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6/30/09 12:08:16 PM#51
Originally posted by Loke666 SOE never had a million players. At best EQ had 500K and SWG 250K. That's it, 750K players.
EQ had 550k during 2004 EQ2 had 300,000+ during 2004-2005 (you forgot this game) SWG had somewhere around 350,00 at its height, but settled around 250k by 2004. and that is just their big 3 which is over a million.
There was a job ad for a some job position where they boasted over a million customers. I actually read it myself a number of years ago.
How many customers do you think they have now? Why do you think that happened? |
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6/30/09 12:09:45 PM#52
The biggest and "most successful" game SOE has ever had? They are trying to copy NCSoft with having a wide range of F2P titles and P2P titles on the market to diversify and expand their over all player base. And it is working, Free Realms is very successful and a few P2P SOE games are still chugging along.
What SOE doesn't have and what NCSoft does have is games like Lineage/L2 that are huge in the East.
It's easier for Eastern games to break into the Western market, like Aion looks to do or FFXI was/is decently successful in the west... but western games breaking into the Eastern market? Only WoW has really done so. So NCSoft definitely has a clear advantage over SOE. Disclaimer: This is not a troll/flame post and is not here to promote any negative energy. Although this may be a criticism, it is not meant to offend anyone. I am sarcastic/snarky by nature. If a moderator feels the post is inappropriate, please remove it immediately before it is subject to consideration for a warning/banning. Thank you. |
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6/30/09 12:12:33 PM#53
Originally posted by Daffid011
They probably have less then 500k between SWG, EQ, and EQ2 but well over a million in Free Realms. SOE is doing fine. Disclaimer: This is not a troll/flame post and is not here to promote any negative energy. Although this may be a criticism, it is not meant to offend anyone. I am sarcastic/snarky by nature. If a moderator feels the post is inappropriate, please remove it immediately before it is subject to consideration for a warning/banning. Thank you. |
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6/30/09 12:14:01 PM#54
EQ2 isn't popular because it was made on the premise that it would be viable 5 years later on an engine that was planted in the present. Looks fine, performs terribly compared to others. Also very top heavy game. 1-70 is a ghost town. Which is too bad since I personally like it and have a rig to run it. But there are days I wonder why I keep my sub when I could be playing CoX :D PvE fantasy though its EQ2 or LotRO. EQ2 just released update 52, yes 52 free content updates, and has announced yet another exp for next year that isn't Velious grrr. Realize its split in half and all but Luclin would be awesome too ;) |
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6/30/09 12:16:52 PM#55
Originally posted by Nadia who benefits from Turbine's cash shop? except Turbine?
to be more clear Ive seen many people give Free Realms grief over having BOTH an optional monthly fee and a cash shop
Turbine's DDO is doing the same thing and its not even a new game ... People who no longer have to pay subscription fees to play DDO benefit. Free to play, see the difference? The items being sold in EQ2 cash shop would normally just be patched into the game as free content. That is a net loss for players since it is only available with an additional purchase just so soe can make more money. A wooden chair that was free in the past now costs $5 on top of their subscription, where is the benefit to the players in that?
Free realms is free to play, but obviously companies need to make money so cash shops or selling content zones is the model they use. Personally I think free realms goes way overboard with the revenue model to the point that the game suffers because of it, but time will tell if it works. It doesn't appear to be a huge success though. |
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6/30/09 12:21:31 PM#56
whether intentional or not
you dodged my statement regarding many players complain about mmos that have BOTH sub fees and a cash shop
or you are ok with Free Realms monthly sub and its cash shop? (like DDO will have)
many players believe that RMT and monthly fees do not mix both Free Realms and DDO will have optional subscriber monthly fees |
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6/30/09 12:24:55 PM#57
Originally posted by socrates656
Not that you will listen to me, as it sounds like you're a rabid fanboy. I will try to explain why I didn't stick around. - Very underpopulated. I leveled 1-60 pure solo. I tried to get groups. People don't group in a game that is easily soloed. - Housing. OK, here is a fact. Must people don't care about housing. No one even sees your house. - Every level feels like the last level. Too grindy, not enough toys. (OK, if we are just comparing it to WoW, then absolutely its the same) - Better gameplay? Better questing system? Not sure about better gameplay, but definitely better quest. - Zero PvP. With the intial succes of AoC and WAR it would seem people want a form of PvP to take away from the monotony of PvE. - Game lore and books. OK, I will give you EQ2 has more. - Don't know what you mean by better achievements than WoW. I thought you meant the AA's, but then you say talents in your next point. EQ2 does have a superb AA system. - Like someone else said, and I'm guilty of it. I expected a game very similar to EQ. Instead I think its a very watered down, generic RPG.
All in all I found EQ2 to be lacking challenge. Now mind you, I don't play WoW much, either(EQ2 is about as challenging as picking my nose, WoW about as challenging as tying my shoes). I mostly play WoW when I want to PvP. No other game has the casual style of PvP as WOW does(the ability to get into the action ASAP via BGs). WAR did until it became a ghost town, and the scenarios took 1-24 hours depending on time and tier(Gee, why didn't they have battlegroups like WoW? I'd probably still be subscribed.). I think people play WoW more than EQ2, because in WoW there are tons of people playing. Go into any capital in WoW, and I see more people there than EQ2 has on an entire server. They are both pretty dull PvE games, imo. |
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6/30/09 12:43:15 PM#58
Originally posted by Nadia Sorry, I didn't realize that was a question looking for a response.
I don't like the concept of a subscription and a cash shop at the same time in principle. Free realms subscription is more like renting items from the cash shop I guess. Classes, quests and such. I think it would be better off not being a subscription, but rather a set of content purchases. Flat out buy the extra classes, zones or whatever. Overall I don't like it, but I'm keeping an open mind right now to see how it works. Like I said above, I think the revenue model(s) have been the driving factor in the games design direction which hurts that gameplay far to much. As for DDO playing in both fields it could either work or just end up being a dirty end around to add a cash shop on top of a subscription game. If the subscription option removes the desire for a cash shop completely then it might just end up being something that I thought was not possible and it could be a fine model which caters to both crowds equally. I don't know enough about how ddo is changing to be completely honest though. There is a lot of misinformation floating around so it is hard to tell right now what is happening.
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6/30/09 12:45:34 PM#59
I value your opinion so thanks for responding |
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Laughing-man
 Elite Member
Joined: 4/23/09
I thought what I'd do is I'd pretend I was one of those Deaf-mutes. |
6/30/09 12:57:53 PM#60
I tried EQ2 a few times, every time I pick it up I'm just dismayed by how "clunky" the play control feels. Especially after playing EQ1, WoW, DAOC, and Aion's beta. Pick up a copy of Lord of the Rings or EQ2 and try running in circles around a mob while you fight it, then try doing it in any other game I mentioned. I feel there is a distinct difference. |
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6/30/09 4:05:54 PM#61
Originally posted by Laughing-man
go into eq2 settings and disable autoface and remap the strafe keys to a and d and it is the same as those other games... 
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7/01/09 1:27:26 AM#62
Originally posted by ethion
go into eq2 settings and disable autoface and remap the strafe keys to a and d and it is the same as those other games...
Thing is normal people don't want to spend ages doing that and you have to customize that clucky UI aswel because it is so unplayable on default. People just want to login and have fun and if it's all horrible to play with like SWG with their bad targetting system, lack of a proper jump and the nasty UI then they just quit. Another problem is you start off in one of the many heneric starting areas and there are far too many so you often get split up. Because you and your friends have different opinions on what you wanna play as you'll probably start in a different location. My friend saw Frogs and wanted to quit right there cause he said it's the gayest thing he's ever seen, along with the Fae. They need to ditch the start Island firstly because it's not fun anymore and it's split off from the rest of the world. They need to reduce the starting areas and get rid of that dated mess, the only thing that was good about it was that boat ride and thats gone now. They need to reduce the classes so there are fewer more fun classes so you know what you want to pick. HAving that many they all feel rather watered down and you can never makeup your mind as you arn't happy with any of them and you end up quiting cause you spend all your time choosing and by the time you do you're bored. In WoW you instantly know because they keep it simple and they're all fun to play so you can start having fun right away. It just feels so generic and lonely when you start off because theres noone around and they need to merge all the servers to like two or three so they're populated. |
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7/01/09 1:38:11 AM#63
Why I quit was because, I got tired of soloing, not seeing anoyone, to group up with (same reason I quit vanguard) Its a pitty because other than the population I liked it. I am sure that at max level theres a lot to do and people to do it with. I dont play MMO's to play alone. I just couldnt force myself to grind to max level. Waiting for: FFXIV V2.0, ArcheAge,GW II |
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7/01/09 1:47:13 AM#64
Originally posted by Daffid011 Sorry, I didn't realize that was a question looking for a response.
I don't like the concept of a subscription and a cash shop at the same time in principle. Free realms subscription is more like renting items from the cash shop I guess. Classes, quests and such. I think it would be better off not being a subscription, but rather a set of content purchases. Flat out buy the extra classes, zones or whatever. Overall I don't like it, but I'm keeping an open mind right now to see how it works. Like I said above, I think the revenue model(s) have been the driving factor in the games design direction which hurts that gameplay far to much. As for DDO playing in both fields it could either work or just end up being a dirty end around to add a cash shop on top of a subscription game. If the subscription option removes the desire for a cash shop completely then it might just end up being something that I thought was not possible and it could be a fine model which caters to both crowds equally. I don't know enough about how ddo is changing to be completely honest though. There is a lot of misinformation floating around so it is hard to tell right now what is happening.
You do realize that the cash shop for EQ2 is Pure fluff and completly optional. Its for people that wanna spend 10 extra bucks so they can wear a shiny suit of plate, which is cool, but places like lavastorm have better appearance armors. Don't like it then don't spend any money in it, not playing a game cause of something you dont even have to do is about the dumbest thing i have ever heard, thats like saying i dont buy cars cause i dont like goodyear tires |
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7/01/09 3:21:52 AM#65
Originally posted by toddze
I don't think you will find any game that isn't free to play and has been out for awhile that won't have a very small newbie population. That said however you missed out on one of the thing that really sets EQ2 apart from the rest of the games out there. Thats the ability for a higher level person to mentor you. You will never have to worry about grouping in eq2 because of mentoring. Now when you are in thundering steps you aren't gonna see people hanging around waiting to group with you nore will you get much reaction if you have your lfg tag on. but if you go to a dungeon say stormhold and say in the 1-9 chat channel that you want to form a group to do that dungeon chances are you will get a group pretty quickly assuming it isn't some weird middle of the night hour... Even better if you join a guild people will always be around to help you out. this is in my opinion the one feature in eq2 that really beats out the competion hands down!!
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7/01/09 3:40:38 AM#66
Originally posted by John.A.Zoid
Thing is normal people don't want to spend ages doing that and you have to customize that clucky UI aswel because it is so unplayable on default. People just want to login and have fun and if it's all horrible to play with like SWG with their bad targetting system, lack of a proper jump and the nasty UI then they just quit. Another problem is you start off in one of the many heneric starting areas and there are far too many so you often get split up. Because you and your friends have different opinions on what you wanna play as you'll probably start in a different location. My friend saw Frogs and wanted to quit right there cause he said it's the gayest thing he's ever seen, along with the Fae. They need to ditch the start Island firstly because it's not fun anymore and it's split off from the rest of the world. They need to reduce the starting areas and get rid of that dated mess, the only thing that was good about it was that boat ride and thats gone now. They need to reduce the classes so there are fewer more fun classes so you know what you want to pick. HAving that many they all feel rather watered down and you can never makeup your mind as you arn't happy with any of them and you end up quiting cause you spend all your time choosing and by the time you do you're bored. In WoW you instantly know because they keep it simple and they're all fun to play so you can start having fun right away. It just feels so generic and lonely when you start off because theres noone around and they need to merge all the servers to like two or three so they're populated.
