Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The passing of Ribbitribbitt]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-tattered-notebook-the-passing-of-ribbitribbitt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-tattered-notebook-the-passing-of-ribbitribbitt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-tattered-notebook-the-passing-of-ribbitribbitt/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ribbitribbitt
This week's Tattered Notebook started off business as usual. I was putting together part two of a look at the layers of change in EverQuest II through the years. But I was also mulling over a column about the new Hero's Edge items that arrived on the Marketplace; something I had just speculated about in a recent column. There was also the news about upcoming crafting changes to talk about.

And then, suddenly everything gets put into perspective. Ribbitribbitt, the young EQII fan who had been battling cancer, passed away at the age of six. A couple of months ago, the EQII community got a request for assistance in building an in-game playground from his mother, and what followed was an unprecedented show of support. His mother, Myrose, passed along the sad news to the community this past week with a brief forum post, and the community mourned his loss.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll explore how Ribbitribbitt brought a community together, and look at the grieving process from losing an in-game friend.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The passing of Ribbitribbitt

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The passing of Ribbitribbitt originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EQII flying
I was watching Shrek with my kids the other day, and one of my favorite scenes is Shrek's stroll with Donkey when they first meet. Shrek tries to explain how Ogres are like onions and how both have layers. When you think about it, EverQuest II is also like an onion because it has layer after layer of content and features that have stacked up over the years. In fact, some players have argued that there's almost too much to do, particularly at the lower levels.

I have always loved the fact that EverQuest II has been willing to try out new ideas over the years, and some of them have been remarkably successful. But there are a few that have gotten lost in the shuffle, while others have ended up directly conflicting with later additions of content. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll peel back the onion and look at the lost and conflicting layers of EQII.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundseqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEQII-arenasEQII-creaturesEQII-dungeon-finderEQII-lfgEQII-mentoringeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanlevel-agnosticopinionscryingsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Learning from EQII's free-to-play model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-tattered-notebook-learning-from-eqiis-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-tattered-notebook-learning-from-eqiis-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/12/the-tattered-notebook-learning-from-eqiis-free-to-play-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EQII marketplace
What a long way EverQuest II's come! If you had said back in 2004 that the game would not only go free-to-play but have microtransactions and emerge largely intact, I probably would have run to get my pitchfork. But here we are in 2012, and EQII's website has a huge green button that says "Play Free" in big letters, with a long list of special deals on station cash and Marketplace items.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, I want to look back at the evolution of EQII to see how it successfully transitioned while gauging where it's headed down the road when it comes to its payment model. The official move to free-to-play might seem like the final hurdle, but I think we still have a few more around the bend.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Learning from EQII's free-to-play model

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Learning from EQII's free-to-play model originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playnimbynot-in-my-back-yardopinionreal-money-tradingreal-money-transactionsrmtsoesonysony-online-entertainmentstation-exchangetattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 12 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Reading the tea leaves of EQII's May update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-tattered-notebook-reading-the-tea-leaves-of-the-may-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-tattered-notebook-reading-the-tea-leaves-of-the-may-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/the-tattered-notebook-reading-the-tea-leaves-of-the-may-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EQII golem
The paint has barely dried on the Skyshrine Update, and already we're hearing tidbits about what's planned for this month. On Thursday, EverQuest II Producer Holly "Windstalker" Longdale announced a few highlights that players can expect to see in the May update. The monthly letters are always welcomed by players, and this one announces several changes that should shore up the foundation of the game even more. "More" and "new" are often used when it comes to update announcements, but if you heap too much on the very top, you need to go back and work through some of the older content and features to make sure they can support the burden.

Read on for a look at the highlights, which bring a welcome change to Dungeon Maker fans, add a new tool that should make testers happy, and hint at changes to bring about more "low-impact" gameplay.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Reading the tea leaves of EQII's May update

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Reading the tea leaves of EQII's May update originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agnostic-levelingdave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playholly-longdalekaren-bryanmay-updateopinionqeynos-revampsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookwindstalkerSat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: EQII's hidden gems for low-level explorers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-tattered-notebook-hidden-gems-for-low-level-explorers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-tattered-notebook-hidden-gems-for-low-level-explorers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-tattered-notebook-hidden-gems-for-low-level-explorers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Forest Ruins
One of the things I've enjoyed with the new EverQuest II update is how fun it is to get out there and explore the new zones. The Withered Lands has lots of nooks to check out, like the Holgresh caves up along the cliffs and the ruins just outside the Combine Foothold. As much as I like epic storylines and lofty challenges, sometimes it's fun to just mount up and scout out some really interesting locations.

