Joystiq [PlayStation]

{ Jun 27th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Our sister site BigDownload has the scoop on a pair of new expansions for SOE's popular Everquest franchise that were announced at this week's Fan Faire in Las Vegas. First up is the 16th commercial expansion for 1999's Everquest, Everquest: Underfoot. Due for release this November, the expansion brings with it a new underground zone to explore, with new creatures to battle, and even less reason to leave your house.

Probably more relevant is Everquest II: Sentinel's Fate, the sixth commercial expansion for Everquest II. Due for release in February 2010, Sentinel's Fate will raise the level cap to 90, allowing you to spend ten more levels beefing up that Summoner of yours.

{ Jun 13th 2009 at 1:00AM }

Sony Online Entertainment apparently has a hit on its hands as Free Realms has passed the 3 million unique users mark. As the game continues to tick past million mark milestones, we expect to see the four million unique user press release in the next month. If we don't ... something has gone terribly wrong.

To celebrate its latest milestone, SOE is giving out the "3M Pet Party Pack," which has "goodies" for player's virtual feline and canine companions.

As the game continues to grow its base on the PC, we couldn't help but contact SOE and ask about the status of the PS3 version. We were told by a representative the PS3 version is still in development, but there's currently no status update or comment about whether the two platforms would be cross-compatible.

{ Jun 10th 2009 at 3:00PM }

MMOs on current-gen consoles? We've yet to see it really happen. However, DC Universe Online for PlayStation 3 and PC sure looks (and plays) like a game on its way to completion. When we last sat down with the game in February and talked to its producer, DCUO already had a ton of polish and -- even to our console-addled brains -- felt like an MMO we could get on board with.

The controls on PS3 felt quick and intuitive then, and not much has changed (other than graphical fidelity, character animation, and bug squashes) since we last saw it. We muscled our way around S.T.A.R. Labs, turning zombified security guards back into their old selves and then employing the security guards to take down our foes. While the squad mechanics felt woefully underdone (as in, they don't exist -- you roll with a gang and they take down fools as the gang sees fit), we appreciated the ability to pick up a crew mid-mission to assist us.

Gallery: DC Universe Online

Continued →

{ Jun 9th 2009 at 1:45PM }

We're starting to wonder if The Agency will ever come out. How many E3s has it been since we first heard of SOE's ambitious spy-themed PC/PS3 MMO action game? While The Agency is still being worked on (read our impressions here), we're concerned by the complete lack of gameplay footage in the latest trailer for the game. Yes, we're digging the spy vibe, but we'd like some sign that -- maybe, just maybe -- we'll see The Agency come to fruition before the PS4 comes out.

{ Jun 5th 2009 at 7:45PM }

When dropping by the Sony Online Entertainment booth at E3 for our appointment with upcoming PlayStation 3/PC MMO The Agency, we found out some rather troubling news regarding the game's promised cross-platform functionality.

While the demo we watched employed the much vaunted feature, we were told by the folks from SOE that the game may not launch with players on each platform able to play with each other. "Technologically, it's fine. There are some rules about certification and updating on the PS3 that we're kinda working through right now -- it may not be a launch feature." When pressed for a launch date, we were told the game's still early in development and no release has been determined.

Gallery: The Agency

{ May 29th 2009 at 11:00PM }

All of you would-be Neos out there, know that you have limited time to tackle the remaining Agents of The Matrix Online. The game will be shutting down come July 31, 2009, says online community lead Daniel "Walrus" Myers. As sad as it is for the game to die a very silent, quick death, there's actually a lot to celebrate here.

The game released way back in 2005, and has undoubtedly been a large part of peoples' lives since then. Over the span of four years, countless Agents have fallen and the human resistance steadily grew. And as a thank you for all of the support, SOE will be coordinating an end-of-world event, though the details of what it will entail were not presented by Myers.

{ May 28th 2009 at 6:30AM }

Well, that about wraps it up for video games. No, no, we're serious. There's a new world order and we'd highly suggest that you get in line. How are we so sure? Because SOE's free MMO Free Realms just crossed the two-million-player mark. If the story seems familiar to you, it's because Free Realms just passed the one million player line 12 days ago.

Pardon, but, would you mind genuflecting just a little bit more soulfully? Emperor Free Realms likes to see that you really mean it.

{ May 26th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Last month, during Sony Gamers' Day, we ventured deep inside SOE Seattle's secret lair -- no joke, the building's not even marked with the company name -- to get an updated look at its spy MMO, The Agency, for PS3 and PC. Now that details of the event have finally been declassified, we're pleased to share our impressions of the eyes-on demo with you.

The actual event began with a fairly lengthy presentation by key figures from the SOE Seattle team, featuring Matt Wilson, Hal Milton and Corey Dangel. All three had previously worked for Microsoft (which would explain why the studio is located just two blocks from Microsoft's main HQ), and, between them, they have assembled an impressive resume, including work on Asheron's Call, Dungeon Siege, Wing Commander, Ultima Online, Total Annihilation and critical darling Psychonauts. Of course, as Wilson highlighted, SOE Seattle's primary objective is to deliver console-based MMOs, a vastly underdeveloped market, in which very few developers have experience. Enter The Agency.

