Lets play the "if it was my server" game

[Tradesonred]

People bitch and complain (i know i do) about how server is run. How would you run it?

Heres my take:

- Item loss, 1 item per death, anything that isnt bagged with weapon slots being non-lootable.

- No xp loss in pvp, respawn with low health and no mana.

- Xp rate the way it is right now

- coin loss

- Hands off approach to GMing, with only trains, 3rd party cheats and exploiting being off limits.

Custom tweaks:

- Basic starter and mid range no drop set patched in, so that players can mix and match with droppable loot. With item loot, this would make sure that item looting is not too harsh, and at the same time making Gfay come alive again because people actually care about something other than high end twink gear they will never, ever lose. AKA making the server have an economy other than top end gear exchange.

- PVP events that are geared toward letting players make their own fun. Like the halloween event of 2001, where event mobs spawn in an area and players go batshit and swarm the zone, killing each other, killing event mobs, noobs running around looting the awesome gear left to rot getting repeatedly killed by high level mobs trying to get to said loot.

- Global OOC until my awesome ruleset repops the server (cheeky grin)

- Finding some way to allow people to 2box strictly for item exchange between characters (if this is too complicated, then do not allow 2 boxing)

[Vohl]

Things are pretty good as-is. Mob run speed / HP % needs to be brought down to allow for melee PvE, and there are a couple other things that aren't classic, but I like the current balance of things.

[zixxer]

Need item loot to make things more exciting.

[Angkar]

Make server more like RZ / TZ / VZ and less like Fennin Ro / Project 1999 Blue

[SamwiseRed]

although item loot would be fun, it would make playing a melee even more shitty. you gotta remember, not everyone plays a caster.

[heartbrand]

although item loot would be fun, it would make playing a melee even more shitty. you gotta remember, not everyone plays a caster.

[Tombom]

it is never too late to hope <3

imo its simple. ooc was a great first step

next to revive the pop and help some competition start up at the top,

(nihilum full of self loathing faggots trying so hard to slay server with poop filled socks)

add hotzones, it increases pvp, brings lowbie pals together, helps lvlers catch up but
does not rob them of the grind blah blah blah. DO IT


and add yellow text for the love of Rexx

[Tradesonred]

although item loot would be fun, it would make playing a melee even more shitty. you gotta remember, not everyone plays a caster.

My suggestion to patch in a non-drop set was mainly with melees in mind.

As for Fiegi's commentary that nobody wants to lose a FBSS:

Then dont wear it. As eve online players say "Only fly what you can afford to lose".

People in eve online dont usually take out their best ships when they are solo pvping. You take out your best ship on a big operation with 60 of your allies in a fleet.

It would be applicable here, you only wear your best gear when you are out pvping with 5-10 guildies and on top of that, you can put your "ship" in your bags and not lose it if you start feeling like its risky to keep wearing it, unlike eve.

[Tassador]

I just sent out the milk crates with the milk boxes that have the pvp missing pictures posted.

[EQtrader]

good idea sam wise lets turn red into eve.. no thanks fiegi is right all item loot is gonna do is turn server into a ghost town for good. people already crying grief this and grief that .. i mean come on people playing already to soft..

[Lazortag]

I know it shouldn't surprise me but I'm still amazed at how all the people who want no GM intervention are the same people who've been banned frequently for breaking the rules. What gets me is just how transparently self-serving you all are. It makes it hard to take you seriously when your motive is to make red99 an anarchic shithole.

[Tradesonred]

good idea sam wise lets turn red into eve.. no thanks fiegi is right all item loot is gonna do is turn server into a ghost town for good. people already crying grief this and grief that .. i mean come on people playing already to soft..

In my opinion, its far worse what we have now.

Hardcore twinks making new people lose xp, with them having nothing to gain from pvping hardcore twinks other than losing xp, and once in a while getting the satisfaction of getting one down.

VS

Giving people a set of non-droppable gear (starter, mid level and would add high end set as well) and giving noobs access to looting hardcore twinks if they find a way to trap one 3v1 etc... It would also make twinks think twice about attacking people because they can actually lose that top end gear they are wearing to noobs.

Seriously, give this a 2 minutes thought.

[Nirgon]

More like people who need GMs to punish people for the same shit they're doing

[SearyxTZ]

Armchair quarterbacking isn't too far off from complaining.

