Balance and game design : Why red got it right?

[innocent51]

Disclaimer : This is a not a thread about Red server.

I realised the xp bonus introduced on Red server makes perfect sense with EverQuest design and, even if it is not classic, it completely changes the whole balance of the game.

EverQuest always was a social game. It is about making friends (or at least contacts), getting to know people and stuff. On classic EQ you can solo, some class are good at it. After some point actually almost half the classes make better xp solonig. After 50ies on blue xp is so slow that you see more and more optimized trio/duo.

The xp bonus introduced on Red makes grouping with anyone always better. Even if on live you would be better off soloing separately the bonus on Red makes you do on improbable trios everyone trying to bring the less sucky they can do the team. But never mind if they are here, they bring the xp bonus anyway.

Anyone who ever played City of Heroes understand this feeling. Group members are never a weigh (ok unless that break mezes, train you and shit), they are always, even if not in an optimal way participating to the team effort. And it makes perfect sense with EQ's social, group grind oriented design.

I don't think EQ is meant to be a PvP game but this statement is very arguable. Its just a point a view. I really think this xp bonus should be introduced on Blue. Even if it means reducing the overall xp income (so people don't level too fast, EQ is meant to be slow, to take the time to do quest on the way, to travel through dangerous places and to farm cash to buy your new spells...).

It is not classic, it is meta-classic.