New Forums, New Structure!

[Dexella]

<p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">Hi everyone,</p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">As we excitedly announced last week, we are getting new forums for EverQuest II! One part of this transition to the new forum system is making some changes to the current forum structure.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">Our official forums serve many purposes. They’re a place for our players to gather, chat, and make friends. Players socialize, build community, share stories and screenshots, and much more. The forums are also a place for SOE and the EQII team to share big news and exciting announcements. We use these forums to ask questions and to gather important feedback from you, our players, on anything and everything that’s happening in the world of Norrath.</p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">While our current forum structure has served all these purposes to a certain extent, it has room for improvement – and that’s what we’re doing! We’re restructuring the forums in order to improve communications.   </p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">By having well-organized forums, we’re able to better participate in dialogue with you, and it’s easier for you to talk to one another.  We’re hoping to accomplish this is by consolidating a number of the forums as well as reorganizing where certain topics are housed.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">We’re very excited for this upcoming change! Below we have provided a preview of how the forums will be structured when they go live on Friday, November 9^th. Understand that these forums are part of an evolutionary process. Going forward, we will make adjustments if or when it is necessary for our game and our community.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">Thanks! Looking forward to Friday!</p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">~Dexella</p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">NEW EQ2 FORUMS:</p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><strong>The Norrathian Herald</strong></p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><ul><li>News and Announcements</li><li>Game Update Notes (Live)</li><li>In Testing & Test Server Updates</li><li>“The Monster Blog” (Art, Look and Feel)</li><li>Support (<em>4 subforums; listed below</em>)</li></ul><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><em>General Tech Support Questions<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Performance Support<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Connection Support<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Account Related Support</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><strong>EverQuest 2 Discussion</strong></p> <p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><ul><li>Tips, Tricks, FAQs, and New Player Discussion</li><li>General Gameplay Discussion</li><li>PvP & Battlegrounds</li><li>Tradeskills</li><li>Classes (<em>4 subforums; listed below</em>)</li></ul><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><em>Fighters<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mages<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Priests<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Scouts</em><ul><li>Events</li><li>History and Lore</li><li>Guild Recruitment</li><li>Dungeon Maker</li><li>Roleplaying</li><li>Norrathian Homeshow</li><li>Off Topic Discussion</li></ul></p></p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2;"></p></p>

[ttobey]

<p>That should say "The Monster BLARGH!"  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Cloudrat]

<p>One last try .. Norrathian Homeshow has grown beyond just showing off decorated houses and tips for decorating because of so much that has been in the realm of housing to the game. I think there should be a separate section for housing and dungeon mechanics, ui issues,  bugs , editing etc. in the gameplay section of the forums.</p><p>And a Station Cash Marketplace issues and ideas section.</p>

[Dexella]

<p><cite>Cloudrat wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>One last try .. Norrathian Homeshow has grown beyond just showing off decorated houses and tips for decorating because of so much that has been in the realm of housing to the game. I think there should be a separate section for housing and dungeon mechanics, ui issues,  bugs , editing etc. in the gameplay section of the forums.</p><p>And a Station Cash Marketplace issues and ideas section.</p></blockquote><p>Hey Cloudrat,</p><p>Thanks for the feedback! Splitting the Homeshow forum is an interesting idea, but we're working hard for <strong>less </strong>categories/division rather than more. Too many boards thins the conversation out, and that's what we want to avoid.</p><p>It is something to consider, though. It won't be live for Friday's launch, but I will keep it under advisement for if/when we do our next update! Same with the SC idea. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Thanks!</p><p>~Dexella</p>

[Senya]

<p>Can Homeshow at least get moved up some instead of being way down there on the bottom of the page with Off Topic?  Maybe just below the classes section or something? </p>

[Avianna]

<p>Player studio section? Where would that go? Other than that I like it a lot. Just hope it is faster and more reliable than the current.</p>

[Zorastiz]

<p>No server forums?</p>

[Dexella]

