Heads Up - Everquest going F2P in March

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big_aug

2[H]4U
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I didn't see this posted anywhere.

After 13 yeras, EQ is finally going free to play. I actually started playing again 2 weeks ago before the announcement was made. SWToR just didn't do it for me.

The game has changed a lot and it's definitely for the better. If you ever played the game or you were ever curious about it, you owe it yourself to check it out now. Graphics are a bit dated in some areas, but others till look good. The ambience and the feeling of being in a huge world are the best in the business in my opinion. I've enjoyed exploring and finding new places to level this time around.

I'm definitley enjoying myself again, and I'll maintain a paid subscription.

I'm playing on the Xegony server. If anyone wants to start playing, PM me or something if you join Xegony.

It's not 100% free to play. There are tiers and certain things are available only to subscribers. However, you could play the game for quite a while before you would ever need to subscribe. By that point, either: 1) your really casual and it doesn't matter 2) you like the game and scubscribe or 3) you don't like the game and are out nothing.

I recommend giving it a shot.
 
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I think I will give this a try for nostalgia. First MMORPG I played. Never got really far because I kept switching classes/races and restarting :p
 
Even though I got a bit further in, it was a similar scenario for me.

It was my first MMORPG and I just didn't have any idea what I was doing. Hell, I was about 13 at the time (wow). Now that I've got a much better understanding things, its a lot more enjoyable.

There's just so much content that it's ridiculous. I've done some hunting in dozens of different zones and dungeons already and its only been two weeks.

Just a note, leveling is much easier and faster now than it used to be. You also get mercenaries to help you, so its much more solo friendly. It's really similar to SWToR companion system except you don't gear them up (I like it better than companions btw).

Questing has also become a lot easier and a lot more fun as well.

I hope people pick it up again (or for the first time) and give it a legitimate chance. I'm really enjoying it, and I want it to do well so that they continue to add content for a few more years.
 
more and more games going this route, then selling items and such in game, hopefully it wont ruin it.
 
big_aug said:
Even though I got a bit further in, it was a similar scenario for me.

It was my first MMORPG and I just didn't have any idea what I was doing. Hell, I was about 13 at the time (wow). Now that I've got a much better understanding things, its a lot more enjoyable.

There's just so much content that it's ridiculous. I've done some hunting in dozens of different zones and dungeons already and its only been two weeks.

Just a note, leveling is much easier and faster now than it used to be. You also get mercenaries to help you, so its much more solo friendly. It's really similar to SWToR companion system except you don't gear them up (I like it better than companions btw).

Questing has also become a lot easier and a lot more fun as well.

I hope people pick it up again (or for the first time) and give it a legitimate chance. I'm really enjoying it, and I want it to do well so that they continue to add content for a few more years.
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Haha... tell me about, no idea what I was doing as well. I had no idea about various MMO concept at the time, I think I treated more so as a single player RPG almost. For instance the fact that even same level or lower mobs (blue?) you couldn't really solo reliably and had to rely on working together, something like that just seemed so foreign to me at the time since that type of mechanic would not work in single player game :p When people told me level 60s (max) couldn't even take on the NPC guards, I just couldn't grasp that concept at the time, seemed weird to me.

Part of me wants to see how I tackle the game now that I know more about MMOs.

I think I had various level 10-20 chars, even a made a lizard guy (forgot the name) monk and got him to freeport(westport? the major human city) because that was the area I was familiar with :p

Such a time of innocence. I got such stupid enjoyment out things like provoking the npc guards, the fact they were powerful just amazed me. Jumping down from the treetop village. Stuff like that, haha...
 
I know what you're saying :D

Give it a shot man. It's a lot different, but it's got that same feel it had back then.

I definitely feel like I could get destroyed by mobs at any moment running through higher lvl zones, and I actually fear death because there is experience loss.

