The Daily Grind: How do you feel about Living Legacy?

I'm a current subscriber of EQ2. Honestly, the Living Legacy promo doesn't bother me in the least. Everyone knows that to run a MMO business, you have to have paying subscribers. If this gets more subscribers that will stay on after their couple of free months, hence keeping EQ going for longer, then cool.

I'm not so selfish as to get upset that the people coming back may be getting something that I'm not. I pay monthly, I play and have fun, I get things in game that I exert effort for, and I have fun doing it. Generally it doesn't bother me what the other guy has or how he got it. As long as "I'm" having fun while playing, then I'm happy with the game.

I agree with Polekatt to a degree.

Current subscribers get all kinds of perks, but they're just spread out over the year. Veteran rewards assure cool items and boost in xp of both kinds. Special events throughout the year reward players with unique types of items as well. These returning players have missed out on things like that and will have to pay to play like everyone else to get those.

I can see the frustration, as it feels a bit like "why not reward those of us who have been playing for a long time". MMO gamers invest a lot of time into their product, and therefore always have a reason to be upset if they don't feel like they're getting everything they possibly can.

Ultimately though, I think they're just short sighted in not realizing what they do get.

While I'm slightly irritated that I resubscribed to EQII a mere three days before the promotion was started, I do think that the Living Legacy offer is necessary to draw people back into the game. I wasn't terribly surprised to find my server's population was lower than it was back in February when I last played, but I have to say it was somewhat depressing to find myself as the only player in zone after zone. So I hope the promotion helps draw people back into the game. I realize that the benefits given to other people are potentially going to help me and the other players in the long run. I think EQII is the best MMO out there right now.

On my server in EQ1, Legacy appears to be working. Some of the main hub zones have had as much as a 300% population increase. I hope the momentum continues.

Some people are a bit upset with it, but in the long run it should really help EQ ans EQ2.

There was a post on EQPlayers that SoE intends to do something for it's players that had active accounts prior to May 31. I kind of figured they wouldn't leave their hardcore players in the lurch.

Sorry to get all religious on everyone... but this sounds exactly like the parable of the Prodigal Son.

The son who never left got all upset and complained that dad gave the returning son all the loot. Meh... the way my mind works.

I'm actually one of those that took advantage of the Living Legacy offer. Now I'm playing EQ2 so maybe its different in EQ1, but the perks aren't *that* significant. It looked like some experience buff potions, a gizmo that lets you re-do your avatar, a bag... I dunno, nothing that felt "unbalancing" or anything like that.

I understand that in EQ1 they gave out some pretty nice armor, so I guess I can see the point of those folks being upset, if you're the competitive sort who wants to have better gear than everyone else.

My only real complaint is... now do I play Eq2 or AoC!!?

EverQuest II you goof! :)
(Disclaimer: I work for SOE and play EQII. I *may* be a little biased.)

Every comment here seems to concentrate on the loot itself, and not the principle behind the loot. Truly, read through the articles we have up at Clockwork Gamer (including the one linked in this article), Stargace's article at MMOQuests, Jaye's article at Journeys with Jaye and you'll find that not one of us is against the idea of new players getting incentives to come back to the game.

The problem is that while those players are being rewarded for being inactive, those who were there the entire time, who have been paying the subscriptions - what was the reward for those players? It's not about greed or avarice here, but about a desire to be acknowledged, recognized, and yes, appreciated for being a loyal customer.

This promotion is great for bringing back former members. That's a good thing. Neglecting to so much as open up alternate avenues to obtain some of the exclusive rewards (in-game pets, titles, etc) to your most loyal customers is not.

It's really great that SOE is offering a program like this. I'm thrilled about it just because I think it's such a great way to get people playing EQ and EQII again and see how much fun those games are.

That said, I understand exactly what those bloggers are saying. SOE has taken everyone that ever played either of those games and given them a boatload of cool stuff to try to entice them back. If you logged into EverQuest II one time, hated it, and never came back, you suddenly get all kinds of cool little pets and perks that aren't available to people who've been playing and paying all along. Those people are most likely the ones that have stuck with the game through good times and bad and been evangelizing it to their friends all through the years---not just when it's free to play for two months.

They might get perks "all the time since they pay and play more" as someone said, but why shouldn't they also get the same perks that everyone else does? It seems silly to punish the people who are your biggest fans, just because they've stood by you. Veteran rewards are minor at best, and I think they might be tied to the account date for EQ2 anyway---so people who bought it at launch and come back may have them all (can anyone confirm or deny?).

I've always thought the parable of the prodigal son was stupid. It's great to reward people who are coming back and celebrate their returned presence in Norrath, but there are enough rewards to go around. Everyone, including current players, should at least be getting the claim perks and expansions offered to returning players.

The real problem I had is that as a Station Pass subscriber, I really get the shaft. I played (and purchased) both EQ & EQ2 in the past, but primarily play SWG and Vanguard. The loot would be nice, but what I really would like is to have my accounts upgraded to the latest version of EQ/EQ2 like the Living Legend folks are. Just seems silly that those who have been paying $30 a month for some time don't get anything, and those who have been away for sometimes YEARS, get a free game along with goodies.

Thanks for nothing SOE, but you lost a subscriber with me, I'm tired of getting the shaft over and over again.

I had an account and started playing WoW so I left EQII and now this is a good way to come back and see the changes that were made.

I had the account that allowed you to play EQ, EQ2, Galaxies, etc and in EQ2 it gave you a couple of extra slots.

I was having a lot of problems with EQ2 at the time and got fed up wtih it and went and played WoW.

Now that I'm getting kinda bored with WoW right now I figured I'd give EQ2 a shot again and I'm enjoying it a lot.

This promo was a good way to bring me back and give me a look at what has changed and the oppurtinity to see what I liked about the game previous.

One thing I have noticed is that you lvl really fast now I created a new necro and within 30 mins I was already lvl 12! So I like that part very much.

Overall I'm very happy and one of the few people that likes EQ

Fuck yes I'm pissed off. And quit throwing that "oh look at all these events for paying subscribers" crap out too. Guess what? THE NON-PAYING QUITTERS GET THOSE EVENTS TOO! How the fuck is that supposed to be a bonus, when the quitters get it, plus all the other shit? I love EQ. I came back to it two months ago after four years away, and apparently they are punishing me for giving them my money again too early. It's total crap. Free SoF? Fine. But the free two months and the free items should be given to ALL. How is it EVER a good idea to fuck the people already giving you money in hopes that others will want to give you money as well? That just doesn't make sense on any level.

SOE has a special talent for fucking over their customer base. And Grimwell idc if it gets you fired I WANT AN APOLOGY FOR THE NGE. Seriously your not going to lose any more subs at this point. Just appease us vets a little. We will still be pissed at SOE but maybe a little less.

I even went as far as calling SOE's "customer no-service" and asking them about the promo, telling them that I was a Station Pass subscriber, but haven't played EQ/EQ2 in a while, and if they could just flag me for having the expansions since they were giving them free to everyone one else (I had purchased EOF). Nope, couldn't do that, only folks who hadn't been playing could get it for free, but I, a paying customer, would have to BUY it if I wanted to play the content.

Since that didn't make any sense in whatsoever, I told them I would cancel the account, which I have. Apparently that was fine with them.

Grimwell - Why don't you throw the loyal customers a bone and at least provide them with what you are providing those who haven't played in a while ? Its nice to see this same point brought up on the SOE forums, and there's no response or explanation at all.

All mages (and summoners) have asked is to have our needs met and we have never asked to have any other class “nerfed”. After 301 posts and the thread being locked, I decided I would pop in here since this thread is headed the same direction.

I am asking for more addresses to use to voice my complaints as a SOE customer for many, many years. I will also be calling and I am considering a blog. I have listed some of the information I am starting with. Feel free to PM me with more sources. I was a customer service manager for many years. The only real changes happen when those who are in charge hear a valid complaint which is causing customer service dissatisfaction and creating a negative impact on customer retention/loyalty. If that complaint comes with valid supporting documentation then it’s taken very seriously. Corrective action finally begins to fix the situation/issues in question.

We have seen a large push in this new living legacy program built to bring back those who have left. Living Legacy is an insult to those who are still here demanding that some quality resources be spent in an effort to support current customer needs. I am very disappointed in the lack of service/support for current customers. I have printed/copied many excellent examples in the forums of clear customer dissatisfaction and a complete lack of customer service response from the Dev’s in charge of combat/spells. I will be using these to help illustrate the complete lack of customer service we have been experiencing. I personally have grown very tired of weak responses or total lack of response by Aeralik on issues such as “Spell-based DPS and the disparity between mages and scouts in the wake of GU43 and GU44.”

PS. I would like to also add, in my letters I will be including compliments to DominoDev and Rothgar for their superior customer service skills.

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