‘EverQuest Next’ Deemed Not ‘Fun’ By Developers And Is Canceled, ‘Landmark’ Will Launch This Spring

EverQuest Next, the third installment of the iconic fantasy MMORPG EverQuest, is no longer coming to fruition. The game focused on multi-classing, destructible environments, and a living world dictated by its players is officially canceled. Developer Daybreak Game Company, formerly known as Sony Online Entertainment, canned the project recently, but plans to move forward with the groundwork game EverQuest Landmark.

The president of Daybreak, Russ Shanks, announced the ceasing of development on EverQuest Next on the Daybreak website today. Although said to be innovative, Shanks states that the title was canceled because it simply “wasn’t fun.” EverQuest Next was announced in 2013 and was promoted as an MMORPG with serious consequences for players’ actions, including an ever-changing world. However, it appears that the game did not live up to the developers’ standards. All the work that went into the MMORPG since 2009 will no longer see a public release.

“Inherent to the creative process are dreaming big, pushing hard and being brutally honest with where you land. In the case of EverQuest Next, we accomplished incredible feats that astonished industry insiders.”

The game was to feature a number of interesting features for an MMORPG like smart NPCs with their own agendas, an RPG devoid of levels, and a world that could be directly influenced by the player. Environments were planned as destructible, and whole regions were supposed to change based on what players accomplished there. However, the innovation was not enough to keep the game going.

“Unfortunately, as we put together the pieces, we found that it wasn’t fun. We know you have high standards when it comes to Norrath and we do too. In final review, we had to face the fact that EverQuest Next would not meet the expectations we – and all of you – have for the worlds of Norrath.”

EverQuest Next is no more, but the game’s predecessor title EverQuest Landmark will go on as planned. The game is available now in an early access state via platforms like Steam or through the official website. Landmark, previously billed as a precursor to EverQuest Next, features persistent servers but focuses on world building and custom content. Players roam the map looking for materials to build their perfect construction. The voxel title gives players nearly limitless customization to build their own creations, trade with other players, and even engage is some combat.

Since the announcement that EverQuest Next is officially canceled, Landmark developers finally dated the release of that title. Landmark is launching this spring superficially dropping the EverQuest moniker. In the game’s updated and official FAQ, it is said that the game has moved on from merely being a building tool for EverQuest Next and is instead its own game. Two wipes are expected before the spring release and the Player Studio is still going to be a part of the game. The Player Studio lets players create objects and buildings that Daybreak will sell to other players. The creator then receives royalties for the item sold in real money.

Although previously announced as a free-to-play title when Daybreak was still SOE, Landmark now has a $10 price. Founder’s Packs are seemingly still available on the official site with the most expensive of them at a whopping $100. Two other packs are also available at $20 and $60. These packs include in-game goodies like titles and flags, in addition to unrestricted closed beta access. The priciest pack includes more items, of course, including four unrestricted beta keys for the purchaser’s friends. The two more expensive Founder’s Packs also come with special outfits. Check out the Founder’s Pack page on the official Landmark website for more information.

Neither of these games’ futures will affect either EverQuest or EverQuest II. Landmark is now tenuously linked to the EverQuest property at best. Players that purchase a Founder’s Pack for Landmark, however, will receive a flag that they can place in both EverQuest and EverQuest II.

[Image via Daybreak Game Company]