I've got a family and more than a full time job. I've been playing off and on since around April of 2010 and my highest level character is 52 so I'm pretty casual.
How do I play? I make EQ sacrifices.
I don't main the class that I most wanted to play: a warrior. It just wouldn't be feasible when frequently I can only play for an hour or so. Even when I have several hours to play, I'm still a husband and father first so often have to step away or log on very short notice. Instead, I play a shaman where I can solo effectively which is what I do most.
If I know I'm going to have a 2-3 hour uninterrupted session coming up, I'll try to make the most of it. I'll camp in the area I want to group in the night before to increase the time I can be in a group. However, I don't wait long LFG. I've got 3 alts in the 15-30 range and will pick what I play based primarily on what I have time for or what I can find a group with.
I'm in a guild, and do raid casually in hate/fear and epic fights when I can. Fortunately there are several guilds out there where casual raiders are accepted. I don't dream big. While I used to play EQ hardcore from around 1999-2004, that's not where I'm at now in my life so I don't dream about phat loots and dragons.
I remember that family comes first. When my daughter was born, I quit for over 9 months to spend more time getting to know her and supporting my wife.
EQ is what you make of it, and it can still be plenty enjoyable even at 5-10 hours a week.
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