SoE is missing money

[fastboy21]

I happen to agree with most everyone here...the logic is so simple, how can SOE not realize that they are missing an easy and simple cash cow by opening up a single classic server.

I've gone to FF almost every year and spent quite a bit of time talking to various devs and other SOE ppl...the answer the last few years has varied, but here is what they tell me when I ask them about another progression or a purely classic server:

1. we've really talked about doing it, and it may actually happen at some point.

OR

2. even though we know there are some people who would come back to play classic we think that it would cause damage to our regular live game---which is where, as of now, we believe our future lies. SOE still believes that EQ has a future and the that the regular live servers are the target they need to invest in. Special ruleset servers aren't being ruled out, but they aren't a priority...as of now.

[Dac321]

I have a problem seeing SOE accepting the idea. I don't see them going backwards. They know they failed when they decided to push content out (and when Brad McQuaid left) IMO their ego is to big and won't admit that classic was WAY more successful then any of their half-ass expansions.

[Goobles]

If they did open up a classic server, 80% of the server would be comprised of people who currently play on other servers, and 20% would be of returning members. Let's figure that 1,000 people play on the server. Only 200 would be generating new revenue for them. $3,000 a month isn't going to make them want to open up a classic server

[Striiker]

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

SoE tried this once. The opened 2 servers with no content open except classic and they put a "time line" in place. They said that Vagy and Nox had to be killed before they would open Kunark....I am not sure of how long it took, but SoE had to scramble and put in a "set period of time". Seems two guilds did a zerg fest on both dragons and got them killed in weeks.

Kunark was same thing. Then Velious, etc etc. Both of those "classic" servers are caught up to the rest of the servers if I am not mistaken.

I seriously doubt SoE would ever consider rolling back the clock for a server.

What we should be talking about here, is everyone contributing some cash so Rogean will quit his job and work solely on getting Kunark out for us!! (insert funny sarcasm here)

The reality is that SOE did a poor implementation of the progression servers. There was a lot of newer code in the old world. For example, casting NPC's were much harder than they should have been. Mistmoore for example is heavy with casters and in the progression servers, people were getting their asses handed to them. Also, in Qeynos Hills there was an area where people could enter an instanced zone and get some very powerful items. The list goes on. They should have implemented a time-lock so that people could enjoy the old zones. I think they should have unlocked expansions at a rate which matches the original release rates.
As pointed out by others though, SOE was also concerned about the amount of players which were stripped from their standard servers. It is for this reason that we will not see a "Classic" server released from SOE until perhaps the end of life for the live servers.
The closest you can get to the classic feel is to get a Mac computer and sign up on Al Kabor. I almost did that until I discovered this server. This is my new home!

[imcrunchy]

i think soe dosnt like the idea of classic because the 1000s or 2000s junkies on it wont BUY the new expansions as they come out so they axed the idea..

and they know none of us will pay for kunark again if they tried that ;P

[Taluvill]

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

i think soe dosnt like the idea of classic because the 1000s or 2000s junkies on it wont BUY the new expansions as they come out so they axed the idea..

and they know none of us will pay for kunark again if they tried that ;P

Yes we would.

We pay 60 for classic, 40 for kunark and velious each. I bet they could get people to buy it, and enough to populate one server, but yeah. Is it worth it to set it up and take players away from the current servers?

[Deanob]

lol 10k a month is peanuts for Sony corp.

[Aadill]

Rogean could sell the modified code back to Sony as the original EQ, once done (or even as expansions come out); all current p1999 GMs/Devs can become the support staff for the server and rely on a yearly stipend for payment.

The subscription fee would pay for hardware maintenance and the majority of the stipend. Considering these jokers do it for free (THANKS!), they could gain some cash out of it and still have control of their amazing work.

No development work on the part of Sony, the staff is already in place, and a portion of the server population already loyal.

[Excision Rottun]

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

Rogean could sell the modified code back to Sony as the original EQ, once done (or even as expansions come out); all current p1999 GMs/Devs can become the support staff for the server and rely on a yearly stipend for payment.

The subscription fee would pay for hardware maintenance and the majority of the stipend. Considering these jokers do it for free (THANKS!), they could gain some cash out of it and still have control of their amazing work.

No development work on the part of Sony, the staff is already in place, and a portion of the server population already loyal.

Emu code is not the same as Live EQ code...no way Sony is going to run / support an Emu-based server. Pretty sure the login servers woulnd't even jive.

That and the million other problems, like having different patches / patch servers...

[fastboy21]

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

lol 10k a month is peanuts for Sony corp.

1. it isn't just the cost of running the server. they lose tons in opportunity costs (like the money in SKUs every 6 months with a new expansion).

2. there is a real threat that sony has (and, as much as i like classic i think they have a point here) in that a new classic server would hurt the larger existing live community. whole guilds would disappear, live server pops could become unstable. this has a domino effect.

3. as a philosophy (given by Smedley for better or worse) EQ has been directed to produce content for its FUTURE. They believe the big picture points towards new expansions and content for the current live game, and that a classic server content would detract from their ability to do that (right or wrong, this is the business decision Smedley has made).

4. 10k/month is not exactly peanuts. Sony has been firing people en masse the last few months. While you're right that they have money to invest in new products and concepts, it doesn't mean that any developer at sony has access to a huge petty cash box.

A classic server would be a MAJOR change in strategy for the current live team. It represents costs and server changes that FAR exceed the price of keeping the server on.

When it comes down to it, it is really very simple: until the live team (and Smedley) decide that EQ has a bigger market from nostalgic projects (like classic EQ) then it does from new live expansions, then and only then will you see them open up a classic or another progression server.