https://forums.daybreakgames.com/eq...age-from-holly-“windstalker”-longdale.263708/ Unleash the assumptions/speculation
"Both games have grown through the rise of nostalgia with progression servers in ways we didn’t expect." That's interesting for sure.
I certainly didn't expect TLP servers to be as popular as they have been. It seemed like a cute idea, but I didn't expect them to become such a big part of the game.
I think it MUST have something to do with the virus de jure. Or maybe Brexit, or perhaps a better job offer, or...
She's being replaced by someone who did very good things for the game. Jen Chan. I don't think we need to worry.
The rats will leave the ship as the debacle around TOV forced questing and the breaking of two decades of gameplay flexibility for players unfolds. The design change has resulted in a radical expansion of automated gameplay that no doubt reflects poorly on the team she once headed. The solution: fix TOV experience levels now and stop listening to the "l33t bruhs" that run the tip line at 1-900-DUDZORS. (edit: remember kids, the tip line is 99 cents a minute and make sure you have your parents permission before using their credit card)
The exp "problem" in ToV has been much overblown. They increased exp required for lvl 111+ They added bonus exp to progression achieves. They are too different things. And both got implemented with ToV. The extent to which exp required increased was a lot relative to earlier levels. Still, many with jobs and families and other hobbies are maxed out, with no reason to group with others for exp. Exp before was way too easy, such that it rather quickly became unprofitable (from a character progression PoV) to group with others, cutting into the heart of the EQ social experience. The extent to which achieves questing was INCENTIVISED (not FORCED) was perhaps a bit much, but did this bonus for achieves, and missions in particular really cause serious problems? Certainly this particular design decision works against botters, which at least from my viewpoint are no more prevalent post-ToV.
Forced questing has kept me away from EQ for the first time in over 17 years. I'm glad she's jumping ship if she was the one who made this decision. Whatever ToV is it isn't EQ.
If people think about it, the Jann Veil's buff is a must-have benefit. Yet, no one complained about "forced questing." The new design for XP helps all players immensely. The casual ("I log in for 30 minutes to Lesson burn") can complete a ToV merc or partisan task each session. And, in about 3 short sessions, they are getting 10-20% normal xp from the achievement.
OMG the notion of tasks or questing in EVERQUEST.... what are those heathens thinking of!! Travesty of game play I tell you.