New Expansion pack "Kingdom of Sky" announced

A new Everquest II expansion pack called "Kingdom of Sky" has been officially been announced by Sony today. It is scheduled for a February 21st release for download ($26.99) and retail ($29.99) purchase.

Laura Naviaux, SoE's senior brand marketing manager, explained that the expansion is to coincide with the newly-added Player vs. Player (PvP) servers. PvP is an addition that will allow players to fight each other opposed to the environment of which EQII was originally designed. The idea seems to pit Qeynos and Freeport against each other. Players will have the ability to earn titles, items and experience for winning these player verses player battles. There hasn't been any information about allowing players to transfer their existing characters from current servers to the new ones, but it sounds like it is meant for players to start from scratch so that competition will start from the ground up.

About Kingdom of Sky
High above the mightiest peaks of Norrath, a secret world exists. This Overrealm, made up of enormous islands of land suspended in the air, is home to aviaks and creatures never-before seen, but it is the splintered and warring dragons who rule it. Driven by their lust for power, religious zealotry, and all-consuming rage, the most ancient of the world’s creatures now find common cause in a plot to destroy all of Norrath! Populated by dragons, aviaks, and other new creatures never before seen in EverQuest II, all eyes turn toward this new realm — even those of the mighty dragon Lord Nagafen!

Features:

• Higher level advancement—now reach level 70 as an adventurer or artisan
• All-new Achievement system to further enhance and specialize your character’s abilities
• Guild advancement expanded to level 50
• Four new arena champions and two new arenas
• All new Heritage Quests allow players to gain amazingly powerful items, personal status, adventure experience and even a reward made famous in the original EverQuest
• Signature Quests which reward large experience bonuses, personal status, new items, and advance the lore of EverQuest II
• Over 30 new Collections expand upon one of the most popular features exclusive to EverQuest II. Find them all and earn all new rewards
• Challenging new zones, from floating islands to menacing dungeons
• 25 new enemies to fight
• Brand new pieces of armor, such as Profession Hats, Helmets and Pauldrons, will make your character look more distinct
• Over 30 new items to put in your player house
• All new player titles

The new expansion brings forth a new Achievement system which is meant to help add unique touches to your character. While not being crystal clear on the description of this achievement system, it hints at allowing players to add special abilities through one form or another. Perhaps they will be available through questing or maybe level based. Who knows, drinking too much ale may grant you a super anti-intoxication spell. Besides, there's still that alcohol tolerance skill that was never really implemented. Hmmmm.

High end gamers will be happy to know that the level cap will once again be moving up another 10 spaces. Personal level will now be 70 and guild level will be 50.

I'm interested to find out what Sony has in store for these "Signature Quests". It sounds very Heritage Quest-esque with the personal status, and advancing lore. Are they heroic only or will they cater to the solo quester? If they are anything like HQs, you'll need a group, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Read the full press release here:
http://sonyonline.com/corp/press_releases/010306_EQ2KOS.html

Check out the KoS website:
http://www.kingdomofsky.com/

Take a peek at some of the released screenshots here: