More newbie-friendly "Getting Started" post

[fischsemmel]

After the last few days of watching the forums and seeing at least half a dozen new players posting on here because they are totally lost about something, I got to wondering if maybe it wouldn't be wise for p1999 to update the "Getting Started" post.

Why not throw another post into the "Getting Started" thread with some resources for new players to help them out once they are actually in the game? A link pointing to EQ atlas. A link pointing to the wiki. A couple links pointing directly to the 3+ guides on the wiki made specifically for newbies.


Sure, sure. They could just use google. Or they could peruse the forum's library section for themselves and find their own way to the wiki and the guides and stuff. But not all of them will, and why would we want players to be leaving before they've even truly gotten started on here?

You KNOW that for every one person who posts on the forums and asks for help, there is at least a few others who don't even bother and just give up on p1999 in frustration.

[Caridry]

I agree, i think we should really gather a list of players that are willing to answer questions online and their usual playtimes and sticky it. I know I for one if i cant answer the question i can sure as hell help you find it =)

[Daldaen]

Welcome to Project 1999.

Project 1999 is an Everquest Emulator Server based on the code base from EQEmulator, but heavily modified to provide the best classic experience possible.

To get started, you must first obtain a copy of the specific Everquest client that is compatible with our server. This client is called the Titanium client, and can be found in various places like amazon, or ebay. The reason it must be the Titanium client is due to the way the client communicates with the server. Every time Everquest has a patch, those communication protocols are changed in that version of the client, and will no longer work with previous versions of server communication protocols. For this reason, only a Clean Install of Everquest Titanium will work.

First, Follow steps 1-5 in the guide for setting up EQEmulator at the Play Guide on EQEmulator. Once you have completed Step 5 there are additional modifications you must make to play on Project 1999 without any problems.

After completing the Guide above, you must make a few modifications to your Everquest files. Navigate to your Everquest Titanium folder and move the following files out of the folder (Preferably create a new folder named "Backup" to put them in):
arena.eqg
arena_EnvironmentEmitters.txt
lavastorm.eqg
nektulos.eqg
Nektulos_EnvironmentEmitters.txt

Then download the following file and extract into your Everquest folder, overwriting any files if it prompts you to:
http://www.project1999.org/files/eqchangesv20.zip

Navigate to the uifiles/default folder within your Everquest Directory and copy the files from the following zip into it:
Http://www.project1999.org/files/uichangesv2.zip

This completes the changes required for play, but there are some additional changes that are optional but will make the experience more 'classic' like:

For the velious style User Interface, navigate to the uifiles folder, make a new folder called velious, navigate into it, and extract this into that folder:
http://www.project1999.org/files/veliousuiv3.zip
In order to activate this UI, you must type "/loadskin velious" from ingame

To hear the old style midi songs for loading, death, and combat, move the following files into your backup folder:
eqtheme.mp3
combattheme1.mp3
combattheme2.mp3
deaththeme.mp3

To change the loading screen, navigate to the Resources folder and replace loadscreen.jpg with one of the following (Right Click and Save As):
Original: Http://www.project1999.org/files/classic/loadscreen.jpg
Kunark: Http://www.project1999.org/files/kunark/loadscreen.jpg
Velious: Http://www.project1999.org/files/velious/loadscreen.jpg

To make the loginserver screens look like classic EQ (Click here for preview), navigate to uifiles/default and extract the files from this zip there:
Classic: http://www.project1999.org/files/EQLS_classic.zip
Kunark: http://www.project1999.org/files/kunarklogin.zip


Getting back into EverQuest:

Finding your way around:

In-game maps do not function as they are not a classic feature, as many recall having printed out maps of the dungeons they would frequently get lost in. Here is a link to the old EQ Atlas often utilized by players during classic-PoP eras.

http://www.eqmacwiki.com/eqatlas/atlas.html

Classic Guides:

Since the game not be identical to how you remember it or you don't remember how it used to be, there is a player supported/updated wiki page that will help you through old zones / quests / drops as they were in Classic/Kunark.

http://wiki.project1999.org/index.php/Main_Page

http://wiki.project1999.org/index.php/Players:Newbie

What to play?

Seriously just play the class that you want to play and you'll have the most fun. Don't fret about "what is needed" or "what class is good".

However... Clerics, Enchanters, Tanks (all 3) will almost always secure you a group slot. If you want to solo look into Necromancer, Druid, Bard, Magician, Enchanter, Wizard, Shaman. Hybrids have exp penalties still yes, but generally this won't hinder you in forming a normal group. If you want to group almost always look at the aformentioned 'trio' of classes and add in solid DPS classes like Rogue, Monk, Mage, Wizard. Rangers and Bards are very useful too but aren't technically the 'best' at any one grouping role but can do quite a few of them.

[Daldaen]

Done.

