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Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Sky on October 22, 2004, 09:32:17 AM Quote Dear EBgames.com Customer, Thanks for pre-ordering from EBgames.com! As an added benefit to ordering from us, we’ll keep you informed of ship date changes. We are writing to let you know that the publisher has set a new ship date for Everquest 2 of November, 8th 2004. As always, EBgames.com will not charge your credit card until we ship your order. Ready or not! Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Kageru on October 22, 2004, 09:44:17 AM Time to have a laugh at those who said, "With all these changes, they'll surely take the time to get it right!".
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Soukyan on October 22, 2004, 09:46:04 AM Quote from: Kageru Time to have a laugh at those who said, "With all these changes, they'll surely take the time to get it right!". They didn't take the time needed for EQ1 or SWG, so why change the way they do business now. Besides, they need to strike while the iron is hot and people are fiending for it. Sell a bunch and then patch a bunch of fixes/improvements/"freebie" extras and string people along with carrot out front as always. It works. It just works. On the downside, I won't get to beta test very much if that date is true. :( How depressing. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: HaemishM on October 22, 2004, 09:47:05 AM /em shakes his head in disgust
This will not end well. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Sable Blaze on October 22, 2004, 09:49:02 AM They're going to crash and burn. This game is NOT ready. I doubt it'll be as bad as AOs launch, but...I remember EQlive's and I personally don't want to go through that again.
I can wait six months before this one I think. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 10:06:15 AM The same day as Halo 2 and Half Life 2? What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. November?
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: WayAbvPar on October 22, 2004, 10:16:52 AM Quote from: HaemishM /em shakes his head in disgust This will not end well. By all accounts it won't even START well. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Fargull on October 22, 2004, 10:27:26 AM Quote from: WayAbvPar By all accounts it won't even START well. Keyboard. Now. Work upset... Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: kaid on October 22, 2004, 10:35:12 AM Before I start my mocking in ernest I will wait for the devs to officially shoot themselves in the foot. The places like EB world are just to prone to pulling release dates out of their ass to take to seriously.
kaid Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 22, 2004, 10:41:10 AM It's a great business model. Blizzard did not charge for their stress test.
But SOE will on November 8th. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: kaid on October 22, 2004, 10:59:51 AM Actually if you want to pay to stress test you can do that now.
http://www.fileplanet.com/subscribe/eq2/ WEEEEE! kaid Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Rasix on October 22, 2004, 11:01:57 AM Ohh, I think it's time to all tilt our head backs and let out a nice laugh.
What a bunch of goons. Nov. 8. Yah. Good luck with that. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: dotter on October 22, 2004, 11:26:38 AM After reading the reactions on several boards, I've come to the conclusion that SOE will make money no matter what. They can stick poo in a bag and label it EQ3 and a good number of EQ fans will buy it.
Some people's rose colored glasses are so thick I'm wondering how they are walking around. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Signe on October 22, 2004, 11:54:16 AM Oh, I don't know. They seem more ready for launch than most have been. I think the game will be very playable at release, as far as content and bugs go. Well, if the mechanics hold up, that is. They seem pretty quick to fix issues. Last time I logged in, the disconnects and most of the lag seemed to have lessened quite a bit. Even in Qeynos. They'll have the new additions to skills in by the 25th, I think, and that still gives a couple of weeks to bug fix those. Maybe this launch will have a better time of it.
Maybe.... Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Resvrgam on October 22, 2004, 12:03:56 PM This has SWG written all over it. How many more festering piles of crap does this company need to excrete before people wise up and stop giving them money?
Now that EQ2 is their sole domain, I wonder who they'll try to blame for their shortcomings? (Lucas Arts wasn't involved in EQ2, so there went that excuse). Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: kaid on October 22, 2004, 12:05:05 PM If they can pound out the last issues with antonica lag and some zone stability they could easily release by that time if they are willing to tell people to stfu about the character diversity until post release.
