EQ2 Game Update 63 Skyshrine. New Level cap and content. April 17th

A lot of people were upset when they found out the latest Everquest 2 expansion, Age of Discovery had no new content. It implemented a lot of new features instead. The folks over at SOE explained that it was because new instances, zones and other playable content were now going to be added in game updates instead. So with the expansion came mercenaries, design your own dungeon, beastlords, and tradeskill apprentices and coming April 17th the next major game update will add all the content people have been waiting for.

If you have Destiny of Velious you will get...

• a new level cap of 92 (up from 90). 
• A new zone with over 100 quests. 
• Multi mode instances, so now if you can't find a group, heck, do the solo version. 
• Heroic group and raid instances. 
• Prestige class talents and all new tradeskill quests. 
• New drake mount

If you have the Age of Discovery expansion you will get...

• a new dungeon map and items with a Poet's Palace theme. 
• New dungeon maker adventurers. 
• Tradeskill apprentices with new recipes including one ELITE recipe. 
• Elite Mercenary
• New warders for beastlords to tame.

Here's the whole scoop on Everquest2.com

Aion 3.0 Crafting changes.

According to Massively there's some nice changes coming to crafting in Aion in 3.0 which is said to come out this spring along with the Free to Play conversion. Among the changes are the ability to spend a little kinah and end your current crafting mastery so you can pick up a different one. Also furniture recipes will be added to the game for the new player housing being added in the game update. Here's the whole story.

Aion NA going F2P as well as 3.0 News!!

Aion Europe switched over to the F2P model not too long ago which left some North American players wondering if we'd be so lucky. Well the announcement has been made and coming with the release of 3.0 is the implementation of a F2P model for the NA servers. Here's the Linky Link to the F2P info website. Here also is the letter from NCSoft making the announcement that this spring we will not only be level 60, decorating player housing and running around on mounts but it will be FREE...

Aion: Ascension Debuts with Innovative Truly Free Business Model and Epic 3.0 Content Update
North American Players to Experience Full Game Features and 3.0 Content Free of Charge this Spring

Seattle, WA – February 21, 2012 – NCsoft®, the world's premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), today announces Aion: Ascension, the Truly Free evolution of Aion, the award–winning fantasy MMO that rivals other MMOs with its stunning graphics, fierce PvP and customization. Aion: Ascension brings players unrestricted access to a world filled with deep lore, exploration and epic faction battles free of charge. Coupled with the change in business model coming this Spring, players will experience everything in the highly anticipated 3.0 content update, including housing, mounts, increased level cap (60), new zones and instances.

Aion: Ascension's Truly Free business model gives players access to the entire game, including the two major expansions, 3,000+ quests, 30+ instances, 18 zones, three instanced PvP games, pets, classes and key social features like the auction house, chat, trade, crafting, gathering and forums. And with new content from the 3.0 update, which provide several new gameplay systems that Aion fans have been asking for, Aion: Ascension will be one of the most compelling MMOs on the market.

Players experiencing the world of Atreia for the first time will be welcomed into the game with a refined starting area with ample content engaging players from the beginning of their journey with guides designed to assist their current efforts and advise them on where to go next. Returning and current players will not only be able to jump back into the game for free, but will find the new content coming in Aion 3.0 a great addition to the already strong offering.

For players wanting a head start, NCsoft is hosting a "Rallying the Troops" event which will give new players an extended no time limit trial with an increased level cap to 40, whilst returning veterans will have their accounts reactivated free for 14 days. In addition, everyone will enjoy permanent increased XP as well as other boosts to help level and gear up to experience the new content faster.

A sample of features coming in the Aion 3.0 content update include:
Housing System – Everyone gets a home. Decorate and party in your new home.
Mount System – A new gameplay system which lets Daevas speed around the world of Atreia in style.
New Instances – Six new instances including a challenging 24-player raid.
New Zones – Two stunning new zones in the Balaur homeland.
New Level Cap – Five new levels bringing the max level to 60.

In addition to the new business model and Aion 3.0 content, NCsoft will implement new RMT countermeasures to ensure a safe and secure gaming experience for all of its players. These highly effective, proprietary methods will specifically target fraudulent transactions, bots and spammers and the confiscation of goods that have been acquired through RMT activities so that players can experience a no hassle/no harassment MMO experience.

Aion: Ascension with the innovative and improved Truly Free business model along with the 3.0 content update is scheduled to launch this Spring. More information can be found at na.aiononline.com.

A helping hand for new Everquest 2 players

EQ2 goes fully Free to Play 12/6 and I hope it brings new players to the wonderful world of Norrath. It can be hard starting a brand new game with no connections, no coin and limited bag slots. I will be enthralled with Frostfell and the new Freeport revamp and the new Beastlord class and dungeon maker, but I will always find a few minutes to help out a new potential friend and Norrathian. So if you decide to join EQ2 in the near future and create a character on the Antonia Bayle server feel free to comment here on this post, message me on Twitter @Girlygamersite or find me in game most likely on my main "Twinklin". Introduce yourself and I'll toss you a few strong boxes for your inventory to make it a little easier on you. I'll also be happy to answer any questions you have when trying to figure out starting game mechanics or how to get around. I hope to see you in Norrath.

Farewell old drab dirty Freeport, Hello New SHINY Freeport!

The servers just went down in EQ2 for the implementation of the new expansion, game update, and Free to Play. The game update includes the new improved Freeport, rebuilt by Lucan now that he is back. I guess he likes shiny too. I took my one Freeport character "Milldew Millie" and for the last hour of the old Freeport's life, ran around to take some screen shots. Even though my dislike for Freeport was one of the reasons I played mostly Qeynos characters over the years I wanted to pay my respects since Freeport as it has been is no more. I had over the years snuck some of my goodies into West Freeport to RP in the tavern or do Heritage Quests. I will be heart broken when they redo Qeynos this summer as it's been my home for many many years and it will be so strange having it change. Here's a slide show of the old Freeport.

WoW 4.3 Companion Pets, Mounts, Armor and MORE on MMO-Champion

 MMO-Champion.com has thrown up previews of tons of stuff being added in 4.3 including some things found in the game files that come from locations unknown. Want a peek at what new stuff you might be able to get your hands on? Here's some links.

4.3 Companion Pets
4.3 Mounts
4.3 Valor Point Rewards
4.3 Season 11 Armor Sets

Also remember 4.3 adds the Raid Finder, Transmogrification, and Void Storage.

Speculation is that 4.3 will go live on Nov. 29th or Dec 6th. If you want to get into that debate hop over to WoW Insider.

First Look: EQ2 Freeport Revamp

Here's the PCGamer exclusive EQ2 trailer for the new Freeport Revamp. Pretty glad I rolled a Shadow Knight not too long ago. :)