Just some observations on Bristlebane.
1) I know of at least 4 guilds that are of the smaller, casual, style that are shutting down or have done so already. In each case the people in those guilds left for either WoW (beta) or EQ2. These are guilds that had a number of folks who beta tested EQ or have been around forever. Some have even sold their accounts. I have never seen this kind of exodus.
2) I have been surprised at the number of times I have zoned into PoK and seen less that 100 people (/who) in the zone. During my playing time, it was closer to 200 before EQ2.
3) I usually play between 10pm and midnight CST. Up to a few weeks ago, I could log on my lvl 30ish toons and find enough folks using the LFG window to do an LDoN or do some exp'ing. The past week, there have been between 0 and 2 lfg.
4) When playing my lvl 66 wizzy I usually end up going LFG using the LFG window. Up to the release of EQ2 there were usually about 40 toons LFG. Now, its usually less than 20, and very few who are willing to do LDoNs.
5) Most of my EQ friends who are casual players have left the game (many did so when CoH released, and moved to EQ2 when it released).
6) Most of my friends who are in mid to high end, raiding guilds are still playing EQ and having fun and don't plan to leave.
I am just guessing that a lot of the more casual players have found a new home in EQ2 or WoW. I think the EQ devs understood this would happen. It would appear to me that the dev's intend to support EQ for quite sometime, but that the game will gear itself towards the more hard core players.
Something else to think about.. If you were new to MMORPG'S what game would you play? Since EQ released, its been the one every gamer has heard about and, most likely, had friends who have tried out. It would be logical to at least try EQ out (if its so popular, it must be fun, right?). However, now Everquest comes in two flavors EQ and EQ2. Which would you choose? The newer, better graphics EQ or the old EQ. Toss in the fact that most on-line gamers have probably played Warcraft/Starcraft/Diablo, World of Warcraft has solid name recognition.
Whats my point? In the past, EQ lost a few when the "EQ killer" was released. However, many came back and the relatively few who permanentally left were quickly replaced by new players. Now, I am guessing that some folks who leave will come back, but many more will stay away than in the past. Not only that, but, fewer new MMORPG gamers, who in the past would have replaced those that have left, will choose EQ1.
IMHO, this EQ population decrease is real.
But hey, I am still having fun!
Edited, Tue Nov 16 12:52:43 2004 by Imake
Edited, Tue Nov 16 12:56:05 2004 by Imake
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Everquest:
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Imakegood 70th Level Pally: 500 aa
Ialsomake Goodspells 82nd Level Wizard
Psudacras Level 82nd Shammy: 950 aa
Readyaim 49th LVL Ranger
World of Warcraft:
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Irix lvl 85 Mage Cenarian Circle
Altix lvl 85 Hunter Cenarian Circle
Irixhunter lvl 85 Hunter Icecrown
Everquest 2
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Imakebad lvl 40 Iksar Warrior Unrest Se