GU63, however, really doesn't offer any new content for lower-level players, and it's hard for someone under level 90 to get around the Withered Lands and Skyshrine safely. But one of the reasons there's not much new content at the lower levels is that past updates have added in so much already that there's almost too much to see and do. Queue up the Bud Light music, for in today's Tattered Notebook, we salute you, Mr. Low-Level Player. You tirelessly work through the Golden Path, but you deserve some cool hunting spots and gorgeous vistas. Below the cut are some of my favorites!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: EQII's hidden gems for low-level explorers

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: EQII's hidden gems for low-level explorers originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEQII-low-level-exploringeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfearfeaturedforest-ruinsfree-to-playisle-of-maralow-levellowbieopinionshard-of-fearsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookzekSat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: What to look forward to in GU63]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-tattered-notebook-what-to-look-forward-to-in-gu63/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-tattered-notebook-what-to-look-forward-to-in-gu63/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/the-tattered-notebook-what-to-look-forward-to-in-gu63/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Skyshrine from Withered Lands
So there I was, watching the server status on the EverQuest II official site on my mobile phone and seeing server after server start to go back online. Game Update 63 officially launched this week, and with it came the much-awaited return of the Skyshrine dragons. But this week happens to be spring vacation week, so as much as I was hoping to see things firsthand, I was out of town and offline as I enjoyed some surprisingly pleasant weather on the beach in New England and in downtown New York City.

Although I missed launch, I got a feel for some of the new content while it was on Test, plus I had a sneak peek with the recent EQII tour, so this week I'm going to digest what I saw, pretend that launch hasn't happened yet, and highlight a few things that I'm looking forward to seeing with the patch. If you're already dipping your toes into the content, think of me, face pressed against the glass as I watch helplessly, and see whether there's anything on my list that might be something you hope to see as well (but hopefully not long before I do!).

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: What to look forward to in GU63

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: What to look forward to in GU63 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Withered Lands Giant
For those gamers who have been patiently waiting to hear about GU63, the past few weeks have been a treat. We've shown off a few trailers on Massively, the official site has hosted a couple of team interviews, and even the SOE Twitch TV channel has been focused on EverQuest II. In fact, the recent webcast was the second part of a featured series on the update, and this one took a closer look Skyshrine and also answered a few fan questions. EQII Producer Holly "Windstalker" Longdale, Lead Designer Akil "Lyndro" Hooper, and SOE Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson sat down to preview what's coming to a server near you. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at the highlights and analyze what it means to both new players and old. Read on for the skinny!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Skyshrine, mercs, Qeynos, and shields that roar

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Skyshrine, mercs, Qeynos, and shields that roar originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akil-hooperanimated-shieldsdave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEQII-PvPeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playholly-longdalekaren-bryanmercenariesopinionqeynosQeynos-revampskyshrinesmokejumpersoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebooktradeskill-apprenticesSat, 14 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The great big news roundup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-tattered-notebook-the-great-big-news-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-tattered-notebook-the-great-big-news-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-tattered-notebook-the-great-big-news-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

skyshrine
One thing you just can't say about EverQuest II is that there's a lack of news coming from the game. In fact, there's been so much going on both in game and out that this week's Tattered Notebook is devoted to a great big roundup. We'll look at developer remarks on Skyshrine, tweaks to the AA curve, some nice in-game promotions, and a brief commentary about the ProSiebenSat.1 deal. There's a lot to cover, so let's get to it!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The great big news roundup

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The great big news roundup originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Withered Lands
As we get closer to April 17th, more and more is being revealed about what's in EverQuest II's Game Update 63. Fortunately, much of it is on the test server, so players can pop in, check things out, and not have to worry about an NDA. I decided to head over, and since I already had a character test copied to the server, I was able to get in and see the new zones and some of the new additions to the game. Read on for highlights of my journeys through the Withered Lands and Skyshrine!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: A scenic tour of the Withered Lands

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: A scenic tour of the Withered Lands originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EverQuest II
As Massively reported this week, EverQuest II Game Update 63 is inching closer to going live, and it's bringing some exciting changes. There are new zones, instances, quests, and lots of dragons on the way. For old Velious fans, the return of Skyshrine will be a welcome sight, although there's new danger and turmoil both inside the city as well as through the land that surrounds it. We're beginning to get more specifics on what is included in this update, and this week's Tattered Notebook offers a rundown of what's revealed so far.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: New details on Game Update 63

