What "made" EQs endgame feel epic?

[Sadre Spinegnawer]

There are actually potential scientific reasons for this.

Researchers have discovered when something looks too much like the real thing -- like a doll -- people often find it either less "immersive" than a more fake looking doll, or even worse, they actually are repelled by the realistic doll. We don't want the things we play with to look or feel "real." If you think about it, that makes sense and is a good sign!

I find myself feeling this way about eq. At first newer games are impresive visually, or the physics, or the detail, etc.

So why do I find myself noticing when the sun rises in Oasis of Marr over the ocean, casting totally unrealistic shadows and light over the blocky and pixelated sand dunes, and over mobs mobs and players that look like they were rendered on a Kaypro?

Because, the "retro" quality of eq gives my imagination room to fill in the missing parts, which it does, and enjoys it.

So, "freedom" is the answer. Higher quality graphics and all that other kind of stuff does not = an improved gameworld. In fact, such things may even be *harming* mmo's.

Don't fuck with my imagination! Fortunately, classic eq and my imagination get along just fine.

And have you ever seen the sun rise over the dunes in Oasis of Marr? It looks fake, and looks beautiful.