Trid32

I know i'm going to get flamed on my first ever post but oh well. I been playing eq2 since launch now and after this expansion i noticed something bad. When it came out pop on my server jumped up big time as to be expected. Now we are 1 month in and not only did all those that came back for the exp leave but we are losing people left and right. I see 10-15 a night saying there goodbyes, and on a server that is already the lowest pop in that game this is bad. I'm thinking this whole make more like wow approch has bitten them in the ass and was wondering if anyone else noticed this.

methulah

ZOMG FLAME!! I have to be honest, I haven't seen this, but I've seen a lot of bitching about it, compared to the amount of support this decision seems to have in public chat channels.

People often chalk it up to the "fact" that the majority like the new direction, just are too busy enjoying themselves questing to get into arguments. I don't think that's true. I think that most of the most vocal and longtime supporters of the game are mostly pissed off, and while that may be a minority, it's the single most significant and important group of people playing the game.

Like I said, I haven't seen anyone quit because of this yet. I've seen countless people whining, and saying they're thinking about it; hell, I'm almost thinking about it, but the truth is, we'll get to 80, start raiding, and shit will go back to normal. If what you're saying is true and representative of most servers, maybe just not Najena, then I just hope we don't lose too much of what makes this community, err.. interesting, in the meantime.

Gori

It was a bad idea, in my estimation, to forego long-time players in the hope of yielding a new influx of what may turn out to be fickle blood. They could just as easily made a good portion of people happy by providing equivilancy between solo questing and group grinding in terms of experience only. Then at some point they could have gone back and looked at the 70-75 heroic content in terms of reward and drop rates. As it stands group oriented people are fucked until they get high enough to start doing some of higher content.

While I do agree there should be an emphasis on making the content enjoyable for capped players (Re: Scott's comments), a game should feel enjoyable and worthwhile all along the spectrum. It does them no good to have shiny content that the group oriented people may otherwise enjoy but will never see because they quit out of sheer frustration before they ever reach that level.

Caswydian

I think a substantial chunk of the population, especially on various forums, wouldn't be happy unless they were upset with SOE. They seem incapable of actually enjoying the game.

Otis

Is it really that much of a stretch to assume that a large corporation such as SOE would look at the overwhelming success of, say, Blizzard and not try to replicate it. Do you really think SOE looks at Blizzard and thinks they're a fluke?

And if you think it isn't happening, then you can't see past your own self-interest and "it can't happen to us" attitude.

Like SOE cares about any of you.

Caswydian

For the most part, WoW is a fluke, and the success of WoW has little to do with any specific aspect of game design. Rather, WoW's success is due to 2 things:

1. A very strong presence in China, which accounts for about half their subscribers.

2. Strong social incentives to play. WoW has essentially captured a sort of social networking dynamic.

Keep in mind that many of those playing WoW have little to no prior MMO experience, so to say WoW is successful because it is easier or more solo-friendly is not a strong argument - I doubt most WoW players have any grounds on which to make a comparison.

Booniee

For me it's all about the end game. Reaching any new level cap they set will be reached in a fairly short time my most raiding types, whether it's by grinding or questing. I'm not sure it was ever that much of a challenge to reach level cap in EQ2, nor do I think it should be. The game doesn't end at level cap, it begins there.

Otis

Take it from someone who has no vested interest in the outcome of the debate either way, SOE wants a piece of that action.

Firza

And take it from anyone who knows anthing about marketing;

They won't get that piece by becoming a copy cat.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firza this one sucked.....next pls

Otis

And anyone who knows anything about business will tell you that definitely doesn't mean they aren't trying.

I could do this all day, but I won't. I don't care enough.