It's not as bad as it used to be because anyone can have a healer mercenary who can rez you (you get a lot of the experience back if you get rezed). You just have to run back to your body to let merc rez you.

Leveling is much faster than you remember. You could get to level 20 in a day.
 
How does EQ run on a modern PC? I played for years on the Druzzil Ro server, and had to crank down the particle effects and view distance while raiding or playing in highly-populated zones. Ever since I quit playing years ago, I've been curious to see how EQ would run on a new rig. I think I last played with a 3.06 GHz P4 and Radeon 9800 Pro.
 
I think it's too late for me. I have a bleeding edge raid geared character I retired in 2009. The desire to play competetively is still there. I don't have the time for it. I guess I just can't do casual in an MMO.
 
Pyrocles said:
How does EQ run on a modern PC? I played for years on the Druzzil Ro server, and had to crank down the particle effects and view distance while raiding or playing in highly-populated zones. Ever since I quit playing years ago, I've been curious to see how EQ would run on a new rig. I think I last played with a 3.06 GHz P4 and Radeon 9800 Pro.
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Runs fine if you leave shadows off.
 
If you're playing on a modern rig, you can run it with every single thing maxed out with no problems.
 
I tried it for a while back in 07 again (I played from 2000-04). Needless to say, the whole Mercenary recruit thing made it incredibly easy. Playing with 1 friend and 2 mercenaries I flew through the game to 75 or so. It's just so hard to get into at this point. I feel like you'd need to know someone high up in a guild that still raids to be able to get into the game past casually leveling. "Casual" and "Everquest" -- never thought I'd be able to say those in the same sentence. I went to EQ2 in Faydwer for nostalgic purposes but it didn't grab my attention in the same way, although it was fun, played through Kunark.

I wish they'd release another EQ game....whatever happened to that EQ Next project?
 
I might give it a shot. I played many years ago on Xegony. I remember playing the beta and a good 60% of the items did not have icons, just question marks. I remember Blackburrow, and the first time someone yelled train and I had no idea what was happening. Remember camping the Emperors room at Crushbone. Then, I remember moving into Unrest, which is quite possibly one of my favorite dungeons ever. The atmosphere was just terrific. I always felt like to was moving to a new dungeon a couple levels too early and the struggle was a lot of fun. Trying to avoid Sand Giants in the Ro Desert while fighting crocs and bandits. Last memories were of camping lower Guk for some monk for who knows how long. I quit playing after Kunark came out and started playing the beta for DAOC. Although DAOC was the best MMO I have played to date, Everquest had a lot of fun memories being my first real MMO. I did not play UO, but played Gemstone III for years prior to that.
 
SilverSliver said:
I might give it a shot. I played many years ago on Xegony. I remember playing the beta and a good 60% of the items did not have icons, just question marks. I remember Blackburrow, and the first time someone yelled train and I had no idea what was happening. Remember camping the Emperors room at Crushbone. Then, I remember moving into Unrest, which is quite possibly one of my favorite dungeons ever. The atmosphere was just terrific. I always felt like to was moving to a new dungeon a couple levels too early and the struggle was a lot of fun. Trying to avoid Sand Giants in the Ro Desert while fighting crocs and bandits. Last memories were of camping lower Guk for some monk for who knows how long. I quit playing after Kunark came out and started playing the beta for DAOC. Although DAOC was the best MMO I have played to date, Everquest had a lot of fun memories being my first real MMO. I did not play UO, but played Gemstone III for years prior to that.
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Send me a PM if you decide to give it a shot and go with Xegony again.

There is a brand new server being opened to go with F2P launch (Vox), so that is an option as well.
 
I'm guessing if I download the trial client now that it will save on (or at least some) downloading then?
 
