Well I certainly hope you received constructive criticism from players and didn't just trust the word of those players who believe that SOE can do no wrong. There are those to whom SOE is a God of sorts and are complete unwilling (or unable) to acknowledge that neither SOE or EQ2 is perfect. SOE has made many promises about EQ2 which they have not kept. When this game was first released, the players were made grand promises of 4-5 adventure packs (small 2-3 zone expansions based on the lore of the game) and 2-3 full expansion per year with the level cap reaching 100 in just a couple of years. Here we are 4 years later with a total of 4 (or maybe 5) adventure packs, a few revamped zones and 4 expansions. The level cap goes up every 2 years, but the content of the expansions only takes a few months to complete and to max out your level. Therefore you are left with the choice of starting an alt and playing it, being bored with the game until the next expansion comes out in 6 months OR go play another game (which appears to be the favorite choice of player right now) which makes for low server populations which causes other concerns, like grouping and raiding)

I don't know if you have been told, but a few months back SOE introduced the long awaited "epic" weapons into the game. Supposedly the best and hardest weapons to obtain in the game. Players were assured by SOE that NO ONE would be given any clues to the whereabouts of quest starting points or strats on completing the quests. As it turns out, certain developers who were also members of a guild named Ne Plus Ultra on Guk Server and gave their guild inside information of how to complete these quests. They completed these quest in 4 (YES FOUR) days. They cheated to get a world wide first. Other players on all servers DEMANDED the heads of the developers who gave out the info....SOE remained silent and to this day, it appears that not only are those developers still employed by SOE, they still work on the EQ2 project and at least one is still in Ni Plus Ultra....So in essence, SOE has condoned cheating in EQ2..

Now, everyone knows about RMT (Real Money Transfer) that is selling in game items and coin for real life money...Most honest players would never do such a thing, opting for actually EARNING their gear and coin in game. For the longest time SOE frowned on such a practice, even banning accounts that were caught selling items, and shutting down some EBAYesque sites that were promoting these sales....Then a funny thing happened. SOE realized that they could turn a profit from RMT without actually calling it RMT...hence the LoN card game was developed. Essentially you can get these cards in 2 ways...you can loot them and use them or sell them for in game coin OR you can go to the station store and BUY them for REAL MONEY...there is a chance with every card to win an in game item....So essentially, the more cards you have (or buy) the greater you chance of getting an in game item...SO it's almost exactly the same as just going to one of the online auctions and buying the item with real life money....With SOE making a profit from the sale of course...

Now I know I will get flamed for posting this, people will tell you not to listen to me, that everything I have posted here is a pack of lies and some will try to justify SOEs action (or inaction). I like to refer to these people as bootlickers....some call them fanbois....for these people SOE can do nothing wrong...Some will say there is cheating and RMT in ALL MMO games, which might be true, BUT we aren't talking about those games, and because someone else does it, doesn't justify it...

Just be sure you know both sides of the story before you decide to become a hard core EQ2 player. From my standpoint (I have been playing SOE games for 10 years and MMOs and MUDs for many more than that) EQ2 is in decline. Every year  several other game developing companies release new titles to compete with SOE and every year more and more of SOEs player base is chipped away...New players for EQ2 are far fewer than those who leave (if this wasn't true the server populations wouldn't keep declining). Many people have become disenchanted by the lazy way in which the game is being developed. New expansions are using canned, recycled content from other expansions, gear and weapon itemization is completely unbalanced and they have put little to no effort in player retention (case in point, Age of Conan was recently released. Instead of releasing a new full expansion to curb player exodus, they tried to get players who had already left to come back by giving them free expansions, while totally ignoring those who stayed loyal and didn't leave.) The game hasn't been advertised in the media since the release of the first expansion and if you go to a big box store like Best Buy or EB Games, you probably won't be able to find any EQ2 game or expansion software on their shelves...

Finally, EQ2 has become one of the easiest MMO games to play in the market. SOE has bowed to the hand holding crowd who want their games to be fast leveling, no risk, with instant gratification. There is little to no death penalty in this game, you can play just a few hours a day and level to max in just a few weeks, and you can see and do most all of the adventure content in 3-4 months. Trade skilling has become nothing more than pressing a few buttons and running to the broker to buy ingriedients. The market has dried up for most trade skill made items and only a few artisans can actually make any money with it...

Other than that, the game is just fine...Just remember, don't get caught up in the hype and what ever you do, DON'T think SOE is the beginning and end when it comes to game development. They sell a product for profit just like any other corporation. They do as little as possible to turn the greatest profit they can make. When EQ2 becomes no longer profitable, they will pull the plug on it just as if were a defective car...

Good Luck..

What is this?

Really....  what the hell is this?

They congratulate themselves for features introduced 4 years ago.  Give away guides on how to start a game, when the game has been around for 4 years now.

They introduce the less priority improvements like voicechat and the likes, insist on propaganda about the CARD GAME  instead of improving and implement real inovations and revamping the old world / finally fixing the broken AA trees.

And now we have here the EQ2  point of view of a noob??

Are this guys living on old memories or what?  Wake the hell up, if its not too late for all pagan gods sake!!!!

We need real JUICE  not this!

I am not sure how either of those two posts addressed the point of the article.

Enjoy your time in EQ2, it has a good friendly community.

Yes it is not being run as a charity.  And yes, they have probably made some mistakes.  I mean they only release expansions four times as often as Blizzard does, so obviously the development team is just spending all their time leaking info to their buddies.

And, no, I don't play EQ2 anymore.

I only did really play EQ games but i love them i think EQ2 deserves a fair chance if you don't like i you don't if you do you could at least make it the 2nd mmo you platy if you play more than one but enjoy any game you plat as long as your happy with what you get then more power to you ther only way you know is if you play it

I am in the same situation as "Ohreally", I ve been holding an active account with SoE for 8 years, and used to play EQ1, EQ2, SWG and Vanguard.
Of those above Vanguard is the one that stands as a game with potential, but too few people plays it so I left too.
At the moment I canceled my Station Pass, cause non of the games deserves my money.

Anyway coming back to EQ2 I believe that SoE doesn't understand a simple matter.........people is not stupid.
They sneaked a RMT system in the game and shove it down the throat to people who hate those things, by calling it with a nice name (LoN card game), this was actually the last straw.

In short that's whats wrong with EQ2, if SoE want to take notice good, otherwise it s their loss:

1) Last 2 expansions are absolutely crap (in particularly RoK). Too solo oriented, too super casual focused, took the challenge out of everything. The WoW transformation didn't happened I am afraid.....casual people still play WoW and people like me plays nothing....thanks to SoE.

2) LoN (Legend of Norrath) card game was an absolute disgrace. Sneaking RMT system in a game where comunity is overall against this kind of things is very dangerous indeed. Hope they scrap this shit.

3) WoWisation gone mad, I mention it early. At launch EQ2 was a nice challenging game. Then Smedley decided to go where no one else went before (apart for other 200) and try to copy WoW by transforming Eq2 in a souless  game.

4) Lack of details in the world. Most of the new zones looks bump mapped and textures are bland and boring. Generally there is a lack of details that won't allow you to immerse yourself in the world.

5) Not enough customization. I think there are only 2 models of armor for each type (Cloth, Leather, Mail and Plate), which for a 4 y/o game is pretty poor. People want to look different and look like an hero.
That s the point in developing your character in an RPG. Instead they use the expansions to produce tons of bump mapped and uninspiring new zones (see above)

Yes Age of Conan had an impact on EQ2, but mostly all the problems this game has it's due to the ineptitude of Mr Smedley & Co. for having zero vision and no business acume whatsoever.
To be honest in my experience Eq2 is the second game SoE ruined after SWG, yes in a more subtle way, but it did.
If you played it since the beginning you know what I am talking about, therefore I will be wary playing another of their game, I don't trust their way of making business at all.

One thing is for sure, I won't buy DC Universe or the Agency, it is not my kind of game and I am sure not many people will like them.
Good luck to SoE going to that route, I think it will be a big fail, watch this space.
I am only interested in a EQ3 (or whatever they want to call it) kind of game, but only if it is challenging, immersive and fun to play.........although I doubt SoE is able to produce anything that has all those attribute at once.
So I won't lose any sleep on it.


