Why Classic EQ is still the best online RPG (and how P1999 could make it even better)

[Noudess]

Originally Posted by Ele [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Without getting into whether or not these things should be implemented here. (They should not). It is an interesting exercise to see what mistakes or just simple shortsightedness Verant/Sony had when making the game and updating it along the way.

The developers back in 1997-99 had no idea that EQ would be as popular as it was or that it would spawn the progeny of games that it did. The developers thought most people would never get past their 30s; however, the uber guild/power gamer crowd quickly proved them wrong and incidentally are the ones most likely to pull up an emulated server.

Capping stats at 200/255 in the first few expansions. Didn't leave any growing room.

Recharging.

Feign Death mechanics.

Lack of significant money sinks.

Primal weapons.

21/36/41% haste items in first release. Best haste % available before the first expansion even dropped.

Complete Healing was a huge oversight, which only got better as time went on. It also became the basis for new encounters to be measured by, rather than coming up with strategies or interesting mechanics, just make the mob hit harder and faster requiring more precision in the CH chain.

Great post.