If you're talking about Dark Ages of Camelot then you're a bit off. Like stated above, it came out after EQ, and the graphics are definitely superior. I was actually blown away by the graphics when I played DAOC on release, and the loading system ("bubble") was revolutionary - there were very few times where you zoned and yet the game ran lag free on even the worst systems and internet connections, even during huge 100+ player PVP skirmishes.

Yeah, itemization is kinda poor in DAOC but that's because it's not a PVE/gear focused game like EQ. The point was once you got to 50, you'd get your end tier crafted set and fill in with some named / DF items that didn't take nearly as long to get as the best items in games like EQ. And then you went out and PVPed in a game where skill actually mattered, instead of the gear you farmed.

When PVE / gear became a focal point in DAOC the game went dramatically downhill.

I wouldn't say DAoC is a step below. The focus isn't really on acquiring new gear because it's more of a PVP game.

The original zeitgeist of this game was to group, and to get friends.
From level 1 to 4, say, you learn to play your class, and questing in general. If you die, you appear right back in your home town, and take a few steps to get your stuff (except for erudites- lol).

This means after you learn your class you then need to meet others to group with and take down slightly larger targets.

From 4-8 this is made clear as you venture out and learn how annoying it is to have to run naked to your corpse, this lesson never leaves you and is repeated.

Once you get bored with the local stuff, that is when meeting people and making friends comes important, because then.....you get together and the mere act of traveling through lands frought with peril and you must travel with a group. Just delivering mail is an adventure.

And you get to a point, maybe halfway across West Karana, or in the South desert of Ro where you and your tween/teen selves look ahead, or look back and thinking- geez it's a long way back home but I want to see what is ahead there....That is the point, that is the moment, that is the time when you play/hunt to live.

And if only one person dies that is a good thing and discussions regarding logistics (who can/cannot invis, who can run faster or help run faster)
are made as to who else will go back to meet the fallen comrade/partner/guildmate/group buddy/or dare I say it...friend, and most every time followed by the remaining members saying " don't worry, we will protect your corpse until you get here"

And it is at that point, that moment, that time where you not only play to live, but play for a purpose, as you play not only for the drops, but more importantly, for the person, the comrade/partner/guildmate/group buddy/Friend.

The flavor of the remaining group protecting your corpse while you run as they take on an adversary that wandered in and live is an added bonus and reminds you of the experience (pardon the pun) you missed but realize as a group what you are capable of. From there it just grows.
And I haven't even touched on what you learn ....in dungeons. (or rather, how enchanters and other crowd controlers- EVEN RANGERS become your best friends- lol)

I have to disagree. I am constantly getting asked the most mundane questions while in groups or just random tells from people. Things that should be common knowledge about the game.

This doesn't bother me at all mind you, but I'm often surprised as to how many people I have encountered who have NEVER stepped foot on Norrath before P99.

[QUOTE=t0lkien;182910]
I'm not sure what you mean here. Are you talking about EQ? The 3rd person view is the same as any other MMO, plus it has 1st person if you mouse wheel in (though the melee bobbing makes it tough to deal with during combat).

QUOTE]


No, the 3rd person view stinks, no way to follow the terain so you can't see up or down when you need to easilly. You have to switch to 1st person view to see down many steps.

Classic EQ is actually very boring, it gets better in Kunark. Now every thing is perma camped and there are not that many cool items in the game. Most of the zones are very lame too. I got to 50 in like a month and a half with no help and now I am more or less waiting for Kunark.

Might be something wrong with your setup. 3rd person in EQ is basically the same as in any other game I've ever played, including WoW (without the auto follow cam). I can see fine everywhere *shrug*

http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/...er_waldorf.jpg

dooooo ho ho ho

Statler and Waldorf for teh win!