EverQuest
   (ROLE PLAYING)


   Back in the late '80s, role-playing games were as numerous as
   real-time strategy games are today. Gamers couldn't toss a gold piece
   in a software store without hitting a good RPG. Sony Interactive Studios
   may very well change all of this with its upcoming release EverQuest,
   an online 3D RPG that promises to immerse gamers in a world of sorcery
   and high fantasy.
   
   EverQuest will be set in Norrath, a world consisting of five
   continents, six to twelve major cities and townships, and over 20
   adventuring areas - including an underwater zone, a lava zone, and an
   ice region. As for the storyline, there isn't any one overriding plot.
   "We spent a lot of time developing the history of Norrath... creating
   a huge pantheon of gods, creating stories and legends. We want the
   players to expand on that history and shape Norrath into their world,"
   explained producer Brad McQuaid.
   
   As with traditional RPGs, you will create and develop an alternate
   identity. Character choices are from 12 races, Barbarian, Dark Elf,
   Dwarf, Erudite, Gnome, Half-Elf, Halfling, High Elf, Human, Ogre, Troll,
   and Wood Elf and 14 classes, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Enchanter, Magician,
   Monk, Necromancer, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Shadow Knight, Shaman, Warrior,
   and Wizard plus the ability to choose sex, alignment, and spirituality. 
   Unlike other first-person 3D games that stress single-player action,
   EverQuest will focus on cooperation. According to Brad, EverQuest will
   encourage the player to go out in groups with other charaters.
   
   It is being marketed as a "true 3D massively multiplayer online RPG."
   So what does this mean exactly? "Multiplayer online RPG" is pretty
   self-explanatory. "Massively" refers to the number of players supported,
   one thousand in EverQuest's case. But what about "true 3D"? Brad explains
   that every item in the game will be realistically 3D.

   How will EverQuest overcome the problems found in other online RPGs?
   This has yet to be seen, but the design team at Sony is taking all
   possible steps to ensure smooth gameplay. Sony will also include several
   diagnostic tools with the EverQuest package that will allow you to trace
   your connection and help recognize server problems.
   
   Look for EverQuest to hit the shelves sometime in late 1998. Because
   of the size of this RPG and the ambition behind this project,
   EverQuest will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about games of
   this year.