The PlayStation 2 obtained its first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) back in February 2003 with EverQuest Online Adventures, which took the best elements from the EverQuest series on the PC, and placed them onto Sony's best selling gaming console. Online Adventures' developer, Sony Online Entertainment, says that it is committed to serving the console online audience, and they sure as hell aren't joking, as it is already hard at work on the second edition of its hit console MMORPG.

The upcoming expansion is called EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers, and it will introduce plenty of new features that are sure to keep new and old PS2 EverQuest players occupied for months when it arrives at the end of the current year.

So what can you expect in Frontiers? Miles upon miles of new areas, including one additional continent (named Tunaria), three new cities, hidden plains, newly discovered zones and forbidden areas. Not only can you explore new territories, but there will also be a new playable race and class -- the Ogre and the Alchemist. The Orges excel in physical strength, while the Alchemists are known as powerful spell casters. Also expect dozens of new non-player-characters.

Collecting items in EverQuest is very important, and in Frontiers it is no different. That is why Sony Online Entertainment is adding hundreds of new items to earn, barter, trade and sell. On top of new items, you'll be able to go on challenging new quests and the level cap has been raised to 60 to allow for better character development.

Visually, the original EverQuest Online Adventures didn't impress very many people. Fortunately, EQOA: Frontiers is said to have a completely redesigned graphics engine that will offer higher quality player character models, armor and pets. The terrain is supposed to look better too.

So what if you're not committed to switching to EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers? Well, the game is still at least 5-6 months away, so you don't need to start worrying yet. Besides, both original EQOA and EQOA: Frontiers users can still meet up and play with each other. Of course, if you have the first game, you won't be able to explore the new areas or have access to the new features. And yes, EQOA: Frontiers still requires a monthly fee -- although you don't need any additional hardware, like the PS2 HDD.

That's all for now. We'll be back with more information when it becomes available. In the meantime, be on the lookout for the Frontiers beta test.

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