Sony Online Entertainment has announced a free-to-play version of EverQuest II, called EverQuest II: Extended.

Extended will coexist with the full-subscription version of the game and will use a smaller web-based application. Players will be able to access all zones included in the subscription-based version of the game, including those of the expansion pack, Shadow Odyssey. Extended players will be able to purchase items and equipment.

The downsides: “Frequent” pop-up advertising suggesting you upgrade, limited economic capacity and more. You can find the details and differentiations between the free and subscribed models in the image attached to this article (click view full size image in the bottom right corner if you're having trouble reading it).

EverQuest II: Extended will go beta "on or around August 17, 2010."