kaid Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Liquidator on October 22, 2004, 12:07:09 PM Quote from: schild The same day as Halo 2 and Half Life 2? What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. November? When it rains it pours. I don't have enough money or time for all of these games. :( Edit: Additional comment Quote Quote: Dear EBgames.com Customer, Thanks for pre-ordering from EBgames.com! As an added benefit to ordering from us, we’ll keep you informed of ship date changes. We are writing to let you know that the publisher has set a new ship date for Everquest 2 of November, 8th 2004. As always, EBgames.com will not charge your credit card until we ship your order. Ready or not! So I guess we'll be hearing a gold announcement any day now. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 12:28:45 PM Quote from: Resvrgam This has SWG written all over it. How many more festering piles of crap does this company need to excrete before people wise up and stop giving them money? No, it does not have SW:G written all over it. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: El Gallo on October 22, 2004, 12:43:25 PM LOL
I never thought SoE could do worse than SWG. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 12:46:29 PM Quote from: El Gallo LOL I never thought SoE could do worse than SWG. And you were right to think that. They can't. I'm pretty sure, proportionally, the number of bugs in SW:G triumphed Horizons. If AE had gotten the Star Wars named attached to Hz and slapped some fwg5's in there, they would have done just fine. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: HaemishM on October 22, 2004, 12:48:25 PM I don't know that it'll be as bad as SWG, but it won't be good. The fact that in the time I've been in beta, they've been unable to fix the Antonica lag issue is telling. Add in the ridiculuous character diversity changes, and you have a Charlie Foxtrot waiting to happen.
But there'll be content. Title: Re: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Ardent on October 22, 2004, 12:52:02 PM Quote from: Sky Ready or not! Not. I got a message that my WoW preorder was pushed back one day (big whoop). For some reason, I have this mental image of SOE scrambling to assemble a horde of scattered puzzle pieces and tossing them out the door, while Blizzard is reclining in a comfy chair, hands clasped behind its head, whistling and waiting patiently for release day. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: El Gallo on October 22, 2004, 12:55:07 PM Unlike SWG, EQ actually has the raw potential to be good. If everything in EQ2 actually worked as intended and had a polish pass, it could be a good game. EQ is also SoE's flagship line.
Objectively, EQ2 is much better right now than SWG was when it was vomited out. But, unlike SWG, EQ2 actually had the potential to be good and that potential was ruined by shitty execution and a rushed release schedule. It's the difference between shovelling a pile of cow shit on a nice carpet, and shovelling a pile of cow shit onto a pile of human shit. OK, yeah, I was just exaggerating. It's Friday. Title: Re: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 01:01:41 PM Quote from: Ardent Quote from: Sky Ready or not! For some reason, I have this mental image of SOE scrambling to assemble a horde of scattered puzzle pieces and tossing them out the door, while Blizzard is reclining in a comfy chair, hands clasped behind its head, whistling and waiting patiently for release day. No, Blizzard is already working on their bi-yearly patch for the servers. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Merusk on October 22, 2004, 01:10:09 PM Quote from: jpark It's a great business model. Blizzard did not charge for their stress test. But SOE will on November 8th. Shit, isn't that what I've said the entire EQ2 dev cycle? I know if you go back and read my posting history I said at least once that SOE WILL ship come November, regarless of how "done" the game is. All one has to do is look at the history to see. They've published 3 MMOs so far, and none of them have been "ready." However, they've always managed to keep players around long enough with patches & promises to maintain revenues. SOE knows that regarless of how shitty a product they launch they can spin it and keep people around. Players are asshats and will pay for shit so long as they get it 'now'. Fuck, that there's still people playing AO and SB should have told you all of this. Blizzard would do well to learn this lesson, because right now I don't see them shipping in November like I originally did. There's going to be at LEAST one more patch before 'open' beta to get the remaining skills & talents in. With no patch this week, there's no activity indicating there will be one early next week, either. I said before that Blizzard's glacial pace of doing things was going to stand to hurt them. SOE just has to keep those 'undecided' accounts entertained enough. By launching 'early' and being faster by a factor of 20 on patches, I give them a good shot at keeping them. Edit: Quote Objectively, EQ2 is much better right now than SWG was when it was vomited out. EQ2 is better right now than SWG is right now, not just SWG at launch. If I didn't hate the progression time, art and feeling of EQ1 creeping into it I'd play EQ2. You couldn't get me to play SWG if you gave it to me free. (And they tried. I'm looking at you the 1.5 hours I checked out the "10 day re-up") Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 01:11:38 PM There's a lot of bitching going on about this, but let's get one thing clear. Even if I don't like it Everquest 2's core game is stable, solid and has about 5-10x more quests than any game I've ever played. There are better things to complain about than their ship date right now.
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 22, 2004, 01:42:56 PM Quote from: schild There's a lot of bitching going on about this, but let's get one thing clear. Even if I don't like it Everquest 2's core game is stable, solid and has about 5-10x more quests than any game I've ever played. There are better things to complain about than their ship date right now. True... but I guess the rest will have to wait until the rest of us try it on release :) Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: kaid on October 22, 2004, 01:57:57 PM Well if the release date turns out to be the 8th not like you have long to wait.
kaid Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Ardent on October 22, 2004, 02:51:46 PM Quote from: schild Even if I don't like it Everquest 2's core game is stable, solid Which is why they are dramatically changing their archetype system 2 weeks before launch? Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: SirBruce on October 22, 2004, 03:15:23 PM Hey Raph, if people still listen to you over there, remind them they shipped SWG 6 months early and it probably cost them 200,000 subscribers. EQ2 needs at least 6 more weeks of work, and trying to beat WoW out of the chute won't help.
Bruce Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 22, 2004, 03:31:26 PM Quote from: Merusk Quote from: jpark It's a great business model. Blizzard did not charge for their stress test. But SOE will on November 8th. Shit, isn't that what I've said the entire EQ2 dev cycle? I know if you go back and read my posting history I said at least once that SOE WILL ship come November, regarless of how "done" the game is. All one has to do is look at the history to see. They've published 3 MMOs so far, and none of them have been "ready." However, they've always managed to keep players around long enough with patches & promises to maintain revenues. SOE knows that regarless of how shitty a product they launch they can spin it and keep people around. Players are asshats and will pay for shit so long as they get it 'now'. Fuck, that there's still people playing AO and SB should have told you all of this. Blizzard would do well to learn this lesson, because right now I don't see them shipping in November like I originally did. Agreed. My comment above was not intended as insight. Point taken about lesson for Blizzard. I am still betting a case of beer with Grind that WOW won't go retail until 2005. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 22, 2004, 03:33:09 PM Quote from: SirBruce Hey Raph, if people still listen to you over there, remind them they shipped SWG 6 months early and it probably cost them 200,000 subscribers. EQ2 needs at least 6 more weeks of work, and trying to beat WoW out of the chute won't help. Bruce Ah this is a great point. First impressions are forever in this industry - so it seems - if they ship too soon - the rep damage could take too long to deal with in the months and years ahead. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 04:12:08 PM EQ 2 is stable enough and has enough quests to ship. Jesus christ. What? Are you worried about the imbalance hurting pvp? I mean what's the gripe here? You don't think it's as good as WoW yet? Comeon.
The stupidest thing is the day they are shipping. 4 games on the same day that the majority of gamers want? That's no good. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Ardent on October 22, 2004, 04:23:52 PM Yes, the game servers and the quests are stable ... my point was specifically about this brand-spankin'-new system of spells, skills and racial traits that beta testers have not even seen yet. If the archetype system was so stable, why would they be restructuring it on the verge of release?
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 22, 2004, 04:30:42 PM Quote from: schild EQ 2 is stable enough and has enough quests to ship. Jesus christ. What? Are you worried about the imbalance hurting pvp? I mean what's the gripe here? You don't think it's as good as WoW yet? Comeon. Ardent summarized well my view. To go further, Schild: 1. Do we agree that with the changes announced recently these are major changes to the game as we have come to understand it in the past? 2. Do you agree that Wow is EQ1.5 and graphics aside, has executed well on that mandate? 3. If you believe this game to be in good shape - would it be fair to say you expect a relatively smooth launch that attracts former players and new ones back to the franchize? #3 is the kicker - arguments aside - if the guys ranting are right - of which I am one - this launch will be a big disappointment. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: schild on October 22, 2004, 04:38:49 PM Quote from: jpark 1. Do we agree that with the changes announced recently these are major changes to the game as we have come to understand it in the past? The changes, while being played off as a big deal, aren't. I would bet cold, hard cash that most of them are just +'s to strength and what not. Total smokescreen to make the system seem like more than it is - I'm not worried about them breaking or making gameplay. The racial hunting thing where you get a special attack has been in and out during various points in beta. This is just the first public mention of it. Quote 2. Do you agree that Wow is EQ1.5 and graphics aside, has executed well on that mandate? I think I said 1.25 or 1.3 in another thread, but sure, 1.5. Which means there's a 98.5% chance I won't buy it unless a free copy is thrown my way with a free account attached to it. Quote 3. If you believe this game to be in good shape - would it be fair to say you expect a relatively smooth launch that attracts former players and new ones back to the franchize? That's guaranteed. The advertising campaign is enormous. Launch day will be hell...well maybe not, I think Halo 2 and HL2 will cause more damage to WoW and EQ2 than they think. Quote #3 is the kicker - arguments aside - if the guys ranting are right - of which I am one - this launch will be a big disappointment. Both WoW and EQ2 are pretty much crap. One sounds better and is more immersive than the other. One is a shorter more colorful grind. Pick your flavor. They both look the same when they come out the other end. Title: Re: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Trippy on October 22, 2004, 04:57:14 PM Quote from: Sky Dear EBgames.com Customer, Thanks for pre-ordering from EBgames.com! As an added benefit to ordering from us, we’ll keep you informed of ship date changes. We are writing to let you know that the publisher has set a new ship date for Everquest 2 of November, 8th 2004. As always, EBgames.com will not charge your credit card until we ship your order. Translation: We really should not have dropped our NDA. Once we finish installing all the new server hardware we're shipping the game before more people get wind of how bad the game is. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Signe on October 22, 2004, 05:18:00 PM The fact is, the game ISN'T bad. It's not great, it's nothing new, but it's not bad. I think many people will be happy with it. I do have a feeling, as some have suggested, that WoW may get more subscribers initially, but EQ2 will keep more, in the long run.
I really do think, also, that HL2 might present a problem to both games. A lot of people who will only buy one PC game at a time won't be able to pass it up. Those addicted to their XBox will go for Halo2, no? Well, Xmas is around the corner... so who knows? Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: personman on October 22, 2004, 07:28:15 PM Quote from: Ardent (...) brand-spankin'-new system of spells, skills and racial traits that beta testers have not even seen yet. If the archetype system was so stable, why would they be restructuring it on the verge of release? Umm. We have seen this movie repeatedly for almost a decade. Why will this one particular time be less of a flop then the other umpteen jillion. /&play Standard_OscarWilde("definition","insanity") Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: SirBruce on October 23, 2004, 01:21:45 AM You guys are playing a different game. The game servers are stable? They're down all the time. Lagtonica still isn't fixed. The quests are stable? I've got about 3 quests that are currently broken, plus numerous others that need adjustment. Spawns in dungeons are still messed up, solo mobs are missing left and right, there are placeholder names on many of the higher-level continents which have only barely been tested at this point. This doesn't even address the numerous other bugs in the game, plus areas where the design needs to be revamped (quest system, outdoor maps), and they haven't even introduced the character customizability system yet.
And then once you've done all that, if you're smart you'd still let it run for another month to test your QA procedures (which have failed almost every patch released so far), your CS procedures (which are demonstrably lacking at this point), your system maintenance and DB procedures (again, F on this so far), and spend time optimizing for performance. Bruce Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Alkiera on October 23, 2004, 08:32:50 AM Quote from: SirBruce You guys are playing a different game. The game servers are stable? They're down all the time. Lagtonica still isn't fixed. The quests are stable? I've got about 3 quests that are currently broken, plus numerous others that need adjustment. Spawns in dungeons are still messed up, solo mobs are missing left and right, there are placeholder names on many of the higher-level continents which have only barely been tested at this point. This doesn't even address the numerous other bugs in the game, plus areas where the design needs to be revamped (quest system, outdoor maps), and they haven't even introduced the character customizability system yet. Hrm, sounds about like EQ when I started playing, 6 months or so after release. -- Alkiera Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 23, 2004, 09:19:41 AM Quote from: Alkiera Quote from: SirBruce You guys are playing a different game. The game servers are stable? They're down all the time. Lagtonica still isn't fixed. The quests are stable? I've got about 3 quests that are currently broken, plus numerous others that need adjustment. Spawns in dungeons are still messed up, solo mobs are missing left and right, there are placeholder names on many of the higher-level continents which have only barely been tested at this point. This doesn't even address the numerous other bugs in the game, plus areas where the design needs to be revamped (quest system, outdoor maps), and they haven't even introduced the character customizability system yet. Hrm, sounds about like EQ when I started playing, 6 months or so after release. -- Alkiera Ya but while I did not play then - was the dev team revamping the vision of the game weeks before release? Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Murgos on October 23, 2004, 09:40:10 AM Quote from: jpark Ya but while I did not play then - was the dev team revamping the vision of the game weeks before release? Oh, no. they had the vision locked down tight. But if you mean class distinctions, then yes they were changing them up through the first 18 months the game was live. Rogues today are nothing like rogues on release. Most of the classes have seen thier purpose in EQ evolve from what they were at launch and some of them have changed drastically. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Alkiera on October 23, 2004, 11:00:25 AM Quote from: Murgos Quote from: jpark Ya but while I did not play then - was the dev team revamping the vision of the game weeks before release? Oh, no. they had the vision locked down tight. But if you mean class distinctions, then yes they were changing them up through the first 18 months the game was live. Rogues today are nothing like rogues on release. Most of the classes have seen thier purpose in EQ evolve from what they were at launch and some of them have changed drastically. Indeed, enchanters didn't have clarity in beta, from what I've heard... originally, bards were the only ones who could aid mana regen. Now the mana-stat/regen buff is one of the major abilities of the class. -- Alkiera Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on October 23, 2004, 02:46:21 PM I heard it mentioned - cryptically (no pun) - that the faction system is not in EQII yet? Can this possibly be right? I thought the whole point behind two "good" and "evil" cities with Betrayal quests and the like was crucial to the setting.
Can anyone comment on whether or not faction systems are in place in EQII? Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Kageru on October 23, 2004, 04:02:02 PM I want them to launch as soon as possible. The squawks of outraged fan-boys are my favorite music.
I'm not sure they ever planned a faction system. As I understand it you get ported out by guards of the opposing city. You can do a betrayal quest at L.20 and they stop doing it. So the EQ2 faction system has only two choinces and one chance per character to toggle them. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Rasix on October 23, 2004, 11:02:46 PM This game is a good while from being ready to launch. They've been having loads of problems recently as Bruce said.
This is going to be bad. Not AO bad. SWG bad. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Kageru on October 23, 2004, 11:48:53 PM I really must find my copies of Sanjuro and Yojimbo again.
On the other hand I am happy. The SOE fanboys always blamed the SWG launch on lucas arts interference. Wonder who they're going to blame for this one. I also realised how dearly I'd love to read a book chronicling the development of EQ2, I bet there's a real saga behind the scenes. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Murgos on October 24, 2004, 07:03:05 AM Quote from: Kageru I really must find my copies of Sanjuro and Yojimbo again. Have you seen some of the stuff Takeshi Kitano (Beat Takeshi) has been doing? Zatôichi, was pretty good, very similar sort of story to Yojimbo. Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Signe on October 24, 2004, 09:20:40 AM I guess we can't blame Raph for this one. :( It was nice to have someone to bitch at but he seems more interested than involved. Let's blame that John Smedley bloke instead. Maybe Raph can convince him to peruse this forum so we can make it personal.
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Kageru on October 24, 2004, 05:22:15 PM Smedley's role in EQ2 does seem interesting. It was very odd to see a project manager, as I understand it, defending game mechanics on the boards. It sounded like he had a lot more personal involvement than one might expect. So I'm itching to ascribe management intervention as explaining why EQ2 lacks soul.
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Liquidator on October 25, 2004, 09:24:32 AM Quote - The 800-Pound Gorilla of Online Gaming is Ready To Play - SAN DIEGO, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, today announced that EverQuest II is scheduled to simultaneously ship to North American and European retail stores on November 8, 2004. EverQuest II is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Sony Online Entertainment's original EverQuest, the most successful and longest-running 3D MMO role-playing game in North America. "After more than four years in development, the wait for EverQuest II is almost over," said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. "We've invested heavily on development of the game to ensure that EverQuest II has the highest production values of any online game produced to date. We want to deliver a game to our players that will provide an experience like nothing they've ever seen." Sony Online Entertainment is delivering a truly groundbreaking MMO game in EverQuest II with pioneering firsts in advanced 3D graphics, story, voice, production values, and gameplay. EverQuest II features the most realistic graphics of any MMO game ever created with a next-generation 3D graphics engine designed to keep pace with hardware developed over the next few years. Players will hear more than 70,000 lines of spoken dialogue in EverQuest II as non-player characters are given voiceover for the first time ever in an MMO game bringing the story of EverQuest II to life. EverQuest II also features gameplay innovations that make EverQuest II fun and exciting for all types of players and play styles, from hardcore gamers, to new MMO players, to those who play in groups, and solo players. EverQuest II comes in three versions, all of which include a 30-day subscription (excluding SOE All Access subscriptions) to the game's online world. The CD version and DVD versions of the game carry an SRP of $49.99 and include the game, an in-game item and an in-box item. Limited quantities of the EverQuest II Collector's Edition (DVD) are available at an SRP of $89.99. The Collector's Edition includes a number of in-game items, including "paintings" of EverQuest II scenery to be hung on the walls of a player's house, magical talking statues of Antonia and Lucan (voiced by Hollywood talent Heather Graham and Christopher Lee), and an exclusive pet baby dragon. The Collector's Edition also includes an exclusive art book, bonus DVD with trailers, gameplay videos and behind-the-scenes footage, a soundtrack CD, a collector's coin with a velvet pouch, a cloth map of Norrath, and two posters. EverQuest II carries a monthly subscription fee of $14.99 for continuing access to the game world. Players can subscribe using a credit card, or purchase SOE 30-day and 90-day Game Cards, which open the new world of Norrath to those who choose not to use a credit card. About EverQuest II EverQuest II is the next generation of massively multiplayer gaming, a huge online world where thousands of players come together for adventure and community. Featuring breathtaking graphics and a vast, beautiful game world to explore, as well as voices for almost all non-player characters, EverQuest II sets new standards in gameplay and immersion. EverQuest II brings players into its world with a powerful epic storyline and gives them the power to be the hero or villain in their personal adventure. Players enter this world by creating their own unique character, choosing from 16 races and 24 classes. Players will encounter hundreds of creatures as they travel across majestic landscapes of rolling hills, barren deserts, dense forests, and bustling cities. Thousands of items, hundreds of spells, and unlimited adventure await all who enter the world of EverQuest II. EverQuest II also features: * A new, massive online world for thousands of players to explore, filled with danger, adventure and mystery * Voices for most non-player characters (NPCs) in the game, a huge project encompassing more than 70,000 lines and 130 hours of dialog * Unparalleled character customization capabilities. In addition to thousands of armor, weapons and items users can equip, players will be able to customize their character's facial appearance to an incredible level of detail and personalization * 16 races, dozens of levels and 24 classes with a branching system that allows players to choose their class as they advance * Player-owned real estate (such as apartments, homes, and guild houses) * No race/class combination limitations, allowing players to truly choose who they want to be in game * New user friendly game mechanics with reduced learning curve for both new and seasoned players * More than 160 unique creature types, from Orcs and Goblins to huge dragons and menacing Living Statues * Incentives for current EverQuest subscribers * A state-of-the-art, cinematic quality 3D graphics engine capable of improving as hardware technology advances * State-of-the art combat, spell and skill systems * Trade skills available to all player classes Didn't see it linked or quoted anywhere else, but it seems that it's official - don't think anyone was doubting it though. Here's the link Linkage (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/10-25-2004/0002308367&EDATE) Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: jpark on November 08, 2004, 09:53:49 AM Well the copies are available today - but I have had no luck creating an account and their web site seems to be counting down to tomorrow for server availability.
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: shiznitz on November 08, 2004, 09:59:40 AM Definitely a new approach to sell boxes 24 hours before the servers are available. Is the patch server up? If I was a beta person, do I even need to install using the CDs? Can I just enter the CD key and patch?
Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: Alkiera on November 08, 2004, 10:34:47 AM The EQ2 website has said Nov 9th for a couple weeks now.
I'm pretty sure they posted that they highly recommend you uninstall the beta then install the live game, to prevent possible issues. I'll see you in a couple months... not playing till Jan. at earliest. Akiera Title: EQ2 to ship on Nov 8th Post by: AOFanboi on November 08, 2004, 02:41:19 PM What surprised me was that boxes were in Norwegian stores as well (at least one I visited today, Nov. 8). Is there a simultaneous worldwide release or something?
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