October 13, 2000 7:00 pm

*Important System Configuration Announcement*. As many of you know, over the past couple of months we've made numerous enhancements to the EverQuest client. In addition to things such as new /-commands and other changes of that nature, we've enhanced the UI itself to allow moveable and resizable windows, among other things. At the same time we've been working on a brand new sound engine, and have been further concentrating on optimizing and expanding the capabilities of the EverQuest client.

For most applications, the feature set of a version of DirectX is limited to the lowest common denominator between the version that the software is compiled under, and the version running on the client. This means that though you may be running DirectX 7.0a already, and are receiving advantages associated with the more advanced code, the feature-set of DirectX used when in EverQuest is limited to version 5.2.

This limits the type and breadth of enhancements that can be made to the client. Given that we feel that EverQuest players would enjoy continuing to see new enhancements for the client, we will soon begin compiling the client under DirectX 7.0a, and implementing the feature- set available within that version. When we do this, everyone will need DirectX 7.0a (or higher) to play EverQuest.

• Better performance (Graphics and Sound)

• Gamma Correction working in D3D
• Proper Mip-Mapping in D3D
• Fixes fogging on some cards. (Some cards have no fogging at all and look pretty bad)
• Allows us to use newer interfaces to support such features as full- screen anti-aliasing, and alternate Z-buffering methods, which tend to look better.

Changing to DX7 does have a potential downside. Those using older or discontinued video or sound cards that do not have DX7 compatible drivers may need to upgrade to continue playing. However, we feel that the benefits that will come from upgrading to this newer version of DirectX outweigh the potential problems.

We plan to begin requiring DirectX7.0a when the EverQuest client is next patched, in two or three weeks. We wanted to be sure to give everyone enough time to check their version of DirectX and install the newest version. You can run DXDIAG.EXE in your Windows\System directory to check your DirectX version and get the newest version of DirectX from here if it is needed.

Please keep an eye on the patch message for further information regarding the planned implementation of DX7.

Due to some difficulties regarding the Epic Quests implemented two patches ago, the epic quests for the Monk, Wizard, and Druid will not be completable until the next patch. While we would like to have implemented updates right away for these issues, we are mid-way in our conversion to support the DirectX changes that have been announced.

We appreciate your patience.

• The EverQuest Team