Smokejumper Introduces Holly “Windstalker” Longdale, New EverQuest II Producer

[Amnerys]

<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/logos/EQII/EQII_Logo.png" width="300" height="112" /></p> <p>Hi there, Norrathians!</p> <p>As many of you know, I’m the Executive Producer in charge of the entire EverQuest franchise, including EQ, EQII, and the upcoming (and very different) “EverQuest Next.” For the last two years, I’ve also been the Producer for your EverQuest II world, and it’s been absolutely a blast working with the team, the game, its features, and most of all, its players.</p> <p>However, our company’s visions for the EQ Franchise are bigger in scope than what I can coordinate alone on EQII while also overseeing the rest of the franchise...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/features/dev/daveholly1.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everquest2.com/news/article?month=current&id=5121" target="_blank"><img src="http://everquest2.com/images/en/community/buttons/readmore.png" border="0" width="175" height="44" /></a></p>

[Isulith]

<p>Welcome Holly! We're so happy to have you here! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Sands]

<p>Welcome back to the Looney Bin.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p><p>So, what ever happened to Domino?  Wasn't she acting associate producer or something?</p>

[ttobey]

<p>New Producer buys the beer!</p>

[Vinyard]

<p>Another producer.....</p>

[Amnerys]

<p>Domino is still Associate Producer. I imagine she's in a meeting or knocking on someone's door, doing the hard work she does every day.</p><p>Although it's 12:45 so she might be at lunch. If she was allowed to take lunch today. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[naladini]

<p>Welcome back Holly! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Arbreth]

<p>Domino is working!  We are pestering her over in the Decorating Department - er - Homeshow Forum <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Arbreth]

<p>Oh!</p><p>And welcome home Holly!</p>

[Lempo]

<p>The only thing they had to say in their interview concerning the current state of the game is how great the dungeon maker is. Still in absolute shambles itemization doesn't even seem to be on the radar for this new addition, at least not enough to make a bold statement acknowledging they realize it is an issue and are going to see that it get the focus it needs. We have another shill for the SC shop and anything and everything <em>but</em> game/combat mechanics issues. Joy Joy. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Wolfmist]

<p>Nice to have you back, Holly.   EQ and EQ2 are still the most fun MMOs out there and I play (or have played) all of them. </p><p>Take good care,</p><p>Bemuse of Crushbone</p>

[Winter]

<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; color: #cc99ff; font-size: medium;">Welcome back, Holly!<img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </span></p>

[Yimway]

<p>I must be getting old, cause I don't remember her...</p><p>Anyway, welcome back, and you get 2 weeks before we blaim you for all the doom and gloom.</p>

[Arbreth]

<p>*Hands Lempo a single lemon and a metricA-ton of sugar*</p><p>Dude, you need some positive sunshine in your life.</p>

[Cyliena]

<p>Welcome Holly!</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Arbreth wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>*Hands Lempo a single lemon and a metricA-ton of sugar*</p><p>Dude, you need some positive sunshine in your life.</p></blockquote><p>So you do not dispute the fact that Itemization needs some focus?</p>

[NikkiT]

<p>So we now have an Executive Producer, a Producer and an Associate Producer....now that's what I call flat hierarchies <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Welcome to the game, Holly...don't let the flamewars burn you.</p>

[Sedenten]

<p>Was Holly once known as Vahlar for EQ1, or does she just bear a striking resemblance?  Either way, welcome back!</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So you do not dispute the fact that Itemization needs some focus?</p></blockquote><p>You can have interesting itemization or you can have balanced itemization.</p><p>Pick.</p>

[snowflayke]

<p>Welcome back<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> can't wait to see what you have in store for our game<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Mystfit]

<p>When I see Holly Windstalker in game I call her a censored word,  the only other time I called a mob/NPC that word was the butterfly collector in TS and I loathe Holly at least 4 times more. May you not live up to the opinion I have of that name <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So you do not dispute the fact that Itemization needs some focus?</p></blockquote><p>You can have interesting itemization or you can have balanced itemization.</p><p>Pick.</p></blockquote><p>You did not provide an option to pick like them putting the "proper stats on equipment based on the class that it says it is for." You might find it interesting that items that say all scouts only have STR and STA on them, I consider it to be an error and pretty grossly negligent that they have remained in the game for as long as they have. I also find it a very fitting question for the new producer asking them what they plan on doing about it, maybe it isn't an issue to you, but it is to others. One of the producers primary responsibilities is to oversee the development of the game, for whatever reason this area has been neglected to the extreme for the past year, and SJ seemed incapable of seeing that it got done. There is nothing unreasonable about presenting this concern to the new producer at all.</p>

[Marnus]

<p>Welcome Back!</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You did not provide an option to pick like them putting the "proper stats on equipment based on the class that it says it is for." You might find it interesting that items that say all scouts only have STR and STA on them, I consider it to be an error and pretty grossly negligent that they have remained in the game for as long as they have. I also find it a very fitting question for the new producer asking them what they plan on doing about it, maybe it isn't an issue to you, but it is to others. One of the producers primary responsibilities is to oversee the development of the game, for whatever reason this area has been neglected to the extreme for the past year, and SJ seemed incapable of seeing that it got done. There is nothing unreasonable about presenting this concern to the new producer at all.</p></blockquote><p>I've not seen one of these items in a tier that matters.</p>

