Returning Player Not Sure Where to Start

[gracchus]

I've kept my account open since 1997, but the last time I really played was during the Invasion of Brit a few years ago.

So, since another game has a 24 hour downtime now, I log into UO to see where I can get started. The game is looking really very nice. I went to the new "Royal" City but that's where I'm not sure what to do.

Where do I start the quests in the Royal city? Are there any quests. I ran around for a couple of hours killing stuff. But, I want to get started on a quest line. I'm just having trouble seeing any indication of where to get a quest.

I also looted an item called a "void orb." I'm not even sure what it is or if it's valuable.

 

[gracchus]

The Ter Mur Lands don't seem to really be all that large.... But, they do look good.

 

[gracchus]

Well, it was fun.. I guess I'll try back in a few months.

Gluck all.

 

[Lord Chaos]

That was quick you gave up, heh. As you're likely in the EC, then I can't help you with how the quest interface works.

 

[Percivalgoh]

For the next time you want to play look here

 

[Fat Midnight]

 

[Beer_Cayse]

Why bother? You'll only be more behind in the item race than you already are. Roll over, give it up and just cancel the account. <shrug>

 

[gunneroforgin]

Why bother? You'll only be more behind in the item race than you already are. Roll over, give it up and just cancel the account. <shrug>

nice guy! give him some credit for coming back even if it was for a shooooort time.

 

[gunneroforgin]

I've kept my account open since 1997, but the last time I really played was during the Invasion of Brit a few years ago.

So, since another game has a 24 hour downtime now, I log into UO to see where I can get started. The game is looking really very nice. I went to the new "Royal" City but that's where I'm not sure what to do.

Where do I start the quests in the Royal city? Are there any quests. I ran around for a couple of hours killing stuff. But, I want to get started on a quest line. I'm just having trouble seeing any indication of where to get a quest.

I also looted an item called a "void orb." I'm not even sure what it is or if it's valuable.

Next time you log on check out the Perculem the hunter quests found in the royal city. they will give you a chance to check out the some of the critters In ter-mur.

 

[Hannes Erich]

For the next time you want to play look here

Thanks Percivalgoh (Edit: and Gunner), for perhaps the only redeeming part of the thread (didn't know about that link).

And now, a rant.

I kind of doubt this person (with all of three posts, now) had an active account at the time of their posting. This is an example of why I've often wondered if UO shouldn't have relocated their official forums to a fan site all those years ago.

I'm also subscribed to another MMO (City of Heroes, which is awesome, but not quite as cool as UO) with arguably one of the best communities around, and everyone who posts MUST BE subscribed to the game, not including trial accounts. When you see people complaining about something on the forums, you KNOW they've got a stake in the game they're complaining about.

Why is this a good idea? Because when you've been around for 12 years like UO has, you're going to make enemies of some players along the way; whether it's always deserved or not doesn't matter.

A lot of these people do not care about the game. In many cases, their sole purpose in coming to these forums is to harm UO as much as they possibly can. Since they didn't like some publish, or didn't like something that happened to them (perhaps yesterday, maybe years ago), they're set on punishing the dev team by ruining the game for all of us; and yes, even if they're upset about a publish from an entirely different dev team.

Most of them, lately, come to these forums to try to blackmail EA/Mythic, demanding for THEIR desires to be catered to (even when they're not subscribers, remember), or else they'll engage in a lot of negative PR to spite EA/Mythic for paying more attention to other players (who are actually subscribed and playing).

There are exceptions, but that's what they are-- exceptions. Most of these people don't deserve a voice; but instead, they often have the run of the mill around these forums (particularly UHall). This isn't Stratics fault, and indeed, hats off to Stratics all these years for putting up with something they have no control over.

 

[Mapper]

What great advice..

To the OP, I hope you give UO a chance again. It can be very fun when you relearn what to do!

 

[HD2300]

I kind of doubt this person (with all of three posts, now) had an active account at the time of their posting. This is an example of why I've often wondered if UO shouldn't have relocated their official forums to a fan site all those years ago.

Did the original poster just spend $30 for an SA upgrade just to play the game for a couple of hours?

Also if Hannes is right, why would someone fake that they are a returning player and say cya I'll try again in a few months?

 

[Hannes Erich]

Did the original poster just spend $30 for an SA upgrade just to play the game for a couple of hours?

Doubtful. But, the world may never know.

Also if Hannes is right, why would someone fake that they are a returning player and say cya I'll try again in a few months?

Like me, you're thinking with the mindset of someone who cares about the game. But petty people like to take cheap pot shots, and these are the kinds of threads that ward off prospective players.

I've played two MMOs now that only allowed paying subscribers posting privileges, and generally, on average, I saw much less of this crap on the forums for those games. That may not be proof of anything, but it sure smacks of evidence of something, y'know? Hence, my long-winded (sorry) rant.