SilverSliver said:
I might give it a shot. I played many years ago on Xegony. I remember playing the beta and a good 60% of the items did not have icons, just question marks. I remember Blackburrow, and the first time someone yelled train and I had no idea what was happening. Remember camping the Emperors room at Crushbone. Then, I remember moving into Unrest, which is quite possibly one of my favorite dungeons ever. The atmosphere was just terrific. I always felt like to was moving to a new dungeon a couple levels too early and the struggle was a lot of fun. Trying to avoid Sand Giants in the Ro Desert while fighting crocs and bandits. Last memories were of camping lower Guk for some monk for who knows how long. I quit playing after Kunark came out and started playing the beta for DAOC. Although DAOC was the best MMO I have played to date, Everquest had a lot of fun memories being my first real MMO. I did not play UO, but played Gemstone III for years prior to that.
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great ,memories! thanks for stirring them!

I always played on FV ( Firionia Vie ) was the RP server, and didnt have much of the no drop tags.. so the economy was crazy! I actually sold my first toon, a Barbarian Warrior ( hence XBarbarian for years ) VT Geared.. for $1000 to a broker! < Sordail> we were clearing towards Time in PoP when I sold.. I was there for the server first RZ kill.. w00t! I was Fire n Fury.. and had great races to SSRA for boss spawns with our arch enemy guild, Resolution.

After I sold.. I went to DOAC, then SWG for a while. Finally went back as a Vah Shir Beastlord... <Saab> went Anguish.. then.. hmm.. expansion after that... then got tired of uber guild culture and quit again..that time. I just gave the toon and trad able gear to the guild.

what blows my mind is.. my old raiding guild.. Fire and Fury..is STILL there! still doing beta's in expansions, etc. Scarar, Nynox, lol..

SWTOR is fading for me.. maybe its time to have another go with EQ!

thanks for the heads up

I always hated the amazing amount of questing you had to do to get even keyed to get into the raids..that part sucked... very group dependent..and if you didnt have a group of regulkar friends to play with..was a real pita..
 
I played for a long time and the question I have would it be possible to even catch up at this point. How could you possibly get the amount of AA people have and be competitive. I played on the Luclin server from about 99-2006 and tried again for a bit with a mercenary. Even with a Merc you need a group to level a rogue. I may have to log in and check out my guy. I know my guild is still around
 
yes.. the AA wall would be hard to overcome.. if intending to go to end game stuff.. but if just wanting to fart around... not that big a deal..
 
Crazy. My old guild is still busting out pretty much all the server firsts, just like old times.
 
I started playing EQ around 13 as well, i stopped playing before the froglock race came out. Now that i think back, i don't think i really ever had a clue what was going on in that game. Hell i wonder if my old account is still around.
 
The trick isn't so much catching up as it is learning or relearning all the acronyms. :D
 
Method said:
I played for a long time and the question I have would it be possible to even catch up at this point. How could you possibly get the amount of AA people have and be competitive. I played on the Luclin server from about 99-2006 and tried again for a bit with a mercenary. Even with a Merc you need a group to level a rogue. I may have to log in and check out my guy. I know my guild is still around
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I think big_aug mentioned they are starting a new server as well with this launch.

I'll probably be on that.

This game is probably going to look dated. Although I think they did have some graphics updates?
 
limitedaccess said:
This game is probably going to look dated. Although I think they did have some graphics updates?
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It looks old, but there have been many updates and engine tweaks over the years. Newer zones and revamped zones will obviously look more modern.
 
another amusing aspect has been the mudflation... so many expansions I see... whats a tank have .. like 150k health.. like wow cata.. just exploded the stats to silly level.. and trivialize all the old content so much..

still..should be fun!

but.. I see that planetside 2 is coming..may hold out for that.... nah.. I can play both =)
 
I gave it a try, got up to around level 20. I could put up with the graphics but the controls and interface are just to primitive compared to most any modern RPG/MMO (and dont even stand up well to games from its release date.

Its kinda like the difference between the original Warcraft and Warcraft II (and later RTS).

