A few hours ago, Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley tweeted two very important links for PlanetSide fans that point readers to the new PlanetSide 2 site and Facebook page. According to the counter on the site and the welcome message on the Facebook page, we can expect to hear "classified information" regarding the game on July 7 at 7 p.m. PDT.

So what's happening at that time? That's when Smedley is giving the Community Address at Fan Faire! Looks like we'll be getting a major PlanetSide 2 announcement at the convention this week, and members of the ZAM staff (including yours truly) will be there to cover it all! Stay tuned to ZAM for PlanetSide 2 details straight from the Fan Faire floor.

Have you ever wanted to see what Fan Faire is like behind the scenes? SOE is hosting a contest to hire four individuals to get a chance to find out. The SOE Fan Faire Backstage Blogger contest is going on now through June 28. Winners will recieve:

• One Bloggie™ Touch camera featuring HD MP4 video capture, 12.8MP still photos and 3.0" touch screen, plus a 360° video accessory, works with iMovie® (approximate retail value: US$199.99)
• One 2011 Fan Faire All-Access Pass (approximate retail value: US$129.00)

Head on over to the SOE community page for full details on how to enter. Winners will be notified on or around July 1. Good luck!

PlanetSide Universe noticed that Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley recently made an interesting comment on Twitter regarding PlanetSide Next. Here it is:

"For all you Planetside Next fans stay tuned for a big announcement at our upcoming Fan Faire in Vegas!"

It's short and sweet, but it's certainly piqued our interest. We'll be keeping an eye out for this "big announcement" at Fan Faire, which is being held from July 7-9 at Bally's Las Vegas.

Have you registered for Fan Faire yet?  It's less than a month away, and that means it's time for my annual Fan Faire Tips!  This is stuff I and other Fan Faire veterans have learned attending past Fan Faires and other conventions.  All this may mean nothing if you're the type who can toss a change of undies in a bag and be good for a week, but me, I've always been an over-planner.

Sony Online Entertainment just announced the in-game items that 2011 Fan Faire attendees can receive. Items are rewarded based on active subscriptions to the games they are offered for. Here's the list from the official SOE Facebook page:

EverQuest®

• Marionette Puppet Strings - These puppet strings will allow you to own the contract for a Marionette Mercenary!
• Exotic Mount Whistle - This exotic mount is from a far away undiscovered land!
• Gnomish Welcome Sign - This phosphorescent painted mechanical sign welcomes guests to your establishment!

EverQuest® II

• "Prismatic Cloud" – This magical rainbowed mount is sure to carry you all the way!

DC Universe™ Online

• Vegas Baby! Sequin Jacket - Vegas style headliner sequin jacket sure to get you noticed!

Star Wars Galaxies™

• Galactic Civil War Space Battle House Painting - A dynamic depiction of a fierce space battle in the ongoing Galactic Civil War!

Free Realms™

• Fan Faire 2011 T-Shirt (NEW)
• 200K Coins
• Lake Tree Lot
• Fire Pegasus Pet
• Fire Pegasus Ride

Make sure you register for Fan Faire by May 31st to get the Early Bird pricing special!

Registration for Sony Online Entertainment's 2011 Fan Faire has finally re-opened! The Fan Faire will run from July 7th - 9th at Bally's Las Vegas. Events include developer panels, tournaments, live quests and much more.

This year registrants have the choice between a Friday only, Saturday only or an All-Access pass for the entire weekend. The All-Access pass includes digital copies of EverQuest and EverQuest II's next expansion pack, special in-game items and access to special evening events at Fan Faire. All three types of passes include access to the showroom and developer panels, gift bags and daytime events.

Register for the All-Access pass by May 31st and get the Early Bird Special pricing of $119 USD! Head over to the official SOE Fan Faire website for more information on pricing and a preliminary schedule of events.

Registration for Sony Online Entertainment's 2011 Fan Faire has just opened! The Fan Faire will run from July 7th - 9th at Bally's Las Vegas. Events include developer panels, tournaments, live quests and much more.

This year registrants have the choice between a Friday only, Saturday only or an All-Access pass for the entire weekend. The All-Access pass includes digital copies of EverQuest and EverQuest II's next expansion pack, special in-game items and access to special evening events at Fan Faire. All three types of passes include access to the showroom and developer panels, gift bags and daytime events.

Register for the All-Access pass by May 6th and get the Early Bird Special pricing of $119 USD! Head over to the official SOE Fan Faire website for more information.