Devs just announced it. The NDA was lifted :)

I was covered by an nda? yeah yeah i know, but i still talked to my friends about it like i wasn't.

NDA= Non Disclosure Agreement? So that means we will get all the dope on everything now eh? Well, Christmas is just a few short months off.

I'm hearing November 23rd. Anyhow someone snapped a ScreenShot of the announcement.

http://immortalfellowship.org/movies/pics/NDA.JPG

Is that seriously supposed to be the game? I can see cutting some slack for it being a work in progress, but that whole thing just looks so... BAD.

Every screenshot I've seen of it or from it just looks awful.

Well everyone has an opinion I suppose. I think eyecandy wise it looks way better than WoW. The quality of these screenshots do not do it justice but here are two that I took tonight. I'm sneaking while in flight, lol....thinking that's odd but anyway....

http://userweb.suscom.net/~kbunn/pics/flying.JPG

http://userweb.suscom.net/~kbunn/pics/fanuidhol.JPG

http://userweb.suscom.net/~kbunn/pics/sneak.JPG

If someone has a suggestion for how to get better quality in my screenshots do share :)

You need to play it before you can get an idea on how it really looks, and feels. Each city, Qeynos and Freeport, are completely different in almost every way. Walking through Freeport and looking up at The Overlords tower is an amazing sight, as you see the exploded moon that was Luclin pass by.

On my current machine it runs pretty flawlessly (very few slow downs) with graphic settings on high quality. Running a p4 1.8ghz 1gb ram geforce 6800 128mb at 1280x1024.

I'm sure people with much better systems will see increase performance and quality in graphics, but thus far I only have 1 complaint, and it's being addressed. The constant zone crashes / lag of antonica.

It's really a fun game, I found myself actually wanting (and needing) to do quests, and found them both fun and interesting. Tradeskills are also now more of a "challenge" - you can get tradeskill "buffs" and use them while tradeskilling to give chances at success (not sure on exact terminology, so i'll say "tick") on each tick. Tradeskills aren't just simple click and combine, you have to actually help create the item now. Every "tick" that goes by you can gain towards creating the item (of differing qualities, based on how far you can go before the items are destroyed in the process).

Well anyway, I really think people should try the game before they judge it, that's all. :)

Seriously. Those screenshots look like Bard's Tale 3 or something. Especially the UI.

Someone download fraps and make a movie. I want to see these subliminal messages that make people able to stomach this mess. :p

http://everquest2.station.sony.com/

There are in game movies there. And from my experience anyway, it's pretty damn close to the real thing. If I had a connection with a higher upload speed than 12KB/s I'd make one, but I do not :(

try these links ********.

http://files.filefront.com/3636243;/pub2/EverQuest%202/Media/Videos%20and%20Trailers/

http://files.filefront.com/3640285;/pub2/EverQuest%202/Media/Videos%20and%20Trailers/
all the damn pop-ups are annoying but not many people have the space for a 90+MB to host them.

Both are the scout class.

I'm sure people with much better systems will see increase performance and quality in graphics, but thus far I only have 1 complaint, and it's being addressed. The constant zone crashes lag of antonica.yes my biggest complaint too....but tonight was the first night I could fight in lagtonica without yanking my hair out in disgust at the lag. it actually wasn't too bad.

I am not a fan of the character models. Everyone seems too...short and stout. Like the gnome was the basis for everything from gnomes through all the elven races and the dwarves. If I play EQ2, you will see me play as Lummus, DE warrior more than likely (yah I am such an unoriginal piece of batdung, but hey, old tricks are the best tricks) but damn if I want to look like a Keebler elf that fell into a bottle of ink. The world looks nice. Lots of eyecandy to the point where my computer is feeling like the Little Engine that Might Not Be Able To. It will take some time for those models to grow on me though. Granted this is based on screenshots. I am not in Beta.

As for WoW, it seems alot like a smoother and more refined version of WC3, with lots of overly bright colors never concieved in Nature but perhaps found in comic books. Maybe that is the idea. World of Warcraft is JUST THAT. WoW is not trying to create a photoreal fantasy world like EQ. They are plugging you into the narative parts of Warcraft 3, where the 3D models set the stage for that chapter of the plot. Only those models are YOU and your friends. As a result, I don't think WoW has anything to prove, because they have already proven it, thus removing alot of potential for disappointment. What you will see is more specific of the general WC3 introduced on a much grander canvas. You have to remember that these games ARE art and reflect certain styles.

EQ2 is another story, where they are going to try and prove that they can perhaps re-invent the wheel. Coca Cola has tried to do that a few times too, and our friends in Hotlanta know that North Ave produced a piece of crap when it tried to market Coke 2 along with what became to be know as Coca Cola Classic.

