‘EverQuest Legends’ Unveils Cat Race Kerran as Playable Characters for Video Game Franchise’s Reboot (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety

What the report says

Variety reported that “EverQuest Legends,” the forthcoming reboot of the long-running “EverQuest” franchise, will include the Kerran cat race as playable characters when the game launches July 28. The reveal was made Saturday during an “EverQuest Legends” panel at San Diego Comic-Con, with executive producer David “Sysyphus” Youssefi discussing the decision in an interview with the outlet ahead of the event.

According to Variety, the Kerran in the new game are being drawn from the Kerra Isle version seen in the original “EverQuest,” rather than the later moon-linked Vah Shir branch of the franchise’s lore. Youssefi said the team is updating old models with new skins and animations so the race can function as a playable option. Variety also published exclusive first-look images of the Kerran characters.

The game is being developed by first-time studio Game Jawn in collaboration with publisher Daybreak. Variety described the project as a reimagining of the 1999 massively multiplayer online game, built by developers who are longtime fans. The Kerran were not playable in the original “EverQuest,” though a related cat race became playable later, and Kerran appeared as a playable race in “EverQuest II.”

The addition matters because it signals how “EverQuest Legends” is balancing nostalgia with changes aimed at newer or more casual players. Variety reported that the reboot is designed to retain the feel of the original while adding quality-of-life updates, solo-friendly play, groups of up to four players and raids of up to eight. Youssefi characterized the project as partly preservation-focused, while also intended to make the experience more approachable.