PS: And for the people who says "If you don't like don't play it", well that's exactly what's happening.......people ain't playing it.
I generally want SoE to succeed and create great games, I know they can cause they created awesome games, like EQ, SWG and EQ2.
Their problem is that they are not good in updating their games, because generally instead of improving them, they ruin it......and that's what they have to address IMO.
 

it's not as simple as don't play it if you don't like it. SOE is using this new model to develop all of their MMO games. Easy, bland and boring..and the reason they are doing it is because their players let them. They make promises the don't intend to keep, release the game that has serious potential, and instead of developing the potential they trivialize every aspect of it. In the mean time people have poured hours into character development and don't want to feel cheated of their time, so they continue to try to play the game, even though the game isn't what is used to be, and is not living up to promises made by the developer...and BAM.... instant captive audience...the ONLY way to show SOE that their "vision" isn't working is to walk away. It's a game, there is more than one, go play another if you must play MMOs. If you can pull yourself away from the keyboard, go outside, see a movie, a ball game, go to the beach...go ANYWHERE....collect rocks, collect stamps, it certainly can't be any less boring that killing the same skeleton/gnoll/orc models for 80 levels....

Originally posted by Draltar

What is this?

 Really....  what the hell is this?

 They congratulate themselves for features introduced 4 years ago.  Give away guides on how to start a game, when the game has been around for 4 years now.

 They introduce the less priority improvements like voicechat and the likes, insist on propaganda about the CARD GAME  instead of improving and implement real inovations and revamping the old world / finally fixing the broken AA trees.

 And now we have here the EQ2  point of view of a noob??

 Are this guys living on old memories or what?  Wake the hell up, if its not too late for all pagan gods sake!!!!

 We need real JUICE  not this!

Do something better.

Besides, such an article is good for other newbies - which are, in fact, the new blood that may revive the game.

"if you don't like it, dont play it"

Now that's a clever argument.  First of all, i used to like it, i was there at launch, i was there for almost 4 years without a break.

I even paid the monthly fee without playing for months here and there, cause i believed devs would somehow turn the game into FUN again.

The game was absolutely gorgeous and fun for the first year, my ONLY character, a Berserker, was REALLY up to his name. I really felt like a berzerker when grouped and boy was i useful in a party, wether tanking or DPSing, everyone respected my class and i felt i did a change, for a change.

Then suddenly, it all became slowly getting worse.  Washed down zones in terms of challenge, thundering steppes became a kindergarten place.  Solo content is important sure,  but taking away the challenge of almost every zone in the game was lame.

Not that i didnt solo, on the contrary, i was soloing almost 80% of the time before, but damn it was hard, but i simply LOVED it.

Then came the usual nerfs, thanks to the whines of some classes, they got what they deserved, better DPS,  but my class became more and more equal to others to a point where we didnt have anything better to offer anymore, just a gimped version of other classes.

Then was the pigeonhole system.  Only  one valid tree in my class was worth the effort, despite all the commentaries, suggestions and ideas of the player base  -  shouldnt the game be for the players instead for the purse-only?

I saw guilds falling apart, people leaving. Expansions didnt bring much in terms of creativity.

PvP  was a joke since the beginning, arenas are empty, challenges became sparse, rewards became obsolete.

The old world became a ruin of what once shined like a diamond.  I remember playing EQ2 and WOW at the same time and thinking to myself how much better the fighting system was in EQ2, how much better the community was.

Alas, it is a shadow from the past now.   The introduction of Epic weapons was the last straw for me.   Besides having  3   AA  trees,  once again they gave us  a 1h  weapon option only,  with the looks of some crafty dildo  that a 3 y.o  child  could design better.

What's worse, the stats on the supposedly "epic"  item, was simply crap for my class.   And the exodus worsened even more.

Washed down tanks betrayed to first class ones (guardians)  with almost if not equal DPS to my class.

I was faithful till the end,  played my Zerker till the end.  How many of you can say the same since 2004?

Im out for now, been out for months now.  Still look at pictures stored in a folder getting dust from past memories and remember how great this game was.

How great it was to be a Zerker in EQ2....   but not anymore.   Until  SOE   fixes this game with a 180 degree curve,  i will be out.

Ideas?  There are plenty in the forums if they listened to players.

Want mine?   I got dozens of them, not only for my class but for the game in general. Go check the EQ2 forums, i was there fighting for this game.

Each time i quit the game, i leave my personal comments to SOE.   They just dont give a damn anymore.

All i see now is old news, tutorials of playing from scratch, like if veterans didnt know how to use a stick.

This is an insult to the player base and yes, we deserve to complain cause i sure paid my bills till some months ago just to see a dream becoming a nightmare.

Originally posted by Draltar

"if you don't like it, dont play it"

 

Now that's a clever argument.  First of all, i used to like it, i was there at launch, i was there for almost 4 years without a break.

Then you liked it.

I even paid the monthly fee without playing for months here and there, cause i believed devs would somehow turn the game into FUN again.

Then you liked it.

The game was absolutely gorgeous and fun for the first year, my ONLY character, a Berserker, was REALLY up to his name. I really felt like a berzerker when grouped and boy was i useful in a party, wether tanking or DPSing, everyone respected my class and i felt i did a change, for a change.

 Would have been a good time to put it away.

Then suddenly, it all became slowly getting worse.  Washed down zones in terms of challenge, thundering steppes became a kindergarten place.  Solo content is important sure,  but taking away the challenge of almost every zone in the game was lame.

Not that i didnt solo, on the contrary, i was soloing almost 80% of the time before, but damn it was hard, but i simply LOVED it.

If you only played one class, one character, ever, then guess what? You gathered gear, levels, experience. Maybe they made somethings easier, but doesn't sound to me like you ever wanted to challenge yourself again.

 Then came the usual nerfs (SOE), thanks to the whines of some classes, they got what they deserved, better DPS,  but my class became more and more equal to others to a point where we didnt have anything better to offer anymore, just a gimped version of other classes.

Games are so much better with 34 choices, 33 of them sucking eggs.

Then was the pigeonhole system.  Only  one valid tree in my class was worth the effort, despite all the commentaries, suggestions and ideas of the player base  -  shouldnt the game be for the players instead for the purse-only?

I saw guilds falling apart, people leaving. Expansions didnt bring much in terms of creativity.

Nope. You're right. Time does this too.

PvP  was a joke since the beginning, arenas are empty, challenges became sparse, rewards became obsolete.

 

The old world became a ruin of what once shined like a diamond.  I remember playing EQ2 and WOW at the same time and thinking to myself how much better the fighting system was in EQ2, how much better the community was.

 

Alas, it is a shadow from the past now.   The introduction of Epic weapons was the last straw for me.   Besides having  3   AA  trees,  once again they gave us  a 1h  weapon option only,  with the looks of some crafty dildo  that a 3 y.o  child  could design better.

What's worse, the stats on the supposedly "epic"  item, was simply crap for my class.   And the exodus worsened even more.

 

Washed down tanks betrayed to first class ones (guardians)  with almost if not equal DPS to my class.

 

I was faithful till the end,  played my Zerker till the end.  How many of you can say the same since 2004?

Im out for now, been out for months now.  Still look at pictures stored in a folder getting dust from past memories and remember how great this game was.

 

How great it was to be a Zerker in EQ2....   but not anymore.   Until  SOE   fixes this game with a 180 degree curve,  i will be out.

Ideas?  There are plenty in the forums if they listened to players.

 

Want mine?   I got dozens of them, not only for my class but for the game in general. Go check the EQ2 forums, i was there fighting for this game.

Each time i quit the game, i leave my personal comments to SOE.   They just dont give a damn anymore.

 

All i see now is old news, tutorials of playing from scratch, like if veterans didnt know how to use a stick.

 

This is an insult to the player base and yes, we deserve to complain cause i sure paid my bills till some months ago just to see a dream becoming a nightmare.

 

I couldn't read the rest. You're tired. Find a single player game for two minuntes. Stop giving them "money for 2004" and take a break.

Originally posted by rsreston

Originally posted by Draltar

What is this?

 Really....  what the hell is this?

 They congratulate themselves for features introduced 4 years ago.  Give away guides on how to start a game, when the game has been around for 4 years now.

 They introduce the less priority improvements like voicechat and the likes, insist on propaganda about the CARD GAME  instead of improving and implement real inovations and revamping the old world / finally fixing the broken AA trees.

 And now we have here the EQ2  point of view of a noob??

 Are this guys living on old memories or what?  Wake the hell up, if its not too late for all pagan gods sake!!!!

 We need real JUICE  not this!

Do something better.

Besides, such an article is good for other newbies - which are, in fact, the new blood that may revive the game.

