MMORPG.com newsletter eq2 review

[Peebo]

<p>Received my newsletter today and the main story is a new eq2 review, though the bullet points kinda let the game down :/ this isnt going to help with attracting new customers for SOE</p><li>Everquest II has come a long way. Now in its second year, it has continued to wow the MMO world with amazing expansions such as Desert of Flames, Kingdom of the Sky, and most recently the well-accepted Echoes of Faydwer, which brought us the beautiful race of the Fae. With so many wonderful changes there is need to review the game again. </li><li>The sounds of EverQuest II easily immerse players into the world of Norrath adding a unique depth to the game. </li><li>EverQuest II is the game for the serious and mature MMO player. </li><li><b><span style="font-size: small">The lag in the game has to be its biggest downfall. </span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-size: small">The customer service department for EverQuest II is very lacking.</span></b> </li>

[Jal]

See i'd say neither of those last two are particurly true, the CS system is godawful but when they answer they are usually helpful and resolve things if its possible.  The sad part is you only ever here people ranting about the bad service never the good. As for lag well again this seems to depend on server, i don't lag but i know there are issues with de-levels and certain zones for some people.

[Bozidar]

I have ZERO lag issues, and ZERO cs issues.. so maybe that's why i like it

[SenorPhrog]

<p>Did you read the entire review?  I think the authors assessment was pretty fair and considering they have been playing the game for awhile (I read their blog and found that out), it seemed as unbiased as it could be.  Their last statement alone...</p><p>"Overall, Everquest II is a well-rounded enjoyable mmorpg.  It has a lot to offer players old and new. One can hardly tell that the game is in its second year, and with the low pricing of expansions that include the original game, the option of digital download, or the option for the station access if you play multiple SOE games you cannot beat the value for the price.  If it has been awhile since you have tried Everquest II, I suggest that you give it another go. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised. Considering the games currently out on the market, those just released, and those about to be released <b>Everquest II is arguably the best mmo out there</b>."</p><p>I don't think you can find much better of a recommendation.  Every game has flaws, this author just wasn't afraid to point out a couple.</p>

[Bozidar]

<p>radar ; i'm sure you're right.  I'm just giving my own testimony that since i lowered my performance level a bit, and they fixed the NFP lag, i have almost zero problems with lag in this game.  Nothing like what i hear reported in vanguard.  Every CS problem i've had has been addressed, and iv'e gotten a response. What more could I ask for?</p><p>EQ2 has flaws.. and i could point them out.. (mostly around pvp) but i felt compelled to share my own experience <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Klanch]

Maybe they are using ATI video cards. Sony has never worked out the bugs with those video cards.

[Miele]

EQ2 works a lot better on my ATI than it did on my now-dead and more powerful Nvidia. After 8 Nvidia cards, now I'm ATI for life.

[Shackleton1]

<p>It's possibly they're referring to the rendering issues, which is quite a problem still.</p><p>Personally, I agree with his assessment of EQ2 as the best MMRPG out presently. In fact, I wrote just that in a review about 6 months ago <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[bensilvi]

<p>I use ATI on 3 machines with no issues what so ever for EQ2.</p>

[bensilvi]

Peebo@Darathar wrote: <blockquote><p>Received my newsletter today and the main story is a new eq2 review, though the bullet points kinda let the game down :/ this isnt going to help with attracting new customers for SOE</p><li>Everquest II has come a long way. Now in its second year, it has continued to wow the MMO world with amazing expansions such as Desert of Flames, Kingdom of the Sky, and most recently the well-accepted Echoes of Faydwer, which brought us the beautiful race of the Fae. With so many wonderful changes there is need to review the game again. </li><li>The sounds of EverQuest II easily immerse players into the world of Norrath adding a unique depth to the game. </li><li>EverQuest II is the game for the serious and mature MMO player. </li><li><b><span style="font-size: small">The lag in the game has to be its biggest downfall. </span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-size: small">The customer service department for EverQuest II is very lacking.</span></b> </li></blockquote> Find me the MMO that is 100% perfect game and we can debate this review then. Every game has issues and this review was pointing out the ones that stick out.

[liveja]

<cite>Klanch wrote:</cite><blockquote>Maybe they are using ATI video cards. Sony has never worked out the bugs with those video cards. </blockquote>I'm using an ATI, & have never had a problem with playing EQ2 with it.

