The chicken little doom and gloom and drama that surrounds this topic everytime it comes up never ceases to amaze. But, then, we are gamers and that's just what we do, I guess.
One of the goals of this project, as I understand it, is to recreate classic era EQ as well as an accurate patch and expansion timeline. Classic era EQ has been recreated, with velious still pending, of course. But due to the unavoidable work-in-progress nature of the project we have never had an accurate timeline. Classic, for example, wasn't remotely classic because of mechanics and features that were still in the game and hadn't been nerfed or restored to classic. Kunark was never out for years before velious, etc etc.
So both sides of this constant debate just need to chill. Velious isn't here yet and even when it is there will still be plenty to tweak and fix. It will take time so dont expect a new server anytime soon even once it's out. On the other hand, once velious is finished, don't be so ridiculous as to think there will never be another server, either. We have the pops to support two blue servers and have for years. Lots of people will start and return for a new server also, because lots of people, myself included, really love fresh server starts. Besides, they did all this work restoring the game, it's just silly to think they won't apply al that work to a new server at some point. They've said from the beginning that it was a possibility and it makes perfect sense for them to do so, considering how non-classic the current server has been, particularly pre kunark.
They've also said that after velious there is the possibility of custom end game content. Not something I'm crazy about, personally, but duly noted.
So, all of that taken into consideration, what I would like to see is two servers....The one we have now, I'll call it the Perma Server, and a new fresh one I'll call the Timeline Server. The Perma Server stays as it is and that is where the custom content gets added. The Timeline Server starts fresh, day one classic, then runs thru the entire patch and expansion timeline up to what would have been the start of Luclin. Or that plus the sleeper being woken. Some milestone like that. Then the Timeline Server gets merged with the Perma Server, wiped, and starts the timeline over. Rinse, repeat.
This way there is something for everyone. For those who don't want to start over there's no need to worry. For those that do, they can. For those who missed the start of p99, the new server, or any other part of the timeline they particularly enjoy, the possibility of being there for it next time will perpetually be available to them. A win win for everybody.
|