Make Servers with P99-style IP exemptions!

[Galactuss]

Dear future server makers, please make your servers with one player per IP. Not having so ruins the game. Unless you really want your server to be more or less a single-player experience, please consider this. Every server always just devolves into people running around with full groups (sometimes even full raids) and blowing through all the content, while the people who want to play one character might as well not even bother, if they ever want to see 50+. It eliminates all sense of community, other than the very occasional conversation in /ooc. Why play an MMO with no actual multiplayer experience?

I don't understand how this isn't more prevalent of a thing. Is it too hard to code? Do you guys not see the value in it?

[Secrets]

Dear future server makers, please make your servers with one player per IP. Not having so ruins the game. Unless you really want your server to be more or less a single-player experience, please consider this. Every server always just devolves into people running around with full groups (sometimes even full raids) and blowing through all the content, while the people who want to play one character might as well not even bother, if they ever want to see 50+. It eliminates all sense of community, other than the very occasional conversation in /ooc. Why play an MMO with no actual multiplayer experience?

I don't understand how this isn't more prevalent of a thing. Is it too hard to code? Do you guys not see the value in it?

It takes more effort to make a single-box server than it does a multibox server.

That's the only reason, coupled with content designers in our community are lazy.

[demonstar55]

Do you guys not see the value in it?

Most likely that. It's not hard by any means.

[Galactuss]

Interseting. I'm even more surprised that P99 is the ONLY server with that function then. It really breaks any of the servers that try to be anything like the original experience.

[Uleat]

You realize that one-account-per-ip-address severely limits cohabiting players.


Heck, you could probably take out large portions of some countries by doing that...

[Galactuss]

You realize that one-account-per-ip-address severely limits cohabiting players.


Heck, you could probably take out large portions of some countries by doing that...

You would just have to do the same thing P99 does, and have people apply for extra. Obviously, P99 isn't too limited by this. It's the largest server by FAR.

[Galactuss]

It takes more effort to make a single-box server than it does a multibox server.

That's the only reason, coupled with content designers in our community are lazy.
Somehow just noticed your comment. I can understand that to some extent for custom servers. But it's the non-custom servers which completely blow my mind for not having it.

[EQEMU2010]

I do like these types P99 and Legacy of Froststone are the only two I know of P99 has been around a long time only reason I dont go back I want a fresh start, but population wont be there likely until Daybreak quits releasing EQ content and the game is shut down for good.

[Huppy]

You realize that one-account-per-ip-address severely limits cohabiting players.

I have to agree with Uleat on this, simply because, even when I was playing on Sony
live servers 10 years ago, I found myself running 6 accounts over 4 boxs. I did that
because I got sick and tired of being LFG for a good portion of playtime, so I decided
to create my own little group. So population, in itself, does not guarantee anyone that
true "mmo experience", even when people are only running one toon.
Any populated servers here on EQEmu, I don't think "forcing" players in to abandoning
their choice to multibox is going to help, it may just cause them to lose interest.
In my opinion, one IP or 10 IP's allowed, in really does boil down to player preference,
rather than the administration of the servers.
Maybe one could think about a voting poll to see how many EQEmu players prefer
to play with more than one account ? :)

[provocating]

Although people still today try to persuade me to allow boxing on my server it will not happen. Since we are a tight knit community we normally recognize someone trying to box fast, they get banned. I will say that not allowing boxing also does something else interesting, it shows bugs pretty quickly. Since the players are really having to play the game without the advantage of boxing or bots they notice things they would not otherwise. We did take an extensive look at mitigation and that has been adjusted to where it is way more like live was back around 2001. A few things that have been worked on that have made the hugest impact on the players, as far as positive feedback have been pet pathing, mitigation and charm.

Seriously though if you have not given Legacy of FrostStone a fair shake then stop by. If you are the boxer, MQer or like instant gratification then the server is not for you.

[Secrets]

Somehow just noticed your comment. I can understand that to some extent for custom servers. But it's the non-custom servers which completely blow my mind for not having it.