I have loved EQ 2 beta so far, I find EQ 2 to be a lot of fun and gives that total sense of newbness we all had in EQ 1 so long ago.

Other then that I do believe in the end EQ 2 will out last WOW just due to the exp of the genre. Both will apeal to different people.

Long story short, EQ2 doesn't stand a chance of being anywhere near as good a game as WoW. I'm at a LAN gaming party atm, but when I get home if you're interested I have a huge write-up I made for when the NDA was lifted.

Seriously. Those screenshots look like Bard's Tale 3 or something. Especially the UI.

Someone download fraps and make a movie. I want to see these subliminal messages that make people able to stomach this mess.
hi2u fanboi

Uh, that'd be you. You're the one always harping on how cool it is, while sending me screenshots of it that look worse than EQ1. Yuck.

i don't know sanchek, you're the only one screaming that it looks like shit, even the staff for vanguard is saying how well the game looks, especially for a MMO

Well, I think what I've seen so far looks really incredibly bad. Especially if you factor in that pathetic UI. When I'm ready for the guys at Sigil to think for me, I'll let you know.

edit: And, I'm far from the only person saying it looks like a bag of ass. Read the Internet sometime.

I've played WoW so I know that the game is awesome, but I can't help but also being pretty excited to think of EQ2. Just watching the in-depth version of the game, the fight with the dragon just looks amazing. I don't think it looks as bad as some people say.

World of Warcraft is definately more tailored to the people who played Warcraft3 and Diablo. Its cartoony to a point, definately designed to be played in a player vs player aspect, and so forth. I find that very appealing. Everquest 2 it seems they basically did away with everything that was bad about EQ1 and refined it. This game should probably appeal more to current players of Everquest (and not so much to those who decided to quit the game, because they've probably had issues with the style long ago).

Long story short, this is gonna be debated as much as the presidential election. The only thing that'll matter is the vote on November 15th, and then to see how many people are happy with their decision a few months later. The next big step is how well the game is supported in the long run, which will continue to provide quality content and updates. Regretably for some, Sony has a better track record in that area.

Now that the NDA is off I have a question. It's a question that I will base my entire purchase off of when I get a machine capable of running either one..:p

How is the casual player going to fair in EQ2. I noticed in one of those screen shots someone shouting "LFG!". Oh dear god! Now I understand the need for a group. But will I be able to still advance as far as I want in the game with out the hours and hours and hours and hours (am I making my point clear?) of screaming "48 BST LFG/A"?????? That's it. That's all I want to know. I will be basing my purchase of your singe answers...

I have had little issue with playing solo or finding a group. There is a lfg tool that seems too work just fine. I mostly play solo and maybe throw on the LFG tool and see if something bites if no friends are on.

I plan on Duo MMORPGing. Thats right, both EQ 2 and WoW at the same time. Anyways, I enjoy EQ 2 but it does need serious serious retuning. They are rushing and it is obvious. WoW has 6 or 7 months on them as far as beta is concerned and so ya WoW is going too come out with much more polish. In fact EQ 2 would do good too stay in beta 5 more months and release later where I think they will gain a greater subscribership off folks that are tired of WoW. If they release at the same time then all they are doing is forcing folks too make a decision. The typical MMORPGer does not have time for two games and the SMART MMORPGer will of course pick WoW because on Nov 15th WoW is going too be better.

Its retarded how these publishers act sometimes, take for example the recent release of Kohan 2, Rome Total War, and Warhammer 40,000. All of the games are RTS's, and all released on the same day. THE SAME DAY. These publishers need a decent flogging.

If you're casual type A where you play alot, you just don't want to be a hardcore gamer, you'll do fine. If you're casual tybe B where you only have 2 hours a night tops to play, don't even give EQ2 a second look. It's not even worth picking the box up to admire teh cover art.

Sanchek, akin to L2 bitching about how the icons and graphics in WoW sucked according to screenshots (which really don't do the game justice), you are commenting in the same fashion. You:
1) Haven't played EQ2, and honestly, the graphics are stunning, I love the job they did on them.

2) You've only played WoW, and are currently addicted to it, so honestly the main reason you're harping on EQ2 is out of loyalty.

I disagree with you Zhen and here's why.


My GF has been in beta for almost 2 months and she has soloed practically the whole time, her only groups have been with me. She loves it, she logs in for about 1-3 hrs at a time runs all over the place doing quests, crafting etc and just really enjoys it.

I log in find a group and go experience like crazy. Unfortunately I am sharing a beta account with another friend and my GF refuses to let me use hers b/c we'll fight over it =\

I'm not going to kid you and say that if you solo you will be privvy to the same stuff as someone who groups or is in a guild b/c everytime I log in and find a group I plow through my levels but then I'm not much of a quester anyway =\

Here is an example of where guilds will be important. You want a horse? If your in a guild and have "Status Points" it will be a hell of allot cheaper than if you aren't.

To answer your main question though Osg, I have never had an issue finding a group....be it a full group or just to duo.

osgil, depends on what and how far you want to advance in the game


you want to be able to compete with high end peope, or be able to get to the high end casually? in eq2, no, will not happen, most likely the more casual people will turn into trade skill junkies like in EQ1

if all you are doing is 1 to 2 hours of gameplay a day or less, then wow would be your game more then eq2

Sanchek, akin to L2 bitching about how the icons and graphics in WoW sucked according to screenshots (which really don't do the game justice), you are commenting in the same fashion. You:
1) Haven't played EQ2, and honestly, the graphics are stunning, I love the job they did on them.

2) You've only played WoW, and are currently addicted to it, so honestly the main reason you're harping on EQ2 is out of loyalty.
The reason I'm commenting on the graphics is because everyone hypes them so much, and I find them majorly lacking. The game could be great, and just have funny looking graphics I guess. Graphics aren't the most important thing at all, of course. Though, the rest of the game strikes me as a weird cross between the Sims and EQ1 anyway.

1) That doesn't explain why every screenshot I've ever seen either looks depressingly drab and flat, or like a department store manequin with latex streched over it and a shiney face drawn on. Fire up fraps and show me some of this "stunning" graphics. What you sent me before literally looked like Bard's Tale 3, with a worse UI (and it matches what I've seen from others). The only movies I've seen that look any good are the ones from SOE with no UI. Soon as you find a movie of real gameplay, it looks drab and grainy again, like the screenshots.

2) Not really. I don't think they cater to the same audience at all. I don't stand to gain anything by promoting one or bashing the other. If you were to ask me, I'd say WoW is in serious danger of prematurely releasing and not living up to the hype. If that's what you call "fanboi", then um.. okay.

Gotta love the irony in you calling me a "fanboi", when you're the one all upset that I think your game looks like a bag of ass.

heh fazin isn't pissed off, you come off pissed off when other people disagree with you though


a weird cross between the Sims and EQ1 anyway.
i have zero idea how you are getting this

i won't comment on the rest of it since its just purely your opinion

If you're casual type A where you play alot, you just don't want to be a hardcore gamer, you'll do fine. If you're casual tybe B where you only have 2 hours a night tops to play, don't even give EQ2 a second look. It's not even worth picking the box up to admire teh cover art.
Thanks Zehn, I think I may do jus that as I am like a "C" type player. Forget 2 hours a night. I have like 2 hours a week to play. I want to be able to jump in. Maybe find a casual guild. Meets some new friends and goof off every now and then. I hope in one of the up coming games I can do that.

Yes, I'm fuming over someone else's opinion of a video game that isn't released yet. Right. I'm actually punching holes in the walls here, between every sentence I type.

I think every 3rd thing I've heard about EQ2 has something to do with how you can get guild respect points and buy different clothes, or furniture, or silverware sets. It sounds like Martha Stewart broke loose from prison and went on the lam as a SOE developer. Hence the Sims comment.

I'm sure that it wont be long before people start releasing custom UI's for EQ2. It's in the same format as EQ1 (XML) so I expect some will make ports of current UI's of EQ1 to EQ2. As well as several "new" UI's. I don't see that as being an issue.

One other thing I guess is sort of annoying about EQ2 is in the combat system there are "Heroic Opportunities" (HO's). It's sort of hard to explain so here's a quote from the beta boards.

1.) Open a starter chain
A starter chain appears when you use a spell or combat art that happens to be the first link in a starter chain. When the chain is initiated, the icon of the spell or combart art that began it appears in the center of a circle with possible link icons around it that are blinking.
2.) Continue the chain
Use a spell or combat art that has one of the link icons associated with it. This responsibility is shared by the entire party. If anyone in the group uses a spell or combat art other than one with a matching icon, then the starter chain is lost and a new one must be started from scratch.

3.) Completing a Starter Chain
Repeat step two until a starter chain is complete. If completed, the starter chain initiates a heroic opportunity from its opportunity list. Currently each starter chain can choose one of three opportunities: common, uncommon, or rare.

4a.) Heroic Opportunity Completion
The party can complete a heroic opportunity by using spells and abilities with icons that match those in he opportunity wheel. Sometimes an opportunity wheel requires the opportunities to be completed in a certain order; other times it does not. If one of your abilities can advance the opportunity wheel, the icon for that spell or combat art will blink.

