EQ Population decreaseFollow

Personally I think the best thing they could do is to start combining servers.

The only way the game will survive is if player interaction levels remain at a high level. I think many people are already noticing the drop-off in this area at an increasing rate. Even before WoW and EQ2 this type of decline was being noticed. Just not to the same degree.

If people log on and find nobody to play with, they will slowly start to lose interest and move on themselves. Larger player bases by combining servers could help contain this type of situation. Of course some high-end guilds that dominate a server may not like it, but it's best for the game.

In the past this wasn't an issue due to this being the only big show in town for the most part.

With WoW and EQ2, though, there really is no reason for new players to the MMORPG world to chose Classic EQ. So all we're left with is the old players.

Besides, it seems to me that less servers would be less maintance costs to SOE. You'd think they would be all over keeping more money for themselves.

Edited, Thu Nov 25 02:51:41 2004 by Symbius

In terms of personal interaction, Everquest is still alive and kicking. I have never been without 'friends' when I logged on since level 6. If anything I have too many conversations going at once - and have to tell them all when I need to get busy with a group or fight. It takes me at least 5 minutes to say goodnight to my guild and friends, unless of course I'm the last one to log. There are some nights I just log on to talk & relax. Oh, groups of 5 or 6 (level 40) are rare, except in DSP, and comprised of alts. But they can happen.

I was on Drinal Fri, Sat & Sun this weekend (actually had a weekend off). Everytime I wanted to find a group I did, KEI/Kazad/Virtue plenteous, a couple zones we had to leave cause they were camped. had usual KS'rs in Rathe Mountains, and at least 6 guildies on all weekend (except Sun). I choose to solo RM for awhile (saving money for particular item) & got multiple tells asking if I wanted to group.

Several friends of mine have tried EQ2 and half are already back to EQ.

So I'm not worried

I think that your server selection has the greatest impact on your experience.

When I started EQ a year ago, I have picked Xegony. That may have been a mistake,
since I've spent a lot of the time alone in cities and newbie zones, with nobody
to share my excitement about quests and findings.
Still, I kept playing and got my top char to lvl 50.

It wasn't until this summer when I tried to level my lvl 7 rogue and looked
in vain at the empty LFG list, that I've decided to try looking for a new home.
I logged to multiple servers and checked POK population.
Morden Rasp caught my attention - POK size was in line with others, but
the number of lowbies was unusually high!

I've created a char at Morden and was swept off my feet by the crowds in Gloomingdeep,
and later in Greater Faydark. Maybe this is what early EQ felt like - tons of people
starting out, grouping together and having a blast!

I now have 8 chars at Morden Rasp, grouping is never a problem.
In fact, I just found a new trick - when looking at LFP screen, use the
'show all' option to see groups out of my level range. This way I can see
which of my alts can get a group quickly.

Anyway, for the people with new chars, I wholeheartedly recommend one of the
2 newbie servers - it makes all the difference in the world!

Demaep
Lvl 50 Necromancer

BANDED!!!

On Morden Rasp, the population has greatly decreased. My guild which was elemental flagged has just about disbanded now. Even though the leadership had said it would never leave for WoW ... they did!

So... I went and tried the competition and absolutely love WoW .. for me (and many others it would seem) there is only one conclusion: goodbye EQ!

It's been a great 3 years in EQ and 3 household accounts but we've all moved on. It was fun the first 50 levels but after that, it's nothing but grinding and more grinding for the xp. After 3 x 65 level characters, I have no envy to grind till 70 on any of them.

Happy huntin' all.. wherever your travels may lead you.

Well, the multiple threads predicting the demise of EQ are still going.

More opinions.

I had to spend a couple days in the hospital last week (I'm fine - thanks for asking. Had something removed from a kidney & was pronounced cured) So I also had a couple days off at home.

I really didn't feel like playing any of my higher characters so I went to Morden Rasp & Ayonae Ro & started a couple babies (Iksar SK & played on a baby gnomish paladin I started & never did anything with)

Did the tutorial until I hit level 6 or so & then headed out to FoB with SK. Soloed for about 90 minutes than grouped with an Iksay necro for a couple hours. When He left I was nearly level 20 so I put LFG flag up & then spent about 4 hours in a full group in CB killing legos & such. Iksar now a teenager.

Same experience with gnome> Was bound at Kelthin & was picked up after about 3 kills in CB with a group that stayed together about 4 hours before I had to admit that the meds were telling me to go to sleep. Made enough plat for all my 9 & 15 spells for both characters, gained about 5 levels each & groups were never smaller than 5 for long.

So I checked in Drinal just because. Guildie said there had been a drop for a bit (As I so noted) but that population was increasing again & mostly on the lower levels. Which means a0new players or b) old players that are finding crowds enough & content enough to try something new.

EQ is something new every time you start something. I have enough to keep me busy for awhile. I hope EQ2 does well & I look forward to a few more years of enjoying the adventures of Norrath on EQ1

Successful & happy adventuring all!