Two New Housing Videos
stargrace Enjoy!
2010
Exploration – My Favorite Part of Any Game
It was a long, long, walk but my little hobbit Minstrel finally made it to the glorious home of the elves – along with her trusted guardian Toargo, of course. We’re into the mid 30 level range now and adventuring along nicely. It’s nice to take a few breaks here and there of course, because you can only run to and from a location so many times before you just want to pull out someones hair. Like the NPC who sent you there (and back, and there, and back, and there). Finding my way from where ever it was I was, to this new location (did I mention names are not my strong point?) was an adventure all on its own. There were ferocious bears, and giant trolls blocking the roads. Orange to our little hobbit behinds. Dangerous. It was awesome.
I love this part of the journey, this exploration. I think there needs to be more rewards for wandering off of the set trail in games and exploring on your own. Sure, pretty scenery is great but I was thinking something more outside the box.
Speaking of more – I was killing a random bear and managed to loot an item that could be turned in to the taxidermist and created into a housing item! I love housing items (well known fact) and eagerly ran home to place it. I also changed the ambient music to my home, the floors and walls, and purchased a few pieces of furniture like a bed. While LotRO’s housing isn’t nearly as customizable as some other games, it’s still nice to “own” a little section and decorate it as I want. Plus I do have to admit, that bear looks pretty awesome.
Happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!
EQ2 Announces Server Merges (Finally)
You can find this posted on the Official Forums:
Hi there, Norrathians,
We’ve been planning to merge the EQII Live servers for a long while now, and most of you have been asking for it to happen for just as long. As part of our ongoing effort to utilize community feedback and deliver the best gameplay experience possible, I am happy to announce that we will begin merging several servers this fall. Bigger population density on a server is just simply more fun for everyone involved, so it’s time to get it done.
Therefore, beginning on November 16th, we’re going to start merging servers together. It’s going to take a while (many weeks) to get all the merges completed, but we’ll start the process on that date. (We will move slowly so we can double-check and troubleshoot between each pair of merges instead of just doing them all at once.) We hope this will bring a more enjoyable experience for players across Norrath.
All told, 16 servers will be affected.
The Merges
- Nektulos merges into Guk
- Najena merges into Unrest
- Befallen merges into Oasis
- Blackburrow merges into Everfrost
- Mistmoore merges into Permafrost
- Kithicor merges into Butcherblock
- Runnyeye merges into Splitpaw (UK)
- Innovation merges into Valor (DE)
We’ll pre-announce each merger before it occurs and keep you updated on the status of the merges as they progress.
11 servers will remain unaffected because they are already populated enough or because of contractual obligations that prevent such merges at this time.
The Unaffected
- Antonia Bayle
- Nagafen
- Crushbone
- Lucan D’Lere
- Harla Dar (RU)
- The Nexus (RU)
- Barren Sky (RU)
- Sebilis (JP)
- Storms (FR)
- Vox (Live Gamer)
- The Bazaar (Live Gamer)
There are more details on these merges at this link.
~ Dave “Smokejumper” Georgeson
Thoughts? Personally, I’ve been waiting for server merges for a while. I think it’s a little odd that they’re not offering players transfers, as even EQ offered them with their recent merges, but to each their own. Perhaps that is a way to entice players to spend some cash to move their characters via station marketplace.
My Biggest EQ2 Mystery
I know, it’s been a really long time since I logged into EQ2, and it shows. There are a few reasons for that. Number one I have been incredibly unsatisfied with the new “EQ2X” idea. I think the pricing plan is horrid, and that it does nothing to populate the already-somewhat lacking servers that are in desperate need of a boost. Not including Antonia Bayle where the population thrives. Before or around the grand reveal of EQ2X a bunch of my friends stopped playing for whatever personal reasons. This left me with even less of a reason to log in. For the past few months I’ve barely played and it’s actually been refreshing.
When Gu58 went live I logged in all of my characters just to make sure things were in order, and I came across the letter posted to the left. Now, on first glance this may seem like your typical roleplay letter, nothing unusual. It was addressed to Stargrace on Antonia Bayle, my inquisitor.
Giving that letter a second look one thing may pop out from those who know me well – it is written by Ellithia, who is a character of mine that I moved off of Antonia Bayle and over to Oasis. When I first read the letter (supposedly from my own character) I had to ask myself if I had some how written it myself. A quick search on EQ2 players showed no other Ellithia characters aside from my own that I had moved to Oasis. I can’t even reply to the letter because the character does not exist.
How creepy! Awesome, but creepy.
I don’t have the faintest idea who wrote it, or how long this letter sat in my mailbox before I finally logged in and read it. I don’t know what became of my ‘sister’ but this totally made my day and reminded me that while I may not enjoy the game of EQ2 itself right now – the community? Is by FAR one of the best I’ve ever encountered (second only to that in EverQuest).
After being away from the game for so long I find it difficult to know just how to get back into the swing of things, or if I even want to try. Then there is also the fact that my friends are all off playing their various games now, which leaves me quite sad. We’ll just have to see I suppose.
Happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!
Simply Beautiful
I simply love the way LotRO looks. I spent a little time in game yesterday questing, and managed to reach 34 on my Minstrel. This is by far the furthest I’ve gotten in game, and I’m having a blast playing.