http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070803/laf064.html?.v=16

Sony Online Entertainment Introduces Legends of Norrath(TM)
Friday August 3, 10:13 pm ET
First Online Trading Card Game Integrated into EverQuest(R) and EverQuest(R) II MMO Game
First Chapter, Oathbound, Introduced At SOE Fan Faire

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans of EverQuest® and EverQuest® II, as well as strategy game enthusiasts received a special surprise from Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) president John Smedley during his Fan Faire Community Address today when he revealed plans for Legends of Norrath(TM), the first online trading card game based on SOE's popular MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) franchises.

Legends of Norrath is the first online card game playable within the EverQuest(EQ) and EverQuest II(EQII) live MMO games. Launching from an in-game menu, or using a free SOE Station ID, players can challenge opponents on their game server, or across other EQ and EQII servers in both casual games and high-level tournaments.

"With Legends of Norrath, we're expanding and evolving the EverQuest and EverQuest II experience for both our loyal fans as well as strategy gamers," says Smedley. "The cards and interface have been designed by some extremely talented people in our Denver studio, and perfectly capture the sense and feel that have made EQ and EQII so popular."

Developed at SOE's Denver, CO studio, Oathbound is the first release in the Legends of Norrath storyline. Oathbound features more than 375 digital cards and will be available in both 55-card digital starter decks and 15-card digital booster packs. In this first of three card sets, players become part of a clandestine, secret war between the forces of Order and Chaos. Once jailed on the Plane of Justice, a mysterious tribunal offers them a chance for freedom and redemption by helping fight against the forces of Chaos. In swearing allegiance to the side of Order, players become Oathbound, and fight this shadow war against the forces of Chaos to keep them from plunging Norrath into a bloody and eternal war.

In addition to player vs. player combat, Legends of Norrath is the complete online card gaming experience, featuring a sophisticated, re-playable AI system for single player campaigns, easy to use management tools and numerous Casual and Tournament game lobbies. Victory can be achieved by completing quests or reducing your opponent's health, enabling players to employ their own unique strategies for victory. The game also features a robust loot system; more than 30 loot items each for EQ and EQII will be available, including player mounts, potions, clothing and spells.

On August 28, 2007, EverQuest and EverQuest II players will receive a complimentary random Oathbound digital starter deck and given access to the game prior to its general release scheduled for September 4, 2007. The digital starter decks (55 cards) will be available for $9.99 (plus any applicable taxes), with digital booster packs (15 cards) selling for $2.99 (plus any applicable taxes). For more information on Legends of Norrath, visit the website at http://www.legendsofnorrath.com.

Hell No!... maybe...

Yes.

Pffffffff.

Eye of Judgement > anything soe got.

isn't this essentially the same thing as eye of judgement?

i love that comic!!!

Galaki said: Killzone3 said: Pffffffff. Eye of Judgement > anything soe got.

Don't forget to mention that Penny Arcade thinks the game is awesome and a lot better than most card games out there :P

This can't be the big announcement cause it seems way too small, I mean a card game within a game they alrady have, that's not much of a big announcement for anyone who isn't playing that game.

When I first read the name of the game I thought it was a direct sequel to Champions of Norrath that PS2 game which was pretty decent for what it was.

I certainly hope this isn't the 'big' announcement because this isn't big at all.

Mabey. Evercrack used to be a pretty big thing.....and an everquest3, 4, 5, or whatever this game is equivalent to or an everquest remake.....would seem like a big thing.


Then again, the games that have been announced, but not fully introduced with gameplay pics and all, such as The Agency, could be the big thing that SOE has been waiting for.

This is the big announcement that Kotaku referred to. They confirmed so on their blog. What did you guys actually expect for them to reveal a true game. With no Beta and a launch this month. That would be a disaster. SOE has some of the worst quality assurance in the industry.

This was pretty logical to expect from them. Well it can at the very least enhance their only worthwhile properties. Rather then another mini game offering they could dump on their station pass. I suppose their was a chance for a true expansion. Not much of one.

SOE is very prone to hyperbole and the media runs with it. Unfortunately that means just about any announcement that SOE is going to make is referred to as a big announcement. Pretty brilliant way to get maximum attention for little delivery. That is until the public becomes jaded to announcements in general.