Get ready to smile!

[Piestro]

<p align="center"><a href="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/features/2012/06/soemote/soemote.jpg"><img src="http://www.everquest2.com/images/en/features/2012/06/soemote/soemote_th.jpg" /></a><em>I think you have a bit of a frog in your throat…</em></p> <p>Have you ever wished you could nod your head yes to a conversation, or tilt your head to the side to give your raid leader that look that says “Are you crazy?” Do you wish you sounded more like a Gnome than a human in raid chat? You’ll soon be able to express yourself clearly with SOEmote!</p> <p>In EverQuest® II, your player character will soon spring to life using your facial expressions and altered voice. If you frown and growl on your webcam, so will your avatar. Laugh and your avatar laughs with you! It's all possible with the phenomenal new feature called SOEmote™ that truly animates your character’s face in real time!</p> <p>Amazing voice fonts are offered to replace your voice in chat with something slightly or completely different, allowing you to immerse yourself in roleplay without worrying what you sound like in real life!</p> <p>Check out <a href="http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/06/01/soemote-implants-your-facial-expressions-movement-and-voice-onto-your-eq2-avatar/">this interview</a> with Executive Producer Dave “Smokejumper” Georgeson at PC Gamer to learn more, and visit our YouTube page to see our <a href="http://youtu.be/dmeb1ntW8Dg">exciting preview</a> of this feature!</p>

[Absyntheea]

<p>Ok.. this is kind of neat.. but it's just a gimmick. Another novel idea that will, very likely, never work quite right and get scrapped. I'm usually quite supportive and try to be optimistic about new things in the game.. but really, why can't you fix the multitude of things that aren't working right in game?  It would be nice for roleplaying.. but I see very little of that happening on my server. usually, anyone that tries to roleplay is immediately ridiculed. I *was* on a roleplay server until one of the mergers happened and BAM.. no more RP. (and NO.. I am not paying to transfer all of my toons to AB.)</p><p>I hate to be so negative.. but if you want to make a game your players want to play, why don't you listen to the large amount of things people actually ask for. instead of coming up with some totally random thing like this.</p>

[Kenazeer]

<p><cite>Absyntheea@Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Ok.. this is kind of neat.. but it's just a gimmick. Another novel idea that will, very likely, never work quite right and get scrapped. I'm usually quite supportive and try to be optimistic about new things in the game.. but really, why can't you fix the multitude of things that aren't working right in game?  It would be nice for roleplaying.. but I see very little of that happening on my server. usually, anyone that tries to roleplay is immediately ridiculed. I *was* on a roleplay server until one of the mergers happened and BAM.. no more RP. (and NO.. I am not paying to transfer all of my toons to AB.)</p><p>I hate to be so negative.. but if you want to make a game your players want to play, why don't you listen to the large amount of things people actually ask for. instead of coming up with some totally random thing like this.</p></blockquote><p>I think this echoes my sentiments quite nicely.</p>

[Skeez1e]

<p>Okay, seriously amazing stuff; looking foward to seeing this!</p>

[Katz]

<p>Well, I never in a million years would have guessed that was coming.  </p>

[Absyntheea]

<p>Ok.. after going and actually seeing the demo.. I get the feeling that the "voice fonts" are actually going to make it harder for me to understand what people are saying. I frequently have trouble understanding people for various reasons. Like maybe their mic is bad, or whatever. The distortion used to make their voice sound like another character is just going to intensify that.</p>

[Raferty]

<p>Sounds like a really great way to lag me up even more. All I can hope is there is an immediate way to turn this option off. Heck, I cant hardly see people's faces as it is, and even then, it's... whatever. I'm looking at the chat box, or I'm off adventuring. I don't see this being used by anyone but a small percent of people on AB. And quite frankly, it's gunna affect the rest of our gameplay. Take it out. Kill it with fire before it lays eggs and fries my computer.</p>

[S_M_I_T_E]

