State of the Game Video - Where is it? It was promised mid Jan

[HD2300]

So where is the State of the Game Video that was meant to be released 2 months ago.

When is the its ETA?

To clear things up the Cal said the HOC video was not the State of the Game video (see http://vboards.stratics.com/1916361-post35.html)

 

[Viper09]

You mean that video posted some weeks ago?

 

[silent]

So where is the State of the Game Video that was meant to be released 2 months ago.

What is the its ETA?

Don't worry you really didn't miss anything unfortunately.

 

[HD2300]

You mean that video posted some weeks ago?

No. Cal said specifically that the HOC video was not the State of the Game video.

see http://vboards.stratics.com/1916361-post35.html

No the Video HoC is not in lieu of the video update.

 

[Taylor]

Seems like a fair question, tbh. Is it still a PR issue?

 

[Viper09]

You mean that video posted some weeks ago?

No. Cal said specifically that the HOC video was not the State of the Game video.

see http://vboards.stratics.com/1916361-post35.html

No the Video HoC is not in lieu of the video update.

Ahh, guess I missed that when I didn't want to read the entire thread.

 

[Cirno]

About a week ago, we received a release about the "Dev Diary" video.
After a little dramatic mobilising behind the scenes, which among other things saw me plunged headlong into the horrible realm of Drupal, we discovered that it was the 2:24 from some time before.
On enquiring, we were told something to the effect of "That's it".
So unfortunately, unless there has been a mix-up behind the scenes, there does not appear to be a longer video forthcoming.

 

[Sevin0oo0]

Seems like a fair question, tbh. Is it still a PR issue?

I've asked about this video several times on 2 different fansites, everybody just goes deaf, I'm glad a thread opened up specifically for this

 

[Viper09]

I've asked about this video several times on 2 different fansites, everybody just goes deaf, I'm glad a thread opened up specifically for this

Do the devs post on those forums too? Don't know anyone else who could answer the question.

 

[HD2300]

http://vboards.stratics.com/uhall/230355-[uo-herald]-producers-letter-happy-holidays.html - Dec 17 2010

What we’ve learned since the Town Hall this summer is that as the game matures so do the ways in which we can communicate with you the community of Ultima Online. That is one reason we did a streaming video dev chat (and will continue to do them).

We are also putting together a video developer’s diary where you will meet different members of the team who will share our plans for the coming calendar year. Expect this at beginning of the year.

So when is the ETA on the State of the Game video, that they said that has been in the works since Dec 17... 3 months ago?

 

[Mapper]

A lot of the stuff discussed in the video (according to them a while ago) is already starting to appear ingame or atleast will be on TC. So it's purpose is shrinking. But I'd certainly still like it see the entire thing. *nod*

 

[Woodsman]

A lot of the stuff discussed in the video (according to them a while ago) is already starting to appear ingame or atleast will be on TC. So it's purpose is shrinking. But I'd certainly still like it see the entire thing. *nod*

Even though a lot of it is starting to appear, I'd like to see the original just to see what was cut out.

I'd also like to see the graphics upgrade plan they announced on Facebook. That was a couple of weeks ago and was just supposed to be run through PR and then we'd see it.

Given how cut up the video was, I expect the graphics upgrade plan to consist of a few sentences, with random words blanked out.

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

*ahem*


y'all acting like the "state of the game" ... is BETTER than the vids?


it is what it is ... *nods*

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

The video is here.

http://vboards.stratics.com/uhall/235936-video-posted.html

He said it was a shortened version of the original.

He did not say another video was coming.

It was this 2:30 video, then the HoC, which was not the same as the video but was a sequel to it.

My guess is they made a longer video, then EA proper cut it down to this, and now Cal has learned to never pin so many of the players' hopes and expectations on something that has to go through EA proper. (When Cal says "marketing" I am thinking he means marketing at EA proper, which is on the other coast, as opposed to Mythic marketing, which is probably in the same building he's in.)

But there is no indication that a longer video is coming. If there's still a longer video coming I've seen nothing that specifically says there is.

Players were unhappy with the video and with the HoC.

And now Cal has learned to not pin so much on 1 or 2 things.

And we as player will move on and enjoy the game, which realistically is still chugging along pretty well.

-Galen's player

 

[Cirno]

I was certain I had seen a post from Cal explicitly stating that there was a longer video forthcoming. However, since I can't find it now, it seems likely I was mistaken.
There is another post from Cal which heavily implies that there is a longer video coming (stating that the video released was a shorter version of the original), and another some days after stating that the video HoC was "not in lieu of" the state of the game video (which was already released several days previously).
The choice of words heavily implies that a longer video is forthcoming.

