It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
The Broken Mirror, the 22nd (!) expansion for the original EverQuest, will launch on Wednesday, November 18. The Daybreak developers recently demoed the expansion during a livestream event, and we’re recapping it all for those who missed it.
Comments
It never struck me as odd - no I've had multiple accounts in EQ1 since 2001, same with DAoC etc..
I actually can't think of a game in the last 10 years I played where I didn't have at least 2 accounts.
But I haven't played EQ1 since they made it to where expansions couldn't be bought with station cash.
Switched to Project 1999 years ago
That's one full group - not absurd at all - I know quite a few folks who boxed more than me (12 accounts and up)
But none of that is absurd compared to this:
http://www.ripten.com/2008/10/10/wow-whore-has-36-accounts-raids-by-himself/
Which is why I stopped playing EQ1 years ago when SoE killed expansions being able to be bought with station cash, now you HAVE to buy an expansion for real money.
Before I had 3 accounts that were subbed and each one was getting monthly cash accruals - so I would buy expansions with station cash , but then they changed it to where it couldn't be done.
That's when I stopped playing and moved to Project 1999
Go log into EQ1 today - talk to active players - you'll see that boxing is pretty much the NORM - almost everyone boxes at least 2-3 accounts.
Yep. We live in a time where boxing multiple accounts to play by one's self is preferable to actually playing with others.
And yet some will tell you this genre hasn't fallen greatly from what it once was.
We are talking about 2 different things.
I play other games socially - like ArcheAge i play in an active guild.
EQ1 is so easy to box it's not even funny, it's begging to be boxed from low memory footprint to easy combat etc.....
But boxing in EQ1 is just awesome, because it works so well.
Nice, some people just don't get how ideal EQ1 is for boxing.
That's exactly what these games target. SOE learned that trick years prior. SWG was designed to be multiboxed with 1 character limit per galaxy per account. Everyone did it. It was expected. This is the exact reason I quit Anarchy Online. As the population began to decline, Funcom shifted it's development strategy towards remonetizing (exploiting?) the current loyal player base. It was almost impossible to play the game and experience it fully without at least a 2nd account.
Again I only boxed in EQ1 - it is insanely fun because it works so well. You have to try for yourself to understand it.
Again have over 10 yearate active on my main account that's how long I subbed.
Buying an expansion while subbed was normal - nonproblem.
SoE introduced All Station Pass many years ago that after EQ1 went F2P includes a monthly stipend of soe station cash.
So I was paying $20 (more than eq1 sub) and getting station cash which could be used to buy expansions which was awesome.
Then they changed it to where it couldn't be done anymore.
I still have like $100 in station cash cards (which you buy for real money at stores) but can't use to buy expansions...
It's the whole giving and then taking it away thing.
If they never allowed station cash to be used for expansions you'd hear zero complaints from me.
MMOs allow you to choose your level of engagement with others. Joining others is often assisted by some for of matchmaking or fast travel, and leaving a group is as simple as hitting the Recall button. Forums are no different. Some passively read these forums. It may be for info, or entertainment or just to be part of the group. Others engage. Some engage a LOT. When you are interested in engaging, you enter the conversation. When you're done, you can stop responding or close out the browser. Complete control over the level of engagement. Is there something wrong with someone that jsut reads the forum and doesn't post? Of course not.
But it's also worth noting that just because someone is playing alone in one MMO or one aspect of an MMO, that does not necessarily mean they do not interact in other MMOs or other areas of that MMO. This has a lot to do with the communities and social circles in different areas as well as the type of entertainment or activities there.
If you get a chance, check out Sherry Turkle's book "Alone Together". It explains a lot of how we got to where we are, and the good and bad of it. If can handle mention of World of Warcraft in a positive light (some here can't), then also check out "Alone Together?" by Nick Yee, Nicolas Ducheneaut, and others. The latter a much shorter read and much more MMO-focused.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre