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: 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: 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[EverQuest II adds new achievements of challenging nature]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/everquest-ii-adds-new-achievements-of-challenging-nature/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/everquest-ii-adds-new-achievements-of-challenging-nature/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/everquest-ii-adds-new-achievements-of-challenging-nature/#commentsFiled under: , ,

What's makes beating raids in Ruins of Kunark and The Shadow Odyssey even better? Achievements, of course. That's why SOE is adding brand new achievements to several heroic zones and raids to those two expansions. Players will be challenged by several new goals, such as Flawless Victory, which requires finishing an encounter without losing a single party member. Other achievements involve winning a raid encounter with three or more people less than the maximum and clearing a raid or heroic zone within a set time limit.

Obviously, these challenging new achievements wouldn't be worthwhile without a reward. The form of said reward comes as three new titles: the Dragonslayer, the Urgent and the Flawless. We'd point out which titles go with which rewards, but we're pretty sure you've got it figured out. In our opinion, the Dragonslayer title is probably the coolest sounding, what with the dragon murdering and all that. Being "Urgent" sounds kind of cool but in a confusing way, like when your friends tell you they blew up a car, until they reveal it was, in fact, your car.

[via WarCry]

MassivelyEverQuest II adds new achievements of challenging nature originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsdragondragonsdragonslayereq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiflawlessheroicheroic-zoneraidruins-of-kunarksoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseyurgentThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Significant aggro changes on the way for EQII]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/significant-hate-changes-coming-to-eqii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/significant-hate-changes-coming-to-eqii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/significant-hate-changes-coming-to-eqii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There's a fairly hefty set of changes to EverQuest II's hate/aggro system currently being ironed out on Test, and they aren't to everyone's liking. Due to the the complexity of the changes, developer Chris "Aeralik" Kozak has offered up a summary for players to wrap their heads around. We'll attempt to boil it down even more for you, at the cost of including some of the finer details.

The problem with the aggro system begins with the fact that hate has scaled linearly as the game has progressed, and damage has scaled exponentially with gear and new skills, making it hard for designated aggro-holders to keep control of mobs. One of the changes on Test has given taunts the chance to hit critically, just like damage spells, and there will be a base and normalized amount of threat from taunt abilities.

Continue reading Significant aggro changes on the way for EQII

MassivelySignificant aggro changes on the way for EQII originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeralikaggroberserkerbruiserchris-kozakeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iifightersguardianhatemonkpaladinshadowknightsoesony-online-entertainmenttankingtankstesttest-serverthe-shadow-odysseythreatWed, 21 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Comparing the expansion launches for WoW, EQ2, and LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/29/comparing-the-expansion-launches-for-wow-eq2-and-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/29/comparing-the-expansion-launches-for-wow-eq2-and-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/29/comparing-the-expansion-launches-for-wow-eq2-and-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


World of Warcraft's second expansion did pretty well. Like, 2.8 million units in the first 24 hours well. This, we all know. The important question is, what sort of impact did Lich King have on the WoW playerbase? What kind of impact did the expansions for EverQuest 2 (The Shadow Odyssey) and Lord of the Rings Online (Mines of Moria) have on those communities? Thankfully, GamerDNA is doing its level best to answer these sort of weighty questions by datamining the heck out of their userbase. We have some hard-and-fast metrics, as a result, exploring these exact issues.

Lich King's launch, purely from a 'size of the graph bars' perspective, was an unmitigated success. As Sanya puts it, "what we're seeing is the triumph of advertising combined with critical mass. Lich King was promoted harder, louder, and in more places than the other two expansions." Which is not to say that TSO and MoM were failures. In fact, both expansions resulted in some serious bumps for both games. The graphs make it apparent that their success was somewhat mitigated by the almost-simultaneous launch of Lich King, with EQ2 feeling the burn more than LotRO. What will be fascinating to see is how this story pans out months from now, when dedicated players of these other two games have full-force returned after 'completing' the content from WoW's newest expansion. We'll keep you posted.

MassivelyComparing the expansion launches for WoW, EQ2, and LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2expansionsgamerdnalord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriastatisticsthe-shadow-odysseyworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingSat, 29 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Charting crafting changes in EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/charting-crafting-changes-in-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/charting-crafting-changes-in-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/charting-crafting-changes-in-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Alongside the new dungeons and deep EQ lore that the developers have pushed out to EverQuest II with their latest expansion, there have been a load of new changes and updates to the game's crafting metagame. We touched briefly on those changes in our full on tour of The Shadow Odyssey, but Emily "Domino" Taylor dropped by the official forums to give more details. There she outlines her logic behind improving the overall crafting experience for non-combat players rather than focusing on a ton of new recipes or craftable items.

EQ2Traders bears the responsibility of hosting several in-depth looks into the new crafterly content in the expansion. The site looks deep into the Far Seas Supply Division Headquarters, the numerous changes to the Isle of Mara, and the new instanced-based crafting content. The site also features a quick reference guide for players wanting to jump right into the expansion-y, crafter-y goodness. Click on through to these great resources for the full skinny on this sword-less way to pass the time in Norrath.

