Player Cities

In the recently released Live Update #16 we will be experiencing a very unique live event as it pertains to the zones of the Thundering Steppes and Nekultos Forest. To be brief, we will undertake quests that will aid a lil Dwarf called Maggie in her efforts to construct Griffon Towers. If I may say too it's about darn time - those two zones need them. This idea got me thinking about a number of things.

The first thought that occurred to me is the dynamic nature of such an event. To be a little more in-depth where these Griffon Towers are placed and how many may be evident of our efforts or lack thereof. I seem to recall Asheron's Call 2 employing a very similar concept a few years ago but it didn't work out. The amount of contributions didn't really matter; they simply improved at the developers whim. So I'm quite pleased the developers seem to be taking this idea further.

The other thought that occurred to me is the idea of cities. If you read my articles with any regularity you'll know that I want to see more cities in EverQuest II. I absolutely abhor the two city model and the way they're set up right now, even with the addition of Maj'Dul, it is still incredibly insufficient. This model has failed continually to provide a hub of sorts - a gathering - and this has a negative effect on the community at large: it segregates them.

To some extent Live Update #16 has tried to temporarily alleviate some of these pressing issues with the addition of chat channels based on level. It's a good solution for the simple reason that it fosters a sense of community within those specific level ranges. Though as I said it is a temporary solution and a permanent one is more than necessary.

So then how would one solve the problems that the cities have presented us with? Surely it's a problem that cannot be ignore for much longer? It cannot and the first step that should be taken is more cities.

This is exactly where my suggestion of player cities comes in. The dynamic code is in place for the Griffon Towers so why not do the same thing for cities once thought to be long lost? Increasing the city count would also add a great deal to immersion. It's something that needs to be done but what I wish to emphasize is that it's only a first step and nothing more then that.

Without spending a tremendous amount of time on this specific line of thought, it must be noted that not only must this dynamic be put it place but there needs to be some sort of significance added to them. Without a doubt this is the problem that plagues Star Wars Galaxies on a continual basis and it's difficult to find a viable solution to it. Perhaps if Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) decides to pursue the dynamic Griffon Towers further - to cities - we may be able to find the solution to this ever growing problem.

What that solution is, is up in the air as far as I'm concerned. In one instance I thought that the major additions to Maj'Dul - namely the emphasis on factions - would be the solution we're looking for. Maybe even the addition of the Arena of Champions would help considerably in this circumstance as well. So far this hasn't been the case.

That train of thought is not something we need to be concerned with right now. What we need to be focused on and consider is the advent of this exciting, interesting dynamic that we are speculating on. Just imagine being able to find the ruined city of Neriak and being able to rebuild it! I'm sure that I'm not the only one who'd have a ball with this.

Speaking strictly from a player versus player (PvP) perspective this could have endless gains if SOE decides on putting forward PvP enabled servers in the future. If we reach a point in time where many of the racial cities are "salvaged" then it creates a fantastic PvP scenario. Though Shadowbane had many failures the idea was right on - not how they put it in practice though - of city sieges adds a great element to PvP. Perhaps the better example is World of Warcraft and the constant raids of Stormwind and the Undercity. To put it in a word it's breathtaking.

Whether or not we'll see these things is in the future so for the present let's show the developers that we are willing to pursue these things. The first thing we need to do when we log on is participate in the construction of these Griffon Towers; the dynamic and exhilarating event that it is. You just never know where it might lead.

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