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Jose Araiza answers some questions on the launch of The Serpent Spine The Serpent's Spine ilaunched not too long ago and we follow up on that launch with five questions answered by Jose Araiza, the Project Manager over at SOE. |
| MMORPG.com: | This expansion also includes a new race, the Drakkin and basically, with new race and new content path to level 75, invites new players to try out EQ. Have you seen an upswing in new subscribers or much re-activation of dormant accounts? |
| Jose Araiza: | Yes, we actually started seeing this upswing when we launched the Progression Server. That was the start, and it seems The Serpent's Spine continued the trend because of what you just mentioned. I also think the new changes to downtime had some part to play in this. |
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| MMORPG.com: | Would you say that with all the improvements that the barrier to entry to EQ has been lowered over the years? i.e. It's easier for newcomers to the game to learn how to play it / less of a time-sink? |
| Jose Araiza: | I personally think there's no better time to enter the world of Norrath. I think in the past, the enormous amount of content the game has was a little intimidating to people. That can be scary, especially if you come from more linear games where you don't have multiple choices or what to do next, or where to go hunt. I think that scares me, not necessarily all the options, but to think you may pick the wrong one... But, now, with The Serpent's Spine, a new player has a very focused progression path that provides new and exciting content. You can in fact go from level 1 to level 75 without ever leaving The Serpents spine Mountains. Now, mind you, the rest of the world is still there, so you don't have to JUST stay in The Serpents spine Mountains, but for those new to the game, I think this focused progression path takes away some of the entry barrier stress. And of course, there are the changes to the death system and overall playing downtime. Between this and The Serpent's Spine I really think new and returning players find EQ is the most fun it's been in a while. |
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| MMORPG.com: | Where are you with the new cultural system. Can you give us some details yet? |
| Jose Araiza: | It's going to happen for sure... I can't really give an exact date since we have other things on our plate. Hopefully sometime soon. |
| MMORPG.com: | Which is your favorite zone of this expansion? What levels was it designed for? |
| Jose Araiza: | That's a tough question... I can't just pick one because we really covered a lot of ground (no pun) with the zones in this expansion. I think a few of my favorites would be Crescent Reach because it's the starting city, and then Stonehive because of its look which is unlike most dungeons (level 35+) |
| MMORPG.com: | What would you say you were most excited about in this expansion? |
| Jose Araiza: | Launching it! Seriously though, now that we have launched, I look back and it's a little scary to think we were able to include everything we wanted into The Serpent's Spine. Aside from the new character creation screen, the huge amount of content, there was the new stating city for all races, and the level increase, oh yeah, and a new player race with a brand new player character / armor system... Oh yeah, and the changes to the downtime systems. See? Seeing everything come together thanks to all the hard work / late nights the team put it was the most exciting thing. |
| ESRB:T
;)
I am almost tempted to try this game again...
Ditto.
Too bad I'm dirt poor and trying to finish college.
I am having a lot of fun with the new expansion, myself. It's the first one in a good while that hasn't been focused exclusively on high level content, so there's a lot for all my lowbies to check out, as well as keeping my highest level character busy too. I've been playing a new drakkin character as well, and I've been pleased with the race and the quests in the new city. I certainly feel like it was worth the money, which is more than I can say about some other expansions that I bought along the way.
One of the downsides is that the new city is on three levels connected by elevators, and the dragons are all up in this structure that you have to take an elevator to get to, and if lag hits you on the elevator, you're very likely to fall through. That's not really a big deal for a level 71 SK, but it killed my little level 2 cleric. (LOL)
Boats haven't yet made their comeback either. That was supposed to be in the expansion, but it isn't in yet. They say the boats will be in when they finish the revamp of Ocean of Tears. Maybe that's something to bug them about in the next interview.
No no no no NO!
Never again raiding will I bear! Don't even think about it!
Cutting down in the gameplay I enjoy in the past in order to make sure new players/returning players hit the raiding wall all the faster?