I never played it back in the day and dont particularly have any nostalgia for it so i cant see forcing myself to endure the awkward interface just to grind out quests for 16 skeleton pelts and then have to then hand them in, manually, one at a time.

The game does appear to have a lot of complexity to in terms of economy, crafting, reputation, etc but I'm not sure it necessarily works in a coherent fashion, much less make the game more fun.

/QUIT
 
ecmaster76 said:
I never played it back in the day and dont particularly have any nostalgia for it so i cant see forcing myself to endure the awkward interface just to grind out quests for 16 skeleton pelts and then have to then hand them in, manually, one at a time.
/QUIT
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I remember when item stacks were REVOLUTIONARY. Suck it up. :D
 
ecmaster76 said:
I gave it a try, got up to around level 20. I could put up with the graphics but the controls and interface are just to primitive compared to most any modern RPG/MMO (and dont even stand up well to games from its release date.

Its kinda like the difference between the original Warcraft and Warcraft II (and later RTS).

I never played it back in the day and dont particularly have any nostalgia for it so i cant see forcing myself to endure the awkward interface just to grind out quests for 16 skeleton pelts and then have to then hand them in, manually, one at a time.

The game does appear to have a lot of complexity to in terms of economy, crafting, reputation, etc but I'm not sure it necessarily works in a coherent fashion, much less make the game more fun.

/QUIT
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There are literally thousands of custom UI's you can download, some of them extremely good. Tradeskills and quests are only useful early on if you can find a list of the newest/most rewarding ones. Doing shit in west karana isn't likely to be worthwhile over 10 years later.
 
LeninGHOLA said:
There are literally thousands of custom UI's you can download, some of them extremely good. Tradeskills and quests are only useful early on if you can find a list of the newest/most rewarding ones. Doing shit in west karana isn't likely to be worthwhile over 10 years later.
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I remember getting lost in all the Karanas and not having in game maps at the time you hit /l a bunch and tried to match it up with the print out maps you had a notebook of.
 
Method said:
I remember getting lost in all the Karanas and not having in game maps at the time you hit /l a bunch and tried to match it up with the print out maps you had a notebook of.
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Yea. /loc plus using a compass. I was glad when they allowed maps to be downloaded into the UI.
 
Leveling, experience, and AA's are much faster than you remember.

I started from scratch on 1/27/2012 and I'm lvl 87 with 1500 AA. Granted, I'm three boxing and playing an unhealthy amount.
 
Actually given how dated the game I wonder if you can use VMs and run an entire group yourself lol...

What is the current level cap anyways? I think when I played it was 60 or 70?
 
big_aug said:
Leveling, experience, and AA's are much faster than you remember.

I started from scratch on 1/27/2012 and I'm lvl 87 with 1500 AA. Granted, I'm three boxing and playing an unhealthy amount.
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HOLY SHIT! wow.. that s fast!

ya.. I wonder if the VM multi box thing would work?
 
I played with Fires of Heaven on the Veeshan server for several years. I was the only mage for most of the time in the guild. Great guild - had some drama like all the other guilds out there but if you wanted to kick ass first we did it. Furor and the leadership made some great news posts too.

I was a glutton for punishment. I only ever played a mage as my main and there were some times they really porked us bad with nerfs and then not knowing how to balance us. I went back and resubbed for a little bit after about 4 years off and it wasn't too bad but I left again because I started spending too much time on it like I did back in college.

I remember patch day being a huge event. Just waiting for the server to go up so we could go get the boss mobs. Then half the time the login not working or being overloaded. Interesting time back when I was in college.
 
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I remember back in the day multi boxing... without having to use VM, i dunno now tho..
 
EQ... the game that started all MMORPG

I remember my little Gnome Wizard on Veeshan Server camping out for that shiny new Ishva Robe and that glowing orb dropped by that name spider outside of Karnor's Castle.... but the best memory is when my Human Monk attained the epic weapon :cool: I might just have to give this game another try...
 
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