Explanation of EverQuest server population trends high and low;
 

Hokay, since I have heard a lot of cries, and this is an old story but many sads are about wondering if box is dead.

Will explain the obvious to noobs. More people play EverQuest during Fall and Winter. Less people play EverQuest during Spring and Summer.


EQ economics 101
To make as much money off of subscribers sony would release expansions first during low trending population. To retain subscribers during warm seasons when people would most likely be outside at a BBQ fist pumping.

Then During high population trends beginning in Fall they would release content to capitalize off the high trend. Good marketing strats.

The Ruins of Kunark (April 2000)
The Scars of Velious (December 2000)
The Shadows of Luclin (December 2001)
The Planes of Power (October 2002)
The Legacy of Ykesha (February 2003)
Lost Dungeons of Norrath (September 2003)
Gates of Discord (February 2004)
Omens of War (September 2004)
Dragons of Norrath (February 2005)
Depths of Darkhollow (September 2005)
Prophecy of Ro (February 2006)
The Serpent's Spine (September 2006)
The Buried Sea (February 2007)
Secrets of Faydwer (November 2007)
Seeds of Destruction (October 2008)
Underfoot (December 2009)
House of Thule (October 2010)
Veil of Alaris (November 2011)


So as we can see here, when population of their server began to trend low, they released content to keep subscribers. 5 Expansions were released in February -- to keep noobs at PC and hopefully distract them from sunlight. 9 expansions were released in fall trending high population times, to capitalize off of subscribers, much like when gas prices go up during summertime --- oil companies know you want AC and are going to burn more gas, so they up the price to capitalize. Sony knows in fall you're done fist pumping and BBQ'ing and will need pixels, so they sell you more content.

The second major thing they did was "Fabled" events. Fabled season always started in end of winter Quarter and ran through spring to capitalize off of the high to low trend. Don’t let the celebration end! Bonus experience, increased spawn rates on rare mobs, and the special 13 themed Marketplace sale has been extended by 1 day, through Sunday April 1st, 2012!-- The anniversary events in-game will continue their 13 week run until Friday, June 15th

So in 2012 they were promoting shit all the way till summer time. Just to try to keep players. They've done this for YEARS.

Was always during Spring/Summer that Guilds had most QQ. 'Oh nobody is logging in for raids' QQ. Red99 Population peaked during cold season not only because it was new, but because all the noobs were home out of the cold immersing in pixels.

Red99 has not only taken a cut in population but Project1999 Blue also has taken a significant cut in population from Winter-Spring quarter. and Spring-Summer.

QQ. Low pop.

More people playing a devnoob server than a rogaine server.

Am I really seeing this.

Big Harry#2 standing up for Red99? The box he's been thrashing and bashing and QQ hahahahaxxing for 7months?

I'm not sure if this is confirmed or not yet but, I think Harrison#2 just confirmed his love for box lyfe. Will need a confirmation.

nice OP, nice.

That's a lie bro.

30 seconds ago, r99 has been at 9-11 players

Cool post OP. Maybe Rogean will read and incorporate some marketing strats for our dying server.

Step aside paper tank. Main tank is here.

Which really means people want to cheat and grief with impunity more than play EQ. I started a character on Red with a friend of mine and we appear to be enjoying the server. It is quite close to what we both remembered. (Though we both think the mob regen is set a tad high) We are playing solo classes and playing the game.

We are NOT, PLing, sitting in on AoE groups or accepting someone elses gear and plat except what each other finds. You know, PLAYING EQ CLASSIC. The OOC chat is nearly a carbon copy from day to day, the same people whining about the same things. Here are the general highlights and if you miss a few days, don't worry it repeats daily:

1) Server pop QQing (Guys whining is always sexy, NOT!)
2) So and so sucks at PVP
3) So and so got pwned
4) Rogean and Nilbog suck yada yada
5) Amalinda sucks cuz she banned so and so
6) WTS this for 7k, WTT that for a crazy amount
7) Whoever is not Nihilum, pst
8) Nihilum sucks, Holo rocks yada yada
9) If I exploit this will I get banned? (one of my personal favs)
10) Responses to tells just asking a q: "Fuck off." "Kiss my ass." "Fuck you ******." (A personal fav considering I am african american)

The server is up, its alot like classic PvP, exactly like what Rogean and Nilbog said it would be. It is NOT VT/ZT or in other words a bad box for cheaters, exploiters and griefers. The rules were CLEARLY defined and were CLEARLY broken, blame yourselves please and stop QQing cuz your butt buddies got banned. The server is up and it works, the people however blame everyone and everything else besides their pathetic selves.

Thank you.

So nice to see someone who actually is playing EQ, to play EQ.

I'm sorry the community sucks. Most of the cool people (who actually enjoy classic EQ) are already high level or aren't loggin in much due to completing classic. That or they got tired of the community or the lack of interaction with staff, which is the biggest gripe of those who want to make the server less classic.

Be prepared to be called a bluebie pixel farmer for enjoying the grind, having fun while beating pve challenges, and spending time gearing up, regardless of how many people you kill while doing it. Sounds like you can handle it though.