eq2 online

Statistically speaking, Everquest is a very small fry compared to the Super-sized game of World of Warcraft. However, just because a large number of players are playing a game, does that alone make a company profitable? Sony’s Everquest 2, this by assumption only, has roughly 250K (at max) subscribers that play the game, whereas Blizzard’s World of Warcraft (in documented articles) has as many as 8 million players. That’s exponentially larger revenue than Everquest 2. But does that mean that Blizzard is eating steak and potatoes while the people over and SoE is eating bread and water? Not necessarily, in my opinion.

People can rant and rave about how great WoW is compared to EQ2, and how EQ2 should do this and that, and that WoW is the back breaker to SOE and it’s future, but let’s look at it from a business standpoint. The following numbers are all hypothetical and hold no real value only to proove the case at hand. These are only my assumptions and opinions and should not be used or taken out of context.

This is only assuming that players are paying by the month, which is completely not the case in most situations ( I know this), but for base numbers only, we’ll assume they are:

Everquest 2 Number of Players: 250,000 max
Average Subscription Rate: $14.99 EA/month

Total Revenue: $3,747,500.00 max /month

World of Warcraft Number of Players: 8,000,000 max
Average Subscription Rate: $14.99 EA/month

Total Revenue: $119,920,000.00 max/month

Blizzard has 32 times more monthly revenue that SOE does for the games we have listed. That’s not a small amount of difference, it’s a huge amount of difference. Overhead is substantial obviously with constant R&D, maintanence, marketing, etc… I can only assume that Blizzard has a much higher overhead and SOE studios does. However, does that mean that SOE is a flop here? Not exactly, in fact, not at all if planned correctly.

To the point of the post we go. Blizzard is in a very sensitive situation at this time since it seems to have all its eggs in one basket. They obviously have other fish in the fryer, but they have the majority of it’s product in WoW. Sure SoE has games that are not as popular as Blizzard, but they have the fries/shakes to go with the burger. They have Vanguard, Matrix Online, SWG, Planetside… and more to come in the near future. So rather than being all revenue coming from the majority of one game, SoE has implemented a risk reducer by generating revenue throughout their entire gaming platforms, with intelligently offering the service of STATION PASS or individual subscription rates. It’s a very safe investment and will prevent from a massive fallout. Wheras with Blizzard, a fallout could be the end of a gaming giant.

It will be interesting to see how World of Warcraft does within the next 6 months. As they are now implementing “dummy down” patches to allow people to pass through obstacles in the game that were originally set for time sinked, high tiered players. These casual gamers can now access alot of the higher end content without much time invested as its original intent. Blizzard has a slower release model as does SOE, and it’s been a huge selling point as of recently that SOE releases a ton of very impressive free content, yearly expansions, and a ton of free addons. However, Blizzard has only release one expansion since it’s release in 2004. I will be watching with binoculars the movement of these MMO giants in the next couple of months.

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I guess I gave a little misinformation concerning the reasons for disbanding wordpress, and in the works of expanding to new horizons on a mass scale.

I am currently in the works of trying to learn about my own website hosting, and ability for site arrangements, blog inserting, domains, and even PODCASTING ability. So stick around after the jump to find out where this is all going, it’s been a learning experience and just taking a little more time than I thought it would.

Till Then……………

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Besides finding out that the Apple TV can be hacked to play youtube videos, I haven’t really been doing too much more today.

We all know how key communication is a vital quality in real time massive multi-playing online role playing games. With the thousands of gamers using voice chat software like Teamspeak and Ventrillo, it was only a matter of time before a major corporation would step in and provide massive service on a large scale for profit.

Well Vivox is changing the way we communicate in the virtual online setting and taking it by the horns (us Texans would say). If you are not familar with Vivox or have heard of them, Vivox is the next generation online communication company that is shaping the future for online MMOs. Not only do they provide voice communication, but they also provide Instant Messaging, Video, and Audio in an online environment. I really think these guys are a company to watch in the coming months to years. I’d definetely buy stock if they went public.

In October of 2006, RPG Vault did a great interview with Vivox and then in Febuary, they made a very large major agreement with Linden Lab, creators of Second Life to implement Vivox services. This is a major step in the up position and it now gives them a major reference, and leverage for future contracts. I really feel there’s some things in the works and that these guys are going to explode very soon.

I’m really interested to know if SoE would be able to incorporate these guys into the game. No more holding a button and talking in the TS server. It’s all crisp and clear, no buttons to press or hold, I can just imagine how amazing this would be in Everquest 2. SoE is always looking for something to differentiate themselves from their ever-growing list of competitors in the MMO market and I think if they can jump on this, would be a pretty nice slash in the achilles tendon of it’s closest competitors.
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Adornments, ah yes… Sony’s innovative approach to enhance the added ability to customize your character even more. It’s definetly a part of the equation to beef up the play of your character. From increasing base stats, proccing power drain, adding healing/damage points of spells and abilities, to even a safefall damage reducer, adornments have a multiple number of added incentives to the player to gain that advantage over the mobs in the game.

