eqii posts

The Daily Grind: What little events do you celebrate?

by Eliot Lefebvre Mar 17th 2010 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Culture, Events, real-world, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Humor

It's Saint Patrick's Day, and if you're in the US that means a celebration of Irish culture... or at least, it means a celebration of wearing green clothing and drinking an exceptional amount for the middle of the week. And while it's not the biggest holiday, some people look forward to it as much or more than major seasonal events. A few games even celebrate the event, such as Fallen Earth with a pub crawl and Everquest II with its Brewday celebrations. It's a holiday with no real overarching purpose except enjoyment, and that's hardly a bad goal.

Every game has little events that keep running long after they're no longer hugely pertinent. Every gamer has anniversaries or dates they remember, or holidays that they feel are important even if the game doesn't have a holiday event. So what small holidays or events do you observe in your favorite games? Do you make a point of memorizing important in-game lore dates and celebrating their anniversaries? Do you take part in no-longer-vital elements, such as the Elemental Invasions in World of Warcraft? Or do you just take the opportunity on days like today to outfit your Star Trek Online crew in green uniforms and hang around drunk?

Tags: anniversaries, celebrations, drinking, enjoyment, eqii, everquest-ii, fallen-earth, fe, intoxication, ireland, irish, saint-patricks-day, star-trek-online, sto, tdg, the-daily-grind, world-of-warcraft, wow

EQ wants you for St. Patty's Day

by Jef Reahard Mar 11th 2010 at 10:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, Events, in-game, News items

Sony Online Entertainment Project Manager Ashlanne has announced Everquest's 11-year anniversary and St. Patrick's Day party over on the official forums.

The event kicks off on Wednesday March 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM PST and is expected to last approximately two hours. To join in the festivities, head over to the SOE UStream channel and get ready to chat with the Everquest Community Team and other special guests.

In addition to the usual St. Patty's Day carousing, party-goers can expect to watch interviews with various Everquest alumni, assist the Community Team in making special St. Patrick's Day crafts, and chat live (via text) with both the EQ Community and Development Teams.

Tags: eq2, eqii, everquest, everquest-2, everquest-ii, holiday, live-event, soe, sony-online-entertainment, st-patricks-day, star-wars-galaxies, streaming-video, ustream, vanguard

EverQuest II: Brewday is back

by Rubi Bayer Mar 9th 2010 at 9:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Events, in-game, News items

Those who have been hanging around Norrath for a while know what this time of year brings: Brewday is returning to EverQuest II. While the holiday originated with the Dwarves, they don't mind sharing the fun, so get ready to celebrate beginning March 11th with events both old and new.

You'll see some familiar features such as Snoogle's Presentation, Ale Goggles, and Beers for Brell, but they offer brand new rewards, so make sure you check them out. If you're a fan of crafting, you'll be happy to hear that Brewday will bring new craftables and supplies in addition to all the other treats.

So what are you waiting for, an invitation? (It's okay if you are, because you'll be receiving one in your in-game mail.) The event runs from March 11th until the 22nd, so check out the event page for the full story, and enjoy yourself!

Tags: brewday, eq, eq2, eq2-brewday, EQII, everquest-2, everquest-ii, norrath, SOE, sony-online-entertainment

One Shots: Dangerous winds

by Krystalle Voecks Mar 8th 2010 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, EverQuest II, One Shots

The fun part of an expansion is never knowing just what's in store when you go to a new area. Perhaps before you were used to just having to avoid mobs, but how do you deal with it when it seems the land itself is bent on your destruction? Well, if you're today's One Shots contributor, Valencin, who captured this screenshot in EverQuest II, you might try sneaking your way through. He wrote in to explain his plan: This is a shot from the newest expansion to EverQuest II, Sentinel's Fate. You can barely see my character Valencin hunkered down (in stealth form) in front of the flowers as the storms are about to roll over him. We wonder if that worked, or if he got clobbered by a flying rock.

