Historical Zone Release and Revamp Timeline
From EQArchives
Jump to navigationJump to search
This listing is pulled from original patch messages and intended to serve as a historical reference on the original dates new zones were released or revamped. Zones highlighted in green represent that zone's first introduction into the game.
| Zone | Original Patch Date | Expansion Era | Continent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plane of Fear | July 26, 1999 | Classic | Planes | Initial release |
| The Temple of Solusek Ro | 13 October 1999 | Classic | Antonica | Initial release. Available via the optional patch. |
| Kedge Keep | October 28, 1999 | Classic | Faydwer | Enhanced with new items and creatures |
| Plane of Hate | November 03, 1999 | Classic | Planes | Initial release. Patch message is released on Wednesday but states actual opening occurred 4 days prior on Sunday (31 Oct 1999) after the Halloween event. Must be 46th level or greater to enter. |
| Plane of Sky | January 20, 2000 | Classic | Planes | Initial release |
| Paineel | February 17, 2000 | Classic | Odus | Initial release |
| Kerra Ridge | 10 April 2000 | Classic | Odus | 1st revamp; "Kerra Ridge has been completely revamped. The target level-range for the zone has been slightly increased. In addition, many new quests have been added to the zone. The faction for Kerrans has been changed so that those who killed them indiscriminately before today's update can take part. Be warned that the Kerrans still do not like everyone. " |
| Splitpaw | 10 April 2000 | Classic | Antonica | 1st revamp |
| Ruins of Old Paineel (The Hole) | 22 June 2000 | Kunark | Odus | Initial release |
| The Warrens | 14 March 2001 | Scars of Velious | Odus | Initial Release |
| Plane of Hate | 14 March 2001 | Scars of Velious | Planes | 1st revamp |
| Plane of Fear | 14 March 2001 | Scars of Velious | Planes | 1st revamp |
| The Liberated Citadel of Runnyeye | 30 May 2001 | Scars of Velious | Antonica | 1st revamp. "Runnyeye has been changed. Something is up in Goblin land..." |
| Siren's Grotto | 27 June 2001 | Scars of Velious | Antonica | 1st revamp. "Sirens Grotto has been changed a bit. It should be a more interesting zone now." |
| Stonebrunt Mountains | 29 August 2001 | Scars of Velious | Odus | Initial Release |
| Chardok | 8 October 2001 | Scars of Velious | Kunark | 1st revamp; see A Tale from Norrath which was found in the 8 October 2001 patch message |
| Lost Temple of Cazic Thule | 13 February 2002 (TODO: verify date) |
Shadows of Luclin | Antonica | Mob revamp; new zone called The Accursed Temple of Cazic Thule |
| Jaggedpine Forest | 24 July 2002 | Shadows of Luclin | Antonica | Initial Release |
| The Sleeper's Tomb (Kerafyrm's Lair) | 26 September 2002 | Shadows of Luclin | Velious | 1st revamp |
| Grimling Forest | 23 April 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Luclin | 1st revamp; "We have updated the content in these zones to more accurately represent their design intentions and to address concerns voiced by players." |
| Hollowshade Moor | 23 April 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Luclin | 1st revamp; "We have updated the content in these zones to more accurately represent their design intentions and to address concerns voiced by players." |
| Acrylia Caverns | 23 April 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Velious | 1st revamp; "We have updated the content in these zones to more accurately represent their design intentions and to address concerns voiced by players." |
| Plane of Hate | 14 May 2003 (All Servers), 8 April 2003 (Stormhammer), |
The Legacy of Ykesha | Planes | 2nd revamp |
| Veksar | 11 June 2003 (All Servers), 14 May 2003 (Stormhammer), |
The Legacy of Ykesha | Kunark | Initial release |
| The Temple of Droga | 10 July 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Kunark | 1st revamp |
| The Mines of Nurga | 10 July 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Kunark | 1st revamp |
| The Halls of Betrayal | 10 July 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Kunark | Initial release; This was introduced as a "pocket zone" to Chardok - "a new zone and new zone type." |
| Caverns of Exile (soldungc) | 6 August, 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Antonica | Initial release; This zone is below Nagafen's Lair - you may have to swim through lava to reach it. |
| The Accursed Temple of Cazic-Thule | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Antonica | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| The City of Mist | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Kunark | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| The Ruins of Old Paineel (The Hole) | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Odus | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| Siren's Grotto | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Velious | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| Dragon Necropolis | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Velious | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| Charasis (Howling Stones) | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Kunark | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| The Deep | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Luclin | Partial revamp. "Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content. The changes are not dramatic, but make these zones more entertaining to play in. " |
| Greig's End | 26 August 2003 | The Legacy of Ykesha | Luclin | 1st revamp. "The redesign includes new encounters, items, traps, and events that make the zone a challenge for the experience group, with plenty of events for a raid group. " |
| Plane of Mischief | 9 October 2003, 26 August 2003 (Stormhammer) |
Lost Dungeons of Norrath | Planes | 1st revamp |
| Veeshan's Peak | 14 July 2004 | Gates of Discord | Kunark | 1st revamp |
| The Lair of the SplitPaw (Infected Paw) | 26 January 2005, 15 December 2004 (Legends) |
