Do you guys play EQ to escape?

[tranceminus]

I played P99 for a solid 8-9 months until earlier this year. I relate to a lot of what you said.

I originally played when I was 13, and the last few years of my life were extremely stressful as my business slowly slid downhill and eventually imploded. I was drinking heavily and playing EQ every day as a way to feel happiness and escape the stress, and logging in for me also does bring back all the positive feelings I had associated with EQ from when I was a child.

I quit a few months ago because EQ had turned into a legitimate addiction. I was logged in every spare minute I had in the day, and found myself neglecting my gf and other responsibilities to do so.

From getting to know people IG during that time, I’d say a large percentage of people on this server play for similar reasons.

I wish you the best with whatever you’re struggling with, nothing lasts forever, not even the shitty periods in life.

[Cen]

Ive never done anything in life as an escape that I can think of... I'm not sure what that means exactly.. but I started P99 for nostalgic reasons. Somewhere along the way I realized this wasn't nostalgic anymore because I overtook anything I ever accomplished in the classic game. This is now all the stuff I'm going to remember. I never had a character over 50 in classic and now I do so clearly I must have been playing more. Also the only rule I ever made when I first started playing here was to not play the two classes I played in classic which was necromancer and ranger. But now that I've essentially overtook anything classic I feel like if I ever start on the green server I'll just have to play ranger and necro again just now those are the classes in which I have experienced the least lol

[ScottBerta]

I really appreciate your post and can relate on many levels. I too suffered from addiction and alcoholism. I’ve been sober now for 11 years and being sober allows me to have a life where I can play eq recreationally. I have a great life now and I could go on and on about how great it is but it’s all because I got honest with myself and got sober. I really believe you should give sobriety another chance. I know it’s easier said than done but you owe it to yourself. Just a suggestion but try going to an AA meeting and possibly get a sponsor.

There is a saying in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous that in sobriety you will have a life better than anything you could have imagined. I thought this was silly, but I can promise you it is true. Hit me up if you want to talk more bro!

-Cisco 60 Shaman
-Demitrios 60 Mage
-Atreo 52 SK

[Swish2]

EQ is therapeutic on many levels... if you need it, it's here.

It's kept some people going for 20 years <3

[aaezil]

At least some of the population is either unemployed or has no life outside of work and eq so i would say yes

[Whoop]

Some years ago I went to a theurapist to get help with my drug adiction. She told me if computer games help me to stay away from the drug its agreat tool to use. so I did nad now I have have a wife, 2 kids, a cat, good job and I still play Everquest to escapre form it all <3 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Dolalin]

My captors have told me I'll be free to go when I've leveled 1-60 in Erud's Crossing.

[tsuchang]

I would like to be wise but I have nothing.
Just don't give up.

[Altan]

Honestly, the game has been therapeutic in a way because sometimes if I feel like just saying something out loud that I am too afraid to say in real life, I do so in game when I find a nice secluded spot to myself. Usually that place is the river in Toxxulia Forest, but if people are around, I'll find somewhere else. Like in the middle of the forest in Greater Faydark or something

It's interesting that you say that dude. Do you have any parks / forests / rivers/ greenery where you live? I know that this'll sound hippy-ish, but have you ever tried going to one of the above on your own and just having a sit / taking it in / saying stuff out loud (assuming that no one is about haha)? Nature is so healing (even just being amongst it- reading - whatever) and if you enjoy being on your own, in nature, in-game, a real life version can be even more powerful.

On another note, you are brave to post something like this. Keep up the good fight. So what that you fell off the wagon. Fall down seven times and stand up eight. I dont mean that callously, but evidently you are still getting up despite being knocked down, and that's what counts! ..And if EQ continues to help you then that's a good thing. Do what works for you.

[I apologise for above comments. You didn't ask for advice. But i wanted to throw in my 2 copper pieces in case they are of use]

As to your question, yes i have used it as an escape. Back when it first came out i was at college and ended up taking a year off to play it haha! I was socially inept so Everquest was a nice place to visit. It was easier for me to socialise in game, than real-life, and i felt that i could be myself more so. And lets face it, it was bloody good (torturous, soul destroying, unforgiving, rewarding, friend-bonding) fun too?! [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

These days i no longer play (never really played project 99). The majority of me is now a different person so i doubt i could ever play as i did (I tried but soon realised that dam, so much time is needed to accomplish anything (not saying that’s bad) and I’m not interested enough to use that much time on it)... But, it's still there in my heart, so i like to browse forums now and then and logon to explore zones, hear music and indulge in nostalgia..

To an extent, in my view, everything is an escape. Reading a book, watching a film, playing tennis, playing a game. [yoda] Perhaps it’s how present you are when doing them is what counts [/yoda]

[Whoop]

this:

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

To an extent, in my view, everything is an escape. Reading a book, watching a film, playing tennis, playing a game. [yoda] Perhaps it’s how present you are when doing them is what counts [/yoda]