Raph Koster, known for his work on Ultima Online and most recently for heading up the team that developed Star Wars Galaxies, has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer for Sony Online Entertainment. He announced his promotion on the SWG forums. What his impact will be on the development for future SOE games like Everquest 2 is unknown. Feel free to discuss your thoughts below. Listed below are some of the posts made by Ralph in the thread: ------------------ So, why was Holocron absent for a month? So, you may have noticed (and in fact, I've pointed out) that I was sort of absent from the boards for the last month or so. Throughout beta and into launch I maintained a much higher profile. So what happened? Well, the short version is, I've been promoted. The press release goes out on Monday. I've been named SOE's Chief Creative Officer. Over the last month, I've been attending meetings related to this change in role, been trying to get my house in shape (I'll be moving to San Diego from Austin), and so on. That's why I've been a bit absent. What does this mean for my involvement with SWG? Well, I intend to remain very involved, to be honest. I've got a lot of work to do remaining with the expansion, the upcoming addition of mount and vehicles and cities, and so on. But I will probably be a bit more erratic in terms of showing up on the boards whenever something comes up related to my new job. To help out with this, we're actively looking for a full-time community person to be on the boards, in dev meetings, and in contact with you guys every day, all day. Still looking... but that's the plan. I'm sure there will be lots of questions about this. We decided that you guys should be the first to know, in advance of the press release. So fire away. I'll try to answer all the questions I can. -Raph Koster, Creative Director -------------------- -SanGreal- wrote: Congrats! 2 Questions: 1) You say you intend to remain directly involved in SWG. Is it still your job to remain involved or are you doing it out of your own interest in the game? Just trying to gauge how much involvement we should expect. 2) Where does this leave our correspondant answers? 1) Both, really. In my new role I'll have some degree of design involvement with every project in the company, but SWG is my baby and I intend to pay special attention to it. Most specifically, there's elements in the current design, upcoming features, and the expansion which are still only in my head, and nowhere else, so I intend to see those through. 2) Same place... you tapping your feet impatiently, us scurrying around trying to get 'em out there. -Raph Koster, Creative Director ---------------------- Breaker-X wrote: *poof*? Leaving? Gone? Just like that? What exactly does a Chief Creative Officer do anyway? Get creative with the SOE offices? Well, the nature of the job is still evolving, but I know I will be helping define pitches and milestone formats, reviewing pitches and milestones, reviewing all the game designs, and hangin' out and being creative. -Raph Koster, Creative Director

Our friends over at Caster's Realm have launched a new service. They gave me a chance to play with it a little, and it looks like a nice service for a guild looking for a bigger online presence. Here's their press release: -------------------- LAS VEGAS, NV - July 21, 2003 - Guildz.Com Inc. announced today the public launch of a commercial service for online gaming communities. Bringing together a powerful and flexible set of tools, Guildz.Com provides subscribers with a state of the art content management system and clean professional look for as little as 60 cents a day. Guildz.Com is focused on Empowering Online Gamers. Guildz.Com has been developed by the same team who operates the Casters Realm Gaming Network (www.crgaming.com). Casters Realm has been an influential website in the Massively Multiplayer Online Games sector since 1999 with a focus on MMOGs such as EverQuest, Dark Age of Camelot, Star Wars: Galaxies and more. After being involved with Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming for over 10 years, the team has a keen understanding of what is required in order to make a guild website successful. "We have put together a system which will give guilds the opportunity to have very professional looking websites with a minimal amount of work on their parts", says Greg 'Baelish' Short, CEO & Founder of Guildz.Com Inc. "As a gamer who has been involved with running a very large guild before, I know how time consuming it is just to keep things smooth in the game let alone on a website. Guildz.Com was designed to help keep guilds together and focused whether they are hard-core guilds or just groups of friends. The most important thing about Guildz.Com is that it takes a substantial burden of time off people who want to run a website for their MMOG community." The service boasts numerous features in one integrated package so that online gaming groups can find a true home for themselves out of the game. "Don't think that we will stop adding to the service", continues Greg. "We are already working on integrating direct information feeds from game providers and expanding on the number of site layouts and visual appearances. We are committed to bringing the best features we can to the online gaming community." About Guildz.Com Guildz.Com is a feature rich service providing: * "What You See Is What You Get" content editor requiring no web programming knowledge to use * Powerful forum system for group discussion * Easy to use image management system * Sub-domain provision to over 50 premium domain names * Calendar & history functions * Secured areas for private information * Dynamic member list system * And much more! The service has a base price of US$20 per month but offers discounts for 3 or 6 month plans as well as a community chest system to allow guild members to donate to the on-going costs of the website. To learn more about the service, click here.

Sigil now has a community membership feature: ---------------------- Become a member of the SGO Community! Sigil Games Online is committed to building the foundation for our online community of players as we develop our upcoming games. We invite you to join us! There are some great benefits to being a member in good standing of the SGO Community! * Receive email newsletters containing the latest information about our company and products * Community Members will receive exclusive information and screenshots of our latest project (as they become available). * Members have the ability to post in our Community Forums. * Our future Beta programs will be opened to our Community Members first, before being open to the public. There is no cost to become a Sigil Community Member. Simply register here to begin to receive the benefits! Cindy Bowens Community Manager Sigil Games Online http://www.sigilgames.com/

Here's the press release: Artifact Entertainment's Horizons: Empire of Istaria is one of the most closely-followed and highly-anticipated massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) in years. Currently in development for the PC, Horizons will allow players to experience online gaming like never before in a single massive online world primed for exploration, brimming with adventure and rife with danger. Horizons takes place within the world of Istaria -- filled with cities and towns, castles and strongholds, villages and mystical structures, in environments ranging from tropical jungle and arctic tundra to windswept plains and mountainous wilderness. Whether adventuring by themselves or questing with a group of friends, players are free to choose their own path and encouraged to create their own stories. Fierce warriors, arcane spell casters and challenging combat will rule the frontier lands, but skilled craftspeople will play an absolutely critical role in overall character and world development. Scheduled for release in the Fall of 2003 on PC CD-ROM, additional information about Horizons can be found online at www.istaria.com, which features Istaria history and lore, character race and skill information, downloadable and streaming game play movies, screenshots and much more. Available features include: * Screenshots - More than 18 new screenshots are available, which highlight the latest developments in combat and tradeskills taken straight from the Horizons beta. * Character Info - Bios of each of the nine playable character races in Horizons is complimented by detailed images of their natural environments, their dress and more. * Updated Feature Information - The combat, tradeskill and community building feature set has been updated with new content and images. * Downloads - New wallpapers and concept are available through the www.istaria.com downloads section. New additions, desk top kits and trailers will become available shortly.

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAIMENT ANNOUNCES CHAMPIONS OF NORRATH(TM) : Realms of EverQuest(R) FOR THE PLAYSTATION®2 -SOE Brings Online Game Experience to Single-Player Action/RPG Genre - SAN DIEGO, CA - June 20, 2003 -Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced Champions of Norrath(TM): Realms of EverQuest(R), marking the company's entrance into single-player console gaming for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Champions of Norrath, developed by Snowblind Studios (the creators of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance) and published by Sony Online Entertainment, is expected to ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores this Fall. "Champions of Norrath is a brand new franchise for Sony Online Entertainment, bringing our unique fantasy universe to PlayStation 2 gamers in an exciting, action packed role-playing game," said Don Vercelli, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Not only does the game have a deep, single-player campaign, but it also includes a free online multiplayer component, allowing up to four friends to adventure together using their own internet connections." With SOE's expertise in developing fantasy worlds, such as the online gaming phenomenon, EverQuest®, and Snowblind Studios' experience building high-quality action RPGs, Champions of Norrath sets new standards in the genre. Champions of Norrath features thousands of items, weapons and spells, unparalleled character customization, randomly generated dungeons that create a different and unique gameplay experience with each adventure, and a detailed 3D engine with multiple camera angles. Champions of Norrath offers an online multiplayer component at no additional cost to players (Internet connection required for online multiplayer game modes, online connection fees are the responsibility of the user). Up to four players per game can adventure in Norrath over the Internet using the Network Adaptor for the PlayStation 2. Gamers will match up with fellow Norrathians from across North America through SOE's upcoming matchmaking service via modem or broadband connections. Alternately, players can also use the Multitap to play together on a single PlayStation 2. About Champions of Norrath Set several hundred years before the timeline of the current EverQuest PC game, Champions of Norrath allows gamers to adventure as one of five playable characters who must journey from the city of Faydwer into the wilds of Norrath to save the land from a gathering army of evil orcs and goblins. The game offers more than 100 hours of gameplay per character and unlimited battles, deadly missions and unmatched character customization. The game also features: ·Engrossing fantasy storyline set several hundred years before the before the current EverQuest PC game -- players do not need to be familiar with EQ lore to enjoy the game ·Five playable characters (both male and female): Select from Barbarian Warrior, Dark Elf Shadow Knight, High Elf Cleric, Erudite Wizard, Wood Elf Ranger ·Thousands of items and magical artifacts to acquire ·Create unique magic items by combining magical items with weapons and armor ·Randomly generated dungeons and monsters mean a different experience every time you play ·Unmatched character customization with modifiable hair, skin, tattoos and facial hair, hundreds of armor variations and thousands of distinctive weapons, including swords, maces, axes, bows and more ·More than 50 levels with non-linear side quests ·Four player multiplayer on a single PlayStation 2 with a Multitap ·Superior online multiplayer options for up to 4 players via Network Adaptor (no additional subscription fees required (players must provide their own internet connection for online gameplay modes) ·Fully interactive 3D environments that push the PlayStation capabilities with stunning lighting and visual effects; capable of handling 30 to 40 characters on screen at once in spectacular battles For more information, visit http://www.championsofnorrath.com. About EverQuest Developed and published by Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), EverQuest launched in 1999 and has since become both a gaming and cultural phenomenon. The game has sold more than 2 million copies while continuing to grow with award-winning expansions The Ruins of Kunark®, The Scars of Velious®, The Shadows of Luclin(TM), The Planes of Power(TM), and The Legacy of Ykesha(TM), making it the largest online 3D fantasy world ever created. During peak periods, more than 118,000 simultaneous adventurers have explored the fully detailed world of Norrath, filled with monsters, magic, adventure and more. The active global EverQuest subscriber base of more than 430,000 players is comprised of people from 40 different countries including North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Sony Online is committed to bringing EverQuest to various entertainment platforms, releasing titles such as EverQuest Online Adventures for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, EverQuest for the Pocket PC and EverQuest: Hero's Call for wireless phones. This Fall, SOE will launch the highly-anticipated sequel, EverQuest II, on PCs around the globe. About Sony Online Entertainment Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Digital Inc., is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with a subscriber base of over 500,000 active players around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises, EverQuest® and PlanetSide(TM), SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX and St. Louis, MO, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development such as Star Wars Galaxies(TM), Lords of EverQuest(R) and the highly anticipated EverQuest® II. EverQuest is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and PlanetSide is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Sigil Games has posted up a second interview with Brad McQuaid, where he answers some questions about their upcoming game, his role with Everquest, and his thoughts on online games in general. You can read the article at this link.

