I still play the X:COM games, plus a few other "classic" games. 
Perhaps targeting a "niche" market of retro-gamers perhaps?
There's enough around to make it worthwhile, otherwise why would there still be so much interest in the "abandonware" sites?
Also, I wonder what age groupings the average players of UO are? I would venture a guess that the majority are 30+ perhaps.
Interesting also, that some of us probably sound like our parents did about music, when we refer to great gameplay and older games. Funny how things work out like that.
I think abandonware games are popular because.. they are free. Id play eye of the beholder probably. Would I pay 5 bucks for it? Unlikely.
Yeah the music thing is kinda funny, old age really creeps up on a person eh? I actually don't even like most of the music I used to ironically.
Interestingly though, have a browse through some of the "old games" websites. Increasingly more older games are only available for purchased downloads. Usually no more than a couple of dollars mostly. That indicates there's sufficient demand for
someone to buy up the rights to what was considered abandonware, in order to profit from their popularity.
...
You also don't see the original X-Com games (mentioning original here to differentiate from the upcoming X-Com title) being actively advertised either.
As for music, post-grundge, witrh a few exceptions here and there, music has really gone down the toilet in quality... at least IMO.
Nope, you don't see the older or "classic" games being advertised, unless someone has bought up the rights to them, in order to profit from their enduring popularity.
Most "publicity" comes from forums and websites that host them, be they for purchase, or for free.
Music... I like most things rock. Can't abide the same rinse and repeat "talent" show manufactured crap. rolleyes:
^^ UO already has had a 3D client, called the 3D client, which was axed. Also KR and EC "takes advantage of 3D-accelerated special effects."
... so dont assume that NetDragon is going to develop a 100% real 3D client just because "3D" was in the press release.
That can sometimes be the problem. Suggestion of a 3D environment, might not be the sort of 360º 3D environment that's used in a lot of modern games, but an isometric 3D view, much like UO, but with more 3D rendered creatures and items, over the 2D rendered stuff we see in UO.
Must admit though, I quite liked the Third Dawn client. That was a step forward that they could have worked with over the years, instead of taking a step back towards the 2D content.
Although I support the "classic" game play UO offered, I've also always supported any advances in the game client. So long as the core of the game play is good, a new client is just the tool to access and play the game. Improvements to the user interface and the "polished" look of a game, are always an important factor for retaining or attracting players though.