EQ2 sweeps Beckett MASSIVE ONLINE GAMER Reader's Choice Awards

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Awards link removed, see post #5.


Best Expansion/Addition of 2007 for Rise of Kunark, though they tied it with WoW:TBC.

Best MMO of 2007
Best Fantasy MMO of 2007

Not a bad haul at all for a game thats 4 years old now. :)

More extensive GU42 Preview, with pics

-Epic Weapons, lore based reaching back far into EQ lore
-Three returning deities
-New Pet Control method, with interaction and personalization options
-Connectivity window
-Armor and weapons display mannequins (I'm going to have fun with these)
-Broker Search upgrade

Alalkhazam GU42 Information regarding PvP Armor and Writs

 

Feneant2

Golden Member
May 26, 2004
1,418
30
91
Your awards link is broken, it goes to a scheduled outage instead :p

GU42 should be one of their best update in a while. I want to see the crafter cloaks myself.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: Feneant2
Your awards link is broken, it goes to a scheduled outage instead :p

GU42 should be one of their best update in a while. I want to see the crafter cloaks myself.

Hmm, it worked when I posted it. I don't see the link on the main news page any more either.

Edit - Here is a link to the site directly. They don't state who the winners are though, they want you to buy the magazine. If I had to guess why the link was taken down, it was because SOE wasn't supposed to jump the gun. But thats just a theory.
 

Drift3r

Guest
Jun 3, 2003
3,572
0
0
Let me know when I won't be wearing the same plate armor except with a new texture skin on it for the next 80 levels or when they get rid of the clay faced models.

After the GU that has fixed these issues has launched I'll think about it going back but by then EQ2 should be approaching the 100th level grind mark and frankly I don't see point to playing any game that goes above 60-70 levels. Hell if I just wanted to grind out levels I'd play Lineage 2 instead because at least it has a better pvp system.
 

Drift3r

Guest
Jun 3, 2003
3,572
0
0
Originally posted by: Zeppelin2282
Never tried EQ...how does the pvp compare to WOW?

It doesn't. If you play EQ2 you play if for the PVE. PVP in EQ2 is a tacked on shambles. If you want a better or equal pvp game wait for WAR or play EVE online or DAOC if anyone is still playing it.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: Drift3r
Let me know when I won't be wearing the same plate armor except with a new texture skin on it for the next 80 levels or when they get rid of the clay faced models.

After the GU that has fixed these issues has launched I'll think about it going back but by then EQ2 should be approaching the 100th level grind mark and frankly I don't see point to playing any game that goes above 60-70 levels. Hell if I just wanted to grind out levels I'd play Lineage 2 instead because at least it has a better pvp system.

That was addressed, partially, a while back with the appearance tab. You have your equipped gear, with it stats applied. You also the equipped items that you display. These don't give you any bonuses, however, you can see the clothing you wish. Enrin's wearing a drop dead sexy, colorful, gi-like, dress-like, outfit.
 

Drift3r

Guest
Jun 3, 2003
3,572
0
0
Originally posted by: Bateluer
Originally posted by: Drift3r
Let me know when I won't be wearing the same plate armor except with a new texture skin on it for the next 80 levels or when they get rid of the clay faced models.

After the GU that has fixed these issues has launched I'll think about it going back but by then EQ2 should be approaching the 100th level grind mark and frankly I don't see point to playing any game that goes above 60-70 levels. Hell if I just wanted to grind out levels I'd play Lineage 2 instead because at least it has a better pvp system.

That was addressed, partially, a while back with the appearance tab. You have your equipped gear, with it stats applied. You also the equipped items that you display. These don't give you any bonuses, however, you can see the clothing you wish. Enrin's wearing a drop dead sexy, colorful, gi-like, dress-like, outfit.

Sorry but it was not fully addressed in my book. The appearance tab is just a bandaid to the real problem of singular armor model designs for each armor type in the game. You still have the same recycled armor models that have not changed since the game has launched. You can mix and match armor but they are still the same boring models. The appearance tab is just one notch higher then adding new textures to these rehashed armor model designs but it's not fully addressing the issue at all.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: Drift3r
Originally posted by: Bateluer
Originally posted by: Drift3r
Let me know when I won't be wearing the same plate armor except with a new texture skin on it for the next 80 levels or when they get rid of the clay faced models.

After the GU that has fixed these issues has launched I'll think about it going back but by then EQ2 should be approaching the 100th level grind mark and frankly I don't see point to playing any game that goes above 60-70 levels. Hell if I just wanted to grind out levels I'd play Lineage 2 instead because at least it has a better pvp system.

That was addressed, partially, a while back with the appearance tab. You have your equipped gear, with it stats applied. You also the equipped items that you display. These don't give you any bonuses, however, you can see the clothing you wish. Enrin's wearing a drop dead sexy, colorful, gi-like, dress-like, outfit.