Here's the big announcement. Remember that premium members can order through EB Games and receive a 10% discount, and non-premium users who order through them will get a 30 day trial membership. Our SWG site will go live as soon as they lift the NDA. ------------------------ LUCASARTS ANNOUNCES STAR WARS GALAXIES™: AN EMPIRE DIVIDED™ WILL RELEASE JUNE 26, 2003 Long Awaited Massively Multiplayer Online Star Wars® Game To Offer Four Subscription Plan Options SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and SAN DIEGO – June 17, 2003 – LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment Inc. today announced Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, the highly anticipated initial installment of the first Star Wars massively multiplayer online (MMO) game series, will release June 26, 2003. The Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided online fan community now exceeds more than 500,000 registered members. At launch Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided will offer four subscription plan options: Month-to-month - $14.99; three months - $14.00 per month; six months - $13.00 per month; and 12 months - $12.00 per month. By subscribing to any of the latter three plans, players can expect savings of up to 20 percent over the month-to-month rate. Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided has a suggested retail price of $49.95, and includes a 30-day subscription to the game. A special collector's edition, which includes a book of game-related art, in-game wearables, pewter figurine, lapel pin and patch, and a signed manual, will be available for a suggested retail price of $79.95. "The release of Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided is a truly defining moment for LucasArts and we're confident the game will meet player's expectations," says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "The current subscription plan for Star Wars Galaxies is reflective of the game's high quality and competitive with the current marketplace. No matter which subscription option players choose they'll be able to look forward to a constant stream of dynamic content and features, first-rate customer service and much, much more." "After three years of intense development, we're thrilled by the imminent release of Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided," says John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. "We're honored that LucasArts felt only Sony Online had the right combination of technical know-how and game design skills to produce a game of this scope. The Star Wars Galaxies team has been working non-stop to deliver a product that lives up both to the stature of the Star Wars license and the expectations that LucasArts had set for us." Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided was recently nominated for a Game Critics Award: Best of E3 2003 in the Best Online Multiplayer Game category. About LucasArts LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC. Based in San Rafael, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multi-faceted entertainment company. Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production, and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Rafael, Calif. About Sony Online Entertainment Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Digital Inc., is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with a subscriber base of over 500,000 active players around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises, EverQuest® and PlanetSide™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX and St. Louis, MO, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development such as Star Wars Galaxies™: An Empire Divided™, Lords of EverQuest™ and the highly anticipated EverQuest® II. EverQuest is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and PlanetSide is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc.

