Thank you SmokeJumper and the dev team

[ET3D2]

<p>I would like to say thank you to the developers and producers of this game for taking into account feedback and acting on it, and for continuously developing and tweaking this game to make it better. I've been meaning to write this for a few days now, but time tends to fly. I just saw someone with an opposite message so figured it's a good time to post this.</p><p>I first played EQ2 in 2006. I enjoyed crafting, collecting and selling on the market, but didn't like long travel times while trying to avoid dangerous mobs and doing menial tasks for people, so my characters remained low level and I quit before a year had passed. I kept tabs on the patch notes, and even told my wife on the first date that making coffee no longer took more time in the game than in real life (she was impressed by my geekiness, but luckily was willing to go on a second date). I thought of going back, and even bought Echoes of Faydwer, but it's still shrink wrapped. I was very happy when EQ2X arrived, and quite quickly decided to pay the $10 for Silver. The game was faster, the low levels were quicker with more story content, and I liked that. I still got stuck around level 20, but I've been moving up slowly in levels. I'm a very casual player now, since my wife and little kids take most of my time, but I enjoy this game, and not having to pay a sub means I can continue at my own pace.</p><p>What impressed me was how quickly the game changes. When EQ2X came out, Silver was quite limited. It was still worth the money IMO, but it didn't take long until it was upgraded slightly, and not only that but the game also introduced broker credits and unlockers, so you could do most things with a Silver account (provided you were willing to pay something, of course). When EQ2 became free recently, I liked how it was quickly decided to make old characters accessible, even for classes and races Silver didn't include. A similar thing happened with AoD (which I bought), where the dungeon limit was upped to 3 and where soon it would be possible to use our own characters.</p><p>This to me is what makes EQ2 the best "hybrid F2P" game. This game adapts quickly, and I can see things changing for the better over time. I bought AoD because I trusted the devs enough to imagine that its limitations will be lessened with time, and that turned out to be right sooner than I'd expected. This makes me look forward to the future of this game and want to keep dropping into it even if I don't play that much.</p><p>I realise not everyone shares my feeling, and of course I'd be happy if I was given even more for free (and I won't shy away from posting suggestions), but I don't expect it, so when I get something it's a pleasant surprise.</p>

[Meditatious]

<p>I first played EQ2 the day it was released.</p><p>I quit within a few months, the first time of several.  Between the utterly bizare game mechanics like locked enounters, the combat system itself, the crafting system, the initial class system, and more that I won't waste time listing, the game just wasn't fun.  They'd managed to create a game that was more of a second job.</p><p>Thankfully, after a while the game started turning around.  I lay most of that on Scott; personally I think him taking the helm was the best thing that ever happened to this game, and the path he set it on is the same one it follows to this day. (Which makes me wonder why he could've done so well for EQ2, but Rift has been a relative failure.)</p><p>Since then, it's continued to evolve, and I agree that the pace of evolution has been swift, and the result a game that's actually fun and one I want to play.  Primarily because it still has some depth to it's game mechanics, unlike WoW.</p>

[Citadelli]

<p>I too really appreciate the fact that old accounts with several expansions purchased that went to FTP had their non standard basic legacy characters unlocked.  TBH i was innitially very upset about this since my daughter only had her one character she would ever play but did mostly decorating. Now we can play together from time to time still.  So thank you for the "make it right" motto soe has been talking about all year.  If we could afford a dozen accounts we would, but it isn't the case and she's usually with the wicked which of the west if you know what i mean.  </p><p>A small token from SOE, but greatly appreciated <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Cloudrat]

<p>I love this game and all the people connected with it. Over the years everyone has worked hard to make it the best game ever and in that you have succeeded! Thanks for everything and for letting me pester you with all the things  I want. Happy holidays!</p><p><img src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii240/Aeryal/Eq2%20screenies/MerryChristmastoall.png" width="615" height="823" /></p>

[thesiren]

<p>Launch day on through to today and beyond here.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Happy Holidays, SOE, and thanks for lots of things.  Love the new candy cane races and Frostfell stuff:  Even with AoD and the holiday rush, you found time to make Frostfell fun and different for the 6th time in a row now.</p><p>Thanks also for not steamrollering us long-time Station Account holders character-slot-wise.  I know there were plenty of people who just wanted you to forget about it and move on because A.) they were afraid they'd lose something themselves and B.) it originally didn't hurt them any so they didn't care.  Thanks for figuring out that your original math was faulty and fixing the situation for us!</p>

[Riftsburn]

<p>I'm glad to see this thread.  Thanks SOE for making a great game, and listening to those of us who play it. I'm excited about 2012 in Norrath, at least partially because it's obvious that you guys are as well.</p><p>Have great holidays, and may you all be able to safely tie one on and relax. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Amekoi]

