Sony Online Entertainment and the EverQuest team have announced that the game will be going free to play beginning in early March, just in time for its 13th anniversary.

Also at the free-to-play launch, all players will receive a Welcome Pack containing items to add to your gameplay experience. You'll be able to summon a unique Mercenary to fight by your side and we're including some Bayle Marks to help pay for the services of your newly summoned Mercenary. A couple of Experience Potions are also included to help you increase your experience gained while adventuring. For all the collectors that like to show off all the great wares to your friends, we're giving you an item to display in your home and add to your collection. And finally, you'll be able to customize the appearance of one of your weapons with a Weapon Ornamentation - also included in the Welcome Pack. So be sure to check the claim window for your free gifts.

Read the full announcement letter by Thom Terrazas on the EverQuest site.

UPDATE: As part of the F2P push, Sony has also announced the closure of the Mac version of Everquest.

Thanks to Xexv for the link and heads up!

Now if Sony would take VG to the F2P format i would be a happy panda.

well i expect all soe products to adopt the free to play model since smedley has clearly said he believes this to be the future of mmo.

I'll pass. Their idea of "free" is a joke.

I was waiting for this to happen foreverah! woooooooo!

No access to the progression server.  That sucks, its the main reason for old players to come back.

lol, wonder if they will "grandfather" former subscriber charrs to be playable like they ended up doing for eq2. Also wonder if the aa slider will be stuck at 50% for bronze/silver.

Anyone know what a prestige item would be?

Originally posted by niceguy3978

No access to the progression server.  That sucks, its the main reason for old players to come back.

Yeah i dont understand that move.

Didn't really like how they handled F2P in EQ2, but I'll keep my eyes on this one. Who knows, perhaps even SOE can learn from their mistakes.

It's too bad that EverQuest looks like the predecessor to King's Quest 1.

Originally posted by Mardukk
Before seeing the restrictions, I think this is a good move. There is already an item so why not make it f2p. I know I will be back. The massive amount of content cant be beat. Also it will be nice playing PvE focused game that wont screw the PvE content in the name of PvP. Hopefully VG will follow.

At first glance it appears a carbon copy of eq2s which i despise. I dont think it will have the same negative impact however depending on what a "prestige" item is. For one spells tiers dont start in eq1 until what level 80? Secondly quests arent the main source of leveling so limiting these doesnt carry much weight either. 1000 aa for silver not sure the impact since i have like 500 max on my old chars. Ill give it a try and hope it doesnt turn out as gimped as eq2.

You have to be kidding me... The original EQ F2P before VG F2P? That is absurd.. I mean, I understand the anger and animosity involved in the whole SoE vs Sigil thing, but come on.. Money is money and VG would bring in players and flow (if they did the CS right) to SoE anyway..

Anywho, I will more than likely get on this and return to a different age of mmo (if its even the same anymore).. Hopefully they create a new progression server that starts the timeline over with no expansions and works its way through them over time..

can someone answer me a question plz..i have station access and this game is on the list..do i have to purchase the game to play it atm..i mean the early stuff not veil of alaris..or can i d/load the client now and play(i,m a tight bastard).

Greeeaaaat news!!! I couldn't bring myself to pay for a sub, but I'm definitely going to play now. 

Originally posted by Zekiah

I'll pass. Their idea of "free" is a joke.

Yes I found their EQ2 F2P model to be pretty restrictive.  I would guess this pretty much answers the question about the Everquest Next payment model.

Originally posted by Vyeth

You have to be kidding me... The original EQ F2P before VG F2P? That is absurd.. I mean, I understand the anger and animosity involved in the whole SoE vs Sigil thing, but come on.. Money is money and VG would bring in players and flow (if they did the CS right) to SoE anyway..

It's entirely possible that EQ had the reources to make the switch sooner. Going Free to Play is more than just adding an item mall to the game.

Originally posted by precious328

It's too bad that EverQuest looks like the predecessor to King's Quest 1.

 

 

 

 

 

http://massively.joystiq.com/screenshots/everquest-veil-of-alaris-0/4594184/#/4

Looks close, man.

Well Smeadley continue with what he announced some months ago. SOE change from p2p to freemium model totally.

Imo in max 2 years all SOE titles will be freemium. I bet EQNext will be as well.

Well good to know, I know now I won't be playing any SOE mmorpg again.

Originally posted by fenistil

Well Smeadley continue with what he announced some months ago. SOE change from p2p to freemium model totally.

Imo in max 2 years all SOE titles will be freemium. I bet EQNext will be as well.

 

Oh totally, they already announced that Planetside 2 will be F2P, so EQ Next will almost certainly follow the same pattern.