How to regain a classic game experience?

[Toehammer]

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

I'm low level currently, and I was duoing with my girlfriend from level 1. However, I've kind of lost all motivation to play. She is a full noob to the game and playing more by herself lately but I think I'm just losing my own motivation to play the game. I get frustrated every time she makes a mistake and I find myself focusing on exp entirely more than I should.

My main issue is the community. Not that anyone is bad, but I feel like everyone just knows way too much. Everyone is too leveled, there's too many people handing out gear and plat, there's too much porting going on, etc etc. Even I feel like I know way too much now... experience in other mmos has made me a much better gamer than I was 10 years ago. Now I can run to queynos from freeport as an iksar in less than an hour. It's convenient but I feel like the part of me that wants to win ruins the game for me.

Basically, I feel like everything is too solved... I know when I get to 60 there won't be anything new to discover(and I haven't even been to 60 yet, but just from past mmo experiences and reading the forums that's the feeling I get). I want to find some way to play the game as like an adventurer again. I want to feel more immersed in the world and my character. I don't really know how to regain this though. Is it just time to move on or is there a way to get in touch with my inner casual gamer?

From reading your post I took away three things:
1) your girlfriend wants to play EQ with you, and now even BY HERSELF
2) you don't find the game fun because you "know everything" [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]
3) you want to play the game relaxed and have fun

First of all, if all our wives/girlfriends wanted to play EQ with us, you would hear NONE of us complaining. Second, you don't know everything... unless you have played every class to around level 50 and leveled in every zone... I doubt it.

If you want to play casually JUST DO IT. Most people who play this game for min/max purposes (max exp rate, best in slot gear, etc.) don't actually challenge themselves in the game. Can you and your gf down a level 10 monster as a level 6 duo? Or are you just like "No Jane, we have to plow through dark blue mobs to get to level 9 because I get blahblah spell which will increase our kill rate by 6%." Just focus on making the game fun as opposed to a grind.

Instead of leading your girl around through the game, present her options and let her figure them out. For example, at level 15, suggest hmm, I hear about an estate infested by undead in the land of the dwarves/elves, or there is a frozen tundra to the north to explore, or we can hunt animals out on the plains. Give her some choices. Explore zones like Runnyeye or Gorge of King Xorbb, etc.

I would KILL for my wife to want to play with me. And if she did, I would let her experience it like she wants to the first time. Also, a couple carefully placed cues from you could also steer her away from truly boring stuff. For example, if she really wants to roleplay and run mail across continents, just be like, oh, we will only get a 1 platinum reward or something.

Careful steering/cues while letting her take the reins will maximize the pleasure for both of you. (this can also be applied to... other things just an fyi...)

in fact... 1) 2) & 3) become:
1) my girlfriend wants to get it on a lot, but I get bored, and now she does it by herself
2) I am Casanova, know it all, and now it is boring [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]
3) you want to get it on again and have it be interesting, but you don't know how... poor you!

Seriously, let your girlfriend choose your own adventure.