Omens of War | Antonica | 2nd Revamp; see 15 December 2004 Patch message for lore details; 26 January 2005 patch message; also see EQPlayers: Zone Revamp - Splitpaw! |
| Mistmoore | 26 January 2005, 15 December 2004 (Legends) |
Omens of War | Antonica | 1st Revamp; see 15 December 2004 Patch message for lore details; 26 January 2005 patch message; also see EQPlayers: Zone Revamp - Mistmoore! |
| Lavastorm | 26 January 2005 | Omens of War | Antonica | 1st revamp; see 26 January 2005 Patch message for lore details; also see EQPlayers: Hot New Look for Lavastorm |
| Dragon's of Norrath Released 15 February 2005 | ||||
| Barter Zone | 15 February 2005 | Dragons of Norrath | Other (off of Plane of Knowledge) | see 15 Feb 2005 patch message; "The entrance to the Barter Zone is in the western section of the Plane of Knowledge." |
| Barter Zone Merged with Bazaar | 3 March 2005 | Dragons of Norrath | Other (off of Plane of Knowledge) | see 3 March 2005 patch message |
| Everquest: Titanium Edition client released on 10 January 2006 | ||||
| Freeport (East, West, and North) | 21 February 2006 | Prophecy of Ro | Antonica | 1st revamp. Complete zone overhaul (textures, physical layout, appearance); "Freeport has been redone. East, West, and North Freeport have been replaced with a brand new East and West Freeport. All your old friends should still be there and more. " |
| Desert of Ro (North Ro, Oasis, South Ro) | 21 February 2006 | Prophecy of Ro | Antonica | 1st revamp. North Ro and Oasis were combined into one zone; South Ro was also adjusted; requires new zone files (Obsoleted/Removed Oasis as a zone); "Desert of Ro recreated. North Ro, Oasis, and South Ro have been replaced with a new North Ro and South Ro. Watch out for Sand Giants while checking out the new scenery. " |
| Nektulos Forest | 13 June 2006 | Prophecy of Ro | Antonica | 1st revamp. Graphics were overhauled and the zone file was replaced. "Nektulos Forest got a face lift! Check out the amazing new look. "; see also EQPlayers: Nektulos Gets a New Look! and Nektulos Revamp On the Way (same article with pictures preserved) |
| Highpass Hold | 19 September 2006 | The Serpent's Spine | Antonica | 1st revamp. Graphics were overhauled and the zone file was replaced when they added an entrance to the new expansion. "The entrance to Serpent's Spine can be found within Highpass Hold. " |
| Commonlands (East Commons and West Commons replaced) | 5 December 2006 | The Serpent's Spine | Antonica | 1st revamp. Graphics were overhauled and the zone file was replaced when they merged East and West Commons into the same zone. |
| Toxxulia Forest, Kerra Ridge | 13 February 2007 | The Buried Sea | Odus | 1st revamp Tox, 2nd revamp Kerra Ridge. Graphics were overhauled and the zone file was replaced when they merged Toxxulia Forest with Kerra Ridge and added access to The Buried Sea expansion zones. (Kerra Isle/Ridge was removed) |
| The Ocean of Tears | 16 May 2007 | The Buried Sea | Antonica | 1st revamp. Graphic overhaul, zone file replaced. "Ocean of Tears: The Ocean of Tears has a new look. Sail over to check it out and to experience the return of the boats! " Also see Ocean of Tears - Past and Present |
| Misty Thicket | 5 July 2007 | The Buried Sea | Antonica | 1st revamp. Graphic overhaul, zone file replaced. "Misty Thicket Revamp: Halflings across the world of Norrath rejoice as the hills of Misty Thicket flourish into a new paradise." Also see Misty Thicket - Past and Present |
| Innothule Swamp | 25 July 2007 | The Buried Sea | Antonica | 1st revamp. Graphic overhaul, zone file replaced. "Innothule Swamp Revamp: As the stench of evil pullulates throughout the region surrounding the home of the trolls, the denizens of the Innothule Swamp surface to see the rejuvenated swamplands." Also see Innothule Swamp: Past and Present - 7/25/07.\ |
| Steamfont Mountains | November 13, 2007 | Secrets of Faydwer | Faydwer | 1st revamp. Graphic overhaul, zone file replaced. |
Zone File Changes
The following table shows which zone files were replaced over the years and provides links to the original (classic) versions of those zones.
| Classic Zone File | Replacement Zone File | Expansion Replaced | Expansion Release Date | Classic Zone File Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hateplane.s3d | hateplaneb.s3d | Scars of Velious | December 5, 2000 | |
| lavastorm.s3d | lavastorm.eqg | Dragons of Norrath | February 15, 2005 | Lavastorm.zip |
| freportw.s3d | freeportwest.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Freportw.zip |
| nektulos.s3d | nektolosa.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Nektulos.zip |
| ecommons.s3d & wcommons.s3d | commonlands.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Commons.zip, Ecommons.zip |
| freporte.s3d | freeporteast.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Freporte.zip |
| freportn.s3d | freeportwest.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Freportn.zip |
| nro.s3d | northro.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Nro.zip |
| sro.s3d | southro.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Nro.zip |
| oasis.s3d | southro.eqg | Prophecy of Ro (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | |
| arena.s3d | arena2.eqg | Prophecy of Ro? (PoR) | February 21, 2006 | Arena.zip |
| highpass.s3d | highpasshold.eqg | The Serpent's Spine (TSS) | September 19, 2006 | Highpass.zip |
| oot.s3d | oceanoftears.eqg | The Buried Sea (TBS) | February 13, 2007 | |
| misty.s3d | mistythicket.eqg | The Buried Sea (TBS) | February 13, 2007 | |
| tox.s3d | toxxulia.eqg | The Buried Sea (TBS) | February 13, 2007 | Tox.zip |
| innothule.s3d | innothuleb.eqg | The Buried Sea (TBS) | February 13, 2007 | |
| steamfont.s3d | steamfontmtns.eqg | Secrets of Faydwer (SoF) | November 13, 2007 |
- highkeep was NOT replaced with highkeeppass during TSS.. i don't see highkeeppass ever being used, even on latest live?
See Also
- Zones
- Server Progression
- Category:EQLive Patch History
- Zone Files - download original zone files that may not be included on the client you're using
