EverQuest 20th Anniversary Content Detailed, Interview and More

On March 16, 2019, EverQuest, a landmark MMORPG, will be celebrating the 20th anniversary since its release. And while we already knew that a bunch of free anniversary content was on its way to the game, we can now check out this preview article that shares some additional details about said content and this one that talks about the Gnome Memorial Mountain clockwork dome that will house it all. Have a look:

Explore Gnome Memorial Mountain for the first time on EverQuest’s 20th Anniversary on March 16, 2019! Gnome Memorial Mountain is a new open world zone full of quests, collections, and raids for players level 95 and higher. Just recently, the massive domed habitat has breached the surface of the sea, and gnomes have been diligently working on transport to help Norrathians reach this unexplored domain.

When you make it to the mountain, there will be much to do. Take a sneak peek at the new adventures you’ll set out on in your quest to Preserve the Past!

Quests

The clockwork gnomelikes have managed to preserve their home on the mountain for a long time, but not without conflict. Join forces with these mechanical new friends and their head of defense Belira Blastil to help them face the threats of the bloodmoon orc tribe and the Iron Legion defectors in a series of 11 new quests, 2 heroic adventures, and 1 mission for seasoned players level 95 and above! It will take exploration, investigation, and of course, a bit of fighting in order to bring respite to Gnome Memorial Mountain.

Raids

Parties of raiders from level 95 and higher will also be instrumental in protecting the mountain. Keep watch for impressive mechanical beasts – there are clockwork threats ready to strike from above and below that will need an impressive party to subdue. Take part in 3 new raids where you’ll find yourself facing a clockwork dragon, fighting off some particularly lively museum exhibits, and halting an aerial assault on Norrath.

Achievements

As you aid the gnomelikes in their fight to preserve the past (and the present), you can earn up to 21 new achievements! Your victories certainly will not be forgotten by those who call Gnome Memorial Mountain home.

Collections

If you’re a gatherer, be sure to keep an eye out for 4 new collections of items that you can get your hands on.

Rewards

Of course, you’ll be properly rewarded for your efforts. Heroes will earn themselves exciting new rewards that will prove to be valuable in yor future endeavors.

While there has much strife on the mountain, the gnomelikes are thrilled to be opening their home to adventurous Norrathians. Perhaps you can be the hero to lend them a helping hand.

There’s also this PC Gamer interview with Holly Longdale, EverQuest’s executive producer where she talks about the game’s long-lasting appeal. An excerpt:

EverQuest, the pioneering fantasy MMO, turns 20 years old on March 16. But while most massively multiplayer games have a shelf life, and rarely make it through a decade, EverQuest has endured. The game is still in active development at developer Daybreak’s San Diego headquarters, and more expansions are planned. I visited the studio and asked executive producer Holly Longdale about why she thinks the game has managed to stay afloat.

“EverQuest has essentially always been a survival game,” she says. “You can’t do anything significant without other people. You can’t achieve the pinnacle of the game or get the best gear without being with other human beings. And that requires people to talk to each other and rely on each other. And that has, over the years, sustained this very social community.”

“Our players organise themselves, which we feel creates a strong emotional commitment. And not just to each other, but to the game as well, and to their characters. And for us, for anything we do in the future, that sense of community really is the heart and soul of the EverQuest series.”

Longdale adds that, in long-running, time-defying multiplayer games such as RuneScape Classic and EverQuest, getting to the really cool stuff almost always requires you to have other people to play with—and through that, strong and lasting social connections are inevitably formed.

You can also check out this PC Gamer article that shares a few memorable EverQuest stories, and this one that looks at the game’s academic mentions.