[Lempo]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You did not provide an option to pick like them putting the "proper stats on equipment based on the class that it says it is for." You might find it interesting that items that say all scouts only have STR and STA on them, I consider it to be an error and pretty grossly negligent that they have remained in the game for as long as they have. I also find it a very fitting question for the new producer asking them what they plan on doing about it, maybe it isn't an issue to you, but it is to others. One of the producers primary responsibilities is to oversee the development of the game, for whatever reason this area has been neglected to the extreme for the past year, and SJ seemed incapable of seeing that it got done. There is nothing unreasonable about presenting this concern to the new producer at all.</p></blockquote><p>I've not seen one of these items in a tier that matters.</p></blockquote><p>Drunder and Kael items are in a tier that matters.</p>

[Cloudrat]

<p>Welcome aboard<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   Now fix my pet!  Ooops, Hope you have a smooth transition and enjoy your stay:<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Finora]

<p>Welcome Holly =).</p>

[Mystfit]

<p><cite>Cloudrat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Welcome aboard<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />   Now fix my pet! </p></blockquote><p>No no no, bring Meatbeast back!!</p>

[Rijacki]

<p>Welcome!</p>

[PsiaMeese]

<p>Welcome Holly!</p>

[dawy]

<p>'Allo</p>

[Uwopo]

<p><cite>Koinoo@Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Was Holly once known as Vahlar for EQ1, or does she just bear a striking resemblance?  Either way, welcome back!</p></blockquote><p>Yes</p>

[isest]

<p><span ><span style="color: #ffffff;"> </span><p>I just logged into everquest2.com and read the following smokejumper is still over the entire eq franchise sounds like Windstlaker is just our producer.</p><p>I read the following</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000; font-size: x-large;"><strong>"Under SmokeJumper’s (Dave Georgeson’s) leadership and vision – which I strongly believe in – this team is hard at work creating even more amazing game content for the upcoming Game Update. We have big plans for this game and your experience in it, I promise you. And at the same time, to support the game, we are looking for new and better ways to build fun." </strong></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffffff; font-size: large;">So after reading that will our new producer have free thoughts on the direction of the game or will we just continue with smokejumper calling the shots with a new name who just tows the line? Or will Windstalker be able to head the game in her own direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffffff;">Thanks.</span> </span></p></span></p>

[Gravy]

<p><cite>Amnerys wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/features/dev/daveholly1.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everquest2.com/news/article?month=current&id=5121" target="_blank"><img src="http://everquest2.com/images/en/community/buttons/readmore.png" border="0" width="175" height="44" /></a></p></blockquote><p>Am I the only one who thinks this picture means more of the same?</p>

[screenid]

<p>Welcome <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> </p>

[Elskidor]

<p><cite>Gravy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Amnerys wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/features/dev/daveholly1.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everquest2.com/news/article?month=current&id=5121" target="_blank"><img src="http://everquest2.com/images/en/community/buttons/readmore.png" border="0" width="175" height="44" /></a></p></blockquote><p>Am I the only one who thinks this picture means more of the same?</p></blockquote><p> Highlander? There can be only one! </p>

[Britefire]

<p>Welcome Holly!</p><p>Watch out, the forums are crazy at times.</p>

[Wintersborn]

<p>First off congrats Holly.</p><p>I would like to know if Dave is still working on EQ2 in ANY form ? No offense to you or others but many of us left the game due to Daves work. If he is no longer involved then we may have reason to come back and look forward to changes.</p>

[Destria]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Lempo@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>You did not provide an option to pick like them putting the "proper stats on equipment based on the class that it says it is for." You might find it interesting that items that say all scouts only have STR and STA on them, I consider it to be an error and pretty grossly negligent that they have remained in the game for as long as they have. I also find it a very fitting question for the new producer asking them what they plan on doing about it, maybe it isn't an issue to you, but it is to others. One of the producers primary responsibilities is to oversee the development of the game, for whatever reason this area has been neglected to the extreme for the past year, and SJ seemed incapable of seeing that it got done. There is nothing unreasonable about presenting this concern to the new producer at all.</p></blockquote><p>I've not seen one of these items in <span style="font-size: large; color: #ff0000;">a tier that matters.</span></p></blockquote><p>All tiers matter, as all content is played by numerous players...your logic is fail.  End game is not the ONLY game to EQ2, theres 8 whole more tiers to it...or did you miss the first 80 levels?</p>

[GrunEQ]

<p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Welcome back Holly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;">Were you playing anything else during absense?  If so, what influences do you think that will bring to EQ2?  If not, what changes to EQ2 have impressed you the most since you last played?</span></p>

[Tankerbay]

<p>Welcome Holly.</p><p>Tanker's back in EQ2 with some of my old friends.  Looking forward to seeing the Loremistress' continue with the EQ nostalgia in EQ2. </p><p>I just started playing EQ2 again after 6 years away, and I'm really enjoying the Heritage content.</p><p>Good luck!  I'll be watching/playing.</p><p>Tanker</p>

