MMORPG was recently able to score an interview with Everquest's project manager Jose Araiza and the game's lead designer, Travis McGeathy, where they talked about the recently released expansion, The Serpent's Spine.

First off, Araiza said that by making the expansion downloadable, they were able to put more time into polishing the art and the game's overall graphics system, as compared to earlier expansions where they were forced to make the process quick and fast because of the whole release date pressure.

Also, both Araiza and McGeathy confirmed that the spell upgrades system used in Serpent's Spine will be the blueprint for future spells and skills. As for the Alternate Advancement system, McGeathy says that there are plans to revamp the AA system so that users under level 50 will be able to access them.

In addition to AA revamps, Araiza also said that there will be free zone revamps pretty soon, and they will be announcing this so make sure you stay tuned for that. If you wanna know more about the Serpent's Spine and get updated on the latest buzz on Everquest and Everquest II, make sure you check back with us 'coz we will keep you posted for more (and any) developments. *winks*

The twelfth expansion for the MMORPG EverQuest, The Serpent's Spine, now goes live. This was the announcement released earlier today by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE).

This latest expansion boasts of giving new and veteran players alike the "opportunity to experience Everquest from the beginning as a Drakkin." Not only that, but Everquest also takes pride in the level of success it has enjoyed for this long, given that no other MMORPG has achieved this type of lifespan.

In this expansion, you will find the popular zones High Pass Hold and Commonlands to have been completely redesigned with fresh content and new graphics. To be introduced here as well is a new starting city, Crescent Reach, where merchants, quests and combat abound, as well as new dynamic features including auras, traps and destructible terrain. Also, with the help of new spells, raids and abilities, players will be able to reach level 75.

Everquest: The Serpent's Spine is only available via download at www.everquest.com for US$29.99.

So you're enamored with EverQuest's II's new race, the Fae. You couldn't help gushing over their pretty, fairy wings. In fact you've gawked at the screenshots we've posted a couple of days ago (and decided to philosophize on what exactly that Fae warrior character is doing).

Unfortunately for you, this post won't be about the gossamer-winger characters. But it's just as fun, as we're gonna feature an interview with EverQuest Producer Chris Lena from MMORPS.com, about the upcoming Serpent's Spine expansion.

For one thing, you can expect zone revamps in the said expansion. Lena said that Highpass Hold and Commons will make an appearance at Serpent's Spine together with a new Kithicor. Of course, there's gonna be a lot more, but Lena said he's gonna be in trouble if he's gonna talk about it, so for now, he's all hush-hush about other zones that received a facelift treatment in the new expansion.

He did say, though, that they're considering a "house-kill" feature, which will enable users to well, destroy houses. Cool, huh? However, Lena believes that the said feature "is (not) something that is missing from the game," so the house killing feature is still in an "iffy phase" right now.

Of course, you can expect that there are more EverQuest II updates to come, so stay tuned here at QJ for those.

"After Venril Sathir's curse was released into the Nest and destroyed the dragon eggs, it was clear that the future of dragonkind was in danger...Six dragons who were children of the Nest proposed a plan to their elders -- the creation of a race to protect dragons and the Wyrmqueen's bloodline, something they had seen done once before.

"In human form, the dragons traveled to Freeport, looking for the right humans to suit this new race. The honorable dragons found many who sympathized with their plight and plans and agreed to help right the wrongs that mortals inflicted on dragons of the Nest by unleashing Venril's curse. Many humans considered it a great honor. The darker dragons were not so willing to negotiate and simply took the human subjects they desired..."

That, in a nutshell, is the story of the Drakkin, Everquest's first new race in seven expansions. We brought you news about this last month, and the expansion in which they will appear, Serpent's Spine, is scheduled for a September release.

Today, however, we got word of these very cool screenshots, giving us our first up-close and personal look at those who are the future of EQ's dragon-kind.

Everquest is from Sony Online Entertainment.

   

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.