If you could go back in time and get on the EQ dev team

[Aalderon Crystafire]

When you have a faction maxed it would grant you a powerful Final Fantasy-style summon ability on a long CD timer. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Caldwin]

1) Somehow make it so older content/gear is not obsoleted by newer content/gear. This includes someway of reducing the ability or effectiveness of being twinked. I'm not sure how to go about this, but there has to be some way.

On P99, it's far worse than was on live during the classic period. Between the longer time frame for expansions and the knowledge people have now vs then, people are able to solo (due to being highly twinked and knowing the ends and outs of the game) content that used to require full groups.

I remember on live, my very first group was on the trail just over the hill from the orc lift. That is not the case on P99. Though, I also remember more roaming mobs in that area than on P99. Then, moved to orc hill. A group at entrance tunnel to CB.

Then in CB, there was a group near the zone line, one each at slavers area, trainer, lego's beyond slavers, wall, inside castle, and maybe a separate group near the slave pits. On P99, it's now mainly slavers, trainer (and that's often done solo), and the wall, which also pulls from the castle and maybe slave pits.

There just has to be a way to keep camps intended for full groups to not be taken by a soloist or a duo.

2) Something that might provide random danger is when raining, a possibility of being struck by lightening. When lightening strikes, it producing max damage at the point it strikes, then decreases damage further out up to a certain distance away. Those wearing metal take higher damage than others that are not. Being indoors or otherwise under cover, shields you from the lightening. Maybe even have one or more casters with a spell to protect the target from lightening strikes, or at least reduce the chance of being struck or reduce damage taken.

I remember when I first started on live and it started to rain, I thought you could actually get struck. Hey, I didn't know how realistic they may have made the game.

3) Like some others have mentioned, it would be nice if trade skills actually meant something.

4) Make all classes usefull in groups/raids. Others have given some ideas. But, wizards, druids, rangers and even paladins being shunned by at least the min/maxers isn't cool. Maybe wizards can get slightly better mana regen or their spells not cost as much mana. As someone else mentioned, maybe have ranger's archery skills do meaningful damage. etc.

Just some thoughts.

[jolanar]

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

1) Somehow make it so older content/gear is not obsoleted by newer content/gear.

They did this on live to an extent by adding recommended levels and required levels and also making A LOT more gear no drop instead of trade-able.

But ultimately gear inflation is a huge selling point for new expansions in any game.

[Yuuvy The Destroyer]

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

One thing I always was hoping for was situational needs for using piercing / slashing / blunt items for melee. For instance, a skeleton would take less damage from piercing (harder to hit them bones), medium damage for slashing (may slip between the ribs), and heavy damage for blunt weapons.

Same can be said for chance to hit. This can add some diversity and a need for melee to carry around more weapons that can be swapped in and out depending on the fight. I think some interesting encounters could be had with this (such as rogue dps being very low on a mob with 'resistance to piercing', maybe they need to give up backstab for slashing weapons)

This was a thing in a later expansion. Don't recall if it was one mob or one encounter.
I didn't care for it, none of our warriors had daggers and none of the rogues had blunt weapons.

[Halfelfbard]

I'd give myself winning lottery numbers, and invest in Everquest itself and just let the magic happen.

[fadetree]

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

For example, when playing my bard AoE kiting is incredibly efficient, but the high risk and amount of fatigue burns you out really quickly. Grouping has much less friction/anguish, a social component, and the greater possibility of obtaining loot.

For some classes in EQ the incentives balance out, and I've actually done about half AoE and half grouping at this point (level 50). I wish the design was such that more classes could enjoy that dynamic.

Contrast with a game like WoW as you find it today, where *everything* is completely frictionless and efficient...and well, yeah. /endrant

That's the great irony of game design; removing friction and pain-in-the ass stuff and 'unbalanced' stuff actually ruins the game. Nobody gets mad, but nobody enjoys it either. Kind of like Socialism.

[jolanar]

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

That's the great irony of game design; removing friction and pain-in-the ass stuff and 'unbalanced' stuff actually ruins the game. Nobody gets mad, but nobody enjoys it either. Kind of like Socialism.

Agreed and I hope everyone who loves P99 can attest that sometimes good game design does not always make "sense". The friction IS content. Polishing a game too much detracts from it's challenge and charm.

[Alanus]

1. Surefall ports
2. No MQing
3. Have AGI do more

[Brut]

Tell the developer who was secretly playing a monk and kept making the class more and more broken in Velious to stahp. There is no reason for MNK to be on Sactum Earring omg why.

[Biddil Arcfire]

I'd tell the developers to remove the smiling ogre face as an option at character creation. Yuck.