[agnott]

<p>You are still being driven down the same road, they just changed your driver.  And that new driver listens to the same old dispatcher.</p><p>Your destination: The valley of paying more for less.</p>

[Matanzas]

<p><cite>Noctew@Valor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>So we now have an Executive Producer, a Producer and an Associate Producer....now that's what I call flat hierarchies <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Welcome to the game, Holly...don't let the flamewars burn you.</p></blockquote><p>Associate producer, the highest paid pizza delivery job!</p>

[JAEnox]

<p>So, can we have the Isle of Refuge back now?  Also, please don't destroy the Qeynos suburbs as with the revamp of Freeport.  I will pay SC for both! </p>

[Vortexelemental]

<p>I don't know how far your reach goes...But, I implore you to take the reins as best you can and return this game to it's former glory.Please.-Signed a long gone veteran.</p>

[retro_guy]

<p>Welcome back and good hunting!</p><p>Also I apologise in advance for my fellow posters, they are overly "passionate" at times.</p>

[Calthine]

<p>Welcome!</p>

[GlitterPaws]

<p>Welcome back to Norrath Holly!</p>

[Stratcat]

<p>Congrats Boomer!!! </p>

[Bremethor Uthorzant]

<p>Welcome back to the family miss Holly windstalker <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> good to have ya aboard!</p>

[TwistedFaith]

<p>Welcome back, I have played since launch but the last year or so of content has been quite frankly awful.</p><p>Here's my word of advice/thoughts regarding EQ2s curent position:</p><p>1. Marketplace - Nobody really minds the marketplace stuff, however what players HATE more than anything is the fact that almost every decision that seems to be made these days is totally centered around marketplace and how to drive sales there. To say it has effected the playerbase would be understatement.</p><p>2. Dungeon Maker - In my opinion this seems to have become a pet project for someone at SOE who seems to think that they can use it to enhance the housing/decorating playerbase. I would guess they want to introduce another revenue stream that links to marketplace (again!) selling more and more furniture etc.</p><p>If this is indeed the case then rename it 'Dungeon Decorator'. In terms of actual dungeon crawling and being something that people want to do it has failed miserably. Nobody wants to run cookie cutter dungeons like these, they are boring, the artwork is boring, the mechanics are boring, the loot is boring. The only way you will get these to be popular at present is to introduce INSANELY powerful items as rewards, which would make no sense.</p><p>If you cannot create something decent, with the true ability to be unique (custom graphics, scripts etc ala Neverwinter Nights) then you are wasting your time.</p><p>3. Dungeon Finder - Worst implementation of a dungeon finder I have ever seen. Seriously it's beyond rubbish, shockingly bad in everyway. You know where I mentioned awful content in my first paragraph, this is a perfect example of it. </p><p>4. Itemisation (Raid) - Again this is a MAJOR area of concern for all raiders. The gear which is made I presume with somekind of automated script is incredibly bland and lacks any sort of excitement. I cannot remember the last time I have been excited to open a chest. The whole removal of crit mit will leave all sorts of bizzare problems which I seriously doubt you will even look at yet alone fix.</p><p>For example, I have a helm from over two expansions ago which is now the best helm for my class because your automated system decided to put 60 multi attack on it, compared to my hardmode current expansion helm which has like 14 multi attacl. Like I said, I doubt you will go back to fix all this stuff.</p><p>Ideas to think about:</p><p>. Grandmaster spells need to be in the game, and they only should come from the game NOT marketplace or researched.</p><p>. The game needs HUGE plat sinks.</p><p>. You need to add more mounts with stats from raids/group zones. It is getting so old to see new mounts being added to marketplace every week, yet there are only three mounts with stats in the current tier, pathetic.</p><p>. The game needs new content, there's no other to say it. The last expansion was a joke and a insult to the playerbase. </p><p>. Whoever decided that research assistants counted as a feature needs to be fired. Making one recipe per day and clicking a NPC is NOT content.</p><p>Good luck with the new job, in all honesty I have already come to the conclusion that SOE are using this game as some sort of testing ground for new ideas in regards to microtransactions etc. It's a shame but I can't say I blame you, if someone is willing to spend the equivilant of 6 months of subscriptions on something like a mount or two, then why not focus on them. I do have a feeling though that the quality of the content that SOE are putting out will eventually catch up with them.</p>

[MrWolfie]

