EverQuest, the first MMOG to truly sit up and get noticed recently opened "Progression Servers". These servers take you back, somewhat, to the good old days of EverQuest release minus the lag, bugs and other detriments. As the population of the servers "progresses" the expansions are opened up.
Dropping into EverQuest after being away for four-years is a learning experience. Though these servers are considered old-school the rulesets and bug-fixes are status quo with the regular servers. Would I recommend EverQuest to a new MMOG player? Probably not, unless they have a full-time EQ expert sitting at their right hand to explain the cryptic gameplay and slash commands. If the new player had already experienced World of Warcraft then the EQ experience would be akin to dropping a toddler into the heart of the Gobi Desert. Although the natives are friendly there is no hand-holding.
Take for instance the MOBs; once they are upset with you, they never give up. Only death or a zone-line will keep them from chasing you to the ends of the planet. Training is a whole other can of worms. Unlike modern MMOGs, in EverQuest you have to search around for the trainer who sells your spells or skills. Once you find him or her, don't expect to see all of the spells available. No, no, no....you might have a dozen or so available and not always in any discernible order.
If you were an old school EQ player the reminiscence factor is incredibly high and I'm thoroughly enjoying the plodding gameplay so far. It's a slow paced game that encourages grouping and moreso, incourages players to chat with each other. I've always said that the new generation of MMOGs with their low "downtime" have killed off a part of the game design that was most appealing to many players.
Tony Jones has posted a great Q&A with Chris Lena, the EQLive producer regarding the Progression Servers.
If you would like to relive your past, funky graphics, crazy U.I. and all, give one us a poke on the Sleeper Server. Boomjack, Awen, Zendweller and more of the TenTonHammer.com staff are hanging out, levelling up, and pointing at Vox.
Make your mark. Mark your territory. Post a comment. If you are shy you can E-Mail me.
Every good guild needs a home. A home free of gold ads, secondary market farmers. Look no further than GuildPortal.com.
Exclusive new TenTonHammer.com Content!
Let us entertain you or at the very least waste some of your time at work.08.14.2006 Exclusive Content
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Op/Ed: Designing The Anti-MMO
"At Ten Ton Hammer, we often talk about the improvements we'd like to see in a specific MMORPG or in the genre as a whole. This latest set of network-wide editorials takes a different tack: we're designing the anti-MMO, a massively multiplayer game so chock full of wrongheaded notions on MMO design, you couldn't log out and unsubscribe fast enough. Is it the worst MMO never to be made, or will you find a little of the anti-MMO in your favorite massively multiplayer game?" -
Contest: Dead Of Summer Winners Announced
"Thanks to the many folks in our community that sent in entries for our recent "Dead of Summer" screenshot contest. Unfortunately we couldn't pick everyone to win, but choose we did, and the fine entries from our winners are now posted. The winners will be receiving some incredible prizes courtesy of contest sponsors Ideazon (makers of Zboard), NCSoft, Flying Lab Software, and your friends right here at Ten Ton Hammer. Click the link to learn more about the contest and to see the winning entries!" -
Dungeons And Dragons Online: S.O.S! Save Me From The Anti-MMOG
"Tonight we examine the surest ways to ruin a massively-multiplayer online game (MMOG). And to keep it interesting, we've invented a game that has all the worst MMOG qualities." -
EverQuest: Progression Servers Q&A With EQLive Producer, Chris Lena
"In case your one of the ten MMORPG enthusiasts that hasn't heard, SOE opened two "Progression Servers" which give players a chance to experience the original EverQuest. Guilds "progress" the game through each of its seven expansions by completing in-game objectives. A number of the Ten Ton Hammer staff have since returned to revel in the nostalgia, so we thought we'd see if anyone at SOE would answer a few questions we had about the origin of the Progression Server idea and where it goes from here. Producer Chris Lena was kind enough to oblige." -
EverQuest 2: How Not To Make An MMO Or Hobo Stew
"Wondering what hobo stew has to do with MMO's? RadarX is also, but join him as he looks at what development trends are bad, and why he is never allowed to cook. He also doesn't condone trying to eat MMO's." -
Vanguard: Saga Of Heroes - Video Games Kill (And Other Media-Generated Myths)
"In 2002, EverQuest appeared in the mainstream media, not because anyone was trying to say that the massively multi-player online game was interesting or innovative, but because a 21 year old man shot himself while EQ ran on his computer screen. This week Mercurie, our columnist, takes a look at the media's propensity for grabbing hold of a sensational angle and ruthlessly shaking it. Do MMOs, and video games in general, deserve to be vilified? Check out Mercurie's article, then share your own thoughts on our forum. " -
Vanguard: Saga Of Heroes - Opposite Day
"It's Opposite Day across the Ten Ton Hammer network, and we community managers have been charged with the task of presenting the anti-MMOG. What aspects would make for a nightmare experience in a persistent online world? Shayalyn, who slaved away over her article lest she be replaced by a typing chimpanzee, has singled out four gameplay aspects that make her want to run screaming from an online game. How does Vanguard: Saga of Heroes compare to Shayalyn's evil anti-MMOG? Check out her article and see for yourself." -
World of Warcraft: Jeff Kaplan With An Exclusive Burning Crusade Update
"World of Warcraft PR Manager Shon Damron and Lead Designer Jeff Kaplan have travelled the world demoing a recent build of WoW's premier expansion and answering questions from the international press. Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle travelled to the Big Apple with your questions, and now we bring you the cutting-edge latest on what will prove to be the biggest expansion to hit the MMORPG genre in years. See the progress since E3 in May, learn about the substantial changes Blizzard has in store for PvP and the raid game, and - of course - Blizzard answers the WoW @ Ten Ton Hammer community's toughest questions." -
World of Warcraft: Wacky, Crazy, Waving, Insane Opposite Day
"There are always a discussion going on somewhere about what makes a good MMORPG. You will often find large threads on various message boards dedicated to this subject with replies ranging from "nerf shamans!" to "free ice cream!" The problem though is that we often ignore what makes a bad MMORPG. Sure rollercoasters, free ice cream, and the ability to instantly take out anyone in PvP combat could be fun but what if all of that includes soda pop ads that fill half the screen? That's why this week we take a look at what makes a bad MMORPG in our editorial, Wacky Crazy Waving Insane Opposite Day."
Vin Diesel Fact of the Day - Cigarettes become addicted to Vin Diesel.
Now on to the real world. You can't make this stuff up. [Thanks Matt for the story links]
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Man Attacks Cop With Tomahawk
This public service announcement brought to you by the knife-at-a-gunfight department. -
Mickey Mouse Banned In China
Imperialist running dog mice, let me introduce you to this Type 98 Main Battle Tank. -
Town Closes Down Teen's Worm Business
WKRP "Red Wiggler" commercials also pulled indefinately. -
Swords Ban To Beat Violent Crimes
Better Headling: Swords Ban Cuts Violent Crime
As always, thanks for visiting TenTonHammer.com,
-- John "Boomjack" Hoskin
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