Not too long ago, my feelings about Sony Online’s Everquest (EQ) were mostly frustration and disappointment. Despite its position as a genre-defining title, the release of EverQuest 2 signaled to me that Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) was no longer going to be focusing on the game … I can now say categorically that I was wrong.

I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the upcoming expansion, Serpent’s Spire, with EQ Lead Designer Travis McGeathy. I’ve seen the light. Today I’m going to look at EverQuest’s past, the reason for my reversal of opinion, and where the game is going. Finally, I’ll talk about why I think the direction Everquest is headed (and the revamp of Ultima Online) signals nothing but good things for the future of Massive gaming.

GameSetWatch – COLUMN: MMOG Nation – ‘Resurrecting EverQuest’

Every time I think I can sit on my throne built out of righteous Sony Online annoyance …

I find it utterly flabbergasting that the same company that has so royally screwed up the Star Wars license can craft such a customer-focused and cogent expansion. Obviously, very different teams and pressures is the explanation, but it’s still a little brain-bending.