Non-custom servers are niche. P99 fills that niche.

There's no need to have another P99, unless you want 'bits of custom design/direction/content' in your server.

If you limit boxing, you can't have a healthy population. Why would anyone play on your classic everquest server over P99? You have to be engaging more than that.

[provocating]

Non-custom servers are niche. P99 fills that niche.

There's no need to have another P99, unless you want 'bits of custom design/direction/content' in your server.

If you limit boxing, you can't have a healthy population. Why would anyone play on your classic everquest server over P99? You have to be engaging more than that.

Okay so McDonalds fills the gap, it is probably the biggest Hamburger fast food chain out there. So since it fills the gap for fast food burgers no one should ever open up?

Wal-Mart is the largest retailer, leading others by nearly triple. So I am guessing your opinion is that Target should just not exist? I get tired of this analogy about p1999 being the only option out there. I personally am not looking for numbers, never have been. I administer and create my servers because I love it. If no one else ever played it will still remain open just because I love what I do. The p1999 argument gets really old though. Sure they are great at what they do but those high numbers also seems to create a hostile community and it appears to be getting worse.

[microlo]

Just to fuel the fire. In 1999 i started a cleric and realized I cant kill anything or do anything without help so a couple weeks later i bought another everquest cd (for codes) and started boxing mage and cleric since 1999. This allowed me to atleast do stuff camp minor quest gain minor experience, and how many groups doesnt want a cleric and mage. The stronger my toons got the better I did too especially having mage pet tank the healer and tank were in cohorts same person. I would of never stuck with everquest for so long if I couldnt do this. Now i absolutely love p99 but i spent 4 years waiting for my epic, and lfg for hours and never getting anything or spending an hour making it to a group for it to fall apart. There is nothing wrong with having a 2 or even 3 box limit, it doesnt change the game, it just gives people options. What american doesn't like options?

[provocating]

Why is this even an argument? There are like 50 servers on the list that allow boxing, bots. Hell many allow both.

[Galactuss]

In my opinion, one IP or 10 IP's allowed, in really does boil down to player preference, rather than the administration of the servers.

As nice as it sounds to say, "let the players decide", at the end of the day, everyone on the server has to play in the same world, wait for mobs on the same respawn, and be on the same economy (or lack thereof in most cases) as everyone does. So, having some players who box and some who don't doesn't really work, it'll just end in the players who decide to multibox dominating the whole server and the ones who choose to play a single character left in the dust.

Maybe one could think about a voting poll to see how many EQEmu players prefer
to play with more than one account ?

Not a bad idea, it'll at least show if there is a population who agrees that there should be at least some servers with this feature.



Seriously though if you have not given Legacy of FrostStone a fair shake then stop by. If you are the boxer, MQer or like instant gratification then the server is not for you.

I have yet to give this a try. I was under the impression that only P99 didn't allow boxing! I'll be trying it soon.

Non-custom servers are niche. P99 fills that niche.

There's no need to have another P99, unless you want 'bits of custom design/direction/content' in your server.

If you limit boxing, you can't have a healthy population. Why would anyone play on your classic everquest server over P99? You have to be engaging more than that.

Huh? There are quite a few non-custom servers. Look at PEQ. There would be plenty of need to have other non-custom servers if they were for different expansion. I for one would love to see an LoY-based 'classic' server. I didn't like EQ pre-PoP (Yes, I know that makes me a faggot.)

There is nothing wrong with having a 2 or even 3 box limit, it doesnt change the game, it just gives people options. What american doesn't like options?

I never said I opposed this solution. 2 or 3 box limit is not a bad idea, because there would still be plenty of content that you would need to cooperate with other players to do. 2 box would probably be ideal until a server started getting a decent population, at least.



I should clarify, that I'm not saying every server should have this limit. I just find it very odd that P99 and apparently this LoF server are the only ones that use it. It really adds to the experience in my opinion.

