When the time comes to bid farewell to EQII.....

[Keudi]

    This is something I've been thinking about lately. I have no plans to leave EQII, but the very nature of MMORPG mean that a very serious decision has to be made to do so. I remember when I first cancelled my account for EQ1 and how aware I was that once I hit that 'ACCEPT' button there would be no more hanging out at the Newbie Log in Nek Forest until I could pony up the money to reactivate my account. No such worries arise when I stop playing Neverwinter Nights for months on end.    The question of leaving EQII has caused me to come up with a few things I would love for the people at SOE to do for me (probably at a cost, but I'd pay it<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> which would allow me to enjoy a bit of the game off-line and at the same time probably hasten me to reactivate my account<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> But first...the setup!    Imagine you have a pretty powerful character. You're spent weeks and months of real time travelling over Norrath smiting foes, finishing quests, even collecting an assortment of strange pets that wander all over your house back at Freeport or Qeynos. However, real life has intruded and you have to cancel your account for whatever reason. While SOE does us all a real favor by holding onto our characters for a fairly long time, the longer we spend away the more we forget that special connection we had with that character. That also translates into a less likelihood of us reactivating that account, so that character and his/her deeds will fade into digital dust.    Now imagine that SOE, along with their services like character transfers and such, allowed us to download our character and a little piece of Norrath onto our computers! This is what I would love for SOE to allow us to do and this is what I think should be included in such a service.1) <b>Our Apartment</b> - Whatever dwelling we live in and whatever items are in it would all come with us when we go. The door that used to lead out into the city now opens into a small, self-contained valley...enough to serve as a front and back yard so our character and run around and stretch their legs...as well as take our mounts and carpets through their paces<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />2) <b>Lore and Legends</b> - Remember when all those quests gave us was a book and a wall mounted weapon? Now all those completed quests mean something more. For every completed Lore and Legend quest the character completed, there is a chance of that type of mob spawning in the valley. Perhaps it's random, perhaps it's by clicking on the appropriate book, I dunno. Just a thought. Anyhoo, this would give us a chance to dust off our spells and weapons by taking out a mob similar in level to the character. Of course, there would be no experience gain and no chance of loot dropping<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />3) <b>Increased House Vault Space</b> - Basically, all the items you have in your bank, your shared bank, your broker spaces, and in the house vault would all be placed in one large vault space. This way you can inspect old quest pieces, perhaps some fabled armour you have tucked away and not be missing out on something you liked because you accidently had it in the bank instead of the house vault when you left.    I realize that this download would be one way and our characters and apartments would sit unchanged on the EQII servers, no matter how many giants we killed in the valley or how often we rearranged furniture in our apartment. By giving us this option upon cancelling our account, it would give something tangible, something representing a lot of real hours, to the person who might never be able to afford to play again. For those who cancelled more out of game fatigue, I think something like this would wet their appetite to jump back into the game for real.    So what do you all think? Is something like this possible? Should it be done differently? What features should it have? Should SOE do something like this at all? I am a realist, and know that I probably won't be playing EQII forever, and would think it would be a hoot if I could show my future grandkids my level 80 dark elf wizard and all the books and treasure he collected during his travels<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Cheers!Korihor.

[Gladiia]

I think its a grand idea.  Probably won't happen with EQII - but maybe in a future SOE game. 

[Eviljoe2]

<p>I was unsure where you were going with this at first, but I read the whole thing and, well, yeah, that would be pretty cool.</p><p>I am sure you will get those on here who may say, no, you leave you get nothing....but you did say you would be willing to pay for it.</p><p>I left EQ1 due to RL constraints and poor wife faction.  I had a high level Paladin that I wish I still had as much as a screen shot of....so I would like this idea.</p>

[Gustuv Wynd]

<p>I've thought about this before too...heh...just not in as much detail.  I definately think it would increase the amount of return players.  Plus, it would also serve as a form of advertising.  "I used to play a game called EQ2"  "Infact, here...I'll show you my characters."</p><p>Agreed it would never happen though...in all honesty I don't think much of any ideas on the forums ever get considered, but its nice to come here and dream.</p>

[Anurra]

This is a pretty cool idea. I do not think it would be insanely difficult to do. Have a mapper build the valley and write the scripting to load the monsters. Have a programmer or two write the code for the whole thing to work (downloading the data, writing the way to get into the "off line game&quot<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.Would be really cool actually. Someone else mentioned that you would be able to do use it for advertisement - I agree. It'd be an easy and "free" way to have 1 person show all their friends their cool character.

[bleap]

You mean like a screen saver or something?

[1000Words]

err... how weirdif you want to show off your characters you should be required to have an active subscription and I can guarantee that's the way Sony is going to see it too.

[Polywogus]

I think this is an interesting idea. I've made the decision before to renew a subscription game by reviewing Fraps videos, going over screenies (still have every 1 I ever took in EQLive <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ), or what not - so the appetite-wetting is something that I can sympathize w/.

[Talz]

<cite>Gustuv Wynd wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I've thought about this before too...heh...just not in as much detail.  I definately think it would increase the amount of return players.  Plus, it would also serve as a form of advertising.  "I used to play a game called EQ2"  "Infact, here...I'll show you my characters."</p><p>Agreed it would never happen though...in all honesty I don't think much of any ideas on the forums ever get considered, but its nice to come here and dream.</p></blockquote>They definitely see a lot of the ideas.  They just don't comment on a lot because "Good idea.  I'll bring it up." can turn into "You promised us X!!!!!!" months later.Plus, EQ2 players love to label each other more than in most MMO's and engage in board PvP over those labels.  Those posts and what points may be made are ignored in general.

[Kazaa]

I'd definitely pay for something like this.  Sounds really cool. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Norrsken]

<cite>Talzar wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Gustuv Wynd wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I've thought about this before too...heh...just not in as much detail.  I definately think it would increase the amount of return players.  Plus, it would also serve as a form of advertising.  "I used to play a game called EQ2"  "Infact, here...I'll show you my characters."</p><p>Agreed it would never happen though...in all honesty I don't think much of any ideas on the forums ever get considered, but its nice to come here and dream.</p></blockquote>They definitely see a lot of the ideas.  They just don't comment on a lot because "Good idea.  I'll bring it up." can turn into "You promised us X!!!!!!" months later.Plus, EQ2 players love to label each other more than in most MMO's and engage in board PvP over those labels.  Those posts and what points may be made are ignored in general.</blockquote>"can" is the wrong word. "will" is the word you wanna use there. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Seen it happen lots of times. A dev says something that someone in their wildes throws if imagination interprets, and then the rumor mill starts working, 3-6 monts later half the community specifically remember A dev, not a specific one, but just A dev sayin that this and that were being done. And then everyone complains on how the company always backs down on their word.Im almost feeling like starting up an mmo company and just ripping those peoples throats out when they start complaining. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Journee]

<p><span style="font-size: x-small;color: #ff6600;font-family: comic sans ms,sand;">I too would pay for this.  While I still have my characters from EQ1 (thanks to the all access) it would be awesome to dust them off outside of game and just take them for a walk or to show people what the original Journee looked like.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;color: #ff6600;font-family: Comic Sans MS;">~Journee~(2.0) <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  </span></p>

[Norrsken]

Hell, if they gave me a mil or so I'd be prepared to tweak the eq2 engine to be a standalone "viewing" application of your toon and stuff. Shouldnt be too hard to do actually. (Depending on how the engine looks though. Heh, it might be a horrible mess of code that noone really understands)

[Peter Corbin]

<p>I like this idea... many fantasy novels end up with the hero living out in the world somewhere like a hermit, with a little cottage in a pretty valley by a river and a forest.  It would be neat to have a little cottage and a small outdoor area i could have a couple of my characters live in with my tropheys and such.  I do agree if I quit Eq2 it would probalby encourage me to resubscribe <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I remember EQ1 (and maybe EQ2.. i remember climbing a ladder) used to have really basic tutorials you could play off line.. one of them had some old rulesets that was totally different than what ended up in the live game, it was clearly something developed before the regular game.  Anyway I remember playing it several times when the servers were down or my account was deactivated just to get a quick eq fix in.  It could be something fairly simple like that /shrug it's a good idea.  Maybe little dancing EQ2 people for your desktop too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p>

[Seolta]

<p>Why not just provide an animated screen saver character of people's avatars that pop up and taunt them to re-up?</p>

[Eviljoe2]

<cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote>err... how weirdif you want to show off your characters you should be required to have an active subscription and I can guarantee that's the way Sony is going to see it too.</blockquote>Your response makes me wonder if you read the OPs entire post.  My thinking is....no, you did not.

[1000Words]

<cite>Eviljoe2 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote>err... how weirdif you want to show off your characters you should be required to have an active subscription and I can guarantee that's the way Sony is going to see it too.</blockquote>Your response makes me wonder if you read the OPs entire post.  My thinking is....no, you did not.</blockquote>oh, yes I did, and it's a bogus idea IMO. this isn't a single player game.wanna see your character actively as such described? you should just re-subscribe. all I said.

