Do you guys play EQ to escape?

[agentjayd007]

I'm not sure if I am making this post in the right forum. I was thinking maybe it belongs in the off topic section since it isn't about being in the game itself, but it still has to due with EQ.

My first memory of EQ wasn't actually being in the game itself. See, my mom worked with a guy who played EQ and during one of those "take your son/daughter to work for a day" things, he showed me everlore.com. I read up on all the classes and races, the cities, everything. I had to have EQ. A week later my dad and I went to the mall and we passed by FuncoLand, which eventually would become GameStop. Through one of the windows I saw EQ sitting on a shelf, it was the Kunark box art with Firiona Vie and that blue Iksar. I begged my dad to buy it and he did. Then we walked to the food court for dinner, I could hardly eat though because of how excited I was. I read that box up one side and down the other. Eventually, I got home, installed the game, and asked dad for his credit card cause it was $15 a month. He wasn't too thrilled about the game having a subscription, but he paid it anyway.

That was the first memory I made about EQ and I would make countless others as the years went by.

Things have been going pretty crappy for me for a little over a year now. It's really difficult to keep my head above water while I try and get to a better place mentally and emotionally. EQ is such a powerful thing, the immersion and the world itself is something I was amazed at when I first played at 12 years old right when Kunark came out. Here I am 20 years later and it still makes me feel that way. The sounds and the music and the look of the zones take me back. Honestly, the game has been therapeutic in a way because sometimes if I feel like just saying something out loud that I am too afraid to say in real life, I do so in game when I find a nice secluded spot to myself. Usually that place is the river in Toxxulia Forest, but if people are around, I'll find somewhere else. Like in the middle of the forest in Greater Faydark or something.

EverQuest reminds me that I can be happy. I remember how it made me feel when I was a kid. The memories help me cope with my alcoholism in a way by reminding me of life before alcohol and that self medicating with a toxic substance won't help anything. I relapsed recently and the guilt and shame I felt from it shook me to my core, but logging into EQ helps me deal with that, even when I am going through withdrawals and I can't sleep and have to force myself to eat something even though I have no appetite. I have been on the server since before P99 launched Kunark and have yet to hit max level on a character because honestly, I don't care about leveling. I made a druid to specifically be able to port around the world and go back to the same places I went to as a kid. It's an escape. I'm not sticking my head in the sand and forgetting about my problems and acting like they aren't there, I know they are. But sometimes it is just too difficult to handle at the moment, so I jump into EQ until I am ready to face the music.

This post ended up being way longer than I intended but I just wanted to say something.

[Rang]

must....resist.....urge..... to ..... post..... memes

[oqrelord]

It can be a good thing to come back here for nostalgia and comfort... it's why we're all here.

But don't use this as an escape, if it keeps you from getting past your problems.

the time you spend here should be a tiny fraction of your leisure time.

face your problems head on and focus on beneficial life activities.

Health
RL Community
Money

Get healthy, get fit, run a race, join a group
Make a lot of friends, get rejected, make other friends, have relationships
If you don't have a lot of disposable income, focus on making money.

Buying a nice car or a nice house is infinitely more satisfying then buying a fungi tunic.

Wish you all the best. Come back and say hi every now and then - then go back to grind it out in RL

[Optti]

if you want to escape reality and have fun there are much better places to do it on the internet than this dumpster fire of an everquest server... but to each their own I guess.

GL to ya

[Chortles Snort|eS]

on ALL leVeLS exCepT pHysiCal i am aN ELF

[casts Spirit of the Wolf]

[agentjayd007]

I regret posting this. How do I delete a thread I made?

[Chortles Snort|eS]

hey bud its ok

we all love everquest

hang in there

[Evia]

Nah man I relate to what you’re saying. Norrath has been there for me through a lot of shitty experiences IRL, and I’ve definitely used it to escape before.

[Whyt]

Don't regret posting this - it was obviously on your mind and you are reaching out for comfort. The hard times you are going through will pass, but, the only one that can make that happen is yourself. It's not going to be easy nor will it be fun. It's going to take lots of patience, perseverance, and self-awareness. I understand the immersion and the nostalgia of Everquest but have you ever thought that maybe you are ping-ponging between addictions?

