High Level Emphasis

The first point I wish to raise deals with how content is divided naturally. Like the first EverQuest, its sequel is a predominantly player versus environment (PvE) experience and subsequently has a strong raid component to it. Every single player knows this all so well. That said where is all the raids? Is it in the low levels? Middle? High? It's in the high levels unfortunately.

Simply insisting that the vast majority of raids is for high levels is not satisfactory to suggest that the game is being tailored to them. There is a ton, and I mean a ton of content geared to the low and mid level so on that basis it is hard to present this argument. On the other hand there is a serious population problem in those two echelons. The question is why is there?

To answer this question I will suggest two possible answers: 1) EverQuest II is not attracting new players and 2) since there is no raids in the two aforementioned echelons no one wants to have characters in those level ranges. The former is complicated and the latter makes sense as far as I'm concerned but that doesn't mean we have a definitive answer.

In the case of not attracting new players, I've always held that this is one of EverQuest II's larger problems and there is many different reasons for it. To be specific I pinpoint them to three different components: the difference between the Isle of Refuge and the rest of the game, the horror stricken economy and the isolation of land masses. Each of these items I will explore.

The Isle of Refuge is an incredible experience for anyone who plays it - even those who have quit EverQuest II in disgust. Every single inch of land is vastly important. The outpost on the Isle is returned to often and players care about the conflict that the Isle's citizens are engulfed in. The problem is that the experience that is portrayed on the Isle and the rest of the game is a different story altogether.

That is also unfair to say in some respects. When players leave the Isle and up until the significant level of 20, the home cities are utilized quite a bit and they care about it. Unfortunately, past level 20 (which is most of the game) a lack of concerns surfaces. At that point because you don't really need to return to the city (except perhaps to purchase supplies) all you care about is the advancement of your character which can turn into a mindless grind. The differences to say the least are startling and this does turn some new players off.

The economy is a very significant component that needs to be mentioned. As you all should know, unless you're a high level pulling in lots of money (or a dedicated crafter) purchasing what you need can be very frustrating. It has always been illogical to me that crafters charge gold for spell scrolls for new players: they simply don't have the money. This can contribute greatly to the problem of the lack of new players.

We at last come to the isolation of land masses and this links very well to the first point that was raised. I always saw the different land masses - Antonica, Nekultos - as different worlds as opposed to places in one world. Simply put it didn't feel like part of the rest of the world: very few quests in Nekultos for instance would lead me back to Qeynos and Freeport. It's only as if they didn't exist. This is an immersion factor but one that may not keep some new players playing.

These reasons are all debatable and some I believe and others I do not. I raise them because they are real, viable reasons as to why the game isn't attracting new players. So is this the reason why there is a serious population problem in the low and mid levels? I'm willing to say yes but I feel its a joint problem: the other being the lack of raid content in these echelons. I daresay though this may be intentional.

Whether you are looking at the experience point potions, vitality or the changes to tradeskill experience point accumulation it all leads to one thing: the developers want the population at end game. In a way this is genius: it satisfies the loyal customer base. On the other hand, as I've illustrated, it leads to problems in attracting new players.

So now the question is, is this idea a good thing? The answer is yes in so many ways. If the developers encourage everyone to be at the end game, so most end up being there, then you can develop content aimed specifically at that group. We saw this particularly evident in the Desert of Flames expansion. On the other hand if you focus on all three ranges then you can't give optimal focus to the one that the population dominates.

Perhaps focus on the high level is a good thing but in some respects its unhealthy. I would prefer to see a game with viable end game activities in the low and mid levels but this may not happen. It doesn't really matter though: if most are at end game and the developers focus on that then everyone gains. That is something no one is going to complain about.

«« Back to Main Editorial Page

Posted by eqdude at 2005-11-25 06:14:32

brenden shut up. you suck.

Posted by Just Some Elf at 2005-12-20 23:35:20

I think hes got more valid points then Sony would like to admit. The problem with Sony is if you even dare try to compare their game with the competition your thread is getting locked and Raijiin will accuse some of them of inciting the community and ban them. What does Sony think People have nothing better to do but try to guide them maliciously Thats just stupid. Some of those people have been customers of SoE for years and are only trying to give them some seasoned advice. But when all they do is play that authority game with adults theyre going to find out soon enough what the unemployment line looks like. Get over yourself SoE and start listening to people who actually play a myriad of games out there or be bested by the best of them. Cuz its gonna happen with your arrogant attitudes.