Hehe, it looks like they added a little bug with this change also so I just /bugged it.
This was actually an option added in LU #19.
http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/p...53059�
This command appears to be reversed.
/escape_opens_gamemenu true
Makes ESC not open the startmenu
/escape_opens_gamemenu false
Makes ESC open the startmenu
You can also put this command into your eq2.ini file.