I love this game, I really do... but ive found ive grown to love the nostalgia even more... and the funny thing about that is i'll never find those same feelings at 34 that my 14 year old self had when first playing EQ... ... these days I get myself excited to play and then I log on to project 1999 and find that its the same ole same ole, within 30 minutes.. I log off and go about my life as usual. I know too much about the game now.... the mystery just isn't there anymore. Everyone has everything figured out.

I believe you will get through whatever is troubling you - but I would also not hesitate to seek professional help - we only get one life my friend - don't waste it on regret - like our characters in EQ - its time to level YOURSELF up. Good luck to you agentjayd007!

[tranceminus]

I played P99 for a solid 8-9 months until earlier this year. I relate to a lot of what you said.

I originally played when I was 13, and the last few years of my life were extremely stressful as my business slowly slid downhill and eventually imploded. I was drinking heavily and playing EQ every day as a way to feel happiness and escape the stress, and logging in for me also does bring back all the positive feelings I had associated with EQ from when I was a child.

I quit a few months ago because EQ had turned into a legitimate addiction. I was logged in every spare minute I had in the day, and found myself neglecting my gf and other responsibilities to do so.

From getting to know people IG during that time, I’d say a large percentage of people on this server play for similar reasons.

I wish you the best with whatever you’re struggling with, nothing lasts forever, not even the shitty periods in life.

[ScottBerta]

I really appreciate your post and can relate on many levels. I too suffered from addiction and alcoholism. I’ve been sober now for 11 years and being sober allows me to have a life where I can play eq recreationally. I have a great life now and I could go on and on about how great it is but it’s all because I got honest with myself and got sober. I really believe you should give sobriety another chance. I know it’s easier said than done but you owe it to yourself. Just a suggestion but try going to an AA meeting and possibly get a sponsor.

There is a saying in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous that in sobriety you will have a life better than anything you could have imagined. I thought this was silly, but I can promise you it is true. Hit me up if you want to talk more bro!

-Cisco 60 Shaman
-Demitrios 60 Mage
-Atreo 52 SK

[Swish2]

EQ is therapeutic on many levels... if you need it, it's here.

It's kept some people going for 20 years <3

[aaezil]

At least some of the population is either unemployed or has no life outside of work and eq so i would say yes

[Whoop]

Some years ago I went to a theurapist to get help with my drug adiction. She told me if computer games help me to stay away from the drug its agreat tool to use. so I did nad now I have have a wife, 2 kids, a cat, good job and I still play Everquest to escapre form it all <3 :D

[Dolalin]

My captors have told me I'll be free to go when I've leveled 1-60 in Erud's Crossing.

[tsuchang]

I would like to be wise but I have nothing.
Just don't give up.

[Altan]

Honestly, the game has been therapeutic in a way because sometimes if I feel like just saying something out loud that I am too afraid to say in real life, I do so in game when I find a nice secluded spot to myself. Usually that place is the river in Toxxulia Forest, but if people are around, I'll find somewhere else. Like in the middle of the forest in Greater Faydark or something

It's interesting that you say that dude. Do you have any parks / forests / rivers/ greenery where you live? I know that this'll sound hippy-ish, but have you ever tried going to one of the above on your own and just having a sit / taking it in / saying stuff out loud (assuming that no one is about haha)? Nature is so healing (even just being amongst it- reading - whatever) and if you enjoy being on your own, in nature, in-game, a real life version can be even more powerful.

On another note, you are brave to post something like this. Keep up the good fight. So what that you fell off the wagon. Fall down seven times and stand up eight. I dont mean that callously, but evidently you are still getting up despite being knocked down, and that's what counts! ..And if EQ continues to help you then that's a good thing. Do what works for you.

[I apologise for above comments. You didn't ask for advice. But i wanted to throw in my 2 copper pieces in case they are of use]

As to your question, yes i have used it as an escape. Back when it first came out i was at college and ended up taking a year off to play it haha! I was socially inept so Everquest was a nice place to visit. It was easier for me to socialise in game, than real-life, and i felt that i could be myself more so. And lets face it, it was bloody good (torturous, soul destroying, unforgiving, rewarding, friend-bonding) fun too?! :D

These days i no longer play (never really played project 99). The majority of me is now a different person so i doubt i could ever play as i did (I tried but soon realised that dam, so much time is needed to accomplish anything (not saying that’s bad) and I’m not interested enough to use that much time on it)... But, it's still there in my heart, so i like to browse forums now and then and logon to explore zones, hear music and indulge in nostalgia..

