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EverQuest II
Ever Quest II News
EverQuest II: Critical Mitigation to Be Removed
Feb 1st
EverQuest II executive producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson has posted on the official forums some big news for players: Critical mitigation will be removed entirely from the game. The upcoming changes will first head to the test server and then to all EQ2 servers afterward.
Here are the details:
- Critical Mitigation (the stat) has been removed from the game.
- Critical Mitigation no longer displays on the Character pane (for obvious reasons, since it’s no longer in the game).
- NPCs no longer use Critical Bonus to add to critical damage.
- Buffs and debuffs that have Critical Mitigation elements to them will have those elements replaced with other elements instead, so that those buffs/debuffs do not lose effectiveness.
- Critical Mitigation values on adornments will be replaced with hit point values instead.
Read the full post and participate in the ongoing discussion on the EverQuest II forum.
EverQuest II: On F2P Success and EQNext
Jan 24th
It's been nearly two months since the free to play launch of EverQuest II. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Executive Producer Dave Georgeson about the success of the new version of EQII and the future of EQ as a whole… including EQNext. See what he's got to say in our exclusive interview.
MMORPG: How have the longtime Veterans of EQ2 responded to the changes? Have you had any exodus, or do you instead see more former players coming back now that the price barrier is gone?
Dave Georgeson: Absolutely zero exodus. There was a lot of concern from vets before the changes occurred that they wouldn’t like the end-results. However, after watching EQ2X do so well for over a year, and after realizing that the only tangible change to players when we go F2P is to a) make subscriptions optional, and b) remove any up-front costs, well…there’s not much to be afraid of after that, is there?
Read more of Bill Murphy's EverQuest II: On F2P Success and EQNext.
EverQuest II: Stats Show Impressive Growth Since F2P
Jan 10th
According to a pair of 'tweets' by Sony Online Entertainment's John Smedley, EverQuest II has shown impressive growth since going free to play in early December.
We are seeing some amazing growth in EQ2. 40% increase in daily logins since going f2p. 300% increase in new players.
And 200% increase in Item sales. Plus we have added a lot of new subs. All during the time that some really good competition hit the market.
What about you? Have you tried EverQuest II since it went F2P? Let us know!
EverQuest II: Age of Discovery Review
Dec 29th
In early December, EverQuest II officially went 'free to play' and the "Age of Discovery" expansion was released at the same time. In our latest combo video and text review, we take a look at EQ II: AoD to see how it measures up to the glory days of the franchise. Check it out in your favorite format and then let us know what you think in the comments.
Over the past decade, the Everquest series has come a very, very long way. The folks over at SOE have made sure it continues to make a strong presence within the realm of MMOs, and it is always fun to be able to dip into new additions to the series. With that in mind, I was really excited knowing I was going to be able to step back in Norrath again, this time for the most recent expansion: Age of Discovery.
Read more of Mobin Koohestani's EverQuest II: Age of Discovery Review.
EverQuest II: Age of Discovery & Freeport Reborn Coming December 6th
Nov 30th
Sony Online Entertainment has announced the release date for the Everquest II: Age of Discovery expansion pack that will coincide with the F2P version release as well. The expansion pack and the new free content for all players will be released on December 6th. Included for all players when Age of Discovery goes live is the Freeport Reborn content.
If you haven't read it already, be sure to check out Bill Murphy's preview of the Everquest II: Age of Discovery & Freeport Reborn content!
Read the latest producer's letter on the Everquest II site.
EverQuest II: Age of Discovery Preview
Nov 28th
Recently, Sony Online Entertainment announced that EverQuest II will be moving to a hybrid free to play revenue model sometime in December 2011 and that Age of Discovery, the game's latest expansion, would be launching near then as well. We recently had the opportunity to check out the Age of Discovery, including a look at the overhauled Freeport and the new Beastmaster. Check it out and then leave us your reaction in the comments.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in on a call and play the beta version of Everquest 2’s upcoming Age of Discovery Expansion. Attending for the SOE folks were EQ2’s Producer Dave Georgeson, Community Manager Jennifer Bridges, and Public Relations Manager Amelia Lukiman. On the gamer side sat Kotaku’s Mike Fahey and I. Scheduled to launch in unison with the Age of Discovery is Game Update 62 which brings a host of improvements to players along with the visual and gameplay overhaul of the city of Freeport. Mike and I had the chance to taste a bit of everything EQ2’s December has in store: from the Beastlord to the New Freeport, Mercenaries, and the Dungeon Maker to boot.
Read more of Bill Murphy's EverQuest II: Age of More >
EverQuest II: Age of Discovery & Freeport Reborn Preview
Nov 28th
Recently, Sony Online Entertainment announced that EverQuest II will be moving to a hybrid free to play revenue model on December 6th and that Age of Discovery, the game's latest expansion, would be launching near then as well. We recently had the opportunity to check out the Age of Discovery, including a look at Game Update 62 "Freeport Reborn" and the new Beastmaster. Check it out and then leave us your reaction in the comments.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in on a call and play the beta version of Everquest 2’s upcoming Age of Discovery Expansion. Attending for the SOE folks were EQ2’s Producer Dave Georgeson, Community Manager Jennifer Bridges, and Public Relations Manager Amelia Lukiman. On the gamer side sat Kotaku’s Mike Fahey and I. Scheduled to launch in unison with the Age of Discovery is Game Update 62 which brings a host of improvements to players along with the visual and gameplay overhaul of the city of Freeport. Mike and I had the chance to taste a bit of everything EQ2’s December has in store: from the Beastlord to the New Freeport, Mercenaries, and the Dungeon Maker to boot.
Read more of Bill Murphy's EverQuest II: Age More >
EverQuest II: Double XP Weekend & Black Friday Sale
Nov 23rd
The Everquest 2 team has announced that players will be able to take advantage of a double XP weekend beginning on Thursday, November 24th. In addition, the Marketplace will be giving players some hot deals for Black Friday.
We know you'll probably be stuffing your face with Turkey over the next few days, so why not also stuff your experience bars? That's right – we're having a Double XP weekend!
This weekend, from 12:01 am PST on Thursday, November 24th, until 11:59 pm PST on November 27th, we will be running a true Double XP (+100% XP) promotion. The bonus applies to AA, tradeskill and adventure experience this weekend. Our French, German, Japanese, and Test Servers will also be enjoying the increase in XP gain. Huzzah!
So have a very Happy Thanksgiving and when you're done eating with the family, we'll see you in Norrath!
Read the rest on the Everquest II site.
EverQuest II: Going F2P?For Real This Time
Nov 6th
That's right. Everquest II is going free to play, not with separate servers for F2Pers and subscribers. SOE has a full-blown F2P revenue plan in mind for all EQII players. We've got the details for you from MMORPG.com Associate Editor Suzie Ford who spoke with SOE's Dave Georgeson yesterday. Read on!
SOE wants to be in the forefront of innovative companies taking the F2P revenue model to new places. They have done their homework, Georgeson told us. They have done a lot of research. “We really like to give players lots of ways to pick how they want to play or pay.” By going F2P, Georgeson believes that the development of EQII will be better and more intriguing than ever. “If developers don’t keep quality up, they don’t make a dime. We’re excited about this.” Georgeson said. “We haven’t been this excited in a long time. We’re breaking the ‘rinse and repeat’ development cycle and will be more flexible in what we can do.”
Read more of Suzie Ford's Everquest II: Going F2P…For Real This Time.
EverQuest II: ’Night of the Dead’ Parties This Week
Oct 25th
EverQuest II's community team will be looking to celebrate Halloween with players via 'Night of the Dead' parties scheduled for later this week.
A community team member will create a portal to the 'Community Lounge' during the times listed below. So if you want to get down with your fellow gamers in EverQuest II you'll want to check the schedule for your server's party time:
- Thursday, October 27 12:00 pm PST Valor
- Thursday, October 27 12:00 pm PST Storms
- Friday, October 28 8:00 am PST Sebilis
- Friday, October 28 12:00 pm PST Splitpaw
- Friday, October 28 3:30 pm PST Everfrost
- Friday, October 28 4:00 pm PST Antonia Bayle
- Friday, October 28 4:30 pm PST Crushbone
- Friday, October 28 5:00 pm PST Freeport
Check out the official announcement over on the EverQuest II forums for additional details.