What?! Eq is this?

[Engraverwilliam]

Click on the screens on this page for North ro!

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/zone.html?zstrat=24

[guineapig]

Yeah they revamped the old world zones a while ago. Some zones don't even exist anymore. (Fore example, there are only 2 Freeports instead of 3).

Can't even imagine what it must be like for the veterans.

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/zone.html?zstrat=1

[Engraverwilliam]

I like it its kind of nice. Are any of the emu servers running these zones? Not that i would ditch here I like the P99 server to much :-)

[kevincheese]

I like it its kind of nice. Are any of the emu servers running these zones? Not that i would ditch here I like the P99 server to much :-)

BLASPHEMY

HEADSMEN, BRING YOUR AXE

[Engraverwilliam]

hehe /present_neck

[Chanus]

Yeah, there was a big uproar because "ZOMG I CANT SEE POLYGONS ANYMORE", but in reality they look pretty decent. The only one that was really awful was the Nektulos 2.0 version because they moved everything around (though the zone itself still looked nice). The later made a 3.0 that had everything in its original place.

A ton of people got pretty butthurt about it. Was pretty funny.

[kevincheese]

I absolutely hate the look of luclin+ zones.

Say no to shitty graphics engines.

[Kimmie]

I like it its kind of nice. Are any of the emu servers running these zones? Not that i would ditch here I like the P99 server to much :-)

I guess I'm an old fart, but I can't stand the revamped zones... They don't even look like the same zone anymore. Some of the layouts are too dramatically changed for me. I have trouble navigating zones that I used to know perfectly.... I don't mind fancy graphics in new zones, but I wish they'd just let the old zones be what they are....old.

[Dr4z3r]

Yeah they revamped the old world zones a while ago. Some zones don't even exist anymore. (Fore example, there are only 2 Freeports instead of 3).

Can't even imagine what it must be like for the veterans.

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/zone.html?zstrat=1

Also gone: Oasis.

[Chanus]

It's not gone, it's just part of South Ro. The only difference is no zoneline separating the two.

[Zeakus]

I like most of the revamped zones, didn't even mind Nek 2.0... I hate dark elves and basically just ran through it anyhow.

The one zone I absolutely hate revamped was Freeport. It just sucks now. Just created my account here yesterday, and hope to jump in and start playing. /cheers

[mtk2a46]

Sooo, just to clarify...

I haven't had the chance to actually PLAY p99 yet, I just found it yesterday (woohoo).

This server DOES or DOES NOT use the revamped zones?

I loved the old zones so much (especially Freeport) and I'm really hoping to see the originals.

[Droxx]

It does not use the revamped zones.

[t0lkien]

Having played P99 for a week now, I'm convinced that if the original EQ was redone using modern tech, it would be a total win. I'm a game developer, and I'd do everything I could to get on that project.

There is a massive hole in the market right now that no-one seems to have seen. The first company to produce a quality, high-fantasy MMO with depth and space will corner a large niche market (at least). A revamped EQ (EQ2 is misnamed, it's a totally different game) would nail this. Keep the mechanics and the balance as close to the original as possible - be OCD about this. Use art that maintains the feel of the original art, but of much higher resolution. Create animations and effects that keep the feel of the originals but are of much higher quality (especially animations). Reproduce Classic EQ up to Velious and stop. Dig down, not out. Additions should enhance and enriche what was already there, not extend it. The game should in every respect feel to an EQ veteran as if someone wiped their glasses: everything is the same, but suddenly clearer and better and if possible, deeper.

This wouldn't be a WoW killer. It would be for everyone else who either loved EQ or wanted a consistent, challenging world in which to adventure. ADD gamers and cutesy console gamers need not apply. It would not be mass market, it would be intentionally niche market, and uncompromising about that.

If I knew enough money people, and knew someone at Sony, I may even pitch the idea. Done right, it can't lose.

[Kavanah]

Having played P99 for a week now, I'm convinced that if the original EQ was redone using modern tech, it would be a total win. I'm a game developer, and I'd do everything I could to get on that project.

There is a massive hole in the market right now that no-one seems to have seen. The first company to produce a quality, high-fantasy MMO with depth and space will corner a large niche market (at least). A revamped EQ (EQ2 is misnamed, it's a totally different game) would nail this. Keep the mechanics and the balance as close to the original as possible - be OCD about this - use art that maintains the feel of the original art, but of much higher resolution; animations and effects that keep the feel of the originals but are of much higher quality (especially animations!). Reproduce Classic EQ up to Velious and stop. Dig down, not out.

