EQ Goes Free to Play

[Noport]

I wonder how that would work I have 4 accounts the main account has higher lvl players started back in 2002. I'll have to look into that more.
I could talk to my guild again let them known how i'm doing. This might shed more light on Hot as i have it enabled on eqemu. This would make
it better for everyone to get there client updates just an idea.

[Speedz]

Speaking of client updates, with this free model I doubt any bundle releases will be sold that Emu can advance on. With patches constantly etc... this could hamper our progression to "keep up" or add new content past the last client compatibility.

That is the idea that kinda sucks but hey it would allow more packet collecting and better refinement of what we actually have. I for one may look into collecting what is needed. Thats about the only reason I would go on live.

[trevius]

Originally Posted by Speedz

Speaking of client updates, with this free model I doubt any bundle releases will be sold that Emu can advance on. With patches constantly etc... this could hamper our progression to "keep up" or add new content past the last client compatibility.

I think it may be the opposite. They haven't yet updated Steam to include a VoA expansion purchase or a new download. When EQ2 went F2P, they put up the new download stuff on Steam right away and you can see them here:

http://store.steampowered.com/search...term=everquest

I don't know if they actually updated the EQ2 client download on Steam at that time, but it is possible. Once EQ1 makes the switch to FTP, I am hoping to see it available that way on Steam and maybe they have just been waiting to do their updates until the F2P change happens. At least we can hope that is the case :P

I also agree with what Lillu said about EQEmu or EQLive losing players to one another. There are many players on EQEmu that probably spend more playing on the EQEmu server they are on than it would cost them to have a subscription to Live for a long time. People are willing to pay for something they enjoy and find worth their money. Many EQEmu players are just the more casual type that don't have the endless amounts of time to play that it takes to make good progress on Live. Though, some are big boxers that might be interested in playing live if they could get away with using MQ2 there to control a crapload of characters. If any servers were going to lose players to EQLive F2P, it would probably be a small amount of the Live-Like servers such as PEQ. Though, most PEQ players have well established characters and probably would not want to start over again. I think most custom servers on EQEmu would be pretty unlikely to lose players. I suggested on the SOE forums years ago that they should allow custom servers that are run by players, as I think that would have a huge impact on their player numbers, but I am sure they think it would be impossible to properly implement a system that would allow that.

[Speedz]

Good to know. I wasn't a huge EQ2 fan. Dropped after the first huge nerf that killed my ranger. So my knowledge of that was null.

Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by trevius

I think it may be the opposite. They haven't yet updated Steam to include a VoA expansion purchase or a new download. When EQ2 went F2P, they put up the new download stuff on Steam right away and you can see them here:

http://store.steampowered.com/search...term=everquest

I don't know if they actually updated the EQ2 client download on Steam at that time, but it is possible. Once EQ1 makes the switch to FTP, I am hoping to see it available that way on Steam and maybe they have just been waiting to do their updates until the F2P change happens. At least we can hope that is the case :P

[Noport]

Originally Posted by Speedz

Speaking of client updates, with this free model I doubt any bundle releases will be sold that Emu can advance on.

That is the idea that kinda sucks but hey it would allow more packet collecting and better refinement of what we actually have. I for one may look into collecting what is needed. Thats about the only reason I would go on live.

They are giving you upto Hot client for Free. They said if you wanted VoA you'll have to buy it. So we'll have to sit back and watch what happends too Steam.

Feq:
All three membership levels give you the House of Thule expansion and access to nearly 13 years' worth of gameplay and diverse zones. The latest expansion, Veil of Alaris, is also available for purchase and will grant you full access to all the features and content of that expansion

Accounts
2. I don't play EverQuest or any SOE games, but I do have a Station account. Can I try EverQuest using my old Station account info?
Yes you can! Click here http://launch.soe.com/everquest/ to download the game now.

[501st]

Originally Posted by Noport

They are giving you upto Hot client for Free. They said if you wanted VoA you'll have to buy it. So we'll have to sit back and watch what happends too Steam.

What they give you access to doesn't matter client side. Expansions and their content are locked via flags that are assigned to your account when you buy an expansion and redeem the code. The CLIENT will have all the way up through Veil of Alaris as well as any new expansions/patches regardless what subscription type you have, however. You won't be able to access them on Live, but you would on EQEmu...

As for Steam, you're right. As Trev said, Valve promoted EQ2 when they went F2P and dumped client updates. Anyone who uses Steam a lot may want to keep an eye out around March to see if SoE/Valve does the same for EQ1. It may mean a client update which MAY mean VoA on EQEmu.

-Danyelle/Miku