We had a really fun weekend on the Phinigel EverQuest “True Box” Progression Server this weekend. Daybreak turned on double experience, even on progression servers, allowing us to propel ourselves forward at a little more reasonable rate. If you recall, experience on Phinigel is 66% slower than Ragefire and Lockjaw servers. Doubling the exp brought things a little closer to what they were on the other servers which is crazy since this weekend it felt like exp was absolutely flying. Discussions of experience gain always throw me into a catch-22.
EverQuest, for me, is entirely about the journey. I could not care any less about the end-game or raiding or my end-game gear, etc. I enjoy grouping, gaining experience, the challenges, and the world. All of that resonates with me in ways no other game can. Then double XP comes along and I’m loving how it accelerates the leveling process.  Wait, aren’t those two things on opposing ends of my enjoyment? I know, hence my catch-22. I think I like how it allows me to push characters has a rut or into new areas. People in general seem to be a little more focused on working together to take advantage of the XP gains, so groups are aplenty.
I ended up getting my Necromancer to level 19, and my Cleric was able to reach level 6 (almost 7) thanks to a few crushbone belts from my friend. So despite the fact that some people have already killed the dragons on this server (yes, it has been up for just over a week) and are decked out in amazing gear, I’m enjoying myself in the Estate of Unrest killing the undead while leveling up at a now snails pace thanks for having to work on the last day of the XP bonus.
There are about 10 weeks until Kunark comes out. I think that should be enough time to get 50, or close to it.
I have exactly that Catch 22 in most MMOs. I put it down to the fact that if I like an MMO I want to play all the races and most of the classes and accelerated xp makes that more feasible.
I’m starting to wonder if these games play on my addictive brain the same way other addictive things do. Because I care a lot more about the loot (reward) and those people killing dragons, in a game I’m not even playing, have me all on edge. I’m starting to wonder if “achiever” really means likely to be addicted to stuff.
I’d guess that in 100 years there would be lots of studies about this, but the games may be dead in 10 so possibly not.
How about that, a second double xp weekend!
I hit 44, and OMG, I’m so tired.
Hah. I’m working my way toward 31 on my Necro and 10 on my Cleric.