And you wouldn't call a product that becomes profit after a few months success? Considering how strong EQ 1 is running I would say they are expecting plenty of profit then by just what your saying, using your perspective on it.
EQ II's numbers aren't currently ground breaking but I think you aren't giving enough credit either.
That's exactly my point. "A Success" and "A Runaway Hit" are two entirely different things in my mind. Perhaps my perception is different from other's. But there you have it.
I'm sure that EQ2 is profitable. I'm sure it's profitable enough to be making SOE a good deal of money. But you can't state that one product with 1/4th the estimated profit of another product is a Runaway Hit. Runaway suggests that it is far and away the leader in the market.
I was once excited about EQ2. Then I bought it, after I found out my video card was outdated and I waited 2 weeks while my new 200$ one came in the mail, I played it. It was the worst experience of my life. Never have I experienced so much pain. It felt as if someone was hammering my balls. This game and any game will be better than EQ2 for the simple fact that EQ2 is like virtual hell. I'm sure many will agree. Now comparing Vanguard to games in the waiting, I feel that Darkfall wil easily surpass this game. But, Vanguard looks to be a hit.
Originally posted by Amd64_FX_53 Vanguard doesnt have the realease date or hype to kill EQ2. The site FAQ doesn't even know if it will sell in stores.....
If will definitely sell in stores -- not sure where you saw that -- you may have mis-read the FAQ.
As for hype, it's building slowly but surely. It didn't make sense to try to create a bunch of attention for the game prior to EQ 2 and WoW releasing and being out for a few months. Starting with this E3, however, there will be a lot more information and the hype should build significantly, with the additional information and coverage in the major magazines and web sites. And, of course, by 'grass roots' marketing -- supporting fan sites and more focused MMOG sites like this one, and having devs from Sigil post and repsond to questions not only on our official site but all over the place (kinda why I'm here now
--
-------------------------------------------------------------- Brad McQuaid CCO, Visionary Realms, Inc. www.pantheonmmo.com --------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Darkmastersh Hello, i waited this game for so long Do you think Vanguard will kill EverQuest 2? BTW im the first person in this forum
Hmmm .. as someone else stated, EQ2 is the successor to EQ in name only. Comparing EQ2 to Vanguard, is comparing apples to oranges. Also, "failure" and "success" are perjorative values unless one can objectively benchmark them against criteria. I suspect, "failure" for most people is linked to SOE's decision not to re-create an updated version of the old EQ [pre SoL]. Besides, it would appear that WOW's popularity has provided SOE with some genuine competition and forced them out of their induced complacency to revamp their products (SWG has certainly benefitted, judging by the forum).
I've stated that I would never play another vanilla grind & level game, but I did enjoy EQ due to the challenge, the variety of content and the fact that it was sheer fun and immersive! Also, I'm shying away from vanilla PvE games to more PvP or RvR type games which support greater player freedom through competing for in-game resources, ideologies or morality - yet, I'm still a sucker for that old style EQ magic; the feeling of achievement in reaching personal milestones rather than the 'Monty Haul' of instant gratification.
The fact that Brad & co are developing this MMOG and are going back to basics, using old-school concepts, illustrates the failure (perjorative statement, considering EQ2 and WOW subscriber numbers) of 2nd Gen games to innovate in ways that enhance game-play i.e. I absolutely loathe the concept of 'instancing'.
I'm really waiting for DnL, and am casting an eye at Darkfall (if it ever sees the light of day) but I will definitely keep an eye on Vanguard.
Regards, Riotgirl
"If you think I'm plucky and scrappy and all I need is love, you're in way over your head. I don't have a heart of gold or get nice. There are a lot nicer people coming up. We call them losers."
I'm definately intrested in seeing how it turns out when it hits beta/release, but whether or not its the one ring to rule all eq fans, or wow for that matter. Nah.
Originally posted by Aglemar I'm definately intrested in seeing how it turns out when it hits beta/release, but whether or not its the one ring to rule all eq fans, or wow for that matter. Nah.
