EQMac.com

Whilst we wait for the details, I got out the crystal ball and tried to see through the mists at what some of the "details" might be.
Pure speculation of course, but maybe...

1. No customer service support other than Hobart's out of hours assistance
2. No code fixes or mods at SoE expense i.e. only on Hobart's own time.
3. Project created to institute the Market Place into the Al'Kabor code base (they've got to get revenue from Ak somehow eventually).
4. SoE recruits college grads as unpaid trainees to learn the code and provide a future backup to Hobart. This way they get industry experience and we get some support down the line.
5. SoE commits to infrastructure support i.e. replace failed hardware, fix network issues etc

Personally, I'd still like to have at least a minumum subscription amount to pay, at least to cover some of the cost of keeping the hamster fed and some minimum guaranteed support, but can't really complain as it stands. Smeds is to be congratulated for this (never thought I'd say that) and the work behind the scenes from Hobart, Utdaan and others unnamed to be well applauded.

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Member of <Destiny>

Vanaar - Lvl 39 Sk
Karella - Lvl 39 Shm
Lokka - Lvl 39 Mag

Honestly I'd be ok with having only Hobart as our link to SOE. He knows what he's doing AND he's a good guy. You can't get any better than that. As for covering costs, I don't know what they have planned to suddenly decide to make EQMac F2P but I'm sure we'll find out soon.

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I think the cost of running the server is pretty minimal if you get rid of CS so I'd assume we'll be losing any in game support at the least. Smed has said there will be no marketplace and they won't be making any direct revenue from us. They're doing it for goodwill basically.

The system that we all know with the subscription fees is going away.

It is more expensive for them to maintain it for a server that has already been described as a revenue eater.

Its cheaper to cut that expense out and just set EQMac as free to play than it is to maintain the old system of subscription fees.

Thats all there really is to it folks. They know we run at a loss all things considered. Its cheaper to let us play for free than to charge us.

how long can EQ function without customer support? Just wondering if this game can function on its own without constant care and feeding.

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First of all, it ran just fine for several years on minimal (read as zero) CS support.

Second, I chatted a bit with Piestro yesterday, and SOE is working on making sure we do have some support. After all, he DID state to contact CS if people have issues getting their accounts up and running.

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Proud member of Temerity
GM Fletcher (250) Jewel Craft (234) Brewing (226) Smithing (224 + 15%) Pottery (234) Baking (246) Pure Hell (226)
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The interesting thing to remember too is that it's the entire EQ universe that will be F2P, not just EQ Mac. I thought at first it was just us and we'd basically be left to forage for ourselves (Rangers/Druids, help!) in exchange for no fee, but I read and realized it's all of us in EQ... and it does make you wonder what they've got up their sleeves.
I figure we'll take it as it comes just as we have everything else, and continue to propagate our server as we always have: Great fun, great play, and great people.

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Laron Jitus, 65 Dark Elf Rogue (devilishly handsome too!)
Sturmm Briteblade, 65 Human Paladin

I think the issue is one of a simple quid pro quo. We play EQmac now for free, but are expected to purchase the mac version of EQNext when it comes out. My guess is that Smedly and his accountants figured four things:

1) The loss of income from EQMac wasn't THAT significant
2) EQNext is likely to be F2P as well, meaning a marketplace. The projected future income from, lets say, 600 EQMac users playing on EQNext for, lets say again, an average of 2 years, far outweighs the operating loss SOE will take now by keeping EQMac up and running.
3) Making EQMac F2P will bring back a lot of old players and bring in new ones as well. The hope is that they will then migrate to EQNext as well when it becomes available.
4) The negative press from closing EQMac is the last thing SOE needs as it looks to transition to a series of new games: EQNext, Planetside2, etc.

In essence, SOE is investing $100 today so as to make $200 in a few years.

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I'd be happy to play EQNext as long as it's not a completely dumbed down, cookie cutter, <insert other mmo name> look alike.

Recent MMos are a choice between a big Mac and a big Mac with onion, or relish or whatever.

Crikey, Hello Kitty Online probably has more originality. Not that I've ever played it of course...

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Member of <Destiny>

Vanaar - Lvl 39 Sk
Karella - Lvl 39 Shm
Lokka - Lvl 39 Mag

I think Smed realized that while closing Al'kabor looked good on paper, the players would forever hate SoE for doing it. So while Sony may not be making much if any money off EQMac he would of effectively killed all future income from those players. While this in itself isn't that bad, the PR nightmare from those players networking and tarnishing future SoE products could be a major issue if the players are vocal. I think by how many people took to twitter, facebook, emails, phone calls, etc... he realized the cost of Al'kabor is so marginal that he should just leave it open. On top of that, since Al'kabor players are so vocal, give it to them for free and turn this into a very positive PR move. Smed is a lot smarter than folks give him credit for, he saw the potential for future business and based his decision on that. Bravo!