Everquest Next was at E3, apparently

We were sure that we saw everything there was to see at E3 but one game apparently evaded us. Everquest Next wasn't shown publicly, but apparently the next-gen MMO was around in a clandestine capacity at E3—and was good enough to warrant one "best of show" award from the single outlet that saw it.

According to lucky publication MMORPG , its behind-the-curtains peek at Sony Online Entertainment's next massively multiplayer monster "[stood] head and shoulders above any game we saw at E3." No other deets, unfortunately, as they've been sworn to secrecy, but apparently we won't be disappointed. It's news enough that the game was in a showable state, and hints further that we might see it go into closed beta at the end of this year or early 2014. Let's hope that the fashionable feathered cowl in the above concept art makes it into the game.

SOE president John Smedley last year detailed his plans for the long-running EQ franchise, promising that Everquest Next would serve as a huge reboot for the genre it helped to establish. Straying so far from the formula is a bit of a gamble, but this first hint of success is pretty promising. MMORPG say that we'll get to see what the big deal with Everquest Next is come its official unveiling, scheduled for August.

Latest in MMO
A goblin with sharp teeth, wearing goggles, lets out a mischievous cackle in WoW's latest patch: Undermine(d).
World of Warcraft's started swiping good ideas from one of its most popular user-made UI addons, and it's honestly about time
Blue Protocol players dancing minutes before the game closes forever
What will we do at the end of the world? If MMOs are any indication: mostly what we already do, plus a lot of dancing
Several tight-wearing superheroes surge towards the camera in a heroic fashion in City of Heroes.
One year later, City of Heroes' officially recognized fan server has me praying it's the future of dead MMOs
Several adventurers in World of Warcraft Classic's hardcore server crying over the death of a fallen comrade.
Blizzard plans to revive WoW Classic Hardcore characters 'at our sole discretion', after DDOS attack puts major streamer guild OnlyFangs in the ground
A forester from Old School Runescape, contemplating life next to his pheasant friend on a green field.
You can finally try out Old School RuneScape’s first new skill in nearly two decades right now
Ghoul in sunglasses
After years of playing as stupid, boring humans in Fallout, you can finally channel your inner Walton Goggins and become a ghoul in Fallout 76
Latest in News
The titular character from Princess Mononoke is depicted riding the wolf goddess Moro and carrying a spear.
Studio Ghibli AI image trend floods social media, cheered on by OpenAI and denounced by artists: 'I can't think of a worse artist to do it to'
Marvel Rivals tier list - Wolverine
Marvel Rivals director says a future patch will reduce the shooter's insatiable hunger for RAM: 'It's a very big problem'
Hogwarts Legacy potions professor holding a potion
An unannounced Hogwarts Legacy expansion and 'definitive edition' have reportedly been cancelled
Story of Seasons - A cahacter in a purple tuxedo stands outside in a town square talking to the player
Story of Seasons is doing another Harvest Moon remake and it might be the best the series has ever looked
Assassin's Creed Shadows change seasons - An upper-body shot of Yasuke looking cheerfully up into the distance.
Assassin's Creed Shadows puts up the 'second highest day-one sales revenue in Assassin's Creed franchise history'
A witch riding a broom sails past a Fish and Chips shop.
Cozy gamers rejoice: Witchbrook finally has a release window, and yes, you can fly around on a broom with your friends