<p>Wow. </p><p>I remember writing a list of how EQ2 follows, gets smoked, and only copies their competitors and stated they needed to do something other than have politicians in the driving chair, you know like have someone like Domino but not Domino before she was promoted. </p><p>Looks like there still is ipotential for industry leading innovation in the SOE studios.</p><p>I don't know how championed this idea and/or technological device but even if it doesn't make EQ2 more profitable in the present any future SOE titles will surely benefit from the beta test of this fantastic software advance in EQ2. </p><p>I love the emote options in EQ2 but there's only so many spots on a hotbar and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">in addition to facial/voice</span> there should be some easier interface for alot of the build in emotes in game (threaten, dance, bow, hello, etc.) that don't involve the hotbutton or /command.</p>

[Gilasil]

<p>I think it's pretty cool.  I've been hoping they'd get the voice fonts in ever since they put in voice chat.  Great not only for immersion but also if people want to, for example, hide their gender yet still use voice chat.</p><p>Reading the facial expressions is going to take some getting used to but it's certainly a next step in RP immersion. </p><p>Oh, and it sounds like you have some control on the voice fonts you use.  So if you want to use it (sounds like the person here really doesn't) but are worried about being understood, I'd suggest experimenting around a bit to find something which is clear.</p><p>They need to take the initiative sometimes.  We'll see how this goes.</p>

[Ceebia]

<p>Well I talked to a few of us roleplayers on the AB server.  Where not all that excited about it.  There are lage issues to consider, not to mention we get along fine without voice.  Still I plan on trying it out on my guild leader Sarnak at a few of our server's RP events to see how folks might like it or not.  Personally I'm going to enjoy messing with the voice editor to try and come up with a Sarnak voice.</p>

[Afun]

<p><cite>Absyntheea@Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Ok.. after going and actually seeing the demo.. I get the feeling that the "voice fonts" are actually going to make it harder for me to understand what people are saying. I frequently have trouble understanding people for various reasons. Like maybe their mic is bad, or whatever. The distortion used to make their voice sound like another character is just going to intensify that.</p></blockquote><p>  On LDL we hadda shadowknight who used a voice font for all their VC, they were totaly understandable when they talked.</p><p>Just made themem sound like a munchkin - which we all had a good laugh at because they pretended that was their voice lol</p><p>Good times.</p><p>On a serious note: I think this will be an interesting experiment, though lag is my main concern.</p><p>And one question I have- Will boom mics on headsets effect the webcam tracking? Or lighting? ( as I play in a dark room with a headset)</p>

[sharlotta]

<p>sure there are going to be some bugs to work out, just like with every new thing that comes out. I do feel this is going to give the /gester a whole new meaning.</p>

[GrunEQ]

<p><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The facial expressions look pretty good.  I would have liked to have seen it on human type faces.  The voices seemed too mechanical sounding for my ears, so I'll probably give them a pass.  I guess a concern is will this make the game laggy?  Time will tell, and it's an interesting progression that is worth trying.</span></p>

[GCT]

<p><p>I have been wanting this since voicechat first became popular and killed RP.  I've been roleplaying in MMOs since The Realm in 1995, and I refuse to use voicechat.</p><p>In the past year or so, I have stopped roleplaying because it has now been relegated to being scheduled and low-priority by most people, meaning, "we only do it once a week in a tavern for an hour or so".  That's not RP to me.  RP is what Smokejumper said -- *being* somebody else, no matter what you're doing in game.</p><p>Seems most people are underwhelmed, but I am incredibly psyched.  Now I just have to figure out how to set up voicechat and a webcam.</p><p>Once again, EQ2 shows me just how much it suits my playstyle -- mercenaries and now this.  Mind blown.  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p></p>

[Brigh]

<p>There is already <a href="http://www.audio4fun.com/voice-over.htm" target="_blank">a program out there</a> for your voice that probably works better than what is included in this if you really wanted to change your voice online.</p>

[Onorem]

<p>OK. I'm ready to smile. When are you going to give me a reason to?</p>

[Luterin]

<p>My guess is that this is a feature they want for EQ Next and that they are just using EQ2 to beta (alpha?) test it and as usual continue to use us as paying beta testers...</p>

[SisterTheresa]

<p>Honestly, I RP fine and get along fine w/o added fluff to make it so.</p><p>I'll pass on this.</p>

[Juravael]

<p><cite>Luterin wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>My guess is that this is a feature they want for EQ Next and that they are just using EQ2 to beta (alpha?) test it and as usual continue to use us as paying beta testers...</p></blockquote><p>My thoughts as well.</p>

