Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and comments may be submitted through our Contact form.
This FAQ was last updated on 5/7/2009.
The Classic EverQuest Ruleset:
- What is the purpose of the Classic EverQuest Petition?
- Why is [insert classic feature here] not listed in Ruleset Terms #3 or #4?
- Why must Legends of Norrath™ support and use of Station Cash™ to purchase in-game items not be included?
- Why not just self-impose the rules by restricting yourself to certain content?
- Why not just play on the EQMac server?
- Would most people play for a few months and then quit?
- Is the plea for a Classic EverQuest server simply for the sake of nostalgia?
- It would require a lot of time, effort, and money for Sony Online Entertainment to create a server with such a strict ruleset. Why not compromise?
- Changes this radical might require a separate client and logon server, which would use more of Sony Online Entertainment's time and resources. Is it really necessary to be so strict?
- When will the petition be mailed to SOE?
- Why not have all pre-nerf items at release, then nerf them later?
- Would this be a no-transfer server?
- Would this be a PvE or a PvP server?
Signing the Petition:
- Is an online petition good enough to get a result?
- Does having more than one account entitle me to sign more than once?
- Why are full real first and last names required?
- How are signatures validated?
- How is my personal information handled to ensure privacy?
- Why are children under the age of 13 not permitted to sign the petition?
- Why was my comment altered/removed?
- What are tripcodes, and how are they used?
Q: What is the purpose of the Classic EverQuest Petition?
A: The purpose of the Classic EverQuest Petition is to establish that:
Classic EverQuest enthusiasts agree on a clear definition of what Classic EverQuest means.
There is enough interest for there to be a market for Classic EverQuest.
Q: Why is [insert classic feature here] not listed in Ruleset Terms #3 or #4?
A: Only so much could be fit onto a one page petition, so only some features deserving special mention were listed in those two terms. Ruleset Term #1 covers everything listed in Ruleset Terms #3 and #4 and more in the last sentence by including all features from the Classic era (such as hit point/mana/skill and other formulas, levels capped at 60, old player and mob models, and class balance as it was, for example) and by excluding changes made since the Classic era (such as Alternate Advancement points, regeneration rates, global chat channels, Legends of Norrath™ support, and use of Station Cash™ to purchase in-game items, for example).
However, to stress the point that even features that may be more difficult to code must be included, specific features were given special mention in Ruleset Terms #3 and #4 to further elaborate on the meaning of Ruleset Term #1. Phrases such as "and other features" and "includes ... as examples" are used to show that Ruleset Terms #3 and #4 are not limited by the features listed in them, but include all features from the Classic era and exclude ruleset changes made since the Classic era.
Q: Why must Legends of Norrath™ support and use of Station Cash™ to purchase in-game items not be included?
A: These features were added after the Classic era and thus not applicable, and they introduce out of era items which would severely detract from the Classic EverQuest experience. Most of all however, the goal of almost every item from these features is to make the game more easy and convenient, which goes against the gameplay style a Classic EverQuest server tries to achieve. A Classic EverQuest server would not be possible with these features included, because the gameplay style such a server tries to achieve requires the difficult rules from the Classic era without any compromises that contribute to easy mode gameplay, which philosophicly conflicts with the Classic style of gameplay.
Q: Why not just self-impose the rules by restricting yourself to certain content?
A: As time passes and changes are made to the game, it becomes increasingly difficult to even attempt to self-impose rules due to those ruleset changes. Sure, it is possible to limit yourself and perhaps a small group of friends to certain content, but because that does not even begin to capture the Classic EverQuest experience; it is not a popular idea and generally does not last very long, plus you cannot self-impose an entire community with full zones.
Classic EverQuest is a community-focused high fantasy Dungeons & Dragons style roleplaying game, with strict and challenging rules that force you to adapt to those rules, which results in a tight-knit community and social environment. This experience cannot be captured in Modern EverQuest by yourself, with a few friends, in a guild, or even if an entire server tried to do it, because Modern EverQuest is more of a raid-focused action style game, and its rules have been altered to reflect that with faster experience rates and other changes that made the game easier.
For many of the rules, self-imposing them is simply not possible. Classic EverQuest and Modern EverQuest are so different that they could be considered different games. There are many rules, such as increased experience rates and regeneration rates for example, which make imposing other restrictions upon yourself futile, because it is not possible to achieve an adequate Classic ruleset in Modern EverQuest. The harsh experience rates and longer downtime between fights encourage community development and contribute to the Classic experience. These are only examples -- each and every rule in the Classic ruleset contributes to the overall experience.
