Here are our takeaways from attending the SOE Live 2013 EverQuest Next Landmark panel!

Creating a World

• Use core principals from the EverQuest franchise
• Bring a product that can't be found anywhere else
• Landmark is intended to appeal to players who want to interact with the world
• Longevity is important
• Kicks off the integration of content for EQ Next
• You're in "Our" World Now - creating a world together and Landmark is the beginning of this
• Building upon a completely constructable and destructible world
• Break the mold by going back to the roots of a game like Dungeons & Dragons, where everyone is part of the game and has fun

Here are our takeaways from attending the SOE Live 2013 EverQuest Next lore panel!

• The lore is an entire reboot for the franchise
• Retelling and reimagining of EverQuest; should be familiar, but different
• Many original creators of EverQuest are on the EQNext team
• You'll see familiar faces and new things
• Caramor Thex re-emerging from old lore

Here are our takeaways from attending the SOE Live 2013 EverQuest Next class panel!

• Revealed classes are Warrior, Wizard, Blademaster, Rogue, and Tempest (this one may be a multi-class build; not certain)
• Each class has an identity; needs to be functional and evoke an emotion to connect to the player (ex: Warrior is destructive and violent, feel like a non-delicate brute)
• Used "iconic characters" such as the Juggernaut or the Hulk as inspiration
• Every class should be fun! Fun to play and look at (abilities evoking a WOW factor)
• Animated to show personalities
• The class you pick determines your armor, weapons (including abilities) and character abilities
• Multi-classing is very important!
• Collect classes to: advance them all individually (advancement is in "tiers"), swap between them outside of combat, open up new gameplay
• Progression can be applied to any character class you possess
• Play however you want, whenever you want.. EQ Next does not require the use of dedicated tanks and healers
• Action-oriented combat
• Build your character how you want by collecting classes and use abilities to create different class builds that match your playstyle
• The core of your character is formed by the armor, items, and weapon abilities from your class (ex: Warrior with heavy armor, hammer and shield, then weapon abilities like Forceful Blow)
• Character abilities can be adjusted (more below)
• Abilities and items combined enhance your customized class build

The EverQuest Next debut jumped off to what many thought was an odd start with a sand art performance titled "The Founding of Qeynos: An EverQuest Next SandStory" by Joe Castillo. Here's a couple of facts that many people, including a good portion of the live audience, were unaware of: the entire 14 minute presentation was performed live on stage, and the music playing during it was by legendary composer Jeremy Soule. Check out the video below!

As a long-time EQ devotee in both its current incarnations, there are certain words that very quickly stir my blood and they include "Kerafyrm" and "Veeshan".

In EverQuest II's 10th expansion, Tears of Veeshan, not only is SOE making me feel old that there are so many expansions, but the team is firmly pressing some very large lore buttons to make Norrathians quake with delight and fear.

Call of the Forsaken, scheduled for a September release, will be EverQuest's 20th expansion. SOE's prolific team promises new AAs--for players and now mercenaries--new zones and much more.

Here are some details from SOE Live (full video at http://www.twitch.tv/soe) and Elidroth (as posted on the EQ Forums):

As you read this, EverQuest Next is being unveiled to the world at large. Surprisingly, it’s not the only EverQuest game that fans are being introduced to.

Not only will EverQuest Next be a huge departure for SOE but EverQuest Next Landmark will be part of a completely new phase of MMO development that will make community input more important than in any other MMO.

More on EverQuest Next Landmark later; first, let’s take a look at EQ Next.

This afternoon SOE released the lineup of panels for SOE Live. The lineup has developer and player panels, including the long-awaited EverQuest Next. No descriptions are available for the panels yet, but attendees can expect a jam-packed weekend of events. Check out the full schedule here!*

Those interested in EverQuest Next should make sure to attend the unveiling of the game during the Friday, August 2 morning keynote address. This takes place from 11am-1pm in the celebrity ballroom of the host hotel, Planet Hollywood. Several EverQuest Next panels are peppered throughout the day on Friday, Saturday, and even one on Sunday.

ZAM's own Cyliena is running a panel, EQII: Hardcore Decorating, scheduled for 3-4pm on Saturday, August 3. If you're attending be sure to swing by and say hello!

* Panel lineup may be modified at SOE's discretion at any point.

Each year SOE Live (formerly Fan Faire) features "live quests" for attendees to take part in. These quests typically run two hours and involve teamwork, roleplay, trivia, ingenuity, and lots of fun. Expect to do crazy things such as be guided through a maze blindfolded, roleplay an orc doing grunt work, answer a crossword puzzle about your beloved game, or say "Mithaniel Marr" with six or more jumbo-sized marshmallows in your mouth (yes Kander, I still haven't forgotten that day!).

The themes change each year, as do the tasks in the quests. The tasks will be revealed when the quest commences, but SOE announced the various times and themes earlier today. Continue after the jump for the full live quest schedule!

Earlier today, Sony Online Entertainment revealed a teaser website for EverQuest Next. It has little information aside from mentioning that the worldwide debut will be at this year's SOE Live on Friday, August 2, 2013. Along with the website there are several new EQ Next social media accounts that fans can follow for tidbits of information:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EverQuest_Next
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverQuestNext
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/116076382061631523609/posts
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/EverQuestNext
• Twitch TV: http://www.twitch.tv/EverQuestNext/

Also make sure to tune in to SOE's Twitch TV channel on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 3:30pm PDT (6:30pm EDT) for the EverQuest franchise E3 live broadcast!

UPDATE: The recording of this video is now available on Twitch TV.