It's not going to happen. The ratio of people leaving versus people starting new or even returning is very high. Run through the newb zones, yes there are a few people here and there, mostly flying higher level guild tags because they are alts, not newbs...It's pretty easy to tell. Turn on level 1-9 and 10-19 chat and see how many truly newbish questions are being asked....next to none.  There are a few, but not nearly enough to revitalize the game. I am not saying it couldn't happen...if SOE would revamp the newbie zones and ADVERTISE the game I think it could draw a lot of players, particularly those from the Asian markets....but they won't spend the money....their only interest lies in making as much profit from this game while minimizing their expenses. Remember unlike the other game companies, SOEs parent Sony (remember them?) has to justify it's costs and report it's earnings to it's share holders....customers come in second place....

"I couldn't read the rest. You're tired. Find a single player game for two minuntes. Stop giving them "money for 2004" and take a break."

That's what usually happens when people dont have arguments...  aint it?

Try more lol

I wrote this article because not only was I the new EQ2 Correspondent, but I am also new to the game. I'm sure there are other players who are interested in perhaps trying this game, and I wanted to share my experience with making a character and perusing the economy for everyone.

I'm sorry you don't enjoy the game. I've been enjoying it thus far, and I'll be upgrading my trial soon.

I play it and so do my kids. yes parts are in need of change. I beta'd  and played on and off from the beginning.

Played WOW and did not like it. Hoping that WAR will spark some interest when it comes out since I haven't received a beta invite yet.

people need to be less stressed about this, this is not the wife cheating, it is a game like many others out there. Find something you like and have fun.

Great article!

I too am new to EQ2 and have been finding it very enjoyable.  I'm sorry to see there are some people who feel so personally slighted by SOE that they find it necessary to respond with massive negativity about the game in reply to an article designed for new players.  Why try to spoil new players' fun just because you feel owed something by the company?

To the negativists out there. Just admit it that EverQuest II is stil the best MMO out there.

It offers the most content, most features, most of everything what is out there in it's genre.

Next to EVE Online, but that's a different genre. A very great game too and don't forget (in reply to first negative post) that some DEV cheated a HELL LOT WORSE, with MUCH MUCH and ACTUAL impact on the game world that even made it to the headlines of popular newspapers! And guess what? That DEV is also still working at CCP. And guess what too? Subscription numbers in EVE Online are still rising.

The whole truth with EverQuest II is, is that SOE just simply cannot do anything right. There will always be people complaining.

Me too, Im with EverQuest II since the beginning back in 2004.

I remember the forums being full of whine in how hard and tedious the game was. Mounts being nearly impossible to get (only at endlevel with a tedious plat grind) and thus people complaining about spending 99% of their gametime in endless traveling! Making the leveling even more tedious then it already was.

Next to that, some zones were so ridiculous hard and thus required constant FORCED grouping, also causing massive whine on the forums. Hardly any quest was solo'able and over 50-60% of them led you into dungeons that NEEDed grouping!

Death Penalty was severe and the corpsrunning was tedious and frustrating the least to MANY!

People were leaving by the TONS because of the above! Only a few elitish hardcore players / guilds were left and the servers already started to turn into ghosttowns after the first 4-5 months.

So SOE had to do something! They had to make things easier. As the few elitish hardcore players were NOT enough to keep the game vital, healthy and affordable to run on the longterm.

These people, these Elitish Hardcore crowd living in their little dreamworld, still thinking that they are part of a vast majority seriously need to WAKE UP!

How many of the EverQuest II playerbase you think is able to do the TOP END Hardcore RAID dungeons? I know. Hardly 3 to 5% of the TOTAL playerbase!

And yet these Elitish Hardcore players think they deserve a CONSTANT attention and CONSTANT priority from SOE. And oh they make themselves heard on the forums alright. It's becoming sad!

SOE tried to focus on the TRUE MAJORITY of the playerbase. Players that ARE casual, have a RealLife too, don't have time to spend 10 hours a day in the game. Players that play the game for FUN!

Sure SOE screwed up with some things here and there in EverQuest 2 (and please leave the NGE on SWG in the past for a change and move on), but there are plenty of MMO companies that can screw things up a lot better atm. (NcSoft with Tabula Rasa, Perpetual Entertainment in General, FunCom with Age of Conan, Auran Games with Fury, Flagship with Hellgate: London and I can go on).

And the whole Legends of Norath thing. I hate it to the guts too! But guess what, I just ignore the darn cardgame and not bothered by it.

What EverQuest 2 offers today is the BEST game experience a casual gamer can get (and even the more hardcore players)!

The only TRUE problem is, that SOE knows jack jit about Marketing and just plain FAILS on properly advertising their games! And that's the REAL shame in all of this.

They only look within their country the USA, while there is a vast vast potential playerbase here in Europe that could seriously boost the game with subscriber numbers if they ever get of their lazy asses and start advertising their games here in Europe too!

EverQuest 2 is a great game!

Cheers

Originally posted by Miustus

I wrote this article because not only was I the new EQ2 Correspondent, but I am also new to the game. I'm sure there are other players who are interested in perhaps trying this game, and I wanted to share my experience with making a character and perusing the economy for everyone.

 

I'm sorry you don't enjoy the game. I've been enjoying it thus far, and I'll be upgrading my trial soon.

You wrote a one sided and very biased view of the game and it wouldn't be fair to encourage new players to try EQ2 without them knowing the full story from the eyes and opinions (after all, your article is just your opinion) of other who have been playing EQ2 and other SOE games for a long time.

EQ2 has issues, but it's not so much the game that is the problem. The game has real potential even beyond was it is today. It's SOE who refuses to maximize that potential with lazy developing and out right lies. I think it's only fair that people know up front what has transpired before they send money to a company with a history of lying to their customers....

Originally posted by ohreally

Originally posted by Miustus

I wrote this article because not only was I the new EQ2 Correspondent, but I am also new to the game. I'm sure there are other players who are interested in perhaps trying this game, and I wanted to share my experience with making a character and perusing the economy for everyone.

 I'm sorry you don't enjoy the game. I've been enjoying it thus far, and I'll be upgrading my trial soon.

 You wrote a one sided and very biased view of the game and it wouldn't be fair to encourage new players to try EQ2 without them knowing the full story from the eyes and opinions (after all, your article is just your opinion) of other who have been playing EQ2 and other SOE games for a long time.

 EQ2 has issues, but it's not so much the game that is the problem. The game has real potential even beyond was it is today. It's SOE who refuses to maximize that potential with lazy developing and out right lies. I think it's only fair that people know up front what has transpired before they send money to a company with a history of lying to their customers....

For crying out loud! He wrote an artcle from the POINT of VIEW from a NEWBIE! Of course he cannot see through all points of view!

Why don't you go back to school, read some good books from world literature, do some classes about analyzing stories, texts, learn about what it is to criticize a text based on skill writing (and why not learn something along the way) - then you might see that you're one lousy troller, whose only drive is to lay down YOUR opinions, hurt by some company, spending his time trying to drag others to the bottom of the pit you are now.

Originally posted by ohreally

Originally posted by Miustus

I wrote this article because not only was I the new EQ2 Correspondent, but I am also new to the game. I'm sure there are other players who are interested in perhaps trying this game, and I wanted to share my experience with making a character and perusing the economy for everyone.

 

I'm sorry you don't enjoy the game. I've been enjoying it thus far, and I'll be upgrading my trial soon.

 

You wrote a one sided and very biased view of the game and it wouldn't be fair to encourage new players to try EQ2 without them knowing the full story from the eyes and opinions (after all, your article is just your opinion) of other who have been playing EQ2 and other SOE games for a long time.

 

EQ2 has issues, but it's not so much the game that is the problem. The game has real potential even beyond was it is today. It's SOE who refuses to maximize that potential with lazy developing and out right lies. I think it's only fair that people know up front what has transpired before they send money to a company with a history of lying to their customers....

I didn't feel the article mislead me in any way and who are you to somehow be the watchmen for someone looking to try a new game. He wrote about his experience as a new player and passed on some good basic tips, I felt it was a good intro article and hope to see more from him.

Also it's not like Sony makes a dime from my 15day trial so if it sucks who cares all I have wasted is my own time downloading it.

Originally posted by Draltar

"I couldn't read the rest. You're tired. Find a single player game for two minuntes. Stop giving them "money for 2004" and take a break."

 

That's what usually happens when people dont have arguments...  aint it?

 

Try more lol

No, being tired of a game is what happens when *you* played it for four years with only one toon and one profession. You played the game from one dimension, and now you want them to *fix* it? You want them to somehow find it in their hearts to make you the uber class again so you don't have to re-roll a different class?

Seems to me your problem is based in your own laziness. You will not see me support SOE often, but that post was awful.

Then, you kept paying for it?

Wait a minute, the EverQuest II correspondent is just starting the game and has not even subscribed yet?

I just don't understand the logic there.

I do want the "other point of view," however.

