How EQ3 could change Norrath forever
Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Opinion
Reading this recent interview with SOE's John Hayase got me thinking about something quite interesting. It all came from the simple question, "Can we speculate on an EQ3?"I read the answer, which was the expected 'speculate away' response and got to thinking about such a notion right away. EverQuest as a brand is still fairly strong, it's only problem is that the fantasy genre is starting to become the World War II of massively games. Plus, one of the biggest criticisms given to EverQuest II is its lack of artistic inspiration. Not to say the game is ugly or anything -- it's just kind of bland. So what could put some 'oomph' behind a classic series that's gone a bit stale over the last decade?
Steampunk, that's what.
Now when I say steampunk, I don't mean the typical retro-futuristic style of steampunk -- although I certainly wouldn't stop SOE from trying to take the series there. What I'm actually suggesting is a more fantasy-heavy steampunk. A Norrath set 1,500 or 2,000 years after the events of EverQuest II -- where an industrial revolution has just recently begun no more than ten or fifteen years ago. It would easily be one of the most compelling massively games coming out in the next few years, so long as the art side of the game did their job properly.
This needs to happen if Sony Online Entertainment wants to keep the EverQuest brand among the creme of the crop in massively gaming. Pure fantasy has been done to death at this point and a large shift from the genre seems to be happening already. Games like Tabula Rasa, The Agency, APB, Champions Online, Earthrise, Jumpgate Evolution and the recently announced Tom Clancy MMO -- they're all pointing to a future where the fantasy genre no longer dominates.
Getting back to EverQuest III, it would be a good idea for SOE to do whatever they can to attract new customers while retaining as many of the old as they can. Although since the original EverQuest is still getting expansions I don't see why the fans should be too upset, since they already have two games set in a full-fantasy world.
This move would be to garner new fans, people like me who are just really tired of the same old fantasy settings and would kill for something fresh and fun. It doesn't have to be a major departure from what we love in massively games, although I'm always up for new ways to play as well. Mostly what I'm demanding here is a fresh coat of paint -- a new type of virtual world to explore and level up in. A world full of giant steam-powered, magically infused robots -- something near and dear to my heart. A setting where players could roll a flintlock wielding gun mage character who shoots magical ammo that act much like spells -- or maybe an elite warrior with a robotic clockwork arm made out of magical copper. The requisite airships would have to make some sort of appearance and maybe even a giant flying fortress or two.
A setting like that would easily give players -- both new and old -- a reason to pay very close attention to EverQuest III, should it ever get made in the first place. If all we have to look forward to is another fantasy setting with better graphics, I'm afraid it's only going to appeal to the same people already playing the first two games -- people who've dedicated a lot of time to essentially the same game.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Snailking said on 5:50PM 3-21-2008
When I was just reading the teaser to your article on the main page the first thing I thought of was "make EQ3 steampunk", and get some decent art direction. Guess we think alike... The setting was one of the main things getting me stoked for UO2 before it was canceled.
I hope they'd learn something from WoW, though, and make it so it doesn't require a computer coming out two years after release to run. Accessibility does wonders for sales.
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Ryan Greene said on 6:26PM 3-21-2008
I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said but for one teensy bit:
"Plus, one of the biggest criticisms given to EverQuest II is its lack of artistic inspiration. Not to say the game is ugly or anything -- it's just kind of bland."
I have to say, EQII, to my sensibilities, is actively ugly. Honestly, ever since EQ departed from its original graphics with Shadows of Luclin, the whole IP has gotten uglier and uglier. The old school graphics may have looked a little silly even a few years ago, but at least they had much more character than the chunky, personality-less troglodytes they've since churned out.
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Wildhammer said on 6:33PM 3-21-2008
Combining sci-fi and fantasy is tricky business, but when you can get it right, you have a recipe for sucess. It's kind of hard to have magic and technology side-by-side unless you incorporate the two together like WarCraft did.
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Halidan said on 2:26AM 3-23-2008
...or Final Fantasy 3 (6 depending on where you live). What IP did steampunk/ fantasy better that FF?
Bildo said on 11:56PM 3-21-2008
I'm immediately reminded of Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura from Troika a few years back. Phenomenal game (and studio) that did a fantastic job melding the industrial revolution with traditional high fantasy. Look no further than that game for how to really make EQ3 come alive like this article suggests.
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Kyle Horner said on 11:59PM 3-21-2008
Yes! That game was awesome. Perfect example.
Thanks for all the comments guys, I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this idea would give EverQuest a huge shot in the arm.
vwr said on 8:01AM 3-22-2008
Excellent idea. We hope in Steampunk for mmo's future !
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kamolahy said on 10:57AM 3-22-2008
I couldn't agree less.
Steampunk in EQ3? The suggestion just bears that you know quite a little about Steampunk and the world of EQ. IT doesn't fit the lore to become the prime story of the game.
Also, your lack of taste for EQ's style is purely your taste. I hear way more praise for the graphics and the styles than I get from other MMOs. It's a matter of taste. It may not be as colorful and over the top as WoW or something, but it's not trying to be.
Who is EQ2 competing with? Lotro? Lotro has good graphics, but damn they are basic. You see the same crap all the time in that game. Not inventive at all.
When trying to balance the stretch to make things realistic looking with making fantasy work, most devs can't do it. EQ2 has done a great job of marrying the 2.
Check your sources, and learn that there are a TON of people who love the art style of EQ2.
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Scott McMillin said on 10:29PM 3-22-2008
Doesn't fit the lore 1,500 years in the future? Huh?
Please do enlighten us.
Rollins said on 11:32AM 3-22-2008
As long as it would retain the complexity of EQ2 compared to other modern MMOs, I'd be all in.
I know EQ2 is significantly simpler than EQ1 was, but it's far more dense than WoW or LotRO. I wish the engine was better, though - it makes me sad to see a game that still has no dual/multi-core support and runs shadows through the CPU. :\
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Otter said on 3:47PM 3-23-2008
How about Everquest 40k? That would be eq and sci-fi!
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Yeebo said on 4:46PM 3-23-2008
I think in terms of systems EQ II just about nails things. Gives you plenty of depth without becoming burdensome in most areas. Inside of a linear quest based PvE game, you won't find an MMO that has better game systems. At best other MMO's I'm aware of are on par in some areas.
Unfortunately, to get to those systems you have to suffer through one of the worst graphics engines on the market. Spotty framerates (even on a high end CP) and abundant loading screens.
It's also not a very cohesive or convincing world. The setting seems like someone threw a bunch of fantasy cliches into a blender (I felt that way about EQ, but it's charming and well thought out compared to EQ II). And the art direction is at best spotty.
Sort of rambling, but EQ II with a decent graphics engine and a compelling setting is something I would play in a heartbeat. Your idea for EQ III is certainly one way to get there.
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Tia said on 4:25PM 3-31-2008
I completely disagree with this. At least for me, one thing that really ruins a fantasy based game is the whole futuristic robotic / industrial mess.
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