Rumors Swirl on EQ2

In the recent EQ newsletter, Sony put in a puzzle that led to two websites: www.nektulos.com and www.wailingcaves.com. (Congratulations to the gang at the safehouse for solving the riddle). Each site brings up an image and the Nektulos one mentions an announcement coming up in May. May is of course when E3 is held. This is the biggest gaming convention of the year, and game companies typically try to save their biggest announcements for the large group of press that comes to E3 each year. So what is Sony going to announce in May? It may be something like a single player game based upon Everquest, or the release of some new zones. However, do not be surprised if it is the launch of Everquest 2. I don't have any positive information on this and am really just speculating, but since they already announced the PS2 version of the game and the Planes of Power expansion, it seems logical that this is not related to either of them. Why make a teaser for something everyone already knows about? And they have never put this type of effort into announcing free content for the game. EQ2, however, would be a huge announcement. In addition, I have been told that the latest version of PC Gamer mentions EQ2 (I have not read it -- I'll try to track down a copy). Plus, Sony has had www.everquest2.com registered for quite a while. So the announcement Sony plans to make in May could well be that they are making EQ2. Or they could just be announcing another expansion or something related to the PS2 version of the game or even something completely unrelated to Everquest. We will be in Los Angeles for E3, so as soon as we find out more, we'll let you know. In the meantime, some of our visitors managed to piece together the murky pictures you see in the two sites.
  • Wailing Caves Full Image
  • Nektulos Full Image
  • Feel free to throw in your own thoughts about what this means. UPDATE (Again): Link already dead.

    Comments

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    forget it
    # Apr 24 2002 at 4:14 AM Rating: Excellent
    Nice eye candy.

    Pretty much everything else sucks ***. It would sound the death knell of EQ for me, I'd cancel all subscriptions and quit if EQ2 was my only choice.

    If they have half a brain amongst them, they'll leave EQ up and running, AND growing, and hire a new team for the new product.
    RE: forget it
    # Apr 24 2002 at 4:49 AM Rating: Decent
    Where does it say their not doing that? My assumption is that EQ1 will continue until the few consolidated servers that are left no longer generate a profit. Do you seriously believe that the SOE team the runs the current game is currently also working on EQ2? There are already 2 development teams...probably 3:

    1.) A team working to add and fix current content.

    2.) A team working on Planes of Power.

    3.) A team working on Everquest 2.

    They also have a team working on the PS2 version of EverQuest, a live team for the current game, etc.


    I'll put my money down that when EQ2 opens, 200,000+ people will log onto EQ1 like they always have. The servers will be up and running. GMs will be handling petitions. Patch days will stop. GM events will stop. Petitions will be much slower. But the game will still be available.

    You'll just have the option of playing a better version. EQ2 will be out and you'll be asking yourself: "Am I stupid for hanging on to the broken shell of a 4 year old game when a much better product is just a new game box away?"
    RE: forget it
    # Apr 24 2002 at 5:33 AM Rating: Decent
    not to mention the team working on SW: Galaxies, which in my opinion will tear the gaming base away from every other MMORPG.

    swg.station.sony.com
    Its about doing more than leveling
    # Apr 24 2002 at 4:12 AM Rating: Default
    I don't get it. So many people complain that all EQ is about is leveling, but try to do anything outside that, like having caravens and allowing players to hire out to protect them, and all some of you see is how much time it's going to take away from leveling.