<p><cite>TwistedFaith wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Here's my word of advice/thoughts regarding EQ2s curent position:</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">And a counter:</span></p><p>1. Marketplace - Nobody really minds the marketplace stuff</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">That's right, don't care.</span></p><p>2. Dungeon Maker: If you cannot create something decent, with the true ability to be unique (custom graphics, scripts etc ala Neverwinter Nights) then you are wasting your time.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Just better abilities to place linked encounters would be nice. And being able to run it with your character, rather than some piece of rubbish that is like playing a level 1 all over again.</span></p><p>3. Dungeon Finder - Worst implementation of a dungeon finder I have ever seen.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Needs ALL dungeons on it. Never used it myself, 'cos I never group outside of my RL family & friends, but if I did want to jump in quick to get a quest update, then there would HAVE to be the instance I needed.</span></p><p>4. Itemisation (Raid) - Again this is a MAJOR area of concern for all raiders.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">...that no-one else cares about. So not a huge problem. More people are bugged by *everything* being on SC (see #1).</span></p><p>Ideas to think about:</p><p>. Grandmaster spells need to be in the game, and they only should come from the game NOT marketplace or researched.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">No, they don't. They're completely unnecessary. But if you do decide to add them, they should require buckets of plat, shouldn't work in heroic or solo zones, and require interaction with a crafter.</span></p><p>. The game needs HUGE plat sinks.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">For raiders. Just make them pay to get into raid zones, and drastically increase the cost of repairs on raid-dropped equipment. Sorted.</span></p><p>. You need to add more mounts with stats from raids/group zones. It is getting so old to see new mounts being added to marketplace every week, yet there are only three mounts with stats in the current tier, pathetic.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">No-one needs a mount with stats.</span></p><p>. The game needs new content, there's no other to say it. The last expansion was a joke and a insult to the playerbase. </p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Many more people haven't done all the heroic instances in DoV yet. Don't overly worry about it. But I would try to step up release of game updates. Instead of one every few months (and them being delayed in reality), try releasing the rest of the DoV content in parts on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.</span></p><p>. Whoever decided that research assistants counted as a feature needs to be fired. Making one recipe per day and clicking a NPC is NOT content.</p><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Research assistants are great for crafters, I would like to see more Colossal Reactants dropping off 90+ mobs everywhere.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Welcome aboard, Windstalker. Interesting choice of name, one that comes with a "history" <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></p>

[SOE-MOD-08]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=500098&post_id=5711582" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=50009...post_id=5711582</a> Trolling.

[SgtPmpkn]

<p>Welcome aboard, as a person who was involved and seen EQ1's and EQ2's launch, I truly believe that this franchise is great and has had lots of good times and potential, so being the Producer is a great honor, and huge responsibility.  Hope you do the EQ2 brand well and make sensible changes for the betterment of the game.</p><p>Along those lines, I do mirror concerns of the above posters.  If you can elaborate any (I'm not sure you can, and silence on the issue might be an answer as well) what freedoms do you have as Producer of EQ2?  Can you change the direction that it's been in?  Do you want to?  If not, might as well left SJ there since its still his show.</p>

[CorpseGoddess]

<p>Welcome, Holly.  Glad to have you on board.</p><p>Good luck to you--I look forward to seeing you here in the forums and seeing what you bring to the game.</p>

[SpineDoc]

<p>I hope she can look at the massive mistakes over the past year or 2 and realize that there are some serious misconceptions about subs versus the marketplace.  It seems that there is some association between the marketplace making money by focusing on selling to them, and subs making less money because they simply pay their monthly fee and don't buy anything.  I can tell you that one of my top 3 reasons for quitting was because I felt as a monthly paying subscriber there was never anything for me to get outside of station cash, no cool looking armors/gear, no particle effects weapons, no mounts, etc.  I would bet that many monthly sub players felt the same way as well, quitting altogether instead of purchasing marketplace items.  This made it seem like selling in the marketplace was more lucrative, but really it was just an effect of losing that many subs.</p><p>Hoping she can do something with the raiding game as well.  Raiding used to be truly fun, and truly rewarding, something based on skill rather than pure luck.  It's quite clear that the way they are handling raiding today is like a spreadsheet, both the encounters and the gear.  Taking away crit mit is a GREAT first step, but we need more, we need to take away uncontrollable stuff like coop strike, we need to make healing fun again instead of the mindless curing and instant fail conditions, we need to get raiding uniqueness back by not having HM/EM just being rehashed dungeons/bosses, we need to instill some way to skill up players on how to group and raid instead of spoon feeding them to solo to level 90/330/masters/SLR raid geared BEFORE they even have their first group.  But most of all we need to have an incentive back for raiding, the incentive of unique uber loot that should be the reward for doing the hardest content in the game, including not only stats but also appearance.</p><p>Even though I'm immensely disappointed that SmokeScreen is still at the helm of the franchise (and what that means for EverFreeRealms, err I mean EQ Next), I'm going to be hopeful here that with the new EQ2 producer maybe we can see some return to when the game was a fun GROUP experience.</p>

[SOE-MOD-08]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=500098&post_id=5711631" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=50009...post_id=5711631</a> Trolling.

[Bacci]

<p>Welcome back Holly.</p><p>I hope your work with the team will be creative, synergetic and successful.</p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Erszebeth@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I've not seen one of these items in <span style="font-size: large; color: #ff0000;">a tier that matters.</span></p></blockquote><p>All tiers matter, as all content is played by numerous players...your logic is fail.  End game is not the ONLY game to EQ2, theres 8 whole more tiers to it...or did you miss the first 80 levels?</p></blockquote><p>I didn't miss them, I replayed them recently, and well, you out level and/or replace an item in like 2 hours of play time, so if a few have the wrong stats it really is not a big deal, not even remotely compaired to the real issues that are plagueing the game.</p>

[SOE-MOD-08]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=500098&post_id=5711730" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=50009...post_id=5711730</a> Trolling.

