Shadowrelm got me thinking about EQ3 with that postFollow

My dream of EQ is different than shadow's though:

I just want the current EQ world with a modern graphics engine and less zoning. Make everything consistent to the current standards of EQ, EQ2 and maybe that other sony fantasy game with strong ties to EQ from a dev standpoint (i.e., quest journal and so on).

Then, take a continent or two for launch (save kunark-velious-etc.)and build the best PVE game out there based on the premise of the misunderstood outcasts of Norrath. The outcasts (even Fippy) remain faithful to the gods... in such a war the underdogs could and should gain ground.

What I mean is have a Brell-spawn alliance of the Gnolls, Kobolds and Goblins be the primary player races. With some good lore work maybe you could do Orcs and/or unkempt druids as well. Cast the current cities and races as the enemies. Runnyeye Citadel could be the main home city (don't make too many in the game, they just go dead).

You add Kunark content and then the Sarnak are the new player-race.

You add Velious basically as it was, just as long as gear, etc. is consistent. The tri-faction lore still works no? The Dain would love a gnoll that slays giants...

Luclin you get to be a madman or grimling. You get the idea.

Keep raids to 18-person to maintain class usefullness and family guild bonds. Set the game up with alot of the EQ2 in game carrots that people liked (earned titles, the tradeskill system, etc.).

Set up server accomplishments such as taking over Rivervale. Antonica is liberated? Time for Odus and so forth. Player housing in conquered areas. My Goblin mage wants a nice hut in the conqured Oggok.

I think it would be fun at least. Not holding my breath though.

Long post warning

I do agree. That's why I don't see a need to WoW-ify the game (EQ has evolved rather nicely anyway). All the new games I have dabbled in push either pvp against half the server or out-ranking your own side to get the best gear. Community seems to be very lacking and forum boards for those games are full of bragging guilds and annoying spam that alla filters out.

The "dying" Everquest still has the best community I have participated in for a mmo game.

The 2 main faults of EQ2 (for me) were that it didn't quite seem like EQ (pc models anyone?) and my computer couldn't handle it, even a year after launch and some upgrades occurring. At the time none of my friends had computers that handled it either, but strangely they could play other new games.

The benefit to doing an EQ3 is that it would be a new game. You could rewrite all the flaws and old code out of EQ1 but that won't bring in new players or create a buzz in gaming circles. Some of the best single player PC franchises of the past 15 years have succeeded on the premise that #4 is really only a minor improvement on #3 that preceeded it, but you get all the familiar stuff you liked with a new storyline to play through.

EQ fills the PVE, community based, okay to box, soloable, deep lore, variety of zones, not all instanced making the game appear empty, casual friendly (other games like WoW let you casually level faster but it is an empty pursuit, the gear is obsolete 3 levels later and you just levelled fast as a casual --then what?) and arguably raiding niches better than any other game.

While many of us are used to the blocky graphics, lots of zoning, timesink spawns and quest bottlenecks these aspects of EQ, and the immensity of the learning curve + catch up (not levels, they have made that easy --but the experience of actually having played the game and done the content)pretty much ensures new players aren't coming to EQ in signifcant numbers.

If Sony gave 1 month of EQ3 free to all EQ & EQ2 subscribers past and present. Stayed out of the PVP niche (other games have that locked down right now) and marketed the strengths the game would succeed easily. Recognize veteran rewards and provide significant in-game bonus to loyal customers.

I want to be there when Fippy topples Qeynos.

It is a dream.

There's no loser with Johnnypanic's point. I wonder if Sony would win enough ($$$) to ever do it though?