MassivelyCharting crafting changes in EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iisoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoFri, 21 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How much content should an expansion have?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/the-daily-grind-how-much-content-should-an-expansion-have/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/the-daily-grind-how-much-content-should-an-expansion-have/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/the-daily-grind-how-much-content-should-an-expansion-have/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Everyone's got an expansion out right now -- EverQuest II has The Shadow Odyssey, The Lord of the Rings Online has Mines of Moria, World of Warcraft has Wrath of the Lich King, EVE Online has Quantum Rise -- there's no end to it, but then that's the point, isn't it?

Well, you'd think that, anyway. Word on the street is that there are already Death Knights at level 80, and all the raid content in Wrath has been completed. One player reached level 80 in only 27 hours. Over a year of development for one week of content? Are MMO players just too damned hardcore, or did Blizzard aim too low? How much content should you be getting for $30 or $40 and your continued subscription, anyway?

There are some folks out there who (to continue using WoW as an example) are still hacking through The Burning Crusade's content, or even the classic stuff. How do you think a balance can be struck between those folks, and the crews who have already bested all the Wrath content?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How much content should an expansion have? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardccpdiscussioneq2eveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexpansionslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamomopinionquantum-risesoetdgthe-daily-grindthe-shadow-odysseyturbineworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How important are friends to MMO gaming?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/the-daily-grind-how-important-are-friends-to-mmo-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/the-daily-grind-how-important-are-friends-to-mmo-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/the-daily-grind-how-important-are-friends-to-mmo-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Over the last week or so we've been asking you how you've managed to decide between the big releases hitting the MMO genre these days. Last week's Lich King launch, followed by this week's launches of EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey and Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria seem like challenging decisions for the fan of the MMO genre. We're not going to ask you how you picked, though, because we think we know how you decided which game to play. Like Codex and Zaboo up there, you hang out online where your friends are. At least, we think you do.

So our question this morning is, first, do you decide which MMO to play based on where your friends are? Second, how important are other people to your continued MMO gaming? If your friends weren't playing the game they are, would you be? How much does the directly social nature of massively multiplayer games affect your gameplay? Let us know, and good luck making those hard choices!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How important are friends to MMO gaming? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardeq2everquest-2lord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriasoesony-online-entertainmenttdgthe-daily-grindthe-shadow-odysseytsoturbineworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 19 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your quick-start guide to EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/your-quick-start-guide-to-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/your-quick-start-guide-to-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/your-quick-start-guide-to-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The EverQuest II team hopes to continue its string of upward-momentum expansions with today's launch of The Shadow Odyssey. After the landmark success of Echoes of Faydwer and the mixed reaction to Rise of Kunark, this new dungeon-heavy expansion hopes to recapture player excitement for the original EQ while polishing the design advances already in the game. We've already talked quite a bit about the game's big picture, so let's bring it down to some specifics.

Kendricke has posted up the full patch notes for the expansion, with everything from class balancing to new content laid out in the timeless bullet-pointy format. MMORPG Info has a handy quick-start guide, pointing out where you need to go to jump on the low level quests and the brand-new dungeons. EQ2 Wire, meanwhile, has difficulty ratings for the new dungeons, while the official site runs down the heritage quests added in the expansion. A ton of stuff to go through, and very texty. For a quick respite, head below the cut for a fantastic launch trailer! Happy dungeon-crawling!

Gallery: The Shadow Odyssey Grand Tour

InnothuleGnomey PrideTraveling in StyleInto GukDeadlok

Continue reading Your quick-start guide to EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey

MassivelyYour quick-start guide to EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionlauchsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsovideoTue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Launches!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey-launches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey-launches/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey-launches/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's not often that an expansion to an MMO launches, and it's even rarer that two do so in the same day! But that's the case, with EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey hitting the live servers today at noon PST. Massively has been following the expansion's lifecycle since it was announced at this year's SOE Fan Faire, and today we've put together the best of all our content touching on this brand-new chapter in the EQ2 saga. Read on for all the details!
Massively's grand tour of EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey
Join us for a tour of Befallen, Lower Guk, the dangerous catacombs of Mistmoore and (most impressively) the Anchor of Bazzul, a part of the treacherous Void! Vampire dragons, floating Void priests, undead frogs and slave-owning trolls all await you below, in our exhaustive exploration of this brand-new expansion.
What you need to know about The Shadow Odyssey
The Shadow Odyssey, EverQuest II's fifth expansion, is not just the usual bump to the level cap, a couple of new raids, and a reset for all the armor you already got. It's none of those things. What SOE has done with this expansion is go through the level 50 to level 80 portion of the game and say, let's make an expansion that has something for pretty much everyone.
Exploring The Shadow Odyssey with EQII Senior Producer Bruce Ferguson
SOE just announced the newest expansion to their EverQuest II title, and we've got plenty of answers for your burning questions. We had the chance to sit down with the game's Senior Producer, Bruce Ferguson, to talk about what makes this such an important product for Sony Online. Join us as we talk through some of the fantastic new content coming to the game.
EQII: The Shadow Odyssey teaser trailer released
We have some fantastic new video footage to present as well. This footage shows some exciting new content such as a few new goal-based dungeons, as well as some old favorites like Ruins of Guk and Befallen, plus new creatures and much more. Check out the complete video after the cut and let us know what you think!
A walking tour of EverQuest 2's new Veksar dungeon
As we've done in the past with new updates to EverQuest II, we recently had the chance to go on a walking tour of the brand new Veksar Invasion dungeon. Just as with our looks at the Shard of Hate, GU 47, and GU 45, we were able to go deep inside the new content to get a sense of what's new and interesting about the game.