Either send me a mail here, or email me at empireof1 at mchsi dot com if you want to express your issues with the game. I want to read what you have to say for an upcoming article.

Originally posted by ohreally

 

You wrote a one sided and very biased view of the game and it wouldn't be fair to encourage new players to try EQ2 without them knowing the full story from the eyes and opinions (after all, your article is just your opinion) of other who have been playing EQ2 and other SOE games for a long time.

 

EQ2 has issues, but it's not so much the game that is the problem. The game has real potential even beyond was it is today. It's SOE who refuses to maximize that potential with lazy developing and out right lies. I think it's only fair that people know up front what has transpired before they send money to a company with a history of lying to their customers....

And your view isnt biased? As your view on EQ2's history is YOUR biased view and not mine nor many many other current subscribers within EQ2. Also longterm vets since 2004.

Because YOU didn't like the nessessary changes SOE had to make on EQ2, there are many many other, again current subscribers within EQ2 who applauded these welcome changes and additions to the game.

The writer for this article is a NEWBIE to EverQuest 2! Hence the title of the article! So yes he writes an article about the current state of the game and his current NEWBIE experience!

No one is interested in your trolling, undermining his well written article. You are just as sad as all those SWG vets still bashing SOE in EVERY goddarn thread to date, because of the NGE update years ago!

This Anti-SOE campain has gone on far too long now and is getting beyond sad even.

After all these years we know how you all feel. We know you all want to feed The Smed to the pigs. So get over it!

Me, as one of those SWG vets who was disgruntled and disheartened by the NGE update that destroyed our beloved SWG game fed The Smed to the pigs, dogs, sharks, whatever else available, years ago and moved on!

Cheers

Originally posted by Daffid011

Wait a minute, the EverQuest II correspondent is just starting the game and has not even subscribed yet?

 

I just don't understand the logic there.

I'm coming from another game. I haven't had a chance yet to buy the game and upgrade my trial.

ohreally's post was mindnumbingly long and whiney so I'll assume you read it.

I can personally attest to most of what this very unfortunately upset shill . . er . .poster is saying.  The game is easier than launch.  There has been a bunch of new content added since launch.  Its a great way to make a profit for SOE. 

If there is a problem, it's the population.  The population took a serious hit from AoC launch.  It got so bad that I was mindboggled into canceling all of my accounts.  I hate soloing and groups were few and far between.   But I am reading now that AoC is a big pile of steaming crap.  I have played enough of these since 1999 to know that when people leave that brand new steaming pile of crap, they go back to the best games out there.  

EQ2 is still one of the best games out there.  

My one piece of advice is do stuff.  The ruleset is extremely horizontal.  There are a bazillion things you can do at every level.  Try stuff.  respec.  Go to a new zone.  This is the brilliance of EQ2. It's sheer size.  You don't get that in new games.  You get that in old decrepit games like EQ2.  

Unfortunately, I will not be joining.  I am spending more time with my family. . . .until WAR comes out anyway.  :)

Originally posted by ohreally

Well I certainly hope you received constructive criticism from players and didn't just trust the word of those players who believe that SOE can do no wrong. There are those to whom SOE is a God of sorts and are complete unwilling (or unable) to acknowledge that neither SOE or EQ2 is perfect. SOE has made many promises about EQ2 which they have not kept. When this game was first released, the players were made grand promises of 4-5 adventure packs (small 2-3 zone expansions based on the lore of the game) and 2-3 full expansion per year with the level cap reaching 100 in just a couple of years.

I don't know if you have been told, but a few months back SOE introduced the long awaited "epic" weapons into the game. Supposedly the best and hardest weapons to obtain in the game. Players were assured by SOE that NO ONE would be given any clues to the whereabouts of quest starting points or strats on completing the quests. As it turns out, certain developers who were also members of a guild named Ne Plus Ultra on Guk Server and gave their guild inside information of how to complete these quests. They completed these quest in 4 (YES FOUR) days. They cheated to get a world wide first. Other players on all servers DEMANDED the heads of the developers who gave out the info....SOE remained silent and to this day, it appears that not only are those developers still employed by SOE, they still work on the EQ2 project and at least one is still in Ni Plus Ultra....So in essence, SOE has condoned cheating in EQ2..

Answer to your first paragraph.  Yes, Sony's original vision was a 200 level cap and lots of adventure packs which would cost $5 - $10 each but they decided to do away with adventure packs and release new content/zones with each game update (FOR FREE).  Tell me, would you rather buy the adventure packs or get them for free in a game update.  I vote free but you can pay if you want to.

Answer to paragraph two.  Get a clue, Devs were feeding raid strats to Ne Plus Ultra, not quest info for epic weapons.  If you were in the global chat channels on the first day that epics were released, you would have seen how everyone was working together to get their epics.  Most NPU member did discover the Mythical version because the quest updates were in high end raid zones and they were almost the only guild clearing that content.  (there were a couple of others like Dissolution ).

Anyways... no, eq2 is not perfect but I believe it's the best/deepest fantasy mmo on the market at the moment.

It seems there is still a lot of angst for SOE and EQ2 after all this time. As for Daniel's original post, maybe a fresh look IS what's needed.

I've been a veteran of EQ2, and before it, EQ1 for a total of over 9 years. I'm very glad that the early days of EQ2 are gone as it was essentially the same game as EQ1 with some minor alterations and fresh make up. EQ1 was way too much work, and early EQ2 wasn't really any better. Yes some of the devs have made really big changes that often had more negative impact than positive. Yes, the original classes were more unique with more pronounced strengths and weaknesses.

If you really want to blame anyone for the watering down of the classes, blame the PvP kiddy core as it was cappitulation to that crowd that created the blandishments (ie it wasn't "fair" that some classes did better in  PvP than others, yadda yadda).

SOE caters to a wide age group range in it's games; from those that shouldn't be playing it at all (but their parents still let them) to some people in their retirement years. So there are always going to be people that aren't satisfied with the game and the changes made to it. That's the same with any game (if you liked the way things were done in eq1, it IS still running). I'm betting the current player demographics suggest an older player base that doesn't have time to spend 12+ hours on a single raid, or interest in endlessly grinding away on the same critters. I certainly am not interested in either of those things, and many of the people I play with appreciate being able to do a tour of Deathfist Citadel etc in a couple of hours with 4 people instead of 2 full groups in 6+ hours. They have jobs, kids, relationships, other things that take their time besides just sitting in front of a computer all day and night.

2 instrumental devs to note are Rothgar and Domino. Together they have shown a dedication to the game and players to create a great experience. Because of their efforts, I have decided to return as a subscribing member after over 2 years (essentially) of absence.

The game now is significantly different enough from the original that a fresh (and therefore largely unbiased) viewpoint could be exactly what is necessary in reviewing the current EQ2. Some of you may feel that this EQ2 is more like WoW, and others, like me, will feel that the game finally recognizes a segment of the player base that has limited time and want a game that's fun and relaxing, and not yet another thing to labor at.

Originally posted by Drakaran

It seems there is still a lot of angst for SOE and EQ2 after all this time. As for Daniel's original post, maybe a fresh look IS what's needed.

I've been a veteran of EQ2, and before it, EQ1 for a total of over 9 years. I'm very glad that the early days of EQ2 are gone as it was essentially the same game as EQ1 with some minor alterations and fresh make up. EQ1 was way too much work, and early EQ2 wasn't really any better. Yes some of the devs have made really big changes that often had more negative impact than positive. Yes, the original classes were more unique with more pronounced strengths and weaknesses.

If you really want to blame anyone for the watering down of the classes, blame the PvP kiddy core as it was cappitulation to that crowd that created the blandishments (ie it wasn't "fair" that some classes did better in  PvP than others, yadda yadda).

SOE caters to a wide age group range in it's games; from those that shouldn't be playing it at all (but their parents still let them) to some people in their retirement years. So there are always going to be people that aren't satisfied with the game and the changes made to it. That's the same with any game (if you liked the way things were done in eq1, it IS still running). I'm betting the current player demographics suggest an older player base that doesn't have time to spend 12+ hours on a single raid, or interest in endlessly grinding away on the same critters. I certainly am not interested in either of those things, and many of the people I play with appreciate being able to do a tour of Deathfist Citadel etc in a couple of hours with 4 people instead of 2 full groups in 6+ hours. They have jobs, kids, relationships, other things that take their time besides just sitting in front of a computer all day and night.

2 instrumental devs to note are Rothgar and Domino. Together they have shown a dedication to the game and players to create a great experience. Because of their efforts, I have decided to return as a subscribing member after over 2 years (essentially) of absence.

