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EverQuest: Interview with Jose Araiza
Dana
Member Posts: 2,415
The project manager of EverQuest: The Serpent Spine answers our questions about the launch of EverQuest's most recent expansion pack.
;) MMORPG.com: Would you say that with all the improvements that the barrier to entry to EQ has been lowered over the years? i.e. It's easier for newcomers to the game to learn how to play it / less of a time-sink?
Jose Araiza: I personally think there's no better time to enter the world of Norrath. I think in the past, the enormous amount of content the game has was a little intimidating to people. That can be scary, especially if you come from more linear games where you don't have multiple choices or what to do next, or where to go hunt. I think that scares me, not necessarily all the options, but to think you may pick the wrong one... But, now, with The Serpent's Spine, a new player has a very focused progression path that provides new and exciting content. You can in fact go from level 1 to level 75 without ever leaving The Serpents spine Mountains. Now, mind you, the rest of the world is still there, so you don't have to JUST stay in The Serpents spine Mountains, but for those new to the game, I think this focused progression path takes away some of the entry barrier stress. And of course, there are the changes to the death system and overall playing downtime. Between this and The Serpent's Spine I really think new and returning players find EQ is the most fun it's been in a while. |
The whole interview is here.
Dana Massey
Formerly of MMORPG.com
Currently Lead Designer for Bit Trap Studios
Comments
I am almost tempted to try this game again...
Ditto.
Too bad I'm dirt poor and trying to finish college.
WARNING: Spelling and grammatical errors intentionally left in document to test for Anal Retentive Trolls.
"The key to wasting time is distraction. Without distractions it's too obvious to your brain that you're not doing anything with it, and you start to feel uncomfortable." - Paul Graham http://paulgraham.com/hs.html
I am having a lot of fun with the new expansion, myself. It's the first one in a good while that hasn't been focused exclusively on high level content, so there's a lot for all my lowbies to check out, as well as keeping my highest level character busy too. I've been playing a new drakkin character as well, and I've been pleased with the race and the quests in the new city. I certainly feel like it was worth the money, which is more than I can say about some other expansions that I bought along the way.
One of the downsides is that the new city is on three levels connected by elevators, and the dragons are all up in this structure that you have to take an elevator to get to, and if lag hits you on the elevator, you're very likely to fall through. That's not really a big deal for a level 71 SK, but it killed my little level 2 cleric. (LOL)
Boats haven't yet made their comeback either. That was supposed to be in the expansion, but it isn't in yet. They say the boats will be in when they finish the revamp of Ocean of Tears. Maybe that's something to bug them about in the next interview.
...
This is where I draw the line: __________________.
No no no no NO!
Never again raiding will I bear! Don't even think about it!
Cutting down in the gameplay I enjoy in the past in order to make sure new players/returning players hit the raiding wall all the faster?
Suddenly, I grow un-bored with CoV! Yar! Magical unboring setting. Thanks guys!
No no no no no NO! Never again raiding will I bear!
- "If I understand you well, you are telling me until next time. " - Ren
The trial at www.escapetonorrath.com is pretty close in quality to TSS, if you like the trial you'll like TSS.
DIE!
DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!
Of all that is written, I love only what a person has written with his own blood. -Nietzsche
I too am tempted to rejoin the EQ ranks, it was always a good game with a great community. I am hesitant because SOE's customer service mostly seemed slanted towards shoving-away the customer instead of helping, one reason I am now concerned with the future Vanguard:SoH game. Other reasons too of course: EQ is an aged game, it is raid-orientated instead of casual player, there are other more customer friendly games available, other future games becoming available, not as much fun rejoining a game from the beginning ... "progression" or not, & etc.
Per content EQ is probably the best value game on the market besides maybe the subscription-free games. It is a LOT of content too! Purchase a EQ: Titanium, then Prophecy of Ro & Serpent's Spine to have all the content up-to-date. However this is the mystery in a puzzle wrapped-up inside an enigma. When I quit EQ, during the Depths of Darkhollow launch, the majority of players, it seemed, NEVER got to see the majority of content. Especially the higher tiered. SOE needs to address this issue that allows casual players too in experiencing the higher-level older content, let us appreciate all the graphical scenery too! That was probably the biggest reason I quit EQ. Legends server had allowed this but for a premium price till SOE abruptly closed this option. As a casual player, I realized certain content I would not be able to achieve unless I joined a big guild requiring raiding more of the playing time which requires more playing time.
Congratulations upon the Serpent's Spine launch, i understand it was a digital download only though so that makes me wonder if SOE felt very confident with the expansion since no retail version. The new Drakkins seem interesting & I understand SOE is attempting to ease the fledging experience of EQ by a few methods. I think anyone that has ever played EQ for an enduring amount of time always keeps it in mind, because it is/was that good of a game. Still seems though, for a brand new player to enter EQ now is a daunting task which unless a professional player &/or multiple account player would be futile. Heck, SOE with it's "class re-envisioning" announcement never was completed after the trifle first part which reminds me I wish a "History of the World Part 2" movie would be done as well.
Overall, EQ is a good game if you have been already playing it. For brand new players I am sure it is tempting, EQ always is, but weigh your investment that would be needed. For returning players, the nostalgia might be enough, but then again there was a reason you & many other customers of EQ have quit over the last couple of years. Good luck.
A former "parched" Monk
Everquest is just sooooo old!
/Sarcasm off
while(horse==dead)
{
beat();
}
Spiritglow
If you are not in a BIG guild where you constantly raid and update your
gear. you start to strugle on some point. been not even able to find
groups, becouse your gear sux.
But then i guess its marketing to release new expansion make a few
bucks with them, and nerf the older expansion so players go buy the new
expansion, what increases the sales again.
Example, PoR (dain mm) befor TSS you got about 1% AA per mission, after
TTS launch you get 85% - 91%. Happen with all other expansion befor,
LoDn, DoD etc. etc.
So in my point of view SOE tries to make sure that you forced to buy
the new expansion if you want to keep on track. And this pretty sad. If
you are a casual player EQ is still nothing for you, becouse you can't
keep up with the crowd.
The content, game play, ambiance of EQ is great. SOE just missed the way to keep it great.
sad sad sad.
Spiritglow
a long time... and it is so much better.
Okay so boredom with WoW and EQ coming out with a new race that looked interesting sparked my interest into going back to it.
Amazingly enough, I even got a couple of my friends from WoW to join with me. They find EQ more challenging and the Quest line entertaining. I would have to say that the newbie zones are so much better laid out then when I started the game the first time April 99.
I'm enjoying EQ again. Even reactivated my alt account. Yes, I'm waiting for Vanguard, but this is a nice distraction
I did want to mention that I have been able to do a ton of quests by myself. Tradeskills are still tedious but the components actually drop, plus you can always do the trade quests to start you off.