That s a bit contradictory. EQ fanbase and WoW Fanbase are at the extreme opposites. Certainly Vanguard is not trying to attract WoW players.
Eh, I know enough people who go between them, myself included. As long as you can avoid becoming a fanboi, there isnt much of a problem, but indoctrination sets in with a lot.
EQ2 since launch has added a ton of content as well as tweaks and additions to gameplay. Ive re-opened my account and am enjoying it immensely when I have time. That having been said, when Vanguard comes out, I'll be playing Vanguard 100%. EQ2 has shaped up to become a really good game, but Vanguard piques my interest more than any other upcoming game. I'll be there in Vanguard on opening day
Originally posted by Coffinsnake I believe vanguard is going to be a really good game but i think WOW is going to kill all of them.
LOL you think WoW will kill EQ or EQ2 or even DAoC? are you mad? EQ and DAoC are old time classics that will never be killed off by WoW...i personally have not played WoW but i hear that after the first couple months you lose the exciting new-game "feel" of it and you lose interest..so i will stick with DAoc(3 years i have played) or EQ(5 years i have played)
As a WoW vet (since beta) I can honestly say that, yes, it does get old. Sure their is questing to keep you busy...but THATS ALL THEIR IS...unless you count griefing low level characters on a PvP server. The crafting is a joke and world is VERY compacted so theirs not much to explore. I actually cancelled my account untill they give us Battlegrounds...PvP with a purpose...that they promised BEFORE BETA.
BOTH WILL BE FAIRYLANDS FOR FAIRIES SO i DONT SEE HOW THEY WILL CANCEL EACH OTHER OTHER TODAY MOST MMORPG PLAYERS WANT A FAIRYLAND WITH MUNDANE MONSTERS TO KILL AND NO ASPECT OF SWEATING PALMS OR KNEE KNOCKING ALOUD EXCEPT IF BOTH PARTIES AGREE OR YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN THE ZONE WHERE THE ACTIOJN IS
VANGUARD SEEMS TO BE A DIRECT CLONE OF eq2 COMPLICATED GAME SYSTEMS FOR NO GOOD REASON AND ALL
Originally posted by Ceara I DOUBT IT BOTH WILL BE FAIRYLANDS FOR FAIRIES SO i DONT SEE HOW THEY WILL CANCEL EACH OTHER OTHER TODAY MOST MMORPG PLAYERS WANT A FAIRYLAND WITH MUNDANE MONSTERS TO KILL AND NO ASPECT OF SWEATING PALMS OR KNEE KNOCKING ALOUD EXCEPT IF BOTH PARTIES AGREE OR YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN THE ZONE WHERE THE ACTIOJN IS VANGUARD SEEMS TO BE A DIRECT CLONE OF eq2 COMPLICATED GAME SYSTEMS FOR NO GOOD REASON AND ALL
The Caps Lock is the 3rd button from bottom at the left side of the keybord
Originally posted by ste2000 Originally posted by Ceara I DOUBT IT BOTH WILL BE FAIRYLANDS FOR FAIRIES SO i DONT SEE HOW THEY WILL CANCEL EACH OTHER OTHER TODAY MOST MMORPG PLAYERS WANT A FAIRYLAND WITH MUNDANE MONSTERS TO KILL AND NO ASPECT OF SWEATING PALMS OR KNEE KNOCKING ALOUD EXCEPT IF BOTH PARTIES AGREE OR YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN THE ZONE WHERE THE ACTIOJN IS VANGUARD SEEMS TO BE A DIRECT CLONE OF eq2 COMPLICATED GAME SYSTEMS FOR NO GOOD REASON AND ALL The Caps Lock is the 3rd button from bottom at the left side of the keybord
Strangely, he managed to hit that button twice. Once for writing EQ2, and the other for continueing his sentence . Anyway, Ceara, you say that both games are fairylands. You also say that today most MMO players want a fairyland. And then you say they will cancel each other. So if they apparently offer what most MMO players apparently want, then I can't see them cancelling each other. I didn't actually understand that "cancel each other other" sentence at all. Not that it was a sentence..
I've played Fairyland and it wasnt a very appealing game.....or did you mean somethign else?