To an extent, in my view, everything is an escape. Reading a book, watching a film, playing tennis, playing a game. Perhaps it’s how present you are when doing them is what counts

[Whoop]

this:

To an extent, in my view, everything is an escape. Reading a book, watching a film, playing tennis, playing a game. Perhaps it’s how present you are when doing them is what counts

[jolanar]

My escape was Classic WoW. Around 2004/5 my life was crumbling around me, but everything was ok because I was playing WoW 16+ hours a day.

These days I play everything super casually. I never schedule my life around the game, which sadly makes raiding on P99 a never going to happen thing. But it's worth it because that's a slippery slope for me.

[slowpoke68]

I think anybody who is a serious gamer is kidding themselves if they think they aren't an escapist. As a kid I was always a day dreamer. I know I use games as an escape mechanism but I think it is ok.

Hang in there and keep fighting the good fight. Thank you for sharing.

[Xulia]

To answer your question: Yes

Bit of backstory; I'm a dad working full-time. I have no interest in a social life with the people who live around me and most of my long-time friends live elsewhere. P99 helps to provide social interaction without having to expend the effort to drive somewhere and spend money. My wife also plays FFXIV so its nice to be able to spend most of our free-time playing our respective games without any hard feelings; she's in a similar boat and her guild (free company in that game) also serve as her social circle. As parents we don't have the time or energy to go out and have an adult social life, so our games help fill that part of our lives.

As someone who also lives with mental illness, P99 also provides a place of serenity. I can choose what chat channels I read, who I interact with, etc. and having that control brings peace of mind and allows me something to focus on that's a fun fantasy romp, but in a world that's quantifiable and measured. For all of the barbs and flames that some people see on this game, by and large most of the people I've encountered are understanding and even supportive. In one of my worst spells, my guild leadership even reached out to make sure I was doing ok. It's rare to find people that genuinely care about you like that.

I've never struggled with addiction as you have, OP, but some of these responses already show that same support. You're stronger than the booze, and one relapse doesn't undo the progress you've made as long as you keep fighting and never give up.

[Titanas]

It can be a good thing to come back here for nostalgia and comfort... it's why we're all here.

But don't use this as an escape, if it keeps you from getting past your problems.

the time you spend here should be a tiny fraction of your leisure time.

face your problems head on and focus on beneficial life activities.

Health
RL Community
Money

Get healthy, get fit, run a race, join a group
Make a lot of friends, get rejected, make other friends, have relationships
If you don't have a lot of disposable income, focus on making money.

Buying a nice car or a nice house is infinitely more satisfying then buying a fungi tunic.

Wish you all the best. Come back and say hi every now and then - then go back to grind it out in RL

This 100 times over. You need to get your shit together before you can play games like this. If anything let EQ be your reward for getting to a point in your life where its O.K. to play for 3 hours a night. I have a Family a great Job and a really nice house, and at the end of the day I look forward to relaxing and killing some Frogloks with friends before I go to bed.

[Nisrak]

I would agree that EQ is a great escape, and it's always a tricky balance between the escape improving your life or making it harder by encouraging you to disregard RL responsibilities, etc.

I know I started playing EQ back in '99 as an escape (my parents went through a super rough divorce, I sort of hated everyone in highschool, etc.), but I was lucky enough never to have suffered from any mental illness or depression. I was happying playing EQ for every spare minute from 9th grade until 2nd year of undergrad. When I finally found a social group I mostly gave up EQ.

I now have a completely different life living abroad as a postdoc and married, so it's really hard to find any time to play at all. Last year I had the itch and started playing, but the time not spent on RL responsibilities made me quit. It ended up causing more stress than enjoyment because every deadline became tighter and harder to make. I think this ties in with how p99 differs from live back in '99. We were all teenagers and now we're all in our mid 30s, and the stresses of adult life are very different.

OP, good luck with everything and thanks for the post. I think, overall, p99 is a great community and we all have a lot in common.

