Overview
Everquest II is a beloved fantasy MMORPG (massive multiplayer online roleplaying game) first released in 2004. The dedicated and passionate fanbase—made up of veteran, returning, and new players—spend hours leveling up characters, completing quests, and raiding boss zones.
Objective
These conceptual pieces were created for the community to subtly represent their love of the game and connect with faraway friends in a tangible manner. By translating in-game moments into real-life experiences and products, the impact of Everquest II can extend beyond the digital world.
Merchandise: Something for Everyone
To best represent what a conceptual Everquest II merchandise collection would look like, items needed to cover both breadth and depth. I organized possible product options into three distinct categories and selected one item from each to focus on.
Something Interactive
Something Useable
Something Wearable
Anatomy of a Postcard
Using classic tourist postcards as inspiration, I identified recurring visual styles. It was important for the game postcards to live within the language of their real-world counterparts, so as to add nostalgia.
The Parts of the Sum
Rivervale is the first featured zone in the postcard series. Its many creatures, locations, and harvestables make it a popular leveling and harvesting zone for players.
Greetings From Rivervale
The final postcard features the iconic Rivervale from Everquest II in a classic style while showcasing the many monsters and points-of-interest unique to that zone.
Utilizing the Most Recognizable Resource
Though over 20 years old, many players have grown to love Everquest II's old-school visuals. When designing a bag, I wanted to utilize images and concepts that would be instantly recognizable to players. The strongest identifiers would be assets pulled directly from the game.
Tote Bag: Translating In-Game to Real Life
By emulating the Everquest II inventory, the experience of harvesting ("gathering") in-game can now be replicated in real life through this reusable bag.
Highlighting the Small Charms
The charm of the game is in its small—and sometimes inconsequential—details. I wanted to highlight a beloved, yet insignificant, NPC (Non-Playing Character) that has amassed a cult following.
Hat: Everquest II's Favorite Goblin
A fan-favorite NPC, the Gigglegibber Goblin Gamblin' Game Vendor is the perfect place for players to gamble away their coin. With this hat, players can now wear their favorite greedy goblin!
Moving Forward
Next up is expanding the collection to create a more cohesive representation of Everquest II. This includes extending the postcard series to feature every prominent zone found in the game, covering additional iconic characters on hats, and creating shirts to showcase the unique mechanics and lore of infamous raid bosses.