 

[Beer_Cayse]

post #1 - okay where do I start?
post #2 - TerMur looks good but it's small
post #3 - g'bye, see ya, will be back later

Doesn't sound like someone REALLY interested in maintaining things for any amount of time.

Oh yeah ... all of that was posted within 11 minutes altho he refers to perhaps a couple hours in-game. Yup - interested in really returning.

 

[GarthGrey]

To the OP, congrats on having what appears to be Auto Registration. Some of us had to actually pay to get access to SA, all you had to do was "log in while your other game was down"...nice option.....

 

[HD2300]

To the OP, congrats on having what appears to be Auto Registration. Some of us had to actually pay to get access to SA, all you had to do was "log in while your other game was down"...nice option.....

Woah this is definitely a bug or an exploit if someone can access SA content without paying for it. This needs to be escalated to Cal to investigate. Why would someone pretend to be a new player?

 

[gracchus]

For the next time you want to play look here

Thanks for that link. I did play the game for 2 hours today before posting and then gave it a break until now.

I just wanted to post this.... not that it matters. I'll always have a UO subscription even if I never play the game.

 

[Hannes Erich]

Players (okay, subscribers) like Gracchus may represent the holy grail of retention strategies for MMO publishers! I take back everything I said, well at least until next time someone pops into the forum with some kind of knee-jerk post.

Gracchus, you should redact your account name from that image.

Edit: It really is amazing how much ownership UO gives its players; sometimes I forget there are oodles of property (and item) owners who have stayed subscribed for over a decade straight simply because of this aspect of the game, no matter how often they log in.

And This Is A Good Thing.

 

[gracchus]

Here's how many months are on my account--active months. I'm not quite sure why I'm feeding the trolls in this thread... but here it is. And, no.. that's not my main.

 

[Hannes Erich]

Gracchus, scroll up and read my reply, right above your last post.

My apologies (sincerely), but the word troll should be reserved for trolls, not simply for people on the other side of an argument.

A lot of people DO make forum accounts for the sole purpose of trolling. Your thread was suspect to many of us because it read similar to many posts that have the goal of discouraging potential players from signing up.

You're obviously on the other side of the coin, and I'm glad the game has customers as loyal as you've been.

 

[gracchus]

One way to really draw people into a game is by giving them a sense of purpose in play. Even though I was killing stuff, I was doing it without a purpose.

I guess one negative thing about all MMOs that I've ***personally*** played is how players tend to focus so much on items. If getting items is the only motivation behind play, the game tends to get a bland flavor to it. But, I'm not a RP fanatic either.

I ran around in the new lands killing stuff for about 2 hours before it's like... ok... what's the point?

But, I will always love the game and continue to keep a subscription open even if I don't see the point in playing for more than a short period of time.

The last time I was really involved in the game was during the invasion of Brit because there was a purpose in play... and I really enjoyed that.

 

[Hannes Erich]

Well, this is where I'm going to stick up for the game as it stands. Even though there are more quests than there ever have been (you should come back in and check them out), the game is and always has been designed as a "sand box" as opposed to an "amusement park".

If you've never heard the analogy, most games revolve heavily around quests and leveling, always "directing players to the next ride". Those games give you a sense of purpose, so there's no need for you to decide for yourself what your purpose is. They're like amusement parks. All the rides are already there, and you don't really have to be too creative or do much thinking for yourself, the point is just to have some fun.

Probably the two best "sand box" games I've played are UO and Eve Online. These games do offer quests, but the core of the game relies upon the community itself (and in many cases the individual players). Players must create their own goals and purposes, and then strive toward those goals. Some of the rides are already there, but you must be creative, do some thinking for yourself, and build your own accomplishments and castles-- the devs in these games won't spoon-feed you any pre-packaged sense of purpose, but they will supply all the sand you need.

Sand box games aren't for everyone. But they're good exercise for the mind, and they're creative outlets for the soul. Players literally have to meet the devs half-way in order for the game to be a complete experience. And I wouldn't want it any other way!

P.S. If anything, UO needs more tools for its players to create their own content/experiences-- and less spoon-feeding.

 

[gracchus]

Well, this is where I'm going to stick up for the game as it stands. Even though there are more quests than there ever have been (you should come back in and check them out), the game is and always has been designed as a "sand box" as opposed to an "amusement park".

I've heard the sand box thing quite a bit. And, I do like sand box. I do like some direction too.

I just logged into the game and tried to join a guild.... and got this:

"No one knows you."

If I say I'm looking for a guild in any other game, I get at least 3 invites within seconds. That's not what I expected in UO... But, I didn't expect to get trolled.

