EverQuest & EverQuest II Producer's Letters

Holly addresses the state of the games as she steps into the Executive Producer role.

UPDATE - Saturday February 14:

  • Daybreak had connection issues overnight; forums are back up, but login may not be completely stable yet. It is being worked on.
  • 12:30pm ET: Smed, Holly and Emily (Domino) have all confirmed that there are DDOS attacks going on. They're doing what they can, but expect things to be unstable until it's mitigated.
  • 3:30pm ET: Everything should be back online now!
  • Holly posted a bit more this morning on the EQ2 forums, and twice on the EQ forums, both of which we've included after the jump.
  • If you're unfamiliar with Holly, read this comment.

Holly "Windstalker" Longdale, now the Executive Producer for both EverQuest & EverQuest II, has posted letters on the EverQuest and EverQuest II forums. She introduces herself to EverQuest players, and offers reassurances that both games will continue development.

You can read and comment on both letters (linked above) on the official game forums. The main point seems to be to invite everyone to livestreams. Here's the info:

EverQuest Livestream:

EverQuest II Livestream:


On the EQ2 forums (1):

Hello you lovely Norrathians!

You gents and ladies are making me misty. This is exactly the support we need. I have to tell you the team you have here is so amazing. Lots of you have met people in your lives who talk big game, but this team does actually do it with confidence and no fear knowing they are choosing big challenges, but always taking the best path for the game and you.

We have an expansion taking shape with great ideas. The team explored some options before I even asked. I suppose that's what we do as gamers anyway!

This community of passionate gamers and the team make me beam with pride that we are all blended together in this industry/hobby.

I respect and value each of you.

Holly

On the EQ forums (1) (2):

I'm reading...I'm here! Let me say a few things.

I think I'd be freaked out if there wasn't healthy debate and a mix of cynicism, support, and suggestions. Expansions are a priority. That, and given the massive collective intelligence here and on the team, lots...or most...of the ideas I've seen here are being discussed.

By expansion, I believe we all mean new areas to explore, characters to discover, character growth and progression, monsters, fun, fear, awesome encounters, loot, and new toys.

The team is freeing their minds (and I'm asking you too) to talk about what we want for our beloved characters, community, and the world.

Expansions as you know them are likely, of course. I want us to really explore the possibilities of what is best to do for the game and you.

What I won't do is lie to you. When we have details, we will share them. We can't gain your faith and support by simply calming the waters. You are also too intelligent to buy a "line" so I won't insult the brainpower here or the cynics. I'm a gamer too. I get it.

Brass tacks are that we are on a new amazing journey together that includes you. This is a game of epic proportions, traditions, and passionate players and the first step is to breathe, let the air in, and give this crazy, passionate team a tick to regen and cast some nukes.

I'm here, we are listening. We are in this for Norrath.

I hope you can all bear with me as I grow my whiskers and tail back. It's a kick to see familiar folks from design days. (I remember killing Tharkis.) Wow.

Much respect to all of you. The passion and care here is evident. We share it.

P.S. I can't believe you already called out Holly Longtail and Strat! Lyndro made them when we were guildies. So long ago...when Innoruuk was a boy elf.

Sincerely, as always,

Holly "Windstalker" Longdale
(formerly Vahlar...or maybe Vahlstalker?)

 

This is great constructive feedback! It also reminds me how huge the game is and the equally vast breadth of variety in how you all choose to play. Thanks for being helpful here.

Comments

Post Comment
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# Feb 14 2015 at 10:36 PM Rating: Good
36 posts
David Georgeson, even though he was the executive producer for all Everquest games, didn't actually play Everquest. His legacy will be that horrible weekly content scheme, and they aren't even doing weekly content anymore.

At least Daybreak is making the producer for Everquest an actual Everquest player. The situation is still terrible though.
both links led to eq1
# Feb 14 2015 at 9:42 PM Rating: Decent
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654 posts
this is the link to eq2
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Success comes when preparation meets opportunity -- and EQ is no exception.
DDoS
# Feb 14 2015 at 2:22 PM Rating: Decent
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87 posts
While by no means do I ever condone illegal hacking (unless maybe its against a terrorist organization ), and having worked in an IT company under cyberattack (never fun and always a drain on resources and time ), I feel for all the staff at DBC,
I have to wonder,
is anyone at Columbus Nova hearing a certain phrase in their minds....
"Life ..... of......Consequences...."
Either way, targeting Daybreak was a bad choice.
DDOS
# Feb 14 2015 at 11:38 AM Rating: Good
37 posts
When lag like this hits, the first thing I usually do is look around on Twitter. Sure enough...https://twitter.com/LizardPhoenix/status/566525242743721984

Neckbeards with ego.
DDOS
# Feb 14 2015 at 11:43 AM Rating: Good
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309 posts
Stupid bratty entitled kids. Pretty much exactly what they are.
updated article
# Feb 14 2015 at 10:11 AM Rating: Excellent
Empress of News
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I just updated the article with Holly's responses on both forums from last night and this morning.

Us EQ2 folk are already familiar with Holly, but I realize that the EQ-only players here are not as much. I've had the pleasure of chatting extensively with her at the past three Fan Faires plus last January's Year of EverQuest event. She is a friendly, down-to-earth woman, who cares very deeply about making the best experience for the players. She has great ideas, loves listening to player ideas and problems, and is good at bringing out the best from her dev team.

She is not joking when she posted on the EQ forums that she won't lie to you. Don't expect them to post every little detail of their plans before they're ready to present them, but Holly is not going to feed you BS just to make herself look good.

Holly will listen to all of you. Be active in the community; help test things they're working on. Be respectful of the fact that everyone at not-SOE just lost a massive number of friends they were accustomed to seeing on a daily basis, and trust that they are going to try their best to keep up with the gaming experience we're used to having.

If you use Twitter, you can follow her @WindstalkerEQ2 there. Sometimes the forums are down and it's a good way to keep in-touch with what's going on.

Edited, Feb 14th 2015 11:12am by Cyliena
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updated article
# Feb 14 2015 at 11:44 AM Rating: Excellent
Special Snowflake
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I'm going to echo Cyliena here. I haven't spent quite as much time chatting with Holly, but she's genuine, she's really a gamer, and she's done very well with EQ2. I too was skeptical (I suspected she was a Georgeson shill), but turns out she's really good at this, and possibly our best producer since Hartsman. She has history with Norrath, and actually started in the biz working on EQ. Yeah, she's nick-named for the character that roams Qeynos Hills ganking toons who kill animals (EQ) or lurking as a ghost (EQ2), but she's good at her job (and really nice, too).

She's working under adverse conditions with what sounds like skeleton crews. I think you'll be surprised with what she brings to you.

Edited, Feb 14th 2015 5:31pm by Calthine
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updated article
# Feb 15 2015 at 8:52 AM Rating: Good
Scholar
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53 posts
Haha yeah i met that one on my dark elf necro, the words "Natural selection in progress" still rings in my ears :)
updated article
# Feb 14 2015 at 11:41 AM Rating: Good
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309 posts
Very cool! Thanks for the personal insight. I'm more optimistic today than I was yesterday and I was pretty optimistic.
Undependable Service
# Feb 14 2015 at 10:01 AM Rating: Good
26 posts
Was concerned this would be the beginning of the end. May be time to actually start looking at another game. Seems EQ doesn't have the know how to keep its game up and running. As each "occurrence" happens, the thought of another game comes up. Looks like its finally time to actually start looking. Been playing off and on since 1999. Really would like to stay. Actually enjoy this game when its up but have a real problem with undependable service. Spent way too many years being taught by some of the best on how important it is to give the customer what he's looking for. When the customer (and the company's employees) become dissatisfied, the end is near.
eq2 forums not available
# Feb 14 2015 at 9:16 AM Rating: Decent
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654 posts
i always log into the forums every morning. today i come in and it says webpage not available. wondering if anyone has the link to the new forums? i would have thought they would have redirected us or something.

nevermind. from eq2wire- they have been hacked and we can't get in

Edited, Feb 14th 2015 10:19am by iyeni
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EQ Seems To Be Back Up
# Feb 14 2015 at 10:51 AM Rating: Decent
I'm able to log in. Will clean closets another day. Smiley: laugh
eq2 forums not available
# Feb 14 2015 at 9:48 AM Rating: Excellent
Empress of News
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2,350 posts
Hacking is much different than network issues and/or DDOSing. ;)

Forums seem to be loading fine now; login is likely still off and on.
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Layoffs
# Feb 14 2015 at 8:55 AM Rating: Decent
39 posts
Massive layoffs and now game is down. Could they be related???

