Here are today's updates:

New Recipes: Raid Elder Leather Glove Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Leather Helm Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Chain Sleeve Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Chain Wrist Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Chain Chest Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Chain Glove Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Chain Leg Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Chain Helm Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Chest Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Boot Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Leg Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Glove Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Helm Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Sleeve Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Wrist Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Leather Chest Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Leather Boot Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Leather Leg Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Leather Sleeve Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Leather Chest Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Leather Boot Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Leather Glove Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Leather Helm Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Leather Leg Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Leather Sleeve Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Leather Wrist Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Chest Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Leg Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Sleeve Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Glove Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Helm Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Wrist Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Chain Leg Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Chain Sleeve Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Chain Wrist Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Chain Helm Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Chain Chest Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Chain Glove Seal of the Seafarer

Updated Bestiary: a skeleton ;  a scallywag marauder

Updated Quests: Arx Mentis #1: Key to the Citadel ;  Arx Mentis #2: What Lies Above ;  Arx Mentis #3: Delving Deeper ;  Arx Mentis #2a: Research and Development ;  Arx Mentis #2b: The Hands of Rebirth ;  Arx Mentis #2c: Where It Hurts

Here are some updates for today:

New Recipes: Raid Elder Silk Boot Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Silk Wrist Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Silk Sleeve Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Silk Helm Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Silk Leg Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Silk Chest Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Silk Boot Seal of the Cutpurse ;  Raid Elder Plate Chest Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Plate Boot Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Plate Leg Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Plate Sleeve Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Plate Glove Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Plate Wrist Seal of the Seafarer ;  Raid Elder Plate Helm Seal of the Seafarer

Updated Items: Steely Vestment of the Grand Manipulator ;  Stone of Tranquility ;  Enchanted Orb of Replenishment ;  Scuffed Weapon Crate of the Mercenary ;  Busted Prayer Beads ;  Sarnak-Hide Mask

Updated Quests: Helms of Giant Warriors ;  TDS Rank III Level 103 Spells: Median Essence of the Citadel

Updated Recipe: Sheet of Compressed Steel

Updated Bestiary: Druushk ;  The Fabled Skeletal Captain ;  Isilisinisusurpa ;  a skeleton ;  Stormwheel ;  Asupi Muksap ;  Deathcaller Xylok ;  Nulian the Stormwarden

Ragefire (Progression Server) Beta is now live! Check out this thread on the EQ Forums for information about how to log in.

A problem with our email system (where some emails were getting bounced back to the sender) should be fixed now. We apologize for any inconvenience.

New Quest: Sivrn #1a: The Hidden Sphinx

New Recipes: Scroll: Rain of Razors Rk. II ;  Spell: Torrid Skin Rk. II

Updated Items: Nest Drake Egg ;  Dragonscale Skystrider Saddle ;  Empowered Dragonscale Skystrider Saddle ;  Legendary Berserker Bone ;  Strongbox Half Full of Velixite ;  Order of Thunder ;  Polished Bone Horn ;  Mangled Letter ;  Note

Updated Quests: Paladin Hunting ;  The Bayle List ;  Message Intercept ;  Azzar's Dreadful Hat ;  Azzar's Dreadful Hat, Part 2 ;  Sivrn #1: Names of the Sphinx ;  Sivrn #2: Atiiki Tongue Twisting ;  Hatching a Plan ;  Anniversary Group Task: Evil Eye Operative

Updated Achievements: Achievement: Elddar Texts (Argin-Hiz) ;  Achievement: Argin-Hiz Treasures (Argin-Hiz) ;  Achievement: Fiery Beauty (Argin-Hiz)

Updated Bestiary: Mojax Hikspin ;  Garuc Anehm ;  Kobot Dellin ;  a chest (great military commander) ;  a chest (Titanothon) ;  a chest (bold invader) ;  Noble Sivrn ;  Rohtrepoten ;  Isilisinusurpa ;  Duggin Scumber ;  a gnoll ;  Caldarius

EverQuest developer Ed "Aristo" Hardin has again updated us on the upcoming progression server (which, by popular vote, has taken on the name "Ragefire").