The game now is significantly different enough from the original that a fresh (and therefore largely unbiased) viewpoint could be exactly what is necessary in reviewing the current EQ2. Some of you may feel that this EQ2 is more like WoW, and others, like me, will feel that the game finally recognizes a segment of the player base that has limited time and want a game that's fun and relaxing, and not yet another thing to labor at.

Very well said. And about that troll's comparison of EQ2 to WoW. LOL! EQ2 offers so so much more and so so much more depth in gameplay, features, housing, guild features, classes, etc then WoW.

If we talk about a dumbed down MMO into the extreme with very limited features, then it's WoW.

And don't start me on Age of Conan. As that will turn out into the biggest laugh of all time. Well it already is.

Cheers

Originally posted by Guillermo197

To the negativists out there. Just admit it that EverQuest II is stil the best MMO out there.

It offers the most content, most features, most of everything what is out there in it's genre.

EverQuest 2 is a great game!

Cheers

Sorry to disappoint you, but the subscriber number tells another story.

I played this game since beta, and I can tell you that now is a totally different game than it used to be.

I respect your opinion and you are one of the few that enjoy the game as it is.......but you are not so many unfortunately.

Yes EQ2 has lots of content, but quantity doesn't equal quality.
If you read my previous post you will understand that I am against those yearly expansion which add only badly bump mapped new zones and washed up content..........all in the name of quantity.
That is what ruined EQ2 IMO.

SoE needs to stop this and enrich the huge world already has.
It needs to add more details to the world, more armor models, better questing, fix the raiding and the itemisation, making it again a group oriented game and dropping that LoN shit.

If they keep going on the ultra-casual route, this game will not last long trust me, look at SWG NGE.....they never learn..........

I'm still looking for input. Why do you really believe this game is so bad? Let me know via PM or by emailing empireof1 at mchsi dot com.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

Yes i kept paying for it, the game was FUN they it slowly went down the hill in so many aspects.

In what part of my post did you read i didnt have fun in the first years?  Why i kept playing?  I came from EQ1  and   the Everquest series still is the most rich in fantasy and roleplay elements.  Sadly SOE isnt living up to the name of the game for the past 1,5 years at least.    

1 class?   Because i never felt the need to play another, leveled alts to levels 15-20   but that's it.  Im always on the melee side of things (it is my playstyle)   and  Zerker was my choice of character since the beginning   -   a plate wearer with good DPS and chance to be a Tank.    Im not going to repeat myself  in how the game leaned towards   1 build only  for Zerkers and Guardians  -  the tank only part and Guardians  are THE  tanks in end-game   period.

Yes i was there for 4 years,  in between my job, marriage and kid, i was there not as an  "Elitish Hardcore player"   like someone here pointed out,  but as a serious casual player who sadly saw EQ2 becoming less and less rich in content, less and less caring about player base.

 

No, being tired of a game is what happens when *you* played it for four years with only one toon and one profession. You played the game from one dimension, and now you want them to *fix* it? You want them to somehow find it in their hearts to make you the uber class again so you don't have to re-roll a different class?

Seems to me your problem is based in your own laziness. You will not see me support SOE often, but that post was awful.

Then, you kept paying for it?

Originally posted by Miustus

I'm still looking for input. Why do you really believe this game is so bad? Let me know via PM or by emailing empireof1 at mchsi dot com.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

You had lots of imput, from different posts.
The game was so much better before than it is now )RoK was total crap).
Maybe the game is not so bad after all, but quite frankly if I have to play a copycat of WoW I will play the original, which is much better.
As it is the game has no market........casual players keep playing WoW, and other kind of players are not interested anymore cause it is too casual.

Bottom line is that you like it, which is good.
It is a pity that not many people share your view, in which case EQ2 would not have problems with the subscriptions (or lack of it).

Originally posted by Miustus

Originally posted by Daffid011

Wait a minute, the EverQuest II correspondent is just starting the game and has not even subscribed yet?

 

I just don't understand the logic there.

 

I'm coming from another game. I haven't had a chance yet to buy the game and upgrade my trial.

I'm curious how you got the position with no practical experience with the game?  Perhaps I just don't understand what your position is meant to do and previous experience just isn't a requirement.

My story is thus:

My original article(my "portfolio") was an article about World of Warcraft, the MMO I currectly subscribe to. It was the base for me being "hired."

When asked what game I wished to write for, I informed the Correspondent Coordinator that I wanted a new experience, something that gives me a chance to enjoy something other than WoW.

He told me that EQ2 needed someone, so I jumped at the opportunity. I don't think I got the position on my knowledge of the game as much as my writing skill. Or maybe no one else wanted the job.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

Originally posted by ste2000

Originally posted by Miustus

I'm still looking for input. Why do you really believe this game is so bad? Let me know via PM or by emailing empireof1 at mchsi dot com.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

 

You had lots of imput, from different posts.
The game was so much better before than it is now )RoK was total crap).
Maybe the game is not so bad after all, but quite frankly if I have to play a copycat of WoW I will play the original, which is much better.
As it is the game has no market........casual players keep playing WoW, and other kind of players are not interested anymore cause it is too casual.

Bottom line is that you like it, which is good.
It is a pity that not many people share your view, in which case EQ2 would not have problems with the subscriptions (or lack of it).

I wanted to speak to the people who dislike this game so much, try to delve in to see the reasons why.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

Originally posted by Miustus

Originally posted by ste2000

Originally posted by Miustus

I'm still looking for input. Why do you really believe this game is so bad? Let me know via PM or by emailing empireof1 at mchsi dot com.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

 

You had lots of imput, from different posts.
The game was so much better before than it is now )RoK was total crap).
Maybe the game is not so bad after all, but quite frankly if I have to play a copycat of WoW I will play the original, which is much better.
As it is the game has no market........casual players keep playing WoW, and other kind of players are not interested anymore cause it is too casual.

Bottom line is that you like it, which is good.
It is a pity that not many people share your view, in which case EQ2 would not have problems with the subscriptions (or lack of it).

 

I wanted to speak to the people who dislike this game so much, try to delve in to see the reasons why.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

Look let's put it nicely.

Tell me 1 reason apart the comunity, why anyone should play EQ2 over WoW  (and I am using WoW as an example because that's what SoE is trying to copy)

I am not lover of WoW, but I cannot find any single thing that EQ2 does better than WoW at the moment, whilst 4-3 years ago I could find tons of them.

The point is that SoE turned a pretty decent game into a souless wow copycat, yes some people might like it, but generally you are better off playing WoW (or other games).
And that's exactly what people is doing, unfortunately for SoE.

Picking up people like you to promote the game, and ignoring the thousands who left the game for the bad quality of the product,  is just another of SoE attempt to get more subscribers by avoiding the real issue, which is the game itself.
They did it with SWG NGE, and they are doing it with EQ2 in a more subtle way.
They really need to stop doing this.


 

Originally posted by ste2000

Originally posted by Miustus

Originally posted by ste2000

Originally posted by Miustus

I'm still looking for input. Why do you really believe this game is so bad? Let me know via PM or by emailing empireof1 at mchsi dot com.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

 

You had lots of imput, from different posts.
The game was so much better before than it is now )RoK was total crap).
Maybe the game is not so bad after all, but quite frankly if I have to play a copycat of WoW I will play the original, which is much better.
As it is the game has no market........casual players keep playing WoW, and other kind of players are not interested anymore cause it is too casual.

Bottom line is that you like it, which is good.
It is a pity that not many people share your view, in which case EQ2 would not have problems with the subscriptions (or lack of it).

 

I wanted to speak to the people who dislike this game so much, try to delve in to see the reasons why.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

Look let's put it nicely.

Tell me 1 reason apart the comunity, why anyone should play EQ2 over WoW  (and I am using WoW as an example because that's what SoE is trying to copy)

I am not lover of WoW, but I cannot find any single thing that EQ2 does better than WoW at the moment, whilst 4-3 years ago I could find tons of them.

The point is that SoE turned a pretty decent game into a souless wow copycat, yes some people might like it, but generally you are better off playing WoW (or other games).
And that's exactly what people is doing, unfortunately for SoE.

Picking up people like you to promote the game, and ignoring the thousands who left the game for the bad quality of the product,  is just another of SoE attempt to get more subscribers by avoiding the real issue, which is the game itself.
They did it with SWG NGE, and they are doing it with EQ2 in a more subtle way.
They really need to stop doing this.


 

LMAO!

EverQuest2 (together with EverQuest1) are still one of the few more hardcore fantasygames left within the MMO genre!

EverQuest2 is so so much better than WoW. Now that's what I call a soulless game. Or did you find the TBC expansion in WoW a great expansion? Don't make me laugh!

