The EverQuest Show - Episode 16 - Map Secrets, Animating Creatures and EQOA

Rick Schmitz drew and animating the original creatures of Norrath. He tells us how he went about bringing them to life.
He also drew the iconic maps of Norrath, and even hid secret messages in them.
Alutra is one of the biggest fans of EQOA, which just celebrated 20 years since launch, but has been sunset for more than a decade.
Befallen was called Temple of Life 500 years before EverQuest.
Additional great EverQuest Show content found at everquestshow.com
Gameplay and music clips courtesy of EverQuest and EverQuest II.
Theme music "Top Of The World" licensed from Tim McMorris, published by King's Crown Productions Inc.
Stock footage purchased from Stock Footage, Inc.

[@Rezikai]

Thanks Fading for another great episode. I remember logging into EQoA around Feb 18th or 19th of 2003, (was hard to find that 1st week) and my brother created a Barbarian in Halas while I created Rezikai, the Freeport human rogue I remember spawning in the basement of the Shining/Spiteful Shield and seeing my first rogue guildmaster, Necorik the Ghost... he set me on my first quests to becoming a rogue and adventurer. Over the next several years I took Rez through the seemless Eve Online like continent of Tunaria, the Isle of Dread (PoFear) and later to Frontiers (Odus and PoSky and PoDisease PoWar). But what really stood out was EQoA's community, helping each other with quests and advice. Meeting EQ1 players who had became OA'ers as they were getting on in years without as much time to grind and quest in EQ1. Seeing so many new faces from all over the globe. And even saying goodbye to friends lost in Norrath and in real life as time forever moves on and we miss our friends no longer with us in group or here OnEarth. I would take breaks from EQoA and come back at regular intervals after trying EQ1 and my mainstay to this day EQ2. When I heard it was sunsetting many of us were sad to see it go. So much of our time and efforts went to the adventuring the Age of Enlightenment (EQoA). When the server was coming down and the mass amounts of people were at the Freeport docks to say goodbye I to was there saying goodbye to friends old and some even older. Remembering the ones no longer with us and talking of where our futures will take us now EQoA was ending. After long goodbyes with them as the final hour ticked away I went to stand once again in the Spiteful Shields basement in front of Necorik the Ghost remembering the fun I had standing in the same virtual spot years earlier about to start my journey, just beore the servers went down for the final time. What a great story EQoA was, now to be told by the scholars of the age and in the history books of Norrath.

[@MissFruityPie]

I never even played EQOA and this had me tearing up! Thank you for sharing this player's story.

[@Redbeardflynn]

Another great episode! Talking about EQOA got me emotional, not because I ever played it (I couldn't get the Ps2 connection to work) but just thinking of different online worlds where that has happened. SWG, Vanguard...etc. Always sad.

[@Erekai]

I also never played EQOA but I also felt sad for the people who just had their favorite game ripped out from under them. If some day EQ gets the same treatment, that will be an immensely sad day. Thankfully there are a bunch of already-functioning emulators out there and such a shutdown of EQ would probably spawn at least a few more, so we'll never NOT have EQ to play... but not having it available officially would be sad.

[@Random49558]

Rick Schmitz did the EQ maps?! Awesome! He really breathed life into the EQ world. What a talent! I never played EQOA, but I'm sure it was a special place.

[@_marlene]

His art was on my bedroom wall! I remember the cable guy was in my bedroom once doing work, saw the trilogy map and he lit up so bright. We talked about servers. I was probably 12. He was a RZ player btw 😆

[@leedunning1825]

Those maps were outstanding and spurred so much feeling toward exploring. I love the story about the goblin death animation. I'm definitely sharing that with some friends. I remember us joking about the goblins and their wacky deaths. Didn't joke too much about the Kunark goblins. They freaked us out even with the silly tongues! The Mines of Nurga and the Temple of Droga are still firmly planted in my memories.

[@Cornerboy73]

I watched this episode while teaching my new Druid a bunch of languages; it was a very welcome distraction Fading, thank you 👍. I absolutely loved the old classic maps; I'm convinced I have a cloth one with those markings on it somewhere from way back in the day. As for EQOA, I never played it, but I have a good friend who did and SWORE by it. He played that game for years right up to the end. I do know the feeling you get when the lights go out on a game you loved. If you see this Alutra, I feel for you brother /comfort. I'm thinking back to when SWG and Vanguard were put to rest. It hurts but the fun memories are always there. Anyway, this is a big week ahead with the anniversary content fast approaching; I hope everyone has fun with it, cheers ~

[@alutra]

Thanks for the kindness :)

[@Knel467]

That EQOA section was a tearjerker

[@IonBlaze1]

Really good job on the video Fading. The pacing is great. Great teaser at the end :)

[@arrej9677]

Thank you, such an entertaining video. EQOA was a big part of my youth and I really miss the game. It was a very special MMO.

[@nathans1787]

It looked really fun! I’m sorry I’ll never get the chance to play it.

[@novyxl9672]

I really do look forward to this show. Thank you for putting in the time to make it

[@Morraak]

Loved those cloth maps! He did such a good job on them. Looking forward to the anniversary episode!

[@Fresjr66]

WOW!! Hail Alutra. I just stumbled upon this video and almost dropped my drink when I saw you make an appearance .😲This alone has gained my subscription to The Everquest Show Channel.👍👍 Watching this now makes me want to flick a switch and load my first mmo main back into Tethelin. May the sun rise again for EQOA.

[@bear.necessities]

I love the maps!!! EQOA was also something I was never fortunate to play as a kid, but I can get lost in watching people just running through the old world of Norrath. Excited about the JChan interview!