Continue reading EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Launches!

MassivelyEverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Launches! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionfeaturedlaunchsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoTue, 18 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Did you take the day off for Moria or Shadow Odyssey?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/the-daily-grind-did-you-take-the-day-off-for-moria-or-shadow-od/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/the-daily-grind-did-you-take-the-day-off-for-moria-or-shadow-od/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/the-daily-grind-did-you-take-the-day-off-for-moria-or-shadow-od/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Today is the day! Not just one, but two awesome expansions, chock-full of great new content are coming out today. The Lord of the Rings Online has its first separate expansion, The Mines of Moria. EverQuest II has its fifth expansion The Shadow Odyssey, but one that just furnishes tons of new content and goodness without boosting levels like expansions normally do. Of course, with two great new expansions launching today, we thought we'd ask -- are you taking today off to enjoy all the new content? Or are you going to go ahead and head in, knowing full well you'll be spending all day with your head in the clouds thinking of all the cool stuff you'll be doing this evening? Let us know!

(For those of you who decided to be good and go in today, we're adding in some gallery goodness to help pass the time and whet your appetite!)

Gallery: The Shadow Odyssey Grand Tour

InnothuleGnomey PrideTraveling in StyleInto GukDeadlok

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Gallery

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Did you take the day off for Moria or Shadow Odyssey? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For the third week in a row we're fortunate enough to be able to bring you a fantastic giveaway. After the explosion of swag during our Birthday celebration, and last week's Lich King loot pile, you'd think we'd be flagging. But no, instead we're collaborating with Sony Online Entertainment to bring you five keys for the newest EverQuest II expansion! The Shadow Odyssey is hitting stores tomorrow, and you can snag your keys first thing right here from Massively.com. The expansion is worth $39.99 at retail, making this giveaway valued for a total of $160.

To enter just leave a comment here on this post letting us know what you're most looking forward to in The Shadow Odyssey! You'll need to comment before 7:00 AM EST Tuesday, November 18th. You can only enter once per person, and after the contest closes we'll ship out the prize to five randomly-selected winners. To win you must be age 18 or up and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). For full eligibility details, we suggest you read our official rules. Good luck!

Gallery: The Shadow Odyssey Grand Tour

InnothuleGnomey PrideTraveling in StyleInto GukDeadlok

MassivelyMassively.com giveaway: Snag a key for EverQuest II's The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contesteq2everquest-iifeaturedsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseyMon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will you be exploring The Shadow Odyssey?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-exploring-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-exploring-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/the-daily-grind-will-you-be-exploring-the-shadow-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As many excited EverQuest II players are well aware, tomorrow is an important day. It marks the launch day for EverQuest II's fifth expansion, The Shadow Odyssey. Of course, for those folks who have been thinking about getting into EQ2 but haven't taken the dive as yet, it's a good time for you as well - SOE tends to bundle in all previous games with their expansions so you can check them out without shelling out a bunch of money. The Shadow Odyssey brings in lots of content for players from level 50 to level 80, with the addition of several areas brought forward from EverQuest like Guk, Mistmoore and Befallen. While this expansion doesn't increase the level cap, it does increase the number of Achievement points, adds heritage quests, opens alternate achievement paths - and so, so much more!

Today we wanted to ask - are you heading into the shadowy world of EverQuest II's Shadow Odyssey? If so, what part sounds like the best part to you? Is it visiting places you may remember from EverQuest? The sharded gear rewards? Perhaps you're just looking forward to all those Achivement points so you can really get your character to where you wanted it to be. Let us know!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will you be exploring The Shadow Odyssey? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey, will launch this week on November 18th. In advance of the launch, Stephanie Morrow of Beckett Massive Online Gamer recently interviewed some members of the EverQuest II design team -- Noel Walling (Design Supervisor), Paul Molina (Game Designer), Adam Stevens (Game Designer) and Carlos Mora (Associate Game Designer).

The Beckett Massive Online Gamer interview focuses on the lore of EverQuest II (with an emphasis on background for readers who've never played), but also gets down into some specifics regarding The Shadow Odyssey dungeons, the challenges of designing around the 80 level cap, and some of the new features that players can expect from this week's launch of the fifth EverQuest II expansion. If you're an EQ II fan, the interview is worth a read, and of course we also hope you're enjoying our ongoing coverage of The Shadow Odyssey.

MassivelyEverQuest II designers on The Shadow Odyssey expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsfantasygame-mechanicsinterviewsloremissionmissionsmmo-industryquestssoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoSun, 16 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do expansions cheapen all that hard work?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/the-daily-grind-do-expansions-cheapen-all-that-hard-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/the-daily-grind-do-expansions-cheapen-all-that-hard-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/the-daily-grind-do-expansions-cheapen-all-that-hard-work/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It happened with The Burning Crusade -- players had spent months raiding at level 60 to get the very best gear, and when TBC came out, people were getting green drops with better stats than the best raid drops after only a couple of levels. A lot of hardcore players were annoyed, while some just accepted it as the natural motion of things.

