How do you feel about EQ content requiring EQ2?

[Verdandi]

As Pietre was kind enough to locate the link for me, I cite the following from an SOE Press Release:

The incentives will include exclusive crossover quest zones in each game that will be accessible only by subscribers of both games, allowing characters in EverQuest and EverQuest II to gain access to hidden treasures.... [emphasis added]

And then, from the EQ2 FAQ:

Is EverQuest II an expansion of or sequel to the original EverQuest?
EverQuest II is not an expansion, but rather a parallel universe that continues the ongoing history of Norrath and its inhabitants. EverQuest II will introduce a number of features that have never been utilized in massively multiplayer games.

Am I the only one who finds this difficult to swallow? I have no problem with EQ2 content requiring EQ, as this is an aspect of EQ2 from the start. But I don't see how EQ content that requires EQ2 makes EQ2 anything but an expansion. A very, very, very expensive expansion, considering that there is not only the initial purchase price but the additional subscription charges. I don't care how small the amount of additional content is, that's not the point. If it weren't significant in some way or another, they wouldn't be bothering. And if it's a significant part of EQ, I am rather upset at the idea that I can't have it unless I sign up for what they tell us is a new game and not an expansion. Yes, I know it's just a marketing technique to sell more of their new game. That doesn't make it a fair thing to do to your customers. I know we don't have the details on the kind of content involved and maybe it won't interest me. But maybe it will. I very intensely dislike them using EQ content as a bribe to make us buy and subscribe to EQ2.

But before I get too much more worked up over this, I want to know if there's a significant number of other people who feel the same way. I know lots of people are thinking of going to EQ2, and that's great. For irrelevant reasons of my own, I'm not one of them. I hope EQ2 does well...heck I know it will. I just think this particular "feature" is very unfair to EQers.

What do you think?

[Heartsong_Steelsoul]

It's also rather... anti-roleplaying, which seems odd given the features they seem to be adding for EQII to encourage roleplaying.

[Morani]

It reminds me of when Wizards of the Cost absorbed TSR. The marketing strategy for Magic the Gathering was NOT something I wanted to see applied to my "first love" and the thought of a D&D Card Game just about made me hurl. I was certain that D&D was DOOMED (or, at the very least, going to have LARGE numbers of "required" books at $20-40 each come out where content was tied to each other). Fortunately, I was wrong. What has resulted is a LOT better than I could have hoped.

Having learned my lesson from that, I'm going to hold my judgement on this and wait to see/hear more.

Question for you Verdandi; what's you opinion of the Legends Server?

[lonewylfe]

On the flipside, it makes it sound as if you just want to play EQ2 and not EQ, you'll also be penalized by not having the crossover zones or whatever.
IMO, sounds like a great marketing strategy and incentive for people to get both, but I'm wondering how much it will unbalance both games for the people who don't play both. Or if people will start the other game just for the crossover, then cancel that account.

[Psychosis]

If they require it ONLY for specific parts say like LoY does with some things and other Expansions do with others then the Added EQ Content and EQ2 content would work in this regard and be available to you but if you dont Own them both ect.. then it wouldnt be.

[Verdandi]

Question for you Verdandi; what's you opinion of the Legends Server?

Legends doesn't bother me, really. I personally don't think it's remotely worth that much money to play what is, at heart, the same game. But the folks that play there obviously feel differently. More to the point, it hasn't changed things on the other servers one whit. Legends content eventually makes its way to the other servers. If the additional revenue coming from Legends means that EQ as a whole is stronger, that's fine with me.

But this EQ2 thing would affect all the servers, including my own. There will be places (or items, spells, skills, we don't know what) right there in my own world that I could be having, if only I were willing to shell out more RL dollars. My friends will have access to that content. Shamans competing with me for spots in pickup groups will have access to that content. And, forgive me if this sounds hokey, but there will be a part of my character's home, my virtual home-away-from-home for four years, that I can never experience, all because of RL dollars.

No, I may well never see PoTime, not even close to Vex Thal. Heck I've only ever peeked through the bars at a scowling Yelinak. That is due to decisions I've made about my in game play style, the people I wish to keep as my company, and the things that I enjoy doing. My character's history and future are a part of my experience in the game. I am willing to pay for expansions because they are priced reasonably given the work that go into them and what we get out of them. But I can't believe that the additional EQ content will be enough to justify all the extra money required for EQ2.

Now if the additional content is made available to non-EQ2 customers at an expansion price that was reasonable given the quantity and quality of additional content, I will have no problem with any of it. And maybe they will do that. Hopefully, if enough people share my concerns, the Powers That Be will rethink this system and attempt to eliminate a negative impact on EQers.

That was probably a lot longer of a response than you wanted! :shock: