EverQuest Next
| EverQuest Next | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Daybreak Game Company |
| Publisher(s) | Daybreak Game Company |
| Producer(s) | Terry Michaels |
| Designer(s) | Darrin McPherson |
| Programmer(s) | Steve Klug |
| Artist(s) | Rosie Rappaport |
| Composer(s) | Jeremy Soule |
| Series | EverQuest |
| Engine | Forgelight Engine |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 |
| Genre(s) | Massively multiplayer online role-playing game |
EverQuest Next is an upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), the successor to EverQuest, EverQuest Online Adventures and EverQuest II. Daybreak Game Company, the developer and publisher, released further details in August 2010, at which point development was still in its earliest stages and feedback was being solicited from existing EverQuest, EverQuest Online Adventures Frontiers and EverQuest 2 players.[1][2]
The game will also not be a sequel or prequel to any of the games in the EverQuest franchise; it is planned to present to players a "parallel world" of Norrath, one in which some of the locations and characters may be familiar, but specific relationships and events can diverge from the official storylines of the other games. The developers have stated an intention to return to a style of gameplay more like the original EverQuest, while retaining the advances in MMORPG design that have developed in the years since that game first launched. Daybreak Game Company will be using their game engine called Forgelight for EverQuest Next, making this the second game to use this engine. Forgelight focuses on lighting effects and making game characters more realistic. This engine is being used for Next Generation consoles and has been discussed as amazingly intuitive. While previous titles by the developer have been "cartoonish" this engine re-defines them. It has lost its cartoon sense almost completely, heading for realism.[3]
Development
The first indication that a new game was in development appeared in a chapter written by EverQuest creative director Rich Waters in the EverQuest 10th Anniversary Book (2009).[4]
At PAX East 2013, game developer Dave Georgeson confirmed a full reveal of EverQuest Next on August 2 at SOE Live.[5] EverQuest Next will be subdivided into two segments: a standard, quest-based MMORPG, and a world-building tool called EverQuest Next Landmark. Applications for Landmark beta-testing are already being accepted, and John Smedley has said that the best of Landmark's player-made worlds will be brought into the MMORPG.
At the Sony Online Entertaintment Live 2012 event, John Smedley stated that EverQuest Next has been completely redeveloped, stating "What we are building is something that we will be very proud to call EverQuest. It will be the largest sandbox style MMO ever designed... We are remaking Norrath unlike anything you’ve ever seen, but you'll recognize it."[6] During Sony Online Entertainment Live, John Smedley mentioned that EverQuest Next will attempt to keep the free-to-play model for as long as possible. This means that once a player has purchased the game, they will not be required to pay a subscription fee in order to continue to play.[7]
On January 31, 2014, EverQuest Next's counterpart "EverQuest Next Landmark" began its official "Alpha" testing phase. Purchasers of the $99.99 Founders Pack or the $59.99 Explorers Pack were allowed into this Alpha testing as part of the game developers goal of "making development a collaborative process". Everquest Next Landmark began its closed-beta testing on March 26, 2014.
In January 2014, John Smedley confirmed that EverQuest Next would be coming to the PlayStation 4 console.[8]
In February 2014, on Reddit, John Smedley announced that the game will support the Oculus Rift, "in some way shape or form"[9]
In August 2014, at SOE Live, the EverQuest Next team revealed three new classes: the Tempest, the Cleric and the Elementalist. Brand new combat videos showing off how players work together was also shown at the event.[10]
Music
Jeremy Soule will be composing the music for the game.[11]
References
- ↑ Voecks, Krystalle (2010-08-07). "Fan Faire 2010: John Smedley and the SOE crew talk EverQuest Next". Massively. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ↑ "EQNext Player Input Panel #2 - EverQuest II News & Commentary". The EQ2 Wire. 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ↑ "EverQuest Next". EverQuest Next. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ↑ Tamat (2009-08-13). "SOE Confirms Development on EverQuest "Next"". ZAM EverQuest.
- ↑ Pitcher, Jenna (2013-02-07). "SOE Live 2013 will take place in Las Vegas from Aug 1 to Aug 4, 2013". Polygon. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
- ↑ "SOE Live 2012 Welcome Reception Notes - EverQuest II News & Commentary". The EQ2 Wire. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
- ↑ Yoon, Andrew. "Player Studio will be 'backbone' of EverQuest Next's free-to-play economy". Shacknews.
- ↑ EverQuest Next Announced For PS4, PlanetSide 2 Update, ign.com article
- ↑ "EverQuest Next could be the first MMORPG to support the Oculus Rift". 2014-02-03.
- ↑ "EverQuest Next New Combat and Classes". 2014-08-15.
- ↑ Bell, Alan (2 August 2013). "EverQuest Next To Feature Music From Skyrim Composer". Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- Magrino, Tom (2010-08-09). "SOE unveils EverQuest Next". GameSpot. Retrieved 2012-09-11.
- "EverQuest Next - Tweet the Developers". Sony Online Entertainment. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
External links
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