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: New details on Game Update 63 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-update-63karen-bryanopinionpatchpatchespreviewpreviewsribbitribbitskyshrinesoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookwithered-landsSat, 24 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The touching story of Ribbitribbit and the EQII community]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/the-tattered-notebook-the-touching-story-of-ribbitribbit-and-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/the-tattered-notebook-the-touching-story-of-ribbitribbit-and-th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/the-tattered-notebook-the-touching-story-of-ribbitribbit-and-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Lillipad Jungle EQII
Every now and then, we hear stories that transcend gaming and prove that there's something more to our pixelated worlds than uber loot and leveling up. Last week, the Guk server (which I proudly have called my home server for the past several years) rallied together to bring some cheer to a young boy with terminal cancer and to his loving family. I first heard of this story last week while I was at GDC, and although I wasn't able to attend the event, I caught up with one of the organizers this week to hear about this incredible effort. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at the story of Ribbitribbit and how his mother's call for help with decorating brought on a wave of support from the amazing EverQuest II community.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The touching story of Ribbitribbit and the EQII community

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The touching story of Ribbitribbit and the EQII community originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityeqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgalleriesgallerygukkaren-bryanlillipad-jungleopinionribbitribbitscreenshotscreenshotssoesonysony-online-entertainmentsylestiatattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 17 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: The Tattered Notebook attends Brasse's community panel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/10/the-tattered-notebook-soes-brasse-talks-community-at-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/10/the-tattered-notebook-soes-brasse-talks-community-at-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/10/the-tattered-notebook-soes-brasse-talks-community-at-gdc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

holy grail
What do dwarves and Monty Python have in common? They both feature prominently in Linda "The Brasse" Carlson's GDC 2012 talk about the front lines of the SOE community relations team. Given the recent roller coaster ride of the ProSiebenSat.1 deal and the turmoil on the forums that followed, I found it interesting to hear what it's like to be a member of the community management folks as they try to handle being in the middle of it all. While her talk was mainly aimed at community managers in other games, there were a few tidbits that players would probably find interesting and maybe even surprising. Read on for the highlights!

Continue reading GDC 2012: The Tattered Notebook attends Brasse's community panel

MassivelyGDC 2012: The Tattered Notebook attends Brasse's community panel originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brassecarlsoncommunity-managementconconferenceconventiondominoemily-domino-tayloremily-tayloreqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012karen-bryanlinda-brasse-carlsonlinda-carlsonmonty-pythonopinionprosiebensat.1smedleaksmedleakssoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 10 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: In like a lion, out like a dragon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-tattered-notebook-in-like-a-lion-out-like-a-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-tattered-notebook-in-like-a-lion-out-like-a-dragon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/the-tattered-notebook-in-like-a-lion-out-like-a-dragon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EQII wurm
With the recent drama surrounding the ProSiebenSat.1 deal last week, EverQuest II's March arrived with all of the fury as those storms that have been pounding much of the United States in recent days. But there's been a steady stream of news that signals a much smoother month is on the way.

For the second week in a row, it's what's going on outside of the game rather than in-game that's topping the headlines, and The Tattered Notebook is ready for the roundup! From poll results to pathing to hints about Game Update 63, we'll look at the highlights below the cut.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: In like a lion, out like a dragon

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: In like a lion, out like a dragon originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brew-daychronoportal-eventseqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-update-63karen-bryanopinionsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookveliousSat, 03 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Breaking up the family]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-tattered-notebook-breaking-up-the-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-tattered-notebook-breaking-up-the-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/25/the-tattered-notebook-breaking-up-the-family/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

soe

This is the cartoon that launched a thousand posts. Well, maybe not a thousand, but it created tension on the forums and resulted in a temporary ban for popular community figure Morgan Feldon. With this week's news about the ProSiebenSat.1/Alaplaya deal, SOE fans were up in arms, and EverQuest II was at the epicenter of the protest. There were concerns ranging from account security to quality of player support, but the biggest concern was the fact that there would be a barrier between U.S. and European players going forward.

I've written before about how tight-knit the community is in EQII, and that's probably why you saw some of the strongest protests originate on the EQII forums. That closeness extends to the EQII development team as well. I've been to a couple of Fan Faires and was surprised at how accessible the team always made itself. Combine that with a core community of longstanding, loyal players, and you basically have one big family. So when fans were hit with the second big news story of the week, the departure of Associate Producer Emily "Domino" Taylor, players reacted as if a friend or family member had moved out of the home. What do these two news stories have in common, and what can they tell us about EverQuest II?

