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ZAM Launches ZAM.com to Provide Largest MMO Gaming Information and Community Site

LOS ANGELES, CA – Mar. 2, 2009 - ZAM, LLC, the internet's largest community of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) gamers, today announced the launch of  www.zam.com, a new portal for general MMO gaming news, data, forums and content.  The new site will give users access to all of the properties in the ZAM family of sites: Wowhead, Thottbot, Allakhazam and MMOUI, as well as provide a single location for industry leading news, interviews and pertinent information about upcoming titles.

Allakhazam.com, the company's original site, which was the backbone for ZAM.com, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.  "I am really proud of what the site has grown up to be," said Jeff Moyer, ZAM President and founder of Allakhazam.  “ZAM.com represents the next step in the evolution of the site I founded to cater to MMO gamers.  Now, with the collection of great sites and the new portal, we are ready for the next generation of gamers and are excited about the opportunities as the industry expands.”
New features on the site will include:

  • Brand New Overall Look & Feel
  • Easier Searching and Sorting of Content
  • Easy Access to Wowhead, Thottbot, MMOUI, Online Gaming Radio
  • Complete Image Uploading System

ZAM.com is also the engine for coverage of new game releases, as well as revamping and improving the functionality for some of the classic titles.  In April, the company will launch a brand new version of its long-running EverQuest II site, which will include enhanced navigation and data. ZAM, in partnership with Sony Online Entertainment, is also offering some exclusive features, including access to auction data in a direct feed from the game.

In addition to the upcoming launch of the upgraded EverQuest II site, gamers of all tastes will still be able to obtain information on the most popular MMOs on the market. ZAM.com boasts a popular trio of World of Warcraft sites in Wowhead, Thottbot and Allakhazam that contain detailed databases and wikis of items, events, quests and more, as well as popular forums teeming with an active community of players. ZAM's other gaming sites host similar tools for MMOs such as Final Fantasy XI, Warhammer Online, EverQuest, Legends of Norrath, EverQuest Online Adventures, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Star Wars Galaxies and Dark Age of Camelot.

With so many MMOs on the market, ZAM.com helps gamers stay informed of their options by keeping track of the titles in a games list. Every game, from ones requiring paid subscriptions to those that are free-to-play or browser-based, is updated with the latest news, screenshots and media for that title. The ZAM team also provides in-depth details on games in development, from concept to testing to launch. From gaming news to databases, the updated ZAM.com is the only stop necessary for players of any title.

There is no charge to use the ZAM family of sites; however, premium subscriptions are available for $3 per month for users who want access to additional features.


About ZAM
ZAM Media operates the largest and longest running sites dedicated to information and community for the Massively Multiplayer Online gamer.  Its first site, Allakhazam.com was founded in 1996 and serves as the backbone for its community.  ZAM, LLC was formed in May of 2006 and has enjoyed success as the leader in the MMO information space.  The ZAM family of sites covers more than 250 titles, such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Warhammer and Final Fantasy XI.  ZAM strives to deliver the most engaging sites, message boards and community tools.  They are currently serving over 680 million page views a month and are enjoying almost 22 million uniques across their sites, according to January ’09, Google Analytics.  ZAM is privately owned and continues to put resources behind its content and technology initiatives to maintain its position as an innovative industry leader.  With offices in Los Angeles, the company maintains a large distributed network of contributors around the country and globe, favoring expertise and dedication above location.  The company’s  backers include Goldman Sachs and Oak Investment Partners in addition to others.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Tucson, AZ and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development.


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Tags: News
17 comments
Rated: 13
13 Threads (Search Forums)
Like the look
Posted: Mar 6th 2009 5:19pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
12 posts
Score: Decent
I like the look and yeah Zam.com is way easier to type in game and out of game. Woot! Smiley: nod
Allakhazam
Posted: Mar 4th 2009 11:49am | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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81 posts
Score: Default
I'm more of a focused reader, I'd much rather just read about the game I play myself than the other ones. Because of ZAM, I'm not sure if this means that Allakhazam is no longer going to be a site to use, or what (I may have read over it). So I think that I am just going to stick with Allakhazam. It gives me updates on anything that is relevant to my game, and I can look up any information I need. Unless ZAM offers me something that Allakhazam doesnt, then I may switch over.
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soe
Posted: Mar 4th 2009 9:12am | IP: Logged | Reply to this
4 posts
Score: Decent
remember remember the 15th of november
lies deceit and nge treachery
pre-cu ftw
Good and Bad
Posted: Mar 3rd 2009 5:19am | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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8483 posts
Score: Decent
Good: Looks great

