We’ve got Live Coverage of the SOE Block Party by Serianna of Crushbone!
If you couldn’t make it to the SOE Block Party, you can still keep up with what’s going on! Serianna is sending us updates and photos from the ground.
I am really keeping these non-EQ2 posts to a minimum as per the request of readers during the spring Survey. But there’s a lot of news around the industry and in related games, and since Comic-Con is going on, well, we’re going to step out of EQ2 for a second for a few updates…
First-Timer’s Guide to Fan Faire
First up, Minerva, Community Relationships Manager for SOE Denver, has posted A First-Timer’s Guide to Fan Faire. It’s really an accounting of her experiences at last year’s Fan Faire event. A travel diary if you will, which may give you some ideas of what to expect, what to avoid, and how to have the best possible weekend.
Speaking from personal experience, it’s so easy to miss the chance to talk to more people, or focus too much attention on one thing and miss out on something else. I myself and struggling with the insane panel schedule this year trying to figure out how to catch everything I want to. There is one block where there are FOUR separate panels I wish I could be in. Aaarrghhhh!!
Tinkerfest is a wonderful time each year that players get to experience the zany background of the gnomes and their kooky inventions. What will go boom this time, who will be the new victim or merciless tests with flaky machinery!? When will the madness end?
Starting Friday July 23rd at 12:01am PDT Tinkerfest will be in effect. Bringing to you several quests, lovely house items and fluff and yes, the shinies are back! Be quick to jump on this upcoming weeks event as it will only be available for a short time, ending on August 2nd at 11:59pm PDT this event will wrap up like one of Cinderella’s pumpkin carriages and vanish till next year!
For a complete quest/event list there are writeups at EQ2 ZAM and EQ2Traders.
Although most of what we’ve been hearing from Rothgar over the last year has been closely tied to sorting out Battlegrounds, addressing Server Lag and Performance, and directing Server Upgrades, one of his big passions has been to upgrade the default EQ2 User Interface.
So far, the coolest news about Game Update 57 has been that it will include a pretty substantial polishing up of the default UI. Today, Rothgar has posted some tantalizing details of just what we can expect. And if you will be attending the SOE Block Party (if you will be at Comic-Con, there will be shuttle buses available), then you’ll be the first to see it in action.
From EQ2Players:
There’s still a short time to register for Fan Faire 2010! Registration will be closing at 11:59 pm PDT on Friday, July 23. Platinum passes are sold out, but a limited number of Silver and Gold passes are still available.
As always, Fan Faire registrants will receive some special in-game items. Depending on the level of pass you purchase, you’ll get either one cool EQII item, or two cool EQII items. We wanted to give you a sneak peek at the these items, so scroll down to see the goods.
And remember, Silver, Gold and Platinum attendees will get in-game items for every eligible SOE game they have an account for! To see the full list of this year’s items, visit the SOE Fan Faire FAQ page.
Here are your hotfix notes for July 22, 2010:
LON MOUNTS
- Legends of Norrath mounts have all been upgraded to a standard 65% run speed.
PERAH’CELSIS’ ABOMINABLE LABORATORY
- Arkatanthis the Destroyer: The Benthic adds that challenge group members will try to challenge players unaffected by benthic freeze wherever possible.
We have not been posting individual announcements about the recurring Moonlight Enchantments and City Festivals because we have that information in our new Calendar which appears in the left sidebar of EQ2Wire at all times.
Due to a glitch in the activation of the Moonlight Enchantments event, the event has been extended to July 22nd.
Also, yesterday, I tweaked the sidebar Calendar to display multi-day events just once per month. As a result, I have been able to correct the dates on upcoming recurring events.
On 6/30/10, EQ2 issued a challenge to the talented in game home decorators of Norrath. The contest ran from June 30th – July 14th. Contestants were given the theme of “Bedroom Sanctuary”. Submissions ranged from the New Halas homes all the way to some of the older house models of Qeynos and Freeport. Winners are going to be given an in game trophy, to be placed in the respected homes. Congratulations to the winners. All submissions can be viewed here.