Being part of a guild and actually seeing live chat is something which also makes the game fun. I see UO has a chat feature and that's a huge addition to the game. But, actually joining a guild seems to be a bigger obstacle.

 

[gracchus]

This is pretty much how my attempt at joining a guild went: This occurred in general chat on the Pacific server.

Me: "Looking to join guild."

Them: "PvP or PvM"

Me: "I'm looking to join a PvE guild."

Them: "You should go back to WoW."

Me: "I'm just rejoining the game and I'm looking for a guild."

Them: "No one Knows you."

Me: "Maybe that's because I haven't played the game in years and I'm just rejoining."

Them: "QQ moar." "Do you want some Wine with that Cheese."

Me: "I'll take that wine please. Where is it?"

Them: "Next to the cheese."

Me: "LOL Cya ALL"

/logs off

When I say looking for guild in that other game I get at an invite in just a couple of seconds...

I didn't expect to essentially get locked out of joining a guild in this game because no one knows me.

 

[Saunders]

People are cautious about letting unknown newcomers into an established guild because it enables the newcomer to attack and steal from members in Trammel. There have been too many jerks doing just that over the last few years to make a lot of guilds welcome you with open arms. They will want to get to know you first before making themselves and all their members vulnerable to you.

 

[Hannes Erich]

Gracchus, I hear what you're saying, and I even sympathize (Ultima Online, some days, is not for the faint of heart); but I'm not going to sit here with you and rip on UO just because it doesn't deliver a PUG (Pick Up Group) experience as quickly as some newer MMOs that are built around fast-food style community-building.

I'm also not going to show you the door, or make snide arm chair commentary. There are some great guilds in this game. They might not leap out the second you ask around in chat; but it would be WELL worth your time to seek them out. Whether you're able and willing to have a better experience in UO is up to you, not us, not even the devs.

 

[Petra Fyde]

gracchus: In addition to these message boards, Stratics has an wealth of information on the http://uo.stratics.com site. Please take some time to look through it. I'll specifically point out the section in the left hand menu index 'Expansions'. Expand the list under 'Stygian Abyss' and you'll find the top link under the heading is 'quests'.

 

[Lord Chaos]

Well, so how exactly do you seek out the guilds? Its not like there's any inventory of guilds as far as I know or any way to get in contact with them. These are some of the major problems new players face.

You may put down "WoW kiddies", but most WoW players are serious and intelligent people, who know what they're looking for. Honestly, UO needs a serious overhaul when it comes to reintroducing/introducing players to UO, that should be more important than anything else really.

And Sandbox games are really only fun if there's anything to experience and create in the sandbox...UO is just one confusing mess.

 

[Casuality]

Players (okay, subscribers)

It really is amazing how much ownership UO gives its players; sometimes I forget there are oodles of property (and item) owners who have stayed subscribed for over a decade straight simply because of this aspect of the game, no matter how often they log in.

And This Is A Good Thing.

It is "A Good Thing" for the EA atleast. In all likelihood housing is also the only reason UO remains alive and kicking. Not only are the servers still running but game actually has a dev or three left. So in that sense it is a good thing for players too!

If you get all unfair and actually view UO as an MMO/game among others, you gain the wretched ability of comparing stuff like treatment of customers. It's saddening the key to UO's post 2003 (or thereabouts?) success is the fact it kicks you in the balls if you quit paying for a longer period of time.

In SWG*, WoW, Eve Online, and few other MMOs I have tried, the players are actually free to turn their accounts inactive when they feel like taking a break from the game. Now, ofc nothing stops you from doing just this in UO. It's just that when you do it with UO, you get kicked in the balls. In most other games, you do not get punished if you stop paying from service you are not currently using. Sounds wacky, I know.

It is an excellent business move from EA's part.
Judging from way Origin handled the housing towards the beginning,I am guessing they had no idea what they had created. When Lord British and pre-EA Origin build housing(heh!!) I bet all they saw was a cool new feature. They didn't have slightest of idea this feature would be a magnificent money cow for EA to milk through decades to come.

It amazes me every single more ambitious MMO out there doesn't offer housing in one form or another. They all see/know how amazing it is in chaining and " forcing" UO players to remain as paying customers even through those inactive months. I wager everybody reading this knows how very DIFFICULT it is to cancel that subscription, solely because of the housing.

Now, I'd like to underline that I don't have a problem with the idea of houses going poof after account has remained inactive for X amount of time. It is not only bottomless money holes of EA that demand this, but game mechanics as well. What I did find insulting however, was the fact it really was/is an X amount of time. EA does NOT offer ANY consistency in the matter. After your account has gone inactive, sometimes the house would decay in one month or less. Sometimes after three months. It really is anyone's guess and completely beyond all guesstimations. This is unfair and just plain lame. At least give people some constants.

*SWG making exceptionally good comparison here, since it too offers custom housing very similar to that of UO.