Sorry but it was not fully addressed in my book. The appearance tab is just a bandaid to the real problem of singular armor model designs for each armor type in the game. You still have the same recycled armor models that have not changed since the game has launched. You can mix and match armor but they are still the same boring models. The appearance tab is just one notch higher then adding new textures to these rehashed armor model designs but it's not fully addressing the issue at all.

Hence why I said partially fixed. :p I know its a band-aid, but its a nice band-aid.

There is a skeletal revamp in progress that will introduce an entirely redesigned skeletal system to make it easier to add armor and clothing into the game. At the moment, its a good deal of work to implement armor items that tailor to the game's many races. I haven't heard any release data on that front though. The topic crops up in many dev posts as well as the podcasts.

They may choose to push it out with the 5th expansion in the 2008 holiday season, but thats strictly my take and is in no way representative of the dev's plans or what will actually happen.
 

CKent

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
9,020
0
0
Thanks for the heads-up, Bate. I now know that Beckett Massive Online Gamer is completely and utterly worthless and probably takes bribes. It's good to know what to avoid when looking for real info about MMORPGs ^_^
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: CKent
Thanks for the heads-up, Bate. I now know that Beckett Massive Online Gamer is completely and utterly worthless and probably takes bribes. It's good to know what to avoid when looking for real info about MMORPGs ^_^

I was wondering when the resident anti-SOE fanboy would show up, hows it hanging?

Might as well post this link to another GU42 preview video, this one showing in game footage of a few of the upcoming epic weapons. Looks really bad ass, but they unfortunately didn't show the monk epic weapon.

 

DarkRipper

Golden Member
Jun 29, 2000
1,351
0
71
I wasn't happy with how I was basically forced into grouping post level 20 in EQ2.

I'm sure it's great fun when you're finally at endgame, but getting there casually, forget it.

Now, the beginner island, that was actually fairly fun :)
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: DarkRipper
I wasn't happy with how I was basically forced into grouping post level 20 in EQ2.

All the EQ games have always been more group oriented, though there have been many additions to EQ2 that increase the amount of solo content. I'd say its fairly easy to solo to 30, and with minimal grouping make it past 40.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
GU42 is live.

Game Update #42 February / 06 / 2008

HIGHLIGHTS

A new epic quest line is available for every class of adventurer and crafter who has reached level 80.
The Avatars of the Gods have returned with renewed strength and new members: The Tribunal, Karana and Bertoxxolous.
New mannequins are available for displaying armor and weapons in your house. You can acquire them from some of your more dedicated and advanced crafting friends.
Two new UI windows are available: Pet Options and Connection Status. Check out the User Interface section for details.
PvP armor sets and PvP based writs are now available on the PvP servers.


GAMEPLAY

Summoners are now granted an additional spell at level 2 so they can complete Arcane Storm properly.
NPC?s in raid zones that you would normally see will no longer disappear when running on low graphics settings.
The Clockwork Menace Factory will once again allow you to enter as long as one group member has the power cell key.
AFK flags will no longer be removed when zoning.
Racial innate abilities are now displayed in the achievement window along with the traits, traditions and trainings.
Mount Merchant Laydin Haggus of Teren?s Grasp will now sell high level mounts to those allied with the forces of evil.




PvP RULESET

At long last, PvP Armor Sets are now available! Seek out Lady Arlen Sunbeam and Sir Drofecid Tops in Kylong Plains for more information.
Spread throughout the world, you can now find characters that give out pvp based writs. Tokens have been removed from player drops and are now obtained through the writ system.
Shrink effects will no longer work on PvP servers
Charmed mobs should not be as powerful as they once were
Transcribers should no longer give out temporary spells from the Necromancer Siphoning of Souls line
Coercers
-Agonizing Silence line has had its stifle duration reduced



BROKER

You can now search for items on the broker by effect name. For example, open the advanced search page and enter ?Aura of Agility? in the item effect field to find all items with this effect.


ITEMS

Frostfell themed food house items now remain edible all year round.
The lust, devotion, passion and love candles can now have their hearts lit or extinguished.
Rare leather pelts found in treasure chests should stack with harvested rare leather pelts from now on. They still may not stack with older pelts, however. (Local tradeskill society advisors suggest pack rats may therefore wish to use the older ones up first.)
Clockwork Earring has been renamed to Clockwork Ring to reflect its equip slot
Red-saddled Midnight Mistrunner Horse Whistle should now be usable by Good-aligned players.
Heartfinder should no longer give error messages about lacking the required skill to use.
Seared Bandolier and Buz?zard?s Shortbow should no longer move to your overflow after zoning.
Most power healing procs will no longer break stealth.
The proc on Bristlebane?s Cane of Trickery should now trigger correctly.


