The original EverQuest was one of the pioneers of the MMORPG genre. While EverQuest wasn’t the first, it was certainly one of the most innovative MMORPGs of its time and played a key role in sparking a mainstream interest in the genre.

At this year’s GDC Online, EverQuest was inducted into the Game Developers Choice Online Awards Hall of Fame. EverQuest is the second inductee to the Hall, joining another classic, Ultima Online. EverQuest was recognized for “its contribution to the long-term advancement of online gaming, pioneering major shifts in the medium's development and video games as a whole” and for introducing the concept of guilds and raiding to the genre.

Since its 1999 launch, EverQuest has released 17 expansions with an 18th due to arrive in November with Veil of Alaris. It's estimated that EverQuest has covered more than 16,000 virtual square miles of content and over 12 million player created characters. And that my friends, is why we need a mount with a good heart.

EverQuest was this writer’s first MMORPG and holds many of the best experiences I’ve had in online gaming to date. So a big /salute to EverQuest and may the game many more health years to come.

Check out the full press release after the break.


GDC ONLINE INDUCTS EVERQUEST® INTO HALL OF FAME

SAN DIEGO - October 12, 2011 - Sony Online Entertainment's landmark game, EverQuest, has been inducted into the Game Developers Choice Online Awards Hall of Fame. As the Hall's second inductee, joining Ultima Online, EverQuest (EQ) is being recognized for its contribution to the long-term advancement of online gaming, pioneering major shifts in the medium's development and video games as a whole. EverQuest is credited for introducing the concepts of guilds and raiding within an online world, and is often cited as an inspiration for nearly every subsequent MMORPG.

A trailblazer within the MMO and online game genres, SOE's work with EverQuest has continually been recognized by leaders in both the entertainment and video game industries -- including such honors as a 2006 Walk of Game selection and 2008 Technology & Engineering Emmy Award. To date, EverQuest has released 17 expansions, spanning from The Ruins of Kunark in April 2000 to House of Thule in October 2010, with the new Veil of Alaris expansion set for later this year -- a feat which holds true to the franchise's promise of rich, continuous content for the SOE community to enjoy.

"When we set out to create EverQuest, many felt it was an unattainable stretch of the imagination. As it turns out, EverQuest exceeded even our wildest expectations. Twelve years later, we are about to release its 18th expansion, and have big plans for its future," said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. "We are incredibly proud of its impact on the industry and the community we have built. Tonight's honor is a testament to the hard working individuals who have contributed to EverQuest -- both past and present."

Just how much ground has EverQuest covered since its launch in 1999? More than 16,000 virtual square miles of dungeons, mountains, plains, valleys, cities and forests. Even more, 12+ million player-generated characters have been added to EverQuest to date, with more than 380,000 non-player characters amongst the population as well. Players have also been given access to more than 100,000 unique items to discover, create or buy in game, with nearly 3,000 yet to be discovered.

Along with EverQuest's Hall of Fame induction, GDC Online 2011 has nominated both DC Universe Online (Best Online Visual Arts, Best Online Technology) and Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures (Best Audio for an Online Game) for respective Choice Online Awards.

EverQuest's 18th overall expansion, Veil of Alaris, is set to launch later this year. For further information, please visit: http://www.everquest.com/everquest.vm.

For EverQuest press assets, visit: www.soepress.com.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, PlanetSide®, Free Realms®, Clone Wars Adventures™, and DC Universe™ Online, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms. SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of online worlds through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages. To learn more, visit www.soe.com.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Champions of Norrath, Free Realms and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.


To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our EverQuest Game Page.

Last Updated: Mar 14, 2016

About The Author

Stacy "Martuk" Jones was a long-time news editor and community manager for many of our previous game sites, such as Age of Conan. Stacy has since moved on to become a masked super hero, battling demons in another dimension.

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