https://store.station.sony.com/eqbeta/oow/index.jsp

You need an account key to get into the beta. I don't know how long it will be up.

Got in last night.

I am in.

Yeah, I got it last night and all I can do is mess around in gloomingdeep and not get out of it. Also, if I dont start the tutorial, I cannot even access any newbie zone...

Yeah, I got it last night and all I can do is mess around in gloomingdeep and not get out of it. Also, if I dont start the tutorial, I cannot even access any newbie zone...


Have you tried doing this?

The /betabuff command

The level range needed to beta test may vary. In order to give you that ability
to test as much of the expansion as possible, we have created a /betabuff
command. Here's how you use it.

1) Create a first level character on the beta server and log in with that
character (this command will only work on 1st level characters).
2) Type /betabuff CLASS LEVEL - where CLASS is the class of the character you
would like to create, and LEVEL is the level that you want that character to be.
LEVEL can only be numbers divisible by 5, starting at 20. So 20, 25, 30, etc.

At least you'll be able to get out of the tut, and start exploring.

I'd like to check it out, but can't remember how the heck to get my acct key :P

and where would one get an account key? the ones from my active accounts dont seem to be working?

And here we have the reason behind the 'class re-envisioning' - string people along on false pretenses until the expansion is released, then rake in one last payday.

Ah, but I don't care any more - I've got my WoW Euro-beta. :)

LOL I input my original EQ disk Account key. It didn't recognize it. Tried the account keys from kunark, Velious and Luclin. Nope. I have the original disks and boxes with the account keys on them. After that, I did the download version. What account key do they want? :p

There's apparently a seperate account key you get by signing up at a beta page, which mails you the key to use. The beta signup page is only up at certain times, probably announced in-game. (Or so I have gathered from the various boards.)

After DLing the beta patcher again today, I was able to play in the beta. It looks quite nice.

Yes it does, though the theme is rather nonsequitur. Maybe once someone kills Mata Muram and/or Tunat Muram it might make a bit more sense... but I doubt it.

Features list here (http://everquest.station.sony.com/dragonsofnorrath/features.jsp).

Features

New Zones, Creatures and Content - From Lavastorm to the Thundercrest Isles adventure in graphically enhanced zones with all new themes. Brave challenging new quests, discover new treasures, and battle new NPCs including drakes, goblins, and fierce dragons.

New Interactive World Map - A full-color interactive map of the world allows players to point-and-click from a world view, to a continent view, to a zone view of the traditional line maps.

Player Barter System - Allows players to set up their own method of giving platinum or items for other items. Players can now buy items!

Potion Belt - Allows for quick use of consumable items, such as potions or food.

Bandolier Equip - Lets your character have pre-arranged, multiple sets of weapons accessible by a single mouse click.

New spells and Tradeskill Recipes


Guild Specific Features

All-New Guild Halls - Individual instanced Guild Halls for guild members to meet and prepare for playing. Includes the following features and benefits:

Guild Bank - Bank slot for storage of items accessible by all (designated) members of a guild.

Mana/health Regen Pool - Allows players to easily regenerate their mana and health in preparation for battle (available only at the Guild Hall).

Mass Corpse Summoning Altar - Allows guilds to summon guild corpses en masse to the altar room after a wipe out.

Guild Portal - Allows guild members to purchase the ability to have a persistent port to pre-determined areas around the world.

Guild Tradeskill Objects - Various tradeskill tools are located in the guild hall for easy access by guild members.

Guild 'Looking for Members' Tool - Allows guilds to recruit by placing persistent “ads” on bulletin boards, search for player characters who match guild criteria and send in-game emails to those members.

Players 'Looking for Guild' Tool - Allows players to find guilds recruiting members.

Buff Timers - In the Guild Halls buff times can be paused for Guild Members.

I activated my all access pass last night. I skipped GoD but I just might buy this one.

I'm wondering if you have to purchase the expansion to have access to the guild halls. If so, things like the mass corpse summoning could get complicated. :p

People that don't buy expansions = Not smart.

People that don't buy expansions = Not smart.
I disagree.