Gallery: Sony Gamers Day: The Agency

Continued →

{ May 15th 2009 at 7:00PM }

What do you get when you cross an in incredibly accessible, casual MMO, a free-to-play subscription plan, a widely circulated ad campaign and magical, magical fairies? Why, you get Free Realms, of course -- and in turn, Free Realms gets 1,000,000 registered accounts in just 18 days.

We knew that Sony Online Entertainment had stumbled upon a recipe for mind-blowing success (an in-game trading card game and kart racing? That's just fiendish), but to get a million players on board in just over two weeks is simply remarkable. We're terrified to think of how this number will skyrocket when the game lands on PS3s. Terrified, we tell you!

{ Apr 14th 2009 at 9:50PM }

As per Sony Online Entertainment's word, the free-to-play MMO unironically named Free Realms has opened the doors of its closed beta to the world. Aside from the kart racing and pet raising, we imagine users will start flooding into the online world and immediately partake in our time-honored tradition of Quincying. (Go, Joystiq Hive Mind!)

Like most betas, this one's asking its users to keep quiet on the inner workings of the game, though, ironically, SOE is asking participants to blabber on to their hearts content on the game website's public forums. For those of you looking for hot scoops on Free Realms, now you know where to go. And did we mention we have a tips box that guarantees anonymity?

{ Mar 24th 2009 at 3:52PM }

The public hasn't seen much of The Agency since it was first revealed in 2007. When questioned about the lack of updates on the ambitious PC/PS3 online espionage game, SOE's Hal Milton told us: "We don't want to keep having hype sessions just showing movies and crap. We need to make the game and not just keep promoting it."

GDC continues that idea, with Sony Online Entertainment revealing nothing more than a distant release window for both The Agency and DC Universe Online. John Smedley, president of SOE, revealed that both titles will arrive in 2010 in his keynote, "An industry perspective on how new online games will reach the masses."

We understand that it takes time to craft a solid game, especially a massive online one. However, we'd like to remind Smedley that the first step for a game to "reach the masses" involves, y'know, releasing it.

Gallery: The Agency

{ Mar 17th 2009 at 6:40PM }

Sony Online Entertainment is bringing Wheel of Fortune to the PlayStation Network this week, and they're charging $15 for the upcoming game. Granted, Wheel of Fortune will include online multiplayer modes (and voice chat support!), but the price seems a bit high when compared to other offerings on the PlayStation Store.

There will be almost 9,000 puzzles, authentic visuals and sounds, and Trophy support. Check it out on March 19th.

{ Mar 13th 2009 at 4:00AM }

Looks like man cannot live on microtransactions alone. Sony Online Entertainment is expanding the earning potential of Free Realms by reintroducing a very familiar MMO tactic: monthly subscription fees. Yes, the game is still technically free, but there's a new premium-tier level to the service.

For $5 a month, premium members of Free Realms will be able to access 5 extra jobs, ranking on Free Realms leaderboards, three character slots and 400 extra items and quests. It appears most of the content in Free Realms will be, er, free for all -- however, we wonder how much content SOE will continue to provide for those that decide to play, but not pay.

The PC open beta for Free Realms is due next month. A PS3 version is also in the works.

[Via Massively]

{ Mar 10th 2009 at 2:02PM }

Is PlayStation Home's real-life familiarity a drag? Well, PS3 owners will be able to escape the online shopping malls of Home and run away to SOE's upcoming MMO, Free Realms. Currently in beta for PC, Free Realms promises family-friendly gaming for the masses. Best of all, it'll be free, paid for via microtransactions a la Home. Based on the video alone, we're digging the lush, colorful environments of Free Realms over the dull and realistic worlds of Home.

{ Feb 27th 2009 at 2:00AM }

SOE recently ran a really swell promotion in its Everquest and Everquest II games. For every player that purchased a specific Child's Play virtual item on the Marketplace using the title's currency, Station Cash, SOE would make a $10 donation to Child's Play. Despite an aching (real-world) economy, players managed to do some serious spending, driving SOE's total contribution to Child's Play to $20,000. To put that in perspective, $20,000 is the equivalent of just over 1,333 months of basic Everquest II access for a single subscriber.

Joystiq [PlayStation]

soe posts (Subscribe to this feed)

SOE announces EverQuest: Underfoot and Everquest II: Sentinel's Fate expansions

Free Realms hits 3 million players; PS3 version 'still in development'

Hands-on: DC Universe Online

Gallery: DC Universe Online

The Agency trailer filled with spies and CG, devoid of gameplay

The Agency cross-platform play 'yet to be determined' for launch

Gallery: The Agency

The Matrix Online pulls a Cypher, pulls the plug

Free Realms passes two million players

Impressions: The Agency (PS3/PC)

Gallery: Sony Gamers Day: The Agency

Free Realms hits a million players in 18 days

SOE's Free Realms closed beta now open

GDC09: The Agency and DC Universe Online coming 2010

Gallery: The Agency

Wheel of Fortune costs a small fortune

Free Realms introduces not-so-free subscription option

Video reveals Free Realm's environments

SOE promotion nets $20k Child's Play contribution

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