Conservative Design

[Trahenots]

    Has anyone else noticed that things in Eq1, though graphically outdated, had a design that just seems to put eq2 on the 2nd Place pedestal? When you look at Sol Ro, Mayong, and even the general architecture and atmosphere, you can see how much ...simpler EQ2 looks. It seems that because of the level of geometric detail in eq2, the design suffered based on the amount of work it'd take to make everything as good looking as EQ1.     I've been playing since the game came out, but I walk around the streets of Qeynos and Freeport and now even Neriak and I think... where's the atmosphere that Eq1 had? I run through many of the more impressive zones like Solusek's Eye, Lavastorm, Feerrott and Everfrost and I marvel at my surroundings. But that kind of awe simply doesn't exist in the Epic mobs or the cities. All I'm saying is that there's something that seems a bit boring about Eq2's atmosphere. The ominous needs to seem more ominous; the benevolent, moreso. I normally don't gripe, but it's something I'd like someone with some imfluence to read. The entire game doesn't have to be so staggeringly badass that it hurts, but I haven't seen anything really awe-inspiring since Permafrost. Oh, and changing the sizes of things only goes so far. Enough bland ceasar-salad design. Give us some MEAT.

[Image_Vain]

Change the music, give back the epic music feel.

[Krilinye]

<p>Itll never be the same again, thats just final...</p><p> Here you can be anything. I think that scares you. I've been here before but only by myself. What giving up gives you and where giving up takes you. I've had and I've been. Here in center frame, there's only air. Just enough space to fit. I said it out loud over and over but what do I know. I said it out loud but it did not help. I'll stop now. Just so I can hear you I stay up as late as it takes, as long as it takes. I promised I'd see it again. I promised I'd see this with you now. </p><p>that song always makes me think of EQLive...</p>

[LordFyre]

<cite>Trahenots wrote:</cite><blockquote>     Has anyone else noticed that things in Eq1, though graphically outdated, had a design that just seems to put eq2 on the 2nd Place pedestal? When you look at Sol Ro, Mayong, and even the general architecture and atmosphere, you can see how much ...simpler EQ2 looks. It seems that because of the level of geometric detail in eq2, the design suffered based on the amount of work it'd take to make everything as good looking as EQ1.     I've been playing since the game came out, but I walk around the streets of Qeynos and Freeport and now even Neriak and I think... where's the atmosphere that Eq1 had? I run through many of the more impressive zones like Solusek's Eye, Lavastorm, Feerrott and Everfrost and I marvel at my surroundings. But that kind of awe simply doesn't exist in the Epic mobs or the cities. All I'm saying is that there's something that seems a bit boring about Eq2's atmosphere. The ominous needs to seem more ominous; the benevolent, moreso. I normally don't gripe, but it's something I'd like someone with some imfluence to read. The entire game doesn't have to be so staggeringly badass that it hurts, but I haven't seen anything really awe-inspiring since Permafrost. Oh, and changing the sizes of things only goes so far. Enough bland ceasar-salad design. Give us some MEAT. </blockquote><p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sand">I am sure that the EQ1 art team would be happy to hear you say that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sand">There would be only one area where I would agree with you that <u>EverQuest II</u> was "Conservative" in their design.  Player character costuming (which is also used by most humanoid NPCs) does leave something to be desired.  <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sand"><ul><li>The armor used by female characters needs to be "sexier!"  This is a somewhat controversial belief, but I think it is true none the less!  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  (I am no fan of "social" clothing, since it does not get used very much anyway.)</li><li>There are now four Player cities (soon to be five!), should there not be different armor and weapons style representing the different "cultures" that these areas would represent.  They certainly have very different climates in any case.</li><li>This would be in addition to the NPC cities like Maj'Dul and Mara - players should be able to get some new clothing, armor, and weapon styles from these areas also.</li></ul><p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sand">And yes, I do understand the coding required, so this is not as do to say as to ask for.  Still this is one area that the game would benifit greatly from improving.  </span></p></span>

[selch]

It is not that... Graphic engine is not properly optimized, I'm expecting total revamp by RoK, however, it is consuming way too much resources compared to output quality in current state, it can't use dual processors, it does not use much of DX goodies etc.

[Grimlux]

<p>I have to agree with the OP. I've played EQ1 for a couple years and moved onto EQ2 which I played now for 3 years. When EQ2 came out the graphics were pleasing, a bit robotic in design. (kind of like a computer pretty much designed the game, no humans involved)</p><p> I then tried World of Warcraft, as im sure most have. It was alright, I dont mind the slighty more cartoon look, the beautiful atmosphere and bright colors made up for it, by far more clothing/armor/weapon designs (not to mention it runs like a dream on my system). I still always loved EQ2 and came back to game to level my fairy to 70. By that time the Burning Crusade came out and it was time to level my priest to 70.</p><p>I saw Neriak coming out so I again, updated my account. I even made a new "evil fae" to start with the new area. Im so dissapointed by the recycled graphics, recycled character model, and when I walked into Neriak I was so extremely dissapointed. The old neriak of EQ1 received no justice. They did good on the placement of buildings, but again it looked as if a robot designed it. Nothing exciting to look at whatsoever. In EQ1 I could close my eyes and run through each of neriaks zones with my eyes closed. </p><p>Im probably not going to buy into Kunark (even though one of my favoritest expansions) The graphic engine is severely outdated. It would be nice to see them pull a "Luclin" and update the engine to make better graphics. Actually i'd like to see them just redesign an EQ3 (different name) I love the storyline, deities, and the classes. </p><p> The graphics suck, unfortunately.</p>

[MysidiaDrakkenbane]

<p>The only thing that really needs to be redone is the epic music for some of the harder bosses. It's not your run of the mill fight, the music should reflect that.</p><p>The lines start to blur in EQ2 because the parameters of survival have changed. It's not so much faction vs. faction anymore (unless you're on a PvP server). Qeynos and Freeport now have different survival methods.</p><p>Qeynos: we all need to band together in order to survive.</p><p>Freeport: only the strong survive.</p><p>Things aren't as racially torn as they were before. A lot changes when your continents shatter.</p>

[Siclone]

<p>EQ2 has way more feel and atomosphere EQ1 ever did</p><p>The issue is, not the games but you.</p><p>You see you still remember when you first played EQ1 how new and exciting it was, but after playing years that wears off, so you still relate back to eq1 thinking about them old feelings you had.  ECT ECT....I dont have time to explain this all to you but I think you get my point.  </p><p>I went to eq1 after playing eq2 a bit and was laughing how horrible everything looked, and when I first played eq1 I was in awe it looked so cool.</p>

[Illmarr]

<cite>Siclone wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>EQ2 has way more feel and atomosphere EQ1 ever did</p><p>The issue is, not the games but you.</p><p>You see you still remember when you first played EQ1 how new and exciting it was, but after playing years that wears off, so you still relate back to eq1 thinking about them old feelings you had.  ECT ECT....I dont have time to explain this all to you but I think you get my point.  </p><p>I went to eq1 after playing eq2 a bit and was laughing how horrible everything looked, and when I first played eq1 I was in awe it looked so cool.</p></blockquote> Sadly, QFT

[Rast]

<p>There is a lack of 'atmosphere' really...  And it has nothing to do with EQ1 (as I only played it for about 2 months and didn't see much in that time to be honest).  It has alot to do with the style...  Why do the warriors of Qeynos and Freeport dress alike?  Qeynos is a grassy plain, freeport is in a savanah/desert...  The clothing/armor/weapons should reflect this.</p><p>Qeynos should have bright colored armors (not pink, but shiny...  gold, silver, platinum, with tasteful adornments on them), while freeport should be darker (ebons, dark steels with a ominous feel about them (spikes, cruel twisted weapons, etc).</p><p>Neriak is a cave system, the clothing, armor and weapons should reflect this...  your main guards would not be using huge, no room to swing two handers, they'd be using light swords needing little room to maneuver or polearms that could be used to block a corridor.  They wouldn't wear bright armor where they'd stand out, they'd wear dark armor to blend in to the low light area and create an advantage.</p><p>Armor out of Majdul should be light weight, light colors, less plate, more cloth in appearance.</p><p>The problem is that the tiering system of EQ2 really wouldn't allow for this without alot of modification (which I don't think will happen).  Ebon is t5, not freeportian (as it should be), Cobalt is t6 not Neriakian, etc...  The only way that something like this could be accomplished is to unhook the looks on a material and more on a culture, but then this messes up the whole crafted tiering system mentioned above...</p>

[Trahenots]

It's obvious there's a different design team on Eq2. It's almost as if the artists are afraid to "blaspheme" the content of the Everquest universe and have thus refrained from taking any really creative chances. Eq1 was and is exhuberant, visually. Eq2 seems plain, dull.. something was lost in translation. However, the detail of the dragons is something I really admire in Eq2. Some of the zones that you can tell people really love as well, such as Permafrost, Sol's Eye and Castle Mistmoore. When you love the content you create, it shows. When you're doing it because it's your job and they're giving you a paycheck, that also shows. The good thing about this is that from what I hear, everyone at SOE jumped at the chance to do Kunark. I'm expecting great things from this expansion, because from what I've heard, everyone over there loves it.

[Velsha]

<cite>Trahenots wrote:</cite><blockquote>It's obvious there's a different design team on Eq2. It's almost as if the artists are afraid to "blaspheme" the content of the Everquest universe and have thus refrained from taking any really creative chances. Eq1 was and is exhuberant, visually. Eq2 seems plain, dull.. something was lost in translation. However, the detail of the dragons is something I really admire in Eq2. Some of the zones that you can tell people really love as well, such as Permafrost, Sol's Eye and Castle Mistmoore. </blockquote> LOL.. are you kidding? They made big stylistic changes in Neriak and everyone jumped on their back about it. Just browse the boards... there's a ton of threads accusing them of selling out to the "anime-look" and one poster found it in his heart to make countless posts about how Neriak lost it's soul. I don't blame them for not taking more risks when that's the thanks they get.

[Seraki]

<p>It would be more constructive to make specific criticisms.   What specific houses, clothing, weapons for instance and how it could look better.   </p><p>My feelings on Neriak are mixed.    I like the house design but not the guard models, love the old Neriak references but feel the zones is too dingy and simple looking with the expection of a few spots.  </p><p>I never make the western / asian reference or young /old reference when talking about art.  If its executed well then it shows.  If not using a lable to claim its a style doesnt make it better.</p>