We've got at least three big expansions coming up in the next few weeks -- Wrath of the Lich King for World of Warcraft, Mines of Moria for The Lord of the Rings Online, and The Shadow Odyssey for EverQuest II. With the level caps going up in WoW and LotRO, we're expecting a similar situation to what we saw with TBC. How do you feel about this? Can it be avoided, should it? Maybe it's good to level the playing field now and then. Let us know!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do expansions cheapen all that hard work? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddiscussioneverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamommoriaopinionsoetbctdgthe-burning-crusadethe-daily-grindthe-shadow-odysseytsoturbineworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A critical look at EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/a-critical-look-at-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/a-critical-look-at-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/08/a-critical-look-at-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Massively tries to be your one-stop shop for everything MMO related ... but there's a danger to a site like ours. Ultimately, we become so close to the subject matter that we stop being able to objectively judge content. That's one of the reasons we try to avoid any definitive statements in preview materials. We're so used to MMOs that we try to adopt a passive viewpoint, a somewhat-impartial observer for the prospective player. That's useful to a lot of people ... but it can also allow the chance for critical observations to go by the wayside. Luckily, we're far from the only website on the internet talking about MMOs.

Eurogamer's MMO coverage has been very good since they started that subsite earlier this year, and they have an engaging look at EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey well worth reading. Author Jon Blyth is anything but passive in his discussion of the game, calling the expansion's occasional platforming puzzle "a flattering name for dodgy [gameplay] in a genre that really wasn't designed for it." He offers up a greater sense of what touring the new EQ2 expansion was like, and his walkthrough discussion of the dungeons gets across a newcomer's wonder at lore bastions like Befallen and Mistmoore Manor. Well worth a look for another viewpoint on the upcoming expansion, and a great contrast to our own gallery-style walkthrough.

Gallery: The Shadow Odyssey Grand Tour

InnothuleGnomey PrideTraveling in StyleInto GukDeadlok

MassivelyA critical look at EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoSat, 08 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's grand tour of EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/massivelys-tour-of-everquest-2-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/massivelys-tour-of-everquest-2-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/massivelys-tour-of-everquest-2-the-shadow-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Coming to players in just over eighteen days is a fantastic new expansion to SOE's flagship title EverQuest 2! The expansion is entitled The Shadow Odyssey, and we were one of the first sites 'on the scene' to offer you a sense of what was to come. We've talked with the developers about the game, previewed the dungeons via screenshots, toured the new Veksar 'demo dungeon', and were even on-hand at Fan Faire for firsthand TSO experiences! Now we've had the chance to delve into the dungeons themselves, and we've come away with a gallery full of dungeon-crawling goodness!

Join us for a tour of Befallen, Lower Guk, the dangerous catacombs of Mistmoore and (most impressively) the Anchor of Bazzul, a part of the treacherous Void! Vampire dragons, floating Void priests, undead frogs and slave-owning trolls all await you below, in our exhaustive exploration of this brand-new expansion. Plus! Check below the cut for our exclusive video of the Anchor of Bazzul, showing of the latest in high-end graphics EverQuest 2 has on offer. It's a one-of-a-kind spread, so put on your adventuring kit and head into the depths!

Gallery: The Shadow Odyssey Grand Tour

InnothuleGnomey PrideTraveling in StyleInto GukDeadlok

Continue reading Massively's grand tour of EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey

MassivelyMassively's grand tour of EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2expansionfeaturedgallerysoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoFri, 31 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey now available for preorder]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey-now-available-for-preorder/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey-now-available-for-preorder/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/everquest-ii-the-shadow-odyssey-now-available-for-preorder/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After a long Beta process, lots of speculation, and plenty of opportunities for delicious previews, the time of Shadow is almost upon us. SOE dropped us a line to let us know that the fifth expansion to EverQuest II, The Shadow Odssey, is now available for preorder. The usual suspects are offering the product, of course, and you can digitally preorder the expansion from SOE's official site. Normally we're all about the discless preorders at Massively, but this time around we have to admit the box sounds mighty appealing.

Along with the usual weird in-box physical object SOE loves to give us (a pewter figurine this time around), the boxed copy of Shadow Odssey includes a first for EQII pets! Here's how the release describes it: "Dire Bear Mount and Pet. A Dire Bear cub that grows up as you level to become a fearsome mount." Is this just one of a number of these pets? Will the bear be obtainable any other way? We'll find out together on November 18th when TSO goes live!

Read on below the cut for a celebratory preorder trailer, the full features list, images of the in-game preorder benefits.

Gallery: EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Dungeons

Continue reading EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey now available for preorder

MassivelyEverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey now available for preorder originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeq2everquest-2everquest-iisoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoThu, 16 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Legends of Norrath launches fifth expansion: Ethernauts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/legends-of-norrath-sees-its-fifth-expansion-with-the-launch-of-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/legends-of-norrath-sees-its-fifth-expansion-with-the-launch-of-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/legends-of-norrath-sees-its-fifth-expansion-with-the-launch-of-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today marks the release of the fifth expansion to the Legends of Norrath digital trading card game -- Ethernauts. More than 280 cards join the existing arsenal, including four avatar cards, two new unit races, and 20 loot cards. They all play into a story that sets the stage for EverQuest II's upcoming The Shadow Odyssey expansion. In fact, there are even some scenarios based on never-before-seen TSO content.

