eq/eq2 website www.eqlivinglegacy.com, what is it?

[Dessellion4]

I don't know why people are surprised by this.  Ever since EQ2 launched its first expansion the same thing has happened.  You buy the shiny new box with its big sticker on the front proclaiming "30 DAYS PLAY FREE" and then discover the small print which says "except for existing subscribers".  It didn't make a difference then and it won't now - SOE don't care if you're already hooked.

Of course the big difference this time is we're not talking about an expansion or "just" the potential loss of a months play time, this time it's 2 months, plus a free expansion plus all the other little goodies - all for?

Well who is it for?  Expansions are bought by people willing to put their hands in their wallets to try the game - perhaps they should get an incentive to try this ageing game.  But people who may not even have done more than played three years ago for the initial free month?  Or those who slagged off all and sundry on their way out through the door?  Should these quitters get two months free play and those true veterans get nothing?

Let the debate continue.

A disgruntled 12 character, 4 year vet on Splitpaw (the EU server where customer support is rarely seen)

[Meist]

Wow, so because I decided I would give this game another try a few weeks ago and reactivated my account for 1 month, I'm getting screwed by this too. I will have to pay for RoK like all the loyal subscribers while people who abandoned the game completely will be receiving it for free? That sounds like a great way to keep subscribers happy.

[Saroc_Luclin]

Gilasil wrote:

It's called a promotional.  Lots of retail stores do it all the time.  And yea, if you buy from the store the day before you're out of luck.  I can buy a car, it's a nice car, I'm happy with it.  Then the next week the dealer has a promotional and I could have gotten the exact same car for $2000 less.  That's life.  Just because they had the promotional didn't make my car cost any more.

(First of all I'm agreeing with you; just borrowing your example and extending it).Also as is often the case when that sort of things happens, you can sometimes go back to the dealer and rework your deal to get that discount (or some of it) that you would have gotten had you waited a week. It takes some work on your part, but many are often willing to do it.In the same vein, for people who returned recently and/or bought RoK (or SoF on the EQLive side), or who are All Access players whose accounts technically never 'lapsed' for either game, can contact SOE CS and you MAY (emphasis on the MAY, no guarentees) get some of the perks depending on a variety of factors. But like the car dealer example (or the Credit Card example or the Phone Company example people have brought up in this thread and similar threads), it takes some work on your part to actually go out and try to get them.The point is, SOE had to set a cutoff point for their automated scripts for this event to try and get as many as they could. But they are also looking to keep/bring back as many people as possible. With that in mind, I'm sure their CS department has a fair amount of leeway in what they can do (within reason; no asking for Mythical gear, or asking for a refund on an expansion you bought when it first came out); it just takes effort on your part to give them a call and explain your situation and see if they are willing to give you something. (And no, complaining on these boards doesn't work; CS doesn't read them in any sort of official capacity)

[bryldan]

Darkshade@Splitpaw wrote:

I don't know why people are surprised by this.  Ever since EQ2 launched its first expansion the same thing has happened.  You buy the shiny new box with its big sticker on the front proclaiming "30 DAYS PLAY FREE" and then discover the small print which says "except for existing subscribers".  It didn't make a difference then and it won't now - SOE don't care if you're already hooked.

Of course the big difference this time is we're not talking about an expansion or "just" the potential loss of a months play time, this time it's 2 months, plus a free expansion plus all the other little goodies - all for?

Well who is it for?  Expansions are bought by people willing to put their hands in their wallets to try the game - perhaps they should get an incentive to try this ageing game.  But people who may not even have done more than played three years ago for the initial free month?  Or those who slagged off all and sundry on their way out through the door?  Should these quitters get two months free play and those true veterans get nothing?

Let the debate continue.

A disgruntled 12 character, 4 year vet on Splitpaw (the EU server where customer support is rarely seen)

Ya i am not [Removed for Content] that they get free months thats a good thing to bring ppl back but to give them the game then give them 5$ off the next xpac and then give them some free in game items. Mind you this to a person who spit in there faces and left the game to go play something else........

[Amaran]

Saroc_Luclin wrote:

Gilasil wrote:

It's called a promotional.  Lots of retail stores do it all the time.  And yea, if you buy from the store the day before you're out of luck.  I can buy a car, it's a nice car, I'm happy with it.  Then the next week the dealer has a promotional and I could have gotten the exact same car for $2000 less.  That's life.  Just because they had the promotional didn't make my car cost any more.

