EverQuest II, you killed a kitten.

If you know what EverQuest (EQ) is, you're probably some kind of gamer geek. Or perhaps a gamer geek widow. The current king of Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), EQ, also known as EverCrack, is releasing a sequel.

Expectations were high. I even pre purchased the game, theoretically guaranteeing me a spot on opening day. Today was to be opening day.

My computer just meets the low end requirements. No worries, I usually turn down most of the eye candy anyway. So, I install the CD in my "starter kit". It scoops up 300+ MB from my HDD and offers to upgrade my DirectX. My DirectX doesn't need an upgrade.

I run the install again, now it tells me things like. Your 64MB video card is 3MB < the 64MB required. The ATI Radeon 64MB is on their list of tested hardware.

What's more, the shiny new EQ II character creation icon on my desktop is not just dead, it's brain dead. I click on in and nothing happens. I can accept if you tell me why you have a problem, but zero feedback?

I start digging around, playing with .ini files, checking error logs. I'm in full on diagnostic mode... Then, I stop. If I'm going to be doing this level of beta testing, Sony should be paying me! That's it, I'm out.

I'm disappointed and yet oddly relieved. I'll try to get my money back. I wont give Sony, who seems to be the Microsoft of Asia in terms of evil, any more of my cash.

Ok, I'm still pissed. I can't see upgrading hardware for a game I hadn't planned on playing more than a few months. Oh well, that' what Xbox is for.