<p><cite>Avianna@Butcherblock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Player studio section? Where would that go? Other than that I like it a lot. Just hope it is faster and more reliable than the current.</p></blockquote><p>The Player Studio forum is housed on our Station forums, since it applies to multiple games: <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/station/forums/list.m?category_id=116">http://forums.station.sony.com/stat...category_id=116</a></p><p>~Dexella</p>

[Zorastiz]

<p><cite>Dexella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Avianna@Butcherblock wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Player studio section? Where would that go? Other than that I like it a lot. Just hope it is faster and more reliable than the current.</p></blockquote><p>The Player Studio forum is housed on our Station forums, since it applies to multiple games: <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/station/forums/list.m?category_id=116">http://forums.station.sony.com/stat...category_id=116</a></p><p>~Dexella</p></blockquote><p>Knock, Knock, Knock, Penny</p><p>Knock, Knock, Knock, Penny</p><p>Knock, Knock, Knock, Penny</p>

[Juggercap]

<p>Class forums combined? That should be fun for the mods. Obviously there was some cross-traffic before, but it's going to be interesting seeing how it works out when 1 specific class is trying to discuss something now.</p>

[Dexella]

<p><cite>Zorastiz@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>No server forums?</p></blockquote><p>Nope. </p><p>Again, this is how we're launching on Friday. We may make adjustments down the road, if they seem like they will serve a solid purpose for everyone. Send me a PM and let me know what you think the server specific forums could add. </p><p>PS - nice TBBT reference. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>~Dexella</p>

[Zorastiz]

<p><cite>Dexella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Zorastiz@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>No server forums?</p></blockquote><p>Nope. </p><p>Again, this is how we're launching on Friday. We may make adjustments down the road, if they seem like they will serve a solid purpose for everyone. Send me a PM and let me know what you think the server specific forums could add. </p><p>PS - nice TBBT reference. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>~Dexella</p></blockquote><p>I just love that show, I'll PM you today atsome point!</p>

[Avianna]

<p>The player studio should have  a place in the each of the games forums, that is gonna suck to have to constantly swap forums and surf posts of free realms stuff I am not interested in.</p>

[ZUES]

<p>REQUEST: Please include a search box that allows us to search our computer for a photo. Having to screenshot, host a pic and come back here to share the screenie is a major pain in the buttocks!</p>

[Avianna]

<p>what he said ^^^^^</p>

[feldon30]

For now, we can use prefixes [EQ2] [EQ] [Vanguard] [FR]. Do you think there will be enough traffic to justify separate forums?

[Seagoat]

<p>Where will all the sig makers and fan artists go? And will all the current posts be transferred, or will we need to save copies of what we want to preserve before Friday?</p>

[Cyliena]

<p>Only one I'm confused about at the moment is the Art/Look & Feel one. Seems odd being under Norrathian Herald.</p>

[Dexella]

<p><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Only one I'm confused about at the moment is the Art/Look & Feel one. Seems odd being under Norrathian Herald.</p></blockquote><p>This is going to be a special blog-like forum specifically for people to interact with the Devs on the Art team. Hence ttobey's initial comment that it should be called the art BLARGH instead of blog. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>~Dexella</p>

[Tayne]

<p>Hrm, no section for Player Events?</p><p>That makes me sad face.</p><p>Edited to add: Oh wait, I see Events .. I suppose that's it?</p>

[Dexella]

<p><cite>Jayne@Kithicor wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hrm, no section for Player Events?</p><p>That makes me sad face.</p><p>Edited to add: Oh wait, I see Events .. I suppose that's it?</p></blockquote><p>"Events" will be player, guide, in-game - the whole shebang. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> </p><p>~Dexella</p>

[General_Info]

