EQ2: Blogger Response to Scott Hartsman

Scott just got served, I think.

A few days ago, Massively did an interview where EQ2 producer Scott Hartsmen discussed some of the changes to the gameplay of the game that arrived with the expansion, Rise of Kunark. Now, well-known EQ2 blogger Tipa, of West Karana, responds to his comments with her own, well-reasoned take on what he said.

I’m fine with the leveling speed; my main at 74, and my alt at 72, just about where I expected them to be a week in. The level leader in my guild — I think he is 78 — is also one of the best soloers, and he obviously hasn’t got a problem with the quest grind. I’m even fine with questing. I like doing quests when I haven’t anything else to do.

What I DO have the problem with, is the death of the traditional xp grind/dungeon crawl that WAS the norm for EQ2 up until and including the last expansion, Echoes of Faydwer. Karnor’s Castle is just an intricately designed doorway to the raid zone inside. Chardok has a nice group ring event at the beginning, so they’re trying, but the xp is still so bad that a group I was in decided to head back to Castle Mistmoore. Not because the xp was better, because it wasn’t, but because the whole mechanic of crawling a huge dungeon, with danger and loot at every turn, is just such a rush.

You can find the rest of her thoughts at West Karana. After checking it out, tell us what you think about the recent EQ2 changes.