The MMORPG Everquest Next will not be further developed.
As announced by Daybreak Game Company President Russel Shanks today, the development of Everquest Next will not continue.
They aimed very high in their attempt to manage the project. They made progress that amazed industry insiders. But when they put the pieces together, the developers realized: It’s just not fun.
Everquest Next did not meet the expectations they had set for themselves. Therefore, they decided to halt development. Everquest and Everquest II will continue. They remain passionate about expanding the world of Everquest. That’s all from Daybreak.
Everquest Next – Hope dies last, now it’s here
Mein MMO says: Everquest Next was associated with great hopes from fans to become a next-gen MMORPG with revolutionary design ideas like a destructible environment, advanced artificial intelligence, and innovative quest mechanisms. Furthermore, it was probably the last glimmer of hope for a “Western MMORPG with a high budget and AAA ambitions.”
However, in recent years, there had been less and less news about Everquest Next. Bad news also increased, like the separation from key figures in development and also from partner companies. After Sony Online Entertainment left Sony’s fold, news of the company being in financial trouble also increased.
In recent months, they focused more on smaller projects like H1Z1, which they have even divided into two smaller units. It seems they can no longer afford the large prestige project “The MMORPG of the Future.” The letter to halt Everquest Next closely resembles the words Blizzard found when they buried their own “next big MMORPG” Titan.
The former president of Daybreak John Smedley assured just before his resignation that Everquest Next would come and blow everyone away. Now we know: No.
The future of the Worldbuilder game “Landmark” remains unclear after Shanks’ statement. It was actually intended as a kind of “ongoing Alpha and Beta” for Everquest Next. Players were supposed to use the tools with which developers would also build the future world. It seems they now need a new direction.
Update: At least the future of Landmark is clarified. In an interview with mmorpg.com, Shanks placed the launch of Landmark on his company’s to-do list. It should be happening in the spring.