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Breaking up the family

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Breaking up the family originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alaplayadominoemily-tayloreqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieuropeeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanmorgan-feldonopinionprosiebensat.1smedleysoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 25 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The insider's guide to Erollisi Day]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-tattered-notebook-the-insiders-guide-to-erollisi-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-tattered-notebook-the-insiders-guide-to-erollisi-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-tattered-notebook-the-insiders-guide-to-erollisi-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Steven and Douglas EQII
As EverQuest II gracefully ages, it's become a game that's rich with content. That's especially true of the in-game holidays, like the current live event, Erollisi Day. And now that Erollisi herself has returned, the holiday is cause for celebration rather than remembrance.

The event is winding down, but there are still a few days left to participate. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll highlight some of the many things to do during Erollisi Day, including something old, something new, something borrowed, and something.... Gnome!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The insider's guide to Erollisi Day

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The insider's guide to Erollisi Day originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EQ2U Promo
For years, EverQuest II fans have quietly suffered in silence as the EQ2Players site remained broken and buggy. We watched other games, with their Armories, Magelos, and extensive databases, and we pined for the day when we could once again look up things like characters, gear, stats, and guild rosters.

The wait was worth it, though, and EQII players have gone from famine to feast. This past week, we got a glimpse of the newly refurbished EQ2Players site, but what's really exciting is that the EQII team has been working with fansites to provide the data feed and allow community figures to create their own resource sites. Morgan Feldon and Dethdlr, who do an amazing job with EQ2Wire, did just that, and on Friday, they officially launched EQ2U. It's a thorough and regularly updated database of things ranging from character stats, gear, and AAs to spell lists and warder pets. What's more, you can look up gear, track spells, and create your own wish list for your character. Feldon and Dethdlr have been working on this for the bulk of the past year, and Massively had a chance to talk with them about the project. Read on for a glimpse into the site's early beginnings and learn how EQ2U will help you get your characters up to snuff!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Build a better character with EQ2U

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Build a better character with EQ2U originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-kinneydethdlreqeq-2eq-iieq2eq2ueq2wireeqiieqII-databaseeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanmorgan-feldonnandor-szotsopinionsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookzoltarothSat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: New executive producer, new wishlist]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-tattered-notebook-new-executive-producer-new-wishlist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-tattered-notebook-new-executive-producer-new-wishlist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/the-tattered-notebook-new-executive-producer-new-wishlist/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Georgeson and Longdale
I was all set to sit down and talk about raiding and the big news of critical mitigation disappearing from gear, and then some even bigger news appeared. Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson has handed the reins over to Holly "Windstalker" Longdale. She is new to take the lead on EverQuest II, but she's not new to the team; in fact, she worked on EverQuest in the past under the name Vahlar.

What's the first thing to do when there's a new leader taking over? Form a wish list, of course! EverQuest II has come a long way since its bumpy launch, but there's always stuff that would make the game that much more fun. Let's look at a few ideas, and then you can add yours to my list.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: New executive producer, new wishlist

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: New executive producer, new wishlist originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playholly-longdalekaren-bryanopinionsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The significance of the update delay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-tattered-notebook-the-significance-of-the-update-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-tattered-notebook-the-significance-of-the-update-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/the-tattered-notebook-the-significance-of-the-update-delay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Othmir
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum, and you could almost hear the record scratch when it did. Players have been speculating on two things recently: the release date of GU 63 and the absence of Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson from the forums. As it turns out, SmokeJumper was simply on vacation, but his first post after returning created quite a stir. He reported a new timetable for game updates this coming year, and it's different from what had been announced.

Game Update 63 is now scheduled for April, not February. Furthermore, there are only three planned updates this coming year, rather than four, along with an expected expansion at the end of the year. Let's look at some reasons for the change in schedule and what it means to EverQuest II fans.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The significance of the update delay

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The significance of the update delay originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EQII gold
There's a dirty little secret going on in EverQuest II, and every now and then it bubbles up to the surface in forum complaints from players. With the arrival of Station Cash, the Marketplace, and Legends of Norrath cards, players have worked out a way to buy in-game coin with real money, without fear of getting banned. And with the transition to free-to-play, it seems like that practice has grown even more.

The problem is that there are several things that factor into the plat-for-cash scenario, so it's impossible to find a quick fix. Are we at a point that SOE should just put plat on the marketplace and be done with it? Let's look at a few reasons for and against it.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Plat, loot, and the morality of cash originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanopinionplat-for-cashplexrmtselling-loot-rightssoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashtattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: If you think wings are weird...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-tattered-notebook-if-you-think-wings-are-weird/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-tattered-notebook-if-you-think-wings-are-weird/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/the-tattered-notebook-if-you-think-wings-are-weird/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Skull head
Last week, EverQuest II rolled out two new Marketplace items: the nightmare flight wings and the Pegasus feather flight wings. At first, I didn't think much of it because it was just another flying mount, but as I watched the promotional video, it seemed strangely out of place for characters of all races to be sprouting wings and flying around of their own power.

While many players are excited about the new flight wings, others question whether they fit into the lore and the world of EQII. And this isn't the first time an item has left players with tilted heads and confused expressions. Read on for a collection of oddities from the world of Norrath!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: If you think wings are weird...

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: If you think wings are weird... originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieqII-weird-itemseverquestEverQuest-2everquest-2-wingseverquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedflight-wingsfree-to-playkaren-bryanopinionpegasus-flight-wingssoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: The problem with leaderboards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-tattered-notebook-the-problem-with-leaderboards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-tattered-notebook-the-problem-with-leaderboards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/the-tattered-notebook-the-problem-with-leaderboards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQII dungeon
If there's one thing you can say about EverQuest II, it's that it has a community that's as varied as cogs in a Gnomish do-hickey. There's a substantial and long-time community of hardcore players, made up of people who must also be math majors because the number crunching that's involved is impressive. There's also a good-sized portion of the playerbase that prefers the non-combat features, like crafting, decorating, and more recently, dungeon designing. (Some players have made a fortune hiring themselves out to decorate others' homes, for example.) In a previous column, I talked about whether there will be a strain on the team to continue making quality content for the broad spectrum of players, but this week, I'd like to look at it from a different perspective.

Two of EverQuest II's newest features, the housing leaderboards and the dungeon maker leaderboards, are both designed similarly, with rankings, a hall of fame, and a voting system for various categories. But the leaderboard listings for each system look very different, and while the housing directory tends to be a good representation of EQII players' creative genius, the dungeon maker boards haven't reflected that as much. Read on to see why, and to look at what, if anything, should be done about it.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: The problem with leaderboards

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: The problem with leaderboards originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-makerdungeon-maker-leaderboardseqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playhousing-leaderboardskaren-bryanopinionsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 07 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: A wish list for EQII's 'phase two']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-tattered-notebook-a-wish-list-for-eqiis-phase-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-tattered-notebook-a-wish-list-for-eqiis-phase-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-tattered-notebook-a-wish-list-for-eqiis-phase-two/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EQ2 Beastlord
EverQuest II has had quite a year, but I was recently thinking about a comment that Executive Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson made regarding the future of the game. In a recent interview, he discussed plans for "phase two," which is an ongoing list of things the team wants to do to improve the game but don't make it to live. With all of the new changes to the game, the team usually comes up with lots of extra ideas, and Georgeson said the focus going forward will be to knock out some of those ideas on the "phase two" list.

I thought it would be fun to put together a list of things I'd like to see on the phase two list, and since it's the season for wish lists anyway, the timing is perfect. Read on for a look at a few things I'd like to see in EQII next year, and then share your ideas below!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: A wish list for EQII's 'phase two'

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: A wish list for EQII's 'phase two' originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastlord+eq2beastlordeq2dave-georgesoneqeq-2eq-iieq2eq2+new+contenteq2-traders-cornereq2-wish-listeq2newcontenteq2wireEQIIeverquesteverquest+nextEverQuest-2everquest-iieverquestnextf2pfantasyfeaturedfeldonfree-to-playitemizationjethylkaren-bryannaimiopinionsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Six things not to miss during Frostfell]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-tattered-notebook-six-things-not-to-miss-during-frostfell/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-tattered-notebook-six-things-not-to-miss-during-frostfell/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-tattered-notebook-six-things-not-to-miss-during-frostfell/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EQII Nathan Ironforge frozen tongue
The timing is probably purely coincidental, but EverQuest II's transition to free-to-play is coming at the best time of the year in Norrath: Frostfell! EverQuest II has always done a lovely job tying together seasonal events with the larger lore of Norrath, but Frostfell is the biggest event of the year. Now, everyone can check it out for free, and it's a great way to get acclimated to the game and get some really nice (and valuable) items in the process.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll cover the must-sees for Frostfell. From snowball fights to snow cloud mounts to heavy-breathing Gigglegibbers dressed as Santa, this is a list you'll definitely want to check twice.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Six things not to miss during Frostfell

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Six things not to miss during Frostfell originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily+quests+frostfelldailyquestsfrostfelleqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrostfellfrostfell+frostfoot+merchantfrostfellfrostfootmerchantkaren-bryanopinionsanta-gluggsnow-cloud-mountsoesony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 17 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Discovery arrives!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-tattered-notebook-discovery-arrives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-tattered-notebook-discovery-arrives/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-tattered-notebook-discovery-arrives/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQII Age of Discovery
The Age of Discovery has arrived, along with the Freeport Reborn game update and the free-to-play transition. On top of that, Frostfell is also upon us, with even more new rewards, tradeskill books, and quests. That's a pretty hefty amount of change to EverQuest II, and it's brought back many former players (as well as new ones).