If I knew enough people, and knew someone at Sony, I may even pitch the idea. Done right, it can't lose.

I always thought that this would be an amazing idea for them to do. I highly highly doubt it though.

[nalkin]

I guess I'm an old fart, but I can't stand the revamped zones... They don't even look like the same zone anymore. Some of the layouts are too dramatically changed for me. I have trouble navigating zones that I used to know perfectly.... I don't mind fancy graphics in new zones, but I wish they'd just let the old zones be what they are....old.

oh hi bb.

I wanted to say that if they kept the original layouts, and just updated the graphics (leaving the classic char models obv), then it would be awesome.

[Aetherial]

I always thought that this would be an amazing idea for them to do. I highly highly doubt it though.

People have bugged Sony about this for years now. Many years.

Sony has only even responded a couple times, and that was to basically say "no", or "it is not possible".

Of course the fact that Project1999 exists, and is as close to the original as it is, proves Sony wrong on that account.

They are not willing to invest big $ in a niche product. Let's face it, EQ is a niche product. It would not appeal to the WoW masses.

[t0lkien]

People have bugged Sony about this for years now. Many years.

Sony has only even responded a couple times, and that was to basically say "no", or "it is not possible".

Of course the fact that Project1999 exists, and is as close to the original as it is, proves Sony wrong on that account.

They are not willing to invest big $ in a niche product. Let's face it, EQ is a niche product. It would not appeal to the WoW masses.

Well, I've pitched it to my ex-Sony friend to see what he thinks.

Honestly, this mad rush for mass market is what is killing good games. Eve Online has proven that there is good solid business in niche market if you do it right. New EQ would be that I believe - niche but solid. you only need a couple of hundred thousand subscribers to make it more than worthwhile. And I think if done right, the game would grow to more than that.

However, I admit it's all hot air right now :/

P.S. One of the best things about the idea project-wise is that so many things are known that are normally unknowns and entail high risk. The complete, tested, proven design is all there. You know the exact scope; every detail actually. Consequently, it wouldn't be as expensive or risky as if it was new IP. That's one of the points I'd use in a full pitch anyway ;)

[Maurk]

It wasn't all that bad of an idea at the time,
considering the zones weren't used all that much anymore anyways
and really It just made a much bigger zone, and less zone time.
Now what did bother me was all the defiant gear and shit from madman and skeletons/zombies in Nro.
sorta like WTF
Lets all play in n00b mode! yay!

<(-_-<) (>-_-)> <(-_-<) (>-_-)>

[Engraverwilliam]

Wouldnt it be a grand thing if zones could be redone by talented geeks like they are doing with the original Half-Life;Black Mesa? As the zones and textures are complete, they release them. We just copy the zone file into the directory and continue playing and evenually all the zones would be patched. Classic EQ with clean clear art. Of course everything would have the same dimensions, this way if you choose not to patch your directory, you still have the same gameplay as those who have patched. Kind of like how we can update the textures now but taken way over to the next level. Rounded edges, grass,.....

just reaching here for the sake of conversation really. This would need to be done in a way that no mater if you patched the zones or not nobody would know the difference.

------------
On that note:

Is it possible to load individual texture files into photoshop and improve then ourselves? Like if we have a better "rock" texture, we could replace the files with our own?

[Maurk]

^^

Pretty much if we can get everything on this server to look like this:

http://toddkumpf.com/images/renders/EQ/HK-Interior.jpg

http://toddkumpf.com/images/renders/EQ/WestFreeport.jpg


I would be totally down for this server to have these graphics someday (if ever even possible.) ;)
Would be awesome.

[Kimmie]

Yeah, graphic updates like those would be swell. They make things look fancy-schmancy but still maintain the look of the original zone.

A+ for Toddfx

[Henini]

Personally, I like my crapy textures and jagged edges.

I like zoning in and out of Oasis

I hate the old freeport less then then new one. new one is just gd terrible. has nothing to do with old one.

call me what you want, but to me, that's what EQ is.
and that's why I'm here.

[t0lkien]

Sonofa.... there goes my idea:

http://asia.gamespot.com/news/6272805.html

[Engraverwilliam]

iiiinnnnteresting.

[Silvermink]

Sony is currently in development of EQ3. They claim to be bringing back the glory of EQ1. It isn't a prequel or sequel, but a reconstruction of lore and everything. Some lore will be recognizable but most will be altered in some way.