[Eviljoe2]

<cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Eviljoe2 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote>err... how weirdif you want to show off your characters you should be required to have an active subscription and I can guarantee that's the way Sony is going to see it too.</blockquote>Your response makes me wonder if you read the OPs entire post.  My thinking is....no, you did not.</blockquote>oh, yes I did, and it's a bogus idea IMO. this isn't a single player game.wanna see your character actively as such described? you should just re-subscribe. all I said.</blockquote><p>I think it is quite a stretch to call what the OP was talking about a single player game.  Given the scope of all of the adventuring, mobs, zones, crafting, etc...that a character of level 80 has seen after playing for a couple of years, I doubt they would view a house and a small outside area and a couple of spawns a full game.  However, you kind of proved my point. It is NOT a single player game....In single player games, you do not level your toon and spend hours working on it, selecting just the right gear, just the right AAs etc....some people have spent years on their toons and have become quite attached to them.  I see no reason they should not be able to pay a fee to have something to take away from all of that investment.  Both in time and in monthly dues.</p><p>And I think it is a bit presumptuous to assume that SOE would not be interested in something that could squeeze out more money from someone who is quitting, and something that could get that same customer into playing again down the road.</p>

[1000Words]

<cite>Eviljoe2 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Eviljoe2 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote>err... how weirdif you want to show off your characters you should be required to have an active subscription and I can guarantee that's the way Sony is going to see it too.</blockquote>Your response makes me wonder if you read the OPs entire post.  My thinking is....no, you did not.</blockquote>oh, yes I did, and it's a bogus idea IMO. this isn't a single player game.wanna see your character actively as such described? you should just re-subscribe. all I said.</blockquote><p>I think it is quite a stretch to call what the OP was talking about a single player game.  Given the scope of all of the adventuring, mobs, zones, crafting, etc...that a character of level 80 has seen after playing for a couple of years, I doubt they would view a house and a small outside area and a couple of spawns a full game.  However, you kind of proved my point. It is NOT a single player game....In single player games, you do not level your toon and spend hours working on it, selecting just the right gear, just the right AAs etc....some people have spent years on their toons and have become quite attached to them.  I see no reason they should not be able to pay a fee to have something to take away from all of that investment.  Both in time and in monthly dues.</p><p>And I think it is a bit presumptuous to assume that SOE would not be interested in something that could squeeze out more money from someone who is quitting, and something that could get that same customer into playing again down the road.</p></blockquote>right...whatever I'm just stating my opinion on the topic. no matter what you say I'm still gonna think it's bogus. this is a MMORPG. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[Gladiia]

<cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Eviljoe2 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Eviljoe2 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>1000Words wrote:</cite><blockquote>err... how weirdif you want to show off your characters you should be required to have an active subscription and I can guarantee that's the way Sony is going to see it too.</blockquote>Your response makes me wonder if you read the OPs entire post.  My thinking is....no, you did not.</blockquote>oh, yes I did, and it's a bogus idea IMO. this isn't a single player game.wanna see your character actively as such described? you should just re-subscribe. all I said.</blockquote><p>I think it is quite a stretch to call what the OP was talking about a single player game.  Given the scope of all of the adventuring, mobs, zones, crafting, etc...that a character of level 80 has seen after playing for a couple of years, I doubt they would view a house and a small outside area and a couple of spawns a full game.  However, you kind of proved my point. It is NOT a single player game....In single player games, you do not level your toon and spend hours working on it, selecting just the right gear, just the right AAs etc....some people have spent years on their toons and have become quite attached to them.  I see no reason they should not be able to pay a fee to have something to take away from all of that investment.  Both in time and in monthly dues.</p><p>And I think it is a bit presumptuous to assume that SOE would not be interested in something that could squeeze out more money from someone who is quitting, and something that could get that same customer into playing again down the road.</p></blockquote>right...whatever I'm just stating my opinion on the topic. no matter what you say I'm still gonna think it's bogus. this is a MMORPG. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote><p>You are absolutely correct.  This is an MMORPG.  As are the maps that used to come with box purchases.  But SOE did that.  And I seriously wouldn't be surprised if there were at least a few people that left the game, and then returned after finding that old eqII map, and felt the nastalgia to go with it.  The idea here is basically completely - well not completely, but as much so as the maps are - different then the actual eqII game.  And quite frankly...if there was a charge for it, and people bought it, and some of those people actually returned to the game because of it...well that sounds more succesful then the maps to me.</p>

[Hellswrath]

I really do have to agree with the OP.  This would be a far greater return on investment for SOE than those maps and random extras they throw into an expansion box.  Not to mention the draw to have people re-up from active nostalgia.  This would be a wonderful idea.I doubt it will ever happen, but it would serve the purpose of making SOE that extra dollar and increasing the draw to play again while adding a feature that makes the player base feel all warm and fuzzy inside (a rare accomplishment), all at once.  Would be rather shrewd if you ask me.