[Homburg]

<p>Most people wear helmets and hoods anyway.</p>

[TorrynWoodsrunner]

<p>Figured I'd weigh in here, as a member of the AB roleplay community:</p><p>Did anyone actually *ask* for this type of feature? I know I didn't. While it's a neat idea, I really don't see it as any great boon to this or any other MMO, to be honest. It strikes me as a gimmick, which some people will jump on immediately, it will inevitably have major feature-breaking bugs which will then take immediate priority over the other GAME-breaking bugs that already exist, and once again, other, more important, items will fall by the wayside.</p><p>Now I know there are things that *have* been asked for:</p><p>Skeletal Revamp</p><p>Engine Revamp</p><p>BUG FIXES</p><p>Itemization fixes</p><p>Housing/Guild Hall item limits</p><p>Expanded character customization options (could tie in with Skeletal Revamp)</p><p>This list goes on...</p><p>Where are you with these items, SOE? Where do these fit in with your mission priorities? I'd bet good money that you could invest the time, money, and manpower into a SINGLE engine, character and item revamp that would be useable for BOTH EQ and EQ2, and revitalize BOTH games in one expenditure package. You are establishing a track record of disappointing your long-term players. Yes, you're bringing in F2P players, and I'm sure you're making Scrooge McDuck money off your five and ten (dollar) Marketplace racket.</p><p>But what happens when the next F2P game comes along? Or the next big MMO title? The one that's BETTER than yours? They're going to fly off. Some may come back, many won't. It is STILL your subscriber base of LONG-term players that drive this franchise for you. WE bring players in on F2P, WE use the RAF program to bring our friends in.</p><p>You ask us what WE want, and then you give us...SOEmote. And you reveal and promote it like it's going to be some fantastic feature that's going to guaranteed revolutionize the way we play EQ2.</p><p>Nah, I don't think so. I think, and the majority of the player opinions that I'm reading support this, that it's going to be a flash-in-the-pan nifty fad that will burn brightly for a brief time, then fade into relative obscurity.</p><p>Will I play with it when it goes Live? Probably. Will I restructure my once a week tavern RP at the Soulfire to use it? Not likely.</p><p>SOE, I am disappoint. Again.</p>

[Ceebia]

<p>I noted something someone said there that VC killed RP.  To be honest I just wanted to say I never seen that and I used to be on the old LDL server and now the AB server.   Folks that RP don't use VC for much other then some ooc chater and joking around unless there in a group hitting some zone.   As such I do not see this as affecting RP in the least, or enhancing it.  The only way I can see this as being effective for RP anyway is if the voice in this was broadcast in to the zone local area like they do with Second Life, so others can at least hear the person without needind a chat room.</p>

[Maroger]

<p>What a waste of time compared to all the things that need fixing in this game - we don't need this failed experiment.</p><p>How about this instead:</p><p>Itemization fixed for lower levels than 90</p><p>Housing/Guild Hall item limits</p><p>Expanded character customization options</p><p>Increasing the limit for GH resource box</p><p>More space in Banks</p><p>etc. etc. etc.</p>

[inspire1444568]

<p><span style="font-size: small;">Game looks amazing... <strong>visually</strong></span> <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /></p><p><span ><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span >All this is not</span> </strong></span><span ><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>relevant now ! There are more important issues !!!</strong></span></span></span></p>

[GargleDemBawls]

<p>Wow! This is honestly... really neat! ...Sort of makes me want to get into roleplaying...</p>

[Laenai]