(First of all I'm agreeing with you; just borrowing your example and extending it).Also as is often the case when that sort of things happens, you can sometimes go back to the dealer and rework your deal to get that discount (or some of it) that you would have gotten had you waited a week. It takes some work on your part, but many are often willing to do it.In the same vein, for people who returned recently and/or bought RoK (or SoF on the EQLive side), or who are All Access players whose accounts technically never 'lapsed' for either game, can contact SOE CS and you MAY (emphasis on the MAY, no guarentees) get some of the perks depending on a variety of factors. But like the car dealer example (or the Credit Card example or the Phone Company example people have brought up in this thread and similar threads), it takes some work on your part to actually go out and try to get them.The point is, SOE had to set a cutoff point for their automated scripts for this event to try and get as many as they could. But they are also looking to keep/bring back as many people as possible. With that in mind, I'm sure their CS department has a fair amount of leeway in what they can do (within reason; no asking for Mythical gear, or asking for a refund on an expansion you bought when it first came out); it just takes effort on your part to give them a call and explain your situation and see if they are willing to give you something. (And no, complaining on these boards doesn't work; CS doesn't read them in any sort of official capacity)

Just wanted to add that I was one of the people who had just (as in on the 1st of June) bought RoK and activated an account. I contacted CS and while the first CSR I spoke to didn't seem to understand what I was talking about and thought I was asking for free play time for no apparent reason (I hadn't mentioned free play time at all just asked if I was eligible for the event). The second one I contacted via email support understood and was able to help me. My trial would have lasted through the first 9 days of the event had I not activated as soon as I got home after buying RoK so that may have something to do with them letting me get in on it, but for anyone in a similar situation I suggest giving it a try.  Note: I did NOT get a refund for RoK, nor did I ask for one. I doubt they can offer this, but they may be able to offer you the promotional newbie items andor free time.However be polite, the CS team is there to help you and the more understanding you are the more likely they can help you. (Sorry, I have worked as a CSR for another company so I know the flack they sometimes get).You may not be eligible but it may be worth a try, worst thing that can happen is they can't help you, but it sounds like there will be more parts to this event you can get in on later. I hope that the normal subscribers get something fun too. The chance at 20 months free sounds pretty nice (Over 2 years free!)

[bryldan]

Amaranth wrote:

Saroc_Luclin wrote:

Gilasil wrote:

It's called a promotional.  Lots of retail stores do it all the time.  And yea, if you buy from the store the day before you're out of luck.  I can buy a car, it's a nice car, I'm happy with it.  Then the next week the dealer has a promotional and I could have gotten the exact same car for $2000 less.  That's life.  Just because they had the promotional didn't make my car cost any more.

(First of all I'm agreeing with you; just borrowing your example and extending it).Also as is often the case when that sort of things happens, you can sometimes go back to the dealer and rework your deal to get that discount (or some of it) that you would have gotten had you waited a week. It takes some work on your part, but many are often willing to do it.In the same vein, for people who returned recently and/or bought RoK (or SoF on the EQLive side), or who are All Access players whose accounts technically never 'lapsed' for either game, can contact SOE CS and you MAY (emphasis on the MAY, no guarentees) get some of the perks depending on a variety of factors. But like the car dealer example (or the Credit Card example or the Phone Company example people have brought up in this thread and similar threads), it takes some work on your part to actually go out and try to get them.The point is, SOE had to set a cutoff point for their automated scripts for this event to try and get as many as they could. But they are also looking to keep/bring back as many people as possible. With that in mind, I'm sure their CS department has a fair amount of leeway in what they can do (within reason; no asking for Mythical gear, or asking for a refund on an expansion you bought when it first came out); it just takes effort on your part to give them a call and explain your situation and see if they are willing to give you something. (And no, complaining on these boards doesn't work; CS doesn't read them in any sort of official capacity)

Just wanted to add that I was one of the people who had just (as in on the 1st of June) bought RoK and activated an account. I contacted CS and while the first CSR I spoke to didn't seem to understand what I was talking about and thought I was asking for free play time for no apparent reason (I hadn't mentioned free play time at all just asked if I was eligible for the event), the second one I contacted via email support understood and was able to help me. My trial would have lasted through the first 9 days of the event had I not activated as soon as I got home so that may have something to do with them letting me get in on it, but for anyone in a similar situation I suggest giving it a try. However be polite, the CS team is there to help you and the more understanding you are the more likely they can help you. (Sorry, I have worked as a CSR for another company so I know the flack they sometimes get).You may not be eligible but it may be worth a try, worst thing that can happen is they can't help you, but it sounds like there will be more parts to this event you can get in on later. I hope that the normal subscribers get something fun too. The chance at 20 months free sounds pretty nice (Over 2 years free!)

