A 64-bit EverQuest Client is Coming

Add this to the list of things I never would have imagined; Daybreak is talking about updating the EverQuest client and servers to 64-bit.

EverQuest in 1999

Back in 1999, when EverQuest launched, there were still a lot of 16-bit apps on Windows.  I am pretty sure InstallShield still had 16-bit libraries in its config when EverQuest shipped because I had to get a exception from Microsoft for a Win-logo certification because of them.  And it was a pain in the backside.

The EverQuest team put out a Producer’s Letter today which announced the 64-bit upgrade was coming, with a target of early 2022, after the Terror of Luclin expansion goes live and has settled in a bit.

There are some other items in the letter about events coming up, ExtraLife participation, and something about server merges.  But at its age, with all of the special servers it launches, doing an EverQuest server merge is just another part of the life of the game.

I am interested to see how the 64-bit conversion goes, whether or not it will improve performance, and if this might include an improved launcher.  Maybe this will put EverQuest on the 4Games platform, a move that EG7 said was in the works for all of their titles back in May.

Even if it doesn’t change much, having a 64-bit client is likely going to be a requirement to keep the game active in the future.  At some point Microsoft will stop supporting 32-bit apps on Windows.  I am not sure how I will play Civilization II when that happens though.  Maybe that will get a remaster by then.