Well I'm gonna suggest to you that the default operation of the UI is a matter of opinion. Personally I like the default settings. I hate games that have the strafe keys on a & d and always remap it to q and e. I guess thats because all the games I've played have been that way be default... I also kinda like the autofacing thing although it is sometimes confusing as it does some strange straffing things sometimes. Yes the different starting areas does make it hard for new players who want to get together. It is confusing how to get around in the world for a new player. However, the first 20 levels are really very fast and by the time you finish them you are in a major city area where getting around becomes more easy due to docks & teleports. None the less I agree with you it can be hard to meet up. I'm not even sure the starting island still exist... In any event starting in kunark or the fae area is probably the best choice. There are still boat rides in the game if you like them :) They just replaced some of them with teleports for common areas so in most cases boat rides are optional or good for the first time you go somewhere. There aren't as many classes as it seems. The good and evil versions of classes tend to be similar and you can switch back and forth if you don't like the one you are playing. So basically you have a cleric, mystic, druid, bard, rogue, preditor, mage, conjurer, enchanter, warrior, monk, and paladin/shadow knight. or 3 healers, 3 scouts, 3 tanks, 3 casters. I guess you could call that complicated but many people like the variety. There are actually quite a lot of people on the servers. But in the starting areas it takes like 3-4 hours to lvl 1-20 solo. there are like 4-5 starting areas. So really how many people do you think you would see in this level range?? Unless the game is new and there are masses of new people you just aren't gonna see many people. And I gotta say the guild halls really cleaned out a lot of the population that you might have seen in the cities. Now days your guild hall is where people hang out. I mean the guild hall has everything and more then a city and more convenient too. In my guild there is almost always 2-3 people minimum in the guild crafting/marketing area.. But this is one area that SoE is trying to address in an update coming in Feb. They will be adding a new starting area but what will make this new area more populated is that it will be a free trial download area. Today if you trial the game you end up downloading the entire game. This new trial will just be the halas city and starting areas. So it should be a more populated area and it will be very polished. But your points are generally good ones. It is what it is and I'm always checking out other games. About the only games I find good pops in starting areas are small games that are generally free to play. If you know a good PvE oriented game that has a good pop in starting areas and is a good game I'd love to try it :)
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7/01/09 3:44:56 AM#67
Originally posted by parrotpholk
Yes....this. I have a lvl 64 wizard/provisioner and a 48 troubador sitting on Everfrost. I LOVED EQ2....I really did. The crafting was so far above and beyond other games. And I really really miss my house in Qeynos. However....I no longer have the TIME it would take to SOLO those characters to max level. This isn't WoW we're talking about here and playing EQ2 casually definitely doesn't have very speedy results. Not that I think leveling is of utmost importance in a game, it's not. But my guildmates, since I quit EQ2, have of course continued on and the last time I TRIED to go back to it....no one is really interested in helping you run heritage quests and instances that are too low for them. For me....it's all really a matter of time constraints and the fact that I have now bonded with people in another game and enjoy playing with THEM.
President of The Marvelously Meowhead Fan Club |
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7/01/09 8:28:49 AM#68
Originally posted by syllvenwood
First of all station cash did not chase me away from eq2 . This thread is about why more people don't play and station cash (specifically how it shows soe to disregard its players opinions) is part of that reason. Like it or not. Second, that shiny suit of armor would be a free reward from a quest if station cash didn't exist. I don't care how much you want to downplay the effect it has on game balance, the fact is that the devs took content your subscription dollar paid for and instead of adding to your gaming experience, they put it up for sale. Why pay $10 for something that used to be an in game goal? Don't act like soe is doing players a favor with this move. Third, if you think station cash will stop there you are sadly mistaken. |
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7/01/09 1:49:27 PM#69
The simple but sad truth about the cash shop is that SOE used its own playerbase as beta testers for it with EQ and EQ2 |
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7/01/09 1:51:20 PM#70
Originally posted by daeath
This is why I'm hesitant to start EQ2, seems great, had a lot of fun in the free trial, but I'm 5 years behind.... still might though....
They've made it so easy to level now that you could get to 80 in about a month and a half if you play an average amount. 
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7/01/09 4:19:38 PM#71
WHY? because pvp is crap on eq2 u spend most of the time chasing people down to kill them seemed like the whole game was filled with cakers. Then theres the stupid zone hoping bullcrap. as far pve goes ive played eq1 and it just cant compare to epic feel eq1 gave. |
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7/01/09 4:26:10 PM#72
How come every game that didn't make it has the couple people who do like it saying "Why isn't there more people playing this game??" There are tons of these threads for Vanguard too.
The reason is simple, most people didn't find EQ2 fun or worth trying. I enjoyed EQ a bit, although for me it was the least enjoyable of the main big 3 (UO, AC, EQ). So I did pick up EQ2 a little while after it was out. At first it was annoying because I just never saw another player anywhere. Not in town, not in dungeons, not on the landscape. So right there my interest goes down. I don't need a crowded filled world but I'd like to see and interact with some folks. Even all of the chat was empty.
The it was just super grindy, which I don't always mind but for some reason in this case I did. The combat seemed uninteresting and the whole game seemed uninteresting to me, so I played for my free time and never tried it again.
The truth is that if you love a game that has a smaller population you have to take it upon yourself, and encourage your friends, to help it grow. Hang out in newbie areas and make new players feel welcome while giving them a hand, teach them the ropes. Spread the word and send invites on different forums for helping new people in the world and having an open guild where you take them all in.
Luckily I still like AC and I feel the players do a good job of that. Everytime a new or returning player comes back people give him all the help in the world, give him some nice gear, help him find stuff and go on quests. That in turn makes him stay and helps the population grow. |
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7/01/09 4:43:24 PM#73
Originally posted by socrates656 2 reason full of graphic issue and its like vanguard they arent corrected ,they just ignore bug and restart server check this, gw is what 4 year old and the graphic engine age very nicelly it would be worth it to put a new graphic engine or update some stuff check wow they add new graphic toy every major update same with gw ,when there is a flaw in one area that makes you think theres 64 memory leak in the game its time to verify the game from A to Zand if some area need new program because error were made 5 years ago they need to be corrected ,no mather how many time you restart server it wont just go away lol if at least it was runing on the system that can run silkroad it cannot run on computer that can run silkroad gees its a ressource hog it take the same ressource as lotr and the only way this game could get more player is if it went f2p store based system like a lot of aging game do witch im sorry to say works ,why? those game would die anyways check ddo they ll support both system and it will add lot player that wouldnt have wanted to ever test the 14 day trial and most will probably buy lot of ingame item i bet when wow is on its death bed they ll support both f2p and p2p |
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Hmm Now I know why I question why I am a part of this pathetic race of human beings. Ok first of all. Im not a fanboi of EQ2 i just think its alot better then most of the MMO's now a days. Im surpised more people don't play it. Alot of you people are extreamly ignorant on here it seems, and seem to judge/argue with one another like a bunch of 4 year olds not even knowing them or the games they have played. Some of you people really need to seriously stay on your medication, I wasn't trying to offend anyone I was just stating my opinion.. holy shit. I have played many MMO's over the past 10 years, and I'm not an everquest fan, I'm not a fan of any MMO's. I'm surprised that people would rather play WoW a linear type of game, over everquest 2 that has more deversity too it. Most of the responses I have read on here is just because you are all still butt hurt over what happind in Starwars Galaxies. Thats understandable, because I was there too when the new NGE ruined the game and I was mad about it, but you don't see me still crying about it? I mean what? it happind like 4 years ago get over it lol. Yeah I don't like SOE eather, but I'm not talking about SOE I'm talking about Everquest 2 I couldn't give 2 shits what SOE DO in there free time they can go wack off in the corner for all i care I'm talking about Everquest 2 as it is NOW. Not what it was 4 years ago. Yeah it had a bad launch just like WoW did. Just because a game has a bad launch dosn't mean it's a bad game. You people seem to focus so much on the past rather then the actual game as it is now. EQ2 is alot better and has more to offer then most of the MMO's on the market right now PVE wise. PVP wise though it is lacking. Perhaps that is why it dosnt have as many players hmm? Not because of SOE or because of SWG? Does WoW suck? Yes it does, WHY? Because the game Wrath of the Lich King is easy-mode. I could play it with one arm tied behind my back. The game is an instant gratification MMO. DeathKnights? do I need to even say more? Most of the people who play WoW are eather adults who act like 14 year olds, or are 14 year olds playing it. The Everquest 2 community is 10x more mature and more polite. I have only met one person that acted very immature so far from playing EQ2 The original WoW was great, but the WoW now is garbage in my opinion. And Anyone who enjoys playing it. I feel very sorry for them, because there are so many more MMO's out there that are so much better, but if you like playing with childern, and getting a full set of legendary loot from only raiding for only 3 1/2 weeks. All the power to you. My Artwork http://tras-h.deviantart.com |
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Originally posted by drbaltazar 2 reason full of graphic issue and its like vanguard they arent corrected ,they just ignore bug and restart server check this, gw is what 4 year old and the graphic engine age very nicelly it would be worth it to put a new graphic engine or update some stuff check wow they add new graphic toy every major update same with gw ,when there is a flaw in one area that makes you think theres 64 memory leak in the game its time to verify the game from A to Zand if some area need new program because error were made 5 years ago they need to be corrected ,no mather how many time you restart server it wont just go away lol if at least it was runing on the system that can run silkroad it cannot run on computer that can run silkroad gees its a ressource hog it take the same ressource as lotr and the only way this game could get more player is if it went f2p store based system like a lot of aging game do witch im sorry to say works ,why? those game would die anyways check ddo they ll support both system and it will add lot player that wouldnt have wanted to ever test the 14 day trial and most will probably buy lot of ingame item i bet when wow is on its death bed they ll support both f2p and p2p Hey man I don't want to sound like a dick here or anything, but you need to take a english course in your spelling and puncuation. Most of your sentences don't make any sence at all. My Artwork http://tras-h.deviantart.com |
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