[stormlord]

Sony is currently in development of EQ3. They claim to be bringing back the glory of EQ1. It isn't a prequel or sequel, but a reconstruction of lore and everything. Some lore will be recognizable but most will be altered in some way.Hype. You think SOE is the first one to hype?

You have to be realistic about this. I like no in-game maps except for cities. I'd be ok with maps for all zones that're just static content... no dynamic radar information like group member locations. I like dying and having it mean something. I like the non-linear nature of some zones where there're high level encounters and low level encounters and as a low level player you have to watch out for the higher level dangers. I like how the dungeons have twists and turns and aren't just A to B. There's a lot I like. The problem is that a lot of the things I like would not fit in a mainstream game and SOE is not going to blow money on something that will have sub 40k players. I don't feel there's a market past 40,000 that would like the things I like. I think that EverQuest Next will disappoint a lot of people think that it will be anything like everquest as you know it here.

Granted, there're some things I would change. For example, I would add more bind points and make quests more intuitive so people don't have to go onto allah to find their information. I would massively upgrade non-player interaction and conversation, since I think modern MMORPGs neglect this area. I would link the home-cities in a portal system to help new players and to facilitate trade between them. I would have a design that applies emphasis to home-cities and outpost zones. I'd like to keep the idea of having merchants and bankers available all over the world for basic trade (like selling your loot), but make it more personal so that the outpost means something to you. A few other things. Some would say this would entirely change hte character of EQ, but remember that these're my own personal opinions about what i"d like to see. But I would not go out of my way to please players. In the end, they're in my world, and they need to learn how to survive in it.

Maybe I'm jaded after being around for a while. Lower your expectations and you might not get jaded like me. I just don't trust SOE. After what they did to SWG. And some other choices that don't resonate with me. SOE wants the mainstream audience. I don't ever see them making a product for a niche market. They're the company that wants to compete with WoW, but don't have the same level of talent. They're a loose screw, IMHO. They will make some good things, but they're too OCD about matching Blizzard's success.

[Drem]

they've revamped so much stuff now :(

aside from nro/sro, freeport lavastorm, and 3 versions of nektulos, the commonlands are now all one zone

steamfont is revamped and expanded to reflect the secrets of faydwer expansion not to mention the mainland itself is split open and a whole run of zones for the serpent's spine were introduced

the ocean of tears got ruined as well

and innothule swamp

and for seeds of destruction, while these didn't replace the originals because you "time travel" to them or wtf ever, we got new qeynos hills, qeynos, kithicor, field of bone, and kurn's


i'm so glad i found p99 :eek:

[Taluvill]

Sony is currently in development of EQ3. They claim to be bringing back the glory of EQ1. It isn't a prequel or sequel, but a reconstruction of lore and everything. Some lore will be recognizable but most will be altered in some way.

The problem comes int hat they want to use a RMT shop and allow people to purchase their way through the game. I may sub for the first month, but if someone can spend money to be better than I am (aside from buying/trading accounts, thats a viable player service) Then I just think it will fail. It won't appeal to the masses that loved EQ1 = /

[lethstang]

Having played P99 for a week now, I'm convinced that if the original EQ was redone using modern tech, it would be a total win. I'm a game developer, and I'd do everything I could to get on that project.

There is a massive hole in the market right now that no-one seems to have seen. The first company to produce a quality, high-fantasy MMO with depth and space will corner a large niche market (at least). A revamped EQ (EQ2 is misnamed, it's a totally different game) would nail this. Keep the mechanics and the balance as close to the original as possible - be OCD about this. Use art that maintains the feel of the original art, but of much higher resolution. Create animations and effects that keep the feel of the originals but are of much higher quality (especially animations). Reproduce Classic EQ up to Velious and stop. Dig down, not out. Additions should enhance and enriche what was already there, not extend it. The game should in every respect feel to an EQ veteran as if someone wiped their glasses: everything is the same, but suddenly clearer and better and if possible, deeper.

This wouldn't be a WoW killer. It would be for everyone else who either loved EQ or wanted a consistent, challenging world in which to adventure. ADD gamers and cutesy console gamers need not apply. It would not be mass market, it would be intentionally niche market, and uncompromising about that.

If I knew enough money people, and knew someone at Sony, I may even pitch the idea. Done right, it can't lose.

i want to make out with this guy. and im a guy. but not in a gay way in a manbro i like your style way.