[Secrets]

Huh? There are quite a few non-custom servers. Look at PEQ. There would be plenty of need to have other non-custom servers if they were for different expansion. I for one would love to see an LoY-based 'classic' server. I didn't like EQ pre-PoP (Yes, I know that makes me a faggot.)


TAKProject exists. It's a 3-boxing PoP-era server.

http://www.takproject.net/forums/index.php

[N0ctrnl]

What the fuck is the point of this? Building a server with a single-character limit assumes a lot of things, and those are all things that each server owner should decide for themselves.

I fail to see the point of coming here and requesting that future server owners fall in line with what you think they should do. Build your own server, lock it at 1 IP, and leave the rest of us to do our thing.

I wish the p99 envy would just go away. I have never understood why what they do has any bearing on anybody else - at all. Like their idea? Use it.

[provocating]

Exactly.

The 99 debate is getting old. This is the third thread this month. There are enough servers on the list to fill just about any play style a player could have.

[rhyotte]

Playing on P99 these days. It has good points, other points, and bad points. One sore point is the 1 box per ip, that same exact point is part of the reason I started playing. If I am allowed to box, I feel somewhat obligated to. THB, I am sick of boxing. This rule simple takes that option away. Good.

Now, my 10 yo daughter asked to play with me on EQ... Errrr..."Sorry, but that is just not likely." I am still playing. I would have really liked to have her play. She likely would have got bored, then I would have got tempted...

I am very much planning on trying out Legacy of Froststone because of these recent threads. Will see you in the next day or two ;)

[Galactuss]

What the fuck is the point of this? Building a server with a single-character limit assumes a lot of things, and those are all things that each server owner should decide for themselves.

I fail to see the point of coming here and requesting that future server owners fall in line with what you think they should do. Build your own server, lock it at 1 IP, and leave the rest of us to do our thing.

I wish the p99 envy would just go away. I have never understood why what they do has any bearing on anybody else - at all. Like their idea? Use it.

I'm just making a call for more future servers to have this feature. I'm not telling anyone else what to do. If you would have actually read the thread, you would've seen that.

P99 envy? What are you going on about you insane twit?

[N0ctrnl]

And the namecalling begins.

Again, these are things a server owner decides for themselves. I don't think you coming here in exactly this way has done you any good. The same old arguments about the same old thing.

My advice? Build your own server following the rules you suggest. Then it's a non-issue and everybody is happy. This thread doesn't even need to exist.

In other news - Look at me!

[Traul]

The reason most servers don't follow this rule is very simple: they cannot sustain anything resembling a decent population without allowing some amount of boxing.

[Galactuss]

And the namecalling begins.

Again, these are things a server owner decides for themselves. I don't think you coming here in exactly this way has done you any good. The same old arguments about the same old thing.

My advice? Build your own server following the rules you suggest. Then it's a non-issue and everybody is happy. This thread doesn't even need to exist.

In other news - Look at me!

You were being rude. I responded accordingly.

As for things there are no need for? There is no need for you to comment on a thread you think is pointless, no?

[phorest]

I'm of the mindset that being able to box a support class helps out a ton. Especially if you invest a good amount of playtime in a server, but rarely have a group because of a low player base. Legacy of Frostone is fun server if you like to solo, but finding a group is a rarity. The "all or nothing" world of boxing and bots seems like it could be trimmed to allowing 2 chars per ip, bots or no bots. Atleast that way you can play a tank/healer combo and get exp while no one else is around. Or you could just have a server full of solo classes , unable to ever do raid content.
my 2 cents..

[N0ctrnl]

The real issue is the population. Unless you are sure there's a large population at any given time, the single IP limit is a killer. That's why not many people set it.

I can tell you that on VA, I will never make it 1 per IP for the reason I just mentioned. If I had ~100 individual people, then maybe it'd be worth a shot, but then you spend more time chasing people trying to circumvent it than anything else. To speak to the real technical point - I'm sure I'm not the only one to have circumvented the P99 IP limit with a VPN or the like.

In the end, what you're demanding - and you were demanding - is unsustainable in most situations and will just serve to alienate any population you might have picked up organically. If you want to advertise the shit out of a well-polished experience, then MAYBE you could pull it off, but even then it's a long shot in my mind.

With TAKP and others, there's really no reason not to set it up yourself and make the IP limit whatever you want. To answer your initial question, this already exists in the rules and isn't hard to set/change at all.

[Burningsoul]

I had a good three paragraph flame lined up for this clown, but N0ctrnl nailed all my points.

this already exists in the rules and isn't hard to set/change at all. <-- That's the icing on the cake Galactadoof, that rule has been available in stock databases for YEARS. Mayhaps research a bit? There's lots of fun under the hood.

[chrsschb]

Dear future server makers, please make your servers with one player per IP. Not having so ruins the game.

It takes more effort to make a single-box server than it does a multibox server.

That's the only reason, coupled with content designers in our community are lazy.

I highly disagree with both of you. Majority of servers exist with a player-base in the single digits. A lot of those in the 1s and 2s. I'm sure you two are wonderful marketing geniuses with a grand player-base, but that is not a reality for a lot of developers. Thus just being able to experience their content as it was designed is enough.

And no it doesn't take more effort to design a single-box server. Absolutely zero difference in time. Any dev who's doing his work is balancing all content to be as "intended" regardless of for an army of boxes or players.

[Huppy]

As far as the whole concept of "grouping" on these servers, something that does
factor in, is the diversity of client software. Even if 6 people group together, if a
couple of them only have Titanium and others have UF/SoD, etc, then it could
make things difficult for them to integrate as a group, moving on to other zones.
That's the one advantage that a server like p99 has. All players can run together.
But for the many servers that may be set up for all clients, different story.
In testing my own server, I logged 2 toons on, one titanium, one HoT. Got the
two running together, but it only went so far.
That's actually the similar scenario back on sony live servers. I had times when I
was asked to group, but lost out because I didn't have the expansion they were
going to play in.

[EQEMU2010]

Well since this thread is about a single IP server I would like to see a new one created something similar to this.

Classic-RoF_2 content or classic-pop with custom boss mobs instead of the same old ones.I dont care if the NPC match the era of zones they are in really.

Somewhat follow the theme of old EQ quests to get keys/flags to kill mobs and progress but totally new from scratch quests.

Just something new mix in random loot that is super rare and maybe have unique items that can only drop 1 time ever. Then have a normal loot table also per tier of zones.

Have tiers where people know by the color your class is wearing and special weapons or rare world drops with a particle graphic so people can distinguish what items you have. I always liked this. Bard were Blueberrys, Ranger were using elf shoes and so on.

Just my thoughts if someone were to create a Single IP server that was actually different and full of new stuff to key/flag for and explore I believe population wouldnt be an issue.

I know this takes a lot of time and dedication to do and sometimes isnt appreciated much if at all more than a week or month maybe less but you never know who the next GM will be on EQEMU.

Provocating wins my vote as BEST GM,Low ping,and stable servers,however I don't think hes very fond custom EQ.

[provocating]

Provocating wins my vote as BEST GM,Low ping,and stable servers,however I don't think hes very fond custom EQ.

I am not, other than something new I have been doing which are GM events.

[jpyou127]

I like your idea EQEMU2010 and my first server was following along those lines.

As to the person that started this thread, I totally took from your first post the idea that all of us who have/run servers should implement your suggestion. The way it was worded implied that the community here are all one entity. In fact, I took it as if it was a "demand" instead of a "request" or a "search" for similar servers as did quite a few other people, they were just more compassionate in their response.

Fortunately, I will never play P99 as I do not like that era of EQ and I agree with others, its easy to setup your own server and create what you want. You may also find out just how hard it is running, developing and dealing with players.


Celestial

[EQEMU2010]

Hey Celestial if you ever create anything similar let me know I have been off and on for quite sometime Thanks.