<p>I have played since launch, and I'm completely and fully addicted to the game. I've been here through thick and thin, through thankfullness and through the border of Norrathian unrest, and I look to continue to be here well into the future. This little pink rat is going places.</p><p>So thanks SoE for an awesome game, for allowing me to have an awesome toon, and for not saying anything when I keep petitioning for silly titles and cheese and everything.</p><p>PS -- Purveyor of Fine Cheeses title on Lord Colby Jack, please! Make my holiday a super-happy one!</p>

[Crickett]

<p>In 1999 my wife picked up Everquest in a store and said "what do you think"?</p><p>I said "it costs money each month to play it? Forget it."</p><p>In 2000 we visited friends that were playing it, I saw it, and SOE in one form or another has had my wife and I ever since.</p><p>Thanks for a fun and enjoyable eleven and a half years.</p><p>And thank you very very much for never ever banning me (yet)! <smile></p>

[Mellani]

<p>Aye Thank you SOE for an awesome game. I started playing back in 2006, my computer was terrible and couldnt run it very well but this was the only game i loved that much i didnt care about the FPS lag. I stopped playing eventually because the lag in Nektulos forest got the better of me. So i returned when i had a better PC and im not planning on leaving.</p><p>Thanks to SJ and everyone at Sony Online Entertainment for everything they have done, may it have been crappy decisions or amazing decisions or those awesome events they make.</p><p>P.S The Support team rocks as well, always had great responses from them and in timely fashion. Thank you.</p>

[Bastis]

<p>Yes and a very big thank you, for allowing us to do battles with Dragons and dangerous fantasy foes with a common MILK COW at our sides.</p>

[SmokeJumper]

<p><cite>Bastis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Yes and a very big thank you, for allowing us to do battles with Dragons and dangerous fantasy foes with a common MILK COW at our sides.</p></blockquote><p>or a duck <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Thanks all, for the kind words. The team is mostly off in homes around the country right now, but I'll let them know what you said.</p><p>Have fun!</p>

[Bhagpuss]

<p>Just wanted to add my agreement to the thread. I've been here since mid-beta and in my opinion EQ2 is better now than it's been at any time since then. I am largely in sympathy with the current direction of travel as I understand it and I think that EQ2's future looks brighter now than it has for many years.</p><p>The most positive thing I can say is that even though I have a number of other MMOs on the go, all of which I enjoy and want to play, at the moment every time I switch the PC on my mouse pointer just goes to the EQ2 icon as if it's being pulled there by a massive electromagnet. That hasn't happened since Echoes of Faydwer was new.</p>

[BriarHaven]

<p>Thanks for a wonderful game!   )</p>

[Enica]

<p>I'd like to say thank you also. I started one week after launch with my EQ1 guildies. They all straggled off back to EQ1 after a while, but I stuck around because this game was SO much more fun (for me anyway) than anything else out there. But like a lot of people, the EQ1 formula that this game adopted early on made it start to seem more like a job than a game. So even though I loved it, I had to end up quitting for a while, since I'm no longer able or willing to spend 6 hours at a stretch and still not be able to tell that I got anything accomplished.</p><p>After the first "revamp" of the game, I came back, fell in love all over again and I've been here pretty much the entire time since then.  So thank you for the direction the game has gone and is continuing to go. I know you guys get tired of hearing everything you're doing wrong, and you're not able to make everyone happy all the time, so maybe this thread will help to offset that some.</p>

[Novusod]

<p>Running a large MMORPG is often a thankless job. Hopefuly this brightens your day just a little bit.</p><p>Yes, thank you SmakeJumper and the rest of the Eq2 team for making such an amazing game for us to play.</p>

[MurFalad]

<p>I find myself too often only posting about things I don't like about the game or things I'd like to see improved, so for a change I'd just like to say thanks for an excellent year of EQ2.  DoV and flying probably has to be the highlight, but I've been blown away by the sheer amount of work that has been put into the game the past year.</p><p>Currently loving the features of the new expansion, a big thanks to Smokejumper and the rest of the dev team, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the Christmas holidays.</p><p>A Froglok beastlord with his trusty frog companion is very tempting for me ... <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[shots01]

<p>I also love the game.  Thank you!</p><p>Leaves you all fresh cupcakes.</p>

[shots01]

<p><cite>MurFalad wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I find myself too often only posting about things I don't like about the game or things I'd like to see improved, so for a change I'd just like to say thanks for an excellent year of EQ2.  DoV and flying probably has to be the highlight, but I've been blown away by the sheer amount of work that has been put into the game the past year.</p><p>Currently loving the features of the new expansion, a big thanks to Smokejumper and the rest of the dev team, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the Christmas holidays.</p><p><span style="color: #ff99cc;">A Froglok beastlord with his trusty frog companion is very tempting for me</span> ... <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>hmmm yummy.  Frogs legs x 4.. mmmmmm <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)</p>