EverQuest2 offers tons more content and features and gameplay than WoW will ever have.

With the upcoming second expansion (wich took Blizzard again over 2 years) they are going to add the same ol' crap to the game AGAIN! Except for some new heroic class (Wich will start causing an outrage within PVP crybabies for sure. So I forsee the massive nerfbat swinging that direction soon after launch, dumbing it down to just another class).

So please stop your failed troll attempts. You didn't like the nessessary changes SOE had to do with EverQuest2. So be it. But don't start being moronic here in trying to prevent players from trying the game! It's just silly and really sad.

Right now, my observation is that the people who are decrying this game are a loud minority. True, I haven't experienced everything there is in Everquest 2, and it will be some time before I do, but even being in the game for a short time, I can tell a difference between this game and WoW.

Maybe I have to reach the end to find this out.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

Originally posted by Miustus

Right now, my observation is that the people who are decrying this game are a loud minority. True, I haven't experienced everything there is in Everquest 2, and it will be some time before I do, but even being in the game for a short time, I can tell a difference between this game and WoW.

 

Maybe I have to reach the end to find this out.

 

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

And that says it all my friend and makes a complete fool out of those crying trolls!

A newbie in EverQuest2 already sees the differences between WoW and EverQuest 2, while the so proclaimed old vets that are bashing here don't! Says enough to me how sad you little trolls are.

Miustus, you go play and enjoy the game! Find things out yourself, write about it and draw your own conclusions with your own experience! Ignore the trolls.

Cheers

Originally posted by Miustus

 

"Maybe I have to reach the end to find this out."

 

Not wanting to "troll" or anything,  but you hit the nail here.

Endgame is completely different from beginning and middle.  

Nevertheless,  EQ2  is still rich in content, much richer in factions, lore and fantasy than any mmorpg out there.

You will have fun for sure and perhaps in the endgame you start realizing some serious problems with design and  AA   faults.

It's not the game's fault, it had and still has potential  -  even in graphics.

Its the designers fault and lack of fresh ideas that's in stake here. 

That and realising  that   classes need    "uniqueness"  instead of  "likelyness"  -  one of the major factors that brought down the game.

These arguments are all pointless. People who hate the game are not going to convince those of us who like it to hate it, and vice versa.

Myself; well I enjoy the game despite it's flaws.

I like both WOW and EQ2

I was there at the EQ2 launch (and played EQ1 since 1999)

I didnt stay with EQ2  (or any mmo post EQ1) but I have returned to EQ2 several times

I enjoyed the article

Originally posted by Miustus

I wanted to speak to the people who dislike this game so much, try to delve in to see the reasons why.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

It will be hard to understand unless you have been on the ride for a while and have something invested in the game.  Most the the serious damage has already been done and if you weren't around it may go unnoticed or show up as things that just don't make much sense.  Once you get through a few of the changes you will start to see some of the reasons. 

For example listen to how people talk about the old game compared to each of the expansions.  The consistancy is all over the map as the game has inconsistent design direction and cohesion.  I know I'll get flamed for that, but the whole process is one of to many cooks in the kitchen.  There are/were a great group of devs who want to make a great game but are hampered by terrible time tables, unethical employees and all of them tend to get cut off at the knees by people trying to squeeze extra money out of the players/game.

Quoted from the Corrospondent

I do want the "other point of view," however.

Either send me a mail here, or email me at empireof1 at mchsi dot com if you want to express your issues with the game. I want to read what you have to say for an upcoming article. End quote

Good luck, enjoyed the read.

Also took heart to send an email of my view, I hope it is informative.

Safe Travels in lands unfamiliar and may the storm father grant you clear sky.

I think it would be better if you started a new article here, more visibily with a proper subject title.

An article about what is the players opinion about  the past  &  present of EQ2   and  suggestions to improvements.

EDIT

Originally posted by Guillermo197

Originally posted by ste2000

Originally posted by Miustus

Originally posted by ste2000

Originally posted by Miustus

I'm still looking for input. Why do you really believe this game is so bad? Let me know via PM or by emailing empireof1 at mchsi dot com.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

 

You had lots of imput, from different posts.
The game was so much better before than it is now )RoK was total crap).
Maybe the game is not so bad after all, but quite frankly if I have to play a copycat of WoW I will play the original, which is much better.
As it is the game has no market........casual players keep playing WoW, and other kind of players are not interested anymore cause it is too casual.

Bottom line is that you like it, which is good.
It is a pity that not many people share your view, in which case EQ2 would not have problems with the subscriptions (or lack of it).

 

I wanted to speak to the people who dislike this game so much, try to delve in to see the reasons why.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

 

Look let's put it nicely.

Tell me 1 reason apart the comunity, why anyone should play EQ2 over WoW  (and I am using WoW as an example because that's what SoE is trying to copy)

I am not lover of WoW, but I cannot find any single thing that EQ2 does better than WoW at the moment, whilst 4-3 years ago I could find tons of them.

The point is that SoE turned a pretty decent game into a souless wow copycat, yes some people might like it, but generally you are better off playing WoW (or other games).
And that's exactly what people is doing, unfortunately for SoE.

Picking up people like you to promote the game, and ignoring the thousands who left the game for the bad quality of the product,  is just another of SoE attempt to get more subscribers by avoiding the real issue, which is the game itself.
They did it with SWG NGE, and they are doing it with EQ2 in a more subtle way.
They really need to stop doing this.


 

 

LMAO!

EverQuest2 (together with EverQuest1) are still one of the few more hardcore fantasygames left within the MMO genre!

EverQuest2 is so so much better than WoW. Now that's what I call a soulless game. Or did you find the TBC expansion in WoW a great expansion? Don't make me laugh!

EverQuest2 offers tons more content and features and gameplay than WoW will ever have.

With the upcoming second expansion (wich took Blizzard again over 2 years) they are going to add the same ol' crap to the game AGAIN! Except for some new heroic class (Wich will start causing an outrage within PVP crybabies for sure. So I forsee the massive nerfbat swinging that direction soon after launch, dumbing it down to just another class).

So please stop your failed troll attempts. You didn't like the nessessary changes SOE had to do with EverQuest2. So be it. But don't start being moronic here in trying to prevent players from trying the game! It's just silly and really sad.

How is EQ2 anywhere near a "hardcore" game?  It is WoW with EQ's lore, a minigame attached to crafting, and less than a tenth of the playerbase.  Don't get me wrong, EQ2 is far and away SOE's best game, but it isn't a more hardcore game than WoW.

After trying EQ2 personally I've found the worst flaw with the game is the performance of the game itself or I should say lack therefor of it. The game lacks multi threaded support then furthermore lighting and shadowing are both being rendered on the cpu rather than the gpu further bottlenecking the game turning it into one big slug. When SoE claimed EQ2 was future proofed what they really meant was it's futurama proofed runs like a slurm slug. It doesn't really matter if you have a good computer or not unless you turn down the graphics the game won't run well even on good computers and even then it only runs moderately and that's on windows xp can't imagine how it is on windows vsta.

EQ2 runs fine on most modern systems and ever since they made it large memory aware it runs great on a 64bit OS with 4GB+ ram also.

I used to run it at 1650x1080 with everyone on max without issues, I would turn it down if people were gathering for an epic quest kill in an area I was running around in alot, but otherwise it's a great game.

I used to play it initially at release, being a huge EQ1 fanboi and then left for WoW due to wanting to play with my RL friends. We recently resubscribed and bought the Ruins of Kunark expansion so we'd have all the content released at our fingertips and we were quite happy with most of the changes they had made since we had been away.

I'm a fan of a harsh death penalty. It keeps the idiots in check, and I was somewhat sad they went away with the good old fashioned Corpse Run. But they did make it easier for us to get some levels, so all was well.

I've since then stopped playing it and resubscribed to CoX instead, again with the friends.

But EQ2 is a fine game in it's own right. I'm not a SOE fanboy, or even a SOE hater. Atleast they let us play with whoever you want, unlike the other games that carve a great big line between the big continents.

Originally posted by Draltar

"I couldn't read the rest. You're tired. Find a single player game for two minuntes. Stop giving them "money for 2004" and take a break."

 

That's what usually happens when people dont have arguments...  aint it?

 

Try more lol

No as much effort was put into that reply as was required, for someone coming into MMOs EQ2 offeres a fantastic ammount of gameplay and fun. And a good community , as far as I am concerned the SP is pretty good SOE overall do a good job. And please a majority of their customer base, no problems here.

I fail to take seriously nost anti SOE posters as they just tend to be bitter and twisted SWG Vets.