Anyway, I dont see EQ2 as being completely killed. They've got enough of a fanbase left now to remain comatose for some time. If Vanguard makes good on their claims, however, I think we may see another EQ-esque hit in the future. A haven for die-hards, but shunned by the casuals.
Originally posted by SDFrost I've played Fairyland and it wasnt a very appealing game.....or did you mean somethign else?
Anyway, I dont see EQ2 as being completely killed. They've got enough of a fanbase left now to remain comatose for some time. If Vanguard makes good on their claims, however, I think we may see another EQ-esque hit in the future. A haven for die-hards, but shunned by the casuals.
They are just playing EQ2 because there is nothing new at the moment to play except WoW. I was playing EQ2 for 7 months just because i didn't have anything else to play and because I was hoping that with future updats the game could get better. How wrong I was.................the game got even worse. EQ2 is becoming a bad clone of WoW.
As soon as new games will come out, even the few people that still play it will switch to something else. Vanguard, DDO, DnL, Darkfall..........anything is better than EQ2, even WoW.
SOE must have done something severly bad to you and your family ste. Eithier that or you have a vested interest in the success of Vanguard. If you think it's going to be that good you shouldn't have to cut down other games. I can see you were scorned by Eq2 somehow and it makes me laugh a little. I like when people take crusades to online forums.
Anyways, I think both can/will exist. Vanguard should be a good place for the old EQ players who didn't really like Eq2. Eq2 has developed a fanbase and will stay afloat. What I think will be good with both games is the community. I can't say enough about how much a mature community matters. People can praise WoW all they want but the communtiy wasn't too hot which really ruined it for me. I plan on picking up Vanguard when it comes out. Hopefully it's as good as it looks.
Originally posted by Saigonshakes SOE must have done something severly bad to you and your family ste. Eithier that or you have a vested interest in the success of Vanguard. If you think it's going to be that good you shouldn't have to cut down other games. I can see you were scorned by Eq2 somehow and it makes me laugh a little. I like when people take crusades to online forums.
Well....... that s what Forums are for, isn't it?
Anyway, my problem with SOE is quite simple. They are not a game company anymore, they are a money company. Spare me the "all the companies are meant to make profit", I know that, since I am a retail manager myself, therefore i know exactly about profits, margins, and investor expectations. So, profit is what drive companies, agreed.
I do believe however, that in the entertainment industry and in particular in the game one, you need to draw a line between marketing decisions and artistic decisions, between margin decisions and quality decisions. I know about many companies that started with lots of good will and with excellent products which ended up bankrupted, because they reduced the quality of a product in order to make more margin, therefore making their product less appealing and unique.
SoE has been driven by pure greed when they decided to develop EQ2. They wanted to make a game good for the EQ player base but at the same time they wanted to appeal to the new breed of casual player, aiming to the WOW market. They ended up with something in between that doesn't satisfy neither of the player base which the game was intended to.
If you create a game only for the sake of making the most money you will end up with a mediocre game, that s what happened with EQ2 (but also AC2) What is a mediocre game? Is it an awful game? Nope mediocre is exactly what it means, an average game, not too bad but not too good either. It is a game that doesn't have the X factor. If people want to play mediocre games, they are free to do so, but at the same time I am free to criticise them, since I don't like mediocre games.
In conclusion my problem with SOE, is that they wasted my time, and they made me quit the only MMO I ever enjoyed. I spent lots of time anticipating EQ2, and I also played it for 8 months hoping that I would have changed my mind. It didn't happened, EQ2 is just an awful mediocre game and I just wasted my bloody time.
I believe SOE had been stupid not to continue the tradition of EQ, by making a game that looks more like WOW instead (but it ain't half as good) EQ2 could have been a huge hit with the EQ playerbase and in general with the old school. Instead they choose to compromise and they upset lots of people..........and I am one of them.
What SOE should have done, is to make EQ2 more similar to EQ, and at the same time develope another game more casual friendly a la WOW. SoE is part of a big corporation, I am sure they have the resources and the money to develop 2 games at once, unfortunately they tried to blend 2 different games in one, hoping that that would make everybody happy while saving them loads of money, instead they come up with Frankeinstein.