<p><cite>Torryn@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Figured I'd weigh in here, as a member of the AB roleplay community:</p><p>Did anyone actually *ask* for this type of feature? I know I didn't. While it's a neat idea, I really don't see it as any great boon to this or any other MMO, to be honest. It strikes me as a gimmick, which some people will jump on immediately, it will inevitably have major feature-breaking bugs which will then take immediate priority over the other GAME-breaking bugs that already exist, and once again, other, more important, items will fall by the wayside.</p><p>Now I know there are things that *have* been asked for:</p><p>Skeletal Revamp</p><p>Engine Revamp</p><p>BUG FIXES</p><p>Itemization fixes</p><p>Housing/Guild Hall item limits</p><p>Expanded character customization options (could tie in with Skeletal Revamp)</p><p>This list goes on...</p><p>Where are you with these items, SOE? Where do these fit in with your mission priorities? I'd bet good money that you could invest the time, money, and manpower into a SINGLE engine, character and item revamp that would be useable for BOTH EQ and EQ2, and revitalize BOTH games in one expenditure package. You are establishing a track record of disappointing your long-term players. Yes, you're bringing in F2P players, and I'm sure you're making Scrooge McDuck money off your five and ten (dollar) Marketplace racket.</p><p>But what happens when the next F2P game comes along? Or the next big MMO title? The one that's BETTER than yours? They're going to fly off. Some may come back, many won't. It is STILL your subscriber base of LONG-term players that drive this franchise for you. WE bring players in on F2P, WE use the RAF program to bring our friends in.</p><p>You ask us what WE want, and then you give us...SOEmote. And you reveal and promote it like it's going to be some fantastic feature that's going to guaranteed revolutionize the way we play EQ2.</p><p>Nah, I don't think so. I think, and the majority of the player opinions that I'm reading support this, that it's going to be a flash-in-the-pan nifty fad that will burn brightly for a brief time, then fade into relative obscurity.</p><p>Will I play with it when it goes Live? Probably. Will I restructure my once a week tavern RP at the Soulfire to use it? Not likely.</p><p>SOE, I am disappoint. Again.</p></blockquote><p>^^^^^^</p><p>Torryn said it far nicer and less insulting than I ever could.</p>

[Valraukar]

<p><cite>Maroger wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>What a waste of time compared to all the things that need fixing in this game - we don't need this failed experiment.</p><p>How about this instead:</p><p>Itemization fixed for lower levels than 90</p><p>Housing/Guild Hall item limits</p><p>Expanded character customization options</p><p>Increasing the limit for GH resource box</p><p>More space in Banks</p><p>etc. etc. etc.</p></blockquote><p>I'm soooo agree with this.</p><p>Please answer to the demands before develop funny and useless features.</p>

[LadyMist]

<p><span style="color: #00ccff;">I think this is a fantastic ideah, I am sure a lot of people will have fun with it. I actually heard about this before reading the forums. My source?</span></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff;">My hubby works on the flightline at Boeing and they were discussing it there. So thumbs up you got a bigger audience than you thought <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff;">I am sure some of the players will be complaining about your other departments jobs. You know how they say fix the bugs before having your "Other" teams focus on their speciality lol. They just don't understand theres a team for that too.</span></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff;">Keep up the innovative ideahs!</span></p>

[Kapath]

<p><cite>Torryn@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>things that *have* been asked for:</p><p>Skeletal Revamp</p><p>Engine Revamp</p><p>BUG FIXES</p><p>Itemization fixes</p><p>Housing/Guild Hall item limits</p><p>Expanded character customization options (could tie in with Skeletal Revamp)</p><p>This list goes on...</p><p>Where are you with these items, SOE? </p><p><strong>SOE, I am disappoint. Again.</strong></p></blockquote><p>^^^ khtnxgreatpostbai</p>

[thepriz]

<p>I think this is inovative and a step in the right direction for SOE. I hope the voice modulator is not pre canned but can be adjusted by the user like popular 3rd party applications that I have used.</p><p>The face recognition stuff is very interesting, we will have to see how it works out. There are going to be some adjusting to having enough lighting in the room for the webcam to work and such, but I think it is going to be fun to play around with.</p><p>With some of these changes some inovation forward would be to have some voice recognition put into the program to allow you to interact with the NPCs. Also allow people in close proximity around you hear voice chat.</p><p>Deran CastillianEverfrost Server</p>

[Leawyn]

<p><cite>Deran@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>With some of these changes some inovation forward would be to have some voice recognition put into the program to allow you to interact with the NPCs. Also allow people in close proximity around you hear voice chat</p></blockquote><p>If this ever happens (and I sincerely hope it never does) I hope its voluntary so I can turn it off. The last thing I need is to zone into SS and listen to someone babbling about some inane or sexual thing or another because there are tons of people there and they are forced to listen.</p>

[thepriz]