[Caridry]

looks good, but again, sometimes just reading isnt enough for some to stay hooked as there is always frustrations along the way. I still agree that we need to put a player list together of people who want to be "guides" so to speak. Actually i thought there was an option to turn /guide on? that might of been DAoC... hrmm nonetheless we all know what its like to be frustrated and need help with SOMETHING.

[fischsemmel]

Really gotta bring this up again.

Besides players who are new to p99 regularly coming here and asking questions that could quickly and easily be addressed by the wiki or whatever, there are at least a few people a week who post on here who are utterly baffled by the fact that they can't play with their friend/spouse/whatever from the same house.

A better getting started post could also address this.

Please?

[DOPE]

Really gotta bring this up again.

Besides players who are new to p99 regularly coming here and asking questions that could quickly and easily be addressed by the wiki or whatever, there are at least a few people a week who post on here who are utterly baffled by the fact that they can't play with their friend/spouse/whatever from the same house.

A better getting started post could also address this.

Please?

What's stopping you from doing it?

[Eris822]

I didn't even know where to look to find the answer to my question. I've never heard of an IP exemption before! Sorry if I caused a fuss!

[fischsemmel]

What's stopping you from doing it?

Oh yeah, I had totally forgotten that I could edit Rogean's posts.

[fischsemmel]

I didn't even know where to look to find the answer to my question. I've never heard of an IP exemption before! Sorry if I caused a fuss!

No no no. You're fine!

This is why I have been suggesting that the getting started post get a bit of a revamp, because it is the ONE post that anyone starting off in p99 is basically guaranteed to read. So why not put the super important stuff for new players to know in it besides just the technical how-to-get-started info?

Ip exemptions, mention of how super useful the wiki is, tips about how to ignore all the retarded trolling retards who frequent the forums, etc.

[Pomaikai]

I don't have a "regular" playtime, but if a newbie wanted to shoot me a tell in game with some questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them. And if it was possible, I'd more than happy to stop by where they were grouping to lend a hand for a little while. I enjoy helping folks out. My toon name is the same here as it is on P1999.

[Eris822]

No no no. You're fine!

This is why I have been suggesting that the getting started post get a bit of a revamp, because it is the ONE post that anyone starting off in p99 is basically guaranteed to read. So why not put the super important stuff for new players to know in it besides just the technical how-to-get-started info?

Ip exemptions, mention of how super useful the wiki is, tips about how to ignore all the retarded trolling retards who frequent the forums, etc.

On the server that Draxiz used to host, we had a forum with a wiki of important info about various classes as well for super newbies that hadn't ever played at all to let them know what the classes were before they logged in. A lot of the players really seemed to appreciate that too. I'm not really familiar with EQ as I am with DAOC (the server we hosted at the house), so I know I'd find just a little blurb about each class pretty useful. Draxiz was helping someone the other night that this server was their first EQ experience ever.

Glad my questions weren't a bother! :)

[fischsemmel]

I just got off the phone with Jesus, and he said that he supports this thread.

[travatron]

As someone who just went through this on a few different machines, I'll write something up from a newbie's POV.

Incoming:

[travatron]

Welcome to Project 1999.

Project 1999 is an Everquest Emulator Server based on the code base from EQEmulator, but heavily modified to provide the best classic experience possible.

Creating an Account
First, you will have to create an account to play on EQEmu servers, your old SOE login will not work. This is a fast, simple process. Head over to the EQemu forums (http://www.eqemulator.org/forums/) and create an account. Once you have verified your account, go to your User CP and create a Login Server (LS) account. For security, its recommended this be different from your forum account. That's it! That login server account will be what you use to log in to our P1999 servers. Note that THIS INFORMATION IS NOT RECOVERABLE IN ANY WAY! DO NOT LOSE OR FORGET IT!

Although it is not necessary to play, I highly recommend you also create an account on these forums so you can take part in the community.

Getting an appropriate client set up
In order to play on our server, the first thing you will have to do is acquire Everquest Titanium edition, no other install will work. If you have never played Everquest before, the Titanium version is often available on Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832135197). Alternatively, this thread (http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=63002) has some ideas of other places you might find it, especially if you’ve simply lost or destroyed your old discs.

Once you have a FRESH install of EQ:Titanium, you will now have to set it up to run on our servers. Duxa, a community member here has made an excellent all-in-one installer tool (http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28335) that will do all of the below steps for you. I highly reccomend this approch, as it takes the human error factor out of the process. Note that in Vista or Windows 7, this must be run as administrator.

If for some reason you do not wish to use the installer, or it is not working for you, we'll head back to the EQEmu forums for a walkthrough on setting up our client. You can read the details here (http://www.eqemulator.net/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=PlayGuide), we're on step 4 at this point. In short, what that post is telling you to do is edit your eqhosts.txt file, which is located in the directory you installed EQ to. You want to edit that file and replace what is in it with

[LoginServer]
Host=eqemulator.net:5998

Save and exit this file.


