Nov. 14th, 2007

rhyssafireheart: (Default)
So the EQ2 expansion Rise of Kunark was released yesterday.  I'd played in the beta a bit and tried out the Sarnak race since that was new this xpack.  Not bad and the Timerous Deep starting area was huge compared to the old newbie island experience.  It's more of a seamless progression from the starting area through the levels than a distinct "play this area until level 7-8 max, then leave for a new zone" experience.

Still, I enjoyed it enough to want to get the expansion now that it's been released (and because it includes the Echoes of Faydwer xpack with it as well.  I missed buying that) so yesterday evening I ran out to pick up the box.  It's available for digital download, but I want the discs just in case, especially for the EoF part.

First stop - Target.  It's my store of choice and I happen to have room on the old Target card to boot.  No luck.  They didn't even have shelf space alloted to any EQ products, but I did count about 10 versions of WoW on the shelves.  Strike one.

Second stop - Gamestop.  There's one in the little strip in front of the Target.  No luck.  They'd gotten one box in, because they didn't have any pre-orders.  One box.  Guy nicely offered to call the shop up the road (which I hadn't realized was there - it's closer to me) - they were out as well.  Strike two.

Third stop - Circuit City.  I was close to the local outdoor mall, so I figured I'd stop by CC and see what they had.  Well, I was getting closer.  They had two versions of the original EQ and one box with the basic EQ2 game, no xpacks though.  Checked with the staff, they were scheduled to get any boxes in this morning but couldn't say how many were coming in.  So.. strike 2.5?

Fourth (and last) stop - Wal-Mart across the street from the mall.  Once again, nothing.  No idea if they were going to get it either (hey, I know it was a long shot...).  Still, I managed to find the candle plate/holder I'd been looking for, so not a total loss.  And I had the personal amusement of using my Target Visa card at Wal-Mart. 

There is a new Best Buy across the street from the mall, but I was tired of wandering around stores and didn't stop in, so it's entirely possible they had a copy and I missed out.  Maybe I'll check in before going to the movies tonight (if I go).  But my point is - a brand new expansion to what I've come to think is a better game than WoW just came out and no one knows it.  Oh yeah, the current player base knows, and there are some adverts running on the VN and IGN boards, but where is the hype?  Where is the marketing?  EQ2 and WoW came out within a week or so of each other at this time back in 2004.  WoW's just now announced their second expansion and who knows when that will come out; it only took them almost two years to release the first one.   Yet this is the fourth expansion for EQ2, in addition to smaller content packs (three I think?) and the game has done nothing but improve as time goes by, and almost no one knows about the game any more.  No shelf space, no large scale marketing, no Toyota commercials (although I did get a kick out of seeing that), no nothing.

It's sad in a way.  And now I must harass Grimwell for not managing his community well enough.  LOL!

Profile

rhyssafireheart: (Default)RhyssaFireheart

April 2017

S M T W T F S
      1
2345678
9 101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30      

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 12th, 2025 10:43 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios