A RIFT between me and EQ2?

The more I research Rift: Planes of Telara, the more I’m itching for it to be released. It looks fantastic and seems to be shaping up (if we can believe the hype) to be a top notch AAA MMO offering. I’m seriously thinking it may be a replacement for me for EQ2. As I have said before, I’m kind of wondering at the moment about the future of EQ2 with the release of EQ2 Extended and the fact it is a game I have been playing for 6 years. There comes a time when one has to move on!

The release date for Rift does not appear to be materialising just yet and all Trion (the developer) are saying is that it is pipped for a 2011 release. When in 2011, I have no idea. It looks like it is going to be a while off, so I will be sticking around EQ2 until I get a chance to try Rift. I may even sign up for beta.

I was checking out the forums the other day and already a host of guilds from other MMOs have signed up showing an interest in Rift. One of the ones that caught my eye was Xanadu. One of the EQ2 Euro top end raid guilds and more than that a whole community of MMO players spread across various worlds. If Xanadu are taking an interest in Rift I reckon my interest is not too far off the mark in hoping it will be a quality game. I know they have officers specially recruited to test out new games for their community. I’m going to keep an eye on Xanadus progress and interest too I think. If they do head there I reckon I could find a worse home for my toons. If I played EQ2 on the Runnyeye server, Xanadu is probably one of the guilds I would try to join. We’ll see how that goes.

I have also toyed with the idea of starting an old guild of mine back up when I start Rift. First instigated way way back when I started EQ2, along with my RL Bro. Yup, The Watchers may make a comeback! I like the idea of building a community from scratch and taking it from there. I would be nice in 4 years time to have one of the first guilds on Rift still going strong. That’s a nice idea, but I may have to be realistic and understand that I probably won’t have time available for that level of commitment.

Something I do want to do, is to get an idea if any of my current ‘gang’ on EQ2 would like to join us (Me, Wifey and Jahf hopefully) in the switch to Rift. I reckon I may be able to convince some of my RL buds who quit EQ2 a long time ago to come join us in Rift too. Yup, Merecraft, Konador, Daltieri, Kael, Dwimmerlaik, Ralphy, Ukadu et al. You’ll be getting some lobbying from me in the near future. Let’s see the FSB gang on Rift!

One things for certain. As you have probably guessed, I’m very excited about Rift and will be keeping a close eye on developments. I’ll keep you updated. As for EQ2, I have 40% exp to go until level 90 on Adurj and I think I may, just may be able to do that tonight. Wish me luck.

Be well.