<p><cite>Maewyn@Unrest_old wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Deran@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>With some of these changes some inovation forward would be to have some voice recognition put into the program to allow you to interact with the NPCs. Also allow people in close proximity around you hear voice chat</p></blockquote><p>If this ever happens (and I sincerely hope it never does) I hope its voluntary so I can turn it off. The last thing I need is to zone into SS and listen to someone babbling about some inane or sexual thing or another because there are tons of people there and they are forced to listen.</p></blockquote><p>Definitely agree, there better be some sort of ignore feature because there are a lot of imature people out there.</p>

[Ceebia]

<p><cite>Torryn@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>Now I know there are things that *have* been asked for:<p>Skeletal Revamp</p><p>Engine Revamp</p><p>BUG FIXES</p><p>Itemization fixes</p><p>Housing/Guild Hall item limits</p><p>Expanded character customization options (could tie in with Skeletal Revamp)</p><p>This list goes on...</p></blockquote><p>Eh hate to break this to yea, but speaking as someone that dabble in CGI and as a Guild Leader with hall, well let me point this stuff out.</p><p>Skeletal Revamp -> Kinda needed just to make SOEmote work properly so that's on the way.</p><p>Engine Revamp -> Not really seeing the need here, or the point can you citie a example of a needed change?</p><p>BUG Fixes -> Done in weekly updates, they been doing it, read the patch notes.</p><p>Itemization fixes-> Again your vague here.</p><p>Housing Guild Hall item Limites -> Already in place, so not seeing the problem with this.</p><p>Exapanded character customization -> See what I said about the revamp.</p><p>This is all just common sense BTW.</p>

[Ceebia]

<p>Also anyone heard of when this might be released yet?</p>

[TorrynWoodsrunner]

<p><cite>Ceebia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Eh hate to break this to yea, but speaking as someone that dabble in CGI and as a Guild Leader with hall, well let me point this stuff out.</p><p>Skeletal Revamp -> Kinda needed just to make SOEmote work properly so that's on the way.</p><p>Engine Revamp -> Not really seeing the need here, or the point can you citie a example of a needed change?</p><p>BUG Fixes -> Done in weekly updates, they been doing it, read the patch notes.</p><p>Itemization fixes-> Again your vague here.</p><p>Housing Guild Hall item Limites -> Already in place, so not seeing the problem with this.</p><p>Exapanded character customization -> See what I said about the revamp.</p><p>This is all just common sense BTW.</p></blockquote><p>I'm also a Guild Leader with a hall, and I do a -bit- more than dabble in CGI. Not that either of those really apply here. It appears my list may have been over simplified, so I'll just take a brief moment to clarify the position:</p><p><strong>The skeletal revamp</strong>, in the manner that it has been asked for, talked about, and repeatedly requested, is -not- 'on the way'. If it were, I guarantee you that the flow of armor and jewelry and other wearables to the Marketplace would <em>stop</em>. Because we're speaking literally about re-building the base model framework of both genders of every race, -ideally- so that arms and armor would fit each of them universally. I doubt that SOEmote will require much, if any, base model modification other than possibly adjusting facial polygon levels to prevent or minimize surface fracturing during mouth movement.</p><p>((For a good example of a unified mesh/skeletal structure, look at the Genesis figure from DAZ 3D. Male, female, ogre, troll, orc, werewolf. Morph it into anything, clothing still fits.))</p><p><strong>The engine revamp</strong> is something that's also been buzzing around for some time. Not sure on the exact time discussion of an engine revamp started, but I'd guesstimate it was about the time that video card technology went in the <em>entirely opposite direction</em> of where the EQ2 engine anticipated. That is, onto the GPU and off the CPU. Not seeing the need? Shall I mention the Shader 3.0 fiasco? How about DX11? EQ2 looks nice, sure. But right now we're playing on a Soapbox Derby hodgepodge of old code and new code, and none of it is running at its full possible potential. Plus, let's face it, EQ1 and EQ2 are getting long in the tooth. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if UO could rebuild from the ground up, EQ and EQ2, which are better games, could do the same thing.</p><p><strong>Bug fixes</strong>. I read the patch notes. And you know what I see most often? Fixes for things that just went Live. I also play on Test Server from time to time. Know what I see? <em>Hundreds</em> of bugs that are experienced, <em>verified</em>, and reported...and end up on Live servers <em>anyway</em>. And then can take weeks or even months to fix. Shouldn't happen that way. I'm hoping these plans they've been hyping about real-time bug fixes bears fruit. I really do. But seeing as there are bugs that have existed since the core game, I think it's fair that the pace be stepped up on fixing the car before slapping a hot paintjob on it.</p><p><strong>Itemization fixes,</strong> I'm afraid I personally can't be more specific on, because I've lost most if not all of my interest in the high-end game, where it seems to matter most. Perhaps someone else with more familiarity can comment on that. I just note it because it's a common hot topic amongst the EQ2 gamer population as something that isn't working correctly and needs attention, <em>before </em>gimmicks like SOEmote.</p><p><strong>Housing and Guild Hall item limits</strong>. Of course they're in place, please tell me you're not naturally that cognitively fogged that you didn't understand that I was referring to those limits being <em>removed, </em>or at the very least tripled or quadrupled in size. I suppose to get to the absolute core of it, we would need a database revamp, from the ground up. But instead, we're getting progressively buried under prestige homes they want us to spend real money on, that it takes a miracle worker like Neversea or Tock to decorate worth a darn.</p><p><strong>Expanded character customization</strong>. How long Have we been asking for more/better hairstyles? SOGA hair for Non-SOGA characters? ET cetera, et cetera, et cetera? Long time, I think. But instead of what people have been asking for as far as increased characterization, we get...SOEmote.</p><p>Common sense says that to ensure your business remains healthy over a long term, you leverage your development time and resources into a plan that retains customers as well as attracts new customers. Done properly, your retained customers can lower your expenditure on attracting new customers, because they'll bring in new customers for you.</p><p>What I see currently is a more short-term focus, utilizing flash and gimmickry to attract new customers quickly, get their money out of their pockets on nickel and dime trinkets (only it's five and ten dollar trinkets), and then let them fall away like rust flakes off a '73 Pinto. Meanwhile many long-term, dedicated players are left stunned and disappointed.</p>

[Ulrichvon]

<p>This would be a neat feature if it was attached to a game that wasn't at its core broken and not fun to play.</p>

[inspire1444568]

<p>Engine revamp ? Why ? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" /> <span><span>Create a new</span> <span>engine, really... in eq 3</span></span></p><p><span><span>Now, game</span> <span>looks </span><span>better than many of</span> <span>concurrency. </span></span><span><span>sometimes. )</span></span></p><p>- but critical bugs need to be fixed !</p>

[Calthine]

<p><cite>Ceebia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Also anyone heard of when this might be released yet?</p></blockquote><p>I seem to recall from one of the E3 videos it's happenign in June.</p>

[Iad]

<p><cite>Calthine wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Ceebia wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Also anyone heard of when this might be released yet?</p></blockquote><p>I seem to recall from one of the E3 videos it's happenign in June.</p></blockquote><p>Yep, SJ said this feature should be coming later this month.</p>

[Ceebia]

<p><cite>Torryn@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><strong>The skeletal revamp</strong>, in the manner that it has been asked for, talked about, and repeatedly requested, is -not- 'on the way'. If it were, I guarantee you that the flow of armor and jewelry and other wearables to the Marketplace would <em>stop</em>. Because we're speaking literally about re-building the base model framework of both genders of every race, -ideally- so that arms and armor would fit each of them universally. I doubt that SOEmote will require much, if any, base model modification other than possibly adjusting facial polygon levels to prevent or minimize surface fracturing during mouth movement.<p>((For a good example of a unified mesh/skeletal structure, look at the Genesis figure from DAZ 3D. Male, female, ogre, troll, orc, werewolf. Morph it into anything, clothing still fits.))</p><p><strong>The engine revamp</strong> is something that's also been buzzing around for some time. Not sure on the exact time discussion of an engine revamp started, but I'd guesstimate it was about the time that video card technology went in the <em>entirely opposite direction</em> of where the EQ2 engine anticipated. That is, onto the GPU and off the CPU. Not seeing the need? Shall I mention the Shader 3.0 fiasco? How about DX11? EQ2 looks nice, sure. But right now we're playing on a Soapbox Derby hodgepodge of old code and new code, and none of it is running at its full possible potential. Plus, let's face it, EQ1 and EQ2 are getting long in the tooth. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if UO could rebuild from the ground up, EQ and EQ2, which are better games, could do the same thing.</p><p><strong>Bug fixes</strong>. I read the patch notes. And you know what I see most often? Fixes for things that just went Live. I also play on Test Server from time to time. Know what I see? <em>Hundreds</em> of bugs that are experienced, <em>verified</em>, and reported...and end up on Live servers <em>anyway</em>. And then can take weeks or even months to fix. Shouldn't happen that way. I'm hoping these plans they've been hyping about real-time bug fixes bears fruit. I really do. But seeing as there are bugs that have existed since the core game, I think it's fair that the pace be stepped up on fixing the car before slapping a hot paintjob on it.</p><p><strong>Itemization fixes,</strong> I'm afraid I personally can't be more specific on, because I've lost most if not all of my interest in the high-end game, where it seems to matter most. Perhaps someone else with more familiarity can comment on that. I just note it because it's a common hot topic amongst the EQ2 gamer population as something that isn't working correctly and needs attention, <em>before </em>gimmicks like SOEmote.