Recycle/Starter Server Badly Needed - General Review of P99

Mitya · #1 08-28-2015, 01:33 AM

Not sure if my message/post will see the light of day, but I feel like I want to share some thoughts about P1999 and my experiences here. I joined not very long ago, but having played Live or an extremely long time, I feel like I have enough class/high level/end game experience to weigh in on the matter.

Of course, my opinion is ultimately moot: After all, this is the internet, on a forum, about a free game that practically drips neckbeard-ism.

I first installed P1999 after having played on an emulated EQ server with completely custom content. Their system was good, but their custom content was out of control. While I enjoyed their AA system and their population was fair - it was mostly boxed toons, and the economy was...there are no words. Trinkets and charms costing several million in plat was common. Anyway...rather than continue the wall of text about that, here are some pros and cons about P1999 and my time here (though somewhat brief):

PROS:

Varying Community - I debated on whether or not to list this as a pro. The community can be over-the-top nice, and other times it can be completely toxic. I had people give me loot, advice, ports, buffs, you name it. Then, I had people refuse to group with me because I was a noob, not twinked, etc.
Robust, living server - Again, not entirely sure if this is a pro (at all levels) but it is certainly nice when leveling up. The EC tunnel is real. The zones have people in them, for the most part, and finding groups from 8+ isn't difficult if you try.
Easy to install and get working - Self explanatory. I think this deserves some credit because some custom EQ emus are silly difficult.
True classic experience - The moment that .midi music kicks in, I just feel chills. Very awesome. The custom spell work visuals and UI enhancements the community has done is outstanding.
Free - Though most of us would happily donate, the game is free.

CONS:

Extremely top heavy - When you've got only just recently the ability to go into Velious after being around for so many years, the top of the game is extremely bogged with level 60s geared to the teeth, their alts geared to the teeth, their alt's alt's geared to the teeth, etc.
Economy is insane - Honestly. Rings that should cost 50pp cost 5000pp. Rogues and Shaman twinks running around with epics at level 30, lol. The list goes on. It's like a giant MOUNTAIN of plat that is unobtainable by most new players without extreme time investments or hand-outs.
Not newbie friendly - This may seem like a contradiction but the reality is... as a new player (not to EQ, but to P99) you're at an insane disadvantage on Red, and a complete meltdown scenario on Blue. Want to raid? Forget it. You never will. Want to kill mad bosses for loot? Not a chance. Want your epic? Unless you can buy it, tough cookies.
Sometimes feels overcrowded - While it's great to have a thriving robust community, it's wicked crowded sometimes. So crowded, that in almost every newbie zone, someone is quad kiting guards, camping guards, etc.

So, I suppose to conclude my thoughts: I have read the forums and checked out some of the discussions about a potential recycle server or a new blue server for people to start fresh on and I truly think it might be what the game needs. While I agree that the game can be fun in it's current state, I personally have this, "Why bother?" feeling when I go to click the play button. It's all been done. Done again and again, and again, and the story ends with a level 15 rogue twink with his epics climbing out from under a 5 mile high mountain of plat in the EC tunnel. "WTS Fungi Tunic: 85k" he shouts. "All of my other 5 twinks have one, so I need to get rid of one."