LOL.
I read a long time ago that Verant has approximately two zones per machine (decked out PIIs is what I recall, but that's probably wrong). One of those two zones is rarely used (only a few people on one zone - i.e. Ogguk), and the other zone is busy (i.e. Kael). One machine basically handles about 100 people, then you start to notice serverside lag.
I agree that pathing would be nice to have, but to me it is hardly something that would be *the* defining feature of EQEmu. I appreciate what these guys are doing, and how far they've come so far. To me, what would make EQEmu really amazing in the next few months is this:
1) Work on the inventory a bit more. You guys have done a great job with the random itemizer for specific mob ranges. There are databases at Allakhazam that have specific drops for the higher end mobs - when the Avatar of War starts to drop a blade of carnage, pants, AND a mask, that will be pretty neat. To me, this is something that can be easily delegated out because all it needs is a lot of grunt work itemizing specific mobs (approximately 100 - 150 noteworthy mobs - i.e., big bosses, and a few specific quest mobs).
2) Get working portals into the game. For example, in Ssra Temple and Vex Thal, none of the portals work. The zone out from NToV is bugged. You can't click on the entrance to the ToV from WW because it doesn't exist. You guys have done a stellar job getting zone lines coded into the game, and with the last patch, most of them seem to be working well.
3) Along with portals, get some doors up! I like the doors you've coded in certain zones. I'm not sure how you'll be able to do this except by having someone walk around in all the zones getting the loc of every stinkin door. Perhaps something to delegate out?
4) A few quests, just to get the coding into the game? If you start with a few epic quests (if you want the complete textual exchange that occurs between a PC and NPC, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you - I have it for *all* of the epic quests), that might be a pretty neat thing.
5) Related to (4) is NPCs that understand faction. From what I've seen of the database, factions are already in the Emu. However, there aren't very many NPCs that aggro me. What I think is funny is that they consider me indifferently before *and after* I aggro them
.
Like I said earlier, you developers are absolutely incredible. You've done a stellar job bringing this to life and keeping it going. I use the Emu before every raid to scope out the zones, figure out new tactics, and more - and it is very valuable to me in that regard. It's also a fun thing to play around with - I like how looking at your reconstruction teaches me about how the game works, and I think that's pretty cool.
I wish I had more time to help you guys out. This is something I'd love to do when I take a vacation next year...
Cheers!