I am so sorry that I left EQ and lost 1 year of my game life playing EQ2 (Beta also). If I knew in advance how disappointing EQ2 would have been I would never had quit EQ. Luckily I found this pretty little game called Vanguard and SoE can now sod off (but not before unleashing my almighty rage upon them )
Originally posted by Saigonshakes SOE must have done something severly bad to you and your family ste. Eithier that or you have a vested interest in the success of Vanguard. If you think it's going to be that good you shouldn't have to cut down other games. I can see you were scorned by Eq2 somehow and it makes me laugh a little. I like when people take crusades to online forums.
Well....... that s what Forums are for, isn't it?
Anyway, my problem with SOE is quite simple. They are not a game company anymore, they are a money company. Spare me the "all the companies are meant to make profit", I know that, since I am a retail manager myself, therefore i know exactly about profits, margins, and investor expectations. So, profit is what drive companies, agreed.
I do believe however, that in the entertainment industry and in particular in the game one, you need to draw a line between marketing decisions and artistic decisions, between margin decisions and quality decisions. I know about many companies that started with lots of good will and with excellent products which ended up bankrupted, because they reduced the quality of a product in order to make more margin, therefore making their product less appealing and unique.
SoE has been driven by pure greed when they decided to develop EQ2. They wanted to make a game good for the EQ player base but at the same time they wanted to appeal to the new breed of casual player, aiming to the WOW market. They ended up with something in between that doesn't satisfy neither of the player base which the game was intended to.
If you create a game only for the sake of making the most money you will end up with a mediocre game, that s what happened with EQ2 (but also AC2) What is a mediocre game? Is it an awful game? Nope mediocre is exactly what it means, an average game, not too bad but not too good either. It is a game that doesn't have the X factor. If people want to play mediocre games, they are free to do so, but at the same time I am free to criticise them, since I don't like mediocre games.
In conclusion my problem with SOE, is that they wasted my time, and they made me quit the only MMO I ever enjoyed. I spent lots of time anticipating EQ2, and I also played it for 8 months hoping that I would have changed my mind. It didn't happened, EQ2 is just an awful mediocre game and I just wasted my bloody time.
I believe SOE had been stupid not to continue the tradition of EQ, by making a game that looks more like WOW instead (but it ain't half as good) EQ2 could have been a huge hit with the EQ playerbase and in general with the old school. Instead they choose to compromise and they upset lots of people..........and I am one of them.
What SOE should have done, is to make EQ2 more similar to EQ, and at the same time develope another game more casual friendly a la WOW. SoE is part of a big corporation, I am sure they have the resources and the money to develop 2 games at once, unfortunately they tried to blend 2 different games in one, hoping that that would make everybody happy while saving them loads of money, instead they come up with Frankeinstein.
I am so sorry that I left EQ and lost 1 year of my game life playing EQ2 (Beta also). If I knew in advance how disappointing EQ2 would have been I would never had quit EQ. Luckily I found this pretty little game called Vanguard and SoE can now sod off (but not before unleashing my almighty rage upon them )
PS: I hope you didn't fall asleep
Seems we have the exact same opinion about EQ vs EQ2.
/applaud
Couldnt have said it better meself
--Nyture, Arc Convoker of fironia vie server (EQ) --Retired-- -- Nytur 39 Conjuror of Lucan D'lere (Quit due to low populations) -- Currently playing WoW while waiting for vanguard Explorer 66% Socializer 60% Killer 53% Achiever 20%
PLEASE SOE MAKE A CLASSIC EQ SERVER. Shadow of luclin was a prick in EQs side. PoP Was a gun to the face.
Comments
That's exactly my point. "A Success" and "A Runaway Hit" are two entirely different things in my mind. Perhaps my perception is different from other's. But there you have it.
I'm sure that EQ2 is profitable. I'm sure it's profitable enough to be making SOE a good deal of money. But you can't state that one product with 1/4th the estimated profit of another product is a Runaway Hit. Runaway suggests that it is far and away the leader in the market.
