Ballads of Zimara Beta and Expansion Pre-Orders

Put a 125 tradeskill token on the Premium package and you got yourself a deal, I will not pay an extra $110.00 for it

Trying to access Beta and I am gettig :
Login rejected. Your account does not have features required to play on this server.
Does that mean I have to actually buy the expac first? Or that my character hasn't copied over yet??

Beta is reserved for those who have purchased the expansion first. This is how it's been since at least Blood of Luclin, if not earlier (I wouldn't know as I was away from the game before then).

Ok . . .thanks . . .

you have to preorder Q, and pay right away. Can get the standard version, then upgrade later, but Standard will get you into beta

((applauds on images}}

I am completely floored at the stunning artwork for this upcoming expansion! The art has been getting increasingly better. Truly. These are amazing and lovely looking new zones. The art on the new mounts and pets and familiars is also jaw-dropping! I have to say, for a near 20 yr old game, the art just keeps getting better and better. I don't know how you do it with such an old engine. BRAVO!

I realize this announcement is new, the delivery of info is probably still trickling in. But PLEASE, if you wish for us to hand over our money (which I am very tempted to do right now)....please give us more info on not only the different edition rewards, but also definitely more information on the beta rewards. ( I want to and enjoy helping you test anyway, but it would still be nice to know what we are getting, especially since beta testing is not free for expansions, oddly enough.)

Here are some of the first questions that pop into my head, before handing over quite a bit of money in these tough economic times:

On the expansion and its upgrades, what are the goods on each of the mounts, pet, and familiars?
Can we see a stat screen, get more details, how big are they next to a character, etc?
Seventy dollars (or 35 extra for CE, etc) is a LOT to pay for extras of these creatures. I want to know ALL they can do and are before I hand it over. It is no different criteria than when I walk into a store and want to pick up a package and read ingredients, what I get, whats in there, how it works...all of it. THEN I can appropriately decide if its for me, and pick up and go purchase. I will treat this game no differently. =)

Same for the beta rewards...Can we see stat screens on them?
How big are they next to character?
Can we even see all of them?

[ Some asides: I have to say outright, I do not like ANY flappy pet, mercs, or mounts when they are stationary and still flap around. I don't mind if they are flying and what not. But those old translucent mounts that never land and flap in people's faces at banks (now thanks to those I have had to shut off ALL lovely mounts, sadly,) are beautiful, but annoying. And think of the poor creatures...they never get to rest! I also don't like very noisy ones. Those vulture squawks get to you after standing at a bank next to someone who is there for 30 mins with those noises. So now I had to shut those sounds off too! I want to experience in all my senses, all aspects of this game, but I have to keep shutting things off because testers don't live with these choices long enough to see they grate on you after awhile. =) (Noises should be VERY occasional and limited, if nothing else to limited to very low level sounds.) And for goodness sakes, let these beholden pets and mercs and such get a rest when they are stationary! The poor critters are talking about forming unions I hear! They want rest! ]

What are these beta tiers about?
Can you explain more in depth?
Maybe give us a chart/graph with them, like you do the preorder page, show us what the items look like, with notes on what they do, maybe screencap of their stats, etc.
Does that mount Hengaron fly? (An aside, why do we keep getting mounts that are ground only when probably 90% of population flies? And if they start as ground for awhile, fine, no problem for those that cannot fly, but the rest who can, we have no use for it other than a house item.)
What are the requirements for these tiers?
Elaborate on very detailed information please?
I know this all just came out, but if you open the beta *today*...then please give us the information *today* so we can make informed choices whether to spend these large amounts of money?



Once again, I will end with saying, HUGE props to this absolutely stunning artwork. I am impressed!
But I am disappointed you give so little information about so many details we need to know. I am waiting here to hand you my money...so hand me details first and I am sold! Which package I am sold on...is totally up to you now. Ball is in your court!

Bravo on the gorgeousness of the images you have shared today!

Looking forward to more info, and I am excited with renewed hope about this expansion,
Kat

Having problem pre ordering, I'm clicking on Pay with payment card and the screen blinks and nothing happens. I have 2 cards connected to my eq2 account, would that be a problem? It should lead me to a page to choose which card to use and it doesn't?

I found another way to pay, disregard me

Dumb question, when will the pre-order end? I have already payed my bills and find myself a bit short. will we be able to uy the pre-order upto launch day or will it end before 1 Nov 2023. pleas advise and thx

I see there is a solo beta reward but no mention of any solo zones in the xpac description. Is that an over sight or have you eliminated solo zones completely?

Are there any perks, those that only play on KD, get with the new Collector or Premium xpac since we don't get the level increase, merc, etc? Just wondering if it is worth buying the Collector's edition for my third and fourth accounts.

Pre-orders run until launch, so you have just shy of two months, unless something delays launch,

Congrats on the new expac! Gonna back up what Katt said, the artwork looks amazing!

Just watched the trailer, and checked some of the screenshots, and I really like the vibes that I'm getting from Vaashkaani and Aether Wroughtlands. I also like how the new npc and mob models look in the new screens, the colors really pop in this one for sure. Going to pre-order soon!

In the features bullet list (emphasis mine):Conquer all new Solo, Heroic, and Raid content in firmamental realms tied to the Plane of Sky, including Aether Wroughtlands

I agree completely.

The lack of a tradeskill boost in the premium version feels like a slap to the face for half the player's experience to just be ignored.

Oh dear this looks gorgeous!! Can't wait to start beta!
Thanks to the team for continuing the work on this beautiful game.

I would also tend to agree regarding the TS boost in the Premium package. It should definitely be included.

Direct debit still doesn't work, can't be selected?
Can anyone from DB please tell me why this is the case? I've tried it 20 times and it still doesn't work, I'm losing interest in buying the add-on

Let's hope that the developers have learned positive things from the disastrousness of the current add-on and the pointlessness of the game mechanics changes in "Renewal of Ro" and will get rid of it with the new add-on so that you can play sensibly again, otherwise it will be that last addon that most people, including me personally, will play in EQ2.

These include:
- 1. this useless mechanic of “shottime adornments” that annoys all players
- 2. the pointlessness of temperate loot in any form of consumable items
- 3. the vast amounts of resources necessary to be able to play normally and to be able to produce these consumables
- 4. the pointless prevention of outnumbered groups, through the destructive game mechanics with group consumables such as painlinks
- 5. that you don't put game-relevant items in a contested zone, where only 6 bosses are available for an entire server to achieve this...
- 6. the pointless absolute necessity of high dps classes in every group of group content
- 7. this absolute necessity of all archetypers in a group...
- 8. If possible, there are no or very few requirements for pay 2 win things in order to be able to play the game successfully... so it's not just pure torture..

All things that have driven many players to quit in this and previous years.

I this sense hope we the best ... we will see it ...