ZONES

Gorowyn
The elevator in Gorowyn will now stop in line with the platforms.

Sinking Sands
There should now be fewer unreachable mining nodes in the Sinking Sands. Should you encounter any after this update, please submit a /bug with the location.

Kunzar Jungle
Repeatable quests in Kunzar Jungle now give more faction.

Charasis: the Maiden?s Chamber
Bilithu of the Old Ways:
Summons of the Feaster is no longer affected by mana draining spells and abilities.

Bilithu?s power pool has been reduced.

Drusella Sathir:
Drusella?s Necromantic Aura now initially clears all hostile spells cast on her.

While under the protection of her necromantic aura, Drusella will no longer auto attack.

Isle of Mara
Artisan quests on the Isle of Mara now grant tradeskill experience, instead of adventure experience.



ACHIEVEMENTS

Bruiser
Enhance: Knockout line should properly update the damage now.



SPELLS

Level 60 to 70 dumbfire pets should now scale properly with the caster before an upgraded spell is available.
Berserker
The adrenaline power drain will no longer be absorbed by wards.

Brigand
Amazing reflexes can no longer have its trigger percentage modified unless specified explicitly.

Necromancer
Siphoning of Souls should now return the appropriate level spell for Soothing Soul.

Ranger
Hook Arrow should no longer move stationary creatures and objects.

Shaman
An issue that might cause wards to have a long delay in their initial update after zoning has been fixed.

Warlock
Dark Broodlings should now cast at the level of the caster.



QUESTS

Repeating the Sebilis quests "Swords To Be Swiped" and "Sathirian Hunting Party" will now reward more Synod Reet faction than previously.
While on the quest, ?In Honor and Service?, players that accidentally destroyed the orc expedition keys can now loot them again if they are on the stage requiring them to open the chests.
The first stage of the quest ?The Teachings of Yoru? now updates correctly on the number of wood pieces collected.
The quest ?An Ugly Bounty? has received a new reward, and players who have sold their previous rewards can return and purchase the new earring if they wish.
The quest ?Nothing on the Mind? in Jarsath Wastes no longer awards the same item as the quest ?Deadly Waters!? For those that have already finished ?Nothing on the Mind? Mirg Nel?Ron, The Sel?Nok Brigade Quartermaster, has a new item to sell you.


TRADESKILLS

Grandmasters belonging to the tradeskill societies of the five starting cities now offer another quest for crafters level 30 and above who have completed their previous quest, Journeyman Service. Seek out Grandmaster Kawayzer (West Freeport), Grandmaster Kimbialis (Ironforge Exchange, off North Qeynos), Grandmaster Zyrythius (Neriak), Grandmaster Feldmanus (Kelethin), or Grandmaster Jayak (Gorowyn) to begin.
Tradeskill societies in the five starting cities of Norrath now offer a new recipe book to those they regard warmly.
Provisioners noticed they had two separate recipes for prickly pear muffins, and have reformulated the level 55 recipe to create prickly pear crumpets instead. Mmm, crumpets.
The recipe for luscious cranberry pie with cream now requires 6 fuel, but the pie will last longer.
"Hair of the Dog" is now a level 25 provisioner recipe, instead of level 35.
Carpenters will find two new recipes, one in each of carpenter essentials volume 60 and 62, which should be pleasing for home decorators.
The number of charges on the Gnomish Safety Recaller has been increased to 20.
"Fizzlebottom's Wondrous Hover-gasser" recipe book is now known as "Fizzlebottom's Remarkable Rechargeration Recipes" and also contains a recharger recipe for the Gnomish Safety Recaller. It is still for sale in Steamfont Mountains at Gnomeland Security.
The Gigglegibber's Secret of Death now has only a 1 second casting time.
Scintillating restorative stitching now has a minimum required level to use of 60, in line with other adornments of the same level.
Condemning Smite Adept III now correctly returns 2 flickering dust as a byproduct.
"Common Writing" and "Spectral Influx" sage reaction arts should now correctly prevent a failure when used to counter an event.


PETS

Pets should now be able to keep up with their owners.
Each pet will now keep his name when zoning instead of all using the current pet name.




USER INTERFACE

There is a new command for un-equipping items in your appearance slots. /unequip_appearance <slot>
Pet Options Window
The pet options window allows you to set custom options for every pet you have.

To open this window, right click on a pet and choose Pet Options or type /petoptions

Settings persist through recasting of your pet and include:

Pet Name

Pet Hide Status

Controllable pet states:

- Protect Me

- Protect Self

- Stay

- Follow

- Fight Melee

- Fight Ranged

Connection Stats Window
We?ve added a connection statistics window which will show your ping, bytes per second, frames per second and packet loss. The default key to toggle this window is F11.