Symantics, I know. Tomato. Tomawto.
-Feyshtey-
I was once excited about EQ2. Then I bought it, after I found out my video card was outdated and I waited 2 weeks while my new 200$ one came in the mail, I played it. It was the worst experience of my life. Never have I experienced so much pain. It felt as if someone was hammering my balls. This game and any game will be better than EQ2 for the simple fact that EQ2 is like virtual hell. I'm sure many will agree. Now comparing Vanguard to games in the waiting, I feel that Darkfall wil easily surpass this game. But, Vanguard looks to be a hit.
Vanguard will do well. With the tools they are using, I expect it to be out a little over a year and a half from now.
Basically, from what I've heard, with the tools they're using, they could create a playable game in 18 months.
They've been at it for 3 years now...
So yeah, game will be huge.
If will definitely sell in stores -- not sure where you saw that -- you may have mis-read the FAQ.
As for hype, it's building slowly but surely. It didn't make sense to try to create a bunch of attention for the game prior to EQ 2 and WoW releasing and being out for a few months. Starting with this E3, however, there will be a lot more information and the hype should build significantly, with the additional information and coverage in the major magazines and web sites. And, of course, by 'grass roots' marketing -- supporting fan sites and more focused MMOG sites like this one, and having devs from Sigil post and repsond to questions not only on our official site but all over the place (kinda why I'm here now
--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Brad McQuaid
CCO, Visionary Realms, Inc.
www.pantheonmmo.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
No.
EQ2 will kill itself, it is such a bad product.
Hmmm .. as someone else stated, EQ2 is the successor to EQ in name only. Comparing EQ2 to Vanguard, is comparing apples to oranges. Also, "failure" and "success" are perjorative values unless one can objectively benchmark them against criteria. I suspect, "failure" for most people is linked to SOE's decision not to re-create an updated version of the old EQ [pre SoL]. Besides, it would appear that WOW's popularity has provided SOE with some genuine competition and forced them out of their induced complacency to revamp their products (SWG has certainly benefitted, judging by the forum).
I've stated that I would never play another vanilla grind & level game, but I did enjoy EQ due to the challenge, the variety of content and the fact that it was sheer fun and immersive! Also, I'm shying away from vanilla PvE games to more PvP or RvR type games which support greater player freedom through competing for in-game resources, ideologies or morality - yet, I'm still a sucker for that old style EQ magic; the feeling of achievement in reaching personal milestones rather than the 'Monty Haul' of instant gratification.
The fact that Brad & co are developing this MMOG and are going back to basics, using old-school concepts, illustrates the failure (perjorative statement, considering EQ2 and WOW subscriber numbers) of 2nd Gen games to innovate in ways that enhance game-play i.e. I absolutely loathe the concept of 'instancing'.
I'm really waiting for DnL, and am casting an eye at Darkfall (if it ever sees the light of day) but I will definitely keep an eye on Vanguard.
Regards,
Riotgirl
"If you think I'm plucky and scrappy and all I need is love, you're in way over your head. I don't have a heart of gold or get nice. There are a lot nicer people coming up. We call them losers."
Vanguard looks so awesome. I cant wait.
Alot of votes happened BEFORE E3 Expo...Now lets watch it turn the other way.
VG will kill them ALL!
Nobody is perfect...My name is Nobody
That s a bit contradictory.
EQ fanbase and WoW Fanbase are at the extreme opposites.
Certainly Vanguard is not trying to attract WoW players.
Eh, I know enough people who go between them, myself included. As long as you can avoid becoming a fanboi, there isnt much of a problem, but indoctrination sets in with a lot.
As a WoW vet (since beta) I can honestly say that, yes, it does get old. Sure their is questing to keep you busy...but THATS ALL THEIR IS...unless you count griefing low level characters on a PvP server. The crafting is a joke and world is VERY compacted so theirs not much to explore. I actually cancelled my account untill they give us Battlegrounds...PvP with a purpose...that they promised BEFORE BETA.
Er, maybe
If EQ2 is anything like SWG I think it will kill itself.