Navigate to your Everquest Titanium folder and move the following files out of the folder (Preferably create a new folder named "Backup" to put them in):
arena.eqg
arena_EnvironmentEmitters.txt
lavastorm.eqg
nektulos.eqg
Nektulos_EnvironmentEmitters.txt

Then download the following file and extract into your Everquest folder, overwriting any files if it prompts you to:
http://www.project1999.org/files/eqchangesv20.zip

Navigate to the uifiles/default folder within your Everquest Directory and copy the files from the following zip into it:
Http://www.project1999.org/files/uichangesv2.zip

The last step is to edit your desktop shortcut. Simply add "patchme" (no quotes) onto the end of your target (right click shortcut, select properties), so it will look something like this:
"C:\Program Files(x86)\Sony\Everquest\eqgame.exe" patchme

That's it, you're ready to log in! Welcome to the server and enjoy your stay!

FAQ
I can log in, and hear music, but the screen is black.
Try running the game in Windowed mode.

I used Duxa's installer, but the icon it created doesn't do anything! (Windows Vista/7)
Right click it and select "Run as Administrator"

My roommate and I wanted to play at the same time, but we keep getting a "temporary IP Ban."
This is to combat multiboxing, WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED (http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39843). If you legitimately want to play with someone in the same household, you will need an IP Exemption. To apply for one, visit the petition forum (http://www.project1999.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25). Note that this can take as long as a few weeks to process, so don't be discouraged if you don't hear back right away!

P1999 is amazing! How can I do my part to keep the server running?
Please donate (http://www.project1999.org/index.php?pageid=donations) through Paypal. At this time, there are no rewards or incentives for donating other than keeping the server alive and running.

I have a question that isn't listed!
A more comprehensive FAQ can be found HERE. (http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1002)

Project 1999/Classic EQ Resources

The Library Section (http://www.project1999.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2) of this very forum deals with server-specific issues. If you have questions relating specifically to server rules, what is enabled, etc, this is the best place to start.

The Project 1999 Wiki (http://wiki.project1999.org/index.php/Main_Page) is a very valuable resource for any number of items, quests or zones. It also has information on classes, such as hunting guides and spell levels and locations.

EQ Atlas (http://www.steveprutz.com/eq/) has been mirrored by Maximum, a community member here.

Online Gaming Commands (http://www.onlinegamecommands.com/everquest/everquestshortcuthotkeys.htm) lists all the obscure alt-o type keyboard shortcuts you'll need to get set up, plus many chat commands. (http://www.onlinegamecommands.com/everquest/everquestcommands.htm)

Allakhazam (http://web.archive.org/web/20010622001312/http://everquest.allakhazam.com/) and Ilia's Everquest Beatiary (http://web.archive.org/web/20010523203625/http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/) are available via the wayback machine (http://www.archive.org/web/web.php). I've provided links for mid-2001, or the Velious era. They are also still live, however MUCH of the information is no longer applicable to our server.

What now?

Everquest does not babysit. It does not hold your hand or point you in any logical direction. When you spawn, you will be in a seemingly random place in a city with virtually no intelligent layout. It is up to you to learn your way around and set your own path. The first thing you want to do is find your trainer and hand in your newbie letter. Use the atlas above to find them. To give an item to an NPC, simply pick it up and drop it on them and press "Give" You'll get some exp and a shirt. Open your inventory (i) and equip your new shirt and your weapon.

If you're a caster, you want to memorize your spells. Open your spellbook (ctrl-B) and take one of your spells in your inventory and drop it onto an open slot in your book. You now know the spell, but you have to memorize it before using it. Take that icon from your spellbook and drop it onto an open spell gem slot (this will take some time). If you chose a casting class once you have a few gold, come back to your trainer and buy some more level one spells.

Each level, you'll get training points to spend in new skills at your trainer. Some skills (like meditate) will not raise until you spend 1 point in it. Visit your trainer often to see if you can learn a new skill.

Options for a customized "classic" feel

For the velious style User Interface, navigate to the uifiles folder, make a new folder called velious, navigate into it, and extract this into that folder:
http://www.project1999.org/files/veliousuiv3.zip
In order to activate this UI, you must type "/loadskin velious" from ingame

To hear the old style midi songs for loading, death, and combat, move the following files into your backup folder:
eqtheme.mp3
combattheme1.mp3
combattheme2.mp3
deaththeme.mp3

To change the loading screen, navigate to the Resources folder and replace loadscreen.jpg with one of the following (Right Click and Save As):
Original: Http://www.project1999.org/files/classic/loadscreen.jpg
Kunark: Http://www.project1999.org/files/kunark/loadscreen.jpg
Velious: Http://www.project1999.org/files/velious/loadscreen.jpg

To make the loginserver screens look like classic EQ (Click here for preview), navigate to uifiles/default and extract the files from this zip there:
Classic: http://www.project1999.org/files/EQLS_classic.zip
Kunark: http://www.project1999.org/files/kunarklogin.zip

[travatron]

Bumping this. Lots of new people asking lots of the questions addressed here.