Have you taken on the elements in your game world and survived? We'd love to hear about it. Grab a screenshot and send it in to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a note. We'll post it out here for everyone to check out and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

Tags: eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, one-shots, screenshot, screenshots, soe, sony-online-entertainment, valencin

SOE announces dates for Fan Faire 2010

by Krystalle Voecks Mar 4th 2010 at 5:30PM

Filed under: EverQuest, EverQuest II, PlanetSide, Events, real-world, The Agency, News items, Star Wars Galaxies, Vanguard, Everquest Online Adventures, Free Realms, DC Universe Online, PoxNora

For fans of Sony Online Entertainment's stable of MMO titles, the time has come once again to start making plans for Fan Faire. It looks like we'll all be heading back to Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas from August 5-8 for a weekend chock-full of all manner of crazy gaming fun with MMO friends.

This year, they're offering everything from day passes at $35 on up to a Platinum badge which -- for $135 -- will net you access to all events, plus an additional in-game item, a special swag bag boasting more than just regular Fan Faire goodies, access to a VIP lounge, and even private VIP events. Add to that the room discounts starting at $65 a night for a swanky hotel right on the main Vegas strip, and this could well be a great vacation that just happens to include the awesome fun of this year's SOE Fan Faire.

For now, there's no details on the schedule of events, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Alan "Brenlo" Crosby wedging people into t-shirts three sizes too small, as well as an appearance by of one of our favorite Dwarves. If previous years are any indication, this is a should-not-miss event for any serious SOE fan.

Tags: breaking, dc-universe-online, dcuo, eq, eq2, eqii, eqoa, everquest, everquest-2, everquest-ii, everquest-online-adventures, fan-faire, fan-faire-2010, las-vegas, ps, soe, sony-online-entertainment, the-agency, vanguard, vegas, vg

The Tattered Notebook: No one is left behind

by Seraphina Brennan Mar 2nd 2010 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Guides, Leveling, Tips and tricks, Opinion, The Tattered Notebook

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

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

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

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

Tags: content, dungeons, eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, featured, grouping, level-cap, plotline, questing, sentinels-fate, soloing, storyline, the-golden-path, the-tattered-notebook, timelines, veteran-rewards

Sentinel's Fate rises to the top of the charts

by Krystalle Voecks Feb 26th 2010 at 9:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Expansions, News items

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

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

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

Tags: eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, expansion, sales-charts, sentinels-fate, soe, sony-online-entertainment

The Tattered Notebook: Sentinel's Fate aftermath and advice

by Seraphina Brennan Feb 23rd 2010 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Expansions, Tips and tricks, Opinion, The Tattered Notebook

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

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

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

Tags: aa, alternate-advancement, eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, expansion, experience, graphics, grouping, odus, questing, repeatable-quests, sentinels-fate, soe, sony-online-entertainment, statistics, the-hole, token-quests

Dragons abound in the Sentinel's Fate launch day trailer

by Seraphina Brennan Feb 16th 2010 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, EverQuest II, Expansions, Launches

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

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

Tags: dragons, eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, launch-day, paineel, sentinels-fate, soe, sony-online-entertainment, sundered-frontier, trailer, video

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

by Seraphina Brennan Feb 16th 2010 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Culture, Expansions, Grouping, The Tattered Notebook

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

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

Tags: eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, featured, grouping, grouping-tips, lands, launch-day, odus, roundup, sentinels-fate, soe, sony-online-entertainment, sundered-frontier, the-tattered-notebook

Latest EverQuest II data study covers roleplayers

by Seraphina Brennan Feb 16th 2010 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Culture, News items

A year ago, we mentioned that Sony Online Entertainment had opened up their EverQuest II database to researchers, allowing scientists from noted universities the ability to study the demographics of their server in an anonymous fashion. Slowly but surely, more studies are coming out that are using this information, and one of the newer studies takes an in-depth look at roleplayers.

