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Sony Online Entertainment has developed, published, and maintained more successful massively multiplayer games than any other U.S. publisher. This year they seem to be branching out more than usual with quite a few single player games developed in-house.
The third adventure pack for EverQuest II is a departure from previous entries. Fallen Dynasty's art has been developed entirely by SOE’s Korean affiliates. The result is an adventure pack with a decidedly Asian flavor to it, both in the environments as well as the equipment. The first adventure pack with outdoor areas, Fallen Dynasty takes place on a secluded island where both the remnants of the Whistling Fist Clan of monks as well as the Pirates of Gunthak have made their homes. The island is also the former location of the lost city of Tanaan, a city that honored the fallen god Zebuxoruk. The expansion is geared for higher-level players and has content geared for the 55-70 crowd.
On the heels of the third adventure pack is the game’s third expansion, Echoes of Faydwer. The first expansion pack created with extended development time, Echoes of Faydwer will be considerably larger than its predecessors. Taking place on the continent of Faydwer, former home to elves and gnomes, evils both old and new are stirring. Echoes will include the first new playable race added since launch, The Fae. With a new race comes the new starting city of Kelethin, situated amid the treetops of The Faydark wood. New content will be available for all levels as well as the typical inclusions such as new guild levels, new creatures (such as killer clockworks), etc. The level cap of 70 will be staying the same, and cloaks will also be included as an expansion feature.
In a move that will likely cause loyal fans to cheer, Star Wars Galaxies will not be offering a new expansion in the near future. The development team has opted to focus on the existing content, polishing the world, and finally getting the game to the way they really want it. An exciting new event will be going live soon however. The event will involve a city on the moon of Rori. Rebel and Imperial players will fight over a power source. The battle will rage for several hours and without warning, the entire city will explode in a nuclear size blast. The city will forever be in ruins, changed into a new theme park style area.
Expansions, extensions, events, that’s all well and good, but let’s hear about a brand new game. Developed by Perpetual Entertainment Gods & Heroes is an MMORPG set in a world of Roman mythology. Monsters such as Medusa, Cerberus, and Hydra all make an appearance. The game also has developer Stieg Hedlund as its lead designer. You may be familiar with another little game he was lead designer for, Diablo II.
MMO games are all well and good, but SOE also has a few single player games up its sleeves. Field Commander is a turn-based strategy game for the PSP offering a “realistic military setting”. Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom is the first 3D iteration of the Untold Legends series and will offer fast-paced, button-smashing action for the PlayStation 3.
One final bit of interesting news. Barely a week before E3, Sigil Entertainment made the announcement that they would be buying back the publishing rights for Vanguard Saga of Heroes. Not able to cover the costs required for publishing a game by themselves, Sigil has opted to co-publish (note the co, very important) the game with SOE. Sigil was on hand to demo some new aspects of the game. The game is certainly looking far more attractive than it did last year. Crafting has been streamlined and combat pace has been increased. Things seem to be shaping up well. |