The 20 months sounds nice ya but i am not going to work over my friends to try to put them into soe's money grubbing hands just so that i can get very lil in return for my out of game time. Honestly if that is the only plan for the current members they can take it and shove it up there greedy you know whats.

[Elebu]

You guys should feel blessed by this promo if you love EQ2, seriously.

As a launch SWG player who has seen his beloved game emptied to the point of absurdity through massive core-game altering changes, combined with absoultely no real apparent marketing at all anymore, this promo by SOE is a refreshing change.

When you step out of the 'me me' mentality, this should be taken for what it is - SOE focusing some serious effort into reviving a game and community that they obviously still care about.

[Ishina]

You get the product you pay for - nothing more, nothing less.Anything else is a bonus, not an entitlement. Stop watching other people eat when you already have plenty on your plate.

[DragonMaster2385]

Wow, this thread grew like wild fire.  There are a lot of passionate people about this issue and it is rather shocking.  It is so sad that SOE put so much effor to make the game a more enjoyable place for everyone by recruiting new players to make the game feel more alive and all they get is a slap in the face by the immatute group of players.  If you recently bought RoK, then yes, you might be entitled to something; contact CS and ask.  If you have enjoyed the game for a long time, then shut up already; SOE is trying to get more people for you to play with.  If they lose players, they can't make more content. 

[Noaani]

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

Laiina wrote:

I think "fair" went out when amoeba came on the scene a few billion years ago.

 I played EQ and EQ2 (often both) from 1999 until Jan 2008, when I decided to take some time off.

 I basically paid subscription for over 8 years straight, and bought every expansion (except the last one for EQ).

So SOE tries to entice me back with a free month and a couple of items that are of no use to me.

Please explain to me how this hurts you.

Please explain how it hurts you if SoE decides to give the same deal to existing players. 

What you are asking SoE to do is to go one full month with no income from EQ1 and EQ2, as well as station access accounts. This would amount to about 3/4 of SoEs income for a full month.

That would send almost any company in the world bankrupt.

That would hurt everyone concerned more than having to pay the same monthly fee we have always payed.

I am not overly keen on rewarding players that have already left, but on the other hand, my biggest issue with the game right now is lack of population. If this marketing push will bring more players to the game that will stay playing the game, and doesn't actually cost me anything, who am I to complain?

[Saroc_Luclin]

Noaani wrote:

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

Laiina wrote:

I think "fair" went out when amoeba came on the scene a few billion years ago.

 I played EQ and EQ2 (often both) from 1999 until Jan 2008, when I decided to take some time off.

 I basically paid subscription for over 8 years straight, and bought every expansion (except the last one for EQ).

So SOE tries to entice me back with a free month and a couple of items that are of no use to me.

Please explain to me how this hurts you.

Please explain how it hurts you if SoE decides to give the same deal to existing players. 

What you are asking SoE to do is to go one full month with no income from EQ1 and EQ2, as well as station access accounts. This would amount to about 3/4 of SoEs income for a full month.

That would send almost any company in the world bankrupt.

That would hurt everyone concerned more than having to pay the same monthly fee we have always payed.

I am not overly keen on rewarding players that have already left, but on the other hand, my biggest issue with the game right now is lack of population. If this marketing push will bring more players to the game that will stay playing the game, and doesn't actually cost me anything, who am I to complain?

Well, rewarding people that already left 'costs' SOE nothing. They already are not paying any money to SOE, so giving them free time with the hope they can rehook those people is a potential net gain in the end. (ignoring bandwidth/server costs).By making all expansions available to those people, they can get them to the new zones where the most people tend to be, and the newest perks tend to be, increasing the chance that those people will stick around.

[DragonMaster2385]

but you can't ignore server/bandwidth costs, can you?  What about the returning players that have problems with the promotion and weren't flagged correctly.  They end up calling CS and every call/email costs money.  I hate to break it to you, but this promotion cost SOE far from nothing.

[interstellarmatter]

Diknak@Butcherblock wrote:

but you can't ignore server/bandwidth costs, can you?  What about the returning players that have problems with the promotion and weren't flagged correctly.  They end up calling CS and every call/email costs money.  I hate to break it to you, but this promotion cost SOE far from nothing.

If they retain only a fraction of the players from the promotion, it will more than make up for that cost.

[Razlath]

Noaani wrote:

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

Laiina wrote:

I think "fair" went out when amoeba came on the scene a few billion years ago.

 I played EQ and EQ2 (often both) from 1999 until Jan 2008, when I decided to take some time off.

 I basically paid subscription for over 8 years straight, and bought every expansion (except the last one for EQ).

So SOE tries to entice me back with a free month and a couple of items that are of no use to me.

