| Fantasy games came of age with
Dungeons & Dragons, the popular role-playing game (or RPG). The
Internet then spawned text-based fantasy games that were known
as multi-user dungeon (or MUD) games. These games allow (or
require) players from all over to compete together. It wasn't
long until more complex games combined video game technology
with the MUD template. These games became known as massively
multi-player online RPGs (or MMPORPGs). One such game is the
popular EverQuest. EverQuest takes place in a fictitious
Tolkien-esque universe populated by humans, gnomes, elves, etc.
Players from disparate geographic regions--several thousand at
once, during peak hours--play simultaneously. The game, like
other RPGs, involves completing tasks and slaying monsters,
which will give characters experience which will cause them to
"level up." A character begins as level one, and as she or he
accumulates experience, the character gains in levels. The more
experience a character has, the more powerful that character
becomes. Some characters amass so many items and so much wealth
that they sell to other EverQuest players. The items sold could
be anything from a ring to magical armor, but the most commonly
sold item is usually EverQuest gold or platinum (a.k.a. “EQ
plat”)
To play EverQuest, a player buys the software and pays a
monthly fee. A broadband internet connection, such as DSL or
cable, is strongly suggested to take full advantage of EQ. While
playing, the gamer experiences a huge, fully interactive world
and socializes with other players. Often entire relationships
between players develop online, without the players ever meeting
of speaking in the real world.
EverQuest II is now available for players to continue the
story in a parallel universe. As with EQ, a subscription is
required. While characters cannot be transferred, the "heritage
system" created by the game's designers allows players to
continue their original experience in a new world. |
lowest price in Textbooks, Books, Music, DVDs & more
shopping cart
my account 
log in 
