Time-Locked EQ2 Beta Servers Launch Watch
After repeatedly being told that a Progression server was unlikely for EverQuest II, today marks the opening of Beta testing for not one but two EQ2 Time-Locked Expansion (TLE) servers. Although a complete rollback to how EQ2 was at launch is not possible — nor desirable for most — these servers will provide a healthy dose of nostalgia for those players who have wished for more challenge and less of those world-shrinking conveniences such as guild halls, flying mounts, expedient travel, etc.
Of particular interest to PvP players, the Deathtoll server will have a new ruleset that slams the door on many of the ways players currently escape PvP combat, including rapid travel, accessing housing anywhere, Battlegrounds, and flying or leaping mounts. The new ruleset for the Deathtoll server will disable nearly all of these features, which will hopefully lead to a resurgence in the popularity of PvP and may one day replace the struggling Nagafen server.
Three weeks ago, EQ2 Lead Designer Kander posted a PvE and PvP Time-Locked Expansion Server FAQ which provided answers to the first wave of questions that players will undoubtedly have. Because the new Deathtoll and Stormhold servers are opening up as Beta servers, the EQ2 team will be looking to player feedback to make further decisions on what restrictions, buffs, debuffs, etc. should be in place on the new servers.
Update @ 5:06pm PDT
Time-Locked Expansion Servers for PvP and PvE are now available for Beta Testing!
If you want to read past updates on today’s beta launch of these servers, click the link to continue reading. Otherwise, look for a new article announcing their launch!
Update @ 4:42pm PDT
As promised, both TLE PvE and TLE PvP Beta test servers will be available for players to test out.
@jacdear21 In the client you'll see two options, Beta and Beta PvP. pic.twitter.com/AIhDXknCyf
— Holly Longdale (@TheWindstalker) July 7, 2015
Update @ 4:27pm PDT
Getting close to #eq2 beta opening…
— Holly Longdale (@TheWindstalker) July 7, 2015
Update @ 4:20pm PDT
From Roshen on the EQ2 Forums:
Our devs are on the beta servers now, checking things out before we open them up to players.
Unless something crazy happens, TLE Beta servers should be ready soon. Once they are I’ll post about it in “all of the places.”
Update @ 2:30pm PDT
Update: Current ETA for Deathtoll and Stormhold servers are now 4:30pm PDT, 7:30pm EDT, July 8 @ 0:30 BST, 1:30 CEST
So, #EQ2 Beta is patching now. Normally it takes a couple of hours (which is why I keep giving 2hr estimates). If all goes well…4pm-ish?
— Holly Longdale (@TheWindstalker) July 7, 2015
Update @ 2:25pm PDT
Splitpaw server is back up after a 7 hour maintenance. No word on Storms or Valor.
Update @ 1:15pm PDT
Update: Current ETA for Deathtoll and Stormhold servers now seems to be 3:15pm PDT, 6:15pm EDT, 23:15 BST, July 8 @ 0:15 CEST.
We're still working on EQ2's European servers, and Storms, Valor and Splitpaw will be down for approximately two additional hours.
— EverQuest II (@everquestii) July 7, 2015
Update @ Noon PDT
Update: Current ETA for Deathtoll and Stormhold servers is 2:00pm PDT, 5:00pm EDT, 22:00 BST, 23:00 CET.
The #EQ2 Beta servers are up after the EU patch which is delayed by internet funk. We're hoping for about 2pm if all goes well.
— Holly Longdale (@TheWindstalker) July 7, 2015
Update at 5:41pm PDT yesterday
Via an exchange on twitter, Holly “Windstalker” Longdale was asked if All Access membership was required to Beta test the new servers. She replied that it was. She further clarified:
@Xaan @Cyliena @everquestii We want our committed experts on Beta helping us test if at all possible. We aren't expecting a long Beta period
— Holly Longdale (@TheWindstalker) July 6, 2015
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