Please explain to me how this hurts you.

Please explain how it hurts you if SoE decides to give the same deal to existing players. 

What you are asking SoE to do is to go one full month with no income from EQ1 and EQ2, as well as station access accounts. This would amount to about 3/4 of SoEs income for a full month.

That would send almost any company in the world bankrupt.

That would hurt everyone concerned more than having to pay the same monthly fee we have always payed.

I am not overly keen on rewarding players that have already left, but on the other hand, my biggest issue with the game right now is lack of population. If this marketing push will bring more players to the game that will stay playing the game, and doesn't actually cost me anything, who am I to complain?

Well while your clever editing was impressive, it only served to try to make me say something I did not.  I don't mind if you don't agree with me, but lets not start clipping posts just to make a point and make others look bad.  My entire post is below with the section that automatically counters your comment bolded. 

Dartak wrote:

Please explain how it hurts you if SoE decides to give the same deal to existing players.  This argument doesn't hold unless someone says, don't give the new people anything at all.  No one is asking for the new / returning players not to get the incentive.  That would just be silly.  Instead people are asking for the same consideration to be granted to players who are already here.

Now, I don't agree that existing players need free time or anything else that would actually cost SoE money (good marketing costs enough, and I have no problem footing the bill for it).  But I do think the in-game rewards (which cost SoE nothing) should be given out to all active accounts, new / returning / existing.

As you can see, I have consistently said that I think it is great they are getting free time and expansions.  I have no desire to recieve the free time or the free expansion.  I have never gotten free time from any SoE game since my free 30 days of EQ1 because of station access (I even lost my free time I would have gotten for beta-ing VG).  I have purchased every EQ2 expansion on pre-order.  I have never complained about this (and am not doing so now).  I have in fact been rewarded for this through pre-order only items, and the ability to never have my EQ2 account lapse while I gave VG a whirl, and the ability to play both EQ1 and EQ2 at release and not have to give up on friends who couldn't make the move immediately.

All I am asking is that we recieve the permanent character alterations that will be enjoyed by others through this promotion.  A lot of people place very high value on such things, a lot more value than 2 months of playtime and an expansion.  Since the items are 100% free to SoE there is absolutely no reason those can not be given to everyone.  They easily could have given the free exp / time to the new / returning players and the items to everyone as an appreciation bonus.

Would some still have complained?  Of course, because some people truly are upset about the play time and exp.  However, I am not one of them.  I think it would be nice if they gave everyone who doesn't have it already the expansion just so the whole world is open to everyone, but I only think it would be nice, I am not calling for it to happen.

[Miroh]

Grimwell wrote:

It's a long summer, and a long promotion. This is just the first blush, and the first reactions... as things progress and more information becomes known opinions will likely change (in both directions). That's OK. " />It's all OK -- provided we stop beating on the folks we don't agree with. That's where the wrong starts to happen, and a thread like this really shouldn't require moderation.

  Should have looked for information first.

[Razlath]

Diknak@Butcherblock wrote:

but you can't ignore server/bandwidth costs, can you?  What about the returning players that have problems with the promotion and weren't flagged correctly.  They end up calling CS and every call/email costs money.  I hate to break it to you, but this promotion cost SOE far from nothing.

Yep, but I am fine with paying for it.  And yes while my payments didn't go up, there is money at SoE being diverted for this promo from other things that might have benefited me.  I have zero problem with that.  I don't mind paying for their marketing at all.  In fact, I expect that part of my 30 bucks a month goes to marketting this game.

*not directed at you diknak but in general*  The only problem I have is completely free items not being given to existing players as well as returning players.  It isn't a whine (amazing how that word tends to define whatever people don't want to hear at the moment) or an imaa gonna quiiiiiiiiit satement.  I just think it is unfortuante that SoE chose not to do this and would like them to reconsider.  If they don't, I am not going to go cry myself to sleep or log in less.  And that in my opinion is exactly why they should do it.  Because they don't have to.  Because it would be nothing but SoE being overly nice to their paying customers.  It would just be a nod from SoE saying, hey, thanks for paying your sub every month, we really appreciate it.  Here is are a couple of items we cooked up for the promo.  Giving them to you won't take away any more money from development for the game and they are purely fluff, but we want you to have them.  We know we don't have to do it, but we are doing it anyway.  That is when customer appreciation matters, when it isn't required and a nice little surprise.

The other day I got a 10 dollar credit on my electric bill because my electric company.  I got a nice little letter with it that said, thanks for being our customer.  Did I have to badger them for it, or complain?  Nope, it was out of the blue and that is what made it great.  Sure it was only 10 bucks, but the point was they went through the trouble to say, hey, we know you always pay your electric bill, and even though you got full use of that electricity we still want to give a little something back.  That is cusomter appreciation and it actually cost them something.  Asking SoE for a little of the same that doesn't cost them anything is completely reasonable IMO.

