a message from smed...

Ajran · Post by **Ajran** » May 14, 2003, 2:37 pm

Greetings Norrathians,

Over the course of the next week you will be hearing a lot from SOE about EverQuest II. It's coming along extremely well, and it's something that we as a company are very proud of. We hope that when it is released you'll feel it lives up to its distinguished heritage.

All the talk about EQ II will lead many of you to ask the logical question:

What about EverQuest?

The simple answer is this: We are going to continue to support EverQuest. As a matter of fact, we have two new expansions in the works. The first one's coming this Fall, and its focus is on dungeons! Many members of the EQ team are already hard at work on it. We've increased the size of the EverQuest team to add more amazing things to the game, to further expand places you've explored before and to continue to update the game on a constant basis. Our goal is to make sure EverQuest remains a dynamic game that continues to grow for years to come. We recognize that you've spent a lot of time in EQ over the years--so have we. Making this world exciting for you is our passion.

We are also working hard on making EverQuest a better experience. One of the ways we're doing this is by improving the way we communicate with you. From this point on you will see a constantly updated Web page that shows what we're working on for the next patch, and what's down the road a little further. This can be found at http://eqlive.station.sony.com/updates/

Above all else, we want you to know that our commitment to this game is very real.

The goal behind EverQuest II is not to replace EverQuest, but to offer a new experience with new ways to play.

I've had the privilege over the past few years to see how the EQ and EQ II design teams have worked together to make sure EQ II has the heart and soul of EverQuest, but is still different enough to attract new people to the MMORPG genre, and even bring back some players that have moved on to other things. We think that many of you are as excited about EQ II as we are. If we do our jobs right, you'll feel like EQ II is a remarkable gaming experience that you'll want to play for many years to come, and that it's not just "EQ with a new graphics engine." The designers have found some great ways to link the two games and to make the games actually affect each other. You'll hear more about this in the very near future.

So, would you rather play in EverQuest II's Age of Destiny? Or does EverQuest's Age of Turmoil still have plenty of exciting things you want to do? Our goal is to make that decision simple! Having spent so much time in EverQuest, you might feel torn between which game you want to play more. We realize that many of you will want to play both EQ and EQII, so we're introducing the SOE All Access™ subscription. It allows you to play a large mix of our most popular offerings for only $21.99 per month. Our Legends customers will receive this same access to our games at no additional charge. This makes it affordable and easy to play SOE's games, including:

EverQuest® (both PC and Mac version when it's released)
EverQuest II® (when released)
EverQuest® Online Adventures™
PlanetSide™
Station Pass™ Games (Infantry™, Cosmic Rift™, Tanarus®)
Please note that Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided™ will not be a part of this package, nor will partner published games be included. You will also need to buy the retail version of any game you don't already own.

We think the SOE All Access subscription is a great way to play our games for one low monthly price. If you add up the value of all the games in this package individually, you can see that this subscription offers significant savings. This low price will allow you to check out EQ II, but still play EQ. We don't want your decision on which game to play to be made based on cost, but rather on the kind of gaming experience you're looking for. We're offering a lot of great quality games in this package just to make sure you feel like you're getting your money's worth. You'll be hearing more about this subscription over the next week.

We'll be putting up a link on EverQuest.com that will contain all of the pertinent information about the SOE All Access subscription in the next few days, so I urge you to visit http://www.SOEAllAccess.com.

We at SOE would like to thank you very much for your continued support.

John Smedley
President, Sony Online Entertainment

Somali · Post by **Somali** » May 14, 2003, 2:54 pm

lol. those bastards. Now I'll be tempted to actually get EQII PS and EQOA. Be a no braine if they had tossed in SWG too.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » May 14, 2003, 3:17 pm

That's actually a pretty decent rate. But screw those Legends fools!

Ajran · Post by **Ajran** » May 14, 2003, 3:21 pm

2 expansions currently in the works as well.. one this fall primarily dungeons.. I wish i thought it would be done right..

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » May 14, 2003, 3:40 pm

I think they did a really nice job on LoY. It's kind of nice that not to many folks use it either, it's a rare evening I can't get a decent spot with loots and at least decent exp in under 5 minutes. Not having PoP exp rates has some benefits

. Graphics, loot, zone progression, etc are all very well done. I've no complaints about it at all, it's the nicest work they've done since Paineel and The Hole were released.

If the next expansion is of the same quality, I'll be happy. I really dislike open/outdoor areas for the most part.

Most of PooP was well done too for that matter, the concept/order behind it was lacking (I'm being nice) though.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » May 14, 2003, 3:44 pm

deleted double

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » May 14, 2003, 3:48 pm

EQ, EQ2, and PS is pretty damn good for $21.99. Pretty damn good indeed.

Agree Aab

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » May 14, 2003, 4:09 pm

I'll do the 21.99 thing for EQ/EQ2. Better than 28.00! Doubt I'll play Planetside though.m I miss the 9.89 days! Maybe they'll change their name to SOE2199.

Rojer · Post by **Rojer** » May 14, 2003, 4:13 pm

Yea, I have heard this kinda thing from SOE before, I am not trying to sound oldschool when I say this.. but I remember before they upped the current EQ price.. I am sure the SOE all access pass will go up in price randomly.. I have no faith in SOE.. if only my interests could change so that I wasnt so in love with all there games..

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » May 14, 2003, 4:40 pm

That really is a damn good price, all things considered. To put it in perspective, that is like keeping your EQ account and paying 8 bucks for Planetside and having them throw in EQ 2 for free. I can guarantee most of you spend more money than that on booze in a month.

miir · Post by **miir** » May 14, 2003, 4:46 pm

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:That really is a damn good price, all things considered. To put it in perspective, that is like keeping your EQ account and paying 8 bucks for Planetside and having them throw in EQ 2 for free. I can guarantee most of you spend more money than that on booze in a month.

Haha, I bet most people here would spend more than that on booze in one night.

I agree, totally sweet deal.
For the potential fun and gameplay you could get out of those 3 games, $22 is a total fucking bargain.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » May 14, 2003, 7:12 pm

My question is how do you divide your time? Do you stick with your old school EQ cause you are uber there? Or do you start fresh in a new world on EQII and spend all your time there trying to be the uber you are on EQ? Planetside I can see filling the time when you feel the need for senseless aggression and violence to handle stress and such.

I don't see how anyone could play more than one game and excell at it while still dealing with normal life. If you are married, have a job, have kids, and family, do you really have time to play more than one? Hell, I barely have time to play the free text mud I am on.

VariaVespasa · Post by **VariaVespasa** » May 14, 2003, 11:23 pm

For that price and no hassles deciding where to spend my cash maintaining seperate subscriptions I'll certainly be getting EQ2 and PS. Even if I dont play them much just having the option to whenever the mood strikes is well worth it.
*Hugs*
Varia

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » May 14, 2003, 11:43 pm

I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MY JOY

Oreck · Post by **Oreck** » May 15, 2003, 12:24 pm

Actulay thats a great deal. Now I have all I need something old something new and a shooter between. Just send a letter to my family and friends and tell them I am perminately attached to my computer 24/7. Its kinda like offering a achoholic to come to happy hour...

:drinking:

Ajran · Post by **Ajran** » May 15, 2003, 2:10 pm

Thats the main issue i am having. Yea its a great deal but i barely have time for one game. At least i can try EQ2 for an extra 8 bucks a month for a couple of months to see if i like it. I still don't see myself playing more than one game at a time. there are enough timesinks in EQ1 to make it require ones full attention.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » May 15, 2003, 3:35 pm

3 words for Smed

Kiss
My
Ass