Old EQ player coming back
 

I, like many others it seems, have lately discovered P99 thanks to the Everquest 16 year anniversary. I couldn't be more happy and excited as EQ between 1999 - 2001 was the best times I ever had playing a computer game!
I've spent a little time browsing the forums and to my surprise and joy it seems like this community is thriving but I have a few questions if that's ok.

1) Population is of course number one, there's nothing worse than a ghost town server. How is the player base on low and mid levels on the blue server? I can see the current number of players online at any given moment but that doesn't say much as I don't remember how many players an old thriving EQ server used to have.

2) Any significant problems with cheaters running third party programs? Cheating players take away all the fun.

3) Is the PVP server playable i.e. can you find groups throughout the levels?

4) I read somewhere that the servers are running on their 4th or 5th year and that Velious will be released at some point. What are the long and short term plans for P99, new servers, resetting etc?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm super excited and can't wait to start. Thanks for all!

Larken

1) Population is pretty good. Actually probably too crowded at raid level.

2) Every game has cheaters. However, the dedicated GM's pretty much keep problems almost un-noticeable. Probably the least amount I've ever seen on an online game.

3) Yes. Just rerolled on the pvp server. Already level 10, manage to find at the least 2-3 players to kill with every night.

4) Ask the server mods, but last I heard velious is it, no further.

1) Thanks to cheap lowbie gear everyone has alts and there are always groups in the usual places: Crushbone, Mistmoore, Guk, etc.

2) I've been here for years and never witnessed straight up cheating besides the occasional guy trying to box 2 characters.

3) Depends on where you start (see number 1).

4) No resets, progression will stop at Velious. There's been talk of a team pvp server but if that ever happens it's years away.

There is a good amount of pro-red fanatics that pras (thats eqp99red speak for praise) their server. If you want a more realistic "starting from scratch" feeling, and dont have problems with pvp in general its my understanding red is great for that.

Playing on blue there is an inundated market of nice and cheap gear for most classes/archetypes, not to mention the community tends to gift to noobs a lot. Blue pop is massive, like prime time 1200+ people. Where red will be like prime time 250ish max.

Keep in mind EXP on red is faster due to serverwide bonus, even much more so in groups. This I think is to offset lost time in pvp deaths for the more casual player. Keep in mind there are fungi twink grief alts, but my understanding is that they are easily avoided by staying out of the "popular" eqp99 places like unrest, crushbone, mistmoore etc.

Just a casual players two cents to help a noobie to p99

Kaezyr 35 Dark Elf Shadow Knight
<Guardians of the Dome>
p99 blue

1. We are at about half the population of a live server back in the day and population distribution is about the same with more players in Faydwer/Eastern Antonics than elsewhere.
2. It is not permitted and strictly enforced.
3. Cannot answer this one. Ask in the "Time to roll red" red thread in the server forum.
4. Velious will be the end of the line for is server. No current plans for a wipe or reset and have heard nothing on additional servers. Though there has been plenty of discussion amongst the players.


*edit*

Not sure what is up with that thumbs-down sign in my post title >.> I didn't put it there! ^^

Thanks for the answers. Very glad to hear that cheating is taken very seriously.
In regards to Velious, it seems like beta testing has been going on for a very long time, when is the release due, very soon as in weeks or more like months?

When Velious is released I'm assuming a lot of the problems with overcrowding on blue server will be solved too?

Velious ought to be out soon. Overcrowding at the raid scene might be solved, tough to say. Probably not though. As far as leveling goes, it isn't overcrowded, just right I'd say.

There is a pretty good population on Blue. Highly recommend for the strictly PVE aspect. I personally rerolled on red, the community is much smaller of course, but easier to make a name for yourself.

Velious was coming "soon" last year as well. Best to just wait it out and not hope too much.

From what I've gathered reading the forums these past days is that red99 has been growing a lot lately (300 at peak times). If that's the case it seems like there is potential for red99.
How is this growth compared with historical data, what used to be the population on red99 in its glory days?
Sorry for all the silly questions but I just want to get a clear picture of the status and health of the server.

Jarsha has the right if it: it has been due out soon for quite some time. Should be within the year for sure ^^