Suddenly, I grow un-bored with CoV! Yar! Magical unboring setting. Thanks guys!
No no no no no NO! Never again raiding will I bear!
I can recommend it. And the new expansion even includes the trilogy game, so don't even need any other version of EQ.
The trial at www.escapetonorrath.com is pretty close in quality to TSS, if you like the trial you'll like TSS.
DIE!
DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!
I too am tempted to rejoin the EQ ranks, it was always a good game with a great community. I am hesitant because SOE's customer service mostly seemed slanted towards shoving-away the customer instead of helping, one reason I am now concerned with the future Vanguard:SoH game. Other reasons too of course: EQ is an aged game, it is raid-orientated instead of casual player, there are other more customer friendly games available, other future games becoming available, not as much fun rejoining a game from the beginning ... "progression" or not, & etc.
Per content EQ is probably the best value game on the market besides maybe the subscription-free games. It is a LOT of content too! Purchase a EQ: Titanium, then Prophecy of Ro & Serpent's Spine to have all the content up-to-date. However this is the mystery in a puzzle wrapped-up inside an enigma. When I quit EQ, during the Depths of Darkhollow launch, the majority of players, it seemed, NEVER got to see the majority of content. Especially the higher tiered. SOE needs to address this issue that allows casual players too in experiencing the higher-level older content, let us appreciate all the graphical scenery too! That was probably the biggest reason I quit EQ. Legends server had allowed this but for a premium price till SOE abruptly closed this option. As a casual player, I realized certain content I would not be able to achieve unless I joined a big guild requiring raiding more of the playing time which requires more playing time.
Congratulations upon the Serpent's Spine launch, i understand it was a digital download only though so that makes me wonder if SOE felt very confident with the expansion since no retail version. The new Drakkins seem interesting & I understand SOE is attempting to ease the fledging experience of EQ by a few methods. I think anyone that has ever played EQ for an enduring amount of time always keeps it in mind, because it is/was that good of a game. Still seems though, for a brand new player to enter EQ now is a daunting task which unless a professional player &/or multiple account player would be futile. Heck, SOE with it's "class re-envisioning" announcement never was completed after the trifle first part which reminds me I wish a "History of the World Part 2" movie would be done as well.
Overall, EQ is a good game if you have been already playing it. For brand new players I am sure it is tempting, EQ always is, but weigh your investment that would be needed. For returning players, the nostalgia might be enough, but then again there was a reason you & many other customers of EQ have quit over the last couple of years. Good luck.
A former "parched" Monk
Everquest is just sooooo old!
/Sarcasm off
Spiritglow
If you are not in a BIG guild where you constantly raid and update your gear. you start to strugle on some point. been not even able to find groups, becouse your gear sux.
But then i guess its marketing to release new expansion make a few bucks with them, and nerf the older expansion so players go buy the new expansion, what increases the sales again.
Example, PoR (dain mm) befor TSS you got about 1% AA per mission, after TTS launch you get 85% - 91%. Happen with all other expansion befor, LoDn, DoD etc. etc.
So in my point of view SOE tries to make sure that you forced to buy the new expansion if you want to keep on track. And this pretty sad. If you are a casual player EQ is still nothing for you, becouse you can't keep up with the crowd.
The content, game play, ambiance of EQ is great. SOE just missed the way to keep it great.
sad sad sad.
Spiritglow
a long time... and it is so much better.
Okay so boredom with WoW and EQ coming out with a new race that looked interesting sparked my interest into going back to it.
Amazingly enough, I even got a couple of my friends from WoW to join with me. They find EQ more challenging and the Quest line entertaining. I would have to say that the newbie zones are so much better laid out then when I started the game the first time April 99.
I'm enjoying EQ again. Even reactivated my alt account. Yes, I'm waiting for Vanguard, but this is a nice distraction
I did want to mention that I have been able to do a ton of quests by myself. Tradeskills are still tedious but the components actually drop, plus you can always do the trade quests to start you off.