Bad: Killed Ode [:motz:]
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My favorite bit?
Posted: Mar 3rd 2009 1:16am | IP: Logged | Reply to this
Calthine
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4335 posts
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Okay, the new front end is just total awesomeness. But in a purely selfish way...

eq2.zam.com is WAY easier not to typo in chat!!
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Skynet Mk II?
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 11:29pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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There is no 5th star.
18733 posts
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If the Zam network becomes self aware and begins a war on humanity, you think it can destroy all the FFXI people first? For the lulz, mind you.
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Posting from Hell, it's about time.
And what about EQ1?
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 11:28pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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51 posts
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Quote:
In April, the company will launch a brand new version of its long-running EverQuest II site, which will include enhanced navigation and data. ZAM, in partnership with Sony Online Entertainment, is also offering some exclusive features, including access to auction data in a direct feed from the game.


It is really offensive to the EQ1 community to support EQ2 first in this manner. Allakhazam would not be what it is today without the EQ1 community.

We keep hearing all about EQ2 stuff, what about all the EQ1 people that put you on the map?

The problem is, Sony rode the horse and beat it too hard. Instead of helping that horse get back to health, they abandoned it for a new one.

I hope you enjoy your time in bed with Sony.
And what about EQ1?
Posted: Mar 3rd 2009 10:38am | IP: Logged | Reply to this
1 post
Score: Decent
I have lurked here for years and it bothers me that the inspiration for my first post is negative, but there it is.
I started on EQ1 and went on to EQ2 only to discover the games weren’t the problem, SOE was. I avoided Vanguard because of SOE and that turned out to be a wise decision. I have been happy with WoW ever since.
SOE has only confirmed my suspicions over time, and it bothers me in the extreme that Allakhazam is now partnering with them.
I will keeping an eye out for the evolution from a remarkable fan based community web site to a marketing driven, bottom line, cattle pen of a spoon fed drivel to the masses (with shiny ads).
Allakhazam you have a precious short time to prove SOE will not steal the sole of this community, if you even care to.
And what about EQ1?
Posted: Mar 3rd 2009 12:02am | IP: Logged | Reply to this
Draknorr
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174 posts
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We're not abandoning EQ1 in anyway - we're constantly updating it, and in the near future we'll be putting quite a bit of work into it.

EQ1 and EQ2 were built completely differently and at the time of discussion with SOE it was really only possible to do these sort of things we mentioned with EQ2 due to the architecture of the game.

EQ1 will get plenty of love, just like FFXI, WoW and all of our other sites will in addition to EQ2.
easier searching
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 11:20pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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110 posts
Score: Decent
so does this mean that we will be able to include a quest mob in a search and have it find it without having to sort through all o the quest area listings to find them first? and for the EQ side of things, would we be able to do a search based on things like potion belt slots?
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Galen

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Great new look.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 10:44pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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1 post
Score: Decent
The new look of Allakhazam is a great choice, imo. Everything looks fresh and up to date, great job. Also, it's much easier to just type ZAM! :)
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Nice
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 9:09pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
6 posts
Score: Decent
Awesome! I can't wait to see how this turns out.
Exciting!
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 9:08pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
Malgayne
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294 posts
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This is a really solid site and I'm excited to be a part of all this, especially the Games List. :)

Looking forward to what's in store, guys!
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Welcome!
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 6:57pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
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To the NEW Allakhazam! :)
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Welcome!
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 7:56pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
Exciting!

I am just curious how integrated things will get with accounts and such, or will it mainly stay as it is? Will Zam replace these forums? Will I be able to log on too the other community sites with my account here? :>
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Welcome!
Posted: Mar 2nd 2009 8:22pm | IP: Logged | Reply to this
Draknorr
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Everything "ZAM" is really the Allakhazam backend. That means your account from Allakhazam works here, the forums are all tied together (same system), etc.

Really in many ways it's just some upgraded tech and a name change.

Right now there are no plans to make things so you can login to our other sites, for example, Wowhead or Thottbot, with your login here - it's very difficult from a coding perspective.

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