During Fan Faire 2011’s “Freeport and Beyond” panel led by EQ2 Exec Producer Dave “SmokeJumper” Georgeson, a slate of exciting plans was laid out.

The announcements outlined Game Update 61 (War of Zek), GU62 (Freeport Reborn), GU63 and GU64 which would each contain new Destiny of Velious content, and Game Update 65 slated for August 2012 which would bring about the revamp of the City of Qeynos.

Here’s a transcript of SmokeJumper’s Fan Faire 2011 presentation (watch video here) from 13:58 to 14:36:

What we’re concentrating on is making sure that we have not just new content to chew through really quick, although we’re constantly doing that, I think you guys all realize now that we’re on a quarterly basis for content.

We’re not selling areas, quests, and things like that in the expansion packs anymore. We’re giving that to you for the regular subscription price as you play the game. The GUs (Game Updates) will constantly be adding more stuff like that. We’re telling Velious saga stuff… After Velious, we had 60, 61, Freeport is 62, then it’s Velious again on 63 and 64, and then Qeynos next summer for [Game Update] 65.

So you can imagine our shock when reading SmokeJumper’s statement today in response to a thread asking Is there anyone making actual content for EQ2 anymore?

Lol. Sorry, folks. I went on a two-week vacation starting at the beginning of January. It’s nice to know I was missed.

GU 63 (the next installment of DoV) is in April, not February. You’ll start hearing about it soon. The Qeynos revamp (GU 64) is after that in mid-Summer.

Read More»

From an e-mail I just received!

NOTE: For most players, you do not need to do anything, as this entitlement will automatically be added to your account, but check your SOE.com account over the next week or so to make sure this is added.

SOE’s annual Fan Faire event is moving to autumn next year, well into the school year for many parents and children, but otherwise staying put in Las Vegas and the now familiar Bally’s hotel. The three dates on offer this time around are:

• September 13th – 16th, 2012
• September 27th – 30th, 2012
• October 18th – 21st, 2012

Voting for one of the above three dates for Fan Faire 2012 is only open until August 19, 2011.

If you’re wondering why Fan Faire seems locked to Las Vegas and hasn’t traveled to the Midwest or East coasts in many years, or why Fan Faire is straying from the summer months next year, you’ll want to read Linda “Brasse” Carlson’s extensive response to those concerns:

Read More»

Here’s our final video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “EverQuest II: Content and Zone Design”.

If you’d like to view the transcript from this panel, check out our EQ2 Panel #6 – Content and Zone Design writeup.

Hot off the presses, er patcher, here are the Game Update 61: The War of Zek Update Notes from the Test Patcher. Game Update 61 is expected to reach the Live servers near the end of August.

Game Update 61: “The War of Zek”

PLANE OF WAR

The time is near for the great Fortress of Drunder to reveal its true purpose to all. The very bedrock of the Eastern Wastes shudders and rocks as a massive planar portal rips itself open within the fortress walls. The sounds of war echo through its halls as the God of War himself prepares his innumerable armies to march across the frozen face of Velious and seize control of the lands of Norrath for all eternity.

The Plane of War is a normal and challenge mode raid.

Elements of War is a normal and challenge mode heroic experience.

Read More»

Here’s our sixth video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “EverQuest II: Mechanics”.

If you’d like to view the transcript from this panel, check out our EQ2 Panel #5 – Mechanics writeup. We’ll upload an HD version of this video soon.

Here’s our fifth video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “Programming for MMOs”.

If you’d like to view the transcript from this panel, check out our Geek Panel: Programming for MMOs writeup. We’ll upload an HD version of this video soon.

EverQuest2.com has taken a moment to recognize the MMO and EQ2 Fan Sites which were on the ground covering this year’s 2011 SOE Fan Faire. EQ2Wire.com covered all 7 EQ2-specific panels, plus the MMO ‘Geek’ Panel with EQ2 devs. Coverage of the rest of Fan Faire, including live webcasts, podcasts, the Tournaments, Live Events, and the Costume Contest were covered by a variety of websites.

If you missed Fan Faire this year, we’ve got you covered. Because EQII has the best fansites and podcasts around, we have a ton of links to share with you, both from our in-game media friends, and some bigger gaming media sites who joined us for the weekend.

It’s been just over a week since we were all in Vegas, celebrating our favorite games, getting down to the nitty gritty with the Dev Teams, and meeting our fellow players from all over the world. Though some of the news is still pouring in, here’s everything we could find so far.

We’ve also got a place you can share your photos! (Thanks to Cyliena for starting the thread.)

Visit EverQuest2.com.

Here’s our fourth video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “EverQuest II: Questions and Answers #1″.

If you’d like to view the transcript from this panel, check out our EQ2 Panel #4 – Questions and Answers #1 writeup. We’ll upload an HD version of this video soon.

Here’s our third video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “EverQuest II: Tradeskills and Housing”.

If you’d like to view the Slides from this panel in higher quality, check out the updated EQ2 Panel #3 – Tradeskills and Housing writeup. We’ll upload an HD version of this video soon.

Here’s another video from SOE Fan Faire 2011, this time “EverQuest II: Questions & Answers #2″ which was actually the last EQ2 panel on Saturday. The EQ2 design and development teams were on hand to take player questions during this dedicated Question & Answer session at this year’s Fan Faire event.

Yes, I’m posting these videos out-of-order. The Q&A panels required no editing so that’s why they get posted a bit earlier than some others.

