[EQ2] Information from Fan Faire

[Cantatus]

Man, they really want me back, don't they? Awesome changes. Very tempting...


I wonder if the PoH zone that they're introducing will be inspired by the original PoH or the revamped version that came a few years later.

[Sithro]

Why do I hate the idea of paying for these cards with RL money?

*sigh*

[Menion]

Druid portals will be in ROK, Lyndro just forgot all about them until a player asked him a portal question in one of the panels.

All Epic weapons will be a 1 handed weapon with the exception of the Ranger epic which will be a Bow.

They also spoke about the new mapping system in the Future of EQ2 panel. The maps are going to be full screen ala WOW with rich colors and details, you will also be able to zoom in and out of these maps. They are also committing to working with EQ2maps to not only make EQ2maps compatible with the new mapping system but to also make maps search able for EQ2map points of interest. There will also be a minimap included with the new mapping system.

[Menion]

Originally Posted by Sithro

Why do I hate the idea of paying for these cards with RL money?

*sigh*

You don't have to buy anything to play the game. Cards will drop in game, they explained today in the TCG panel that EQ1/EQ2 mobs will randomly drop starter and booster card decks on a separate loot table and all players get a starter deck free.

After attending the TCG panel this morning I am gonna give it a whirl and keep my mind open who know it could be something fun to do when I have downtime. I have never played a TCG before but it seems interesting from what I have seen so far at FF.

[Nakilos]

A lot of these things sound very, very cool and definitely a direction I'm happy to see this game going in.

[Troll]

I think I'm having an orgasm.

Yup. My pants are wet. All I can say is that, even if only a third of these things are fully implemented (and since it sounds like most of it's already in the expansion which is only a couple of months away)... damn. EQ2 is rocking.

[Menoz]

Damn, might have to get that new computer sooner than I thought.

[Braen]

This sounds awesome. This is what happens when you give Gallenite, Silverfrost and their crew one year of development time to make an expansion.

[Eternal]

Originally Posted by Sinter1

You mean the morons over at EQ2 flames? Seems to be the same 10 guys sitting around in a circle jerk crying over the changes. I'm sure Sony doesn't want to lose any customers, but if they have to lose a few to bring in many more who will see these changes as positive so be it. No more contested is kind of depressing, but as long as the raid zones provide a challange that keeps most busy, not a major loss.

Yeah, those morons who have had characters at level 70, raided and have real knowledge of the game. They seem to hate it for some reason.

On the other some noobs who just picked up EQ2 and are playing their scrub 55 zerkers seem to love the changes.

[Eternal]

Originally Posted by Braen

This sounds awesome. This is what happens when you give Gallenite, Silverfrost and their crew one year of development time to make an expansion.

Yeah, you get a dumbed down game that's trying to recapture washed out casual masses.

[jayrebb]

Originally Posted by Eternal

Yeah, you get a dumbed down game that's trying to recapture washed out casual masses.

Dumbed down game according to a minority.

The game direction and these changes to EQ2 are overdue. People were looking for a sequel from the begining.

Id say no one outside a handful of people care about contested content. EQ2 has always played closer to a single player RPG. This change isn't a big surprise to many of us. The content is rich enough now that people don't need the "guild X beat us to Y" bullshit.

[The Hiram Key]

On Guild Housing...


Quote:
So we got word this afternoon, (WITH IMAGES!!!) that Guild Housing will be introduced in Everquest 2. Now it won’t be anytime soon, in fact will be well after ROK release, however, they did show concept art concerning both QEYNOS and FREEPORT based housing. It will be completely innovative and sounds like something that has not been done before. Specifically the team that worked on The Fallen Dynasty will be working together on this to incorporate this into the game, giving it a special look and appeal. It really looked impressive and I’m sure you’ll be seeing these images all over the place by tonight.

The guild halls will be located in the oceans around Norrath. Specifically, they are said to possible be on the coastlines in Antonica and Commonlands. Don’t worry about having to fight for prime real estate, because they will be instanced. You guild houses will be damn near anything you want it to be. As your guild levels, you will have the ability to customize and buy additional rooms. These rooms you specifically assign them a use. For example, you can purchase an additional room in the guild and assign NPC teleporter, guild vault, Menders, Brokers, Bankers, Tradeskill machines, etc…. You will also be able to customize your guild banner and travel via boat and bells from your guild home. Seemed very innovative and there was enormous eruption of cheers when this was shown. It was truly impressive to say the least.

Again, don’t get too excited, this is said to still be in concept form and will not probably be full blown developing probably till after ROK is released.

Don't stop there, DO NOT STOP THERE ! IF you going to give us an instance for housing, make it a BIG one and let us build guild towns. The engine already supports it. Stop going halfway to superb.

Lots of awesome stuff here, of course anything that makes Arrr and his crew pissy makes me and my crew ecstatic.

[azum]

So the combat system changed? I can't tell you how many times I logged on, only to forget all of my abilities/hotkeys, and logged back off. If they genuinely made it less spamtastic, I'm going for run #2. Where can I find this info? A specific LU?

[azum]

And if the info on combat is in this thread, shame on me. I won't even read EQ2 info (in depth) until I'm assured that fighting will be fun instead of a chore. Regardless, I loved my time in EQ2; there were simply too many abilities.

PVP server: favorite time, in Sinking Sands... grouped with 2 people (level 55 more or less). 2 level 68s and a 54 and 53 were harassing us. I managed to get the 54 and 53 alone, owned them both in 30-60 seconds, and then escaped the 68s (we were in a SS-connected dungeon-forget the name). Also, there were many great dungeon crawls in which my group ran into the opposing faction and we duked it out. Great game, esp at lower levels.

[Abalieno]

I'm a bit worried about the huge zones/environmental blending.

EQ2's engine already does a lot of texture trashing (meaning memory fills up and the engines has to heavily work loading/unloading stuff) as you move around in the current zones. So how do they manage to achieve that?

Or these huge zones feel big and empty/repetitive or they are using some new technology that I hope will work. EQ2 has always had big problems with the bigger scale.

Originally Posted by azum

So the combat system changed? I can't tell you how many times I logged on, only to forget all of my abilities/hotkeys, and logged back off. If they genuinely made it less spamtastic, I'm going for run #2. Where can I find this info? A specific LU?

From those notes it seems they are consolidating some spells/skills. Let's hope they don't make them like weird, counterintuitive mixes. That's a big risk if they simply merge the current stuff.

Spells and skills should be intuitive to use, with a direct main effect that fits a specific purpose. The system should be "readable".