Today, Dave “Smokejumper” Georgeson unveiled a new “Free to Play” option for EverQuest 2.  This F2P system is a Limited version of EQ2.. So don’t worry, if you’re paying for the monthly subscription, you’re NOT being ripped off.  Players who wish the full Norrathian Experiance will have to purchase the latest expansion just like everyone else.

Those who use the EQ2X service will be limited on Character Slots, Choices of Race and Class, Max Levels and even limited on the amount of Coin they’re allowed to have per character.  Extensions of services (higher levels, etc..) may be purchased through the Station Cash Marketplace.  And the X players aren’t even on OUR servers.

So the big question is.. How does this effect YOU as a loyal citizen of Norrath?  It doesn’t.  period.

To see the official press release, and a FAQ that’ll answer all of your questions.. CLICK HERE

OK, Jethal JUST posted the final 4 Podcasts from before the Summer break.. with the Fan Faire and our return show coming soon.. why not get caught up in the mayhem!?  Aren’t you dying for a fix of that sweet sweet chaos??  Head on over to the Online Gaming Radio Podcast Page and get your Fix!!

I’m a gamer.  My game is EverQuest 2.

Everywhere I turn, I see and hear about World of Warcraft.  I’ve bashed WoW on my podcast, I’ve ruthlessly taunted my step son for his obsession with this WoW Rogue.  But, no matter my perspective, and my bias toward EverQuest2.. the fact remains that WoW is a hit.

Admittedly, I have played both games.. so, where do I really stand on the WoW vs EQ2 debate?  Well, probably where a lot of people are with Mac vs PC.  They both have their good and bad points and attract different crowds.

I’m gonna break this down into four comparisons which I look for in a game.

• Graphics.
  • Character:
    • WoW:  Cartoonish, Cookie-cutter – each race and gender has a very limited choice of appearances.
    • EverQuest2:  More realistic and very customizable, from textures and colors, to actually being able to reshape most facial features, giving you the ability to create a unique character.
  • World:
    • World of Warcraft:  Cartoonish, yet very full and enjoyable.
    • EverQuest2:  Realistic, vast and a joy to explore.
• Performance.
  • World of Warcraft:  Pretty smooth on mid-level machines
  • EverQuest2:  You’ll need to upgrade a bit to use quality settings
• Community.
  • World of Warcraft:  From what I’ve experienced, a bunch of juvenile children.. even the adults.
  • EverQuest2:  More mature, helpful and imaginative.
• Extras.
  • Player Houses:
    • WoW:  No
    • EverQuest2:  Yes, 6 Different designs (Freeport, Neriak, Halas, Kelthin, Qeynos, Gorowyn), available in 2-6 room Layouts, each giving the player additional item storage.
  • Guild Halls:
    • WoW:  No
    • EverQuest2:  Yes, 2 Different designs (Freeport, Qeynos), available in three tiers, granting the guild access to most features of a small city, including transportation, merchants, crafting and banking, etc
  • Mounts:
    • Wow:  Yes.  A wide variety including Horses, Rams, Prowlers(cats) and even Dragons and Griffons.  Some land and some which actually fly.  Available in different speed options.
    • EverQuest2: Yes.  Horses, Bears, Prowlers(cats), Clockwork Discs and more.  All land-based.  Available in different speed options.

So, what am I getting at here?  Both have their points.  World of Warcraft seems to be geared toward teens, and EverQuest2 more toward adults.  WoW definately beats EQ2 in performance.  EQ2 wins hands down in it’s community.

So which is the right game for you?  Only you can judge.  If you’re looking for big time dragon raids with a bunch of “MC-Hammer Dancing” orcs.. WoW is for you.  If you’re looking for a mature crowd, good friends and Adventure in a realistic Medieval, Role Playing, setting…  I’m known as Jethal, and I’m on the Antonia Bayle Server of EverQuest2  come round and say hi.

The Fan Faire is less than three weeks away!  Are you going?  Do you plan on eating?  GOOD!!  Here’s your chance to Win Dinner with Jethal and Elquinjena!

Here’s the deal…

1. You MUST be scheduled to attend the Fan Faire
2. You MUST reply to THIS POST using your Real email address so we can get in touch with you.
3. That is all.

Jethal and Elquin will number each comment made to this post in order it was made.. and /random in game.  The winner is.. The Winner!  that’s it.. just make a reply to this post.. below.. it’s right there.. go on, do it!!

Jethal and Elquinjena Silverwing are in no way responsible for any upset stomachs, indigestion or diarrhea after the date, nor is the winner guaranteed an evening of toe-curling, screaming passion at the hands of the Drunken Dwarf.  Dinner with Jethal and Elquin will most likely be Sobaro’s or something inexpensive like that, so dont expect to be taken out to a fancy Vegas restaurant.

