EQ2Players has released a preview of the upcoming Game Update #47, entitled Storm Break.

Storm Break (GU #47), is looming on the horizon! The EQII Development team has been working the server hamsters within an inch of their little furry lives to bring us a nice beefy update. 

Click here to view the full preview.

We will be bringing our forums down Friday, July 11th 2008 to import restored user data initially lost in May. The following was posted in our Forum Announcements:

"On Friday, July 11th our message forums will be taken offline for approximately 48 hours while we restore the data we were able to pull from the old database and merge it with the existing data. The restoration will begin at about noon EST on Friday.

Users whose accounts were recovered from the old database will have those accounts merged with the current existing account, if the username and the email address match. For those of you who created alternate usernames we will be able to merge your restored account with your new account after the restoration has been completed.

If you have any questions or need any assistance with your account please email forumhelp@stratics.com or use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the forums."

Stratics IRC - 

Please feel  free to join us on Stratics IRC during the downtime! You can connect to one of our Stratics IRC servers using your favorite IRC client. A list of popular IRC clients is available on our downloads page, and for those who wish to chat via their browser you can connect via our java IRC client. (Java required - download here)
Connect to irc.stratics.com (port 6668) or choose a server close to you from following list:
     stratics.frws.com USA - Colorado (ports 6667 6668 7000)
     irc.glowfish.de EU - Germany (ports 6667 6668)
     stratics.afraidyet.net USA - Texas (ports 6667 6668)
     irc.gamers-irc.org USA - Colorado (ports 6667 6668 7000)
 

While we apologize for the inconvenience, we are at the same time very happy this scheduled downtime is occurring as it means we are returning to normality!

As part of Sony's push to increase the active player base, you can earn up to 20 months of free game play. When one of your invitees converts to a paid subscription, you will receive 1 free month added to the end of your current subscription.

Read the full details here.

As part of the Everquest II Fight with Legends campaign, mentoring bonus is set to increase in early July.

Read the details of this change and the mentoring program by clicking here.

From EQ2Players:

This week is another Bonus XP Weekend! From approximately 6/28/08 until 6/29/08, you'll find a bonus to Adventure as well as tradeskill experience!

From EQ2Players:

 

You've heard the buzz, and now you can check it out for yourself! SOE has partnered with Vivox, the integrated voice chat system, to bring a whole new dimension to EverQuest II and the rest of the SOE family of games.

Right on the heels of last week's game update, this great new in-game feature is now running live on the EQII Test server, and the team is anxiously awaiting your feedback. EQII Technical Director, Joshua "Autenil" Kriegshauser, has posted two related forum threads, one for discussion and Q&A, and one for feedback only.

If you'd like to try it out, log on to the Test server, click on the tutorial trigger that appears on your screen, and follow the simple instructions. All you need is a microphone to chat, and those without mics can still listen in.

 

So you think you're an EQII Legend? Maybe so... but you'll have to prove it! Dress your character in his or her finest armor, equip the most epic weapon, search for an iconic location, strike a pose and then…BAM! Screen capture. These summer events are all about players living the legacy and we want to help you show off. This is your chance to let others outside of the game see what you have achieved. Each week we will be posting images leading up until the announcement of the winners. Get in-game and show us your stuff!

Read more...

From EQ2Players:

By the pen of Eylee Zephyrswell,
This is the account of our leader, a plainsman by the name of Bayle. He had trouble speaking about his past, but it was necessary for us to understand the whole background of what we were dealing with. Further details came with time, as the conflict we all became a part of drew us closer together.

As far as I can tell, he still does not believe he has atoned. Despite all of his great acts of heroics, he still believes his folly outweighs them. It is a shame that such a great man should bear such a burden, but we all must feel as we must, and the past cannot be forgotten, only forgiven in time.

Our thanks to everyone who attended tonight's EQ2 House of Commons chat! The team from EQ2 answered many questions about recent updates to the game and also gave us a glimpse of things to come! We had an excellent turnout and Gnobrin to keep everyone amused! Check out the full log here