[Malev]

Originally Posted by Acillatem [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

The immersion factor is what EQ had over it's competitors. Sitting there waiting 30 minutes for the god damn boat. Sure it sucked. But you felt like you were a part of the world and that was the allure that was Classic EQ. It did an A+ job of making you feel like a part of Norrath. Exploring. Making new friends. All that was the foundation for what made EQ a success.

As the expansions kicked out, they chipped away at that a little bit at a time. The first time I believe I felt the immersion factor slipping away was Luclin. Nexus portals, automated bazaar, Safe Zones (I too played on TZ) etc. While more "convenient", it made the game feel more "computerized" and less "human". Each expansion after that added 1 or 2 things that added convenience, yet removed immersion.

Next came PoK. Then instanced dungeons etc. It just all started to chip away at the heart and soul of EQ until it was a shell of it's former self.

There wasn't 1 singular thing that "destroyed" EQ. It was a series of small changes that overall simply turned EQ into a different game altogether IMO.

I couldn't agree more!