Q: Why not just play on the EQMac server?
A: More people have Windows computers so a Windows based server would be a lot more popular. In addition, playing on the EQMac server would require purchasing a Mac, setting it up, finding space for it, and even wanting to have a Mac -- not everyone wants to do all of those things so it is a bit troublesome.
Most of all though, the EQMac server goes up to Planes of Power, and that is a very different ruleset than the one proposed in the Classic EverQuest Petition. This would require a large compromise in itself due to the different ruleset and changes in gameplay style that are found beyond the Classic era, making too great a compromise for Classic EverQuest enthusiasts even if it were a Windows based server. The EQMac server certainly is for some people, but it is not what Classic EverQuest enthusiasts want or it would be a more popular server than it is and this petition would not exist.
Q: Would most people play for a few months and then quit?
A: Certainly, on any new server there would be a burst of population and then it would level off a bit as people check in to see what it is like. The popularity of the petition as well as the results of the survey question related to this issue will give some indication of how it might happen on a Classic EverQuest server, but only time can tell exactly how it will come to pass. The survey question was included to give at least an idea of what to expect in this regard, and together with the number of signatures it could prove to be a valuable feedback tool in the decision making process of whether there will be a Classic EverQuest server.
However, some may be further concerned that most people would play for a few months and then quit because the content is old and we have already played it, and because not many currently play in Classic era content on Modern EverQuest servers. For the latter issue, please see this FAQ answer above. As for the content being old and already experienced, this petition would not exist if we did not believe there are enough players that are strongly interested in playing on a Classic server for many years to come.
There are many who would make it their main MMORPG under this ruleset and play regularly regardless of how old it is, or whether they have already played it. To many, this server would be a fresh change and may spark a much wanted new direction of game design in the near future based on its success. There are many players who are genuinely interested in playing on a Classic EverQuest server for an extended period of time -- years even -- because they simply like the Classic game and its unique style of gameplay.
Q: Is the plea for a Classic EverQuest server simply for the sake of nostalgia?
A: Of course, some element of nostalgia is there, but the goal is not simply to evoke nostalgia. If it were as simple as that, then such a server would not last very long. The desire to play Classic EverQuest is not due to simply wanting to re-live memories -- there are many players that genuinely enjoy and want to play the Classic game because it has a fun and unique gameplay style that cannot be found in modern MMORPGs.
In addition, the sense of newness would not be there because we have already played the game. But we are not chasing after that feeling. The game is enjoyable because of its unique gameplay style, and this petition has set out to prove that this gameplay style is popular enough for there to be a market for it.
Q: It would require a lot of time, effort, and money for Sony Online Entertainment to create a server with such a strict ruleset. Why not compromise?
A: Each and every rule contributed to the Classic EverQuest experience. The features that would particularly take more effort such as implementing the old user interface, fixing boats, and reverting class statistics to their pre-PoP values among other features listed in the petition are some of the most important aspects of capturing this experience.
It is the removal or alteration of these key features as well as the addition of other features since the Classic era that cumulatively have led towards easy mode gameplay and a focus on very high end content and raiding above all else. Similarly, it is the implementation of Ruleset Terms #1, #3, and #4 that would be the very core of a Classic EverQuest server because these terms cumulatively lead one towards the Classic style of gameplay. This cannot be achieved by compromising on these key features or settling for any less, such as a server with the current ruleset and some content locked off. The easy rules would still be there and thus such a server could not legitimately be called Classic -- it was the rules, as tough as they were, that made it Classic.
The desire for a return to these rules by which a server may rightfully earn the title of Classic proves that there are still some of us out there who do not believe a game begins once leveling is completed, but rather want robust content to enjoy at all levels, as it was in Classic EverQuest. With most modern games making advancement and levels too easy, players are funneled toward the end game, as it is human nature to go down the path of least resistance. It would take both the harsh rules and the content, not the content alone, to put the focus back into the journey rather than on the destination and bring back the sense of high fantasy adventure. These difficult rules along with the content give that journey meaning and encourage a social environment that modern games have lost in favor of a faster paced gameplay.
In time, the number of signatures gathered will prove that though such a strict ruleset may be difficult to create, the desire for this style of gameplay is at least strong enough to warrant attention, and perhaps even action.
