Everquest might not be the best MMO out there. It may not be the prettiest or the most subscribed to MMO in the bunch, but there's one sure thing: Everquest is one of the longest running MMO that's still active. And it was, between 1999 and 2004, the most beloved and most played on-line game, even getting the GOTY award from Gamespot in 1999.

Its roots are deeply fixed in traditional pen-and-paper RPGs and in the text-only MUDs that followed once personal computers became available. There are numerous zones to explore, plenty of character classes to try out and the support that Sony offers is still top notch. Despite its age, Everquest continues to deliver on almost every level.

For the game's ninth anniversary, Sony is planning a variety of both in-game and real-world events. In game this weekend will witness a character appearing in the Plane of Tranquility area, named Garin Tvalish. His mission will be to offer players bags and clue books that will then serve as the basis for an Easter egg hunt. The players that can decipher the contents of the book, gain all the items written within and then combine them in their bag and will earn a special in-game reward.

Clint Worley, who is a producer with Sony Online Entertainment, stated: "It's a great feeling to know that after nearly a decade, and fourteen expansions, EverQuest still resonates so positively with people all over the world. Alongside its flourishing community, the in-game world is still going strong and changing daily, further proving EverQuest is a living and breathing virtual world that will stay active into the foreseeable future."

Characters introduced in the Planes of Power expansion will also be making appearances in a month-long event. Battles with the most powerful bosses, the likes of Hreidar Lynhiilig or Rallos Zek, will have increased powers to make dealing with them a hard task even for veteran players.

Other events are planned and an updated schedule is available at the main Everquest web site for those planning to keep up with all events.