Got a laugh out of that one for some reason..
I DOUBT IT
BOTH WILL BE FAIRYLANDS FOR FAIRIES SO i DONT SEE HOW THEY WILL CANCEL EACH OTHER OTHER TODAY MOST MMORPG PLAYERS WANT A FAIRYLAND WITH MUNDANE MONSTERS TO KILL AND NO ASPECT OF SWEATING PALMS OR KNEE KNOCKING ALOUD EXCEPT IF BOTH PARTIES AGREE OR YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN THE ZONE WHERE THE ACTIOJN IS
VANGUARD SEEMS TO BE A DIRECT CLONE OF eq2 COMPLICATED GAME SYSTEMS FOR NO GOOD REASON AND ALL
Please leave.
Strangely, he managed to hit that button twice. Once for writing EQ2, and the other for continueing his sentence
. Anyway, Ceara, you say that both games are fairylands. You also say that today most MMO players want a fairyland. And then you say they will cancel each other. So if they apparently offer what most
MMO players apparently want, then I can't see them cancelling each other. I didn't actually understand that "cancel each other other" sentence at all. Not that it was a sentence..
I've played Fairyland and it wasnt a very appealing game.....or did you
mean somethign else?
Anyway, I dont see EQ2 as being completely killed. They've got enough of
a fanbase left now to remain comatose for some time. If Vanguard makes
good on their claims, however, I think we may see another EQ-esque hit
in the future. A haven for die-hards, but shunned by the casuals.
I was playing EQ2 for 7 months just because i didn't have anything else to play and because I was hoping that with future updats the game could get better.
How wrong I was.................the game got even worse.
EQ2 is becoming a bad clone of WoW.
As soon as new games will come out, even the few people that still play it will switch to something else.
Vanguard, DDO, DnL, Darkfall..........anything is better than EQ2, even WoW.
SOE must have done something severly bad to you and your family ste. Eithier that or you have a vested interest in the success of Vanguard. If you think it's going to be that good you shouldn't have to cut down other games. I can see you were scorned by Eq2 somehow and it makes me laugh a little. I like when people take crusades to online forums.
Anyways, I think both can/will exist. Vanguard should be a good place for the old EQ players who didn't really like Eq2. Eq2 has developed a fanbase and will stay afloat. What I think will be good with both games is the community. I can't say enough about how much a mature community matters. People can praise WoW all they want but the communtiy wasn't too hot which really ruined it for me. I plan on picking up Vanguard when it comes out. Hopefully it's as good as it looks.
Well....... that s what Forums are for, isn't it?
Anyway, my problem with SOE is quite simple.
They are not a game company anymore, they are a money company.
Spare me the "all the companies are meant to make profit", I know that, since I am a retail manager myself, therefore i know exactly about profits, margins, and investor expectations.
So, profit is what drive companies, agreed.
I do believe however, that in the entertainment industry and in particular in the game one, you need to draw a line between marketing decisions and artistic decisions, between margin decisions and quality decisions.
I know about many companies that started with lots of good will and with excellent products which ended up bankrupted, because they reduced the quality of a product in order to make more margin, therefore making their product less appealing and unique.
SoE has been driven by pure greed when they decided to develop EQ2.
They wanted to make a game good for the EQ player base but at the same time they wanted to appeal to the new breed of casual player, aiming to the WOW market.
They ended up with something in between that doesn't satisfy neither of the player base which the game was intended to.
If you create a game only for the sake of making the most money you will end up with a mediocre game, that s what happened with EQ2 (but also AC2)
What is a mediocre game? Is it an awful game?
Nope mediocre is exactly what it means, an average game, not too bad but not too good either.
It is a game that doesn't have the X factor.
If people want to play mediocre games, they are free to do so, but at the same time I am free to criticise them, since I don't like mediocre games.
In conclusion my problem with SOE, is that they wasted my time, and they made me quit the only MMO I ever enjoyed.
)
I spent lots of time anticipating EQ2, and I also played it for 8 months hoping that I would have changed my mind.