Xelgad has been paying close attention to feedback on his Guardians: Requesting Feedback thread on the EQ2 Forums. His response to this feedback includes some additional tweaks we might see as a result of ideas submitted by players. These changes are expected after Game Update 57.
You can read his comments after the jump…
From SOE-Rothgar on EQ2Interface:
Rest up because you’re most likely going to have a lot of work to do when GU57 hits test server in just over a week!
I can’t go into a lot of detail right now, but we’ve made some pretty big UI changes for 57. The default UI is getting a re-skin and many windows have been modified.
We’ll post more when we can.
This was posted on July 16th, so that would put Game Update 57 onto Test as early as the end of this week.
Here are your brief Update Notes for July 20th, 2010:
ITEMS
- The Skinbreach Silk Cord should now have resists.
- Band of the Corrupter should now also proc 75 Agility.
- Icy Keep: Many of Vrewwx’s Drops from the Challenge Mode have been adjusted to be more in line with the Difficulty.
UNDERFOOT DEPTHS
- Vaclaz and Vaclaz Released: Non-Priests are now given precedence when choosing who will receive keen insight in order to disrupt the roekillik energymaster adds. A priest will only be chosen for this task if there are no other raid members available.
Zraxth’s Unseen Arcanum is a new challenging one group dungeon which will make its first appearance at Fan Faire this August.
Tinkerfest opens this weekend, and what better place to find information about this event then at EQ2Traders?
Niami Denmother‘s ever thorough writeup of this event includes all the new quests, collections, and new house items available. Among the many new crafting additions include both diamond plate and hammered steel deck plating. Perfect for adding a small factory or work area to your house or hall.
Tinkerfest will be a limited duration Live Event. It is currently expected to be available from July 23 starting at 12:01 a.m. PDT, through August 2, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. We’re waiting for an announcement from EQ2Players to get confirmation on the end date for this event.
From EQ2Players:
Direct 2 Drive is offering a special deal on an EQII pack that will help new and returning players get into the game quickly.
For a limited time, pick up EverQuest II Sentinel’s Fate, along with three Flask of Adventuring bonus potions, the Vestiges of Glory Armor Pack, and a 30-day subscription for new accounts, all for just $14.95.
This offer expires July 26th, so don’t let it pass you (and your friends) by! Also available for purchase in Pounds (UK) and Euros (EU).
This week’s rollup post includes news about Antonia Bayle server upgrades, some out-of-whack procs, and further speculation about Free-to-Play (F2P).
After the jump…
Xelgad has taken another measured step towards collecting player feedback. Last month, it was a shoutout for Top End Guilds to post some of their highest parses. Today’s request appears to be some light finally being shone on guardians after nearly 2 years at the lower middle of the “fighter” pack in tanking ability.
Greetings Guardians!
First off, allow me say that we understand that the class is being outshined at the moment, and we’re working on it. It’s going to take more than just one change to get Guardians back to working as a strong class again. I’m not going into details yet, but we do have a mechanics change in the works that will at least help a bit to distinguish Guardians as a more defensive tank. Even with that, the class is currently lacking in other areas, including threat generation and utility.
It’s utility that we want to focus this thread on. We want to bring Guardian utility up to the level that the other fighters bring to a group or raid. We have three tentative changes that will be going to test soon:
- Got Your Back will become raidwide.
- Cripple will become a maintainable debuff with a damage component.
- Call of Shielding will also increase the health of the raid. The level 87 version at master will amount to around 1,000 hit points.
We’re looking for feedback on these ideas, and we’re open to boosting Guardian utility even a bit further, especially in heroic content. I want to emphasize that we’re not trying to turn Guardians into plate-wearing Bards or anything of the sort. However, I do want to try to focus this thread on the utility aspect of the class.
UPDATE: These changes will come after Game Update 57.
CORRECTION: Ikik is still on the Vanguard team.
Today we learn from EQ2Flames just who was laid off from the EQ2 team. Timetravelling designed some of the more interesting raid encounters in the Sentinel’s Fate expansion, including Roehn Theer:
I wanted to pop in and thank you all for playing EQ2 for the last few years.
You helped make it an absolute joy of a job, and I’m sorry to be moving on, but I suppose that thems the breaks.
Please keep on keepin’ on, having fun, and kicking the crap out of all of the encounters us poor Content designers create for you.
Hopefully y’all enjoyed some of everything I’ve worked on over the last few years as much as I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to create it for you.
And good luck with Roehn Theer…Slackers! =)
Brett – Timetravelling
Also, Saavedra, EQ2 designer from 2004-2008 and who had been working on other SOE projects also posted:
Guess I can post on flames now eh? Yeah, I am currently LFW
Vanguard
Also, if you have had any optimism for the future of Vanguard, they lost Wigin, as well as their Community Manager Raijinn. “On life support” would be a charitable way to describe the situation at this point.
Marketing?
Sources tell us that Marketing lost 2 team members during this layoff.
I guess now we know how SOE paid for those new Oracle 11G servers for EQ2.
The most difficult part of a raid encounter can be managing the Adds or additional enemies that come at predefined moments during the fight. EQ2 has a storied history of people trying different methods to manage, crowd control, confuse, or completely reset Adds during challenging fights. Clearly, the desire to beat more difficult enemies is a powerful temptation to cheat.
Manipulating the outcome of a fight through timely brawler death feigns or leashing certain mobs by fighting at a distance are tactics which have existed in EQ2 from the very beginning. Such exploits were very publicly documented in Veeshan’s Peak. But while it is one thing to participate in such tactics in a private instance. It is quite another to do so in a contested environment with plenty of witnesses!
EQ2Wire is not in the habit of pointing out particular guilds or players, but the controversy will likely be brewing until this exploit in the Klaaktuus Unbound fight can be closed.
With the recent attention to exploitation and penalizing players for various BattleGrounds exploits; the publicity of this event leaves one unanswered question, “Will SOE penalize guilds for exploiting a contested encounter, preventing others from enjoying its content legitimately?”
For those players interested in the exact details, the full transcription can be found on EQ2Flames from pages 124 to 129 (and continuing) (NOTE: Coarse language).
UPDATE: We heard about layoffs today, but linked to (and quoted) the 2009 article. Here is the correct link and quote:
From IndustryGamers.com:
The developer behind DC Universe Online and The Agency, Sony Online Entertainment, has laid off 35 employees, or just over 4% of its full-time workforce, in an effort to “better align the company’s resources…as well as improve operational efficiency,” says SOE’s Scott Gulbransen, senior director of global PR & corporate communications.
The official statement: “In a move to better align the company’s resources against areas of growth that meet consumer demand in today’s online market as well as improve operational efficiency, Sony Online Entertainment has eliminated just over 4% of its full-time workforce, equaling 35 people. The changes will better position SOE to deliver against its emphasis on developing games for a wider, more diverse audience and remaining a worldwide leader in online gaming.”
These layoffs are almost exactly one year after the company announced layoffs of 41 employees on July 17, 2009.
From the EQ2 Forums:
Greetings Norrathians!
We have been made aware of a potential threat to your account security, and ask you to read this, pass it on, link it and let others know.
There is a serious phishing scam being perpetrated right now. You may receive an email telling you that your password has been changed or asking you to log into the linked site for some reason.
Please double check the URL of the site that you are being asked to access. The legitimate SOE site will have this URL: http://auth.station.sony.com. Please do not enter your information on any other site, as it is not secure.
If you feel that your account may have been compromised, please contact CS immediately.
Contact CS:
1. Live Chat – http://www.station.com/kb (Chat Support tab). If you cannot find the answer through the knowledge base, click on the “Chat Support” tab to chat live with a Support Representative. Chat Support is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am – 7:00pm PST.