Using a spell or combat art that doesn't match the next icon in the wheel does not cancel the opportunity; however, it will not advance the opportunity wheel. Each opportunity has a time limit of 30 seconds; if it isn't completed in that time, the opportunity fails.

4b.) Heroic Opportunity Shift
Each opportunity has a special shift icon associated with it: the coin. Scouts may use combat arts with that symbol to shift to another heroic opportunity. They may do this only once and must use the ability before any others have been used to advance the opportunity wheel.
The problem I have with this system is that pickup groups tend to not be able to use the HO's to their full potiential. You get different minds having different ideas, people using multiple starter chains and messing up other sequences, etc. I think those that have a group of friends they normall play with, they'll be able to take advantage of this more. Much like groups in EQ1, if you know what your group mates are thinking, things go a lot more smoothly. HO's are not required (and for a while they were disabled on Beta) to defeat mobs, but they provide something to do instead of the normal auto attack / backstab every time the icon pops.

I think every 3rd thing I've heard about EQ2 has something to do with how you can get guild respect points and buy different clothes, or furniture, or silverware sets. It sounds like Martha Stewart broke loose from prison and went on the lam as a SOE developer. Hence the Sims comment.
heh thats kind of a strech for claiming EQ2 is a mix of a sim, the guilds can earn charisma points with their town to get lower prices, and be able to buy different items other not-as-active guilds could not, makes sence to me i doubt to see how this is "sims" like or "martha stewart in a MMO" like either

i think HO's are a great aspect of splitting the part timer apart from the hard core player, the hard core player is giong to have hard core playing friends knowing how to do the HO's and doing much more content then the part timer, its giving an advantage to the people who play alot and gives a reason to pick someone who knows what they are doing over a "nice" person who doesn't cause the dreaded drama

try these links ********.

http://files.filefront.com/3636243;/pub2/EverQuest%202/Media/Videos%20and%20Trailers/

http://files.filefront.com/3640285;/pub2/EverQuest%202/Media/Videos%20and%20Trailers/
all the damn pop-ups are annoying but not many people have the space for a 90+MB to host them.

Both are the scout class.
I liked the underwater part in the second one.

Gokuu, was that last post supposed to be coherent?

he reason I'm commenting on the graphics is because everyone hypes them so much, and I find them majorly lacking. The game could be great, and just have funny looking graphics I guess. Graphics aren't the most important thing at all, of course. Though, the rest of the game strikes me as a weird cross between the Sims and EQ1 anyway.

1) That doesn't explain why every screenshot I've ever seen either looks depressingly drab and flat, or like a department store manequin with latex streched over it and a shiney face drawn on. Fire up fraps and show me some of this "stunning" graphics. What you sent me before literally looked like Bard's Tale 3, with a worse UI (and it matches what I've seen from others). The only movies I've seen that look any good are the ones from SOE with no UI. Soon as you find a movie of real gameplay, it looks drab and grainy again, like the screenshots.

2) Not really. I don't think they cater to the same audience at all. I don't stand to gain anything by promoting one or bashing the other. If you were to ask me, I'd say WoW is in serious danger of prematurely releasing and not living up to the hype. If that's what you call "fanboi", then um.. okay.

Gotta love the irony in you calling me a "fanboi", when you're the one all upset that I think your game looks like a bag of ass.
I'm not playing EQ2 in release, just for the record. I just feel you're making a huge assumption on a game you've only seen one frame at a time.

I'm not playing EQ2 in release, just for the record. I just feel you're making a huge assumption on a game you've only seen one frame at a time.
The only movies I've seen that look any good are the ones from SOE with no UI. Soon as you find a movie of real gameplay, it looks drab and grainy again, like the screenshots.
Sure.

Because after you fraps something and then compress it there's no loss in quality.

Anyways...

WoW movies did little justice to how well of an enviroment it really was. Usually you find people who post these movies have shit for systems too. I guess you're failing to mention that every screenshot I gave you, I had everything turned off (which I mentioned to you at the time). I run a shit system that sometimes can't handle WoW, if you want a relative idea.

All I can say is that I have played EQ2.
It sucks compaired to World Of Warcraft and I will not be playing it.

I'll try and write a review up when I get home and have more time, but Sanch - I thought the game looked like shit when I saw it through screenshots too.

But trust me, even on my old Radeon 9200, the graphics will blow you away. From the fractured Luclin, strewn across the sky, to the rippling water or fireflies that buzz thickly about the air. This game is beautiful as hell.
The cities and towns are gigantic, bustling hives of interactive pixels. Everything from cats, to kids that play in the streets, monk temples rayed with light that streams in through round, coloured windows.