The changes in the past month have been great, but the population had already bottomed out. The server itself has almost everything that a classic red EQ server should have, though.


Anyway, if you hand me the driver's keys (repeatedly, after I throw them back at you several times) here's what I do:

1.) Hot zones (XP). Someone suggested this in another thread, and it is the single best suggestion anyone else has made on this forum. What better way to funnel the low population into the same area and placate the casuals who hate the exp rate here? Active low-mid level pvp might make a comeback.

2.) Prep Kunark and hype the shit out of it. Set a date well in advance. A wipe has too many drawbacks, so this is the next best thing to spike interest and pull players back in.

3.) Consider implementing hard-coded teams. This would break up guilds and piss a few people off, sure, but that change would probably good one for the long-term health of the server. I've never been very high on FFA. RZ was my least favorite of the four red servers (and the least popular). One guild always rises to the top and dominates. Even with just a 2 team setup -- lighties versus darkies -- you ensure better balance there and draw the lines pretty clearly for players to ally or band together.

[Jadian]

Teams

Item Loot

Rule enforcement

[SamwiseRed]

give me the keys and ill drive this bitch off a cliff

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oBRbTQRZwVI/TOfdDwczwLI/AAAAAAAAAbA/9_6zI_rnEI0/s1600/thelma.jpg

[Xersius]

1.) No xp loss on PVP death
2.) On PVP death respawn at bind. Autocast spell which gives DA and Roots/Stuns you for said period of time (2-5 mins?). While rooted/stunned you may sit and med/regen HP.
3.) Increase PVE xp gain on server with "Hot Zones"
4.) Make "Hot zones" change every few weeks to promote grouping/leveling/pvp in different areas
5.) Make guild max size 50 players total (prevent swarm guilds)
6.) Coin Loot
7.) Global /auction and Global /ooc.... This way people can turn off /auction or filter it to a different channel if they don't want to see it.
8.) Make more viability of a lower level character attacking a higher level mob/character... anything yellow or red resists about 60% of spells from my anecdotal evidence.
9.) Teams

[One Tin Soldier]

I'm sure I'll catch all kinds of hell for my ideas but this is just a "what if" thing so here goes.

First, I would make it hard coded teams. Either good / evil giving humans, erudites and maybe gnomes the option to join either or go another route and make each starting city it's own team while maybe removing some of the race/class restrictions.

I would increase the casting time on gate to 30 seconds to make things a little more fair.

I would allow item loot and if at all possible I would disable the ability to un-equip items in combat to prevent bagging. Or I might simply allow bags to be looted.

I would remove all raid content because I personally have no interest in doing it and this is my "what if".

I would do something towards creating a zone control mechanic. Like adding faction aligned wandering NPCs. So if the good team controls south karana a bunch of good-aligned NPCs will wander around the zone agroing on any evil player who comes too close. If the evils kill enough of them the zone control shifts and evil NPCs start to spawn instead of good ones. I don't know---something like that.

I would remove the idiotic hybrid exp. penalty.

I would increase exp. gain some but maybe not too much more.

I would not have exp. loss on PvP death untill above level 45 at which point I would make a really serious hit. So those last 5 levels would always at risk.

And some other really awesome ideas I'm not going to tell you.

[hijinks]

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark




Did I mention release Kunark??? There is absolutely 0 benefit to keep it classic any longer, people that left server will not come back until Kunark is released.. Global OOC was added too late, server feels more alive now with 80 people than it did with 150 2 months ago.. Look for pop to continue to dwindle down in the next 2 months and spike up again when Kunark is released.

I guess I'm not talking how I would run a server, but what we can do to bring people back to this one.. but if it was my server I would immediately insert Kunark and toss this classic timeline out the window

[Tradesonred]

3.) Increase PVE xp gain on server with "Hot Zones"
4.) Make "Hot zones" change every few weeks to promote grouping/leveling/pvp in different areas
5.) Make guild max size 50 players total (prevent swarm guilds)
7.) Global /auction and Global /ooc.... This way people can turn off /auction or filter it to a different channel if they don't want to see it.


I like these ones, hot zones or Events, would draw in the pvp without a GM having to lift a finger.


2.) On PVP death respawn at bind. Autocast spell which gives DA and Roots/Stuns you for said period of time (2-5 mins?). While rooted/stunned you may sit and med/regen HP.


