Would-be EverQuestors can now get their original fantasy MMO EverQuest II base game within the comforts of their game rooms. That's right, no more waiting in lines - the game is now available for digital download at Sony's Station Store for $19.99.

This hassle-free software-only purchase is only possible if you have a valid credit card or Global Collect. You can't use a GameCard to order; it won't be accepted for obvious reasons. The software is required for each EverQuest II account you wish it enabled.

Here are the required specs to get EverQuest II running:

• Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
• Processor 1 ghz or greater
• 512 MB RAM
• Pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64MB of texture memory
• DirectSound compatible audio hardware
• 56K + Internet Connection
• 16X Speed CD-ROM
• 6 Gigabytes Hard Drive Space
• DirectX 9.0 compatible video card

I don't know what it is about game developers, but they seem to be throwing parties left and right. If you remember we featured Xbox's Arcade Wednesday's Party which took us right into the Xbox HQ. And now, Sony Online Entertainment is at its heels with the first ever SOE Block Party.

It was held at the San Diego Comic-Con last July 22, 2006, under smoldering weather. It featured guided tours guided tours of the SOE buildings, prize raffles, food, drinks and other assorted goodies. Plus SOE game demos, including a sneak peak at the upcoming PlayStation3 title, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom!

Here are some of the highlights of the event in full color.

We last gave you a serving of screenshots for EverQuest's newest expansion called the Serpent's Spine. In this expansion, a new race called the Drakkin is being introduced. It's the latest race since the Frogloks were added, about seven expansions ago.

Now that you've seen the potential environment that your characters are going to turn into their mystical playground, it is time to look at some creatures you are likely to meet and interact with through these lovely concept art for the game.

EverQuest is the story of six dragons who defied the Council of the Ancient Dragons of the Nest and decided to create an entirely new race to protect their future. The Drakkin are borne of humans with the tinge of a dragon's blood. They age and mature rapidly in a span of months. The Drakkin forget their human beginnings and start on a pilgrimage to Crescent Reach, home of their dragon creators and the rest of their kind.

The Serpent's Spine is the newest expansion to the original EverQuest and what we have here can be considered as first dibs on what it looks like. “In an ongoing commitment to introducing new features into EverQuest, The Serpent’s Spine introduces the Drakkin, the first new player race since the Frogloks were added to the game seven expansions ago,” said Chris Sturr, Senior Brand Manager, Sony Online Entertainment. “In addition to the new race, players of all levels will benefit from this expansion, as we are including content for levels 1 to 75.”

Nestled in a great ravine in the Serpent Spine Mountains is an ancient abandoned ogre city now called Crescent Reach, which is home to a new race born to protect the future of dragon kind, the Drakkin. Six dragons defied the council of the ancient dragons of the Nest and chose to create a new race to protect their future. The Drakkin are borne of humans touched by a dragon's blood and their colors and appearance represent the dragon that created them. Rapidly aging and reaching maturity in only months, the Drakkin forget their human beginnings and make their pilgrimage to Crescent Reach, the home of their dragon creators and the rest of their kind.