people arent wiping so that they can run the newist code, updates or data, people are wiping because the later releases offer somthing they think everybody should have access to. Once a server like the ones you mentioned got what they needed to run, they continue to run on that server release and the clients have to backpatch to play. You guys dont have any clue what has started here. This is a emulation of the largest most played, most devoted involved and biggest selling video game of all time. And the most surprizing thing is SOE hates it now, cant do anything about it, it will most likely be the early death of a dieing legend, but in the end, SOE will make money fom server emulation when they nolonger support there servers. Likewise, mods/hacks and cheats are usually the death of games, bootlegs are the worst, but that doesnt mean that the companies dont capitolize off of that fact.
My prediction is: SOE servers get brought down to 3 servers total, Europe, PvP, Roleplaying... Those servers are un supported and have a monthly maintenance schedule, and no customer support in game. The prices to play per month drop, however the software still sells for at near the same price as it did when it releases its last expansion (even 5-6 years after). All this beacause When sony made the game, verant made the servers, and sony sold software, accounts, and services, verant sold a solid connection. Well Verant isnt around anylonger, and sony has plans to use those servers for later games as the population of EQLive dies. But the best games never die, EQEMu is the pacemaker in development.
When SOE nolonger changes/updates there code, EQEMu will still be making new releases of the emulator, taking off where SOE left off, adding there own new content, abilities, and code. Perhaps by the developers of EQ themselves. How many suggestions have you made at work that get lost in the fast pased lives of overstressed programmers? The Devs at Station.com feel the same way.
Who knows in 20 years Everquest might still be around, and kicking ass because creative intellegent minds have that effect when they put there heads together. If it is around 20 years from now, im sure there will be way more to the game than we would expect, expect even from a game suported by a multi BILLion dollar giant such as Sony.
thats just my 2 cp worth.
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