Do not like this one because if you ever die close to your bind, you need to evac asap before someone finds you and camps you.

I do not like teams because it would be the same imbalance than right now, but hard coded. So if a side gets strong, its more permanent than guilds that come and go.

[Tradesonred]

Yeah im in Nihilum and never cheated... thanks for the great input trolls

[Humerox]

I think enough has been done as it stands. With the recent resist modifications, playing a melee is much more viable. The population isn't going to drop any further and it's time for the pendulum to swing the other way.

What's much more interesting are the guild dynamics recently. Holocaust is gone, and Nihilum is beginning to break...I wouldn't be surprised to see some serious fractures there. Founding Fathers has become raid capable and will be in a position soon to challenge for superiority. Brotherhood is bringing in returning players and will be planes capable very soon. Rexx is bringing a crew back in to boot, which is good news.

Will it be enough? Only if people know about it, and I think that's where the problem lies. Changes only mean something if they're advertised, and it's up to the community to get the word out. HZ is a very good idea though...and could contribute greatly in bringing more momentum to a server rebirth.

[SamwiseRed]

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

* Release Kunark

Did I mention release Kunark??? There is absolutely 0 benefit to keep it classic any longer, people that left server will not come back until Kunark is released.. Global OOC was added too late, server feels more alive now with 80 people than it did with 150 2 months ago.. Look for pop to continue to dwindle down in the next 2 months and spike up again when Kunark is released.

I guess I'm not talking how I would run a server, but what we can do to bring people back to this one.. but if it was my server I would immediately insert Kunark and toss this classic timeline out the window
tbh i agree. no reason this server should be behind blue server. however release it right. employ the p99 planar protectors to start an internet forum crusade for advertising. if i can get 9 people to try eve from p99 with my half ass posts. imagine what i might be able to do if unleashed upon the internet.

[SearyxTZ]

PLANAR PROTECTORS ASSEMBLE

http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/avengers-movie-poster-1.jpg

(I'm Tony Stark)

Agreed Samwise. Kunark = biggest opportunity to get people back into the game. Gotta be hyped like the second coming of Jesus well in advance of release.

[Tombom]

Seary put it all in 1 post but to say it again

FUCKING HOTZONES so ezpz perfect funnel, 0 drawback, suck my dick

[Stonewall Jackson]

Tombom the veteran!

[Tombom]

Tombom the veteran!

I will be your robert E lee son

[Stonewall Jackson]

Not even joking, roll a toon named bobbylee or jebstuart

[Zallar]

I wouldn't mind doing teams again as long as there are lessons learned from live and modifications made to absolutely disallow cross team invulnerable healing / buffs. PDM anyone?

[Rikimeru]

I wouldn't mind doing teams again as long as there are lessons learned from live and modifications made to absolutely disallow cross team invulnerable healing / buffs. PDM anyone?

[hagard]

Hot zones are an amazing idea

[Tombom]

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

Hot zones are an amazing idea

[SamwiseRed]

If the teams fantasy ever came true - it WOULD have to be 2 teams.

I guess evil religions vs good religions somehow...?

3 teams, 2 teams would cause the same shit here. SZ ruleset or just leave it like it is.

[hagard]

Not enough pvp as is, teams would limit it even more

[SamwiseRed]

at least the monopoly would be broken up. of course who am I to say anything i dont play here :D

[Nirgon]

Teams don't fix anything.

[heartbrand]

There are melees who would be overtaken with joy if they could ding at highe leveled every 15.5 hours. Your math also sucks because it assumes people actually have a group from the moment they log in. People search for groups as a melee for hours in vein.

[Smedy]

People bitch and complain (i know i do) about how server is run. How would you run it?

Heres my take:

- Item loss, 1 item per death, anything that isnt bagged with weapon slots being non-lootable.

blabla....

- Global OOC until my awesome ruleset repops the server (cheeky grin)


woha, the delusion is strong in this one, willing to bet 1000 bucks that the pop will drop even more with item loot

[SearyxTZ]

Yeah we kinda proved that on VZTZ -- multiple times


while 50% of players really really love item loot (but will play with just coin loot), the other 50% is too carebear and flat out will not play item loot

[Tradesonred]

But im not suggesting straight item loot.

I am suggesting, item loot with patched in, non-lootable sets.