[@mikejenkins1270]

I've always been sad that I never got to play EQOA. Obviously a big PC gamer like everyone here, and during that era when I wasn't playing EQ I was big into Xbox and Halo, and I had a Gamecube, but just never got a PS2 (there's only so many hours in a day!). These days due to injury and age I really can't play games for extended periods with a mouse. At one point I did cook up a control scheme to play regular Everquest 1 with a gamepad, and it worked pretty good, so I bet EQOA was pretty great! Anyway thanks for these interviews, they're really wonderful. EQOA deserves to be remembered if we can't play it.

[@michaeljoseph3475]

I remember seeing EQOA in stores while purchasing EQ gametime cards and thinking, "who has the time "?

[@puppethound]

EQOA was and still is my favorite PS2 game and probably in my top 10 and maybe top 5 of all time.

[@HectorYague]

Love the show! Thanks for keeping the EQ spirit alive for us old timers :)

[@EverQuestShow]

Thank you all for watching. Be sure to subscribe and comment below! See you next episode!

[@steveo5374]

Right in the EQOA feels, if only they would bring it back!

[@tommyv5866]

Classic EQ models always look like they are having a seizure but they were trying to make it look like the characters were wasn't just standing there frozen 🤣🤣 but that's the charm to it all. You definitely see how people use resources that they have and try to make the best of it.

[@alutra]

Great show!!! loved all the map content. Thanks so much for the EQOA love!

[@lifetotheminimal1211]

Great video, Was excited when I saw it was 20 min. Ricks art is amazing and EQOA content is always welcome. Keep it up 👏

[@flatline8580]

Thank you Fading!

[@mehie]

Fantastic insight into those early models and animation. The art style is so iconic and nostalgic to look at. Goblin butts!

[@Fanelan053]

Love you're doing this. Keep it alive!

[@michaelpants]

Random loot was a successful experimental server. I hope to see another successful fresh take on TLP ruleset.

[@_Wake_Up_If_U_Can]

Thanks for the episode! Had no idea they used motion capture tech. Enjoyed hearing him explain why original goblins look different then expansion goblins. Hearing more about EQOA made me curious about it. Wonder if there are any emulators of it.

[@kraigb6454]

I really enjoy the editing skills and quality of your videos and video editor(s) in making these videos. At times it makes it seem like it's not a 24 year old game which is pretty incredible. Keep up the amazing work! =D Something about this game that keeps me playing with very few breaks in the last 24 years.

[@Erekai]

Really interested to see what DPG has in store for the next TLP. I'm all for experiments, but I hope it's a good one!

[@RijackiTorment]

Great maps! I still have all the ones I got from the boxes. My former boyfriend had EQoA and played it from time to time. I watched him playing and thought the world quite lovely but I was horrible with the console controllers.

[@Iceman8235]

Great show! I don't know how I haven't seen it before, but subbed now and looking forward to going back and watching some of the older episodes. Thanks for making a show for one of the best games of all time even though EQ is definitely a niche game these days.

[@Binxx00]

Never stop!

[@Kronikax]

I really appreciate the hard work that goes into these shows. Thanks

[@gekuzo6239]

Thank you 🤓

[@paltrax]

haven't actually played a single minute of EQ before but i really enjoy these. i'm a big mmo player though..

[@maze513]

Thank You!

[@barbe00brune]

Always fun to watch, I had a friend that played a lot of eq a. Certainly looked interesting and different for the time

[@sirprepsalot6268]

I still have all of the original Maps…I’m going to take a look at them.

[@cheerguyami]

EQOA was hands down my favorite and best mmo. It kills me that it couldn't continue. Eq2, wow, ffxiv , eso, nothing hits that feeling of EQOA

[@DarkGnome1]

Great show as always!

[@Mostcus]

Top content again, yay!

[@TylerPutnam2.0]

I just started playing Everquest 1 Live servers

[@Kiroc65]

Great episode!

[@livelucky74]

Really want to see an interview with Bill Fisher. He had so many funny/interesting stories on aLovingRobot's channel.

[@gamingod2137]

I would sell my soul to play this on a full fresh server

[@VexySilvena]

Great show :)

[@elminweatherbee7672]

Love this content, thanks!

[@kristhebard]

Love these vids, keep it coming!

[@efreetilord642]

Eqoa was best game ever created ❤️ wish they could bring it back

[@jpww1814]

OH YES

[@JoshuaRoebuck]

The iconic dead goblin butt crack was due to ping-pong balls, how cool.

[@maul281]

Should do a segment on EQOA: return home. Lot of dedicated and smart fans basically reverse engineered the game and are putting it back together. I never played eqoa seriously, but this project is a sight to see

[@CE2Vapor]

ahh 15 years of my life

[@tommyv5866]

Yall can do a segment on classic water in EQ? Classic EQ has the most weirdest looking water 🤨 BUT it worked lol

[@gamingod2137]

Eqoa best game of all time. Would give anything to play on my ps5

[@BlackAshyAsian]

I miss EQOA

[@jplabre]

omg where have you been all my life?

[@space.tel-e-grams]

What I want to know is... Why did the boats in Ocean of Tears go backwards?

[@martymo89]

Wow tease us with the tlp info.

[@syprus3687]

Hey good stuff. So when we gonna get a eqoa tlp

[@jahrastaeasygaming2372]

I would shit myself if they redid norrath.

[@Ajbbasket1]

I would Thanos snap eqoa and eq2 out of existence

[@LexFilm]

Is he under water for the interview? LoL

[@gankhammer9926]

Legend.

[@yuutuu9427]

15 years UO monthly subber 22 years monthly subber to EQ1 Even when AFK to go play Vanguard, Tabula Rasa, WOW, Guildwars 2, LineAge 1n 2, DAOC, Earth and Beyond, EVE, Dragons Prophet, ROHAN, etc. etc. EQ is LIFE !