[Jibartik]

When Elon Musk makes the neural net that lets you chose to live inside the computer forever, I'm going to have a hard time deciding between the infinite hive mind universe or the P99 one.

[Cen]

Ive never done anything in life as an escape that I can think of... I'm not sure what that means exactly.. but I started P99 for nostalgic reasons. Somewhere along the way I realized this wasn't nostalgic anymore because I overtook anything I ever accomplished in the classic game. This is now all the stuff I'm going to remember. I never had a character over 50 in classic and now I do so clearly I must have been playing more. Also the only rule I ever made when I first started playing here was to not play the two classes I played in classic which was necromancer and ranger. But now that I've essentially overtook anything classic I feel like if I ever start on the green server I'll just have to play ranger and necro again just now those are the classes in which I have experienced the least lol

[Barkingturtle]

"Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisioned by the enemy, don’t we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we’re partisans of liberty, then it’s our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!" ~ Brad McQuaid

[Chortles Snort|eS]

bRaD blesS

[Orionsaight]

I think shaming is a bad thing.

I think humans might be intentionally created to be flawed just to make life, life; and to give us personalities.

But I think there is an exception for every exception so im not good at winning debates, so I don't.

No one wants a character that starts with 200 str 200 sta 200 agi 200 dex 200 wis 200 int 200 cha.

Don't get me wrong I think people should do what it takes to better their life. But to put it all into words may not work.

[Jimjam]

It was a beautiful and sympathetic OP, don't be ashamed!

When the tutorial was modernised the story to it is you are stuck as a prisoner slaving away for monsters and their machines. You become powerful and break free; the subtext was very much 'break free of your chains and be a somebody in Everquest'. Indeed that tutorial is even called 'Escape to Norrath'!

It is a fun tutorial, it has a nice progression, some stories and a couple of fun characters. Dbg keep it updated so each time you play through it what it teaches will be up to date!

[Dulu]

You're replacing one addiction with another.

Everquest isn't the answer you are looking for.

Go to church. Study history. Become the man you are destined to be.

Your ancestors survived for hundreds of thousands of years in much harsher conditions than you are in now. You objectively have an easier life than ANY of your forefathers.

Man the fuck up dude. Seriously.

[Chortles Snort|eS]

https://i.imgur.com/KlrJOTG_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

🧐

[Orionsaight]

I hope I didn't sound like I was shaming you. I was trying to make it clear that's what I wasn't doing. /shrugs. I feel sometimes that every statement has a million interpretations and my brain doesn't work well so I cant think of them all. Its annoying.

[Jimjam]

You're replacing one addiction with another.

Everquest isn't the answer you are looking for.

Go to church. Study history. Become the man you are destined to be.

Your ancestors survived for hundreds of thousands of years in much harsher conditions than you are in now. You objectively have an easier life than ANY of your forefathers.

Man the fuck up dude. Seriously.

Hunter gatherers actually worked substantially less hours than subsistence farmers, who in turn worked less hours than modern workers once accounting for reduced work in the winter.

Of course subsistence farming is a very hard grind for the months where there is a lot of work dawn til dusk. And is less likely to provide as good a diet as hunting/gathering (although a more reliable one thanks to silos and crops that can be kept in edible condition for long periods of time).

Not saying either lifestyle was easier than modern life (especially considering the miraculous, cheap, effective healthcare available to 1st world countries). Just there are a lot of hours of monotonous work 13 months a year with little respite in modern life. I think the desire 'to escape' harkens back to the natural human lifestyle; nomadic hunter gatherers.

[Auvdar]

I used this game back in 2009 when I had a very close, tragic death. It was good for awhile, then I ended up struggling with too much booze that I had to recover from since EQ + drinking = fun.

It's an escape sure. But don't let it be your therapist either.

[Whoop]

You're replacing one addiction with another.

Everquest isn't the answer you are looking for.

Go to church. Study history. Become the man you are destined to be.

Your ancestors survived for hundreds of thousands of years in much harsher conditions than you are in now. You objectively have an easier life than ANY of your forefathers.

Man the fuck up dude. Seriously.