    EQ wasn't always just about leveling. In the begining it was different, but problems in the economy got worse with time, guild coffers filled up with high level items that neve break, and eventually every newbie had items way beyond their level. Players were left with no reason to do anything else but level. EQ is flawed, heaven forbid that SOE should recognize the problems and try to fix it.
    RE: Its about doing more than leveling
    # Apr 24 2002 at 4:25 AM Rating: Default
    Not really, this is a collection fo ideas from other games that will draw you in and hold you for longer periods of play. Its nice they try to change everything in a new game, but the changes themselves are not very original or very appealing. In a month, those people guarding the caravans will be guarding caravans of phat lewt to twink the Whatever Clan in Whatever Clan HQ in EC where they shout WTB all the time and fill up all tradeskill locations. It'll happen any which way, but this WILL effect me even if they leave eq up. Thats more then enough reason to come out and speak on this, this is to be honest, a rather dumb way of making this change.
    #Anonymous, Posted: Apr 24 2002 at 4:11 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Sounds stupid to me. No twinking = comunism for one, what's the deal with all these
    Quick thoughts
    # Apr 24 2002 at 4:10 AM Rating: Decent
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    92 posts
    K, I just wanted to pop my head in and mention my thought here. As I read all the new features EQ2 is going to have, my first thought was how it seemed to parallel things I've heard about DAoC from a friend that switched to the Dark Side. I'm one to over-think everything, and so my second thought was about how really, when EQ first came out, (at least if I was on the job), the system they set up would be keeping everything rather basic, and not too complicated.

    So what I'm getting at, is though it seems like they're "copying" DAoC, it just looks to me more like they're revamping their existing system of today's EQ to a more elaborate system to make characters more unique and give the players something better. Think of it as another game, wholly seperate from DAoC, EQ, AO, UO, etc... but you don't have an entirely new storyline to learn about. This new system is a lot like the one they plan on using for Star Wars Galaxies, and I know a ton of people will be jumping to that game in a heartbeat. (That's my main thought, you can quit reading now, the rest is just rambling)

    Other quick thoughts: 1) I'm for and against twinking, I do think it's fun sometimes to give a lvl 1 warrior all the tradable equipment from my main and just tear shxt up, but it was rather discouraging when starting out, seeing other players running around with their Fungi Tunics to skip those pesky levels 1-15, and losing a random on some nice drop in a dungeon only to hear the winner say "now I just need 2 more for my _other_ twinks." It'd be kind of funny to have a "Twinking-Allowed Server" like the FV server for role-playing.

    2) It's true that it would be rather stupid, making current players drop everything they had in EQ if they wanted to start EQ2. It would be wise of Verant to at least give current players a discount of some kind if they wanted an account on each game, say half price for the second account perhaps?

    3) Last thing, a few of the posters gawked at 100 levels. They specified that you'll be leveling faster, so it'll probably take you as much time in EQ2 to get to 50, as it did in EQ1 to get to 25.

    (I know you're now dumber for having read everything, but just turn your computer off and at least your head will stop hurting)
    Terrible Idea
    # Apr 24 2002 at 4:04 AM Rating: Good
    Please just put whoever comes up with the EQ "Improvements" outta his/her misery. Some of the stuff I like, like the death doesn't suck totally. The steps to ensure twinking doesn't happen is good, if ackward and confusing. But the bottom line is only a few things are actually improvments and half those in a ackward and frankly disturbing way. Those skill sets will just confuse and frustrate me, the items being breakable would drive me mad when my epic breaks and I have to quest again (Doubt they could break, but still..). If they put 1/10 the effort into EQ now, and the few real gems from this EQ 2, they could make EQ back into a money-making machine. Almost forgot, player housing that isn't started from static elements (Part of the map already) tend to create huge lag, and I don't care to run through Eastern Karana Trailer Park complete with every square inch of land usable taken. It looks like they are pulling ideas from DAoC, UO, and Shadowbane to be totally honest, and I don't like that one bit. Everquest is fine as is, or else it wouldn't have lasted 3 years. The only thing they need to do is bring EQ gameplay up by making it easier and more rewarding to do tradeskills and quests. A few simple gameplay changes could make it almost new again, and save us the headache of them stealing staff to work on EQ2, and the bugs that will haunt us like Luclin for months. Don't forget the horrible burning rage we'll feel if they announce that they are shutting down all eq servers in favor of EQ2. In short I'll continue to play EQ as is, will enjoy it more if they make some nice gameplay changes, but if they force EQ 2 down my throat in any way shape or form, I'll be quitting and wait for Worlds of Warcraft.