[liveja]

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

 The only problem I have is completely free items not being given to existing players as well as returning players.

Word straight up.

People need to understand that when it comes to customer service & satisfaction, the little details are critical.

[Rijacki]

It's not that they're doing a promotion to get new and returning players that's offensive to me, a very loyal 2-account (and my boyfriend had 2, too) player, it's the laundry list of items only the returning or new player will get at freebies, items 100% unavailable to the continuing player.Experience potions - Great idea!  give the new and returning player a way to "catch up" if that's what they want to do.A make-over mirror - Good idea, someone returning might want a different look and that's something available in-game, too.Free bag - Good idea, the amount of storage space has increased exponentially. Free travel to new places - If this is a limited charge item then it's good, if not, it's horrid.  If it's limited, it will give a returning player a way to learn what all is out there now and get used to finding the new travel means.  If it's unlimited, there should be an item added as a quest reward or other such for continuing players or even added as a veteran reward for those of us who have stayed.A free trial period, even 2 months, with all the current expansions enabled - also good.  Let's them see what the game now has to offer. A free copy of all expansions enabled - BAD!  This should have been a discount, not free.A discount coupon for the next expansion - sure, but this should also have been offered to long term veterans, too.A drake pet - Sure, BUT, this should have been a quest reward available to the returning, the new, and the continuing.  It should not have been exclusive to those who buy the game now, especially not with all the free stuff they get on top of it.

[Razlath]

Rijacki wrote:

A free copy of all expansions enabled - BAD!  This should have been a discount, not free.

This is only point I will majorly disagree with you on.  My reasoning is as follows:

Sarnaks look very cool (some would disagree but many seem to agree).  They are only available with RoK.  As a returning player I would be on the fence.  I would not want to sink any money at all into giving the game a try.  Seeing greyed out races would be kind of annoying, especially when those races are as cool looking as the sarnak.

Timorous Deep is hands down the most friendly newbie zone ever.  You get great gear, the quests are fairly straightforward and the storyline progresses as storylines should.  There are a couple of hidden quests that don't really matter to story line, but the storyline quests are all right in front of you.  It is like a 20 lvl race quest as you discover what the Sarnaks are, who they are fighting, and what they desire from the world.  When a new player asks where to go, the general answer is TD.  If TD were not available this would lead to a lot of confusion / consternation.

Timorous Deep is basically what many who cried foul and left were after.  It is simple, it is straight forward, it is easily soloable, it gives great stuff.  Of the people who are returning many are going to be in the crowd that called for an easier game on their way out the door.  Lets not dump them off in a confusing island (I actually don't find it confusing, but I have played it so many times I think I can do it in my sleep), or laggy GFay.  Lets put them where they can see true change.  Heck I would have argued that maybe all new chars created during this promo should have TD as a starting city option, but that was probably way too invasive in the game code.  Hopefully enough people will find their way there.

Similar comments for the 70 to 80 progression as those for TD.

For these reasons if they wanted to showcase what the new game is all about they would have had to give them the expansion.  The base game just hasn't been kept up to date as their vision changed.  Maybe it will get there with all the new subs, maybe it won't.  But either way you don't want someone to go, oh I have to play the same ole island I played at release... nope nothing new about this game, back to *insertrandomgamehere*.

[Zarador]

Flaye@Mistmoore wrote:

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

 The only problem I have is completely free items not being given to existing players as well as returning players.

Word straight up.

People need to understand that when it comes to customer service & satisfaction, the little details are critical.

I started thinking about this even more last night after reading even more insults about people being ungrateful and whiny about them doing their best to fix the game.  A few more thoughts, not flames came to mind on this issue.

