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EverQuest 2 designers reflect on GU 46, expansion encounter design
It seems like just yesterday that the 46th Game Update to EverQuest 2 was released, but with GU 47 already on the testing servers there's no time to look back. For us, anyway - the development team had the rare opportunity to reflect back on previous work in an interview with the folks at Ten Ton Hammer. The team there discussed a few general design ideas behind the recent revamp to Runnyeye, and puts the kibosh on the notion that we're going to see many more of these low-level-dungeons-turned-high-level-encounters.Interestingly, they do note that Runnyeye is a sort of prototype for the strategic focus they're giving dungeons in the upcoming expansion. Rather than making them all cut from the same "tank and spank" cloth, some encounters in Runnyeye redux require a very clear head and innovative tactics. Said designer Kyle "Kander" Vallee, "I did not do anything super elaborate with ten boss fights and the amount of time I had, so I tried to make some of the fights a little more interesting, give them a little more sense of excitement. I really tried to make sure there was something for everyone and, at the same time, strive to preserve the fun and humor that Steve Kramer had originally started the zone with."An interesting preview of what we can expect in the next EverQuest 2 expansion.%Gallery-25310%
EQ2's GU46 patch notes meet the Pool Noodle
You don't have to be crazy to read EverQuest II's Game Update 46's patch notes, but it helps. It also helps if you're Ten Ton Hammer's Coyote and RadarX, but I guess that's redundant? Read on for tales of brave shadow knights and their pink pool noodles, armor that loves you so much it hurts, and surprise colonoscopies via your faithful rhino mount.[Ten Ton Hammer]
Veteran EverQuest 2 players weigh in on Heroic Runnyeye
This past Tuesday, EverQuest 2 saw yet another major Game Update go live. GU 46 introduced the fantastic Void Storms live event, and offered max level players some brand-new content: a Heroic version of the Runnyeye dungeon. By now some of EQ2's enthusiastic adventurers have had a chance to plumb the depths of Runnyeye, and the response is varied.Raiding veteran Kendricke of the Clockwork Gamer site views the labyrinth, which is aimed squarely at getting newly-dinged 80th-level characters into dungeon-crawling, as a good experience. He argues that it's not that the new instance is easy - it's just that it requires a raider's mindset. Even a small group can clear the dungeon, but if they don't have the right frame of mind it's going to be a challenge. Meanwhile Stargrace at MMO Quests is a bit more dismissive. In her words, as long as you cure status effects as they're dropped onto players the dungeon is very easy. She was also underwhelmed by the loot that dropped. Both bloggers, though, enjoyed the encounter's scripted events. Everyone can agree: bringing lore-heavy combat to the masses has to be a good thing.
EverQuest 2 Game Update 46 goes live
The tempest is gathering. Runnyeye, a storied dungeon since the days of the original EverQuest, is now a more dangerous locale. EverQuest 2 Game Update 46 is now live on the game servers, and we have some new media to go along with it. We've been previewing this content for some time now. You might recall Brenda Holloway's fantastic walkthroughs of The Void Storms live event, or the new heroic version of the Runnyeye dungeon. Make sure to check out the Void Storms while you can, because that event is only running through the middle of July. Also make sure to check out improvements to Chelsith, Shard of Fear, and the Estate of Unrest; these locales will now offer up status points for adventurers brave enough to face them and survive. For another look at this great content check out our gallery below, or click on through to the brand new EQ2 Game Update 46 trailer below the cut.%Gallery-25310%
The week in Massively features
EverQuest II GU46 -- The Void InvasionIn EverQuest II's Game Update 46, you will be tasked with uncovering the mystery of the Void Storms, and freeing the native creatures of Norrath from their baleful influence. Your dedication will not go unrewarded; full sets of appearance armor (and one set of ... non-appearance armor) are yours for your hard work. Exclusive images of the new Legends of Norrath: Oathbreaker loot cardsToday we have for you a great big spoiler. Every pack of cards has a chance to drop one of the rare loot cards into your account. We've got every single one of those cards from the Oathbreaker set laid out for you in a gallery below. Exclusive interview with AoC Senior Dialog Writer Aaron Dembski-BowdenThe credit for a bewilderingly vast amount of this material goes to Aaron Dembski-Bowden, a young British writer already known for his work in the tabletop roleplaying field. We tracked him down and managed to secure an interview. Are female characters really penalized in Age of Conan?The bombshell comes on page 7, where the reviewer states outright that '... Age of Conan's weapon swing time depends on the duration of the visual swing animation, and female characters swing their weapons about 25% slower than males - so every female melee character does 25% less damage over time!' MMOGology: There's no place like AzerothIt seems like World of Warcraft operates as many gamers' home base. They might leave for a while to try out a new MMOG when they inevitably burn out on WoW; but most eventually gravitate back. The return might be in anticipation of an expansion, it might be that the gamer misses his guildies, or maybe it's the old, comfortable game mechanics.
EverQuest 2 senior producer announces new zone, live content
Bruce Ferguson, senior producer on EverQuest 2, has put up a letter on the official game website outlining a number of the new gameplay pieces coming over the new few months. Tying into the Living Legacy promotion, numerous live events are slated to explore the world of Norrath like never before. Most exciting is Ferguson's announcement that the city of Veksar will be introduced to the game, a player-favorite from the days of the original EverQuest. Once submerged on the floor of the Lake of Ill Omen, where it stands in the Norrath of EQ2 is anyone's guess.Ferguson also touches on some of the initiatives we've explored here on the site, like the revamp to the Runnyeye dungeon, the Void Invasion, and upcoming double XP weekends. If you're wondering when you can get double your effort, the first opportunity starts tomorrow! 6.14.08 - 6.15.08 and 6.28.08 - 6.29.08 are the weekends in question; make sure to read the full letter to get all the details.
EverQuest II GU46 -- Runnyeye: The Gathering
Take a favorite EverQuest II low level dungeon, clear it of every living thing, add some doors and remove others. Fill the entire zone with heroic mobs level 80 and up. Put in ten boss fights culminating with an epic fight against High Chief Vohan, a x2 epic fight that compares to Nizara's final fight (hint: Vohan has friends). Add in a double handful of humor, mix it all together in a pot filled with bathing Halflings, and you come up with the latest dungeon redesign from the fiendish minds of the devs at SOE, Runnyeye: The Gathering.This alternate version of Runnyeye (the original is still selectable before zoning in) is made for decently equipped level 80 groups. Like the recently released Shard of Hate raid zone, the fights get progressively harder, so some groups may choose to stay near the top, while only the very best will dare the depths, where the High Chief waits. Who is gathering and why? Perhaps the answer lies with the Halfling warrior crouching at the entrance, the lone active member of the Old Bog Mountain Unit. He talks of three former members who are off doing other things. It might be well worth tracking them down and ask what happened in Bog Mountain, in which Runnyeye is dug, to cause them to quit the Unit. Click on through for a peek inside the depths of Runnyeye: The Gathering. %Gallery-24776%
EverQuest II GU46 -- The Void Invasion
Mysterious dark clouds shot with some evil energy have appeared all over Norrath, in every zone. But they are more than they seem -- they are not storms at all, but portals into the endless realm of the Void itself. The Void Storms gather up the local creatures and implant creatures of blackest shadow within them, then hold them in thrall until the creature has complete control.In EverQuest II's Game Update 46, you will be tasked with uncovering the mystery of the Void Storms, and freeing the native creatures of Norrath from their baleful influence. Your dedication will not go unrewarded; full sets of appearance armor (and one set of ... non-appearance armor) are yours for your hard work. Unusual weapons, a cart-load of house items, and even a pet goblin are also waiting for you ... in our exclusive GU46 gallery, that takes you through the entire quest and the rewards offered for your continued dedication to Norrath's cleansing. Check out the complete quest and its rewards! %Gallery-24768%
The bigger picture behind SOE's Living Legacy strategy
The Ancient Gaming Noob is stirring up the crack pots in this excellent post questioning whether or not a New World Order is taking shape over at Sony Online Entertainment. Why would he think that? Well all the ballyhoo surrounding the Living Legacy promotion of course. In an unprecedented move SOE reactivated and marked over a million EQ/EQ2 accounts for free play until July 25th. Oh yea, that's freakin' insane, not to mention the deal only gets sweeter because it comes with a ton of perks and incentives for those that resub to either EverQuest or EverQuestII. While some disgruntled players who were already active EQ/EQ2 subscribers at the time of the announcement lament, as felt in various drama bombs around the blogosphere; the case he presents and the reasons listed are very intriguing. We would go into greater detail into the theory, but we don't want to spoil it. Go read it and come back here and tell us what you think about Living Legacy and the speculative truth behind it. Is he onto something?
EverQuest II's senior producer on SOE's Living Legacy
Bruce Ferguson is both new to the EverQuest II team, and an old hand as well. Bruce was with the team back when the game first launched, and just a few months after his return we sat down to chat about the intriguing new Living Legacy program. Overlapping between the sequel and the original EverQuest, this ambitious recall program may be even more meaningful for EQ2 than the original game.Many players were thrown by the launch game's strange approach to design. Locked encounters, a confusing class system, and numerous idiosyncrasies plagued early EQ2 players. The EverQuest 2 of today, in contrast, is a study in listening to the needs of the players. Join us as Mr. Ferguson explains a bit of that philosophy, talks about the numerous bonus XP weekends coming up, and hints at the many live events that will tie the past into the future with the next EQ2 expansion.
