I didn't see any mention of them ripping out all the ****** expansions added since PoP and putting all "re-envisioned" zones back the way they were. This being the only thing that could be an improvement to EQ it would have to be part of this letter but it's not there. So I guess it's just another lie...

CodeguruX

Please do a server merge

I love EQ

make it harder and more of a pain in the *** like it used to be so i can hate it again

RE:

"We have target numbers that we feel are adequate for gameplay to be fully enjoyed in the EverQuest world. Once player numbers get close to dropping below those numbers we evaluate a server merge."

I think this is a very faulty "measuring stick."

Here's why...

1) I bet the "peak" times are when most guilds are raiding and/or casual players log in for a short time in the evening. I know quite a few players who log on only for raids (and then log off afterwards) and do very very little non-raid stuff.

2) After raids, I bet the server population declines drastically.

3) Most Guilds (at least on Bertoxx) are so decimated for numbers, they can't raid like they used to (they have to do lesser targets, if even that) and never have full raids. Or they have outside guild help that often makes up the difference in being able to get a decent target.

4) People who box (and there are a LOT of them) can easily throw off the actual "peak" and "off peak" times. They box so they don't have to find a group and rarely allow others in their box-group, unless they feel like they actually need the help. In off-peak times, they cannot be truly counted on as a potential grouper, leaving single-account players with far far less options.
In short, they should count as 1-player. In my guild we have several boxers (2-boxers to 6-boxers) and very often, it is their boxes that make even the lesser targets possible.

5) Many many people resort to playing lower level alts just so they have something to do that is doable and somewhat challenging/fun and/or has a point to it. People playng alts FURTHER reduces the options for those who like to play their Mains. So, including alts in the "population" is also misleading.

In short -- the measuring stick you are using is INSURING a declining population because people sign on, can't find anyone to play with outside of a raid (and those raids are limited in scope to lesser targets because of turn-out/classes/etc.) and in no time you have a lot of frustrated, disappointed, and disillusioned players who loose their drive or desire to play; and soon quit EQ; or rarely ever play; or play their mains.

Try this... hop on Bertox.

Send a tell to an Officer/Leader of each Guild in peak and off-peak times. Ask them seven (7) questions:

1) How many are on guild roster total. (This will show you how many toons they have).

2) How many are logged on right now. (This will show you how so few are playing).

3) How many of those are boxed? (This will tell you how many toons are just boxes, reducing the actual on-line numbers for the guild).

4) Of those boxes, how many actual players are behind them? (This will tell you how many actual players are behind those boxes).

5) Do the boxers generally group with anyone else or are they generally off on their own? (This will likely show you that they don't play with others, much, and to include them in "population" is decpetive, as they aren't a good measure of how many players are out there for others to play with.)

6)When you are raiding, is the raid up to your normal standards (re: viable turn out allowing you to take-on targets you should be, progression-wise)? (This should tell you that raids are generally not "full" raids and targets are often alternative targets because of population/classes/turn-out...).

7) In non-raid times, do you find full groups to play with, normally end up in partial groups or have a hard time finding a group at all? (This should tell you how hard it really is to find a good, full group (even within a guild) to take on desired content).

I bet those questions will provide surprising answers from the majority of guilds.

In fact, I am sure you all ready can tell how many toons are in a guild without asking and simply do a /w all "Goldenhearts" to see how many are actually playing.

On to other things...

The Devs, naturally, take advantage of the true Hi-End guilds in testing and developing content. However, this is the HI-END content, not the normal everyday content.

They may not feel they are playing favorites to the hi-end guilds, but they are. Deal with the lesser/average folks more. The average Guild is at least one to three expansions behind in progression, I am sure, even if they may "dabble" in current content.

To say we are "chewing" through the content and are left waiting for more, is just an example of Dev thinking being limited to the true Hi-End guilds, who can actually do that.

I would also be happy with an expansion that DOES NOT introduce a whole new continent or area. If it was to just add a few zones here and there (quite a few places where it appears there should have been a zone), expand/inprove certain content (upgrade LDoN), expand the bank, expand number of active tasks, expand unclaimed task rewards, give us 2 more Finger slots, add epics for each weapon skill, expand/upgrade epics with each expansion (DoDH added 2.5, but later expansions added noting) and so forth.

Each expansion since PoP has generally added progression-type or other special items that one can quest. However, as another expansion comes along, old content is made more and more undesireable and those hard-quested expansion-items become obsolete due to better items.

It is time to make old content new again and allow players to retain the benefit of such items. Add a NPC that will combine/merge the 100% completed Augs into a single and improved item. Combine and merge the 100% completed charms. 100% stats retained.

Don't give me the "overpowered" argument as it is illogical.

Every expansion adds items that, by the same considerations, would be "overpowered" with the expansion they came out with, or the one before it. Sometimes you guys then nerf these items, which the MAJORITY of players HATE (example, the very very bad idea of nerfing Last Bloods/Cultural Armor... the RIGHT answer is to nerf UP the Serpents, Faycites and Sunshard Augs).

But anyway, so what if my Wayfarer-Adventure-Cartograopher-BiC aug is 425 HP? Sublimes are near that level and this combined aug is WAY WAY harder to get, even involving raids and mini-raids to successfully obtain them (BiC, Wayfarer...).

So throw that "overpowered" argument in the trash can.

With such as this, players retain the benefit of their hard-earned rewards and old content becomes new again, because players will want to go back and complete such items like the Adventure Stone, the Intricate Wooden Totem, etc.(Proper completion, not by-pass flags, etc.).

Thank you for listening.




Edited, Feb 2nd 2008 8:33am by GOMN

Edited, Feb 2nd 2008 8:36am by GOMN

Daily bazaar crashes on CT server are the norm. WoW is looking more and more viable everyday.