EverQuest Online Adventures

Alright, knights, wizards, trolls, elves and other fantasy folk! You have decided to join the online universe that is EverQuest® Online Adventures: Frontiers™, but you are not sure you have everything you need to start playing. Never fear, we have rounded up all you'll need to know to get going and laid it out for you in simple terms.

First, you are going to need all the necessary hardware "stuff" to play. Here is a quick list:

PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system
DUALSHOCK® or DUALSHOCK®2 Analog Controller
PlayStation®2 memory card 8MB (4MB must be available)
Network Adaptor (for PlayStation 2 system)
A connection to the Internet
The EQOA DVD with accompanying account key

Optionally, you may wish to include a USB keyboard if you are more comfortable playing online with one.

Ok, if you are into PlayStation®2 format games, you probably already have the PlayStation 2 system and the controller that comes with it, and you probably have a memory card as well. If you are not familiar with memory cards for the PlayStation 2 system, you can read more about them on PlayStation.com. The memory card allows you to store saved games and other information. You'll need one with at least 4 MB of free space to play EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers. That means the memory card cannot be completely full with saves from other games you are playing.

Ok, so you have all that, but what about this network adaptor and connection to the Internet?

The network adaptor is an additional piece of hardware that will allow your PlayStation 2 system to connect to the Internet. If you haven't obtained a network adaptor, you can see what one looks like on PlayStation.com and read more about how to configure it at PlayStation.com.

You'll need an Internet Service Provider (better known as an ISP) through which to connect to the Internet. This could be a dial-up modem connection or a broadband connection, such as a cable modem or DSL.

If you already have an ISP for your computer, you could just unplug the modem or broadband connection you use and plug it into your PlayStation 2 network adaptor when you want to play. But who wants to swap all those cables?

Alternately, you could add a router, which will allow you to keep all your Internet devices (computers, PlayStation 2 system, etc.) connected all the time. You can learn what others are using in our Technical Support and Newbie Zone Forums, opening soon.

If you are using a dial-up modem connection, just connect the PlayStation 2 network adaptor's modem port to another phone jack.

If you don't have an ISP, there are many out there; shop around and find one you like and feel comfortable using. Given that you are reading this on the Internet now, you may already have the whole ISP part figured out!

We mentioned an optional USB keyboard earlier as a piece of hardware. While EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers plays great with the PlayStation 2 controller, many people find a traditional keyboard more comfortable when conversing with others online. The PlayStation 2 system has two USB ports on its front. This is a standard connector for most computers, and you can find a USB keyboard at most any computer store. Just plug the keyboard in and you're ready to type it up!

Now that you have all the hardware to play, you will need to be able to set up an account. EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers is a subscription game, meaning there is a fee to play. When you buy the game, you automatically get 30 days of free play to try it out, but to validate your new account you will need to choose the method of payment you will use when the trial period ends. Many choose to use a credit card to pay for their account. After creating your account, you may also sign on to Station Access, which also offers EverQuest, EverQuest II, PlanetSide, and Station Pass games. Also available are pre-paid Game Cards you may use to maintain your account. Many retailers carry these cards right next to where the game is sold. You can find information on retailers on our Links page.

Lastly, you will, of course, need to own a copy of EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers to play. Just load the DVD into your PlayStation 2 system and have the Account Key from the enclosed game manual ready to set up your account.

And that's it. Now you're on your way to adventure!

Now that you have everything to play, take a look at the Character Creation Guide to learn the ins and outs of making your character.