Customize Me

Someone recently asked me if playing Everquest II was similar to the old paper and pencil D&D game. In many ways it is, but the first difference to jump to my mind (as a retired Dungeon Master) is that SOE is now the DM. What I mean by that is that there is basically one game for everyone and no one can customize a dungeon for friends the way I used to in D&D.

Now, there are some games which allow and encourage user customization. The online "game" Second Life is an example. In Second Life, users makes clothes, vehicles, pets and other items for use by other players. In fact, as you can see from their home page, they are currently running a game design contest. And you never know: an in-game game called Tringo, created by a Second Life "resident" has actually been licensed by a real company, presumably for real cash.

So, as an EQII player with a creative bent what can you do? Well, you can satisfy your urge to customize by working on modifications to the user interface. Check out the EQII Interface community. These modders have designed wonderful variations on the usual interface ranging from full-scale to just specific portions (i.e. a better pet window). You will even find tools to help you. And don't worry, you're not "hacking," this site is approved by SOE.

As for the rest of us, we get to reap the rewards by downloading these great mods and having an interface which suits our personal taste. One note: These mods may occasionally cause game problems after patches so use at your own risk.

Until the day you can design a wild dungeon adventure for your personal friends, you can at least make them a better map system. Which shouldn't be hard...considering the original.