In an attempt to give would-be newbies an incentive to buy in, SOE has also introduced the Legendary Starter Pack at the price of $19.99. If you're a vet, though, you can pick up Ethernauts booster packs for $2.99 each. Current EverQuest or EQ2 subscribers will get a free starter deck, 'cause, y'know -- you're not hooked on Norrath enough already, right?

Oh, and there are a bunch of special events all weekend celebrating the launch.
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Gallery: Legends of Norrath

Ghostly Warg MountGhostly Warg Mount ProfileGuktan Apprentice petNimbus of the Air QueenPainting: Vengeful Musicians

MassivelyLegends of Norrath launches fifth expansion: Ethernauts originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-cardsbooster-packsbreakingccgcollectible-card-gameeqeq2eqiiethernautseverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexpansion-setlegendary-starter-packlegends-of-norrathloot-cardsracessoetcgthe-shadow-odysseytrading-card-gameThu, 09 Oct 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest 2 team delves into The Shadow Odyssey's dungeon lore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/everquest-2-team-delves-into-the-shadow-odysseys-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/everquest-2-team-delves-into-the-shadow-odysseys-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/everquest-2-team-delves-into-the-shadow-odysseys-lore/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We're still a little more than a month away from the release of EverQuest II's next expansion, The Shadow Odyssey. Ramping up to that November 18th launch the folks at SOE have been releasing information about some of the dungeons coming in the expansion, and allowing players entrance to a fantastic playable preview of the Veksar crypts. Now they're offering up more details on specific subwings of some of the Shadow Odyssey delves.

Head down the rabbit hole to explore the Necrotic Asylum portion of Befallen, and Mayong Mistmoore's personal sanctuary Mistmyr Manor. There are a ton of restless undead to face in the Asylum, and Mistmoore's lackeys are seriously living-challenged to boot. Meanwhile the return to Guk will have a lot of EverQuest fans cheering. Take a look at the official site's look at the Guk Stronghold and (deeper in) the challenges and horrors of Lower Guk. Ribbit!

Gallery: EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Dungeons

Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

MassivelyEverQuest 2 team delves into The Shadow Odyssey's dungeon lore originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2expansionloresoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseyThu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EverQuest 2 Game Update 49 goes live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/everquest-2-game-update-49-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/everquest-2-game-update-49-goes-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/everquest-2-game-update-49-goes-live/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's been a bit of a wait for this one, but finally the fan-anticipated Game Update 49 has gone live on the EverQuest 2 servers. We had a chance to preview all of the great new content that SOE has put into the game late last month. Go check out our post to get a look at the fantastic new guild halls, an extension of the current quest line for the Void Storms world event, and (among other things) the ability to resize housing items. The other big pull for GU49 is, of course, the newly-revamped leveling curve that players will be able to surf. Expect to make it to make level a lot faster after today.

Allakhazam has a number of guides that will help you out with this content as well. Head on over there to check out their guide to the new Guild Halls and their amenities, as well as a walkthrough for the Void Storms world event. For fully formatted patch notes, click on through below the cut!

Gallery: EverQuest 2 GU 49 Sneak Peek

D.I.R.T.Y. Gnomes!Gone Diggin'Sarnak-sizedI Shall Call You Mini-MeRoast Boar?
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Continue reading EverQuest 2 Game Update 49 goes live

MassivelyEverQuest 2 Game Update 49 goes live originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeq2eq2-gu-49everquest-2expansionpatchsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseyTue, 07 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore the dungeons of EverQuest 2's Shadow Odyssey expansion!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/explore-the-dungeons-of-everquest-2s-shadow-odyssey-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/explore-the-dungeons-of-everquest-2s-shadow-odyssey-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/explore-the-dungeons-of-everquest-2s-shadow-odyssey-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


There are a bevy of brand-new screenshots and an all-new trailer out for the dungeons of Shadow Odyssey, the next expansion to Sony Online's EverQuest 2. The new screens center on the mysterious resting place of Miragul's phylactery, the mystical talisman that keeps the ancient lich tied to the physical realm. Others explore The Void itself, the high-end dungeon tied directly into the expansion's backstory.

Click through to the gallery for these images, or through below the cut to watch the video exploring both of these locales and more!

Gallery: EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Dungeons

Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Continue reading Explore the dungeons of EverQuest 2's Shadow Odyssey expansion!

MassivelyExplore the dungeons of EverQuest 2's Shadow Odyssey expansion! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoWed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How's EQ2 treatin' ya?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/the-daily-grind-hows-eq2-treatin-ya/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/the-daily-grind-hows-eq2-treatin-ya/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/the-daily-grind-hows-eq2-treatin-ya/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A while back we checked in with players of The Lord of the Rings Online to see how their experiences were going. Most responses were positive, with a few folks saying they had quit due to boredom. Now we'd like to check in another game -- this one a little older. EverQuest II went head to head with World of Warcraft. It's clear that if we're just counting subscribers, WoW is the winner. But maybe quality trumps quantity.

So how is the quality of one of the world's only surviving MMO sequels these days? SOE has certainly had time to refine the game. There have been four expansions to date, with another one coming up very soon. Do you go to the Fan Faires? Do you already have four level 80s? Will the mid-level experience boost bring you back for more?

Tell us: how's EQ2 treatin' ya?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How's EQ2 treatin' ya? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>discussioneq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexperiencefan-faire-2008opinionsoe-fan-fairetdgthe-daily-grindthe-shadow-odysseyworld-of-warcraftFri, 19 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Shadow Odyssey's Befallen dungeon featured at EQ2 website]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/the-shadow-odysseys-befallen-dungeon-featured-at-eq2-website/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/the-shadow-odysseys-befallen-dungeon-featured-at-eq2-website/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/the-shadow-odysseys-befallen-dungeon-featured-at-eq2-website/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


SOE posted a preview of Befallen, one of the classic EverQuest dungeons that will be reborn in EverQuest II's upcoming The Shadow Odyssey expansion. Included are several screenshots of the dungeon along with its background in the game's lore. The aesthetic of the old Befallen seems to be preserved -- and amplified -- in EQ2's newer graphics engine.

The story goes something like this: a bunch of Knights of Marr built the keep in the Commonlands as a headquarters in their quest to chase off the giants and orcs that terrorized the people in the countryside. Their fortress became their tomb, though, as orcs laid siege to the keep. A warrior named Gynok Moltor came to them to help, but it turned out that he had been cursed. He betrayed the Knights and turned Befallen into the dangerous mass grave that it is today.

It's standard fantasy fare. Cool enough, but we're sure most of you just care about the loot.
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

MassivelyThe Shadow Odyssey's Befallen dungeon featured at EQ2 website originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>befallencommonlandscursedungeoneqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansiongiantsgynok-moltorloremarrorcsorder-of-marrscreenshotssoethe-shadow-odysseytsoundeadThu, 18 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A walking tour of EverQuest 2's new Veksar dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/a-walking-tour-of-everquest-2s-new-veksar-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/a-walking-tour-of-everquest-2s-new-veksar-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/a-walking-tour-of-everquest-2s-new-veksar-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As we've done in the past with new updates to EverQuest II, we recently had the chance to go on a walking tour of the brand new Veksar Invasion dungeon. Just as with our looks at the Shard of Hate, GU 47, and GU 45, we were able to go deep inside the new content to get a sense of what's new and interesting about the game. Regardless level or interests, EverQuest II Game Update 48 has something fantastic for every player. For high level characters, of course, the Veksar dungeon is the place to be until The Shadow Odyssey comes out. Designed as a 'teaser' for the upcoming new content, it'll have you thinking and laughing your way through the short number of encounters.

If you're not max level, you've still got a bunch of new content to tackle in this Game Update. There's a murder mystery in the city of Qeynos, and a busybody in Gorowyn wants to know what's up. Help out your faction to understand what's happening before the other side does! Plus, the construction workers preparing for the new guild housing system are running low on supplies. Traders and Adventurers alike are tasked with helping them get things back on track. There's tons of stuff to do in Norrath today. What are you waiting for?

Gallery: EverQuest 2 Tour of GU 48

The Veksar Entrance HallWater GolemsIt's a Trap!Nice ArchesSquallic Destroyer
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

MassivelyA walking tour of EverQuest 2's new Veksar dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eq2-gu-48everquest-2everquest-iifeaturedjoystiqfeaturessoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseyWed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: It's expansion season!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/06/the-daily-grind-its-expansion-season/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/06/the-daily-grind-its-expansion-season/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/06/the-daily-grind-its-expansion-season/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's expansion season in MMO-land. World of Warcraft will of course see the Wrath of the Lich King, which will add the continent of Northrend, a prestige class, and numerous enhancements. The Lord of the Rings Online will open up the Mines of Moria -- a massive dungeon environment for levels 50 and up. There will also be two new classes, and yes, numerous other enhancements.

Then there's EverQuest II's The Shadow Odyssey, EverQuest's Seeds of Destruction, and Asheron's Call's just-released 100th update. If you've got long-inactive accounts with any of these games, the devs are trying to win you back! If you're still there, they're trying to keep you from leaving for Warhammer Online or from freeing yourself from the genre completely.

Are any of these expansions going to do the job for you? And if so, which ones?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: It's expansion season! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asherons-callblizzardeqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexpansionsmines-of-moriaseeds-of-destructionsoetdgthe-daily-grindthe-shadow-odysseyturbineworld-of-warcraftwotlkwrath-of-the-lich-kingSat, 06 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a visual tour of EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey's new dungeons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/take-a-visual-tour-of-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odysseys-new-dun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/take-a-visual-tour-of-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odysseys-new-dun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/take-a-visual-tour-of-everquest-ii-the-shadow-odysseys-new-dun/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


EverQuest II's The Shadow Odyssey expansion is set to launch this November. In addition to heritage quests and the shard reward system, the expansion will add an EverQuest classic -- the dungeon of Guk. And in the days leading up to the launch, EQ2 players will get to start exploring another dungeon: Veksar.

To build up anticipation, SOE is rolling out articles, screenshots, and concept art related to the two new dungeons. For Guk it put together a series of lore-oriented postcards and images explaining what the place is all about, culminating in some concept art wallpapers. The Veksar article is a little more traditional in its presentation, but the substance is all there. We've put together in a gallery all the images from both of those tours.

SOE also released concept art for guild halls, which will be implemented soon. Guild halls date back to Meridian 59 and text MUDs before it, but for some reason they've been out of vogue in the 21st century.

Gallery: EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Dungeons

Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

MassivelyTake a visual tour of EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey's new dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept-artdungeoneq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionfrogloksguild-hallsgukiksarmeridian-59screenshotssoethe-shadow-odysseyveksarwallpaperSat, 30 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 20]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/massively-speaking-podcast-episode-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/massively-speaking-podcast-episode-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/massively-speaking-podcast-episode-20/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Massively Speaking Episode 20 is a Shawn-less show! More's the pity, Mr. Schuster needed to attend to important issues this week - like a leaking roof. Instead Michael is joined by Mr. Darren Love of the Common Sense Gamer blog. Brenda Holloway, blogger at the West Karana site and Massively columnist, joins the gents to set them straight on the newly announced EQ and EQII expansions. Additional subjects of conversation include the new Conan expansion, Warhammer Online (of course), and the upcoming Module 8 for DDO!

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot us an email to podcast AT massively DOT com. Maybe we'll read your letter on the air!


Get the podcast:
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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 20

MassivelyMassively Speaking Podcast Episode 20 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2massively-speakingthe-shadow-odysseytsowarhammer-onlineThu, 28 Aug 2008 11:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 20Massively.com Staff45:05podcasts<![CDATA[The week in Massively features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/the-week-in-massively-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/the-week-in-massively-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/the-week-in-massively-features/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Hyborian Backpackers' guide: Conall's Valley
This week, we present to you the first installment of the Hyborian Backpackers' guide to the zones of Age of Conan. Over the coming weeks, we'll be scouring every nook and cranny of Conan's world to bring you all the sights, quest locations, and notable local characters that make up the areas of AoC.
Massively's state of the game: Warhammer Online beta
Today this blogger has attempted to do the same for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, the fantasy MMO slated for release by EA and Mythic Entertainment on the 18th of September. If anything, Warhammer Online is a title with a more tightly-wound, highly anticipatory audience than Conan was.
The Digital Continuum: Memoirs of a WAR beta tester
In my time interacting as a member of the beta community with Mythic -- concerning Warhammer Online, of course -- I think I've seen more progress made on any MMO in the span of about a year than I have in any other in beta. And I've been in a lot of them.
What you need to know about The Shadow Odyssey
The Shadow Odyssey, EverQuest II's fifth expansion, is not just the usual bump to the level cap, a couple of new raids, and a reset for all the armor you already got. It's none of those things. What SOE has done with this expansion is go through the level 50 to level 80 portion of the game and say, let's make an expansion that has something for pretty much everyone. Let's make an expansion where even if no upgrades drop, you can be working toward some awesome stuff just by playing.
Massively catches up with Dungeons and Dragons Online at Gen Con
Massively dropped in on their show floor booth to see what they had to see and chat about the brand new character creation system coming to the game, as well as upcoming enhancements, including an increased level cap and maybe even a chance to see Khorvaire in DDO.

Continue reading The week in Massively features

MassivelyThe week in Massively features originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedthe-shadow-odysseytsowarwarhammer-onlineweek-in-mv-featuresSun, 24 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What you need to know about The Shadow Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-shadow-odyssey/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-shadow-odyssey/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


The Shadow Odyssey, EverQuest II's fifth expansion, is not just the usual bump to the level cap, a couple of new raids, and a reset for all the armor you already got. It's none of those things. What SOE has done with this expansion is go through the level 50 to level 80 portion of the game and say, let's make an expansion that has something for pretty much everyone. Let's make an expansion where even if no upgrades drop, you can be working toward some awesome stuff just by playing.

The original EverQuest started out as a supremely casual and social game. It was the players that pushed SOE to make the game more raid focused, but sometime after the heavily raid-oriented Planes of Power expansion, the casual players asked when they'd get an expansion for them. SOE came out with the Lost Dungeons of Norrath, which offered three or four variants at each of six dungeons, meant for single groups of averagely-equipped players. The difficulty and mission type could be selected, and every time you completed a mission, you got points with which you could buy hard-to-find spells, armor of near raid quality, adornments which would push that armor into the quality of raid gear, and some cool stuff only available through the LDoN merchants.

The Shadow Odyssey is EverQuest II's Lost Dungeons of Norrath -- and more. Click on through to see why TSO might be the best EQ2 expansion yet.
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Continue reading What you need to know about The Shadow Odyssey

MassivelyWhat you need to know about The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2eq2-gu-49eqiieverquest-2everquest-iifan-faire-2008featuredguild-hallguild-hallsshadow-odysseysoethe-shadow-odysseyTue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: EverQuest expanding]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/the-daily-grind-everquest-expanding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/the-daily-grind-everquest-expanding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/the-daily-grind-everquest-expanding/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Yesterday evening at Fan Faire, SOE announced expansions for EverQuest and EverQuest 2: Seeds of Destruction and The Shadow Odyssey, respectively. This will be EQ's 15th expansion and EQ2's 4th, with SoD promising 20 new zones and a new level cap of 85; and SO promising new zones, new dungeons, new quests, and additional achievement points. But what we're wondering is: how long can a game last? (15 expansions at least, apparently!) How long can expansion packs up the excitement factor? Tell us, will these new expansions keep you playing? Will they bring you back into the game? And if so, what has you excited about the latest additions to SOE's online world?

Gallery: EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey Announcement


Gallery: EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction Announcement

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: EverQuest expanding originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq2seeds-of-destructionshadow-odysseytdgthe-shadow-odysseySat, 16 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EQII: The Shadow Odyssey teaser trailer released]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/eqii-the-shadow-odyssey-teaser-trailer-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/eqii-the-shadow-odyssey-teaser-trailer-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/eqii-the-shadow-odyssey-teaser-trailer-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


As we reported earlier from our ongoing coverage of SOE's Fan Faire in Las Vegas, a new expansion has been announced for EverQuest II entitled The Shadow Odyssey. The details of this expansion can be found in the original announcement post, as well as an extensive interview with EQII's Senior Producer, Bruce Ferguson.

In addition to this, we have some fantastic new video footage to present as well. This footage shows some exciting new content such as a few new goal-based dungeons, as well as some old favorites like Ruins of Guk and Befallen, plus new creatures and much more. Check out the complete video after the cut and let us know what you think!
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Continue reading EQII: The Shadow Odyssey teaser trailer released

MassivelyEQII: The Shadow Odyssey teaser trailer released originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeverquest-2everquest-iifan-faire-2008shadow-odysseysoesonysony-online-entertainmentteaser-trailerthe-shadow-odysseyvideoFri, 15 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exploring The Shadow Odyssey with EQII Senior Producer Bruce Ferguson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/exploring-the-shadow-odyssey-with-eqii-senior-producer-bruce-fer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/exploring-the-shadow-odyssey-with-eqii-senior-producer-bruce-fer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/exploring-the-shadow-odyssey-with-eqii-senior-producer-bruce-fer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SOE just announced the newest expansion to their EverQuest II title, and we've got plenty of answers for your burning questions. We had the chance to sit down with the game's Senior Producer, Bruce Ferguson, to talk about what makes this such an important product for Sony Online. Join us as we talk through some of the fantastic new content coming to the game.

Some of it is "old content", revamped and updated areas from the original vision of Norrath the company created back in 1999. Befallen and Guk are fan favorites, and are making a comeback with a vengeance. Some of it is distinctly new, like the shard system that will allow players to customize their loot for the first time ever. And some of it is a mix of both! Read on for full details on this interesting new product.
Well met, fellow Norrathian! Make sure to check out all of our coverage of the next EverQuest II expansion, The Shadow Odyssey as well as Seeds of Destruction, the next expansion to EverQuest!

Continue reading Exploring The Shadow Odyssey with EQII Senior Producer Bruce Ferguson

MassivelyExploring The Shadow Odyssey with EQII Senior Producer Bruce Ferguson originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eq2everquest-2everquest-iifan-faire-2008featuredshadow-odysseysoesony-online-entertainmentthe-shadow-odysseytsoFri, 15 Aug 2008 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE announces the next EverQuest II expansion: The Shadow Odyssey]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/soe-announces-the-next-everquest-ii-expansion-the-shadow-odysse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/soe-announces-the-next-everquest-ii-expansion-the-shadow-odysse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/soe-announces-the-next-everquest-ii-expansion-the-shadow-odysse/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Just moments ago in Las Vegas, Nevada SOE CEO John Smedley took the stage to announce the next expansion for the company's flagship product, EverQuest II. The fourth expansion to reach the game will be entitled The Shadow Odyssey, and is slated for release to players on November 18th of this year. The expansion will seek to expand on themes begun with the best-selling Rise of Kunark expansion, returning a number of nostalgic elements to the shattered world of Norrath. Players familiar with the Lost Dungeons of Norrath expansion to the original EverQuest may find several similarities in this newest content release, which is slated to include a number of instanced dungeons.

Other feature highlights include:
  • Brand new zones with some old favorite names. Innothule Swamp?
  • Wall-to-wall dungeon crawling, revisiting some of the highlight real best of the original EverQuest. Guk, Mistmoore, and Befallen are all ripe for the picking.
  • No new level increase, but a big bump in the number of Achievement points you can get - up to 200. Additionally, the expansion will feature brand new class-specific AA lines!
  • Tons more, including new deities, new Heritage quests, and a new 'Shard' system that will let you pick your loot rewards instead of hoping for drops!
Read on below the cut for the full press release, and be sure to explore our exclusive interview with EverQuest II Senior Producer for Bruce Ferguson all about the upcoming expansion.

Gallery: EverQuest 2: The Shadow Odyssey Announcement

Continue reading SOE announces the next EverQuest II expansion: The Shadow Odyssey

MassivelySOE announces the next EverQuest II expansion: The Shadow Odyssey originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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