However, as per my previous post, the PR word appears to be a rather resolute and unyielding "no".

Perhaps we need a searchlight, to project a silhouette in the sky (a cane, after his video-related injury?), to summon Cal.

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

Expect this thread to be locked by morning, if not outright deleted.

TPTB don't like holes being poked in the smoke and mirrors.

 

[Black Sun]

Expect this thread to be locked by morning, if not outright deleted.

TPTB don't like holes being poked in the smoke and mirrors.

No, what we don't like is when threads degenerate into a bunch of people complaining and attacking the dev team because they're frustrated. So long as this doesn't take that route I see no reason it shouldn't stay open.

 

[Trebr Drab]

Perhaps we need a searchlight, to project a silhouette in the sky (a cane, after his video-related injury?), to summon Cal.

Oh snap. Was that what the "Cane and Crutch" thing from the Ors story was all about?

 

[Gorbs]

No, what we don't like is when threads degenerate into a bunch of people complaining and attacking the dev team because they're frustrated. So long as this doesn't take that route I see no reason it shouldn't stay open.

When the video teaser was posted and they alluded to answering the big questions during the video HoC, I asked whether we would ever see the entire state of the game video. That sounds like a fairly straightforward question which could be answered with a simple yes or no.

 

[Woodsman]

When the video teaser was posted and they alluded to answering the big questions during the video HoC, I asked whether we would ever see the entire state of the game video. That sounds like a fairly straightforward question which could be answered with a simple yes or no.

I figured that when they discussed Magincia, the high resolution graphics, the new player experience, and the new quest system, that they considered that to be the state of the game and that we wouldn't get anything else. Not necessarily a knock against them - those four things are all big things, but given how cut up the video teaser was, the PR people apparently feel the need to really control what we see and hear about UO.

Which is actually weird in and of itself.

 

[AirmidCecht]

But there is no indication that a longer video is coming. If there's still a longer video coming I've seen nothing that specifically says there is.-Galen's player

Galen is correct. I verified this with the PR manager. Upon reviewing our forums I wasn't able to find a statement saying anything further than the current released video clip was due other than even my own misperception of something more to come. To simplify: They did a video, it was edited down and released then the HoC followed.

I hope that puts the question to rest even though I'm sure it still leaves room for complaint for some

Thanks all,

 

[Sevin0oo0]

still confused here... sorry

released or never, i don't care.
my question, didn't Cal say PR wanted to 'add some stuff to the video' - which one is THAT video?

just trying to keep them all straight, ya know

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

still confused here... sorry

released or never, i don't care.
my question, didn't Cal say PR wanted to 'add some stuff to the video' - which one is THAT video?

just trying to keep them all straight, ya know

That remark was made before the release of the 2:30 video.

Here is the remark:

http://vboards.stratics.com/1908899-post9.html

This remark was made on 11 February.

And here is the video.

http://vboards.stratics.com/uhall/235936-video-posted.html

posted on 24 February.

Airmid has if you look at this very thread, confirmed with someone from PR that there is no longer video coming.

-Galen's player

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

And I reiterate: I hope Cal has learned to not pin so many of our hopes and expectations on something that, I presume, has to go through EA proper before it is released.

-Galen's player

That remark was made before the release of the 2:30 video.

Here is the remark:

http://vboards.stratics.com/1908899-post9.html

This remark was made on 11 February.

And here is the video.

http://vboards.stratics.com/uhall/235936-video-posted.html

posted on 24 February.

Airmid has if you look at this very thread, confirmed with someone from PR that there is no longer video coming.

-Galen's player

 

[Sevin0oo0]

Okies, I get it now, Thank you, GalenKnighthawke.
When Cal said "This is a shortened version of the original. We will cover more information in..."
I thought that one was just a teaser. Didn't know it was really a This is what's left of our video after edits and cuts made by every body and their dog

 

[Taylor]

I'd thought the same. I'm a bit disappointed. Ah, well.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Okies, I get it now, Thank you, GalenKnighthawke.
When Cal said "This is a shortened version of the original. We will cover more information in..."
I thought that one was just a teaser. Didn't know it was really a This is what's left of our video after edits and cuts made by every body and their dog

You're welcome.

I should add that I was also disappointed by the House of Commons. And that much was more within the team's control. But, likely not within the team's control entirely, just more than the video.