    Edited, Wed Apr 24 04:59:48 2002
    #Anonymous, Posted: Apr 24 2002 at 4:02 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) All you mother ******* are gonna pay, it is you who are the ball lickers. Were gonna make you eat our ****, **** out our ****, then eat your **** thats made up of our ****. Then do your momma while your watching
    EQ2 not so new
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:59 AM Rating: Default
    Sorry folks, EQ2 isn't a new thing. Word first leaked out about it about a year and a hlaf ago. Check December(I think thats the issue) '01 Game Informer. Big projects like this just don't spring up overnight. They won't can it, no matter how many people write in complaining. If you don't like it don't buy it, Eq will exist untill the prophit margin shrinks too much, not that you'll get any new content once EQ2 hits the shelves.

    I'm kinda glad to see this, EQ needs a massive overhaul, too big for an expasion to do. Is everything thier planning on a good idea? Probably not, but hey at least trade skills will be worth a damn. Now if only they get rid of all that danged click and drag. @#$%% rediculous downtime too!
    The wise one
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:55 AM Rating: Default
    I have a really bad feeling about this, i agree to most of u ppl. Well i have spend over 2 yrs with EQ and i dont like starting all over again, VI is getting worst as we speak and hunry money *******.
    this sucks
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:47 AM Rating: Default
    no way, i wont buy it, why cant SOE just upgrade the current game to include the new features. Oh wait I know why, they want more money. GREEDY SOB'S
    Hey!
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:39 AM Rating: Good
    *
    111 posts
    I've played this game already! I must have! See there was this game, called Dark Ages of Camelot, and this one called Anarchy Online, and if i mix the two, I get this game! Must have been early demos or something released by Verant. Apperantly Mythic and Funcom are shell companies, they must be, look how close this is too those games.

    Seriously. I don't know how much i'll be into this... doesn't sound like their gonna let characters transfer (doesn't even sound possible) so anyone else feeling like 1month-3years of your life was suddenly wasted?

    Lets think about this. I've spent a year developing friendships and Ic plot for my characters, i've paid out the wazu for membership, expansions, etc... now it's all for jack and diddly.

    Lets also be realistic. EQ2 will charge more monthly then EQ1. Or at least eventually it will (and i'm not talking inflation and you all know it). This is a buisness after all and Verant knows they can do that. On top of that Expansions, while costing the same, will likely be just as buggy when they come out and so on.

    Remember the first two times a guild awoke the sleeper? Months after velious came out? Verant STILL hadn't got the script working right.

    NOW HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.
    Human nature makes us tend to think in the short-mid term... BUT follow with me on this...

    if Verant has gone so far as to decide that they are NOT going to upgrade/modify EQ 1 indefinetly like we all for the longest time thought they would (especially after Luclin, which seemed to imply keeping EQ just updating it to better hardware/etc as time went on)...

    then that means at some point EQ 2 will be obsoleted...

    Face it folks, if all this is true... their gonna start a cycle here.

    Edited, Wed Apr 24 04:50:12 2002
    well..
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:30 AM Rating: Default
    im sure they keep eq1 once they see that eq2 sucks and doesnt sell
    No wwhere have I heard that before...
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:28 AM Rating: Default
    those proposed game specs (buying property etc...)

    no, has Lord British gone to work with SOE? coz I'd swear that thats what Ultima Online 2 was going to have before it got canned.


    oh, if we're NOT allowed to move our characters over, I will most likely go postal.
    sdari
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:28 AM Rating: Default
    this makes me cry :(
    eq2=blah
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:27 AM Rating: Default
    EQ2 = DAOC