In this week's Tattered Notebook, let's take a look at the first week of launch. I rolled up a Beastlord along with the rest of Norrath, so I'd like to give some first impressions on the new class, take a look at the dungeon maker, and share some overall thoughts on the past week.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Discovery arrives!

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Discovery arrives! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As we inch closer to Fan Faire, speculation begins to mount about what news EverQuest II fans will finally get to hear. Last year, players were smarting from the announcement of EQII Extended, the free-to-play server, and it seemed to deflate the mood among EQII Fan Faire attendees. This year, EQII is full of knowns and unknowns, to borrow a phrase from former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. We have known knowns, which are things that we know we know. And then there are known unknowns, or things that we know but we actually don't know. Lastly, there are unknown unknowns, which are things that we don't know we don't know. That's where things are in EQII currently. Confused? Me too! This week's Tattered Notebook will look at what we know and what we hope to find out more about at this year's Fan Faire.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Fan Faire knowns and unknowns

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Fan Faire knowns and unknowns originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousdominoemily-tayloreqeq-nextEQ2eq2xEQIIeqII-extendedeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iieverquest-nextfan-fairefan-faire-2011featuredfreeportfreeport-revampitemizationjohn-smedleysentinels-fatesmokejumpersoesoe-fan-faireSony-Online-Entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookveliousMon, 27 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/the-tattered-notebook-exploring-gu-60/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/the-tattered-notebook-exploring-gu-60/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/the-tattered-notebook-exploring-gu-60/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Game Update 60: The Children of War went live last week, and with it came a plethora of new content and some big changes to the game. Rallos Zek has begun preparations for his march on the Western Wastes, and Drunder is the new front line for the impending war. There are new heroic instances, new raid content, and even a new battleground scenario. In addition, there were some itemization changes, new battleground gear, and adjustments to the adornment interface.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll look at a few of the highlights from EverQuest II's latest update.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Exploring GU 60 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The past week has certainly been difficult, both for Sony Online Entertainment and EverQuest II fans. The attack and the downtime has certainly been on players' minds as they wonder when the game will go live again and how much of their personal information was compromised.

But while these seem like dark days for EQII, there will be lots to look forward to in-game once things are back to normal. A few weeks ago, Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson took time to answer some questions for Massively about Game Update 60, The Children of War. And he met again for a roundtable interview just before news of the attack on SOE broke.

Read on for highlights of the interview and a look at what's on the horizon once services are restored.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: SmokeJumper talks GU60 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundschildren-of-warcrystal-cavernsdave-georgesondrundereq2eq2-extendedeq2xEQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iifeaturedfrozen-tundrapublic-questssmokejumpertattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookvanquishMon, 09 May 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: An Interview with Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/the-tattered-notebook-an-interview-with-dave-smokejumper-geo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/the-tattered-notebook-an-interview-with-dave-smokejumper-geo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/the-tattered-notebook-an-interview-with-dave-smokejumper-geo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


This past autumn has been a busy one for EverQuest II, with the unveiling of EverQuest II Extended and upcoming server mergers. In contrast, players haven't heard much about Destiny of Velious, the upcoming expansion due to release on February 8th, 2011. But even though news of the expansion has been quiet of late, the team has been hard at work getting things ready for beta and launch.

This week, I had a chance to talk to Senior Producer Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson about EverQuest II's upcoming expansion, Destiny of Velious, as well as a progress report on EverQuest II Extended. Curious about what role factions will play in Velious or what Georgeson's favorite instance might be? Read on to find out!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: An Interview with Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: An Interview with Dave "SmokeJumper" Georgeson originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-georgesondestiny-of-veliousEQ2eq2xEQIIEverQuest-2everquest-2-extendedeverquest-iiexpansionfeaturedinterviewInterviewsSOESony-Online-Entertainmentthe-tattered-notebookMon, 06 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Gifting -- 'tis the season?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/the-tattered-notebook-gifting-tis-the-season/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/the-tattered-notebook-gifting-tis-the-season/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/the-tattered-notebook-gifting-tis-the-season/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

"Mom! Stop driving through the pink lights! Only go through the green ones!"

I glanced over at my two kids and bit my tongue. I was in the middle of speeder bike racing and was having a little trouble navigating the course. In the split second that I turned away, my bike steered off the course, ran halfway up the snowy embankment, and lodged itself in a campfire. I was already dead last, but now I had the pleasure of watching the other racers lap me, not once, but twice.

