New Players / Legends

[inshiningarmor]

<p>   Great idea in fixing the population by getting people to try EQ2.   The only bad part is that there is so very few people in the lower levl zones, that finding people to group with is a chore.   I am on the most populated server and people are looking for people to fill groups for hours.    Want to get those new players sticking around?   Increase the EXP so they can get closer to the crowd faster.    The great part about EQ2 is that other then the lvl, there is no other factor that seperates.   In EQ1 if you were not maxxed out with 5 bazzillion AA's you were not any good.</p><p> Instead of adding new zones, revamp the old ones like you did Runnyeye.    Rivervale is hardly used anymore... why not make it a lvl 70+ zone with 2-3 raid zones in it, or instances.   We already know the zone, and the model is there to make it easier for you...    If you want to keep people in the game they need content and others around.   Right now EQ2 is a 70+ game.   You need more 70+ content and players.</p>

[interstellarmatter]

<p>Just follow the quest lines and you'll be 70+ before you even realize it.  That's why people don't group at the low level.  Not because of lack of players, but lack of motivation.  They can get more AA points going solo.  Decreasing the amount of XP change will not help grouping.  It will just further water down the game.</p><p>And for the record, they did increase the XP for quests under 70 not too long ago.  So, they've already made it easier.</p>

[azekah]

What they really need to do is allow groups to get more AA and exp. Quests just blow everything else out of the water.Perhaps make heroic mobs give a little AA, or make more mobs in dungeons give AA...idk, anything to make it more on par with questing so that players actually have a choice for leveling.

[Mariss]

I'd sooner see more incentive to get people to play the low-mid levels rather than see an easy mode to get to 80 faster.  If anything, there should be a slowdown in progression to top levels.  More heroic content rather than the solo timeline that'll rip you right through in no time would encourage more grouping at lower levels.Players just need to lose the "I gotta be maxed out as fast as possible" mentality.

[Spyderbite]

<cite>Mariss@Nektulos wrote:</cite><blockquote>Players just need to lose the "I gotta be maxed out as fast as possible" mentality.</blockquote>Never happen. Today's players want to level to End Game as quick as possible. And they want it done yesterday.There are still of us old schoolers out there who are in no hurry at all. But, we're becoming the minority as more and more people blame the lack of new expansions and higher level caps on us. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Kirstie]

Hiya,Well I have some bits of good news for our OP.  We have several more bonus XP weekends coming up during the Living Legacy promotion that will provide extra XP for those trying to level up.We are also going to be doing a promotion to encourage mentoring.  While you're mentoring someone else you will get more xp for your own character while at the same time giving the lower level character all the bonuses in pure numbers and experience.  (more details and actual dates on that will be forthcoming if they're not already posted on eqlivinglegacy.com)And finally we just added a group based high level dungeon that takes you back to Runnyeye but with content that is level appropriate for people closer to 80.We're always kicking around ideas about how to find more interesting things for people to do in EQII (it is a game afterall and what we want is everyone to have fun while they're playing) but hopefully what we already have laid out hits the spot for a few people <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />- Kirstie

[azekah]

<cite>Kirstie wrote:</cite><blockquote>Hiya,Well I have some bits of good news for our OP.  We have several more bonus XP weekends coming up during the Living Legacy promotion that will provide extra XP for those trying to level up.We are also going to be doing a promotion to encourage mentoring.  While you're mentoring someone else you will get more xp for your own character while at the same time giving the lower level character all the bonuses in pure numbers and experience.  (more details and actual dates on that will be forthcoming if they're not already posted on eqlivinglegacy.com)And finally we just added a group based high level dungeon that takes you back to Runnyeye but with content that is level appropriate for people closer to 80.We're always kicking around ideas about how to find more interesting things for people to do in EQII (it is a game afterall and what we want is everyone to have fun while they're playing) but hopefully what we already have laid out hits the spot for a few people <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" />- Kirstie</blockquote>That's great and all, but that does not address the issue of AA xpMost groups you join these days are not for xp, it's for hunting down named for dungeons for loot and AA.

[Ragecaller]

<cite>azekah wrote:</cite><blockquote>That's great and all, but that does not address the issue of AA xpMost groups you join these days are not for xp, it's for hunting down named for dungeons for loot and AA.</blockquote><p>Correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't adventuring experience get converted directly into AA experience once your level is maxed out? In that case mentoring would definetely boost AA XP gain as well.</p>

[Rijacki]

<cite>Ragecaller wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>azekah wrote:</cite><blockquote>That's great and all, but that does not address the issue of AA xpMost groups you join these days are not for xp, it's for hunting down named for dungeons for loot and AA.</blockquote><p>Correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't adventuring experience get converted directly into AA experience once your level is maxed out? In that case mentoring would definetely boost AA XP gain as well.</p></blockquote>Plus you could do quests you hadn't done before, yielding even more Achievement.  And maybe even go to some forgotten place (or one that was reset with either KoS or EoF) and get even more Achievement.  And if you happen to kill a Named you hadn't killed before, even more again.