Good luck in your new role Holly... It could be a bumpy ride!
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soe
# Feb 14 2015 at 8:19 AM Rating: Decent
12 posts
soe is up now at least I could login there
Hmmm
# Feb 14 2015 at 8:12 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
41 posts
Laid off developer with a backdoor, ya think?
Hmmm
# Feb 14 2015 at 8:21 AM Rating: Decent
12 posts
soe is up just logged in
Re: Forums
# Feb 14 2015 at 7:57 AM Rating: Decent
I was finally able to access the EQ forums. https://forums.station.sony.com/eq/index.php

Everquest has posted a couple tweets and the following is at the top of the page in red letters:
Status: 2/14/2015 5:30 PST - We are currently investigating a potential issue with network connectivity to the game.

I guess I'll find something else to do. Now that I think about it, I have some closets that could be cleaned out. Smiley: lol
Crashed now no launchpad
# Feb 14 2015 at 7:43 AM Rating: Decent
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125 posts
Oh yeah, sony forums are down too, happy day.
Crashed now no launchpad
# Feb 14 2015 at 9:16 AM Rating: Default
Scholar
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89 posts
She looks like my Ex, we're in big trouble.
Crashed now no launchpad
# Feb 14 2015 at 7:42 AM Rating: Decent
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125 posts
As mentioned before, woke up this morning to a crash screen and now launchpad will not load, gives an error message of some type but it won't do any good to post it here..

Happy Valentines day I guess. Go enjoy RL for a while, heh.
login
# Feb 14 2015 at 7:41 AM Rating: Decent
13 posts
Forums are down, I'm able to get to the server screen but went into chat, I was the only one there. When I got to character select, then it locked up ;(
Launchpad in Limbo
# Feb 14 2015 at 7:35 AM Rating: Decent
Launchpad just sits there with the hypnotic swirling circle in the center, then goes to black and then nothing. I normally wouldn't be concerned about a glitch in logging in but with all of the changes this past week or so, I have a bad feeling about this. Smiley: disappointed

I know it's the weekend, but I can't find any information anywhere about what is going on. Can someone from Gateway step up and let us know what's happening?

Sophanya
105 Cleric
Sacred Destiny Guild of Tunare
EQ and Holly
# Feb 14 2015 at 7:04 AM Rating: Decent
If I remember correctly Holly Windstalker roamed around Qeynos Hills making players lives miserable if they should be unlucky enough to get attacked by a rabid bear.
Now that she is executive producer she has managed ( in less than 8 hours) to not only kill off all the players but all the servers and the web site as well. I knew she was evil the second i laid eyes on her !!!
EQ and Holly
# Feb 14 2015 at 3:59 PM Rating: Decent
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483 posts
lmao. This made my day.
Incredibly slow to connect
# Feb 14 2015 at 5:52 AM Rating: Decent
8 posts
Clients crashed last night. Tried again this morning and eventually I can get on after extremely long delays.
Incredibly slow to connect
# Feb 14 2015 at 5:52 AM Rating: Decent
8 posts
Clients crashed last night. Tried again this morning and eventually I can get on after extremely long delays.
Denial of service attack.
# Feb 14 2015 at 4:58 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
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77 posts
I was playing when all of a sudden my computers all rebooted at the same time. No errors or anything. I went through my logs and had multiple entries of denial of service attacks.
Don't do it on weeeekend, dudes!
# Feb 14 2015 at 4:53 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
22 posts
Alright... no access to website or games..
They're hacked again???
C'mon, don't do it on weekend. duhhh.
Busted
# Feb 14 2015 at 4:51 AM Rating: Excellent
Sage
***
3,008 posts
One brief comment on their Facebook page ("we're aware servers are down and we are investigating", paraphrased) is all I've seen anywhere in terms of keeping customers informed. Hope one of the new guys didn't bust EQ. Smiley: eek
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Hack attack!
# Feb 14 2015 at 4:50 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
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77 posts
They just got hacked again! My computer was attacked through EQ Game Client!
LaunchPad failed
# Feb 14 2015 at 4:18 AM Rating: Decent
Launch pad will not load, Sony Online Entertainment sites will not load. I even changed my DNS settings to make sure it wasn't that. Can't find anything about the sites\game being down right now. Smiley: banghead Smiley: oyvey Smiley: disappointed
LaunchPad failed
# Feb 14 2015 at 4:40 AM Rating: Excellent
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236 posts
The hamsters have been laid offSmiley: nod
what's happening?
# Feb 14 2015 at 3:52 AM Rating: Decent
1 post
Maybe an update on why the game is down and the patcher wont even load? or some info at all, i got no warning the game was gonna go offline
Servers
# Feb 14 2015 at 3:14 AM Rating: Decent
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236 posts
Instead of reassuring future development, how about fixing the server lag issues of current? The last 2-3 weeks have been horrible on and off. Hell even SOE's website wont load atm. Must be having some major issues.
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