The statment if you don't like it ... is a bit of a throw away, but in life you can move on and get the most of life or you can like yourself hold grudges, bitternes. I would recommend moving on it is better for your general being. 

See now that interests me.

I was a SWG vet. Pre and Post-update. Combat was more interesting pre update, too many Jedis post-update.

But I haven't let that affect my feelings on Everquest 2. It's a completely different animal to me.

About the article:

Nevar's advice on race/class is top notch.  For me, this flexibility is a strength of EQ2 (perhaps a declining strength though).  Totally agree that you need to get to level 20 AT LEAST before deciding whether the class will work for you.  I personally disagree with the idea of new players shouldn't play a tank class, but understand the reasons behind the suggestion (I just wouldn't limit new players - let them take the journey of discovery, as that's much of the fun).

The idea that Transmutation (a sub-craft) is recommended to a newbie as a way of making money is, in my opinion, a bit daft. Being repeated in this article is potentially going to send other new players down a path that they really should not go until they understand the game a bit better. However, if this article had explained some of the mechanics, pointed out that levelling up to a point where money can be made is based on a RNG and that getting anywhere in the sub-craft needs a certain mindset (or a huge bank balance!) then I wouldn't have bothered commenting.  Surely when you get told something like this you should do a bit of research so that you can at least supply another link so that you and your readers have a chance to understand what it is about?  e.g. a link to here:

http://eq2.eqtraders.com/articles/article_page.php?article=g225&menustr=040000000000

"A Fury is one of the Cleric types."

Incorrect.  Use the Wiki link in the article; do some research; don't mislead the readers.

Seriously, please don't just throw quotes at the readers without checking if they are in any way accurate.

As a newbie, presumably, writing for other newbies I thought it might be sensible to include a link to the games manual.  The fact that you didn't is probably more to do with SoE's poor customer service than any oversight on your part.  The manual really should be available from the same place you download the trial, but I can only find it tucked away in the EQ2players area.  Anyway, here's a link:

http://everquest2.station.sony.com/en/manual/

"Wish me luck, and try not to kill me so much!"

Good luck, I hope you enjoy the journey.

About the game:

I loved the game when the players were the heroes; when death meant something; when crafting was  made sense and was a challenge.  That was a long, long time ago.  Now I merely like the game, but I would hesitate to recommend it to others (sad but true).

This is possibly true of all MMOs, but the one thing that I see with EQ2 is constant change.  Whether it is for the better or not is a personal opinion.  As a player, you need to understand that change is inevitable and that the time you spend building a character may not actually bring the rewards you hoped as the goal posts may have been moved (again).  e.g. Two years ago players would have recommended playing a Ranger as they were the "uber" class.  But that changed, big time.

Many will say that the changes are not "game breaking" but that really depends on your point of view.  And your patience.  And, in my case, whether you were daft enough to buy an annual subscription! (i.e. I would have left after LU9)

My concern is that the constant changes (SoE call it "balancing") to game play isn't really adding that much benefit to the game.  For example, Achievements - these were brought in as an addition to players existing skills and were, generally, considered to be "nice to have".  However, constant tweaking has meant that Achievement Points are now an absolute must.

Much of the tinkering and tweaking (balancing [shudder]) seems to be done in reaction  to what the level capped players are doing (i.e. the level 80 players) but due consideration is not, in my opinion, taken into how those changes will affect new, low-level characters.  The newbies.

Apologies, that turned into a bit of a rant.  

What I would suggest to any new player (and therefore the articles author) is to check out the advice given in the EQ2 Forums Tips, Tricks and New Players section (check the stickied threads first) as well as checking out the sections on the class(es) you decide to play.  And then use the forums as a resource, as there are a lot of helpful players out there in the community who are happy to offer advice and help.

Thanks for the critique. I take criticsm well, and I plan to take all your advice seriously in an upcoming article.

As for what a player has said to me, one has to understand that I was taking what this player said at face value. I was under the impression(and still am) that this person knows more of the game than I. Research would only have served to make the person who was gracious enough to sit down with me look like an idiot.

I'd rather be the idiot. :)

My only gripe with that forum link you posted is the fact that the stickies lack any sort of tradeskill guide. I'm now researching that.

Again, thanks for the input.

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

well HeavySigh, I got real curious with eq2i.com DID say about Fury if it wasn't a priest class since I have a Fury character in my stable.

Quote:

"A Fury is one of the Cleric types."

Incorrect.  Use the Wiki link in the article; do some research; don't mislead the readers.

Seriously, please don't just throw quotes at the readers without checking if they are in any way accurate.

In eq2i.com under Classes/Priest/Fury it says this:

"Those who seek to harness the feral and destructive forces of nature will find the Fury to be a suitable profession. Although the Fury conjures his power from nature?s ferocity and is a druid of predation and vengeance, he can play a vital support role in the party by providing magical healing and protection. The Fury can enhance his allies' physical attributes and abilities in combat, and bring down destructive forces upon his enemies." [bolded portion to emphasize Fury's role in groups]

Though that's not entirely clearly a cleric type, that's what a Fury is (even if some people would like to believe they are DPS LOL).  In fact, this is becoming a problem in some group situations that the players built their Fury for DPS instead of heals because they didn't recognize that a Fury is a healer, and in a group would be expected to HEAL and not DPS.

If you're looking for tradeskill guides, there's 2 places I'd refer to:

EQ Traders Corner

eq2.eqtraders.com

and EQ Players Tradskill Forums (listed link below)

http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/forums/show.m?forum_id=2588

it has a sticky named: FAQ and Guide Links  (listed link below)

http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=347090

At the top of this guides listed is this link: EQ2Traders Guides Page Check here first, there's too many to link!

http://eq2.eqtraders.com/articles/article_page.php?article=g5&menustr=040000000000

That link will probably give you more info than you'll ever need in how to tradeskill. Now, as far as making money in game, anything tradeskill (until rather high levels) is probably not going to realize much return. Most likely areas for generating funds are selling item drops from the critter you kill and spell/skill upgrades (adept 1 and Master 1 drops). You might also get some money from finding harvesting rares (rare components to make tradeskilling items), however, this can also be a tedious task (and probably not recommended for people that are truly new to the game.

Originally posted by Miustus

...

only gripe with that forum link you posted is the fact that the stickies lack any sort of tradeskill guide. I'm now researching that.

 ...

Thanks for the links!

“The contents of this post do not necessarily reflect the views of MMORPG.com and its management.”

you will find that most of the people responding on these forums are the butt hurt players who left and have made it their personal vendetta to try and steer the noobs away from perceived "evil called soe"

I've played the game since launch have 80 wizard and soon to be 80 paladin raid Veeshan's Peak as well as quite a few low level alts that I have fun playing and helping out new players.  

A RL friend of mine has his own little guild of alts and has new players that are new to eq2 that join him from time to time and helps them out with mentoring crafting stuff for them etc (his highest toon is 73 conjy and has an 80 carpenter)

I've played just about every major MMO since 2004 to some extent (including wow up to 63 on live server and lots of 70s on different private servers)

I enjoyed wow it has a unique feel to it and I had fun doing world PVP.  The community however was horrific.  Never met a more hateful bunch of players in my life.  There were exceptions but they were few and far between.

Bottom line, SOE haters are always going to be SOE haters.  I don't disagree that eq2 doesn't have issues but if you can find me a game that does not have issues I'll buy you dinner.  My biggest problem with eq2 is the graphics engine and how it makes use of the hardware.  I can still play it turned up decent and acceptable frame rates but it needs updating to work with SMP and DX9.  That being said those lazy developers everyone talks about are working on SMP support and refreshing the graphics engine.  They actually hired at least 1 this summer to focus on that aspect of the game.

I keep hearing about population decline but so far I've not seen anything drastic, I still have no problems finding groups at just about any level range (being on 2nd/3rd highest pop server helps I admit)  Yea when new Xpacs come out the population gets huge then falls back some but it is nowhere near as bad as games like Vanguard or Dark and Light etc.

To the OP I see you have a 12 paladin on Mistmoor I believe, I would suggest rerolling a toon on Crushbone server that has more people and I can hook you up with whatever you need.  It won't take long at all to get back to lvl 12 and I can get you a guild invite to beginner friendly guild and be glad to answer any questions you may have about the game.

Originally posted by Drakaran

"well HeavySigh, I got real curious with eq2i.com DID say about Fury if it wasn't a priest class since I have a Fury character in my stable.

Quote:

"A Fury is one of the Cleric types."

Incorrect.  Use the Wiki link in the article; do some research; don't mislead the readers.