[Elebu]

<cite>inshiningarmor wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>   Great idea in fixing the population by getting people to try EQ2.   The only bad part is that there is so very few people in the lower levl zones, that finding people to group with is a chore.   I am on the most populated server and people are looking for people to fill groups for hours.    Want to get those new players sticking around?  <b> Increase the EXP so they can get closer to the crowd faster.</b>    The great part about EQ2 is that other then the lvl, there is no other factor that seperates.   In EQ1 if you were not maxxed out with 5 bazzillion AA's you were not any good.</p><p> Instead of adding new zones, revamp the old ones like you did Runnyeye.    Rivervale is hardly used anymore... why not make it a lvl 70+ zone with 2-3 raid zones in it, or instances.   We already know the zone, and the model is there to make it easier for you...    If you want to keep people in the game they need content and others around.   Right now EQ2 is a 70+ game.   You need more 70+ content and players.</p></blockquote><p>Man, I don't know if I'd want the xp to be increased.  I can't believe I just said that but I've managed to get a new toon up to 33 adv/30 trade in less than 3 weeks of EXTREMELY casual play time.</p><p>I'm going to forecast an impending tidal wave of end-game capable toons by the end of the summer, and I'm not even drawing on my vast psychic resources either when I say that!</p><p>Edited: Because my psychic abilities failed me in spelling 'psychic' lol</p>

[azekah]

<cite>Rijacki wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Ragecaller wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>azekah wrote:</cite><blockquote>That's great and all, but that does not address the issue of AA xpMost groups you join these days are not for xp, it's for hunting down named for dungeons for loot and AA.</blockquote><p>Correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't adventuring experience get converted directly into AA experience once your level is maxed out? In that case mentoring would definetely boost AA XP gain as well.</p></blockquote>Plus you could do quests you hadn't done before, yielding even more Achievement.  And maybe even go to some forgotten place (or one that was reset with either KoS or EoF) and get even more Achievement.  And if you happen to kill a Named you hadn't killed before, even more again.</blockquote>ppl want AA's before they get to 80

[Fyranaer]

If you're lower level and behind in AA then turn of your combat XP till your AA's get to where you want them.  I turned off combat XP from about 10 to 28.  And now at 62 I have turned it off again.  I have 80 AA which is really nice.  If you do turn off your combat XP I would recommend that you turn it on again when you ding the 10 for your level till you hit the 12.  This lets you gear up with MC gear and increases your survivability.PS: I turned off combat XP again not because I need the AA, but because I'm leveling so fast while exploring that I'm missing some content.  It's nice not to level fast too and enjoy the content and make some money.

[Nighrbringer]

<cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Mariss@Nektulos wrote:</cite><blockquote>Players just need to lose the "I gotta be maxed out as fast as possible" mentality.</blockquote>Never happen. Today's players want to level to End Game as quick as possible. And they want it done yesterday.There are still of us old schoolers out there who are in no hurry at all. But, we're becoming the minority as more and more people blame the lack of new expansions and higher level caps on us. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote><p>Actually some could care less about max level. I'm back for the summer after leaving 3 years ago and have been having a blast doing all the book quests I never got around to. Yes, I'm only killing greens in zones like Rivervale and The Oblesk of Lost Souls but hey, I always did want to have a room full of books <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />   </p><p>I've even picked up few levels in the process, not because I care about them but just as a side effect of playing and having fun. People need to focus less on racing to the end and more on enjoying the journey <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[interstellarmatter]

<cite>Nighrbringer wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Mariss@Nektulos wrote:</cite><blockquote>Players just need to lose the "I gotta be maxed out as fast as possible" mentality.</blockquote>Never happen. Today's players want to level to End Game as quick as possible. And they want it done yesterday.There are still of us old schoolers out there who are in no hurry at all. But, we're becoming the minority as more and more people blame the lack of new expansions and higher level caps on us. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" />" width="15" height="15"></blockquote><p>Actually some could care less about max level. I'm back for the summer after leaving 3 years ago and have been having a blast doing all the book quests I never got around to. Yes, I'm only killing greens in zones like Rivervale and The Oblesk of Lost Souls but hey, I always did want to have a room full of books <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />   </p><p>I've even picked up few levels in the process, not because I care about them but just as a side effect of playing and having fun. People need to focus less on racing to the end and more on enjoying the journey <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p></blockquote><p>The key word here is some.  Most are wanting to be social with their friends and guildies.  If that means lvl 20, 50, 80, it doesn't matter to them.  But the game is top heavy and it's lonely being low level.  They want to run those end game instances with their new friends.  They want to run the new RE2.  They want to be part of the new content.</p><p>It's not a matter of rushing to the end.  It's wanting to be with the majority of other players on the server.</p>

[Kellin]

<cite>Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Mariss@Nektulos wrote:</cite><blockquote>Players just need to lose the "I gotta be maxed out as fast as possible" mentality.</blockquote>Never happen. Today's players want to level to End Game as quick as possible. And they want it done yesterday.There are still of us old schoolers out there who are in no hurry at all. But, we're becoming the minority as more and more people blame the lack of new expansions and higher level caps on us. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>You know, the thing that puzzles me is why anyone even thinks there's an "end game" on an MMORPG that is still being supported.New expansions just keep moving "end game" out further and further, so to me, the term has no meaning.It's Everquest.  It doesn't end.

[Puddingski]

<cite>Kirstie wrote:</cite><blockquote>We are also going to be doing a promotion to encourage mentoring.  While you're mentoring someone else you will get more xp for your own character while at the same time giving the lower level character all the bonuses in pure numbers and experience.  (more details and actual dates on that will be forthcoming if they're not already posted on eqlivinglegacy.com)</blockquote> Great news!  Thanks for taking the time to post!  I have been thinking for sometime that there needs to be encouragement to mentor.  Mentoring is one of the best unique features of EQ2 that is underutilized!  You already have this mechanism to help fight "LFG" problems, yet it is not being used to its potential.   Wouldn't it be nice for the new players to start looking for group and then get hit with several responses right away from people wanting to come help?  I think that mentoring should with a strong incentive can help with many of the LFG issues.  Now if you can give a strong incentive for the level 80's to mentor, then you would further reduce the LFG issues. I say this as one of those customers who often cancels his account out of boredom.  Usually I think that grouping is just not here and then get tired of the solo route.   Anything you do to help encourage mentoring the lower levels (like me) is appreciated!

[Puddingski]

<cite>interstellarmatter wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite><p>It's not a matter of rushing to the end.  It's wanting to be with the majority of other players on the server.</p></blockquote>Exactly!   My problem is that I get bored before I get to the level of everyone else and quit.  (Yes, it's my problem, but that is irrelevant.  SOE and the community still lose out when the less patient quit paying).

[Bloodfa]

Best way to address that (the boredom factor) would be to revamp the old zones.  But that dead horse is attracting flies and has a nasty funk hanging around it, so I ain't beating it anymore.

[Razlath]

<cite>Puddingskins wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Kirstie wrote:</cite><blockquote>We are also going to be doing a promotion to encourage mentoring.  While you're mentoring someone else you will get more xp for your own character while at the same time giving the lower level character all the bonuses in pure numbers and experience.  (more details and actual dates on that will be forthcoming if they're not already posted on eqlivinglegacy.com)</blockquote>Great news!  Thanks for taking the time to post!  I have been thinking for sometime that there needs to be encouragement to mentor.  Mentoring is one of the best unique features of EQ2 that is underutilized!  You already have this mechanism to help fight "LFG" problems, yet it is not being used to its potential.   Wouldn't it be nice for the new players to start looking for group and then get hit with several responses right away from people wanting to come help?  I think that mentoring should with a strong incentive can help with many of the LFG issues.  Now if you can give a strong incentive for the level 80's to mentor, then you would further reduce the LFG issues.I say this as one of those customers who often cancels his account out of boredom.  Usually I think that grouping is just not here and then get tired of the solo route.   Anything you do to help encourage mentoring the lower levels (like me) is appreciated!</blockquote><p>Sadly unless mentoring is reviewed it probably still won't happen.  You get more than 1 mentor in a group and things are just ridiculously easy.  The game is a cake walk anyway, having peeps mentored down 20+ levels just makes it even more so.  Maybe some peeps are fine with following the big bad mentors around the zone taking out 4 yellow con heroics at once, but some people want a challenge from their game.  Right now having 2 or 3 mentors in your group feels like you are watching other people level your character for you.</p><p>I have been working my brigand up through the levels and I have seen this quite often.  It is a shame to have to leave groups because the group gets more than 2 mentors in it.  In guild groups you have to suffer through it just for the sake of "playing together", but with non-guildies the sheer tedium the game turns into just isn't worth it.</p>

[Spyderbite]

Not to mention that Mentoring on the PvP servers will be useless with the exception of getting a front row view of those we're mentoring get slaughtered. Its very clear that somebody in a group is being mentored. If a group still wants to attack that person, then they should take the risk of being killed. Not make it a solo kill with spectators. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[inshiningarmor]

<cite>Kirstie wrote:</cite><blockquote>Hiya,Well I have some bits of good news for our OP.  We have several more bonus XP weekends coming up during the Living Legacy promotion that will provide extra XP for those trying to level up.We are also going to be doing a promotion to encourage mentoring.  While you're mentoring someone else you will get more xp for your own character while at the same time giving the lower level character all the bonuses in pure numbers and experience.  (more details and actual dates on that will be forthcoming if they're not already posted on eqlivinglegacy.com)And finally we just added a group based high level dungeon that takes you back to Runnyeye but with content that is level appropriate for people closer to 80.We're always kicking around ideas about how to find more interesting things for people to do in EQII (it is a game afterall and what we want is everyone to have fun while they're playing) but hopefully what we already have laid out hits the spot for a few people <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" />" width="15" height="15">- Kirstie</blockquote><p>That is good to hear.   There is just so much content that is wasted now.   I wish more would slow down and experience the entire game.    Sadly that just will not happen.    I hope you continue to add to the current zones much as you did to Runny Eye.  </p><p>Mentoring is not really worth it unless you are helping show a friend around ... 5% is not worth the time.    Better to quest.. Even with a full group it is only 15% bonus .. Questing far far outperforms that.</p>