Everquest II - Your First Fan Faire

Atlanta, GA - 2006, courtesy of Sony Online Entertainment

Thinking about going to Fan Faire for your first time? Getting excited about what you will be seeing? How about wondering what new events and information will be passed out? As a first time Fan Faire participant, initially you will be overwhelmed when you attend the SOE Fan Faire. Each year that the Fan Faire event is held, it gets more and more exciting! This is just a guide of what to expect when you get there!

When you arrive at the hotel, you will be anxiously looking around prior to registration pickup and wondering if there will be anyone you will see from your server. First and most important… go get your room! Relaxing prior to the event is a must as you will be constantly busy once the event starts. After you take time to rest, take a short tour of the hotel event area. Find out where everything is located…. More importantly… find the registration area. When registration opens, you will stand in a line to get your SOE Fan Faire Pass as well as a bag of goodies. This is also where you will receive your t-shirt.

After registration is complete… you wonder what is next. Open the goodie bag and look at the schedule. Sign up for game time at the computer area set up… you can’t miss it! Make preparations for forums that you want to attend. Get your questions answered... but be sure to write them down. It is better to get a list of questions from your guild mates prior to going to Fan Faire so you aren’t there struggling to come up with questions yourself.

Normally registration will take some time as hundreds of people will be going through the lines. At this point, go make yourself known to other players! Don’t make it a habit to run around and look at people’s badges to find out what server they are from…. It wastes time and quite frankly makes you look goofy. Socialize and discuss current gaming with the other players. Take a look at the demo booths and sales booth areas. If it is open… head to the bazaar and get those SOE gift ideas and souvenirs!

Sometime during the event, make sure you introduce yourself to the staff. Even though they are the head honchos of the game you play… they WANT to meet you! Seriously, the gaming staff welcomes you to talk with them and associate yourself with them regarding the current issues in the game of choice. The SOE staff are gamers just like you… so meet and greet!

Ballroom times are fun! Brenlo (normally the MC) will entertain you as you sit around a table with your guild, server, or new friends you just met! Be sure to participate in the crazy contests he has… you won’t regret it! Prizes are given out constantly throughout the event! Brenlo’s number one event he runs - remove is the Best of the Best event and the EQ2 Event.

These events are different from the Live Event so don’t be confused. The Best of the Best is just as it says. Players from Everquest Live sign up to go one on many in the Everquest Arena! If you are lucky enough to beat everyone in the event… a prize will be waiting in the end. The Atlanta Fan Faire Best of the Best winner was a ranger who won an LCD monitor! So definitely get involved!

The EQ2 event started in Atlanta. The Nest of the Great Egg race was indeed a race against time… by groups. Several grouped players raced to be the first to the Egg. The winners received a wonderful prize.

The other contest mentioned earlier was the Live Event. People dressed up as NPCs throughout the hotel assist your team in solving a particular quest series in which you have to use live action roleplay in order to advance. It is a race against everyone else… and again… another prize at the end.

Another favorite contest of the Fan Faire is the costume contest. Many creative people put their skills to work in creating the most vibrant and yet entertaining costume designs based on an in game character. The costume contest is normally held on the last day… so don’t plan on skipping out early! You won’t want to miss this!

Other areas of interest at the Fan Faire would be the vendor area, silent auction area, and the 21 and over party! The vendor area is an area for those who want to get associated items to go with the game that doesn’t violate any EULA. From software to paintings to custom signatures for the forums… you can find it in the vendor area! The silent auction is another part of excitement where people bid on items that will be displayed throughout the Fan Faire. This silent auction will cover anything from the banners hanging up representing your server… to normally a rare item of SOE’s choice. Be sure to stop by there and take a look!

Las Vegas, NV - 2005, courtesy of Sony Online Entertainment

The 21 and over party is one heck of a party to not miss… that is if you are 21 and over. SOE knows gaming… and they know how to party! Be sure to make this party if you can… nothing else more will be said about this. Don’t want to spoil the fun…. be sure to go!

In closing, make sure you prepare yourself for a weekend of fun and excitement. Prepare to be pampered in the world of SOE… 'cause once you are here… you are definitely “in SOE’s world now"!