</p><p><strong>Housing and Guild Hall item limits</strong>. Of course they're in place, please tell me you're not naturally that cognitively fogged that you didn't understand that I was referring to those limits being <em>removed, </em>or at the very least tripled or quadrupled in size. I suppose to get to the absolute core of it, we would need a database revamp, from the ground up. But instead, we're getting progressively buried under prestige homes they want us to spend real money on, that it takes a miracle worker like Neversea or Tock to decorate worth a darn.</p><p><strong>Expanded character customization</strong>. How long Have we been asking for more/better hairstyles? SOGA hair for Non-SOGA characters? ET cetera, et cetera, et cetera? Long time, I think. But instead of what people have been asking for as far as increased characterization, we get...SOEmote.</p><p>Common sense says that to ensure your business remains healthy over a long term, you leverage your development time and resources into a plan that retains customers as well as attracts new customers. Done properly, your retained customers can lower your expenditure on attracting new customers, because they'll bring in new customers for you.</p><p>What I see currently is a more short-term focus, utilizing flash and gimmickry to attract new customers quickly, get their money out of their pockets on nickel and dime trinkets (only it's five and ten dollar trinkets), and then let them fall away like rust flakes off a '73 Pinto. Meanwhile many long-term, dedicated players are left stunned and disappointed.</p></blockquote><p>Okay well I am familar with DAZ and Poser, to be honest I don't see that has happening unless the clothing are made race specific.  It would be the only way to really get around the problem, and do that revamp you want.  If you want examples of the problem I mean, look at how helms fit on a Sarnak, there often distorted due to the universal mapping currently used.</p><p>Yea I am familar with the Shader 3.0 problem.  I noticed the same problem even on more modern games as well.   A better client for the game might help solve it, but a patch might help as well so the game can better translate the driver properly.  To me it looked like the gamma setting used for Shader 3.0 was set way to high so it made even dark clothing look bright white in color.</p><p>I think they bug fix thing might be related to how there understaffed right now, from what I keep hearing.  At least there trying.</p><p>As for the housing yea I hear you, and would love for that for my hall to, still I can understand why it's in place currently.  I meet some folks that have plans to make theres so full of stuff that it looks like a wherehouse.  Not something I want to see.</p>

[Kenazeer]

<p>Well...the results are in. The world has had 10 days to digest the news; let's see what Google trends has to say?</p><p><a href="http://www.google.com/trends/?q=SOEmote&ctab=0&geo=all&date=mtd&sort=0">http://www.google.com/trends/?q=SOE...date=mtd&sort=0</a></p>

[Kapath]

<p><cite>Kenazeer wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Well...the results are in. The world has had 10 days to digest the news; let's see what Google trends has to say?</p><p><a href="http://www.google.com/trends/?q=SOEmote&ctab=0&geo=all&date=mtd&sort=0">http://www.google.com/trends/?q=SOE...date=mtd&sort=0</a></p></blockquote><p> <span style="font-size: small; color: #4684ee;"><strong>soemote</strong></span><span style="color: #676767; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> does not have enough search volume for ranking </span></p><p>trolololo umad SJ?</p>