Everquest Companion
For everyone who loves EverQuest or who has wondered about the game's appeal, here is the ultimate guide to the game world! You'll go behind the scenes to meet the game's creators, discover their influences, see how the game was made, and learn what it takes to run and maintain one of the world's most massive multiplayer online role-playing games. Author Robert Marks conducted extensive interviews with the designers, artists, and programmers to bring you this insider's look. You'll also hear...
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Can't Get Enough EverQuest?For everyone who loves EverQuest or who has wondered about the game's appeal, here is the ultimate guide to the game world! You'll go behind the scenes to meet the game's creators, discover their influences, see how the game was made, and learn what it takes to run and maintain one of the world's most massive multiplayer online role-playing games. Author Robert Marks conducted extensive interviews with the designers, artists, and programmers to bring you this insider's look. You'll also hear from the players themselves, visit an EverQuest Fan Faire, and be entertained by the many amusing stories that can only take place in this spell-binding reality. Trace the origins of computer role playing games from the fantasy lore of Tolkien and others Meet the creators of EverQuest in exclusive interviews conducted just for this book Marvel at the eye-popping concept art and detailed visualizations that are developed before programming begins See the massive server farms that maintain the virtual world Find out the true stories behind the controversies Learn the improbable tale of how a simple D&D campaign evolved into the most popular online fantasy RPG of all time Meet the people who play EverQuest and enjoy their surprising stories Full color game art section inside!
ForewordxAcknowledgmentsxiiIntroductionxiiiChapter 1What is EverQuest1An Introduction to the BasicsPlaying the GameA Sample AdventureChapter 2The Founding of a Game Genre17Tomes of LoreBaby Steps and Giant LeapsThe Internet RevolutionChapter 3The Road to EverQuest37Building the TeamFleshing Out the IdeaGrowing PainsMeeting the PublicBuilding the LegacyChapter 4Dissecting the Mmorpg: EverQuest's Design Roots59Back to the Basics: What Makes a Good GamePlots and PlayersThe Character as CommodityChapter 5Gold, Zones, Quests, and Monsters: Touring the Design of the Game World79Questing AroundThe Multi-Player UniverseThe Norrathian EconomyChoosing SidesBuilding a WorldExpanding a WorldChapter 6Reaching out to Your Fellow Elf: Guilds, Forums, and Conventions101The Nature of the CommunityThe Nitty-Gritty of the CommunityEverQuest ConventionsChapter 7The Great EverQuest Controversy121Controversies Past and Present"EverCrack"Spotting the BeastThe EverQuest Widow(er)sTwo Suicides and a MurderChapter 8Zoning outside the PC135Language, LanguageEverQuest at the Dinner TableTo the Game Console and BeyondGetting into PicturesChapter 9Staring into the Crystal Ball155Predictions of the FutureCurrent TrendsThe Computer Game in a DecadeAfterword: The Big Picture175AppendixEverQuest Community Sites177Bibliography181List of Vignettes185Credits199