You know nothing, Jon Snow

[titanshub]

It's been my experience that most people are broken in some way or another. You shouldn't regret posting this. I think many serious and long term players on P99, myself included, use the game to escape from real life. Everyone has struggles and things in their life that they wished were going better. Anyone who says different is full of shit. Personally, I have found that P99 has helped me through some very tough times. Everquest is such a social game that if you play long enough you will find friends and fun challenges. It can make a great hobby but it's important not to let it become your life. Surround yourself with the right people and always remember that this is a video game and you may just find that when things in real life are going poorly you still have something to look forward to. That has been my experience anyway.

[Nisrak]

You're replacing one addiction with another.

Everquest isn't the answer you are looking for.

Go to church. Study history. Become the man you are destined to be.

Your ancestors survived for hundreds of thousands of years in much harsher conditions than you are in now. You objectively have an easier life than ANY of your forefathers.

Man the fuck up dude. Seriously.

You can't compare the stresses of modern life to historical life just because they were living in "harsher conditions." Yes, physically life in the past was more demanding, but I'd argue that emotional and psychological strain of modern life is much more intense. If life is so much easier now than in the past, then why do we see this rise in depression, addiction, etc. of the past few decades?

I also think advice like "man up" is a really shitty thing to say to someone who is struggling at any point in their life. I don't know about the rest of you, but that kind of jock bullshit was one thing I could escape from in EQ. Being able to talk about your emotions or stresses doesn't make you less of man, it makes you more of one. It takes a lot more bravery and strength to talk about problems than it does to "man up" and pretend they don't exist.

[Mazoku]

I am terminally ill and have stabbing pains most every day. Each day is a new private Hell in some way. Everquest is a great release from the pain and as well as the stress from private sector programs. You are not alone in your escape sir. The method is how to deal with your circumstances and provide adequate escape and still manage to be productive. Everything is a balance in life. Yin and Yang, light and dark. Find your balance and your path and get to level 60 in the outside world and on Norrath.

[Xulia]

Man the fuck up dude. Seriously.

Dealing with your problems is "manning up".

Trying to bully people is what children do.

[Twochain]

Some of the most nostalgic memories I have are from 1999-2000, playing EverQuest right next to my father. I only got to play every other weekend at his house, the 11 days I wasn't at his house I daydreamt about playing constantly. I had a family guild, an EverQuest "Mom" (AKA the woman my dad e-dated) and I loved it. The game has always felt like magic to me.

I don't really have addiction issues, although one may take a look at my play time and say otherwise. A lot of things in my life are going well. My daughter is 5 years old and is the sweetest little girl. I have a great, supportive career, with my own big office and unlimited advancement opportunities.

But what I do have, is extreme sleeping issues. Always have. Bad Insomnia (can't stop thinking about stuff while laying in bed, however not in angst) Sleep Apnea (even though i'm in decent shape + have had several throat surgeries to correct this) and even "Severe Restless Leg Syndrome". Coupled with life long depression, I find myself playing for hours and hours on end during the wee hours of the night when sleeping seems impossible.

This is the first MMORPG (p99) I have committed so many hours to. I have 3 level 60's. I love our community. It's easy to just pop on to say hi to some people and get sucked into a 5 hour adventure.

Even though my life is going.. pretty okay, Norrath is my happy place.

If anyone ever wants to talk, don't hesitate to speak to me on the forums or in game. I'm always willing to help. Whether it be with some Real Life advice, some plat for your first toon, or if you need one of my bad ass toons for some adventure.

Love you all <3

[bomaroast]

I keep playing for that little tinge of satisfaction that comes from every group I'm in, someone commenting that it's the best group they've ever been in.

[Ennewi]

You're replacing one addiction with another.

Everquest isn't the answer you are looking for.

quest
late Middle English: from Old French queste (noun), quester (verb), based on Latin quaerere 'ask, seek'. See also inquest.

c. 1300, "an inquest;" early 14c., "a search for something" (especially of judicial inquiries or hounds seeking game), from Old French queste "search, quest, chase, hunt, pursuit; inquest, inquiry" (12c., Modern French quête), properly "the act of seeking," and directly from Medieval Latin questa "search, inquiry," alteration of Latin quaesitus (fem. quaesita) "sought-out, select," past participle of quaerere "seek, gain, ask" (see query (n.)). Romance sense of "adventure undertaken by a knight"(especially the search for the Grail) is attested from late 14c. Johnson's dictionary has questmonger "Starter of lawsuits or prosecutions."

