EverQuest 2 opened up a new server yesterday, a timelocked progression called Fallen Gate. I have such a sweet spot in my heart for EQ2 that I jump in pretty frequently even though the game has changed well beyond what I enjoy these days (and beyond what I have time to play). Even though I said I wasn’t going to play any new MMOs and I was going to settle (has it only been a week?) I found myself creating a ratonga necromancer and before I could help myself I was on the Isle of Refuge.
After completing a few quests I realized that I wasn’t really having fun. Chat was different, people were harping on one another depending on whether they played on live servers or had just returned to check out the fun. You do need a subscription to play on the TL servers, but there was a lot more animosity than I remember. There were lots of folks around and it was a joy to see, but I wasn’t feeling it. Every time previous that I had returned the rose coloured glasses that I wore lasted at least more than one play session – but not this time.
Maybe it’s because I myself was overly tired, maybe it’s because I find myself having a hard time getting into anything these days besides quick little games that I can easily jump out of, but the traditional lure that I counted on being there just wasn’t.
I logged out and spent the rest of my evening playing a silly little clicker game I picked up from the steam sale. Sometimes you just need to know what you’re in the mood for, and what you’re not.
I hope those who are playing have a fantastic time, even if it wasn’t for me. I’m sure I’ll still stop into EQ2 on occasion, but until I have more time it’s easier to just live those events vicariously through someone else.
As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!
I have to agree with you. I was working my way to level 10 last night and the amount of people sniping at each other about playing “wrong” (mainly because they were using familiar sales to level their guilds) really surprised me. But then, on the flip side, the amount of new/returning people asking for help and receiving, well, helpful responses was heartening. Call it 50/50 maybe?
For the longest time I kept all chat channels other than say/group/guild off in any MMO I played because the general chats are usually so horrid. I’ve forced myself to turn them on lately so I can experience the “community.” I’m finding I’m happier on my own wandering the wilderness with my pets.
I’ll gut it out for the level rewards, same as I did on Stormhold, and then head back to my usual rotation. While I think the level 10 mount is terrible, I’m interested in the level 30. And it would be fun to do some of the raids at a “real” level 50 instead of mentored down, but I’ll probably run out of steam before then. Anyway, look for Malfi if you do come on. Playing a conjy as usual. :-)
The EQ2 community is pretty snarky these days. The EQ one is much the same. I often turn chat off.