[Rainmare]

<p>I'm enjoying the game, and the arrival of Ully and Erollisi is nice to see...the beastlords are engaging as well...my only complaint so far is the reforging 'decorations' being restricted to legendary plus..heh I was looking forward to taking some of the new candycane swords and putting particle effects on them <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I am still eagerly awaiting for my Paladin the arrival of Nature's Defender! you guys siad it was coming back when Velious lauched, and by the Gods I want my Tunare Paladin sword back! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Thastorton]

<p>Aye, I'll chime in here. I'm a new player in EQ2 - since November. I'm having an absolute blast in this game. The soloing is fun; yet, I've never had as much fun in group content as in EQ2. And I'm only level 41. It's just a fun game.</p><p>I'm probably going to catch a lot of flack by saying this: but, I think the additions in AoD are nice touches.</p><p>Overall, the game is more engrossing than any other out there. There is just sooooooo much to do. And I'm having quite a lot of fun. I'm thankful that this game is here.</p>

[Juravael]

<p><span style="font-size: small;">I'd like to say thank you to everyone that has worked so hard on Everquest II over the years, past and present. Thank you!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">I have been playing since launch through the good and the bad times and I am still enjoying the game very much. I may make posts here and there expressing my personal opinion about this or that but that does not mean that I am not grateful for all of the work you all do.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Keep up the good work and have a wonderful holiday season!</span></p>

[Mistymorn]

<p>Norrath  my home away from  home and all the days stresses. Thank-you all  for that gift. The many friends I've made there the most awsome gift of all. The fact that almost all my family, young and old plays together as a group is fantastic, and  I have SOE and the EQ 2 team to thank. Keep up the great work  you are appreciated immensly even when we don't always take  time to voice it. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /> </p>

[Odys]

<p><cite>Cloudrat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I love this game and all the people connected with it. Over the years everyone has worked hard to make it the best game ever and in that you have succeeded! Thanks for everything and for letting me pester you with all the things  I want. Happy holidays!</p><p><img src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii240/Aeryal/Eq2%20screenies/MerryChristmastoall.png" width="615" height="823" /></p></blockquote><p>How did you get your Burynai ?</p><p>I have Buryna suit (unlimited charges) and 3 Burynai at home. I never saw any Buryna squire before.</p>

[thesiren]

<p>The Festive Burynai is a 50 cent pet off the SC shop.  Warning:  They're very cute, but teeny tiny!  You can barely see them compared to most other pets, lol.</p>

[Taymma]

<p>I am so glad to see this thread. Forums have become synonomous with trash talk and complaining. Its nice to be able to read so much positive feedback. As a returning player, with a month back, I see the many new and innovative things that have been implemented. I love beastlord and the ability to make playable dungeons. This has become one of the best MMOs out there. Much thanks to all the people connected to this game. I don't spend much time on the forum. I would much rather be playing the game. Finding such a positive thread when I was actually getting ready to do a search was a pleasant surprise. Happy New Year all. See you in game. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Meta-Shadow]

<p>I've been playing since 2006 and definitely see myself staying with EQ2 for a while longer. Thank you SOE for, in my eyes, making the best MMO out there and continueing to make it that way. I appreciate this positive post, finally haha.</p>

[Gaealiege]

<p>While I appreciate the creation of EQ1 and EQ2 Sony, I'm upset at you for catering to a more casual play style.</p><p>Thank you for the years of actual hardcore play though.</p>

[SonnyA]

<p>I've been with EQ2 since launch. During the period I've had many breaks, trying out other MMOs. But I grew tired of them fast and then returned to EQ2. And every time I came back I had to admit that EQ2 is just so much better than what any new MMO can offer.</p><p>Right now I'm also trying a different MMO (that takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far away). And it just feels so naked compared to Everquest 2. It's worse than what EQ2 was 5 years ago.</p><p>They EQ2 team is just doing something right that I can't quite put my finger on. But it just feels.. complete.</p><p>Keep up the good work EQ2 team.</p><p><strong>My favorite EQ2 features that I missed the most when playing other MMOs:</strong></p><p>Guild halls and amenities</p><p>Guild Bank and shared bank slots</p><p>Quest journal (especially the ability to show your group members quest progression as well)</p><p>Short travel time between zones</p><p>Persistant instanced zones</p><p>In game voice chat</p><p>Appearance equipment slots</p><p>Broker search features</p><p>The UI.. That thing about putting stuff in windows that are movable and resizeable.</p>