Seriously, please don't just throw quotes at the readers without checking if they are in any way accurate.

In eq2i.com under Classes/Priest/Fury it says this:

"Those who seek to harness the feral and destructive forces of nature will find the Fury to be a suitable profession. Although the Fury conjures his power from nature?s ferocity and is a druid of predation and vengeance, he can play a vital support role in the party by providing magical healing and protection. The Fury can enhance his allies' physical attributes and abilities in combat, and bring down destructive forces upon his enemies." [bolded portion to emphasize Fury's role in groups]

Though that's not entirely clearly a cleric type, that's what a Fury is (even if some people would like to believe they are DPS LOL).  In fact, this is becoming a problem in some group situations that the players built their Fury for DPS instead of heals because they didn't recognize that a Fury is a healer, and in a group would be expected to HEAL and not DPS."

 

I never said a Fury wasn't a priest. I indicated that it wasn't a cleric.  Pop back to the EQ2i page for the Fury and read what it says against "Type" (in the class information box).  Now repeat the process on the Templar page in EQ2i.  Understand now?

Through the eyes of an EQ2 Noob :

After downloading the 2 week trial of Everquest 2, I have now become a full subscriber. Why? Cause I think the game is amazing. Ill tell you a bit about meyself, I started playing Online games in 1999 when I bought a copy of everquest. I didnt really get into it much because I was busy at university but overall I enjoyed what I had played. Then in 2001 a friend introduced me to Anarchy Online. This is where my serious online gaming started. I played Anarcy Online untill 2005, then I switched to WoW. I then played WoW for 3 years untill last week, when I decided it was time for a change. So I suppose, all the "WoW" style changes that have happened to EQ2 is an advantage for me, because WoW was a great game imo. In the eyes of a noob, I see everquest 2 as a clone of all my previous online games. The new starter area reminds me of the starter Isle in Anarchy Online, the cities remind me of WoW cities and the quests are very simalar to WoW quests (gather this, kill that mob, kill 10 of them etc). Through the eyes of a Everquest noob, these are the reasons I have decided to continue my subscription:

1 - The community in Everquest 2 is Fantastic. I play on Splitpaw European server. I remember the first time i chatted in lv 1-9 chat when i trial was over, i recived loads of welcomes and offers of help. I even had a friendly person invite me to a guild, who then showed me how to craft and made some Bags and armor for me. I have NEVER had this type of help in any other online game. One guild mamber even gave me a Platnium piece, and to a noob that made me feel like a millionare.

2 - The graphics are simply amazing. I have a very powerful computer and I am lucky to have all settings up very high. I remember standing on a hill in Antonica for the first time looking at the stars and the broken moon, fantastic. Also i love the weather effects, great!!

3 - The quests are VERY enjoyable, the in game speech brings the quests to life. Something I have never experienced in any other online game. I even found myself doing low level grey quests that offered no Xp reward, simply because I WANTED to complete them and see the end result!!

4 - The crafting system is much more in depth than any other game I have played. I found myself being able to make spells and amour from the harvested items that I had found that I could actually USE (in WoW crafting seemed like something you would do just to make money, i think I only ever wore one armor set that I made in WOW in my whole 70 levels)

5 The support is great, I got stuck in an area of South Queynos cause apparently my game didnt load the zone correctly, I logged off and 10 mins later I recived a reply from a SOE customer service employee who teleported me to a temple on the other side of the city, sorting out my problem.

So far I am very happy with the game. In a way, I do see it as a WoW clone but with much more depth and better graphics/community. Obviously some of the aspects of the game I have yet to experience such as raiding and PVP, but as a EQ2 Noob, I am very happy!!!

Marcelino

Originally posted by ohreally

it's not as simple as don't play it if you don't like it. SOE is using this new model to develop all of their MMO games. Easy, bland and boring..and the reason they are doing it is because their players let them. They make promises the don't intend to keep, release the game that has serious potential, and instead of developing the potential they trivialize every aspect of it. In the mean time people have poured hours into character development and don't want to feel cheated of their time, so they continue to try to play the game, even though the game isn't what is used to be, and is not living up to promises made by the developer...and BAM.... instant captive audience...the ONLY way to show SOE that their "vision" isn't working is to walk away. It's a game, there is more than one, go play another if you must play MMOs. If you can pull yourself away from the keyboard, go outside, see a movie, a ball game, go to the beach...go ANYWHERE....collect rocks, collect stamps, it certainly can't be any less boring that killing the same skeleton/gnoll/orc models for 80 levels....

QFT. After  years of having a blast in the early days of MMO's (including Everquest for 4 years), I found that each new "improvement" to MMO's just got less fun. There was less exploration, less meaning in your quests, less character development, just ... less of what makes an MMO a game. And it's gotten worse and worse, until now it's just incredibly disappointing to even see.

The reason wasn't that it can't be done- all the way back to Daggerfall, AI opponents were fighting like it was a real fight (and so were you), NPC's were hailing you as a friend, offering you work, brushing you off curtly, or being outright hostile to you according to what their race/class/town thought of your race/class/town/accomplishments, quests were anywhere from simple jobs for a little money to complex, convoluted stories that challenged you to figure out motivations, decipher puzzles, fight when necessary, and think all the time. 

What do we have now after almost 2 decades of "improvement"? Sparkly killing-parks for kiddies that never grew out of pubescent aggression.  Even LOTRO, my latest play, is now uninstalled- once you get past the first 20 levels, all of the neat, fun, sometimes scary quests they send you on become dumb killing errands. Kill 30 of these for a shiny sword. Kill 20 more of these for new boots. Sigh.....

So, good luck with EQ2. Every new game brings some fun at the start because it's new to you, but after awhile.... After reaching level 74 with my main char, I just absolutely could not force myself to kill one more dumb thing just standing around waiting to be killed. I just couldn't act that mindless and stupid any longer without becoming so in real life, so I had a choice to make.

So now I just play this and that while I wait for some MMO developer to build an online world that actually has a game to it. That's the only reason I come here actually, just to see if it's happened yet.

Best of luck!

Originally posted by HeavySigh

Originally posted by Drakaran

"well HeavySigh, I got real curious with eq2i.com DID say about Fury if it wasn't a priest class since I have a Fury character in my stable.

Quote:

"A Fury is one of the Cleric types."

Incorrect.  Use the Wiki link in the article; do some research; don't mislead the readers.

Seriously, please don't just throw quotes at the readers without checking if they are in any way accurate.

In eq2i.com under Classes/Priest/Fury it says this:

"Those who seek to harness the feral and destructive forces of nature will find the Fury to be a suitable profession. Although the Fury conjures his power from nature?s ferocity and is a druid of predation and vengeance, he can play a vital support role in the party by providing magical healing and protection. The Fury can enhance his allies' physical attributes and abilities in combat, and bring down destructive forces upon his enemies." [bolded portion to emphasize Fury's role in groups]

Though that's not entirely clearly a cleric type, that's what a Fury is (even if some people would like to believe they are DPS LOL).  In fact, this is becoming a problem in some group situations that the players built their Fury for DPS instead of heals because they didn't recognize that a Fury is a healer, and in a group would be expected to HEAL and not DPS."

 

I never said a Fury wasn't a priest. I indicated that it wasn't a cleric.  Pop back to the EQ2i page for the Fury and read what it says against "Type" (in the class information box).  Now repeat the process on the Templar page in EQ2i.  Understand now?

 

Just one more post. I did have some fun with my Fury, but that's because I could use Charm, and because I can play a DOT type (my main in EQ1 was a druid with Charm stats cranked up- way fun compared to the regular way to play one :). Then they nerfed the crap out of the class, and guess what- Furys are now just healers and buffers, with some moderate nukage thrown in. They're only valuable because their heals over time keep the tank's health up enough so a real healer (templar or inquisitor) doesn't lose them to a sudden rain of hits.

So eventually, no matter what you find fun to play, you will be forced into SOE's little "party line" deal where you must have the tank, must have the healers, and must have the DPS. If you don't fit that mold, say for reasons of character development or god-forbid, role playing lol, you are just an unneeded extra. And as the other guy said, now you can actually be a DETRIMENT to a group. That's how dumb SOE's games have gotten - you don't play what is easy for THEM, you will still be allowed to pay to log in, but you might not be allowed to PLAY lol.

My main class was an Illusionist, so I know all about being an amazingly powerful class (if played with skill) that is still considered superfluous until the group has a tank, healer and DPS. SOE's "balance" for this? Make some raid zones drain power so you have to let an Illusionist join your group if you want to keep your power up. Which is like only being invited to a party because you can pass for 18 and buy beer fpr your "friends". Double sigh ....