P.S
Hannes, while I understand it is busy work to keep looking down at the OP, I suggest you take a long enough break to remember that he is a better customer to people running the game you love than you are. Assuming ofc that your payment history doesn't compare to his.

 

[Hannes Erich]

He got his account one month before I did. I went inactive after 2003 for a few years, but this isn't a contest.

I'm not looking down on the OP; I'm trying to get him to stick around a bit, what are you trying to do? You people say you want to see UO improve, but how are all the negative threads and posts going to help?

Many things can be fixed and improved upon in UO; but some whims may not be catered to. Enjoy the game for what it is, or choose another game. Constructive criticism is one thing, but stop taking a crap all over the forums every chance you get. It doesn't help anything.

 

[Canucklehead73]

OP: I haven't played ion a long while as well, moved out into the country, but I would offer a couple bits of advice... The chat context is rather new to UO imho, most of us are used to "line of sight" chat, not the global chat like in a lot of games. I know I'm not used to watching the little chat window... Players might be a bit too busy to notice your few texts. So keep trying to communicate, alot of guilds will leave books around for recruiting and visiting guildhouses can also help.

As for the smartass's on the chat. You just have to get used to it, so many people cannot control themselves when they are all safe and sound in their bedroom with no one to smack them up side the head for being lippy... I just comes with the territory, just try to give as good as you get withing your personal limits.

 

[Schuyler Bain]

You might also want to look here(http://vboards.stratics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59). It is the Stratics forum dedicated to the shard you play on. You will have better luck finding guild mates and learning about the shard there.

best of luck!

 

[Fat Midnight]

All comments aside... Come back, Sosoria and the UO community NEEDS its veteran players.

No one noticed my account age is 115 years, lol.

 

[Evlar]

Like me, you're thinking with the mindset of someone who cares about the game. But petty people like to take cheap pot shots, and these are the kinds of threads that ward off prospective players.

There's two sides to the coin.

There's plenty of former players who still care about the game though, enough to post comments or enquire about things. What it is, what it was, what it could be, could have been, what game play "options" there are... I'll refrain from mentioning the obvious, because it brings out the baying mob with pitchforks in certain people...

I think it's entirely valid that current, former and future players of UO, should be able to discuss the game, freely and without restriction, on what is essentially a non-official gaming forum, regardless of the fact that developers happen to "speak" here, though within the terms of conduct, as supervised by the forum moderators, all of whom are capable enough to decide what's valid and what breaches their guidelines. I've received a warning before for breaching those guidelines, which was both warranted and fair, so it's up to them.

As far as "validity" is concerned, is it not fair to assume that someone who paid their subscription for many (insert whatever quantity you like) years, but no longer plays the game, (insert whatever reason you like), shouldn't voice opinions and thoughts too? Is understanding why players leave, or what might encourage them to return to the game, not as important to the developers and their paymasters, as the needs and whims of the current players?

The biggest single problem on these forums, is the air of superiority of some of the current players, content that they have everything they want, and basking in their apparent glow of smug, self-satisfaction.

I would argue that may actually be more off-putting to "prospective" players, who might be reading and thinking... "do I really want to share my leisure time with such people?"

We all have different views. Rather than castigate people for actually having a different opinion, different desires, or preferences, why not pause to consider them?

Variety they say... is the spice of life!

 

[Percivalgoh]

There's two sides to the coin.

There's plenty of former players who still care about the game though, enough to post comments or enquire about things. What it is, what it was, what it could be, could have been, what game play "options" there are... I'll refrain from mentioning the obvious, because it brings out the baying mob with pitchforks in certain people...

I think it's entirely valid that current, former and future players of UO, should be able to discuss the game, freely and without restriction, on what is essentially a non-official gaming forum, regardless of the fact that developers happen to "speak" here, though within the terms of conduct, as supervised by the forum moderators, all of whom are capable enough to decide what's valid and what breaches their guidelines. I've received a warning before for breaching those guidelines, which was both warranted and fair, so it's up to them.

As far as "validity" is concerned, is it not fair to assume that someone who paid their subscription for many (insert whatever quantity you like) years, but no longer plays the game, (insert whatever reason you like), shouldn't voice opinions and thoughts too? Is understanding why players leave, or what might encourage them to return to the game, not as important to the developers and their paymasters, as the needs and whims of the current players?

The biggest single problem on these forums, is the air of superiority of some of the current players, content that they have everything they want, and basking in their apparent glow of smug, self-satisfaction.

I would argue that may actually be more off-putting to "prospective" players, who might be reading and thinking... "do I really want to share my leisure time with such people?"

We all have different views. Rather than castigate people for actually having a different opinion, different desires, or preferences, why not pause to consider them?

Variety they say... is the spice of life!

Very well written response