This looks really fun.

 

Celebrate a year of RIFT™! There is no question: Without the Ascended, the Blood Storm would have utterly destroyed Telara, but thanks to the valiant efforts of Guardians and Defiant alike, Greenscale and Akylios lie slain. To honor their saviors, Telarans are holding a worldwide festival: the Carnival of the Ascended! Both factions head to Fortune’s Shore to rejoice with games and challenges, piñatas, parades, and prizes. But how long can peace last between immortal enemies? And what of Laethys and Maelforge scheming in the jungles of Ember Isle?

 

~Piro

"More changes coming from SOE.

Everquest Next had two pre-production builds proposed.

one build was extensive with a large budget of 100 million dollars. It was Everquest on steroids, thats its nickname around the water cooler.

the other build proposal is extremely casual. Its known around the cooler as everquest invades farmville. its budget is very small, 20 million dollars.

the farmville version was approved.

in addition, more cuts are coming within SOE. Several hundred subcontract workers have 6 month contracts expire december 31st. They will not be renewed

basically the team that was working on the Everquest on Steroids build lost the contest and is being let go

yes, it was kinda considered a contest. the better build got the money, the loser build employees got fired essentially. quite an incentive program by SOE.

If you are an Everquest fan, dont expect a true sequel. the farmville version is going to be designed for the young 19-24 facebook / hip / young san francisco up and coming executives type of people.

quite a bit of dissension over this target market as many dont believe they exist in enough numbers to support this project after launch. some thought is that by the time the game is launched, the economy will have rebounded so its foolish to design around a free to play model and a particular target market thats unproven and outside the mmo norm "

 

~Piro

I am still laughing.... Sneaky...