So if that is their wish, noobs can run around together "naked" (IE in their non droppable sets) looking for twinks to farm.

Thats way better than getting pwned over and over by some twink who doesnt care much about dying because he will never lose gear and win 90% of his fight because of his twinked gear.

[Tombom]

you can only tweak things so much, adding non classic gear is opening a whole can of
worms that should not be touched. god bless EQ

[Tradesonred]

you can only tweak things so much, adding non classic gear is opening a whole can of
worms that should not be touched. god bless EQ

Well it comes with velious... i guess not classic

[SamwiseRed]

I don't normally punish myself but when I do, I play melee on Red99.

[gloinz]

Server is finally perfect as is, everyone just needs to start playing again.

i play every now and then slay a couple mobs realize ive gained 6% xp in an hour then quit

boost the fooking xp

[SamwiseRed]

Server actually does sound better. If you were to compare server from launch to now, it sounds like its 1000 times better. I guess what we can take from this is that the beta should have been longer or developers should have listened to players sooner. I can't believe there was no guard assist at launch, I mean wtf were they thinking. Anyhow with that said, I think the only way to repopulate the server is some serious advertising. Possibly building up the launch of Kunark. Throw a few Euros at my nikka Smedy. Get that Kunark is your body ready vid out and let us Planar Protectors get the word out.

[Nirgon]

As a PP 4 times your senior, I must say its best to let old man Red die in peace.

[SamwiseRed]

As a PP 4 times your senior, I must say its best to let old man Red die in peace.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSITCFpAwkjZYqhcF0m6XElQloekxNz8 AkrX3D8IZQxnGUUJvnqQlVXoMABVQ

i salute you good sir

[Nirgon]

At ease SW

[SamwiseRed]

http://crocmusic.com/images/albums_large/989/nneka_no_longer_at_ease.jpg

[Nirgon]

I'd put concrete shoes on it if this was my box. Then take a bunch of pills.

[Tombom]

some men want to watch the server burn, and continue posting on the foramz,

other post funny pictures, thanks luls, for the lulz

[Cwall]

up xp more

add yellow txt

keep global ooc

no gm intervention except for hacking /lost corpses

keep rogaine on to help ppl get their lost corpses only.

all item loot does is kill the population of the ppl who get so angry that they just lost a fbss




2 late for any of this anways

[Slave]

Teams are EVERYTHING.

[HarrisonStillPosting]

up xp more(WAAAH I suck at Everquest, and cry about classic EQ on a classic EQ server)

add yellow txt(lol vztz had this and it did great!!)

keep global ooc(So I can spam dicks lulz)

no gm intervention except for hacking /lost corpses(So I can train, exploit, corpse camp, and be a huge piece of shit with no repercussions!)

keep rogaine on to help ppl get their lost corpses only.

all item loot does is kill the population of the ppl who get so angry that they just lost a fbss




2 late for any of this anways

[Toehammer]

I think the server has a perfect rule setup right now. Unfortunately... the server was doomed from the first night and subsequent weeks. No guard assist really hamstringed the server from the beginning, resists were CRAZY messed up, exploits up the wazoo. All of that is fixed now. Unfortunately, it is TOO LATE for a wipe... maybe 5 months ago would have worked.

My solution:
OPEN A SECOND RED SERVER, starting from scratch with current server rules (legacy time frame for >3 months or so). With guard assists, global ooc, better resists, and no exploiting... TONS of people would come back or start up fresh. With the scaling exp formula people would be grouping and leveling at a good clip. After 4-5 months merge both red servers... I bet you the population would be over 200 on most nights in the merged red server :D

Red 99 server pop is just too damn low right now. I love playing it, but imagine what it could be!

[SamwiseRed]

slave openly hates me but i agree with him about teams. ffa pvp is meaningless for people who give two fucks about dragons and manastones. i want to roll over some darkies.

[Vohl]

I like the second server idea. Kind of a hard thing to sell for the added administration, though.

[SamwiseRed]

ez make it SZ rule set, minimal gm interaction to just bust hackers but it wont happen. one of these years someone will get it right, lets just hope its before we all die of diabetes.

[Daldaen]

Seems pretty simple to me... EQ just isn't a PvP game. The appeal isn't there to get enough people playing it. Opening another server would be useless, and you'd find that out 3 months from it opening.

[SamwiseRed]

word