While the study is over 40 pages long and packed with information, Raph Koster has broken down the big findings on his website -- namely the fact that hardcore RPers only make up 5% of the player population and don't care about playing on an RP server. RPers also commonly belong to minority groups of some sort, play less hours per week than the average player, and have a higher rate of turning in-game social connections into real-world connections.

It's all interesting stuff, and Raph has it broken down on his site, or you can check out the full study in Word's .doc format.

Tags: database, dimitri-williams, eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, roleplayers, roleplaying, scientific-study, social-survey, soe, sony-online-entertainment, study, university

EverQuest II hits ConnectDING goal of 15,000 fans

by Seraphina Brennan Feb 15th 2010 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Contests, Events, in-game, News items

If you're an EverQuest II player, you should rejoice right about now! SOE's ConnectDING! program has been a success in EverQuest II, granting everyone in game a celebratory 500 station cash and the community pillow fight pillow!

The last day was the decider, as the EQII community got over 1,000 more fans to sign up to the game's Facebook and Twitter pages in a single day. It looked a little iffy, especially as the community still needed 947 of those fans to sign up within 12 hours, but they made it with only a few hours to spare, clinching the victory.

The station cash has already been deposited into everyone's accounts, however the community pillow has not. Look forward to the community pillow in your inbox tomorrow, after the Sentinel's Fate server downtime.

Tags: connectding, contest, eq2, eq2-marketplace, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, gold-award, soe, sony-online-entertainment, station-cash, win

The Daily Grind: What location is vital to the game?

by Eliot Lefebvre Feb 14th 2010 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Culture, Events, in-game, Lore, Opinion, The Daily Grind

When you play a game for any length of time, you get used to where things are. World of Warcraft players can navigate by the Stormwind Cathedral or the Orgrimmar Bank, Final Fantasy XI players can set their sights on the crags or Delkfutt's Tower. But sometimes, as has recently happened in Everquest II, there's a significant loss to those important locations.

Something disappears, something is destroyed or moved or otherwise lost, and the entire game world feels a bit smaller for the loss. And even though part of you knows they're just backdrops, even if you don't give the slightest whit about the game's setting, you can't help but feel a bit smaller for what's been lost.

The entire premise of the upcoming World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the idea that the locations you're familiar with can be changed irrevocably, and that it's a significant event when it takes place. What part of your favorite game do you think is iconic and necessary for the feel and setting of the game world? Is it one of the more common points of congregation for low-level characters, a high-level haunt, or just a familiar and cherished region?

Tags: areas, cataclysm, delkfutts-tower, eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, ffxi, final-fantasy-xi, locations, orgrimmar-bank, stormwind-cathedral, world-of-warcraft, world-of-warcraft-cataclysm, wow, zones

Catch up for Sentinel's Fate with a bonus exp weekend

by Seraphina Brennan Feb 12th 2010 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Events, in-game, News items

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

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

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

Tags: bonus-exp-weekend, bonus-experience, brenlo, catch-up, eq2, eqii, everquest-2, everquest-ii, expansion, sentinels-fate, soe, sony-online-entertainment

One Shots: Camping out in Timorous Deep

by Krystalle Voecks Feb 12th 2010 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, EverQuest II, One Shots

Who doesn't love extra experience for enjoying some game time? Double experience weekends are a great way to draw players in to level up their characters, or to try leveling new characters up for the fun of checking out different starting areas. Today's One Shots comes from my own recent night-time adventures in the noob lands of EverQuest II -- specifically a picturesque camp outside of Gorowyn in Timorous Deep. With Alan "Brenlo" Crosby sending out the call that players would be treated to "[b]onus xp this weekend in EQ2. Both kinds. Country and western," it's a great time to jump back in and enjoy the quiet before Sentinel's Fate launches.

We love to show off all manner of MMOs, but we need you to contribute shots from far and wide. All MMOs welcome from big to small. Just gather your screenshots and send them in to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit.

Gallery: One Shots