<p><cite>Dexella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Only one I'm confused about at the moment is the Art/Look & Feel one. Seems odd being under Norrathian Herald.</p></blockquote><p>This is going to be a special blog-like forum specifically for people to interact with the Devs on the Art team. Hence ttobey's initial comment that it should be called the art BLARGH instead of blog. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p><p>~Dexella</p></blockquote><p>why did you guys arrange for a redname only-kitchen to be installed there and hired a subpar chief that gave him food poisioning on the side with seafood?</p><p>as for the server specific forums they can give people somewhere to look for server specific things like a thread listing tradeskillers/adventurers happy to help people as well as communicating planned events and or gatherings for difficult quests etc</p><p>take a look at the testers only forum on threads that have nothing to do with comminicating with rednames/reporting issues for an idea how server specific forums might operate.</p>

[Mohee]

<p>I don't really care as long as these new forums actually LOAD! and do it quickly.</p><p>I'm sorry, but for years these current forums have been HORRIBLE! Half the time stuff doesn't load, becomes unresponsive, and its just terrible! Sorry SOE, but these current forums performance (in both loading and in the search feature) suck big time!!!</p><p>So as long as the new ones quickly load and the search feature actually works, then I'll be happy. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Pixiewrath]

<p>It would be pretty nice to have three additional sections added.</p><p>One for "Bugs" which would make it so much easier for both players and devs to be aware of bugs.</p><p>One for "Images" so that people can show of EQ2 screenshots (I don't know if the new forum will support image uploads though, like most modern forums do nowadays).</p><p>And the most importand one, a forum for "player videos" for us who like to make EQ2 videos. One separate for SoE trailers would be nice too. Who is making all the official EQ2 trailers anyway?Would be nice to find that stuff easier. Or at least make them sub-forums in another of the big forums. Please? :3(And I heavily disagree to merge forums into fewer, bigger ones. It will only create chaos and unability to find what you are looking for. Sub-categories exist for a very good reason.)</p>

[Luhai]

<p>I don't see any mention of international (localized) forums.</p>

[Regolas]

Will the new forums allow you to reply properly on your phone browser? Currently, regardless of the browser, I can only use quick reply, so I can't quote.

[Uwkete-of-Crushbone]

<p><cite>Mohee wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I don't really care as long as these new forums actually LOAD! and do it quickly.</p><p>I'm sorry, but for years these current forums have been HORRIBLE! Half the time stuff doesn't load, becomes unresponsive, and its just terrible! Sorry SOE, but these current forums performance (in both loading and in the search feature) suck big time!!!</p><p>So as long as the new ones quickly load and the search feature actually works, then I'll be happy. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" /></p></blockquote><p>Hnh! I myself have never had any issues with the forums loading quickly (the game <em>itself</em>, now, and while inside...ask me about my FPS [or not, if you don't want to see a grown kitty cry; getting double-digit FPS is like a perfect day on holiday and is very rare]); if Search has to wade through a ton of articles and brings up several dozens of thousands (usually because I hadn't been specific enough), I can understand its hesitancy. I've rarely had trouble finding what I want, eventually, if it's there. I just hope these improvements aren't too fancy for my old 1.5Gb RAM XP to handle. :-/</p><p>I am a bit concerned about some of the "missing" Support Forums, though. And if we could upload screen shots directly, rather than having to go through a file-sharing site (PhotoBucket, etc.), I'd be a happy kitty. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Given all that, I should peruse my old entries, especially any questions I had, and double-check to see if they've been answered... ;-></p><p>EDIT: Ooh! One more thing...it's been so long since I actually registered to post on the forums (way back when, when great wooly mammals ruled the Earth), I'll probably need a refresher course...nowadays, I login with my Station info, but after that, will there be a nice, simple walk-through for us old farts to get us through the new process? ;-></p><p>Uwk</p>

[Cyliena]

<p><cite>Uwkete-of-Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>EDIT: Ooh! One more thing...it's been so long since I actually registered to post on the forums (way back when, when great wooly mammals ruled the Earth), I'll probably need a refresher course...nowadays, I login with my Station info, but after that, will there be a nice, simple walk-through for us old farts to get us through the new process? ;-></p></blockquote><p>After you login (will be just like here) it will ask what you want your forum handle to be. That's it! You can check out the process over on the EQ1 forums: <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php</a></p>