[LadyAnnaAnna]

Firstly, I have never really noticed lag with this game, assuming there isn't some outstanding circumstance. (i.e. roommate making large downloads during my play time without telling me, my video card is over heating, etc.) Secondly, my main beef with the CS is not that it's bad, it's just hard to find. (Though I will also agree that the online chat support is God-awful.)  When I do get in touch with a GM or other CS representative, they are always friendly, never patronize me (unlike GMs in some "other games" which shall remain nameless,) and they usually have enough of a sense of humor that they can cheer me up about my problem. You know, aside from the fact that they are usually fixing it. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule and bad apples in the barrel, but that's true everywhere. I'm sad to say that I have expirienced it here, as well as elsewhere, but that's what the customer satisfaction survey they send you sometimes after you file a /petition is for.  If they sucked, let Sony know.  If they suck on a regular enough basis, they'll either improve, or they won't be my problem anymore.

[ChildofHate]

<p>I have to say everything else aside, only the CS is severly lacking <b>AT TIMES.  </b>I've had great customer service in the past...  i'd say a little over a year ago when the servers were getting merged.  But then i imagine that SOE bumped up their staff to accomidate such conditions.  </p><p>Lately though, as of the last two days actually, the CS has basically <b><i><u>FAILED</u></i></b>.  I had an issue with a quest where i was required to gather 5 items for part of the quest.  Along the way i accidently deleted one of them before i had gotten all 5.  Didn't realize it though.  When the final item was collected, my journal said to go do the turn-in.  OK dokey...  I go to the NPC and he tells me i dont have all of the items.  hmm... ok...  /inspects all bags... /gates back home to check bank... nada.  I sent in a petition about it asking that either the deleted item be returned if possible OR please reset my journal so that i may go back and reharvest the item.  The response came over 8 hours later and it simply said "Dear Sir, our records show that the item you mentioned is still in your inventory.  It was never deleted.  Thanks for using SOE.  Have a nice day."  Nothing addressing the fact that the journal says i should do a turn-in and the NPC wont take it.  No further effort was put forth by the GM that <i>investigated</i> (if you want to call it that) the issue to see actually what was missing and disrupting my ability to continue on with the quest.  Just a simple, "Hi, you still got what you thought was lost.  thanks for helping pay my salary.  I'm OUT!!!"  </p><p>So i repetitioned, this time with the <b><i>correct </i></b>name of the item that was missing and the same basic request as before.  (yes i had already tried to go reharvest the item but it wouldnt let me since my journal showed i already got it).  OVER NINE hours later i get another reply, "Dear Sir, our records show that the item you first mentioned as being missing, isn't missing.  it's in such-n-such bag in your inventory.  Thanks for using SOE!"  what?  really...  are you serious?  The GM that responded the second time DIDN'T EVEN READ THE PETITION.  He just tossed out whatever minimal amount of effort he needed to use to vomit out some half-wit reply that basically did absolutely nothing except allowed him to mark on his time card *Helped player_091 with issue @ xx:30 a.m.*  </p><p>I finally gave up and deleted the quest and started it over.  It took me less time to redo everything for the quest AND COMPLETE IT then it took for me to send in two petitions, wait and hope to get help from the customer service / GM staff.  I don't expect immediate attention from a petition but good grief guys!  it shouldn't take over 9 hours... much less 2 - 3 hours to address a player's issue.  I bet if i were to send in petition drowning in vulgarity, i would get a GM within 2 hours who would be ready to ban me on the spot.</p><p>Customer Service does indeed need help.</p><p>LadyAnnaAnna wrote:</p><blockquote>but that's what the customer satisfaction survey they send you sometimes after you file a /petition is for.  If they sucked, let Sony know.  If they suck on a regular enough basis, they'll either improve, or they won't be my problem anymore. </blockquote><p>hmm... wonder why i never got one of these surveys.  Maybe the chuckleheads who dealt with the petition knew they were screwing up.  Should i see a survey come through though, it'll definitely be filed.</p>

[DrRothchild]

That review basically says the great is great aside from 'lag' and 'cs', neither of which most players have any problems with whatsoever. I'd say that is actually a glowing review, as it should be. EQ2 is the best MMO out there, bar none. 