    if you look at it .. its jes a DAOC clone. gotta love how original verant is =) would be funnier to see screenshot of a troll being a rock creature. thatd be even better ^_^
    ...
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:26 AM Rating: Default
    dear god what have they done
    Confirmed
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:04 AM Rating: Decent
    EQ2 has been confirmed... it's all over the other sites now. I wonder if this means our current characters will be able to go to it or what?? Cause I would just be sick if they can't.
    May be OK
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:02 AM Rating: Decent
    This sounds like the techies are busy trying to make a full scale virtual reality in a fudal enviornment. This isn't all bad. The only problem is what to do with the current EQ. It seem a lot of players have spent the last couple years getting their characters to a high level, training them in various skills, and learning the ins and outs of where to get loot. If this EQ2 is another game that we can look at as Anarchy Online and the like I'm all for it, but if the EQ I now play will be tossed down the toilet along with the characters that I have worked/played hard to get, it is time to take up checkers or solitare. I refuse to spend a load of cash to upgrade my computer, once again, just to start all over. It mat be as I have long suspected. This is a game that the GMs want to play, without the interferance of those annoying paying customers.
    Hmmm....
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:34 AM Rating: Decent
    I dont know about this. If I understand what I read, I will not play it. I have put too much time into several characters I like to play, that suddenly if I go to EQ2, I'll lose those PC's? I hope this is some elaborate joke and hope they fix the game currently. But alas, this is not to be. Will then (when EQ2 does come out) EQ1 still be up? Will they translate your current PC's to the new game? EQ1 is fun as it is and does need some work, but like other people have posted, I have friends and really enjoying the guild I am in. This new EQ2 will destroy that. And if it does, I'll go back to console and PC games like Wizardry or such. I will have to see what VI will come out officially. Best wishes all, Clangdin
    RE: Hmmm....
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:47 AM Rating: Default
    Characters will not be moved from EQ1 to EQ2, they are based on an entirely different advancement system. This is going to be like the Sullon release... everyone starts at lvl 1.

    I for one have put 3yrs into this game. It has been a fun ride, but I'm not interested in starting over. When I do start over its not going to be EQ2, its going to be RL2. (The big bad scary real world ;)
    !!
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:30 AM Rating: Decent
    I think that these ideas are awesome. I dont want to play the same old EQ all over again. No more twinking,some individuality to characters, better fighting system. For all of you that think these are bad ideas, just keep playing regular eq forever. I for one want to experience new things in an EQ world
    RE: !!
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:02 AM Rating: Decent
    awesome idea? these aren't ideas. They saw how many people the lost to DAoC and they implemented almost the exact same game in an EQ world. This is DAoC in norath
    RE: !!
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:37 AM Rating: Default
    Yer right about it being neet Ideas and all, but what about the time ye already put into it? What about all those who have played for a few years on their characters and sudddenly got to start all over again from scratch? And if thats the case, what a waisted 3 years!
    RE: !!
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:25 AM Rating: Decent
    -REDACTED-
    19 posts
    Wasted years? You've been playing a bloody game, of course they are wasted years. If people can move all their twinks and all their farmed equipment onto EQ2 it would just be a complete farce. Absolutely pointless.
    hell yeah
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:26 AM Rating: Decent
    Goodby Life
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:23 AM Rating: Decent
    Ahhhhhh

    I'm never going to get free from this game =) I know.... I just won't play it. Yeah...right. Man im never going to finish college if they keep this up.

    /sigh

    Ceggon
    Druid 55 of Fate Inexorable: Xegony


    Edited, Wed Apr 24 03:19:01 2002
    Everyone needs to calm down
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:23 AM Rating: Good
    Ok, I hate me for posting here, but I'm going to do it anyway...

    To everyone complaining about having to upgrade their system, you've got almost two years!!! I promise you by that point you will be picking up 733MHz machines out of Middle School dumpsters!

    To everyone complaining about losing all their hard work in EQ, don't play EQ2. EQ is not going to just go away. They're shrink it, smush people onto servers, and keep it running until it becomes unprofitible. I've been a gamer for almost 20 years and video games are all about money. That is a fact you just have to live with.

    To everyone complaining about not moving their current characters to the new EQ, it's a totally different game! Yeah, it's going to suck starting over, but it will also be exciting because I'm starting over with something new and fresh.

    To everyone complaining about not being able to twink, they have the best reason in the world for not allowing it -- wasted game space. To be completely honest, in EQ if you aren't level 46+ you are just trying to get to 46+. There is no lower level game in EQ right now. They have all these great newbie experiences that are never used by anyone. Go to Befallen or the Warrens sometime and try to get a pick up group. Or how often do you hear, "I can't wait until I'm level 25 so I can go hunt in Runnyeye". Twinking makes it to fast and to easy to get to the higher levels, so they have to much game space wasted.
    Localized Banks???
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:20 AM Rating: Default
    WHY THE HELL DO THEY THINK THIS WILL BE BETTER???!!! Sure the current bank system is not totally realistic, but who cares? I dread the thought of having to trek across the world and hire some guy to guard me just to re-deposit my stuff. I like knowing that when i put it in the bank it's IN THE BANK. No more hassel, no more worries. Localized banks will do nothing more than give people one more thing to worry about. I want to be out , exploring, raiding, etc. Not thinking about weather or not its time to stop haveing FUN and relocate all my crap. I am more than willing to sacrifice a little realism for a whole hell of a lot of convience.
    RE: Localized Banks???
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:23 AM Rating: Decent
    I agree - What is wrong with unrealistic things in a Fantasy Game.

    Fercrissakes - how realistic is magic?

    /shout Who wants to tredge to Freeport as my caravan guard?
    RE: Localized Banks???
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:39 AM Rating: Decent
    And here's a point i disagree with .. I think the power of fantasy comes with setting a scene that people (us, the players) can accept without doubting if it is really possible. making a real banking system seems like it is more realistic and thus reinforces the world that verant is trying to create. If i doubt how the banking system works less then i doubt less the physics required to make a fireball leap from my fingers because the world i am immersing myself in seems to be a coherent place that reinforces itself at everyturn... If i saw a chicken rise instead of the sun i think i would quit the game.

    Emron 60th wiz <Defiant> Vallon Zek
    RE: Localized Banks???
    # Apr 24 2002 at 3:46 AM Rating: Good
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    111 posts
    Emron... LOOK AT THESE GAMES.

    You want 'realism' to suspend your disbelif? For gods sakes, I can run a continent SoW less in under a day of game time... do you WANT that to be realisitc and make it take the months it would take?

    Magic is about -0- realism, but humoring it, it would likely be more like shadowrun... so a stong spell would probalby mess you up physically (your acting as an energy conduit after all)

    Natural Healing? Get real. You have 80 HP. I knock you down to 20. And a frikkin oversized bandaid is gonna heal you up? Your gonna sit on your own with no magic for 2 subjective hours and all better? And the whole time you take no penetlies but a worse run speed?

    Here's another one. A level 55 froglok can kill 40 level 10 Ogres... now lets imagine this IRL. 40 creatures the size of tanks can't kill a midget oversized frog? Get real. The finest Samurai alive was only reputed to be able to take on 10 men simulatneously.

    I kill a MoB... and a few seconds later one magically appears? A mob kills me... and i suddenly magically come back to life at a predesignated point?

    Assuming Realism in these games is not good. Look at all the above, their all things that either make EQ a game, or make the game more enjoyable to play for us, the players.

    The trick is making the game FUN. I will take convienance that adds to my enjoyment over having realism added to suspend my disbelief easier a little more anyday.


    Edited, Wed Apr 24 04:42:24 2002
    HUH??
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:15 AM Rating: Decent
    Sounds to me like EQ meets Diablo 2. Why the hell have 100 lvls? And with PoP comin out...? oh well, i am never suprised anymore by choices verant makes...
    RE: HUH??
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:21 AM Rating: Decent
    "Sounds to me like EQ meets Diablo 2."

    Yeah also meets:
    Ultima Online
    DAOC....

    Well I guess if you wanted to play those other games but didn't want to leave Freeport your chance is here.

    Everquest 2 == Everage online.
    My,my
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:09 AM Rating: Decent
    Well...so know we have rumors that the changes are gonna be...well dramatic to say the least.No more Vah Shir?Seems kinda like bad business to release something that doesnt include Vah Shir when the just released Shadows of Luclin.Evil taking over Freeport?No localized Banks,needing to buy Horses and Carts and etc.Increasing the level gain to 100 and yet doing away with what ppl have come to know after 3 years?Getting rid of the added Continents?I dont know...I wont make any judgements till I see a press release from VI.

    Saemayel Faemyst;56 Outrider of Tunare(Innoruuk)
    RE: My,my
    # Apr 24 2002 at 2:17 AM Rating: Decent
    I agree let verant do their thing and judge after its all said and done. Constructive criticism might be more worth while then just saying its not going to work for no good reason .. the negative attitude seems rather shallow and unpresidented.

    Emron 60 wiz <Defiant> Vallon Zek
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