Across all of the SOE games, player-run events take place all the time but we don’t always hear about them. While most player-run events take the form of parties, scavenger hunts, and player versus player battles, others take their events up to the next level.
One of the most common statements we hear a lot is that players don’t have the resources to run their own events. This is completely not true. You don’t need GM commands or specialized items to run a successful event. Most of the larger events that I have seen in EQ, EQOA, SWG, and EQII have been guild based where the guild has donated the prize from their guild bank. In other cases, people offer the reward from entry fees where the winner gets the funds collected.
So what type of events can you run? Here are some of the most common ones run:
• Party – Everyone knows what a party is! In-game parties may be include festivals, weddings, meet and greets, etc.
• Player versus Player Battles (PvP) – PvP battles are events that put players against other players. Some common examples of these types of events are the Best of the Best; Capture the Flag events or other types of tournaments.
• Performance – This type of event has always been popular for Player-Run events. This is where characters get up on a stage or elsewhere and act out a play, perform a recital (usually bards/musicians or dancers), etc. Tutorial sessions fall into this category, though they could almost have their own heading. A tutorial features experienced players teaching newer ones on various aspects of the game.
• Scavenger Hunt – These events are similar to collection events except they have may have more puzzles or obstacles to overcome. Also, scavenger hunts tend to spread across many areas.
• Invasion – Someplace gets invaded by NPCs or an actor character recruits adventurers to invade somewhere. Adventurers defeating the invaders are asked to protect people or places. This type is generally not done for Player-Run events except on the PvP server.
Player-run events can be done for any game genre. For example, in PlanetSide, I’ve attended events that were a mixture between invasion, roleplaying, and PvP battle of course! The reward being victory over the other empires!
So… this year I’m putting this challenge out to the SOE community. Run more player-run events and we’ll come up with new ways of supporting them!
If you want us to help promote your event, give us the news and we’ll share it with others. If you want us to attend them, let us know and we’ll try our best. Even if we aren’t able attend, we can still help spread the news. And finally, one of the most important steps you can take is to document the event via screen shots, video, written reports, or a mix of them all! We love seeing how well an event went!
If you need help planning and running your event, read my detailed Tips on Player-Run Events. Most of the information in this guide applies to all games. If you need answers to specific answers, feel free to let the Community Relations team for your game know and we’ll help out with what we can!
I look forward to hearing about your events!
Remember, I’ll be watching!
Lydia Pope
Zatozia the Torturess
Community Relations Manager, EverQuest