It didn't happened, EQ2 is just an awful mediocre game and I just wasted my bloody time.
I believe SOE had been stupid not to continue the tradition of EQ, by making a game that looks more like WOW instead (but it ain't half as good)
EQ2 could have been a huge hit with the EQ playerbase and in general with the old school.
Instead they choose to compromise and they upset lots of people..........and I am one of them.
What SOE should have done, is to make EQ2 more similar to EQ, and at the same time develope another game more casual friendly a la WOW.
SoE is part of a big corporation, I am sure they have the resources and the money to develop 2 games at once, unfortunately they tried to blend 2 different games in one, hoping that that would make everybody happy while saving them loads of money, instead they come up with Frankeinstein.
I am so sorry that I left EQ and lost 1 year of my game life playing EQ2 (Beta also).
If I knew in advance how disappointing EQ2 would have been I would never had quit EQ.
Luckily I found this pretty little game called Vanguard and SoE can now sod off (but not before unleashing my almighty rage upon them
PS: I hope you didn't fall asleep
Well....... that s what Forums are for, isn't it?
Anyway, my problem with SOE is quite simple.
They are not a game company anymore, they are a money company.
Spare me the "all the companies are meant to make profit", I know that, since I am a retail manager myself, therefore i know exactly about profits, margins, and investor expectations.
So, profit is what drive companies, agreed.
I do believe however, that in the entertainment industry and in particular in the game one, you need to draw a line between marketing decisions and artistic decisions, between margin decisions and quality decisions.
I know about many companies that started with lots of good will and with excellent products which ended up bankrupted, because they reduced the quality of a product in order to make more margin, therefore making their product less appealing and unique.
SoE has been driven by pure greed when they decided to develop EQ2.
They wanted to make a game good for the EQ player base but at the same time they wanted to appeal to the new breed of casual player, aiming to the WOW market.
They ended up with something in between that doesn't satisfy neither of the player base which the game was intended to.
If you create a game only for the sake of making the most money you will end up with a mediocre game, that s what happened with EQ2 (but also AC2)
What is a mediocre game? Is it an awful game?
Nope mediocre is exactly what it means, an average game, not too bad but not too good either.
It is a game that doesn't have the X factor.
If people want to play mediocre games, they are free to do so, but at the same time I am free to criticise them, since I don't like mediocre games.
In conclusion my problem with SOE, is that they wasted my time, and they made me quit the only MMO I ever enjoyed.
)
I spent lots of time anticipating EQ2, and I also played it for 8 months hoping that I would have changed my mind.
It didn't happened, EQ2 is just an awful mediocre game and I just wasted my bloody time.
I believe SOE had been stupid not to continue the tradition of EQ, by making a game that looks more like WOW instead (but it ain't half as good)
EQ2 could have been a huge hit with the EQ playerbase and in general with the old school.
Instead they choose to compromise and they upset lots of people..........and I am one of them.
What SOE should have done, is to make EQ2 more similar to EQ, and at the same time develope another game more casual friendly a la WOW.
SoE is part of a big corporation, I am sure they have the resources and the money to develop 2 games at once, unfortunately they tried to blend 2 different games in one, hoping that that would make everybody happy while saving them loads of money, instead they come up with Frankeinstein.
I am so sorry that I left EQ and lost 1 year of my game life playing EQ2 (Beta also).
If I knew in advance how disappointing EQ2 would have been I would never had quit EQ.
Luckily I found this pretty little game called Vanguard and SoE can now sod off (but not before unleashing my almighty rage upon them
PS: I hope you didn't fall asleep
Seems we have the exact same opinion about EQ vs EQ2.
/applaud
Couldnt have said it better meself
--Nyture, Arc Convoker of fironia vie server (EQ) --Retired--
-- Nytur 39 Conjuror of Lucan D'lere (Quit due to low populations)
-- Currently playing WoW while waiting for vanguard
Explorer 66%
Socializer 60%
Killer 53%
Achiever 20%
PLEASE SOE MAKE A CLASSIC EQ SERVER. Shadow of luclin was a prick in EQs side. PoP Was a gun to the face.
