By now, everyone has heard the news that SOE will be removing flagging requirements from all zones up to the Prophecy of Ro expansion. Many believe it to be the direct result of a fantastic post by Loral over at Mobhunter, a post aptly titled: “Flagging and Attunement: Blizzard gets it, SoE doesn’t“.
If you’ve taken a look at the official EQ community forums, you’ll quickly see there’s another thing SoE doesn’t get: Compensation.
Anytime you make a controversial decision, it is important to give some form of compensation to those who feel they are getting the short end of the stick. In fact, there’s no reason not to do this, as it can often be something that comes at no cost to said company.
Titles are probably best. This is the route Blizzard chose to take when they first started removing attunements in The Burning Crusade. While it was still a controversial change and there was much moaning for a short while after, at least they played some damage control and awarded those of us players who had earned our attunements. They also tactfully ensured that future players could also earn their attunement the old way if they chose and would still be awarded the title.
This is pretty much the perfect way to handle it, and SoE should adopt the idea. They already have a system in place for awarding titles and we all know everyone loves to have them. It doesn’t cause any imbalances as it is a purely cosmetic change, and yet it shows respect to the playerbase who has stuck with them for so long and struggled through all the flagging and attunements that will now be removed. While many of the more hardcore players will still complain for awhile, they will feel like they got something out of it that they can wear as a badge of honor and you will see a change in attitudes.
I’ll even do the titles for you:
- Howling Stones/Charasis: the Dauntless Explorer
- Old Sebilis: Reclaimer of Sebilis
- Skyshrine: the Skyguard
- Veeshan’s Peak: Chosen of the Wyrmqueen
When all are obtained, player receives the prefix “Ancient”.
- Vex Thal: Keeper of Shadows
- Ssra: Bane of the Shissar
When both are obtained, player receives the prefix “Relic-keeper”.
- Bastion of Thunder: the Stormbringer
- Halls of Honor: the Valorous
- The Temple of Marr: Champion of Marr
- Tower of Solusek Ro: Ward of the Burning Prince
- Drunder, Fortress of Zek: Challenger of Zek
When all are obtained, player receives the prefix “Planeswalker”.
- Plane of Water: the Abyssal Tidewalker
- Plane of Air: the Ascendant of Air
- Plane of Earth: the Stone Guardian
- Plane of Fire: the Fiery Sunderer
- Plane of Time: the Hero of Time (couldn’t help myself)
When all are obtained, player receives the prefix “Godslayer”.
- Ikkinz: the Trial-bearer
- Uqua: the Taelosian Defender
- Yxxta: the Primal Hunter
- Kod’taz: Avenger of the Nihilite
- Inktu’ta: Seeker of Forgotten Artifacts
- Qvic: Retainer of Sacred Grounds
- Txevu: Challenger of Fate
- Tacvi: Muramites End
- Anguish: Vanquisher of Discord
When all are obtained, player receives the prefix “Realm Warden”.
- Dreadspire: Hunter of the Nightborne
- Demiplane of Blood: the Bloodcursed
When both are obtained, player receives the prefix “Broodhunter”.
- Theatre of Blood: Restorer of Lost Melodies
- Deathknell: Chosen Guardian of Ro
When both are obtained, player recieves the prefix “Purifier”.
Or something like that, I’m sure others may be able to come up with titles more fitting. The point is it doesn’t take much effort to come up with something to appease those disappointed by the changes, as well as implement something that actually adds life to the game, seeing how a lot of players may consider going after the flags the old way just to get a cool title.
Is this something you think SoE should do? What kind of titles would you like to see? Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.