[Moldylocks]

<p>I honestly do welcome you, Holly.  Hopefully you will be given some autonomy over EQ2, rather than simply being a new face doing Dave's bidding.  I appreciate you have been playing EQ and EQ2 for over a decade, as I have.  I love Norrath, the community, but I hate the direction the game has taken in the last 2 years so, fortunately (for me) I have put my money where my mouth is and refuse to financially support Dave's vision.  What was once a game to be proud of has become a deeper version of FreeRealms. </p><p>Since you have been here for so long, you must have read at least one lengthy thread regarding veteran displeasure regarding EQ2's new path under Dave's direction.  Please heed the voice of the players that supported and maintained Norrath for over a decade.  It wasn't just that we built a strong community; we built EQ's reputation to draw in more dedicated, long-standing players who found a home here.  Unfortunately, a new landlord moved in and built a Starbuck's, a Walmart, and a Kwik Mart (with plans for a stripmall) in our happy place after telling us it wouldn't happen in a million years.</p><p>I feel that quality is being surplaced by shabby quantity.  Its like all those pretty, cheap, mass-produced items.  There certainly is a market for those products, but I prefer to spend my money on more substantial depth while also financially supporting companies that pride themselves in producing quality work.  Something happened in the last 2 years here to fundamentally change EQ2's path, vision, and ultimately their reputation in the eyes of their players. </p><p>While I understand that you work for Dave (and he wouldn't have brought you on board if you weren't a beleiver in his vision), maybe you can take at least one rein out of his hand as a producer of EQ2 to impliment changes that aren't so heavily weighted to SC focus.  I realise that the item mall creates strong revenue, but other aspects of the game are sliding, neglected, or outright abandoned.  Some of these game features were initially highlights that the dev team was proud of (Shader 3.0) while others are lesser structures.  Putting too many resources into SC item production has atrophied the deeper, more meaningful base game <em>and that is driving people away</em>.</p><p>Now then, I am no longer subbed but I still keep my eyes on the pulse of EQ2 and the Norrathian community.  It was my first home, but like I stated I cannot abide by what the new landlord has brought to the table.  Honestly, its a feeling of bitter betrayal.  All that time and energy invested and then this.  While this is my opinion, I know its shared by others as I read the forums daily.</p><p>Maybe you are in a posiiton to makes changes, maybe not.  I just hope that you can steer the ship to a slightly truer course.</p><p>Good luck!</p><p>(p.s.  sorry for the length <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> )</p>

[Daxe]

<p>Welcome Holly <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[denmom]

<p>Welcome back to the insanity!  Best of luck to you!</p>

[Kuulei]

<p>Welcome!</p><p>May the craziness of your team and players, inspire you!</p>

[ttobey]

<p>Still waiting on the beer....</p>

[Arbreth]

<p>If you were a Dwarf, like Brasse, you would already have a keg in your cube...</p>

[Landiin]

Welcome Holly! You have big shoes to fill as Dave has done great things for this game. I only hope you can fallow his lead and be as great of a producer as he has been. Dave good luck man, Give em hell!

[SOE-MOD-08]

This post has moved: <a href="/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=500098&post_id=5711926" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">/eq2/posts/preList.m?topic_id=50009...post_id=5711926</a> Trolling.

[Vinyard]

<p>I doubt anything is going to change. Marketplace is still going to be the focus.</p>

[Zorastiz]

<p>Welcome Holly good riddance SJ!</p><p>Can't tell you how happy this makes me!</p>

[Zxendor]

<p><span style="font-family: "><span style="font-family: "><p><span style="font-family: "><span style="color: #ccffff;">Any chance you would take a look at engine optimization? Dual core mode seems inefficient and shadows burn through hardware resources. Can the engine be optimized to better utilize today's systems by making better use of quad core processors and SLI? The game looks really great with the settings turned up but no modern system can really digest the engine all that well. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "><span style="color: #ccffff;">Thank you for your consideration.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #ccffff;"> </span></p></span></span></p>

[Nuhus]

<p>I got dissapointed after I read this <em>"The most recent expansion is really something to be proud of – not just as a team here, but as players"</em></p><p><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/c30b4198e0907b23b8246bdd52aa1c3c.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Firecracker]

<p><span><p>Welcome aboard, I can only hope that the vision SJ has isn’t totally the same has his for just reading this thread I’ve not ever seen so many post’s removed by a mod in the whole time I’ve ever played this game. That alone should tell that a lot players are not happy with the direction the game has gone in some areas. Yes, there has been some good things done, but I’ve seen some things get changed without no real explanation as to why like removing the Meatbeast as a tamable pet for the Beastlords all together? I know this, since that change I’ve really not played my BL and I know it’s just a appearance thing but I loved him darn it and I want him back even as enchanted creature I would be happy as lark lark pretty please? Gear Stats & Appearance is sorely lacking since the itemization happened since some devs thought it was ok to give them pretty much the same-o stats and appearance even spreaded across some tiers too. As of date I’ve still not seen the Cool looking Red or Blue RoK armor appearances anywhere when I was told it would be back in but from dropped loot since they were removed as quest rewards from various RoK zones.</p><p>As far as some raids mobs go, I know trying to come up with different strats can become a dead end for there isn’t that many ways to kill a mob so personally I’m tired of hearing players whine about the same-o strats being done so perhaps when out of ideas do what Hollywood does redo the old one from years past but with a twist like some mobs can have random combats arts that are totally different each time they zone in so they won’t know until they start so it be like a box of chocolates, they’ll never know what they gonna get until they bite (hit em) and add new improved loots with different appearance’s for each classes! The the loot table can be different each time depending on combats the mobs used too<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></p><p>The Decorating community is bigger now since this last expansion but it’s still a small minority of players compared to adventuring ones so catering to them all the time (not that I mind so much) and not giving a lot of time to the adventuring part can leave some players unhappy. My idea to maybe fix this is give more new content <span style="text-decoration: underline;">on scheduled</span> I might add as I sure you already know for it seems a lot of MMO players have ADD and get bored easily. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></p><p>…and who is charge of classes now? Why can’t we get some feedback in regards to issues we have with balance?</p></span></p><p> PS- <span>Can we get an alternative appearances for the Freebloods that are not so Zombiefied looking please?</span></p>

[Whilhelmina]

<p>*hands out a keg of everlasting ale to Ttobey so he stops whinning* ;p</p><p>Welcome Holly! As a player who only played a bit of EQ after the launch of EQ1, I must say Crescent Reach is a very very good starting zone (and more user friendly than the old ones which are a bit confusing to somebody not used to the game mechanichs). You did a very good job on EQ1 and having one of the original lore dev around in EQ2 will hopefully help restore the game to its former glory. Welcome aboard and good luck!</p>

[MrWolfie]

<p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I didn't miss them, I replayed them recently, and well, you out level and/or replace an item in like 2 hours of play time, so if a few have the wrong stats it really is not a big deal, not even remotely compaired to the real issues that are plagueing the game.</p></blockquote><p>You only outlevel gear if you're levelling. If you're locked, then that's not going to happen. Not everyone is rushing to 90.</p><p>And for level-locked toons, I've got to say that while there are lots of rubbish drops, and items that have been completely missed in the "revamp" (the fabled stuff off nearly all the contested epics, for example - <strong>and even epics not dropping chests!!!</strong>) the addition of mastercrafted-fabled items from the research assistants has been great.</p>

[Crothos]

<p><span style="color: #ccffcc;">Welcome, Holly! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></p><p><span style="color: #ccffcc;">If the team is able to incorporate some of the ideas in this thread, that'd be thrilling! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=210&topic_id=399389">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=399389</a></span></p>

[Landiin]

<p><cite>Aemm@Splitpaw wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I didn't miss them, I replayed them recently, and well, you out level and/or replace an item in like 2 hours of play time, so if a few have the wrong stats it really is not a big deal, not even remotely compaired to the real issues that are plagueing the game.</p></blockquote><p>You only outlevel gear if you're levelling. If you're locked, then that's not going to happen. Not everyone is rushing to 90.</p><p>And for level-locked toons, I've got to say that while there are lots of rubbish drops, and items that have been completely missed in the "revamp" (the fabled stuff off nearly all the contested epics, for example - <strong>and even epics not dropping chests!!!</strong>) the addition of mastercrafted-fabled items from the research assistants has been great.</p></blockquote><p>This has been used way to many time. I know to each their own but why in the wold would anyone want to level lock on a none pvp server? I guess so you can play it like a single player game? Are people like you the Amish of EQ2 where you refuse to advance your self? I just don't get the draw to stay level locked.</p>

[Mizlek]

<p><cite>Toranx@Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Aemm@Splitpaw wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Atan@Unrest wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I didn't miss them, I replayed them recently, and well, you out level and/or replace an item in like 2 hours of play time, so if a few have the wrong stats it really is not a big deal, not even remotely compaired to the real issues that are plagueing the game.</p></blockquote><p>You only outlevel gear if you're levelling. If you're locked, then that's not going to happen. Not everyone is rushing to 90.</p><p>And for level-locked toons, I've got to say that while there are lots of rubbish drops, and items that have been completely missed in the "revamp" (the fabled stuff off nearly all the contested epics, for example - <strong>and even epics not dropping chests!!!</strong>) the addition of mastercrafted-fabled items from the research assistants has been great.</p></blockquote><p>This has been used way to many time. I know to each their own but why in the wold would anyone want to level lock on a none pvp server? I guess so you can play it like a single player game? Are people like you the Amish of EQ2 where you refuse to advance your self? I just don't get the draw to stay level locked.</p></blockquote><p>It's the journey, not the destination. I know for "people like you", the game begins at 90, for me, I suspect it will end at 90. To be fair, I don't have any 90 adventurers, so I cannot say for sure. I just don't get the draw to race to 90.</p><p>As for a new producer - I'm certainly not going to hold my breath, but I hope a new producer means a new direction, or at the very least, a new focus on gameplay, content (of ALL levels, not just 90), immersion, and fixing broken itemization, features and other bugs. I've been back since DoV and since then, this game has taken a turn at abandonsville and never looked back.</p><p>Best of luck,</p><p>-Miz</p>