1. FREE EXPANSION: Something like this promotion has never been done on this scale by Sony.  Many of us are long time players who grew very accustomed to either buy the expansion or do without. At best you might buy it at a discount later on or wind up filling in expansions with the newest pack which would be inclusive.  Simply put, you did not get it free, plain and simple, not gonna happen, spend the money or learn to do without.  Yes were acustomed to cable and phone companies doing new customer promotional deals, but game companies seldom do this and Sony to the best of my knowledge has never done this before.  It came out of left field, how were people supposed to react?
2. VETERAN REWARDS:  Again, I believe many of us old timers somehow thought that the Veteran Reward was tied to months/years of "Accounts in Good Standing" as in PAID time. Never really had a problem accepting that you could plunk down a few hundred a year, never play and still be entitled to a reward.  Always thought that was one of their incentives to get you to keep those accounts alive.  Now I read that you may have played for a month, left for a few years and resubscribing covers those "lost years". I'm not sure the logic behind it, guess it just shows that the rewards were fluff and cheap enough to just give out like company pens at a convention.
3. SPECIAL IN-GAME REWARDS: Human nature, being what it is almost dictates that "If you get it, and I can't have it, it must be something that I can't do without". I mean, if you feel it's enticing enough to really clinch the deal, then you must feel it has some value?  That's logical.  I think I would have approached this one from the angle of "During this celebration, were giving this out to all of our valued customers, both old and new".  That would garnish some extra community spirit in my opinion.  Were getting a reward because your coming back to us.  We gain, you gain, let the celebrations begin!
4. FUTURE DISCOUNT ON UPCOMING EXPANSION: So basically, after getting all the Veteran Rewards for inactive accounts, some in game special rewards, then gaining a free expansion all inclusive to date and gaining a few months of free gaming time; they also need a $5.00 discount off the next expansion?  If were that confident that just a taste of the old game with the new expansions and playing a few free months will entice them to stay, how is it we believe that paying $35 instead of the $40 will be the deal clincher?  Not really sure where this falls in?  It's not enough of a break in my opinion to make it a deal clincher.  It is however enough of a slap to point out that aside from missing the perks, the loyal customer is being rewarded (as of this time) with a higher priced expansion for the same content.

All in all, even if things remain the same in regards to perks, I will concede that it is a needed change. I will however hold on to my selfishness to the extent that the move was a swing out of left field and some of us feel like we got hit by the bat.   I still, for the life of me don't understand the reasoning behind existing players, should they not have RoK (which many don't) still having to pay for the expansion. EDIT:  I wanted to add something here and really stress a point.  First off, I have all the expansions on all my accounts, so it's not for self gain reasons.  Since this whole promotion is about bringing back people and building numbers, think about this.  Your a player who has been playing for sometime with an active account.  Like many in today's economy your a bit strapped.  You never purchased RoK for financial reasons.  (please don't give me the story of "if you can't afford it...because lots of people are tight with money today).  You now realize that people will be getting it for free + free play time.  Remember, it's a finance issue, so you don't care about the fluff rewards.  How exactly do you feel?

[Kendricke]

Rijacki wrote:

It's not that they're doing a promotion to get new and returning players that's offensive to me, a very loyal 2-account (and my boyfriend had 2, too) player, it's the laundry list of items only the returning or new player will get at freebies, items 100% unavailable to the continuing player.Experience potions - Great idea!  give the new and returning player a way to "catch up" if that's what they want to do.A make-over mirror - Good idea, someone returning might want a different look and that's something available in-game, too.Free bag - Good idea, the amount of storage space has increased exponentially. Free travel to new places - If this is a limited charge item then it's good, if not, it's horrid.  If it's limited, it will give a returning player a way to learn what all is out there now and get used to finding the new travel means.  If it's unlimited, there should be an item added as a quest reward or other such for continuing players or even added as a veteran reward for those of us who have stayed.A free trial period, even 2 months, with all the current expansions enabled - also good.  Let's them see what the game now has to offer. A free copy of all expansions enabled - BAD!  This should have been a discount, not free.A discount coupon for the next expansion - sure, but this should also have been offered to long term veterans, too.A drake pet - Sure, BUT, this should have been a quest reward available to the returning, the new, and the continuing.  It should not have been exclusive to those who buy the game now, especially not with all the free stuff they get on top of it.

I am in 100% agreement with Rijacki here.

[Gilasil]

I'm thinking of reactivating my EQ1 account just for old times sake.

Of course, if they manage to hook me on EQ1 I'd probably end up cancelling my EQ2 account.

[Spyderbite]

Zarador wrote:

1. SPECIAL IN-GAME REWARDS: Human nature, being what it is almost dictates that "If you get it, and I can't have it, it must be something that I can't do without".

Hmmm.. must be the 'tongan nature in me cause I've never felt that way about anything. In game or out. Cloaks and Drakes.. neato. But, if everyone got them, what fun is that to run around just like every other person? Call me weird, but I enjoy being as unique as possible.I still think there's more to come for all players, new, existing and returning. But, patience has never been a virtue in this particular community. Meh.

[1000Words]

Soo many people were [Removed for Content] before about Sony not advertising EQ2. Now there is people [Removed for Content] because they receive special FLUFF items for either coming back or being new.I'm not saying it's the same group of people either. Just saying in general.I think it's silly, we should all be welcoming the new people/returnees.More people to play with=great. It also means more income for SoE which means more things for EQ2.

