<P>At its height, the online game EverQuest boasted 430,000 players and was nicknamed "Evercrack" for its addictive qualities, becoming the yardstick for measuring the power and possibilities of immersive entertainment. This volume explores the game's ability to intertwine the real and the virtual with essays from respected writers and players in the world of gaming, as well as an interview with EverQuest creator Brad McQuaid. By approaching online gaming as a potentially endless network of creation, interaction, and competition, The EverQuest Reader sheds light on what is becoming an increasingly compelling and important phenomenon. </P>