[gdawg311]

<p>Awesome, maybe now we'll see some progress.. even some things that us the "players" want and not some wild useless feature that no one uses.. and maybe just maybe pvp will get fixed</p>

[Avirodar]

<p>The "new" producer is ... talkative ...</p>

[SisterTheresa]

<p>If she sneaks up on me while I'm killing a wolf, I'll have to put her down <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Greetings!</p>

[Griffildur]

<p>So where is this awesome person and can we hear a few things about what she thinks should be done in Eq2 ?</p>

[Domino]

<p><cite>Avirodar@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The "new" producer is ... talkative ...</p></blockquote><p>Shhh.... we're keeping her very, very busy!  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   Just don't kill a bear to check if she's watching. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Delethen]

<p><cite>DominoDev wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Avirodar@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The "new" producer is ... talkative ...</p></blockquote><p>Shhh.... we're keeping her very, very busy!  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" />   Just don't kill a bear to check if she's watching. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>This announcement in conjunction with the news relating to Rothgar moving to EQ Next concerns me somewhat.  Would you care to confirm that you haven't actually hired another programmer to replace Rothgar?  Promoting someone is all well and good but if you haven't actually bothered to hire someone to make up the numbers on the programming side then what hope is there for this game really?  It's been quite evident the last year that you haven't had the numbers required to keep maintaining the game properly, let alone develop worthwhile new content.</p><p>You already pushed back the next GU by 2 months even before this change happened, without by the way even acknowledging that fact.</p>

[isest]

<p><cite>Delethen@Mistmoore wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>DominoDev wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Avirodar@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The "new" producer is ... talkative ...</p></blockquote><p>Shhh.... we're keeping her very, very busy!  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" />   Just don't kill a bear to check if she's watching. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>This announcement in conjunction with the news relating to Rothgar moving to EQ Next concerns me somewhat.  Would you care to confirm that you haven't actually hired another programmer to replace Rothgar?  Promoting someone is all well and good but if you haven't actually bothered to hire someone to make up the numbers on the programming side then what hope is there for this game really?  It's been quite evident the last year that you haven't had the numbers required to keep maintaining the game properly, let alone develop worthwhile new content.</p><p>You already pushed back the next GU by 2 months even before this change happened, without by the way even acknowledging that fact.</p></blockquote><p>Yea I was wondering myself why things have been so quite, despite the forums being ablaze.  I have to echo your concern.   People come and go and get replaced.  However not replacing a dev after you loose one? Are we going to replace that dev spot that's now empty?  Are we putting the game in maintenance mode while trying to stretch the life out of it until they go live with eqnext?</p>

[Geothe]

<p>"New Producer" whom mysteriously has yet to even grace the announcement of her own position in nearly -two- weeks.</p><p>Best programmer moved off of EQ2 without being replaced.</p><p>New content pushed back several months (again).</p><p>Yeah, definitely an interesting combination of events there I'd say.</p>

[dawy]

<p>As many us have we've seen many producers come and go and without exception they've all had their own letter within a day or two of taking over, if nothing else just to say hi etc and while i'm sure she's mad busy the silence is worrying especially after Rothgars move.</p><p>Odd to say the least.</p>

[Raknid]

<p><cite>dawy wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>As many us have we've seen many producers come and go and without exception they've all had their own letter within a day or two of taking over, if nothing else just to say hi etc and while i'm sure she's mad busy the silence is worrying especially after Rothgars move.</p><p>Odd to say the least.</p></blockquote><p>Maintenance mode?</p>

[Bacci]

<p>Please guys, give Holly some time.</p><p>Imagine you were her.</p><p>SJ:"Welcome to the team, Holly, bla, bla, bla ... AND there is a little thing on our agenda that has to be finished until early April. We need part 2 of my glorious expansion Destiny of Velious. Unfortunately i was busy with very important features and after that i needed some time out."</p><p>Holly: " Wow SJ, you hire me and i can make a hole expansion, thank you for your trust in me. So next year April is the deadline, right?"</p><p>SJ:" THIS April, Holly." - smiles.</p><p>Holly:"OMG!"</p>

[Kasar]

<p><cite>Bacci@Runnyeye wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Please guys, give Holly some time.</p><p>Imagine you were her.</p><p>SJ:"Welcome to the team, Holly, bla, bla, bla ... AND there is a little thing on our agenda that has to be finished until early April. We need part 2 of my glorious expansion Destiny of Velious. Unfortunately i was busy with very important features and after that i needed some time out."</p><p>Holly: " Wow SJ, you hire me and i can make a hole expansion, thank you for your trust in me. So next year April is the deadline, right?"</p><p>SJ:" THIS April, Holly." - smiles.</p><p>Holly:"OMG!"</p></blockquote><p>Considering how long ago DoV was released, it's about time they started on it...</p>

[ShinGoku]

<p><cite>Avirodar@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The "new" producer is ... talkative ...</p></blockquote><p>Gah, why did I read this in the voice of William Shatner?</p>

[Wirewhisker]

