14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Online Entertainment has announced that it plans to launch a new EverQuest II service, called Extended, which is set to allow gamers to access more than five years worth of in game context for free. The new initiative will exist alongside the paid subscription model for the rest of the MMO, with players free to choose which of the experiences suits them better. This means that all expansion up to and including The Shadow Odyssey are now available for all those interested in one of the longest running online games. The new Extended experience will be launched in beta form on August 17,
Sony is also promising that access to EverQuest II Extended will be easier than ever, with a new web based application used to download content and with the registration procedure sped up so that interested gamers can join others in the game world in a matter of minutes. The land of Norrath is also set to get a graphical update and improvements when it comes to the user interface. Players will be able to use the marketplace to get access to more content, including races, weapons, mounts, classes, potions and armour.
David Georgeson, who is the producer of EverQuest II, commented, “The very nature of an MMO is change, and the decision to create Extended was fueled by evolution of the industry landscape,.By offering two services side by side we have given the power to our players to determine the program that best fits their game play style.”
John Smedley, who is the president of Sony Online Entertainment, has stated when the announcement was made, “As the digital entertainment market evolves, SOE is focused on continued innovation in content delivery that best fit the needs of the growing consumer base. Our goal with Extended is to offer players an alternative to our current subscription program that gives them the option to choose a program that best fits their play style.”