They might do a 85% of raid has expansion or something silly like that :P

PoK was PoP only when it got it but a few motnhs ago it got changed so that you can get in without PoK, so you never know ;)

The beta sign in just came back up now, and you do NOT need an account key. It will probably not be up for long:

http://store.station.sony.com/eqbeta/oow/index.jsp

Thanks Tudamorf, was wondering when the page would come back up.

the page is back up....

they will send you an email you will need to be logged into Station... and make sure your email address is updated.

download was 13 minutes for me but i have cable.

if you were beta testing OOW you will have all your old characters back..


dont forget that if you want your toons copied over to the beta then log into the normal eq onto the toon you want copied and type in /beta. they will get it over there eventually.

definately a velious looking theme... a druid with innate camo should be able to go far here.... either that or a necro.

I have only explored 3 zones so far .... picked up some fair plate loot for levels 50 to 60.

go explore and have fun!

dekkon fuzzyfeet
rukasak rokwyrmr

Neat, I will check this out. thanks for posting about the page being up!

Patching right now :wiggle: if what I've heard from friends is correct, may well be something to get mildly excited about :dance:but only time will tell...25 minutes to be exact, heh.

it is.. i was playing in beta for about 20 mins.. zone designes. mob models, etc are all based of OoW grpahics engine.. VERY nice looking expansion

Thanks for the link Tudamorf. I finally got in.

EDIT:
Download time is 1hr 26 minutes for me but I just reinstalled EQ again and haven't downloaded the OOW files yet.

doublepost...looking for the delete option now :P

Just downloaded the files. I take it the only way to get in is via the tutorial? and you have to /betabuff before you do the first step of the tutorial or you ding 2 and /betabuff is only for lvl 1. Having problems with betabuff atm. I keep crashing when logging on to the lvl 65 char. Why cant you buff to 70?

Hmmm....

There's no betabuff template for level 70, have to do 65.

Also, disable the tutorial, I haven't been able to successfully betabuff any character created in the tutorial.

ah ok..thats my problem! I keep /betabuffing to 70, clicking ok, then logging back in and seeing only a level one character :P

yeah. i had chars left over from OoW beta still in there.. so just used one logged in PoK

If you have characters in zones marked unavailable (either from transfer or whatever), just wait 30-45 seconds and retry, they should log in either at bind or in pok.

It is back down as of 7:30 central

I had an old email addy on my account info (technically the same account but my isp changed their domain name) ... anyone know if there'd be a way to get the email resent ?

Can't think of any other way apart from either changing the address within your account and trying again or...<gulp> contacting SoE. Best of luck with that though Mellen...I can't explore the new zones at the moment, laptop crawls to a snails pace in the newer areas and I'm still awaiting my replacement 3D card for my normal machine :cry:

Both my husband and myself went and signed up. I found it odd when he got his email confirming his acceptance almost immediately and I did not get one.

I went into by account information at the station and changed my email address to the one I am currently using. I then resigned up for beta and almost immediately received my email

Lavastorm and Bazaar are no longer working for me since i downloaded the new zones. Anyone else having this problem? Its very annoying and want to get it fixed

I'm no CSR and I recommend you contact SoE technical support, Ajjantis - but have you;

A) Performed a full, (in-depth) file check on the EQLive patcher

B) Tried deleting your lavastorm/bazaar zone files, (back them up first), then repatching and downloading fresh versions?

Tried B allready :(

look at the motd when you first log into the beta. It tells you what two files you have to delete so that you can play normal eq.

the files are lavastorm.whatever and thebazaar.whatever


it is the whatever (3 letter extension) that I cant remember at the moment.

you may have deleted the wrong ones.

dekkon


edit.... i did have the reason why these two files have changed but it may violate the nda.... i guess

Are you trying to load both onto the same directory? The beta should be in a separate directory -- make a copy.

Lavastorm and Bazaar are no longer working for me since i downloaded the new zones. Anyone else having this problem? Its very annoying and want to get it fixed


It's these two files ----> Bazaar.eqg and Lavastorm.eqg.

Beta signup available as of 6:45 central time on 01/14/05