There has been a lot of debate about the new direction taken by EQII's branding, or marketing, or whatever that group of brainstormers in charge of increasing sales is called.

"Ok, we just got hired on here. Damn, how are we going to even come close to WoW's sales?"

"We need a new cover idea. The cheesecake just isn't cutting it any more."

"Ok, out with Antonia. Now what?"

"Hey, my cousin's second wife's daughter's brother-in-law knows Drizzt Do'Urden..."

"Seriously? Cool! Let's call him!"

Of course they can't actually AFFORD Drizzt. He has good agents.


So what does a generic Dark Elf has anything to do with this expansion? The odd Tier'dal may indeed wander over to Kunark, but where is the SARNAK, or the IKSAR, or heck, the ruddy Burynai that actually populate the continent?

Even the label that says the box includes Rise of Kunark is a tiny banner across the top of the box, as if an afterthought, instead of the major achievement that it is.

My opinion? The style of this cover is derivative and mimics that of World of Warcraft. If the background had been green, it would have been even closer. I am amazed they stopped short of that. After all, it's the WoW box art that sells their game, isn't it?

I would imagine that Venril is pretty annoyed that he's not on the cover of the EverQuest II "Rise of Kunark" box. After all, it IS his continent.

If he'd untie me, I'd back him up on it.
Down with generic, derivative box art, pretty as it is.

;-)#
Brasse