[sayitaintso]

Peebo@Nagafen wrote: <blockquote><p>Received my newsletter today and the main story is a new eq2 review, though the bullet points kinda let the game down :/ this isnt going to help with attracting new customers for SOE</p><li>Everquest II has come a long way. Now in its second year, it has continued to wow the MMO world with amazing expansions such as Desert of Flames, Kingdom of the Sky, and most recently the well-accepted Echoes of Faydwer, which brought us the beautiful race of the Fae. With so many wonderful changes there is need to review the game again. </li><li>The sounds of EverQuest II easily immerse players into the world of Norrath adding a unique depth to the game. </li><li>EverQuest II is the game for the serious and mature MMO player. </li><li><b><span style="font-size: small">The lag in the game has to be its biggest downfall. </span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-size: small">The customer service department for EverQuest II is very lacking.</span></b> </li></blockquote>They and other publications have been reporting this since EQ1 removed all of it's in game GMs...And yet instead of getting better it gets progressively worse. I am surprised that they dd not report the low server populations...I guess SOE wouldn't release numbers to them.

[sayitaintso]

<cite>DrRothchild wrote:</cite><blockquote>That review basically says the great is great aside from 'lag' and 'cs', neither of which most players have any problems with whatsoever. I'd say that is actually a glowing review, as it should be. EQ2 is the best MMO out there, bar none. </blockquote>Really? So where did 140,000 players go and why did they leave? You don't any of it was the total lack of customer service?

[Kraven Coldblade]

I've been playing EQII since November 2004. Up until now I've only had to contact customer service on two occassions and that was due to a couple of buggy quests. The only times I notice lag is when raiding and even that is rare because I will suddently get a lag spike but never consistent lag. I'd even go as far as to say that EQII has evolved immensely and anyone that joins will see how vast and memorable EQII experience can be.

[xOnaton1]

<cite>ChildofHate wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Lately though, as of the last two days actually, the CS has basically <b><i><u>FAILED</u></i></b>.  I had an issue with a quest where i was required to gather 5 items for part of the quest.  <span style="color: #ff0000">Along the way i accidently deleted one of them before i had gotten all 5.</span>  Didn't realize it though.  When the final item was collected, my journal said to go do the turn-in.  </p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">I finally gave up and deleted the quest and started it over.</span></p></blockquote>I'm not sure why you petitioned for this situation. If you made a mistake on your quest you already knew how to solve your own problem. Generally, if a solution to your problem exists in the game, a CS person shouldn't have to help you. If the quest were undeletable, like a Hallmark quest,  you would really be stuck and that would be considered a bug. Unfortunately quests where you pick up actual objects aren't really consistent. Sometimes you're asked to harvest 30 items and when you come back the quest giver doesn't take any so you could have just deleted them. Sometimes you need to have them, so I normally hold onto them until the quest is over. Othesus - Dirge - Lucan DLere Vaspar - Fury - Lucan DLere

[DrRothchild]

Stinkii@Guk wrote: <blockquote><cite>DrRothchild wrote:</cite><blockquote>That review basically says the great is great aside from 'lag' and 'cs', neither of which most players have any problems with whatsoever. I'd say that is actually a glowing review, as it should be. EQ2 is the best MMO out there, bar none. </blockquote>Really? So where did 140,000 players go and why did they leave? You don't any of it was the total lack of customer service? </blockquote>Can't say, and neither can you. But I could theorize that, solely based on poor customer service, probably 1% of all players leave an MMO for another one. Possibly less than 1%. The vast remaining majority probably leave due to a)boredom b) new MMO c) other. Poor CS a major reason? I've never left any of the 6-7 that I played due to that and never met someone who did but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. 

[StrollingWolf]

<p>In the future please direct comments to: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> instead of posting it on the forums. Many times threads giving feedback on customer service resolutions end up turning into needless bickering. Per forum rules of conduct: (<a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=176" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/....m?topic_id=176</a>) You may not: Make posts seeking or giving feedback about Customer Service resolutions. All requests and feedback about Customer Service issues should be handled through petitions or emails using the Knowledge Base (<a href="http://www.station.sony.com/kb" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.station.sony.com/kb</a>) and selecting Email Support.</p><p>So, if you would like to continue your discussion, please refrain from debating the quality of customer service. Your feedback directed in the proper manner is more useful to the CS staff than posting it here.</p>

[ChildofHate]