<p><cite>Bacci@Runnyeye wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Please guys, give Holly some time.</p><p>Imagine you were her.</p><p>SJ:"Welcome to the team, Holly, bla, bla, bla ... AND there is a little thing on our agenda that has to be finished until early April. We need part 2 of my glorious expansion Destiny of Velious. Unfortunately i was busy with very important features and after that i needed some time out."</p><p>Holly: " Wow SJ, you hire me and i can make a hole expansion, thank you for your trust in me. So next year April is the deadline, right?"</p><p>SJ:" THIS April, Holly." - smiles.</p><p>Holly:"OMG!"</p></blockquote><p>My mental visual is somewhat different:</p><p>SJ: "Presenting, your new producer...Holly 'Windstalker' Longdale!!</p><p>**throws the curtain back**</p><p>**nobody there**</p><p>**crickets**</p><p>**uncomfortable silence**</p>

[NANEEJE]

<p>I am disgusted right now.  I have been such a huge supporter of everything that is Sony and</p><p>Everquest 2</p><p>I can't believe there are crickets right now about the crit mit changes,</p><p>I think either there needs to be an answer NOW, to the legitimate needs of the players waiting on pins and needles. You have completely halted the purchasing of adornments due to the rumor's you started on crit mit changes.</p><p>Holly has not answered once in this forum anywhere as a community relations person. Noone has.</p><p>We deserve an answer now.  Sure you need SJ's permission, but take 5 minutes out of your busy dev days and just say "look.. keep purchasing your crit mit adornments, you will be able to .........." or whatever.</p><p>Stop keeping us in the dark right now cause it's absolutely annoying as a raider.</p><p>Thank you.</p>

[Trifixion]

<p>Wow doesnt smoke jumper look like Ronnie James Dio.</p><p>Now we know where the dev team is!!!!!</p><p>there rocking out in the office</p><p><img src="http://blogoneanother.com/uploads/6a00d83452126569e20133edb9d268970b-pi" width="400" height="366" /></p>

[Hamervelder]

<p><cite>NANEEJE wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I am disgusted right now.  I have been such a huge supporter of everything that is Sony and</p><p>Everquest 2</p><p>I can't believe there are crickets right now about the crit mit changes,</p><p>I think either there needs to be an answer NOW, to the legitimate needs of the players waiting on pins and needles. You have completely halted the purchasing of adornments due to the rumor's you started on crit mit changes.</p><p>Holly has not answered once in this forum anywhere as a community relations person. Noone has.</p><p>We deserve an answer now.  Sure you need SJ's permission, but take 5 minutes out of your busy dev days and just say "look.. keep purchasing your crit mit adornments, you will be able to .........." or whatever.</p><p>Stop keeping us in the dark right now cause it's absolutely annoying as a raider.</p><p>Thank you.</p></blockquote><p>Perhaps SOE hasn't answered us, because they don't know what they're going to do.  That would require a Producer who actually plays EQ2 at end-game and understands the intricacies of the changes that they're making.  Maybe she's taking the time to learn those things, so that she can actually ... you know ... provide some knowledgeable direction, since this would be a pretty big change (Once again, I'm feeling magnanimous).  Or maybe they're just breaking things. Who knows.  Whatever the case may be, the crit mit changes are only on test, so they don't affect you directly at this time.  So relax, Dr. Banner.  People might not like you when you're angry.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p>

[isest]

<p>perhaps soe is too busy counting the dollars that they are getting for each account that is being sold/transferred to prosiebien 1 folks.  </p><p>Anyways its to bad we got somebody sho is the producer who is literally ignoring the player base.  I guess we're just numbers after all.  Par for the course I guess.</p>

[ysslik]

<p>I have verry bad flash backs everytime i see "Holly Windstalker".</p>

[NANEEJE]

<p><cite>Elhonas@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>NANEEJE wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I think either there needs to be an answer NOW, to the legitimate needs of the players waiting on pins and needles. You have completely halted the purchasing of adornments due to the rumor's you started on crit mit changes.</p><p>Holly has not answered once in this forum anywhere as a community relations person. Noone has.</p><p>We deserve an answer now. </p></blockquote><p>Perhaps SOE hasn't answered us, because they don't know what they're going to do.  That would require a Producer who actually plays EQ2 at end-game and understands the intricacies of the changes that they're making.  Maybe she's taking the time to learn those things, so that she can actually ... you know ... provide some knowledgeable direction, since this would be a pretty big change (Once again, I'm feeling magnanimous).  Or maybe they're just breaking things. Who knows.  Whatever the case may be, the crit mit changes are only on test, so they don't affect you directly at this time.  So relax, Dr. Banner.  People might not like you when you're angry.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>I don't really care if they are like me or not, but respect the $90.00 I spend every month on all the accounts for all the kids.   I have been backing the idea of paying now for expansions later, but we have the right to at least hear what is going on, even a quick "here's what we know so far"</p><p>But to be silent on the forums completely without a single solid update to what might be in store? That, is where I think they are failing us. </p><p>I just want to hear HW or SJ say "hey, here is what's up right now"</p><p>Not tune in to "Beastlords can now equip this item to miantain OP'ness that they couldn't before"</p>