I was playing Clone Wars Adventures, the latest free-to-play game from Sony Online Entertainment, and I was experiencing the full effects of the generation gap. I know, you're probably saying, "Wait a second, this is an EverQuest II column!" And you're right, but this week, I'd like to take a look at something that both Clone Wars and EverQuest II now have in common -- gifting. Read on to see why EQII players aren't necessarily viewing this latest game change as much of a gift.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Gifting -- 'tis the season?

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Gifting -- 'tis the season? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopClone-Wars-AdventurescwaEQ2EQIIeve-onlineEverQuest-2everquest-iifree-to-playfreemiumLegends-of-NorrathmarketplaceopinionrmtSOESONYSony-Online-EntertainmentStar-Warsstation-cashthe-tattered-notebookMon, 29 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Never leave home without it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/the-tattered-notebook-never-leave-home-without-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/the-tattered-notebook-never-leave-home-without-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/the-tattered-notebook-never-leave-home-without-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



This week, I decided it's time to dump the bag. My characters often accumulate items at such a rapid rate that my bags quickly resemble those of a typical teenager at the mall. Any time I resign myself to plunking down at the bank to sort my inventory, I end up shocked at some of the stuff I bring home. However, there are some items in EverQuest II that are lifesavers, and others that can really be handy in a pinch. Let's take a look at a few items that you should never leave home without.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Never leave home without it

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Never leave home without it originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingEQ2EQIIequipmenteverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedguideitemsLegends-of-NorrathMinipetsopinionrelicsrepair-kitSOESony-Online-Entertainmentthe-tattered-notebooktinkeringtotemstradeskillsMon, 22 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Merge this!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/the-tattered-notebook-merge-this/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/the-tattered-notebook-merge-this/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/the-tattered-notebook-merge-this/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Server mergers are coming this week to EverQuest II, and with it come some serious questions about what stays, what goes, and who gets stuck with a name with a lousy X at the end. But sometimes mergers are a good thing, and I think since we're on the subject, it's worth looking at what else could be merged in the world of Norrath.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, I'll consider how merging tokens, towns, classes, gods, guild halls and more could benefit EQII. Join me past the cut!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Merge this!

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Merge this! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-advancementclassesdeitiesEQ2EQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedguild-hallguild-hallsLevelslootmergemergermergersopinionracesSOESony-Online-Entertainmentspellsthe-tattered-notebooktokensMon, 15 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Six years of EverQuest II]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/the-tattered-notebook-six-years-of-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/the-tattered-notebook-six-years-of-everquest-ii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/the-tattered-notebook-six-years-of-everquest-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I looked down at the dog-eared journal and shivered. As excited as I was to finally be in possession of The Tattered Notebook, I recalled the fates of its previous owners. First, seemingly out of madness, Seccia made a sudden and unexpected career change to blog about kittens. Now, Scarve, a Ratonga, has disappeared in the night, leaving behind only a wedge of cheese, this tattered notebook, and a tiny stuffed Kerran doll. Rumors spread of his appearance among a shadowy cult of Gnomish tinkerers, but it's unclear whether he's with them by choice or by force.

Regardless, I took a deep breath and opened the cover. What a perfect time to begin adding my entries to the journal, right at the celebration of EverQuest II's six-year anniversary! To celebrate, the game is holding its second annual Festival of Heroes, from November 19-30. In honor of this milestone, my first entry into The Tattered Notebook is a retrospective of those past six years, with an eye towards the future.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Six years of EverQuest II

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Six years of EverQuest II originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When I sat down to brainstorm this week's column topic, the thought occurred to me that I've never really spent much time expounding on my absolute favorite feature of SOE's EverQuest II. Sure, the progression is pretty well done, the crafting is awfully good, and the large and varied zones are an explorer's paradise. However, all of that pales in comparison to the simple fact that my adventurers can go home at the end of a lengthy dungeon crawl or an evening at the forge.

Yes, I'm a fan of player housing, and if you're one of those unimaginative souls who thinks housing has no place in MMORPGs, well, you're wrong. I've touched on housing here and there, mentioned it in passing, and certainly written a few news articles about it when patch notes have warranted a mention, but The Tattered Notebook has thus far lacked a proper discussion of housing in the world of Norrath.

Turn the page to remedy that fact.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Home sweet home

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Home sweet home originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome to another chapter of The Tattered Notebook. There's a ton to talk about this week, as our favorite game has been making news left and right, in both its traditional and free-to-play flavors.

Pull up a chair and grab a cup of your favorite beverage as we delve into our semi-monthly look at what's turning heads and generating discussion in the EverQuest II community. As it turns out, nothing stirs the pot more than server merges (and maybe Station Cash), and in this week's edition we'll highlight a few noteworthy conversations you may have missed.

Turn the page for more.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Station cash, server merges, and musings from the community

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Station cash, server merges, and musings from the community originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So the yin/yang monster has caught up with me this week, and it's taken the form of EverQuest II's latest game update. A few weeks ago, my Ratonga alter-ego was positively crushed under the weight of the awful spell effect changes wrought by EQII's Game Update 57. He was so upset, in fact, that he called me during a meeting and insisted I write a rather ranty column about it, complete with sidebar pictures depicting the gruesome before-and-after details.

Happily, GU58 has arrived to right that horrible wrong (as well as add some other cool stuff). Turn the page to see what else the folks at SOE have stirred into the pot for the denizens of Norrath.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: GU58 reactions and a happy ratonga

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: GU58 reactions and a happy ratonga originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So a few days ago I posted an image of Jules Winnfield (the incomparable Samuel L. Jackson) doing his thing atop the early-morning discussion-starting post that we here at Massively like to refer to as The Daily Grind. Little did I know that said image would set my mind to quoting Pulp Fiction for the better part of a week, and I remembered why Quentin Tarantino's 1994 crime epic is a marvel of snappy dialogue and the clever use of language.

Before this edition of The Tattered Notebook turns into an impromptu film review (or an ode to four-letter words), allow me to segue as smoothly as possible into my point, which is that language can also have a profoundly nifty effect on MMORPGs if properly utilized. EverQuest II provides a few examples of what I'm talking about, so turn the page for a bit of an explanation.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Harsh language(s)

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Harsh language(s) originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been quite a while since I trekked through EverQuest II's Darklight Wood with a newly minted shadowknight, and the time seems right to take another look at one of the game's grand adventuring zones. Between the influx of newbs flocking to SOE servers thanks to EQ2X and the Norrathian expatriates returning to possibly rekindle their former flame, a tour of one of the game's more noteworthy locales is in order.

Join me (and my ratonga alter-ego) after the cut as we adventure through the Enchanted Lands.

Gallery: EQII - The Tattered Notebook visits EL

Enchanted Lands dockEnchanted Lands teleportation spireHalfling watering hold at Bobick VillageRatonga at the wallRatonga versus beholder

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Land of the lost

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Land of the lost originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So my little ratonga wizard is fast approaching level 50, and I figured it's high time I started worrying about his AAs. Actually, it's probably past time (he's got a paltry 29 at this point), as I've been too busy running willy-nilly around the world of Norrath flinging fireballs, exploring, and collecting junk for my South Qeynos rat hole. Yes, I've been terribly remiss about properly planning out an alternate advancement strategy so that my furry friend isn't horribly gimped upon his eventual arrival at endgame, but thankfully it's not too late (in fact, it's never too late, thanks to the awesome sauce that is chronomagic).

EverQuest II vets may be rolling their eyes at the prospect of an AA article, but for newbs on both the Live and F2P shards, alternate advancement can be a tad confusing if you're averse to reading a lot of tooltips. In this week's chapter of The Tattered Notebook, I'll break down EQII's AA system to give you a baseline of knowledge and a starting point for thinking about your own builds.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: A newbie look at alternate advancement

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: A newbie look at alternate advancement originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ah, the Everquest II community. A fascinating melting pot of cynical veterans, middle-of-the-road types, and now (thanks to EQ2X), fresh-faced new bloods. While there is no shortage of informational destinations about the world of Norrath to be found around the web, the best is still the official boards when you're looking for up-to-the-minute anecdotes about the game (courtesy of its most passionate players).

In this week's Tattered Notebook, I break down a few of the more interesting discussions from the past couple of weeks, many of them dealing with the recently released GU57, EQ2X, and of course the future of Norrath in both Live and F2P flavors.

Turn the page for more.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Community rumblings

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Community rumblings originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"My boy, we're pilgrims in an unholy land," said Professor Henry Jones to his son Indiana as the duo warily watched a parade of goose-stepping Nazi soldiers (and throngs of their fervent admirers) in the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I spent many a summer day watching the classic action flick as a kid, and the line inadvertently sprang to mind as I logged into SOE's free-to-play EverQuest II server this past week.

Now, I know what some of the politically correct types are thinking at this point: did he really just compare F2P to the Nazi party?

The answer is no, not directly, but I do feel an increasing sense of isolation as seemingly everyone around me drinks the Kool-Aid, and it conjures that empty/hopeless feeling of being stuck behind enemy lines.

Turn the page for more.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Behind enemy lines

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Behind enemy lines originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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