expansion, and part of said gearing up involves disseminating information to the masses. Starting today at 4:00 p.m. PST, SOE will be hosting a series of live webcasts designed to spread the word about Velious as well as give anxious players a chance to have their questions heard. The webcasts will be taking place every Friday for the next month, with various guests and topics scheduled for each.

Tonight's segment features Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson and Salim "Silius" Grant, and the duo is scheduled to talk a bit about new Velious zones, raids, and more. Player-submitted questions are also on the docket, so visit the official EQII forums to submit yours.

If you're looking for a bit of a preview, head to EQ2Wire, where Feldon shares his experiences with past SOE webcasts as well as the full schedule.

MassivelyEverQuest II Destiny of Velious webcast schedule released originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousEQ2EQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfree-to-playlivecastnew-raidsnew-zonessalim-grantsiliussmokejumperSOESony-Online-EntertainmentveliouswebcastFri, 28 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Step right up, step right up and get your EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious pre-order!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/step-right-up-step-right-up-and-get-your-everquest-ii-destiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/step-right-up-step-right-up-and-get-your-everquest-ii-destiny/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/step-right-up-step-right-up-and-get-your-everquest-ii-destiny/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Every EverQuest II players' eyes are firmly fixed on February 22nd and the launch of the newest expansion pack, Destiny of Velious. Beta testers have already been exploring the Great Wastes of Velious for long-forgotten treasure, but soon these lands will be open to one and all.

SOE has announced that the pre-orders for Destiny of Velious are scheduled to go on sale on Tuesday, January 18th. Not only will you get the peace of mind knowing that your copy will be ready for you on launch day, but you'll be entitled to a number of sweet rewards that SOE is bestowing on the faithful.

You can check out the pre-order details over at EverQuest II's site, and don't forget to read our interview with Senior Producer Dave Georgeson about this exciting expansion!

MassivelyStep right up, step right up and get your EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious pre-order! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondestiny-of-veliouseq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iigreat-wastes-of-veliouspre-orderpre-order-rewardssoesony-online-entertainmentvampireFri, 14 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQII Destiny of Velious beta in full swing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/eqii-destiny-of-velious-beta-in-full-swing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/eqii-destiny-of-velious-beta-in-full-swing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/eqii-destiny-of-velious-beta-in-full-swing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

News of SOE's EverQuest II has been fairly sparse as of late. Aside from the recent server merges and a somewhat controversial vampire race, it's been pretty quiet relative to the deluge of information that followed last summer's free-to-play conversion. Presumably, the SOE gnomes have been too busy bustling about with the creation of EQII's next expansion to provide any headline fodder, and exhibit A is the fact that the Destiny of Velious beta is rolling right along.

EQ2Wire's Feldon mentions community reports of the ongoing beta (which is under a strict NDA at this point), and he also provides a helpful sign-up link (viewing it requires SOE account credentials), as well as a link to producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson's thoughts on the early closed beta process. "Depending on how many folks pile into the beta, and how many testers we need, we may authorize extra groups of people later this month. Stay tuned for more details," Georgeson writes.

MassivelyEQII Destiny of Velious beta in full swing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousEQ2eq2wireEQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iiexpansionf2pfantasyfeldonfree-to-playsmokejumperWed, 05 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trading platinum for Station Cash items OK with EQII's Georgeson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/trading-platinum-for-station-cash-items-ok-with-eqiis-georgeson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/trading-platinum-for-station-cash-items-ok-with-eqiis-georgeson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/trading-platinum-for-station-cash-items-ok-with-eqiis-georgeson/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


EQ2Wire has an interesting tidbit regarding the exchange of platinum (EverQuest II's in-game currency) and items purchased with SOE's Station Cash. With players now able to gift Station Cash items, EQII vets wondered aloud on the game's official boards if trading some of their surplus plat for SC paraphernalia would lead to a ban.

Surprisingly, EQII producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson took a laissez faire approach to the discussion, in effect saying that players are welcome to the trades provided they're not facilitated by any third parties. "We really don't want to put a hard value on platinum to SC conversion rates, so we would probably only step in on this if we thought it was going to cause us legal headaches in the future. So...if kept on the low-down, it'll never cause problems. But if someone put up a website selling items officially with posted conversion rates, I have a feeling that legal might want to step in and stop it to avoid issues. Make sense? Keep it person-to-person and I don't think this will ever be an issue," he wrote.

In addition to the exchange discussion, EQ2Wire's Feldon chimes in with a brief analysis of the game's economy and inflation troubles that's worth a read if you're thinking of heading back to the world of Norrath.

MassivelyTrading platinum for Station Cash items OK with EQII's Georgeson originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneconomyEQ2eq2wireEQIIEverQuest-2everquest-iifeldoninflationplatinumsmokejumpersoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstation-cashstation-cash-platinum-tradingFri, 10 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST