EQ2's First Expansion Anounced

[Findarato]

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES THE FIRST EXPANSION PACK

AND SECOND ADVENTURE PACK FOR EVERQUEST(r)II




- Desert of Flames and The Splitpaw Saga Bring Even More Excitement To
the Growing World of EverQuest II-




SAN DIEGO, CA - May 4, 2005 - Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a
worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, today
announced EverQuest(r)II Desert of Flames(tm) and EverQuest(r)II The
Splitpaw Saga(tm), the first expansion pack and second adventure pack,
respectively, for the critically acclaimed MMO EverQuest II. Scheduled
for launch September 12th 2005, Desert of Flames has a suggested retail
price of $29.99 and will be showcased at the upcoming Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. The Splitpaw Saga will be
available only via digital download for just $7.99 and is scheduled for
release June 28th 2005.



"Through our regular live updates for EverQuest II we've not only added
a couple thousand quests and dozens of new adventure instances, we've
changed the way people play our game with new features," said Scott
Hartsman, senior producer, Sony Online Entertainment. "Expansions and
adventure packs, however, let us do even more. In Desert of Flames we've
created a home for some great new player versus player gameplay, with
some unique twists. The Splitpaw Saga does more than tell an interesting
story; it also includes the addition of dungeon instances that scale to
your group's level. Both of these additions to EverQuest II let us do
things we've never done before and we're excited about our plans for the
next six months."



In Desert of Flames, players will experience exciting gameplay-changing
features and can explore never-before-seen areas filled with new quests,
monsters, and loot. Desert of Flames is centered around the newly
discovered, vibrantly colorful city of Maj'dul. Set in an Arabian Nights
theme, players can choose to battle in special new arenas either against
other players or against creatures in a new style of player versus
player combat. Other exciting features include a dozen new zones and
epic encounters, over 40 new creatures, a level range increase to 60 for
all players and new voice-over emotes for player characters.



The Splitpaw Saga is the second adventure pack for EverQuest II,
following the success of EverQuest(r)II The Bloodline Chronicles,
released by SOE in March 2005. Adventure packs offer players
downloadable story-rich content whereas expansion packs add gameplay
changing features and large amounts of land. The Splitpaw Saga leads
players through a series of event-based zones by using moveable planks,
crates, and barrels. These zones add both replay value and cater to
players of all levels since the content dynamically scales to the level
of the group.



*Valid Station Access subscribers may download adventure packs at no
additional charge. Expansion and adventure packs require the full
version of EverQuest II to play.



Please visit http://www.splitpawsaga.com <http://www.splitpawsaga.com/> and
http://www.desertofflames.com <http://www.desertofflames.com/> for more
information.



About EverQuest II Desert of Flames

EverQuest II is the next generation of massively multiplayer gaming, a
huge online world where thousands of players come together for adventure
and community. Featuring breathtaking graphics and a vast, beautiful
game world to explore, as well as voices for almost all non-player
characters, EverQuest II sets new standards in gameplay and immersion.
Desert of Flames is the first expansion pack for EverQuest II.



The salt flats, mesas, spires and dunes in EverQuest II Desert of Flames
provide the backdrop for exciting new adventures that will tell the
tales of the people and creatures found in the Desert of Ro. Players of
all classes can collect new creatures and pit them against each other in
special arenas in the newly discovered city of Maj'Dul. Rather than
watching the battle from the sidelines, players become the champion,
slinging spells and wielding weapons in a variety of combat scenarios.
Player characters can also take their chances against these fearsome
creatures, or even challenge other players in battles for fame and
glory. For the first time in an MMO, players will be able to scramble up
crumbling cliffs in search of treasure and adventure in thrilling new
zones all set within this colorful Arabian Nights theme. With new epic
encounters designed for levels 45 and up, and the rumor of fearsome twin
metallic dragons, there are plenty of exciting new activities for
everyone to enjoy in EverQuest II Desert of Flames.



Key Features

* Arena champions: Take the form of new exotic creatures, or
fight as yourself, in battles for glory against other creatures or
players.

* New movement: Search for treasure and find adventure in new
areas by climbing up and down walls for the first time in an MMO.

* Voice-over emotes: Express yourself in a battle or expand
your social circle with new voice emotes.

* Guild vaults: Share the loot of a hard won battle with the
rest of your guild members.

* Level range increase: Now play up to level 60!

* New land: Discover over a dozen new zones and epic
encounters.

* New creatures: Test your combat skills in battles with over
40 new fearsome creatures.





About EverQuest II The Splitpaw Saga

In The Splitpaw Saga, players will explore the collapsed caverns and
twisted tunnels of Sundered Splitpaw. Throughout this adventure, the
truth behind the dungeon's mysterious demise is uncovered by using
moveable planks, crates and barrels to work through a series of
intriguing event-based zones. A ferocious clan of cannibalistic gnolls
will stand in the way as players seek to destroy the greatest threat yet
in Norrath's new history. Experience the adventure right away and meet
new challenges a second time around since the encounters scale
dynamically to match your level. The Splitpaw Sagas is a unique
adventure pack with an exciting storyline and plenty of action that solo
players, groups, raids can enjoy for months to come.



Pre-order Features

* Unlock the mysterious abductions of surface dwellers with the
use of a glowing crystal shard that will increase in power as you
progress through the adventure.

* Gain access to your own solo instance and earn rewards before
the full adventure begins.



Key Features

* Two new dungeons with twelve additional instanced zones.

* Event-based adventure that takes you through 12 different
solo, group and raid instances surrounding the story of Splitpaw.

* A variety of new creatures to encounter.

* Dozens of new scenario-based quests that take you right into
the action.

* Dozens of new tradeskill recipes.

* Moveable Objects: Freely move crates, planks, and barrels to
solve puzzles and move through the rubble-strewn caverns.

* Interactive Environments: Chop your way through barriers and
use exploding barrels to destroy enemies or blast your way through
tunnels.

* Dynamic Content: Your foes scale to match your level! Face
the dangers that Sundered Splitpaw presents all the way from level 20 to
level 50.



For more information, please visit http://www.everquest2.com
<http://www.everquest2.com/> .



About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures
Digital Inc., is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer
online games, with a subscriber base of over 750,000 active accounts
around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling
entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and
wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises, EverQuest(r),
EverQuest(r) II, Champions of Norrath(tm), and PlanetSide(r), as well as
for developing Star Wars Galaxies(tm): An Empire Divided(tm), SOE
continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of
active player communities while introducing new genres on various
entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional
development studios in Austin, TX, and Seattle, WA, SOE has an array of
cutting-edge online games in development.



EverQuest is a registered trademark and The Splitpaw Saga and Desert of
Flames are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SOE
and the SOE logo are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment
Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their
respective owners.

[Dolby]

Looks like some really nice features coming in the expansion. Although I'm a little disapointed that only 10 more levels have been added.

[Sir Taleisin The Seer]

so rock climbing and rooster fights... woopty.

[Laffs]

"sigh" .... and at what lvl may we take part in this new sh.... erm stuff lol

I got the bloodline when it first came up for download... and could not even get near the damn place solo and that was at lvl 30...... Since then I have a lvl 24 SK as I thought my monk must be a bit of a wimp lol..... Maybe I try again since the con system been changed a bit now....... But this is not somthing me going to update with untill I can get into the first one lol....

Even Walling Caves in the CL, yes it a low lvl dungeon but you realy gotta make a run for it to get into there!, the mobs outside are a lot bigger than whats at the ent inside.... As for Fallen Gate its the other way round... You think ah this easy (once you get access) and then quickly get wiped by some low life mobs lol..... I dont think a balance has been reached by SoE as yet with the zones...

As for just upping the lvl by 10, I think that makes sense personaly.. It gives them time to work on more content other than just changing the lvl of mobs in some zones... like they did to Splitpaw on EQ live that was my fav hangout now it a real high lvl dude zone.... Anyway enough complaining lol

In all mixed fealings about this new DL.

[Nightlord]

Personally, I'm all over this. In case no-one remembers playing Ultima 7, let me fill you in. One of the kewlest aspects of the game was manipulating the environment. You would stack crates, tables, chairs, ect to reach rooftops and so forth. I loved that.
Add in a Gladiator-type form of PvP and I think EQ2 will finally have what the rest of the games have been missing. I keep hearing a lot of ho-hums about this expansion... but on-one seems to be giving up better ideas. I, however, am pretty impressed.

[Brimztone]

Remember EQ1 went from 50 to 60 to 65 to 70 and added AA's in the middle, so this is par for the course

[Shadoerider]

Well if they launch 10 levels every 6 months which is what I see them doing there should be plenty of leveling for everyone

Especially since the xp needed to get those levels are going to be a reall pain