Here's a recap of the 2007 EverQuest Vegas SOE Fan Faire experience:
Wednesday, August 1 Many of us at SOE started our Fan Faire journey on Wednesday, others started even sooner. Unfortunately, we didn't know how much of an adventure was ahead of us.
When we arrived at the San Diego airport everything seemed to being going well. We all had already checked in via the online system and some of us just had to check in our luggage. We then waited for our flight. Some of us got in line early to ensure that we'd get the seats of our choice; southwest is weird like that.
So we finally got on the plane and made ourselves comfortable while everyone else boarded. Everything was still going smoothly at this point. Once the plane was fully loaded, the ramp thingy pulled back and the plane was being pushed backwards. Then, all of a sudden, the pilot gave us the news that all flights were grounded in Vegas due to Thunderstorms. No flights were being permanent land or take off.
We waited onboard while they decided how they were going to handle us. Finally they told us that they were pulling into another gate for us to get off the plane and wait in the terminal. Their timeframe for waiting changed a few times but the last timeframe we received was 2 hours. We all hung out at bar or whatever that place was called while we waited. Almost everyone had their laptops out and drinks in there hands.
Just when we didn't expect it, the airline representatives announced that everyone needed to hurry onto the plane because they got the go ahead to come to Vegas. Once in Vegas, we came across more waiting until a gate opened up.
I met up with several EQ players on Wednesday evening, including -Kela the Gypsy-, Hulking, Naladini, Nolrog, Tharkis, Allakhazam from… well you know from where! Hmmm who else am I forgetting... sorry if I forgot to list you.
In the evening, we took a few select individuals to see Lance Burton, a real life magician. It was a pretty good show!
Many of us hung out in Brenlo's room in the late evening.
Thursday, August 2 Most of the day on Thursday was spent at an SOE summit. We invited people from several of our game communities for a chat. We received great feedback for future plans for the company, community, the games in general, marketing, the forums, etc.
The early bird registration line wrapped around and down the hallway. It was amazing to see so many people getting started on the fun so early!
In the evening, we had our Welcome Reception in the Voodoo lounge here at the Rio.
Friday, August 3 Another day full of fun!
From 10:00 am to 4:30 the EQ Best of the Best Tournament took place. With Brenlo hosting, 50 people participated in this ancient tradition of pure PvP action.
- Winner – Legwins, Ranger of the Prexus server.
Also in the morning, we held a mini EQ Summit where we invited Correspondents, previous summit attendees, and a few extras to join the EQ Dev Team in an idea swapping session.
This year's Fan Faire attendees got a special treat. The EQ team held its first Quest Workshop. In this workshop, we separated people into 4 groups and assigned them a dev team member to work with. The groups traded ideas and created new quests. As far as I now, everyone there had a great time with this unique experience. We hope to be able to provide more workshops like these in the future.
As usual, several panel discussions took place - Game Mechanics, Gameplay and Lore, and Expansion Highlights.
In the early evening, CEO John Smedley addressed everyone in attendance. He gave them a sneak peek at all of the games we are working on, including one that has never been seen before (Legends of Norrath) and invited them all to join the beta for each of the games.
In the evening, we had a Fan Faire Pool Party at the Rio. The entire pool area was filled up with SOE gamers! There was a live karaoke band, plenty to drink, and lots of chatting and fun. I spent a great deal of time chatting with Wycca, Azathool, Nolrog and others about the community.
Several people tried to throw Merloc and Prathun into the pool! I'm sure they will be sharing the pictures of that!
Saturday, August 4 On Saturday morning, I got up nice and early to do some final touches with the EQ Live Quest. Unfortunately, time got a way from me before Fan Faire, so I had to rush prepare the actors for the event.
Everything seemed to go fairly smoothly once the event got started. I'll be posting details of the Live Quest later this week and include some additional pictures of it.
Later in the day, along with Gnobrin, I hosted a quest workshop for EQOA and a panel on running player Run Events with Pex.
To close out the Fan Faire, the Banquet took place in the evening. Brenlo called up several people to the stage and made them to silly things to get T-shirts, headphones, and more.
The winners of each of the tournaments and quests were also announced at the banquet.
EverQuest Live Quest Results: - Venture - 43 treasure pieces – Winners!
- Gnome Punters - 42 treasure pieces
- Township Rebellion - 41 treasure pieces
- Heroes - 40 treasure pieces
- Legends of Tunare - 40 treasure pieces
- Force of Valor - 37 treasure pieces
- New Dawn Raising - 37 treasure pieces
- Crimson Eternity - 35 treasure pieces
- Q-holes - 35 treasure pieces
- Misfits on Norrath - 35 treasure pieces
- Conviction - 34 treasure pieces
- Haunted Dreams, team #1 - 33 treasure pieces
- Faulkevs - 33 treasure pieces
- Firiona Vie - 32 treasure pieces
- Dragon Council - 31 treasure pieces
- Drunken Masters - 29 treasure pieces
- Haunted Dreams, team #2 - 23 treasure pieces
Note: If you were on the team Venture for the Live Quest, please let me know. They took my list and I only have the real first names instead of the character names. I know they already gave out the rewards but I'd like to compile the list of the names.
Also, an actual wedding took place live at Fan Faire and afterwards in game for 2 lucky players. The wedding party consisted of Darth Vader, 2 storm troopers, Firiona Vie and Antonia Bayle.
Sunday, August 5 The Fan Faire was officially over by Sunday morning. All SOE employees met up to help close it down and pack up everything for shipping back to San Diego.
Unfortunately, I was so busy trying not to hurt my back, I hurt my knee because I was kicking boxes to where they needed to go. Owie!
Many of us headed off to the airport early to avoid being late due to traffic and lines. While waiting, I gambled a little and won 120. Although, I put it right back in because I was greedy and wanted more!
Once back in San Diego, a few of us including me, Ngreth, and others had to wait on our luggage. It seemed that the Vegas airport decided that our luggage didn't need to be on the same plane; our bags took a later flight.
Once I got home, I pretty much passed out because someone at Fan Faire gave me a cold!
Here's a gallery of the fun:
Fan Faire Registration.
 | Another registration picture.
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Fantasy Artist, Larry Elmore!
 | Secrets of Faydwer image from a video.
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EQ Best of the Best.
 | Live Quest clockworks.
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Kela and Wycca attempting to throw Prathun in the pool!
 | Costume Contest contestants.
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EQ Producer, Clint Worley.
 | SOE President, John Smedley.
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Banquet picture.
 | Another banquet picture.
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Couple getting married at Fan Faire.
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