The 2010 Fan Faire Schedule has been updated!!

Friday, August 6th at 11am:  Join SOE’s Podcast crew – Aimee “Ashlanne” Rekoske, Robyn “Naylie” Vallee Jason “Pex” Ryan, and other special guests to find out what goes on in a Podcast! Zanadi and Jethal from Online Gaming Radio and Yivvits co-creator of the Star Wars Galaxies Podcast will share tips with you. Everyone will answer questions and talk about their own Podcasts.

See the rest of the Schedule at the Official Fanfaire Website!

Were you not sure where to go? Did you miss or not get that cookie that was in your mailbox that said when the Legion was meeting? How about what did we talk about? Like who was promoted in our ranks or even what is our plan for future event.  Well you are in luck, I took notes!! Good ones at that!

Well if you want to know what you missed come on over to the forums I left my notes for you all to read. (or copy if your really want to, though there is not a test, YET.) If for some crazy non-gnomish inflicted reason you can’t actually see this post, please let Jethal know so we can get you elevated immediately.

Also, please keep checking the forums for more interesting news and ideas as we start to build our guild activities, like RP events and Guild adventure days. Until next time, the cookies will be at the bar… somewhere.

With heat waves rising across the lands, we at kithicor.org wanted to know what the common person was doing to help against the scorching sun.  Here’s what a few of you gave as tips…

From Rivervale:  Stay indoors and make sure to drink plenty of water.  Stay low to the ground and see if you can find a nice shady spot, like under a  hedge or something.

From Kaladim:  Underground is the place to be.. yes, nice and cool there and lots of ale for keeping your thirst down.. what? ale was water in it too ya know!

From Kelethin:  Try to find a nice tree to rest under, preferably with a good sized water source nearby with a lot of wings flapping around for the breeze.

From Qeynos:  A nice relaxing day at the beach is just the thing! But, make sure to by careful in the sun, you don’t want to get burned.

From Lavastorm:  eh? wat you takin bout?  I tink it’s cooler den yesderday!

From Neriak:  Stop Bothering me with your childish questions!  The heat will surely make tempers flair and turn brother against brother!  haha.. hahaha. HAHAHAHA!!

From Freeport, we interviewed a few Ogres and Trolls who to had this to say:  Ice Kream!!  ya.. Marinate.. errr.. soak da halflings in da Ice Kream for few hours! (we heard tummy rumbles and left after that)

From Maj’dul, we were suddenly surrounded by beggers, who said:  There is no escape from the eye of Ro!!  We are cursed!!  Woe is he to falls to the Eye of Ro!! – and so and and so forth

We had to stop interviews there, because some one in Maj’dul stole our traveling expenses and ran off with our camels.

Be safe!  Stay cool!  Drink plenty of Water!  (it’s free out of your tap, use it!)

Misfired Pillar of Flame

Celebrating the 4th of July can be fun, exciting, entertaining.. but also very dangerous.  Please keep safety in mind, this weekend, when partying or celebrating the birth of the U.S. by blowing up a piece of it.

Gnomish Fireworks, of course, are proven safe and fun.  But, be weary of imitation pyrotechnics which may nuke your party from within.

Be sure that Wizard is sober, before asking him to put in a show for your guests – nothing brings a party to a halt, like a misfired Pillar of Flame – sure it’s great for those well-done steaks, but not so great for fluffy the wonder cat.

Beware of a new trend this year.. Dwarfish Fire Kegs!  That’s right, some genius decided to allow the Dwarves to develope their own festival fireworks, basically consisting of a keg filled with Lamp Oil and mining explosives, and a wick that’s far too short for any measure of safety.

So have fun, adventure and really wild times out there.. but let’s all come back home safe and live another day… to go fight dragons and orcs..

Sony announces that there will be (not only the Gorowyn Faire) Double Experience and Double Station Cash, this weekend!!

• Bonus includes Adventure, Alternative and Crafting Experience!
• Double Station Cash from STORE-BOUGHT CARDS ONLY
  • Buying Station Cash through the Marketplace will not work.
• This weekend, from 4:00 pm PDT on Friday, July 2nd until 10:00 am PDT on Tuesday, July 6th

This week, the traveling caravan pulled into the Timorous Deep docks.. the merchants and entertainers seemed a bit weary after a long night through stormy weather, which made them six hours late for their own event.  Anxious faire-goers sighed in relief  to see the troop safely arrive after concerns where raised when they didn’t show up at their usual set up time of Midnite on the 1st.  Dispite the delay, the faire is up and in full swing.

This month, Chris Weathers (Local Specialties Merchant) had a few new surprises for us as he unvieled the Plain Floor Lamp and the new Display Case, which I’m sure will make house decorating buffs very happy.

New Floor Lamp

New Display Counter