Some highlights:

• Beta is starting "as soon as possible".
• At launch, only Classic EQ will be open on the server.
• Once certain raid targets have all been defeated, a six-month timer begins. At the end of this timer, in-game player polls will determine when the next expansion opens up. (From the Gates of Discord expansion and forward, the timer will be three months.)
• All characters start at Level 1, and there will be no character transfers to the server.
• AAs will be autogranted "once two expansions with AAs have passed" (if you opt in).
• Only All-Access members will be able to access the server, but Beta will be open for all accounts.

You can check out this post on the EQ Forums for the full details.

Daybreak Game Company unveiled its new logo and website last week, giving a fresh face as it looks toward the future. We chatted with Daybreak President John Smedley and the Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing Laura Naviaux yesterday evening about the origins of the company's new name and logo, Columbus Nova, the future of its fan convention, and more.

Here are some midweek updates for you:

New Items: Suit of Beryl Hero's Forge Plate ;  Suit of Valiant Plate ;  Suit of Ssraeshzian Plate ;  Suit of Violet Hero's Forge Chain ;  Suit of Viridian Hero's Forge Chain ;  Suit of Insidious Cloth ;  Suit of Eternal Grove Chain ;  Suit of Ebon Hero's Forge Plate ;  Suit of Ebon Hero's Forge Chain ;  Suit of Ebon Hero's Forge Leather ;  Suit of Beryl Hero's Forge Chain ;  Suit of Auburn Hero's Forge Chain ;  Suit of Sol`Dal Chain ;  Suit of Insidious Chain ;  Suit of Valiant Chain ;  Suit of Sylvan Chain ;  Suit of Dark Elf Chain ;  Suit of Bixie Chain ;  Suit of Noble Chain ;  Suit of Noble Leather ;  Suit of Noble Cloth ;  Suit of Bloodforged Chain ;  Suit of Bloodforged Cloth ;  Suit of Ssraeshzian Cloth ;  Suit of Ssraeshzian Chain ;  Suit of Ancient Ssraeshzian Cloth ;  Suit of Old Ebon Hero's Forge Plate ;  Suit of Old Insidious Leather ;  Suit of Old Noble Cloth

New Recipes: Spell: Mass Elemental Transvergence Rk. II ;  Spell: Earthen Stance Rk. II ;  Spell: Surge of Thaumacretion Rk. II ;  Spell: Mass Ethereal Transvergence Rk. II

Updated Items: Glowing Essence of the Citadel ;  Greater Essence of the Citadel ;  Lesser Essence of the Citadel ;  Median Essence of the Citadel ;  Minor Essence of the Citadel ;  Darkwater Illuminator Boots ;  Darkwater Illuminator Greaves

Updated Quest: The Bayle List

Updated Recipe: Scroll: Magmatic Veil Rk. II

Updated Bestiary: Researcher Orbiana

Here are today's updates:

Updated Items: Staff of the Elder Claws ;  Blasted Stone ;  Glyphed Rune Word ;  Spectral Parchment ;  Phosphorous Powder ;  Shabby Runic Vellum ;  Tainted Planar Essence

Updated Quests: Hurrieta's Tunic ;  Cougarskin Sleeves ;  Of Bone and Swamp ;  Memory In Crystal - Veeshan's Favor ;  Pillars #2b: The Word of Anriella ;  The Lost Observations

Updated Bestiary: Loran Thu`Leth ;  Decaying Lord Galuk Drek ;  Decaying Lord Galuk Drek pet ;  Farnor the Daybringer ;  Malign ;  Toxicologist Huey ;  Magma Behemoth ;  Marcia Attamilgad ;  Fractureshell

Here are some updates for today:

