Launched March of 1999 EverQuest has now been inducted into the Game Developers Choice Online Awards Hall of Fame. It seems fitting as it’s still running, they are on their eighteenth expansion of the game, Veil of Alaris, and it’s the first MMORPG I can really remember that not only sucked in gamers but made gamers out of regular people. And while people may prefer World of Warcraft over EverQuest they may forget that without EverQuest, World of Warcraft might very well be a different place as EverQuest is credited with introducing guilds and raiding into an online world. EverQuest is not the only SOE property getting nominated it is also joined by DC Universe Online for Best Online Visual Arts, Best Online Technology and Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures for Best Audio for an Online Game. Check out the full press release after the jump
Source Link: EverQuest
GDC ONLINE INDUCTS EVERQUEST ®INTO HALL OF FAME
SAN DIEGO – October 12, 2011 – Sony Online Entertainment’s landmark game, EverQuest, has been inducted into the Game Developers Choice Online Awards Hall of Fame. As the Hall’s second inductee, joining Ultima Online, EverQuest (EQ) is being recognized for its contribution to the long-term advancement of online gaming, pioneering major shifts in the medium’s development and video games as a whole. EverQuest is credited for introducing the concepts of guilds and raiding within an online world, and is often cited as an inspiration for nearly every subsequent MMORPG.
A trailblazer within the MMO and online game genres, SOE’s work withEverQuest has continually been recognized by leaders in both the entertainment and video game industries – including such honors as a 2006 Walk of Game selection and 2008 Technology & Engineering Emmy Award. To date, EverQuest has released 17 expansions, spanning from The Ruins of Kunark in April 2000 to House of Thule in October 2010, with the new Veil of Alaris expansion set for later this year – a feat which holds true to the franchise’s promise of rich, continuous content for the SOE community to enjoy.
“When we set out to create EverQuest, many felt it was an unattainable stretch of the imagination. As it turns out, EverQuest exceeded even our wildest expectations. Twelve years later, we are about to release its 18th expansion, and have big plans for its future,” said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. “We are incredibly proud of its impact on the industry and the community we have built. Tonight’s honor is a testament to the hard working individuals who have contributed to EverQues t – both past and present.”
Just how much ground has EverQuest covered since its launch in 1999? More than 16,000 virtual square miles of dungeons, mountains, plains, valleys, cities and forests. Even more, 12+ million player-generated characters have been added to EverQuest to date, with more than 380,000 non-player characters amongst the population as well. Players have also been given access to more than 100,000 unique items to discover, create or buy in game, with nearly 3,000 yet to be discovered.
Along with EverQuest‘s Hall of Fame induction, GDC Online 2011 has nominated both DC Universe Online (Best Online Visual Arts, Best Online Technology) and Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (Best Audio for an Online Game) for respective Choice Online Awards.
EverQuest‘s 18th overall expansion, Veil of Alaris, is set to launch later this year. For further information, please visit: http://www.everquest.com/everquest.vm.
For EverQuest press assets, visit: www.soepress.com.
About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, PlanetSide®, Free Realms®, Clone Wars Adventures™, and DC Universe™ Online, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms. SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of online worlds through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages. To learn more, visit www.soe.com.
SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Champions of Norrath, Free Realms andPlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