(The last part isn't directly related, but interesting that ruleslawyers are included.)

Your ancestors survived for hundreds of thousands of years in much harsher conditions than you are in now. You objectively have an easier life than ANY of your forefathers.

Man the fuck up dude. Seriously.

Our ancestors also maintained severe addictions and questionable beliefs, which helped create those conditions. For a good majority of them, addiction was their way of manning the fuck up.

But then, saying "man the fuck up" is lazy advice, a platitude of the 21st century asshole. Not calling you an asshole, but it is an asshole thing to say.

If there is an answer, it isn't church or history or workout routines...it would have to be in the question itself. The quest. In our search for and research of a bug and its fix, a disease and its cure, a quest and its reward, etc. And the [exact words] to convey something not tldr on these forums.

[scifo76]

I'm not sure if I am making this post in the right forum. I was thinking maybe it belongs in the off topic section since it isn't about being in the game itself, but it still has to due with EQ.

My first memory of EQ wasn't actually being in the game itself. See, my mom worked with a guy who played EQ and during one of those "take your son/daughter to work for a day" things, he showed me everlore.com. I read up on all the classes and races, the cities, everything. I had to have EQ. A week later my dad and I went to the mall and we passed by FuncoLand, which eventually would become GameStop. Through one of the windows I saw EQ sitting on a shelf, it was the Kunark box art with Firiona Vie and that blue Iksar. I begged my dad to buy it and he did. Then we walked to the food court for dinner, I could hardly eat though because of how excited I was. I read that box up one side and down the other. Eventually, I got home, installed the game, and asked dad for his credit card cause it was $15 a month. He wasn't too thrilled about the game having a subscription, but he paid it anyway.

That was the first memory I made about EQ and I would make countless others as the years went by.

Things have been going pretty crappy for me for a little over a year now. It's really difficult to keep my head above water while I try and get to a better place mentally and emotionally. EQ is such a powerful thing, the immersion and the world itself is something I was amazed at when I first played at 12 years old right when Kunark came out. Here I am 20 years later and it still makes me feel that way. The sounds and the music and the look of the zones take me back. Honestly, the game has been therapeutic in a way because sometimes if I feel like just saying something out loud that I am too afraid to say in real life, I do so in game when I find a nice secluded spot to myself. Usually that place is the river in Toxxulia Forest, but if people are around, I'll find somewhere else. Like in the middle of the forest in Greater Faydark or something.

EverQuest reminds me that I can be happy. I remember how it made me feel when I was a kid. The memories help me cope with my alcoholism in a way by reminding me of life before alcohol and that self medicating with a toxic substance won't help anything. I relapsed recently and the guilt and shame I felt from it shook me to my core, but logging into EQ helps me deal with that, even when I am going through withdrawals and I can't sleep and have to force myself to eat something even though I have no appetite. I have been on the server since before P99 launched Kunark and have yet to hit max level on a character because honestly, I don't care about leveling. I made a druid to specifically be able to port around the world and go back to the same places I went to as a kid. It's an escape. I'm not sticking my head in the sand and forgetting about my problems and acting like they aren't there, I know they are. But sometimes it is just too difficult to handle at the moment, so I jump into EQ until I am ready to face the music.

This post ended up being way longer than I intended but I just wanted to say something.

Thanks for sharing your story. Take care.

[fastboy21]

You shouldn't regret posting your thoughts.

Most of us here have a similar recollection, not the same details obviously but the same very positive good feeling surrounding the nostalgia of our experience with EQ.

If you find EQ to be a needed escape it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Most of us also relate to the various power this game can have...if you do have a diagnosed mental illness you should def bring up your video game playing if you are concerned about it with a health care provider. For some folks, I have even heard some positive anecdotal improvement in depression and social anxiety.

[Awweshux]

Thank you for your post. This game is a total escape for me too. Escape from watching the news 24/7 and angsting about the state of the world. Escape from buying shit on Amazon. Escape from boredom. Escape from imperfection of RL. It's fun. It's beautiful. It's an amazing thing to be able to open the computer and enter this lovely magical world. It's amazing to be in the game where you first were able to play with people from all over the world, and you still can. Thank you again for sharing your post. We're all in Norrath to escape and play in a world very different from the real one. Or is it.....