Updated Items: Clampgrit's Pronged Spear ;  Irebound Band ;  Kelkos' Beaded Girdle

Updated Quests: Bat Wings ;  Plaguebringer Proof ;  EQ Fifth Anniversary Scavenger Hunt

Updated Recipes: Air Arachnid Silk String ;  Spell: The Unspoken Word ;  Spell: Ethereal Remedy ;  Spell: Hammer of Divinity ;  Spell: Ethereal Light ;  Spell: Enforced Reverence ;  Spell: Blessed Armor of the Risen ;  Spell: Antidote ;  Spell: Circle of Seasons ;  Spell: Legacy of Thorn ;  Spell: Fist of Karana ;  Spell: Spirit of Oak

Updated Bestiary: Mutt Rootlit ;  a kobold spiritslaver ;  a raging kobold savage ;  a highland kobold shaman ;  a savage kobold ;  a hunting kobold ;  a highland kobold ;  Guardian Jasmina ;  Barn Bloodstone ;  Warpriest Poxxil ;  a kobold

During a recent interview, Daybreak President John Smedley was quoted as stating the following:

"I firmly believe the days of the WoW-style MMO are over," Smedley said. "And that means we have to change with the times. Luckily, we were kind of early on that bus as opposed to late. But we're changing what we're making. Look at H1Z1. Is it an MMO? Sure, by definition, but I would consider it a session-based online game with a lot of people. And I say that because the average life expectancy in H1Z1 might be 45 minutes, and that's what today's gamers want. How many people do you still know that are still raiding in WoW every night, or EverQuest and EverQuest II? It's just the time commitment necessary has changed so much. That means we need to change with the times, and we are. So we're getting interested in a broader array of games and gaming styles."

Today he took to Reddit to explain the above. The full response is after the jump; here's the main point of it here:

"I was asked in the interview about what things we're doing differently for our new games going forward and that's when I said we're focused on shorter session times because not many people have the time anymore to spend on a 4 hour raid.

"Don't mistake that comment for me not believing in raiding or knowing that there are a ton of people that play MMOs that still absolutely love to do it! We also plan on continuing to support EQ, and EQ2 for the very long haul and providing exactly the kind of cool content our players have expected. None of that is changing."

Here are some Friday night updates for you. Enjoy your weekend!

New Recipes: Raid Elder Chain Chest Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Chain Leg Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Chain Sleeve Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Chain Wrist Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Chain Helm Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Chain Glove Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Chest Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Boot Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Leg Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Sleeve Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Wrist Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Glove Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Plate Helm Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Chest Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Boot Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Glove Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Helm Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Leg Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Sleeve Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Leather Wrist Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Silk Boot Seal of the Defiler ;  Raid Elder Silk Leg Seal of the Defiler

Updated Zone: Plane of Tranquility

Updated Items: Blackburrow Stout ;  Scroll: Chromabash Rk. III ;  Scroll: Glorious Judgment Rk. III ;  Scroll: Bewildering Constriction Rk. III ;  Scroll: Legion of Lucem Rk. III ;  Senni's Ebon Cutlass of Doom Ornament ;  Blueogre's Blue Dragon Bulwark of Bashing Ornament ;  Rapier of Thogg's Fallen Unicorn Ornament ;  Heavy Spiked Rubicite Hammer Ornament ;  Mithaniel Marr Shield Ornament ;  Fracture Ornament

Updated Quests: Find Lucie Elron ;  The Bayle List ;  Trumpy's Head ;  Gharin's Note (evil) ;  Drosco the Zombie (good) ;  Drosco the Zombie (evil) ;  Exterminate the Vermin (Ak'Anon) ;  Exterminate the Vermin (Qeynos North) ;  Exterminate the Vermin (Qeynos South)

Updated Recipe: Spell: Word of Restoration

Updated Bestiary: Commander Kane ;  Trumpy Irontoe ;  The Fabled Skeletal Berserker ;  a giant scarab