The fourth annual MMO Calendar, which raises funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is now on sale.

Developers of a wide range of Massively Multiplayer Online games have dedicated artwork from their games to the cause. This year, the list includes a mix of old and new games, some yet to come such as Funcom's The Secret World.

Anyone who purchases a calendar is also entered into a prize draw where they can win one of ten prizes for each game that features in the calendar.
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In game update 52, "Monument and Might," for EverQuest II, a new service will be available to players - research assistants.

Research assistants will only be able to help out one character per account. They will be able to help both with Adept and Master level spells and combat arts. Skills below level 20 will take a day to research, but the greater level afterward may require up to 30 days to research.
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Players of the MMO EverQuest II are now able to change the appearance and names of their characters through a new system introduced by Sony Online Entertainment.

Characters can alter themselves by taking a potion, which must be bought from SoE's Station Marketplace. The 'Potion of Amnesia' (1500 Station Cash) allows players to change a character's name, and the 'Potion of Disgenderment' (1500 Station Cash) grants the player a one-time opportunity to change their character's appearance and/or gender. If you want the whole package, the 'Norrathian Witness Protection Pack' (2500 Station Cash) provides both potions.
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EverQuest 2 players who were eagerly looking forward to the game's next major update were left disappointed today, as developers announced Game Update #51 has been delayed.

GU #51, also known as Elements of Corruption, is set to revitalise an old part of the EQ2 world. Lavastorm is a zone that shipped with the original retail version of EQ2 over four years ago, and is well known by all players of the game. There's also a whole host of changes to spells, guildhalls, UI, quests and achievements, as well as a new dungeon and new solo content for high and mid level players.
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Sony Online Entertainment has donated over $20,000 USD to the Child's Play 2009 Winter Charity Drive, with help from players of the popular MMOs EverQuest and EverQuest II.

Each time a player of EQ or EQII bought a certain Child's Play virtual item on the Marketplace with Station Cash, SOE's recently introduced in-game currency, SOE donated $10 USD to the charity.
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Worldwide, nearly 45 million people play massive multiplayer online role-playing games like EverQuest II, and the amount of real-world money associated with virtual worlds would make it the seventh largest country in the world according to gross domestic product.

"This is not a trivial issue," Contractor said. "Now that we have the computing power to study these networks, we can explore different theories about social processes on a scale that was never possible before."
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SOE has released a preview of the next big update for its hit MMORPG title, EverQuest 2.

The update, Elements of Corruption, will bring new life to a part of the world of Norrath. Lavastorm is a zone that shipped with the original retail version of EQ2 over four years ago, and is well known by all players of the game.
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BeefJack writes, "While the global economic apocalypse has most of us either watching our backs at work or flinging ourselves out the windows of where we used to work, online game developers in Asia are seeing a new source of revenue: the unemployed.

It makes sense, actually. When you aren't working, you have a lot more time on your hands. And why spend it updating your C.V. when you could just as easily get in a guild raid or sixteen? You know, do something productive..."
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The "couch potato" image of computer gamers is unfounded, with many in better than average shape, claim US researchers.

More after the jump.
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Avid Gamer writes;

"We've got some news for you Everquest'ers. Everquest II is getting its 44th game update and in it you'll be able to delve into the Shard of Hate which is for high level raid groups. The dungeon is accessible from Neriak or the Nektulos Forest. Also in the update is two new armoured mounts, and new items to customize your player housing. The update should have gone live yesterday and the Shard of Hate should be accessible for a limited time, until Tuesday 13th May in fact."
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Most MMO players know the story of IGE and Affinity Media by now, (the owners of WoWhead, Allakhazam, Thottbot and WoWinterface), and their relationship. A really interesting article popped up on Radar Online today which highlights some of the dodgy characters that are involved in the Affinity Media business which had claimed to have no involvement with IGE. Brock Pierce who is an advisor and a board member of Affinity Media, is highlighted in the above article and I have to say there's some pretty unsavoury stuff here pointing at child abuse. This has been brought up before regarding Brock Pierce who has apparently denied charges but there are filed legal cases which he has tried to settle.

In related news, there has been paperwork filed this week where IGE admits that it is Affinity Media (see additional link). Not that anyone doubted it. Next time you hit up an Affinity Media site, just think about who you are supporting and who's pockets your traffic is lining with cash.
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SOE has posted messages across it's family of sites informing players that there will be limited customer support today, Monday October 22nd, on account of wildfires in the San Diego area:

"Technical, In-Game and Account support will be in limited operation on Monday, October 22nd 2007 due to wildfires in the San Diego area. During this time, support will be available but response time may be delayed. We will keep you updated with any changes in the situation."
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Sony Pictures is teaming with former Marvel Studios chief Avi Arad to bring Sony's role-playing fantasy game "EverQuest" to the big screen.

Reliable sources have confirmed that the studio views the project as a tentpole release for either 2009 or 2010 and that Michael Gordon (300) has been tapped to pen the screenplay.
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Following the recent release of Echoes of Faydwer, the third Everquest II expansion pack, Sony Online Entertainment has rolled out a free seven-day trial in hopes of luring you and everyone you know into a magical land of make-believe and monthly fees. Echoes of Faydwer offers questers a new continent to explore, complete with a new race and a new city. The winged Fae inhabit the tree city of Kelethin where, it is reported, they take great amusement messing with outsiders and experimenting with ... » Read More

We got down on our knees last night and our prayers for more information on EverQuest II: Echoes of Faydwer's new Belief System have been answered. As you adventure through Faydwer youll encounter various NPC priests prophesizing the return of the old Gods of Norrath. After swearing allegiance to one of eight deities vying for control over Norrath's populace, you'll receive a small starter altar for your home and open a new line of deity quests. In addition to granting the usual experience and ... » Read More

Friday 5 May 2006 EverQuest II, Sony's PC MMORPG, will be getting a third expansion pack this November in the form of Echoes of Faydwer, which will introduce a new playable race. The race in question is the Fae, a group of winged creatures who inhabit the new starting city of Kelethin. As well as the new race, Echoes of Faydwer will have over 350 new quests, a new range of professions, additional accessories and items, more than 40 new creatures and 20 new adventure zones. Also available for ... » Read More