But how do you determine what adornments are the best choices for you? And who makes all these crazy adornments? Don’t be confused in assuming that one particular class makes adornments, because that’s not the case at all. Just about every tradeskill profession has some sort of adornment to offer, obviously some better than others, but every professions has a role.

First, let’s determine specifically what adornements are. Adornments are added permanent affects, that can be traded, but but only be used ONCE on an item. You can use an adornment on an item to upgrade it’s value, but you will lose the original adornment placed on the item. Items that are adorned will show the added effect either in yellow, or blue if it’s a base stat modifier.There’s some items that cannot be adorned, like items that are ORNATE or others. This very grey field is still being discussed on a daily basis, since it’s unclear if SOE did this intentionally, or left out the ability to adorn certain items. You’ll need to pay attention.

A great basic guide is located here:

http://eq2.eqtraders.com/articles/article_page.php?article=g108

As you can see, each tier specifies a different type of needed ingredients. From powders to fragments to Infusions… each tier will require it’s specific ingredient.

More specifically, this link will provide you with added information concerning the specific profession needed to make the appropriate adornment.

http://www.eq2ref.com/adornments/

Because it’s so difficult to determine what adornments are the best for your particular class, it’s best to just go through the supplied link above and contact the appropriate professions to make the adornment for you.

Generically speaking, the following guide will help you first in trying to determine the adornments by slots, but again like I said, probably best to visit the above link for specifics.

WRISTS- Wrists appear to be made by basically any profession class, this is the only adornment that that can be made by any class.

BOWS- WOODWORKER

-Talk with your local woodworker about Bow adornments. The ability to add slashing damage or piercing damage can be made from them.

CHESTS - ALCHEMISTS

-Alchemists make chest adornments. +base factor to STR/STA/AGI/WIS/INT is the most desired of the 3 that they can make, which will require a legendary transmuted piece.

CLOAKS - PROVISIONER/TAILOR

-Provisioner will make an increase in In combat health or power regen (3 max) and the tailor will make the infamour decrease same fall dmg adornment. Neither is a real factor. Don’t pay much for these,it’s not worth it.

EARS - JEWELER

-Base stat addition is the overall best adornment to be made here. +INT or +AGI is the most recommended adornment in this category slot.

FEET - ARMORER

-Another stat addition is the best adornment to be acquired here. +STA is usually a good choice here, but +AGI is also an option

FOREARMS - ARMORER

-Don’t forget to also ask your armor for the forearm adornment. For a tank class +SLA/CRU/PIE is a great adornment to pick, although some casters will argue that +WIS adornment would be a great choice here as well.

HANDS - TAILOR

-DD Casters would choose +DMG spell, while healers (including Paladins) would choose the +HEAL effects adornment here. This is an extremely important slot for casters. Pure tanks on the other hand may be interested in the +AGI adornment instead.

HEAD - TAILOR

-Tailors will make tons of money on this adornment slot. +pure power is the most sought after adornment. At level 70, it’s +100 power. For those that have too much power as it is (which is noone really ) +WIS is the secondary option.

LEGS - ARMORER

-Yet another base stat added adornment. Choose the best for your class based on +WIS or +STA or +STR

NECK - JEWELER / WEAPONSMITH

-There’s a fabled DOT Adornment made by Jewelers, but honestly, it’s not even worth mentioning. The Jeweler can make a couple of important ones here. Increase DPS/s Increase spell dmg or pure tanks will appreciate the increase attacked speed modified. Healers will be houding Weaponsmiths for the next effects of Increasing Healing effects.

RING - ALCHEMIST (ASSUME T6 RING)

-Skip all the hype here and find a T6 alchemist to make you a +HP pure ring. At this tier, they will add +70HP on each ring. And yes, you can have 2 of them.

SHIELD - WOODWORKER

-There’s 2 adornments that work here and to keep an eye out for. I think that most will get the +vs SLA/CRU/PIE adornement, but a portion may prefer the proc heal when damage is taken.

SHOULDERS - TAILOR

-The adornment here is really the +HP base. Again at level 70, it’s +100. For those with too much HP you have an option also of base stat +STA or +STR

SYMBOL - CARPENTER

-Thought I forgot about this slot huh? Depending on the type of caster, you may need to individually research the best adornment for you since it’s very specific to a type of caster you are. Again, see the above links for additional information concerning it.

WAIST - ARMORER

-Not much to choose from here +dis/sub(CASTERS), +1% ranged crit(SCOUTS) or +Attack Speed modifier(TANKS). Really it’s a preference on class to pick

I will not cover the weapon adornments in the particular guide because there’s so many to choose from. I have no opinion as it would basically depend on your class, your AA spec, etc… So you’ll need to research this yourselves.

Nonetheless, I hope this guide helps you in your next adornment business transaction, whether it’s bought or made for you. I hope this will assist ya.

/cheers
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