Here's the press release. Mythic Entertainment Releases Gold Edition of Dark Age of Camelot Gold Edition Combines Award-Winning Dark Age of Camelot and All Expansions Including Shrouded Isles and Foundations in One Value Package FAIRFAX, Va - June 4, 2003 - Mythic Entertainment is now releasing a Gold Edition of its flagship product, Dark Age of Camelot, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Dark Age of Camelot: Gold Edition will include the original game, it's top-selling expansion Dark Age of Camelot: Shrouded Isles and the soon-to-be released housing expansion Dark Age of Camelot: Foundations. An all-new 45-page beginner guide compliments the updated manuals to introduce players to the world of MMORPG's and Dark Age of Camelot. Shrouded Isles, extends the story of the original game and enhances the action of Dark Age of Camelot with new character classes, new races, and three new continents, displayed in an all- new graphics engine. Shrouded Isles also includes almost one hundred new monster models and nearly 400 hundred new weapon, armour, and shield graphics. The expansion features new quests, thousands of new monster encounters, and an innovative artificial intelligence system enabling monsters to behave and attack in deadly new ways. The first of three expansions Mythic will be releasing in 2003, Dark Age of Camelot: Foundations, will give players the ability to purchase property and build their own homes. Players will first claim a housing lot and then buy a deed to one of several different types of houses. Houses and items are customized in appearance for use in each of the game's three Realms. Real estate in Dark Age of Camelot: Foundations will resemble actual life, with prices fluctuating according to location and market demand. Houses can be owned and maintained by either a single player or a Guild (group of players). Foundations is currently in beta and will be available to all subscribers free of charge in late June. "We wanted to give new players a great new way to enter the world of Dark Age of Camelot," Mark Jacobs, CEO & President of Mythic Entertainment said." "The combination of Dark Age of Camelot, Shrouded Isles, Foundations and the new beginner's guide offers the perfect entry point to the game." Dark Age of Camelot: Gold Edition is currently shipping to all North American retail outlets and includes a one-month free trial period. Currently Dark Age of Camelot has more than 225,000 paying subscribers. More than 600,000 people have played Dark Age of Camelot worldwide, since its release in October 2001. The popularity of the game is evidenced by the fact that more than 60,000 people play simultaneously at peak times. Dark Age of Camelot: Gold Edition will be distributed by Vivendi Universal Games in North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Dark Age of Camelot and Shrouded Isles were developed by Mythic Entertainment, co-published with Abandon Entertainment and distributed by Vivendi Universal Games. About Mythic Entertainment Mythic Entertainment is one of the most successful online game developers in the industry today. Credited with 13 online games, including the award winning Dark Age of Camelot, Mythic has played a major part in the evolution of the online game industry. The company's other titles are some of the most popular online-only games of all time, including Aliens Online, Starship Troopers: Battlespace, Godzilla Online, Silent Death Online, Rolemaster: Magestorm, Darkness Falls, Splatterball and Dragon's Gate. Mythic was named one of Deloitte & Touche's national "Technology Fast 500" companies, and regional "Technology Fast 50" companies. For more information about Mythic Entertainment, visit www.mythicentertainment.com. Mythic Entertainment, Dark Age of Camelot and Dark Age of Camelot: Shrouded Isles are trademarks of Mythic Entertainment. All other trademarks property of their respective. To Order on EBgames.com, click here.

If you have been thinking of getting Star Wars Galaxies, you better get your order in soon. I have been told by EB Games that the launch date of June 25th is a firm date and that they expect to sell out the game via pre-orders in most, if not all, of their stores. If you don't pre-order, you will likely have to wait for the second build of the game, which will be several weeks after launch. Thus, if you want to play at launch date, you better order now, either online at EBgames.com or by heading down to your local EB Games store and reserving a copy. They have also confirmed that the collector's edition will indeed come with an exclusive in-game wearable item, and believe that will likely sell out very quickly. Remember that Allakhazam Premium Members get a 10% discount by using your coupon code (which means as much as $7.50 off the collector's edition). Non-premium members will also get a free 30 day trial account when ordering this game. We have been working hard on putting together a site for this game and we will have a site up and running before launch that I think you will really like. CLICK HERE to order Star Wars Galaxies. CLICK HERE to order the Special Collector's Edition.

Listed below are the allakhazam posting names of the winners of our EQOA giveaway. Congratulations to each of you. We will be mailing you your new game next week.

Finan

Sabrin

Sraaz

insanityboy

Teckla

Frow