[Razlath]

Spyderbite@Venekor wrote:

I still think there's more to come for all players, new, existing and returning. But, patience has never been a virtue in this particular community. Meh.

I am going to disagree with your Sypder.  I think Patience is something this community has shown on quite a few things.  The thing that seems to be confusing people is that asking for a change is not being impatient.  If that were the case we wouldn't have the ability to play this game.  Instead people asked for smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable computer systems.  The complained vocally about problems that their current systems faced, and asked / demanded changes.

As a result we now enjoy much better computers than we would have if people had not driven the market like they did.  In the future we will see even more advances as more people ask for and demand changes to make things even better.

Those that lack patience are the ones who actually quit over this (which I happen to think is silly).  The vast majority of the players asking for this to be looked at / reviewed are using their normal forum perusing time to do so, and are pateintly waiting for things to change.  Are they vocal about what they would like to see?  Absolutely that is called being a good customer not being impatient.

So basically I will take exception to someone who disparages the community by saying they are impatient just because they have a tendency to ask for things that some people don't like.  If the community of this game were not patient they wouldn't still be here.  If the community were not vocal we wouldn't have the game we do today.  Do I agree with every change SoE has made to this game since launch?  Of course not, but the community has very patiently worked through the changes, and given valid feedback on their opinions along the way.  Nothing has ever been improved by a bunch of people sitting around not saying anything.

[Myster]

Rijacki wrote:

It's not that they're doing a promotion to get new and returning players that's offensive to me, a very loyal 2-account (and my boyfriend had 2, too) player, it's the laundry list of items only the returning or new player will get at freebies, items 100% unavailable to the continuing player.Experience potions - Great idea!  give the new and returning player a way to "catch up" if that's what they want to do.A make-over mirror - Good idea, someone returning might want a different look and that's something available in-game, too.Free bag - Good idea, the amount of storage space has increased exponentially. Free travel to new places - If this is a limited charge item then it's good, if not, it's horrid.  If it's limited, it will give a returning player a way to learn what all is out there now and get used to finding the new travel means.  If it's unlimited, there should be an item added as a quest reward or other such for continuing players or even added as a veteran reward for those of us who have stayed.A free trial period, even 2 months, with all the current expansions enabled - also good.  Let's them see what the game now has to offer. A free copy of all expansions enabled - BAD!  This should have been a discount, not free.A discount coupon for the next expansion - sure, but this should also have been offered to long term veterans, too.A drake pet - Sure, BUT, this should have been a quest reward available to the returning, the new, and the continuing.  It should not have been exclusive to those who buy the game now, especially not with all the free stuff they get on top of it.

I must say I agree with Rijacki... which isn't uncommon. =) (But for me it's my girlfriend and I have been playing since launch and have 5 accounts between the two of us... What can I say? We likes our EQ2)Only thing I have a slightly differing opinion on is the Free RoK expansion. But only because I understand they are wanting the new players to be able to experience the new content and starter areas as well as be able to play with old friends if they are returning players.And I wanted to add as well... Sure, we can wait and see what they get for the loyal, long-time players. But looking at their calender of events, the only thing there that only long-time players would be able to get (And thus, unique to them) is the Legacy Awards, and they even make sure to note it is only a select few.So all in all, according to what SOE has announced as their plans.... there will really be nothing unique or special for the majority of the current subscribers. I think that's the part that kinda irks me the most.(Yes, I have read the entire 24 pages of the thread... Yay for waiting on spawns for quests!)

[Razlath]

1000Words wrote:

Soo many people were [I cannot control my vocabulary] before about Sony not advertising EQ2. Now there is people [I cannot control my vocabulary] because they receive special FLUFF items for either coming back or being new.I'm not saying it's the same group of people either. Just saying in general.I think it's silly, we should all be welcoming the new people/returnees.More people to play with=great. It also means more income for SoE which means more things for EQ2.

Why do people seem to think the two are mutually exclusive?  I can very easily welcome all new players to EQ2 (and do when I see them) as well as ask that SoE consider giving the fluff items to everyone.  Doing one does not preclude doing the other.

I really don't understand why this has to be an either or thing with people.  It is like there is a line that you have to choose which side to stand on.  You either like everything about this view or everything about that view, but you can't mix the two views at all.  You can either like chocolate or vanilla, but don't dare comment on the merits of mixing the two.  We are all happy that EQ2 is advertising.  Many of us would also like a shot at those fluff items as well.

