How much longer will EQ exist?

[Vadarye]

Everquest, now celebrating a great five years, thats insane. I just recently started playing, its almost three months now so I'll be making a purchase to get a new game card here in the very near future...the amount of time I now spend playing videogames is incredible, but is it all for nothing? I love the game...I used to play Diablo II, no comparison. Everquest exceeds in every way, and is just like a whole new world.

With EQ2 coming out, will people be switching? Do you think that more expansions for EQ1 will be released? Details...let your opinion run wild.

[Jebasiz]

There's atleast one more expansion due in the fall of 2004, after that I'm really not sure. One thing I am pretty sure of is, EQ1 will be around as long as it makes Sony tons of money. I don't think we have much to worry about until atleast laste 2005 maybe early 2006. I personally am holding out for the WoW and Vanguard launch dates, and then won't really care all that much about the "eq-chatroom" pending which friends go with me. If my friends I spend most of my time with stay here, I may change my tune...but they're almost as bored as I am so I don't think that's to likely.

[Sliderfx]

I agree with Jeb. I am waiting mostly on the realease date for WoW.

[Xovian]

Yep, just waiting on WoW. Frankly eq can shove its " working as intended " ( or pick other well known stupid saying we get from SOE ) where the sun dont shine once WoW is released.

[Shadowthorne Darkbane]

EQ is going Nowhere 2 Seperate Divisions in Soe. Like Planetside and SwG, EQ and EQ2 are 2 seperate entitiies. Do you really believe they'll stop making EQ content when they just started a New continent?? Doubt it it's been a Cash cow for 5 years and will continue to be one.


Shadowthorne Darkbane
57 Human Defiler of Inorruuk
Sacred Honor
Sol Ro

[Tsulle]

Personally I've invested too Much Time in my girls to quit EQ all together, but I must say... I'm looking forward to a modern inky cleric on EQ2. (They are the cutest.)... I'll probably play both once it's released.

[Nigyl]

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if EQ1 outlives EQ2 :).

Certainly when EQ1 dies I doubt I'll be playing another MMOG for quite a while, I don't have any desire to spend years levelling up on yet another game.

[Salizarr]

Hard to say.....

EQ has been on for a long time. Everything you need to know about anything is out there somewhere. That takes the fun out of games for most people, whilst for others it's just handy information to cut down their narrow play time (myself included).

I will play WoW when it is released. If I like it, i'll just cancel EQ. If in the end it doesn't really pay up, i will just return. I bet most people out there have tried the various MMORPGs out there and have returned to EQ.
To name a few reasons why i think this happens:
- a lot of people play EQ (there is no fun in playing a mmorpg when there are no people to play with you, better off playing a single player game)
- the size of EQ is just, at this point, unbeatable and it will take time, effort and most important, players, to make the other MMORPGs get to where EQ is atm (or near it for that matter).
- humanity has something called "safety circle" and it's hard to actually leave this "circle" and step into something new, to risk things, to change, so most people just rather feel "safe" inside the "circle" than actually step aside and build a new circle....

Eventually EQ will die. As the years go by, more younger players are introduced into the market and the veteran "mmorpgers" just get tired or stop playing for one reason or another. Therefore, if EQ doesn't keep up with the coming games (EQ2 as well) it will not drive the attention of newcomers and will bore the veterans even more.

Just a bit phylosophical (sp?!?!) over here....

Sal

[KeeL187]

man i was jsut about to post a topic like this. Anyway i think EQ will be around as long as ppl are playing. I think it will have some major compotition from WoW though. I can't belive you guys though! No one is waiting for Middle Earth Online! I upgraded my computer for it!

[Rikam]

My personal guess is eq2 is gonna suck. Like SWG it is entirly different game and I am sure with how bad they messed up galaxies eq2 will be much alike. Think most people dont want to leave eq now that they have worked for years getting to be where they are just for some different zones. Personaly I was gonna play eq2 and my friend got me so wound up I renewed my eq account which had been down for a year or so just so I could get back into it now i dont want ot leave. But the next eq2 seems just all the x-factors are taken out no mroe ks no more training people cause they piss you off everything will work too well. Friend is gonna play will watch over his shoulder but doubt I'll be going over.

[Gyromite]

if UO is still going after this long, EQ has tons of life left in it. I wouldn't expect a decline for a while. 5 years is a long time for a game to sustain this many people playing, I really can't believe it.

[Antilight]

Originally posted by Xovian@Mar 16 2004, 03:39 PM
Yep, just waiting on WoW. Frankly eq can shove its " working as intended " ( or pick other well known stupid saying we get from SOE ) where the sun dont shine once WoW is released.
If you are expecting other games to be flawless, you're going to be disappointed. That is a standard for most games around. "Working as intended." or some variation. Other games can beat EQ simply by have great customer service, in my opinion. But seeing it happen isn't likely.

As someone said, folks are in a safety zone and enjoy the game (or are simply 'use' to it).


Antilight :ph34r:

[necropheliack]

Originally posted by Vadarye@Mar 16 2004, 12:39 PM
Everquest, now celebrating a great five years, thats insane. I just recently started playing, its almost three months now so I'll be making a purchase to get a new game card here in the very near future...the amount of time I now spend playing videogames is incredible, but is it all for nothing? I love the game...I used to play Diablo II, no comparison. Everquest exceeds in every way, and is just like a whole new world.

With EQ2 coming out, will people be switching? Do you think that more expansions for EQ1 will be released? Details...let your opinion run wild.
if u think eq is fun now for the veterans that been playin this game for 4 plus years back in the day it was insane how hard u had to bust ur ass just for a suit of leather eq is fun still now but in my opinion the way they made eq as it is today its been totally ruined i even go to the discord server every once in a while just so i can relive the feeling of only havein 2 continents

[Skulmar]

Kinda funny that people bad mouth SoE yet still pay them a monthly fee to play the game...

As for me, I plan on playing WoW when it comes out and might dabble in EQ2 but I doubt I will put the time in on those games that I have on EQ. I still enjoy EQ although my play time is drastically lower than it used to be.

[Jebasiz]

Kinda funny that people bad mouth SoE yet still pay them a monthly fee to play the game...


ALOT of people play EQ to maintain relationships they've built over the years, and that aspect is very crucial to the longevity of EQ. Most of those relationships had time to grow into what they are today, not because of a well thought-out, planned and maintained product. They had the time to develop due to the fact that there simply isn't anything that is enough of an improvement to justify shit-canning all the time you put into this game, yet.

[Antilight]

Dang, Jeb. That hits the nail right on the head.



Antilight :D

[Volstadd]

ALOT of people play EQ to maintain relationships they've built over the years, and that aspect is very crucial to the longevity of EQ. Most of those relationships had time to grow into what they are today, not because of a well thought-out, planned and maintained product. [/QUOTE]
Wow, and all this time I thought phones and IRL experiences are what maintain relationships :D Anyways, I have played EQ for approximately 9 months now and I must say it is very well put together. Now, that is not to say I haven't had my, "What in the (insert expletive here) is going on? Tarrew Marr is down again?!?"
moments of frustration, But in the long run I constantly "discover" new zones and mobs to fight, learn about new spells and quests (thanks in a large part to this web-site) and yes begin to develop new friendships with players online...
Now, I solo most of the time...I find it more fun (don't have to hear clerics cry for mana, or listen to inane bickering) but as I level up and find it harder to find quality exp at a good rate thus the Group becomes more appreciated.I guess what I am trying to say is that, while I am still pretty new to the game (lvl 49 in 9 months of play) I find the game very well designed, fun to play, and if you take the time to read the storyline (There's a storyline? :huh: ) it's actually a good story too!


Volstadd Lfa
Adventure Seeker of Tarrew Marr

[Jebasiz]

Volstadd,

At every expansion there's been bugged content, unfinished content, and some of the content that worked...was so poorly done, they re-re-did it through patches. The inability for them to live with mistakes, IE...manastones, insta-clicky CoS, Vulak, etc etc...is a big disappointment, and totally unacceptable imo. The banker for your monopoly game doesn't change the rules after you buy 3 hotels on boardwalk...why should SOE do the online equivalent.

I'm not sure how many of you experienced it, but when pop launched RZtW would spawn literally a hundred adds, and his AE hit I think the entire pit, maybe more. Making the enounter 3-4x harder then it is now. They changed SSRA and VT downgrading the hps of the mobs, shortening the length of the fights....that makes them trivial. Uqua (gates) was so damn hard, nobody could do anything with it...they changed it, THAT DAY it's cleared on several servers.

Petition to have an item you destroyed accidently returned, good luck if your not online for the 6hours to talk to a guide that can't really help you anyway, but will contact a gm. Have your Idol/relics eating because of a bug, or an npc not working right and get told nicely "tough shit, you need to farm 1800hitters for anoth 15hours to replace them" the list goes on.... Try calling their customer support line....you get an answering machine telling you to contact them through on-line support on the internet.

I wouldn't really call that "good planning or well maintenanced"

[Volstadd]

Originally posted by Jebasiz@Mar 25 2004, 09:02 AM
Volstadd,

At every expansion there's been bugged content, unfinished content, and some of the content that worked...was so poorly done, they re-re-did it through patches. The inability for them to live with mistakes, IE...manastones, insta-clicky CoS, Vulak, etc etc...is a big disappointment, and totally unacceptable imo. The banker for your monopoly game doesn't change the rules after you buy 3 hotels on boardwalk...why should SOE do the online equivalent.

I'm not sure how many of you experienced it, but when pop launched RZtW would spawn literally a hundred adds, and his AE hit I think the entire pit, maybe more. Making the enounter 3-4x harder then it is now. They changed SSRA and VT downgrading the hps of the mobs, shortening the length of the fights....that makes them trivial. Uqua (gates) was so damn hard, nobody could do anything with it...they changed it, THAT DAY it's cleared on several servers.

Petition to have an item you destroyed accidently returned, good luck if your not online for the 6hours to talk to a guide that can't really help you anyway, but will contact a gm. Have your Idol/relics eating because of a bug, or an npc not working right and get told nicely "tough shit, you need to farm 1800hitters for anoth 15hours to replace them" the list goes on.... Try calling their customer support line....you get an answering machine telling you to contact them through on-line support on the internet.

I wouldn't really call that "good planning or well maintenanced"
At every expansion there's been bugged content, unfinished content, and some of the content that worked...was so poorly done, they re-re-did it through patches.

Well of course they have bugs! That's life my friend! I mean we wouldn't have even been on Commodore 64's if we just gave in to the inevitable bugs that come with new software and hardware...as for the things that worked (albeit poorly) at least they had the sense to improve them thru patches...

The inability for them to live with mistakes, IE...manastones, insta-clicky CoS, Vulak, etc etc...is a big disappointment, and totally unacceptable imo

Well, still being 'fresh' to the game, I am not sure what those are...but I'm sorry they suck so bad :P

The banker for your monopoly game doesn't change the rules after you buy 3 hotels on boardwalk...why should SOE do the online equivalent.

No but monopoly isn't a MMPOG...certain adjustments must be made in the name of fair play to allow more players to enjoy the gaming experience....You seem to be a person of intelligence Jeb, so I am sure you understand that nothing is perfect, nor will it ever be (otherwise we would lose out on the fun we have bitching about bugs and problems)...As long as it works the majority of the time in a functioning environment for the literally millions who play EQ, and as long as it contiunes to make SoE some major bling-bling...well you don't need to be an economics major to see where this is going...

Overall, Are there things that could/should be improved? Of course! On the other hand, is EQ better maintained and more fun to play than DAoC or Anarchy Online?
You bet! the balance of jacked-up problems might be slanted to you uber lvl 65 types, but as a lvl 49 Necro, I can find little to belittle, if you will...
(although I wish my DirectX9 would work...grrrr)

Volstadd Lfa
Adventure Seeker of Tarrew Marr

[Jebasiz]

Well, still being 'fresh' to the game, I am not sure what those are

point made...