[Juggercap]

<p><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Uwkete-of-Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>EDIT: Ooh! One more thing...it's been so long since I actually registered to post on the forums (way back when, when great wooly mammals ruled the Earth), I'll probably need a refresher course...nowadays, I login with my Station info, but after that, will there be a nice, simple walk-through for us old farts to get us through the new process? ;-></p></blockquote><p>After you login (will be just like here) it will ask what you want your forum handle to be. That's it! You can check out the process over on the EQ1 forums: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php</a></p></blockquote><p>That link just leads to a maintenance page for me. I'm sure it's been asked...but is there no reservation for handles. First come, first serve taking names that we've gotten used to over half a decade?</p>

[Zorastiz]

<p><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Uwkete-of-Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>EDIT: Ooh! One more thing...it's been so long since I actually registered to post on the forums (way back when, when great wooly mammals ruled the Earth), I'll probably need a refresher course...nowadays, I login with my Station info, but after that, will there be a nice, simple walk-through for us old farts to get us through the new process? ;-></p></blockquote><p>After you login (will be just like here) it will ask what you want your forum handle to be. That's it! You can check out the process over on the EQ1 forums: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php</a></p></blockquote><p>That is truly ugly</p>

[Uwkete-of-Crushbone]

<p><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>Uwkete-of-Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>EDIT: Ooh! One more thing...it's been so long since I actually registered to post on the forums (way back when, when great wooly mammals ruled the Earth), I'll probably need a refresher course ... nowadays, I login with my Station info, but after that, will there be a nice, simple walk-through for us old farts to get us through the new process? ;-></p></blockquote><p>After you login (will be just like here) it will ask what you want your forum handle to be. That's it! You can check out the process over on the EQ1 forums: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php" target="_blank">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php</a></p></blockquote><p>Thanks! I'm sure it'll work more smoothly once everything's been hashed out on Friday (crossing fingers). Friday, when? 12:01 am PST, or like 8:00 am after an hour downtime to establish it all, or...?</p><p>And will there be some way to get back here to Ye Olde Pages to see the read-only stuff still? I imagine so ... and for those concerned about getting/keeping their old handles, I understand there's a way to contact tech support about it, especially if there seems to be someone delibrately claim-jumping for nefarious purposes.</p><p>Uwk</p>

[PsiaMeese]

<p>Once we have registered our new handle, we will be able to <em>post as character name</em> as we can swap between currently?</p>

[Mysstie]

<p>So when will the proverbial switch be flicked? Well, I guess it's not the 9th yet in SoE land. 30 minutes to go LOL.</p>

[Cyliena]

<p><cite>Uwkete-of-Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>And will there be some way to get back here to Ye Olde Pages to see the read-only stuff still? I imagine so ... and for those concerned about getting/keeping their old handles, I understand there's a way to contact tech support about it, especially if there seems to be someone delibrately claim-jumping for nefarious purposes.</p><p>Uwk</p></blockquote><p>Temporarily. I believe on EQ's they said they'd keep the old ones up for at least 2 months. edit: Ah, here it is for ours, same thing:</p><p><cite>Dexella wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>1. We will be archiving the old forums as read-only for a period of at least several months (several being more than two). This should allow everyone plenty of time to retreive what they want and need from the old forums. We are NOT going to keep them forever, but we'll provide 30 days notice before we do take them offline. <strong>For EverQuest II, </strong>the only part of the old forums that will remain open will be the <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/forums/list.m?category_id=142" target="_blank">Chains of Eternity Beta forums</a>. You will be able to continue to post your feedback in the Beta forums through expansion launch. At that time, they will transition to read-only like the rest of the old forums. </p></blockquote>

[Zorastiz]

<p>So when is this happening today?</p>

[Calthine]

<p>When they get around to it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>