Lost In Cyberspace

That exercise will get somewhat more strenuous with EverQuest II, due for release in the fall of 2003. The sequel is set in a new age — the Age of Destiny — in which players' quests directly affect the structure of the game, changing the plot line on a month-by-month basis. Tolkien labored for years to work out the narrative of his Middle Earth; the legend of Norrath will expand of its own accord. And next March, taking a leaf out of the playbook of Star Wars creator George Lucas, the company will release a prequel — not on PC but on the more kid-friendly PlayStation 2. Watch out: Norrath may be coming soon to a dinner-table conversation near you.