[Zarador]

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

1000Words wrote:

Soo many people were [I cannot control my vocabulary] before about Sony not advertising EQ2. Now there is people [I cannot control my vocabulary] because they receive special FLUFF items for either coming back or being new.I'm not saying it's the same group of people either. Just saying in general.I think it's silly, we should all be welcoming the new people/returnees.More people to play with=great. It also means more income for SoE which means more things for EQ2.

Why do people seem to think the two are mutually exclusive?  I can very easily welcome all new players to EQ2 (and do when I see them) as well as ask that SoE consider giving the fluff items to everyone.  Doing one does not preclude doing the other.

I really don't understand why this has to be an either or thing with people.  It is like there is a line that you have to choose which side to stand on.  You either like everything about this view or everything about that view, but you can't mix the two views at all.  You can either like chocolate or vanilla, but don't dare comment on the merits of mixing the two.  We are all happy that EQ2 is advertising.  Many of us would also like a shot at those fluff items as well.

You have to truly understand the skewed logic on this as it tends to go the way of the "politically correct"

---

RIGHT:If they gave the free reward to you, the paying customer, it would cheapen that reward for me, who is getting it as a free perkWRONG:Wait, I paid for all that stuff and time, they get it for free?  Heck, I don't even have RoK on all my accounts, what the heck?

---

RIGHT: We want our new players to enjoy every bit of the game, be able to explore the new continent and hunt with old friends.  It only makes sense to give them that expansion for free! WRONG: I can't join my returning friend because they have RoK and I don't, Sony is offering me RoK for $29.99 though, will have to save up some more coin.

---

Hope that helps put the PC spin on things so you understand better.  By the way, when you do understand?  Please explain it to me, I'm still confused.

[interstellarmatter]

Zarador wrote:

Dartak@Nektulos wrote:

1000Words wrote:

Soo many people were [I cannot control my vocabulary] before about Sony not advertising EQ2. Now there is people [I cannot control my vocabulary] because they receive special FLUFF items for either coming back or being new.I'm not saying it's the same group of people either. Just saying in general.I think it's silly, we should all be welcoming the new people/returnees.More people to play with=great. It also means more income for SoE which means more things for EQ2.

Why do people seem to think the two are mutually exclusive?  I can very easily welcome all new players to EQ2 (and do when I see them) as well as ask that SoE consider giving the fluff items to everyone.  Doing one does not preclude doing the other.

I really don't understand why this has to be an either or thing with people.  It is like there is a line that you have to choose which side to stand on.  You either like everything about this view or everything about that view, but you can't mix the two views at all.  You can either like chocolate or vanilla, but don't dare comment on the merits of mixing the two.  We are all happy that EQ2 is advertising.  Many of us would also like a shot at those fluff items as well.

You have to truly understand the skewed logic on this as it tends to go the way of the "politically correct"

---

RIGHT:If they gave the free reward to you, the paying customer, it would cheapen that reward for me, who is getting it as a free perkWRONG:Wait, I paid for all that stuff and time, they get it for free?  Heck, I don't even have RoK on all my accounts, what the heck?

---

RIGHT:We want our new players to enjoy every bit of the game, be able to explore the new continent and hunt with old friends.  It only makes sense to give them that expansion for free!WRONG:I can't join my returning friend because they have RoK and I don't, Sony is offering me RoK for $29.99 though, will have to save up some more coin.

---

Hope that helps put the PC spin on things so you understand better.  By the way, when you do understand?  Please explain it to me, I'm still confused.

Oh good Lord, Zarador, somebody said it best when they said, "Cry me a river".  Come on, all you have said in this thread is, me me me, what do I get?  Me, me, me.  Part of the Me Generation.

This was done to make the game better.  In order to bring more players into the game.  Is it perfect?  No.  Does it have good intentions? Yes.  If you don't like the way they do business, speak with your pocketbook and move on.

I see a chance to bring new players into the game.

On a side note, complaining here to you are blue in the face won't change anything.  Something this big is decided and planned out on a much higher level than the EQ2 team.  You should post on the SOE general website. 

[Khyell]

I have been paying (and playing) eq2 on and off for years now. I've even had the pleasure of working on it myself as a QA tech. I decided to upgrade my SWG account to a station account  a little over a month ago, in order to play eq2 after almost a year. I wasnt sure if I should pay for Kunark yet, and I just wanted to test the waters.Last week they announce that anybody that wasn't subscribed to eq2  or eq1 gets 2 free months and all of the expansions. I have to pay $40 for Kunark and another $40 for Secrets of Faydwer (eq1) yet some [Removed for Content] that has been playing WoW for the last 4 years gets them all for free. I, as a paying subscriber get nothing.Thanks for pushing my pewp in Sony.