Q: Changes this radical might require a separate client and logon server, which would use more of Sony Online Entertainment's time and resources. Is it really necessary to be so strict?
A: A ruleset less strict would not be Classic EverQuest, and would not attract nearly as many players. A separate client and logon server would also prevent the Classic server's ruleset from interfering with the ruleset of the Modern servers. It would likely be more difficult and costly, but it may prove necessary in order to do it right and bring the largest amount of players back.
Q: When will the petition be mailed to SOE?
We are not yet prepared to announce an official number at which we will send the petition to SOE by certified mail, but to mention a very rough and somewhat related number, in the past SOE devs have stated that the number of players it would take to justify opening a new regular unaltered server is 5,000 players.
In total, each signature is verifying to SOE that at least this many players would come back to the game (or switch servers, if they still play) for a Classic server built according to the ruleset outlined within the petition.
So we would need at least enough to convince them that a server with this ruleset has a high enough demand that it would both benefit them financially and would please enough fans to be worth the effort.
We may announce an official number at which we will send the petition to SOE as we get closer to such an amount, so as to set a realistic and achievable goal. However, before that point we may announce an intermediate goal to help the Classic fans see their efforts at spreading the petition are providing results, but would continue gathering signatures after that point.
Q: Why not have all pre-nerf items at release, then nerf them later?
A: Some may consider this way to be more Classic because it follows the timeline more accurately, however it would only serve to encourage players to rush to max level to get a chance at those items rather than enjoying the game at their own pace, and that is not the sort of gameplay style we are trying to achieve. The solution to this situation in the petition under Special Considerations #4 allows a reasonable amount of pre-nerf items to be in the game without ruining it by turning it into a race.
Q: Would this be a no-transfer server?
A: Yes, it would have to be a no-transfer server. This was not mentioned in the petition itself because the ruleset would be so different than the other servers that it might be incompatible with them, and out-of-era items would not be allowed.
Q: Would this be a PvE or a PvP server?
A: It would have to be a PvE server, but if it becomes popular enough they might eventually release a PvP server as well.
Q: Is an online petition good enough to get a result?
A: Electronic signatures hold the same legal value as a traditional signature in many countries, including the United States (SEAL / UETA / ESIGN), the European Union, and Australia.
In addition, once enough signatures are gathered the petition will be printed out along with a formal letter and sent to Sony Online Entertainment by certified mail. This is a serious and professional petition, every bit as powerful as the traditional paper petitions that have seen results for centuries.
For legal purposes, we give no warranty on any results. For more information, please see our Terms of Use.
Q: Does having more than one account entitle me to sign more than once?
A: No, petitions only allow you to sign once, regardless of any conditions. There is a comments section however.
Q: Why are full real first and last names required?
A: It is not a valid signature if it is not your real name. In-game, forum, and other aliases are not permitted as signatures for this reason. Invalid signatures will be removed.
Q: How are signatures validated?
A: Several methods of authentication are used to validate signatures including email confirmation, and logging of IP addresses. Users may additionally be contacted by email to further validate their signature. Invalid signatures will be removed, and signatures that have not been verified through email confirmation are not included in the petition.
Q: How is my personal information handled to ensure privacy?
A: Age, Email address, and IP address are kept confidential and will not be disclosed to any third parties or be publicly displayed. Only first and last initials along with comments are displayed on our site to protect your privacy. Full names along with comments will be disclosed only to Sony Online Entertainment for the purpose of submitting the petition. The answers to the two survey questions in the petition will be reported anonymously to Sony Online Entertainment along with the petition when it is submitted.
For more information, please see our Privacy Policy Statement.
Q: Why are children under the age of 13 not permitted to sign the petition?
A: Children under the age of 13 are not permitted to sign the petition to honor their privacy and to comply with laws. We collect age information only to verify that signatures collected are not from children under the age of 13.
Q: Why was my comment altered/removed?
A: Comments are moderated for profanity as well as spiteful, disparaging, or illegal content.
Q: What are tripcodes, and how are they used?
A: Tripcodes are a way to uniquely identify your alias in the comments section of the news, so that if you post more than once others can verify that it was the same poster and not an imposter using the same alias. Tripcodes are employed only in the comments section of the news, and not in the petition itself as the petition may only be signed once.
To use tripcodes, simply enter a password into the tripcode field, and use the same password each time you post. A random string of characters will be added to the end of your alias proving that you are the same poster everywhere that your alias and tripcode appear together.