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


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.

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


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.

Hands-on: DC Universe Online

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.

Continued →

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


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

The Matrix Online pulls a Cypher, pulls the plug

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.

SOE's Free Realms closed beta now open


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?

GDC09: The Agency and DC Universe Online coming 2010

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

Wheel of Fortune costs a small fortune

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.

Free Realms introduces not-so-free subscription option

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]

Video reveals Free Realm's environments

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.

San Diego to declare March 16 'Sony Online Entertainment Day'

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of EverQuest and the "continued support and dedication" of Sony Online Entertainment, the city of San Diego will hold a ceremony March 10 to declare an official "Sony Online Entertainment Day" -- which will actually take place six days later. Carl DeMaio of the City Council will present SOE's John Smedley with an award at 10 AM.

The SOE announcement suggests arriving at the council chambers early in order to have enough time to find parking and get through security. Of course, then you should get home early, because every minute spent away from the game means that the people still playing are getting ahead of you.

We can't believe EverQuest has been online for 10 years. We remember finding the idea of a persistent multiplayer RPG populated by thousands of people terrifying at the time, and we have yet to get over that initial fear.

[Via Massively]

SOE promotion nets $20k Child's Play contribution


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.

Free Realms closed beta begins, open beta in April


Sony Online Entertainment's free-to-play MMO, Free Realms, has just entered closed beta. Unlike its previous efforts, EverQuest and PlanetSide, SOE is trying to target a very casual market, promising a "kid-safe" experience that offers "something for everyone." Players aren't locked into individual classes, for example, and will be able to partake in a number of non-violent activities, such as pet raising and kart racing.

The beta is currently available on PC only, although a PS3 version of Free Realms is also in the works. The closed beta appears to be rather limited, with invites extended to press (you know, the big kids) and "a few selected players." Those that are interested in the open beta, which begins in April, will want to pre-register at freerealms.com.

Gallery: Free Realms

DC Universe developers chat about Doomsday

We got our hands on DC Universe Online a few weeks ago, and were pleasantly surprised at the game's unique approach to the MMO genre. The super-powered, console-friendly MMO game felt completely natural with the PS3 controller in hand. The instance we participated in is the one you see right here: we could play as a hero or villain and fight against the Superman killer himself, Doomsday. Watch the developers explain the instance, and see how it all works.

Comics 'legend' to join DC Universe Online team, announcement at NYCC

Apparently, there isn't enough star power allocated to the team that's building DC Universe Online. While comic book industry heavyweights Jim Lee and Geoff Johns are already overseeing the production of this SOE-published MMO, there is still one legendary name yet to be revealed. The mysterious person will be unmasked on Saturday, February 7 during the East Coast's largest comics convention, the New York Comic Con.

Expect to see him (or her) at the DC Universe Online panel, joining both Lee and Johns on a discussion of their latest creation. With Lee directing artistic design and Johns weaving up the storyline, it's a wonder what this other talent will be in charge of. Interested parties can stop by the NYCC at 4:15pm, when the panel starts, and find out. Show attendees can also try out a new DCUO demo on the show floor.

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