The graphics are what make this game seem alive, far more alive than anything I've ever seen.

When (and hopefully) you boot up the retail version for the first time, you'll see what we all mean. The rough and crashing sea that carries your boat, to the details on the caged goblin cargo and the spectacular dragon that reigns down on your boat. You'll see :P

I have a few good screenshots that might do it justice. Just nowhere to upload them. Will try and find somewhere when I get home.

I back up Halo in this. When I launched EQ2, and statred playing, my wife (who never played and hates EQ) looked in awe at screen and said "Thats beautiful". And I agree with her.

Now, graphics will make you stick with the game 2, maybe 4 weeks. If you play longer, its purely because of the content, not the graphics.

Lani

EQ2 is like an EQ mod of DAoC. The music was reminiscent of 3 years ago when I last had my music on and some of the old-world references are nifty, but the beta so far hasn't done anything for me. It just seems like another exp/tradeskill/quest treadmill thus far.

I'll still be staying in EQ1, might subscribe to 2 for the nights I dont want to raid, chat, group or 2box alts.

I'll definitly be splitting my time between EQ1 and EQ2. EQ2 is flawed, but hey its still beta, no chance Sony is gonna rush this game is there? <grin>

I'm on Beta 1 as Subg. Seen quite a few Ayonae guilds up and running including VC, Prism, and Black Syndicate. Shoot me a tell and say hi, I usually play after 11 once the fun in EQ1 is winding down.

Kad/Subg

I adore eq2, it has brought so much fun back into gaming for me.

Honestly, I just read the whole EQ2 Lore (so far) and it depressed the hell out of me. Halas and the frozen north are sealed off and gone? The frogloks have been wiped out of Gukta and fled back into Guk? Its sad :(

i think they show what they choose ..

i don't know sanchek, you're the only one screaming that it looks like shit, even the staff for vanguard is saying how well the game looks, especially for a MMO

looks like crap to me. The more real something looks the more plastic it looks in this computer illusion that SoE is using. Man the screenies look like bad couch paintings you buy at a straving artist expose. None of these places are earth so why are they bound by earth's color palette. The colors we find in "nature" would change and look "unreal" if we had a difference sun or a number of other factors. So WoW colors in its nature are fit for it's world not ours. When you see every tree completely define form the next in a forest of trees that is not how we see things in nature.

I had a roughly 7 page write up going pointing out the differences between WoW and EQ2 in fairly deep detail, but honestly, I think I can sum it up by saying that while WoW may not be everybodies cup of tea, EQ2 sucks the absolute ballsack. They had so much potential to make a really great game but failed to deliver on pretty much every level.

If you don't like WoW, save your money and wait for Vanguard to come out. I had really high hopes for EQ2. It's a shame that it's so very uninspired.

Now that the NDA is off I have a question. It's a question that I will base my entire purchase off of when I get a machine capable of running either one..:p

How is the casual player going to fair in EQ2. I noticed in one of those screen shots someone shouting "LFG!". Oh dear god! Now I understand the need for a group. But will I be able to still advance as far as I want in the game with out the hours and hours and hours and hours (am I making my point clear?) of screaming "48 BST LFG/A"?????? That's it. That's all I want to know. I will be basing my purchase of your singe answers...
The questing system is totally different (as is Tradeskills) so far i have never needed more than one partner to complete a quest. Getting a quest partner is much easier IMHO due mainly to the fact that if you and i kill a Mob that has the quest drop we need on it..WE BOTH GET IT!!!!! Secondly I have yet to find a bazaar or anything resembling one and Last point Merchants in my experience do not resell items sold to them...poof they are gone :) Yes it has problems...heck it hasn't even gone public yet and I for one am more than willing to give them a chance to sort it out...so far it appears to be a worthwhile purchase ...but if you are running less than a P4 you will not get the best bang for your buck...I started on a P3 1gig of PC133 and quickly switched to my P4 dual processor with 1 gig DDR 400 9200 series card with 128 meg.... Graphics now rock

try these links ********.

http://files.filefront.com/3636243;/pub2/EverQuest%202/Media/Videos%20and%20Trailers/

http://files.filefront.com/3640285;/pub2/EverQuest%202/Media/Videos%20and%20Trailers/
all the damn pop-ups are annoying but not many people have the space for a 90+MB to host them.

Both are the scout class.
Was anyone able to get these links to work? The sound came down for me, but not the images.

you must download the codecs order to get them to work correctly b/c of the high quality. Try this link http://userweb.suscom.net/~kbunn/mpegs/XviD-1.0.2-29082004.exe