Not in time for Christmas, Sony announced the release of EverQuest® Titanium, a collection of everything EQ-Classic: old skool EQ®, plus the ten expansions of The Ruins of Kunark®, The Scars of Velious®, The Shadows of Luclin®, The Planes of Power®, The Legacy of Ykesha™, Lost Dungeons of Norrath™, Gates of Discord™, Dragons of Norrath™, Omens of War™ and Depths of Darkhollow™.

Titanium can be had for the low, low price of $19.99 beginning January 11, 2006. If you have the low, low price of $19.99 available now, that’s too bad. All you can get is Platinum … the old skool EQ® plus seven expansions. If you wanted to give someone the wonders of EQ® for Christmas or other non-Christian holiday, you’re in a bit of a pickle. No coincidence that.

But that’s not all! Beginning this week, on December 15, 2005, Sony’s launching a new player vanity service: EQ® Players. Here’s the full details, but basically, you can purchase for a monthly fee any or all of the following:

EverQuest II Premium Features. The following four (4) premium features may each be purchased individually for US$0.99 per month or purchase all four (4) as a complete package for US$2.99 per month (plus taxes, if applicable):

1. Advanced Character Profiles.

2. Dynamic Item Databases and Information.

3. Advanced Guild Tools.

4. Character Screenshot/Image Storage.

EverQuest Premium Features. The following four (4) premium features may each be purchased individually for US$0.99 per month or purchase all four (4) as a complete package for US$2.99 per month (plus taxes, if applicable):

1. Advanced Character Profiles.

2. Advanced Rankings & Leaderboards.

3. Advanced Game Data.

4. Enhanced Image Gallery.

Think: Magelo, Thottbot for EQ and ImageShack combined, for $3 a month. I guess. If it works, might be worth it. You tell me when you try it — it’s free through December 29th.

Did I say that was all? No, I did not. ALSO, former EQ® players can return to Norrath for 21 days of free EQ® gaming if we sign up before January 13, 2006.

Ummm no. But thank you for the Christmas gift. Unfortunately, I didn’t get Sony anything this year as I’ve moved on to another relationship with a gaming giant.