A report on The Seattle Times (thanks Mycroft999 and EvilToast) headlined "Hacking of Web game EverQuest linked to local teen" has the story of a break in that allowed the perpetrator superuser access to the enormously successful MMORPG's servers. The break-in was apparently discovered because: "For reasons unexplained, the hacker sent all of the proprietary files that were hacked to a Sony executive, 'making it evident that (he) had illegally obtained the files.' Until then, Sony Online Entertainment was unaware of the extent of the intrusion." Here's a bit more from the account:

Federal agents have seized 10 computers and other computer gear from the home of a Snoqualmie teen suspected of hacking into Sony's extremely popular online game "EverQuest."

The hacking would have given him access to personal information on hundreds of thousands of players and Sony employees.

Agents also say the hacker, who was 17 at the time, was able to access the home computer of the company's vice president of product development, Brad McQuaid, and downloaded documents for an as-yet-unreleased version of the popular role-playing fantasy game.

Sony, which declined comment on the investigation, says the game is played by as many as 400,000 people worldwide and reaps more than $50 million a year in revenue.

No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed, said Deborah Hartman, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego, where Sony Online is based.

In a note unrelated to the hacking incident, but related to EverQuest, ie Magazine is reporting that Sony has plans to launch new EQ servers in Europe to provide better performance for European users, while The Station "will also roll out new translation software and new payment options for overseas customers in an attempt to entice more Europeans into playing games through the site."