Here’s our second video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “EverQuest II: Art and Animation”. New this year are Kilts, Animation Retargeting, a New Outfit, and new flying mounts including a Flying Squirrel.

If you’d like to view the Slides from this panel in higher quality, check out the updated EQ2 Panel #2 – Art and Animation writeup. We’ll upload an HD version of this video soon.

I’ve posted our first video from SOE Fan Faire 2011 “EverQuest II: Freeport and Beyond” which is an overview of everything we can expect from the EQ2 team until November 2011.

If you’d like to view the Slides from this panel in higher quality, check out the updated EQ2 Panel #1 – Freeport and Beyond writeup. We’ll upload an HD version of this video soon.

The Q&As and Panels are done, and it’s time to decompress in the Main Hall, or a hallway, or even “Kelethin”, a bar in Paris Hotel covered by faux trees. But that doesn’t mean the Questions & Answers have stopped. If you read our Fan Faire coverage and thirst for more, or if you posted a question to our Submit Your EQ2 Fan Faire Questions post, continue on.

So without further ado…

Read More»

From Kithicor.org:

I am outraged.  I was just informed that, fantasy artist, Larry Elmore was Ripped Off during the 2011 Fan Faire.  While he was with a potential customer, some thief stole his cash box, containing cash, and credit card receipts!

If you purchased anything from Larry’s table this weekend, PLEASE…

• Check to make sure your purchase was completed through your bank
• Contact your bank and alert them to possible credit card fraud
• And most important.. If were NOT charged for your artwork, PLEASE contact Larry Elmore and do the right thing by making sure his work is compensated for.

Larry Elmore is a wonderful artist with strong ties to the Fantasy and Gaming community.

We encourage everyone to visit Larry’s Elmore’s website, and make a purchase.  We can not let this act go by the wayside.  Support Larry Elmore as thanks for everything he does for the gaming community.

http://larryelmore.com/

Photos and Videos from SOE’s Fan Faire 2011 event in Las Vegas are making their way online on sites around the web. After the jump, you’ll get to browse our photos, but first a few links to other sites that have also posted theirs.

• Cyliena over at Zam has posted a large number of photos of Fan Faire 2011.

• Togikagi over at Zam posted complete photos of all the Costumes at the Fan Faire Costume Contest.

• SOE posted Fan Faire Setup photos from July 7th, 2011.  Great if you want to check out some in-progress costumes.

• Events4Gamers posted some Fan Faire event photos during the event. They also have a Writeup of this year’s Fan Faire.

• Undoubtedly more photos will be posted at SOE’s Fan Faire Facebook page soon (and once they’re set right, don’t require a Facebook account to view!).

And now our photos from Fan Faire 2011. These exclude panel-specific photos and any slides, which will be back-added to the initial writeups.

Read More»

We will be back Monday with screen shots, panel slides, commentary, the first wave of videos, and answers to questions outside of the Q&A panels including some that were submitted by EQ2Wire Readers!

We’ll also make a pass through all of the Q&A sections of the Live Blog notes posted during the Panels to add a bit more detail and clean up a couple of typos. I don’t think there are any errors of meaning this time around (thanks Cyliena for catching one!). Bluetooth keyboard at 80wpm > trying to type on iPad screen!

Starting Saturday’s EverQuest II Q&A Panel…

Update: This is a video of EverQuest II Panel #7 “Q&A #2″ added on July 24, 2011.

Read More»

Starting the EverQuest II: Content and Zone Design panel…

Jonathan “Prathun“, Paul “Cronyn” Molina, Nathan “Kaitheel” McCall, Carlos “Gninja” Mora

Read More»

Starting the EverQuest II: Itemization, Class Balance, Mechanics panel…

Salim “Silius“, Carlos “Gninja” Mora, Greg “Rothgar” Spence, Paul “Frizznik” Carrico, Mike “Xelgad” Ganz

Read More»

Greg “Rothgar” Spence, Nandy “Zoltaroth” Szots, Alex “GermInUSA“, Josh “Autenil” Kriegshauser

Read More»

Flying Squirrels (Glider), Fire Gryphons, and… is that Zarrakon?

Tom Tobey (and Chris Meyers) are always working on new and more complex mounts. The Flying Squirrel glider was particularly impressive due to how the character is mounted to it, yet the range of motion the squirrel can do. It crawls on all fours, leaps, glides, and all 26 races stick to it like glue.

UPDATE: Tom corrected us about Chris Meyers animating the Flying Squirrel glider.

The Fire Gryphon was no less impressive, with wisps of flames trailing behind it as the entire mount is engulfed in flames. It’s both a particle system and animated textures.

We also saw the infamous Ratonga riding a T-Rex mount, and finally, a mount which may or may not be headed for the game, a mount that looks to my eyes like Zarrakon, a boss of The Shadow Odyssey.

Read More»

Starting the EverQuest II: Friday Q&A Panel…

Anyone have any water?

Update: This is a video of EverQuest II Panel #4 “Q&A #1″ added on July 24, 2011.

Read More»

Starting the EverQuest II: Tradeskills and Housing panel…

Paul “Frizznik” Carrico, Greg “Rothgar” Spence, Nandy “Zoltaroth” Szots, Emily “Domino” Taylor, Salim “Silius” Grant

Update: This is a video of EverQuest II Panel #3 “Tradeskills and Housing” added on July 24, 2011.

Read More»

Starting the EverQuest II: Art and Animation panel.

Dave Georgeson and David Brown are wearing KILTS!!!

Update: This is a video of EverQuest II Panel #2 “Art and Animation” added on July 16, 2011.

Read More»