Othesus@Lucan DLere wrote: <blockquote><cite>ChildofHate wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Lately though, as of the last two days actually, the CS has basically <b><i><u>FAILED</u></i></b>.  I had an issue with a quest where i was required to gather 5 items for part of the quest.  <span style="color: #ff0000">Along the way i accidently deleted one of them before i had gotten all 5.</span>  Didn't realize it though.  When the final item was collected, my journal said to go do the turn-in.  </p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">I finally gave up and deleted the quest and started it over.</span></p></blockquote>I'm not sure why you petitioned for this situation. If you made a mistake on your quest you already knew how to solve your own problem. Generally, if a solution to your problem exists in the game, a CS person shouldn't have to help you. If the quest were undeletable, like a Hallmark quest,  you would really be stuck and that would be considered a bug. Unfortunately quests where you pick up actual objects aren't really consistent. Sometimes you're asked to harvest 30 items and when you come back the quest giver doesn't take any so you could have just deleted them. Sometimes you need to have them, so I normally hold onto them until the quest is over. Othesus - Dirge - Lucan DLere Vaspar - Fury - Lucan DLere </blockquote><p>As i said, the journal directed me to do the turn in.  as i also said, i didn't realize i had deleted the item until after i tried to do the turn in and the npc said i didn't have everything even though the journal contradicted that fact.  The journal showed i had all items.  The journal said i needed to do the turn-in.  The turn-in NPC said i didn't have all items and refused the turn-in.  Attempts to recover the missing item were futile as the ground spawns did not appear because i had already gotten them once.  Thus the situation was perceived as a bug.  I couldn't reharvest the lost item.  i couldn't continue the quest.  Bug.</p><p>It was just a shame it took waiting 2 days and finally giving up, deleted the quest and starting all over to "fix" the problem.  Hallmark quest or not, I don't believe that should ever be the solution.  But that was all i could do as a player to remedy the situation.  Thankfully, it wasn't as lengthy a quest as something like the Claymore but it was not something that could be done in an hour or finished simply by purchasing all the items from a broker.</p><p>The game as a whole i am happy with.  Lag happens, regardless of how powerful a machine you have.  The game is beautiful and quests are fun (when they dont go [Removed for Content]).  Tradeskilling is even decent since it was revamped.  Up until this recent experience with CS, i was even happy with it as well.  I dont know what happened the last two days though but it was not a good thing.  I (like 98% of the rest of the assassin community) wish the assassin aa's would get revamped but i do not forsee that happening.  Probably have to wait for the next expansion to see any improvement on that front.</p><p>Sorry Stroll, i am not further debating quality of CS here.  Just defending my position and that i did what i could to fix my situation, contrary to Othesus' observation.</p>

[StarryEyedElf]

I think that StrollingWolf was incredibly clear in saying that this is not the place to discuss CS-- he even gave a link to follow if you do have a complaint. Please don't make us close this thread. If you cannot follow the forum rules of conduct and a moderator stepping in and kindly asking people to stop, that will be the result.

[Galithdor]

Haha i havent had any problem with lag...but then again...im using an ATI card <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> lol but hey...MMORPG didnt say..."It's the best MMORPG out there next to WoW." lol so hey they gave a good review <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Themaginator]

Peebo@Nagafen wrote: <blockquote> <li>EverQuest II is the game for the serious and mature MMO player. </li> </blockquote>EQ2....its serious business

[sayitaintso]

I rest my case Starryeyed....

[sayitaintso]

<cite>DrRothchild wrote:</cite><blockquote>Stinkii@Guk wrote: <blockquote><cite>DrRothchild wrote:</cite><blockquote>That review basically says the great is great aside from 'lag' and 'cs', neither of which most players have any problems with whatsoever. I'd say that is actually a glowing review, as it should be. EQ2 is the best MMO out there, bar none. </blockquote>Really? So where did 140,000 players go and why did they leave? You don't any of it was the total lack of customer service? </blockquote>Can't say, and neither can you. But I could theorize that, solely based on poor customer service, probably 1% of all players leave an MMO for another one. Possibly less than 1%. The vast remaining majority probably leave due to a)boredom b) new MMO c) other. Poor CS a major reason? I've never left any of the 6-7 that I played due to that and never met someone who did but that doesn't mean they aren't out there.  </blockquote>Customer service is a lot  more than petitions...I have been in the customer service business for all of my adult life..And since we are not allowed to discuss SOEs CS here I will refrain...BUT that in itself speaks VOLUMES about customer service. The very BEST tool a customer service rep can have is the lessons he learns when he make mistakes...and you get that from feedback from your customers...I don't mean a little 3 lined /feedback that the customer isn't even sure it gets read...I mean feedback and discussion...inter[action by both customer and CS provider...that sort of thing isn't allowed here...it's always one way....we complain, we get no response...that's the difference between customer service and the lack there of..

[StarryEyedElf]

I rest my case, this thread is closed. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />