Keeping EverQuest Alive, 25 Years Later - MinnMax Spotlight

[@minnmax]

Thanks for sharing the video and supporting independent games media! You're welcome to jump in and play EverQuest for free or get a subscription. Pick up where your old character left off or start fresh and get ready for the 31st expansion releasing in December called The Outer Brood. www.everquest.com #ad #sponsored

[@EverQuestShow]

Great video! Loved what you've done here!

[@haleyfax]

Anyone else wanna start a Jenn Chan fan club with me, I adore her!!

[@minnmax]

Don't get creepy, Haley. This is a public comment.

[@RolledDie]

Seems like a great person to work for, makes me almost want to throw in an application

[@haleyfax]

@@minnmax damn thought this was my alt

[@KelseyLewin]

don't listen to Ben, I'm joining the fan club

[@keenanhorrell4511]

Wow, I think when I joined the Patreon at launch you asked for what type of content you would like to see from MinnMax and I'm pretty sure I specifically asked for a documentary or interview with the game studios that keep legacy MMOs running and putting out fresh content years and years later after their heyday. Its been a long time coming but way to follow through! 😆

[@minnmax]

It was all for you, Kennan!

[@PhoenixWrightfan101]

I have no practical interest in Everquest, but believe me when I say that this is exactly the kind of content I love to see Minnmax doing. It's the kind of thing I'd love to make myself. There's tons of interesting niches like this in the industry and they're worth celebrating. Thank you for making this

[@EstusFlaskHappyHour]

Same!! It hasn't ever been a game that's ever been on my radar because I'm console only, but even so this is great content!

[@pellaeon1877]

I’m so glad a place like MinnMax exists to get this kind of story out there

[@RolledDie]

That wall of paintings, I'm in awe. Would have never guessed how large those key art paintings really are, thanks for the vid love seeing behind the scenes on studios like this

[@adammccall5266]

This makes me want to play Everquest again. EQ was my first experience with an online video game that had real people and a community, so many memories and friends made over many years of exploring Norrath!

[@KyleHilliard]

This is a good/fun/informative/interesting video! Awesome work, Ben!

[@minnmax]

What do you want?

[@KyleHilliard]

To publicly compliment you and this video? 🤷‍♀️

[@kylegraywolf]

RIP Brad McQuaid and Keith Parkinson

[@flexcat]

So many memories with everquest. I sometimes forget that SOE is Daybreak now. Planetside, DCUO and Everquest were some good times. PC gaming was and is special.

[@IchibanKasuga-6969]

No one does this better than MinnMax, I learned a lot about a classic game that is a personal blind spot. P.S. Nice jacket, Ben

[@craventiger]

Awesome video! Ty so much for this, and to all those from the EQ team who spend time with you, especially Kevin and Jenn. Warms the heart.

[@grahamgilmore42]

5:40 It’s so cool to listen to the praise he has for younger developers. It really is a symbiotic relationship. In the end, the right people working with each other makes all the difference.

[@ScottPetheram]

Hearing them talk about bringing in the new generation of gamers almost brought tears to my eye. So glad they have many plans for the games future!

[@joeblow7735]

Please tell Jenn Chan, EQ1 revamp (better graphics) yet the same! YES PLEASE!

[@scott3407]

Yeah I think they're really onto something there. Retaining the heart and soul of EQ will be difficult when it's something completely new and that players might reject, so just rebuild what the players already love from the ground up. It's probably their best chance to make a new EQ game that would be accepted and successful.

[@Intrepimid]

But don't butcher the zones like revamped Freeport FOR THE LOVE OF GOD lmao! Otherwise YES!

[@_Snugglebus]

My only complaint is that this wasn't longer! Love this content and diving into developers that don't get enough spotlight.

[@the_jaggernaut]

This is one of the most incredible videos I've seen in years. EverQuest is so important to me and my tastes as a gamer, so this is just amazing stuff. Thank you for doing this video and thank you to the folks at Daybreak for giving you such amazing access!

[@sauntor]

Great video! Kevin, Jenn, and that team are awesome people for keeping Norrath alive. EverQuest reboot would get me back, but it's good to know my Warrior and Shaman are safely retired on a harddrive somewhere.

[@FishboneINK]

Damn, those paintings are cool as hell. I'm liking these spotlight videos. It's nice to see inside smaller studios.

[@rivenempire]

Everquest on a new engine will be badass

[@TheGamePiece]

Didn't expect that opening LOL. Excited to watch!

[@Tristan_YT517]

Still play this game til this day 25 years later 🎉

[@jeremiahcomer]

I would cry in front of that wall of paintings.

[@pwgreene]

I almost cried just seeing them in the video. So many great memories with early EQ.

[@BoomerElite4u]

It is a genius concept to make a modernized EQ1. I'm actually surprised it hasn't been plagiarized already. I've played a lot of rumored WoW killer MMOs over the years and a lot of them had great graphics and design, but lacked content. By literally just copy/pasting EQ 1 with quality of life changes, better graphics, more modern mechanics etc. you already have a ton of content and intrigue that could lure a lot of younger players who are curious about what a classic MMO was like. When WoW classic launched I was a little surprised at how many 20 year olds were in my guild who were just there to see what it was all about since they never tried the original.

[@StephenWoodson]

This video keeps getting better and better. I thoroughly enjoyed the office tour, and especially when Jenn started showing the key art paintings and the code that runs Everquest. Fascinating stuff, keep it up! Wishing the best for them keeping the games rolling.

[@bitterbuffalo8997]

My mind was BLOWN when my friend showed me EverQuest

[@jacknxmbers]

You’re really good at this, Ben

[@minnmax]

Oh hey, thanks! Any help sharing the video online is appreciated.

[@willieko]

One of the most magical gaming experiences of my life was booting up Everquest for the first time in 99' and being dropped at the entrance of Freeport and seeing a fireball whip across the screen as two wizards chased each other. Just knowing that those were real people and not NPCs completely blew my mind. Did my parents hate that they couldn't use the phone for hours? Probably. Did I stay away from all MMORPGs ever since cause I didn't want to get sucked into another one? Yup. But man was it awesome.

[@brianross9926]

I'm 51 years old and have been playing Everquest since it's release. Loved the video!

[@rjpx947]

Keep it good, and keep the servers up; I'll be there. I did not start this thing in 2002 to give it up.

[@Badalight]

BRO WHAT. EverQuest was my childhood. Thank you for this. It needs more love and recognition. I feel like WoW rewrote the history books and people forget about EQ and what it did for MMOs.

[@TRUEfoe]

I've been looking forward to this video all week!

[@Aethplayseverquest]

Great video, really enjoyed it!

[@minnmax]

Thanks so much! Is this your first MinnMax video?

[@Aethplayseverquest]

@@minnmax Yep!

[@YourGoodTwin]

Such a rare video. It seems like all entertainment media produced these days is either wildly popular or a failure with no room for in between. Fascinating to look in on something that's just... perfectly fine.

[@laurabledsoe4670]

My husband and I have played EverQuest off and on since 2001. He still plays. I unfortunately took some time away from the game and lost my character, but I have so many great memories of the game, the people, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with the game. It really is a great game!

[@Fuminsho]

This was just fantastic. What an amazing studio. Love hearing the passion ❤️

[@USMCbrantley]

The only thing I remember about this game from back then is a friend from back then he's dad 2nd wife divorced him cause he spent too much time playing EverQuest and I remember national news reporting the something across the nation that women was divorcing their husband's over this game.

[@joshuaanderson1369]

I may not be able to make it back right now, but I'm really glad it's still here.

[@cheoa.becerra9016]

those paintings were amazing. great video !

[@rossprice1646]

Honestly surprised that Keith Parkinson and his legacy was not mentioned a single time in this video during the original art section....

[@chrishmmr]

That was a great video, thank you Hanson!

[@joshread3740]

Love the vlog style. Great video quality too.

[@masebreakface3426]

EverQuest is the dearest game in my gamer memory. So much time, so many challenges conquered, so many friends and laughs had. It’s such an amazing game that brings people together in a way that no other game I’ve experienced has. I look forward to the future of the game, and maybe new game. ❤

[@KelseyLewin]

Great work!! I hope MinnMax gets to do a million more spotlights

[@Admiral_Cant_Hackett]

Truly awesome work. Thanks for doing these and hope there’s more to come.

[@BeLovingAwarenessNow]

Tanarus!! I remember playing that! I'm so glad that after all this time, the EverQuest franchise is still in the hands of people that love and respect it.

[@eq2relaxation549]

Oh wow, this video just got recommended to me randomly, and I'm glad that I watched it. What a beautiful setting that was with that beautiful sunset in the background! Must have been an interesting experience. I also enjoy watching content behind the scenes just to realize how Daybreak still honors all of their games - both live and sunset titles - they're all part of their own halls / walls of fame. I like what Jenn said about the next step for the EQ franchise, makes sense tbh (as a father of two and soon three kids I want to see a new generation experience the same magic that we did all those years ago). At the same time, everything seems to be pointing and moving towards a partial (?) Remaster of the original worlds, which is good. I've been in favor of this for some time now and seeing both a new project and the original worlds get their fair share of development and quality of life enhancements pleases me greatly! Said it before, will say it again, oldies but goldies! Hope to see more interviews in the future! Liked and subbed.

[@Jeorin]

This was such a great video. I played EverQuest way back in the beginning on dial-up internet. It was a rough experience, but so cool in so many ways. I loved having conversations with npcs by actually typing conversations in chat. There's a magic to it that modern MMO's are missing.

[@jaredcherry7416]

Really cool to see the inside of Daybreak - there's a real passion for Everquest. Great video.

[@kuyzat]

That was just wonderful. EQ is still king after all these years. Thanks a lot.

[@coriant]

I started EQ in vanilla in 99 and I still play with some friends now from live to private servers. I would love to see daybreak go in with some of the lead guys at eqemulator to make the new game they would have so much input and would make the game everyone really wants.

[@oz5150]

EverQuest is probably one of the most perfect games, I still love it to this day. I come back every so often, and I'm glad that Brad, Steve and John's baby is being well taken care of by passionate poeple like Jenn and the rest of Darkpaw Studios.

[@icarozzz]

EQ2 was my first everquest, so glad to see the original is still around. I really hope they get to make another, modern entry in the franchise. Even if it isn't a mmorpg, the world and lore deserves to reach a new audience.

[@ShaunHall-i7e]

Variant ❤ I really think they are on the right track to focus on EQ rather than coming out with a new version. So stoked right now!

[@Intrepimid]

I heard EQ Remake and my heart skipped a beat. Please do this. PLEASE. I came back to the game some years ago and got into raiding on Mischief server to see all the expansions I missed through the years. I'm having the time of my life, but the original trilogy was where my heart truly lived. I would kill to see a proper remake.

[@duncanwallace7760]

Beautiful legends! They've brought so much joy to so many people. I'd love to play an updated Everquest game, especially if it has the spirit of the original and the same setting and timelines! It would be my ultimate gamer wish.

[@TommyCarver-Chaplin]

This is awesome Ben. Absolutely fits exactly what I would expect from a MinnMax Spotlight.

[@Zzues]

I enjoyed watching this so much. I played EQ at launch and was immediately in love with the game. I played for about 4 years but then ran into some life problems and had to stop playing. I still have fond memories farming Lizard men at the temple and my first encounter with a spectre, holy moly was that terrifying. I've played so many MMORPGs since EQ but still find it difficult to have that same feeling of wonder, emotion talking to people playing, the old trade zones and economy. Thanks for the memories, EverQuest got me through sole very, very difficult times in my life.

[@nanfoodles]

I was playing EQ1 back in 1999 when it launched. My first MMO and its impacted my every decision on every MMO I have played since. Would love to see a new EQ and a reboot sounds like the best idea since EQ launched.

[@wawawalrus]

Ben!! You totally downplayed this video in BonusPod. I expected it to be not as good because it’s “sponsored content” but this was awesome and you did a great job! It’s so cool seeing the artwork, the code, and the beautiful beach. Jenn seems like a really awesome person.

[@Chandlest]

Starting on the bears lap, seamless transition to hallway walk and talk, and back to the bears lap. Real movie magic

[@DrChacatumbi]

If they make it eq1 live but modern graphics, this will absolutely slay

[@michaels6837]

Excited to hear more about their new EQ (like) game in development. That's great news to hear they are thinking about it.

[@Sk1ndredd]

Awesome video man. Really cool stuff to get to see!

[@rikkuricky]

I didn't know EQ was still going, this is so cool!

[@Spiricore]

Ooh, an OG EverQuest reboot that (hopefully) isn't another EQ2. You have my attention!

[@MasSehdev]

Dude... Tanaris. Deep cuts here. Great job again Ben.

[@HorrorTubeHDTV]

Oh man.. an EQ1 reboot will be awesome!

[@Kulaan]

I am 37 I started EQ in Jan of 1999 with my uncle doing beta testing:) I still play and have my 8yo son playing a bard in raids! :) he loves it too.

[@Dizneytop]

I've played since 2001 and still love logging in

[@rpgamer13]

this is what i wanted for years. just update the heck out of the game. it has everything we love. just make it better.

[@bluenglish27]

please keep doing these

[@Daver124]

Fun and interesting look behind the scenes, thank you!

[@Gambitfl]

OH man, I had such an awesome time in this game when i was just 19. I must've played it for atleast 9 years. Had a paladin named RemyC from the Torvonillious server.

[@TomBrienProfessional]

I'm so hyped that key art used to be giant paintings!

[@ashroorbach2921]

Awesome video! I learned a ton about EQ and DayBreak I didn't know. Thank you!

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

I have only played Champions of Norrath and its sequel. Still pretty interested in the history of Everquest. I also liked the GI Replay with Andy Mac playing Everquest while telling stories of when he used to play a lot.

[@joshlambert3695]

What a treat. Thanks for the great content.

[@johnstewart1597]

Awesome game, keep coming back to it

[@Axehilt]

*Tanarus* shares code with EQ1!? That's crazy to learn, I played that briefly back in ~1997 when it came out. (Didn't last long for me though, I was just ramping up internet gaming at the time and there were a ton of strong entries like 1997's Quake 2, Dark Reign 1, and Subspace, and 1998's Starcraft and Tribes 1.)

[@bg9919]

This was unexpected and I loved it. My childhood is wrapped up in EQ memories. So cool to see behind the scenes. And for what it’s worth, the next EQ should absolutely just be a remake. The world is perfect, just modernize the game.

[@guilesmith784]

Thank you for that video ! There is still hope for another true mmorpg

[@SilkeJuppenlatz]

Logging in to Raid as I'm watching this. :)

[@chrisgayler2733]

They`re making an EverQuest 3 in development planning.

[@tigercotton8138]

This is great! Hope to see more like this in the future

[@cecilandblues]

great spotlight. loved it!

[@neoeons29]

Hemmingway was an officer in Eternal Wrath on Ayonea Ro. They were always suspected to have cheats/exploits, backdoors and Dev helping them. I remember specifically an instance where a Game Master killed bosses for them. Devs needed guilds to actually be able to do the content to test encounters. 20 years later now I know Eternal Wrath was a Dev guild.

[@rumblefish9084]

Loving the MinnMax spotlights

[@a.common.American]

10:08 I got chills.

[@eppie899]

this was beautiful

[@ClaytonBigsbe]

That new EQ talk got me feeling some type of way.

[@Metanis]

Thanks for making this video! Us players like to demonize the Devs but this really humanizes them in a good manner.

[@flaneurpainter]

I'm not an Everquest fan but this is great.

[@ComedyUndergroundBuffalo]

This was great! Thank you

[@minnmax]

Hey thank you!

[@brentritchie6199]

Best game ever! So much fun since 1999!

[@Paul11]

this was the best fucking EQ related video ive seen in a long time dude. THANK YOU

[@indiggohaze]

Well done, great video!!

[@thatoneguyis]

Really interesting video - I got the chills when she talked about EQ remastered (but then followed it up with but modern, etc.) Seriously, just remaster EQ 1 through velious, maybe PoP, lock that up, and then use that work to make the "modern" version.

[@decake8169]

THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME

[@optimizor]

Yup she gets it!!!! EverQuest one remaster is the way.