2. Email Support – http://www.station.com/kb (Email Support tab). If you cannot find the answer through the knowledge base, click on the “Email Support” tab to email a Support Representative.
3. Phone Support – Available Monday through Friday from 10:00am – 7:00pm PST, except holidays, at 1-858-537-0898. If you have forgotten your password required to use our email or chat support, and cannot complete the “Forgotten your password” form, please feel free to contact us via our phone support, and we will assist you from there.
Procs. We’ve all seen them.
“On a successful healing spell.”
“On a successful attack.”
“On a successful melee attack.” (this one makes Rangers cry)
But how often do they really trigger? How big a part do they play in actual healing, spell damage, combat art damage?
Aidis, newly minted EQ2Wire contributor has crunched the numbers and found that one such special effect — Flash of Intuition — isn’t so special:
After a review of several healing procs, and how important base is for healers, many items that proc a temporary increase to base [for the players next ward or heal] have been sought after. However, there is a problem with Flash of Intuition. It effects other heal procs before main healing abilities.
After one test of 500 casts, Flash of Intuition activated 32 times. Out of those 32 activations only 3 were used by a main healing ability, as the rest were used up by other heal and ward procs. This is counter productive some say, and have tossed these items to their backpacks in hope of some fix to these procs effecting procs issues, while others continue to gamble on luck.
We’ve got Today’s Hotfix Notes straight from the Patcher for you. They include the aforementioned changes to various instances in Desert of Flames and Kingdom of Sky, some itemization fixes, and tweaks to raid mobs in Underfoot Depths and Icy Keep.
Will you be in the San Diego, CA area on Saturday, July 24th?
The SOE Block Party at SOE Studios in sunny San Diego, CA brings a day you will never forget. Join fellow gamers and developers from SOE for music, food, tours, game previews, giveaways, raffles and much, much more.
SOE will offer activities for the young ones, so bring everyone in the family! Attendance is free!
The SOE Block Party is Saturday, July 24th, 2010, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the SOE Studio (8928 Terman Ct, San Diego, CA, 92121.). Shuttle buses are scheduled to travel round-trip to SOE from Comic-Con every 30 minutes from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
You can read more information including how to RSVP in the full EQ2Players announcement.
Hirofortis has posted a thought-provoking thread on the EQ2 Forums regarding Critical Mitigation on raid gear and pondering just how much Crit Mit is needed to proceed in raiding. Just looking at the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 raid gear available in-game, a player can acquire critical mitigation amounts of 110%, 127.8%, and 141% respectively, not including any critical mitigation achieved by having high numbers in the necessary stats.
Critical Mitigation from Raid Armor Sets
T1 T2 T3 Head 10.00% 12.00% 15.00% Chest 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% Shoulders 10.00% 12.00% 15.00% Forearms 5.00% 9.60% 12.00% Hands 5.00% 9.60% 12.00% Legs 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% Feet 5.00% 9.60% 12.00% Sum 75.00% 92.80% 106.00% Max from Gear and Adorns 110.00% 127.80% 141.00% Max with Gear and Stats 120.00% 137.80% 151.00% Increase Critical Mitigation (Red Adornments)
Head 5% Chest 5% Gloves 5% Boots 5% Shoulders 5% Bracers 5% Leg 5% Total Crit Mit 35% Critical Mitigation from Intelligence/Agility
AGI/INT 500 5% AGI/INT 1000 10%
Critical Mitigation is a measurement of how much your armor (plus a small amount of innate protection from Agility (for scouts/fighters) or Intelligence (for mages/priests) reduces the Critical damage abilities of the enemies you are fighting.
There is a lot of useful information in this thread already — it’s worth a read.
Even though Amnerys (it’s pronounced “am-NAIR-iss”) has technically been EQ2 Community Manager for a few weeks now, she has posted an introduction on EQ2Players.
You can read this intro at EQ2Players. She also references her original posting to the Station Blog when she was brought on as a Community Relations Rep.
