While I was eBaying my old games collection, I came across a sealed copy of EQ Titanium I bought when the progression servers opened. Unfortunately, I found people were exclusively focused on getting max level even on these retro servers, and after two weeks I quit.
My main interest in these servers was to explore zones I had missed the first time around. Zones like Mistimoore which I'd hardly spent any time in (I joined during Kunark). All too soon however the progression guilds had opened Kunark, and were already complaining on the forums that Velious wasn't open despite killing all the bosses.
So anyway, I was thinking to myself "do I sell this or do I open it and install it, and re-sub to EQ for the hell of it?" Of course, the main attraction is the persuasive pull of nostalgia
But then I started to give it some serious thought. What factors would work against me? Well, these are what I could think of:
1. Lack of low-level players (esp new players) to group with. This makes solo necessary with heavy twinking. I won't play an MMO if I have to solo more than I can group.
2. Lack of AAs. AA grinding is something I don't want to repeat, not in EQ anyhow. In a new, fresh game I might have time for it. But I'm not investing myself in EQ like I used to.
3. Lack of population overall. Are there still enough players in EQ to really get the feeling of a proper world? Old-world ghost towns depress me hugely, as I recall the hustle and bustle of the world when I first played.
4. Any expectations of reliving the old game. I'm being honest here - I don't expect to have any of the same experiences again. I'm interested purely in the new content I haven't seen. Of course, I don't know if the price for admission is worthwhile, or if its really gone downhill since I quit (after Gates). Gates was a real low point for those who didn't raid full-time.
5. Raiding. Don't get me wrong, I think raiding is great. But I don't want to play a game where I'm raiding full time. Raiding typically doesn't progress the story much or give you the sheer thrill of a tight group. For me, grouping has always been where the fun is. Soloing and raiding are both OK in small doses, but I wouldn't want to do either exclusively.
So, there it is. I know I shouldn't even be considering it. I know I should go outside and expose my brilliant white skin to the sun's deadly rays. But, deep down, the pull of EQ is still a dull throb inside me, and the temptation to just "give her one more go" is hard to ignore
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