http://eq2wire.com/2013/05/23/double-xp-weekend-friday-may-24-monday-may-27/

From Holly "Windstalker" Longdale's twitter:

went retail today, 05/22

http://www.elementalgame.com/legendary-heroes

http://forums.elementalgame.com/444571

a positive review

http://www.gameranx.com/features/id/14851/article/fallen-enchantress-legendary-heroes-review/

Originally posted by morbuskabis

I played THIEF, Deus EX and Morrowind like a Shooter. I killed every one I could. Even quest givers. I loved, that the Dev gave me the freedom to do so. After my killing spree, and figure out how far I could go, I restarted the game and played it as a pacifist.

What I try to say here is, the games gave me options. Radical options, so radical that you could not finish the game. But I could find out how far I could go and that is what I liked.

In games like COD and GOW the options are missing and because of that the game gets boring real quick. You get forced to play a certain way, sometimes even the path is already predetermined. No choice at all....

i agree - good post

Originally posted by Elikal

 Ultima the RPGs had combat too, but it didn't revolve around combat. Or there were games like Kings Quest or whatever and war was just one part.

Especially in MMOs I feel like Online Games have so gone in the wrong direction with their focus on combat as THE sole focus. Sure they add some figleaf crafting and a bit discovery, but by and large 95% of the MMos today revolve around war and killing.

bringing it back to pen and paper RPGs

what was the most common  adventure module setting in the 1970s and 1980s? 

the dungeon crawl

slay foes - plunder their treasure

TSR modules like Ravenloft, Tomb of Horrors, The Vault of the Drow, Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, many others

Originally posted by strangiato2112

 I think we may see two things way earlier than anticipated:  EQNext and WoW's expansion.  

i dont know if blizzard could ever pull it off

theyve said for years (since 2006) that they hope to have expansions out on an annual basis

http://www.gamespot.com/news/blizzards-goal-annual-wow-expansions-6156502

http://eq2wire.com/2013/05/21/emily-domino-or-pentapod-if-you-prefer-taylor-on-eqnext-team/

Emily "Domino" Taylor has returned to the Sony Online Entertainment fold after the successful launch of Defiance for Trion Worlds. She is now a Producer on the EQNext team.

For those who may not know Domino, she contributed substantially to Crafting and Housing in EverQuest II, specifically the addition of Epic, Heritage, and Signature quests for crafters.

her Facebook:

For those who haven't heard already: last month I resigned from Trion, and accepted a producer role on SOE's upcoming project EQNext. I'm super excited about the project, and very touched and grateful that so many people seem so happy to welcome me back. I had no idea so many people even knew who I was, let alone would have so many kind words. ♥ I can't wait to help make this game amazing!

Originally posted by Giffen

 I don't think they have enough content at SOE for a true convention.

whats a "true" convention?

conventions of all types take place year round

SOE has been hosting annual Fanfaires for the last 14 years

http://www.zam.com/wiki/soe_fan_faire

http://eq2wire.com/2013/05/20/eqnext-reveal-at-soe-live-set-for-august-2nd-1100am/

From the SOE Live website:

SOE Live Exclusive: Get a First Look at EverQuest Next!

On Friday, August 2nd, attendees at SOE Live will witness the unveiling of the highly anticipated EverQuest Next! Be among the first to see game features and development plans during a keynote address by Director of Development Dave Georgeson and members of the EverQuest Next team. Following the keynote, SOE Live passholders will be able to ask questions and learn more in-depth information from the developers during a number of panels.

Whether you're a long-time EverQuest enthusiast or just curious about the next big thing in gaming, don't miss this exciting chance to get your first look at EverQuest Next. SOE Live is the only place for all the insider information, so register today!

as per the SOE Live schedule, Friday's keynote is scheduled for 11:00am:

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Keynote Address

More details to be announced. You won't want to miss this!

Celebrity Ballroom

SOE Live Early Bird Registration ends May 22nd and rises from $129.00 for the weekend to $149.00. NOTE: Anyone who registered in the past few days and was charged $149.00 will be refunded the difference.

edit:   Countdown timer

http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/to?iso=20130802T11&p0=127&msg=EverQuest+Next+Reveal

Originally posted by kadepsyson

This is just an example of a downside of the Buy to Play model - if they can't sell boxes they abandon the game.

ANET  announced something similar 6 years ago  -- its not according to your BTP theory

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/162307/interviews/guild-wars-2-part-two/

Posted on Sunday 22nd Apr 2007 at 11:01 AM UTC

You got the Eye of the North expansion coming out for Guild Wars later this year - but what's going to happen to Guild Wars after the expansion comes out now that Guild Wars 2 is coming?

Jeff Strain: We'll continue to support it with live content, we'll continue to have holiday events and support the tournament infrastructure of the game. It's obviously very much in our best interests to keep Guild Wars players happy, because we think most of those Guild Wars players will be Guild Wars 2 players. Between now and the release of Guild Wars 2, Guild Wars will be fully supported by us as a development team.

The other important point to make is that nobody has to worry about what's going to happen to the Guild Wars servers or Guild Wars 1 after Guild Wars 2 ships. As long as there are people playing and enjoying Guild Wars 1, we'll continue to run the servers and support the game.

Originally posted by Vorch

Amazing game. I really like how, even after development has officially stopped, the game will be there for the forseeable future.

after the early years of Everquest,

GW1 was my favorite online game -- glad it's sticking around :)

Originally posted by tussauc
It's an honest question that I can't think of a proper answer to; I'm not judging anyone I'm just curious. Why do people shell out $150+ on a single game? Is it dedication to, or maybe confidence in, the developers behind said MMO? Why?

looking beyond founders/lifetime

people pay 150+ for Collectors editions too

could ask the same question - why spend more than $150 on any kickstarter ?

Originally posted by Wildabout

  Is this the one? Is this the game we've all been waiting for? What do you think?

i think expectations are detrimental to enjoying anything in life  (especially movies)

I look forward to playing Wildstar but only as a fun game - I'm not putting it on any pedestals

info on warcraft 3 unit

http://classic.battle.net/war3/neutral/pandarenbrewmaster.shtml

i assume it was inspired by Jackie Chans 1978 movie Drunken Master

but i dont know

Originally posted by Deeter

Bout **** time

This was the one game I was always shocked by that hasn't gone f2p yet

im still waiting for DAOC to go ftp

Originally posted by Aceshighhh

 it's likely they'll probably have demo's up to play and possibly give out beta keys to the attendees, which is what makes it so enticing. 

im considering registering (but not going) just for SOE Live perks that will be given out for all SOE games

Originally posted by Reehay
] guess I was trying to relive the EQ feeling but honestly the game feels more like diablo2 or WoW than it does Everquest.

I enjoy EQ2 but i agree its a very different game than EQ1 - and more similar to WOW

i like what EQ2 does

- have a mix of public and instanced dungeons

some of EQ2 public dungeons also have instanced boss rooms

related commentary

http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/pax-east-2013-soes-dave-georgeson-on-eq-next-and-the-future-of/

Will EQ Next make use of mobile devices?

Georgeson said that players want to be involved with MMOs when they're not at their PCs, so it's a big part of the design philosophy with all games in the studio's development. He added that SOE is already doing it with PS2, but that's mainly a stat aggregator that shows leaderboards. He wants to let players be involved in the world through their phones and mobile devices.

Originally posted by baphamet
in a nut shell, EQnext must be a group focused game like the original was.

you needed a wizard or a druid for a port, you needed a necro or an SK to summon your corpse if you died in a bad spot.

i agree w you

but im expecting EQ3 to be solo friendly for all classes