I personally blame them more for the (lack of) content in the HoC than in the video.

As soon as I read Cal's words about the video going through marketing, that made me wonder if they meant the marketing of EA proper rather than Mythic. And that made me think, "oh ****, the video is screwed, they may as well not bother now."

And I was right.

One cool thing about the video, though, is their use of watchertoo's footage of my "Fourth Magincian Crusade" event.

*chuckles*

I thought the HoC was not as bad as most people think it is, but still not good by any means.

I feel much more positive about this game based on what I see within it than on what they say about it.

Who knows, maybe I've been wrong all this time in saying that more communication is good!

We shall see. They have gone back into "communicate less" mode; we'll see if that works out.

-Galen's player

 

[kulder]

I can understand about the video being cut to pieces wouldn't have been very informative anyways, and the HOC in my opinion wasn't either.
The thing thats beyond my understanding is their lack of communication
in all aspects of the game which by the way I love.
I know they are shorthanded but where I work at were also shorthanded but we get the job done on time with good communication in all area's that's the part I dont understand evidently they dont have the passion that it takes to get the job done

 

[Woodsman]

The thing thats beyond my understanding is their lack of communication

You answered your own question:

I can understand about the video being cut to pieces

The people who cut the video to absolute pieces are the same people telling them what they can and cannot say, and it's ridiculous. What was so dang secret about stuff in the video that they had to cut things down to the point where they could only talk for a few seconds at a time here and there?

Did the lead engineer really need to have everything removed that he said leading up to mention of the graphics update, as well as after? This, just a few weeks before they publicly announced that they had finalized how said graphics update was going to be handled.

You would think that they were giving away secrets about future EA games, not talking about a 13 year old game. I really look forward to seeing what PR does with the graphics update document. I expect it will be something like this:

*snip* We'd like to announce a new graphics update for Ultima Online *snip* Players old and new will enjoy the *snip* as they see Sosaria in a different way and experience new *snip* *snip*

*snip* While UO's existing *snip* has served it well for over a decade, we believe it's time that players are able to *snip* *snip*.

*snip* and as we move UO forward, we think you will enjoy *snip* and *snip* and that it will appeal to *snip* and *snip*.

 

[HD2300]

I am underwhelmed, and sadly not surprised.

If only they spent as much effort on things that matter instead of "PR" and astroturfing.

 

[Woodsman]

Just remember, according to their Facebook page, the graphics plan was finished on or before March 3 and they just needed to "clean it up for public consumption" and we are now up to 13 days.

Well we are working on some updates to the graphics this year. It's one of our priorities. A bit more details soon As in the doc is written, need to clean it up for public consumption
March 3 at 3:58pm

Should we start a pool on when the public will get to see it? I'm betting we won't see it before Pub 70 goes live on all shards.

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

The "PR" department must be under the mistaken impression that the other MMO studios acknowledge UO with anything more than derisive laughter. Or they just want to keep UO as under the radar as possible, so EA can continue to siphon off all the money instead of reinvesting it in the product.

 

[Viper09]

The "PR" department must be under the mistaken impression that the other MMO studios acknowledge UO with anything more than derisive laughter. Or they just want to keep UO as under the radar as possible, so EA can continue to siphon off all the money instead of reinvesting it in the product.

I think the second part is most accurate. If UO started becoming more popular EA might have to actually do something with this game instead of just keeping it buoyant.

 

[Woodsman]

The "PR" department must be under the mistaken impression that the other MMO studios acknowledge UO with anything more than derisive laughter.

They must also be under the mistaken impression that EA management cares about UO. I posted a couple of articles in the "EA acknowledges UO" thread from the past few days covering Star Wars and EA executives talking about certain things in Star Wars that they think are unique and new, when those things apply to Camelot and UO. It's not some PR flunky either, it was the guy who is over EA Games, which includes BioWare Mythic. It almost feels like a "screw you, Origin and UO never existed" to UO players.

Or they just want to keep UO as under the radar as possible, so EA can continue to siphon off all the money instead of reinvesting it in the product.

If they were doing this, then why is UO getting a graphics update and why did they release the video through Curse.com? They could have posted the video through Stratics and only UO fans would see it. I think they don't know what they want to do with UO. Maybe they are doing a few things for UO in case Star Wars flops.

 

[HD2300]

Just remember, according to their Facebook page, the graphics plan was finished on or before March 3 and they just needed to "clean it up for public consumption" and we are now up to 13 days.

Cool Story, Bro.

Yet another carrot on a stick that will turn out to be a virtual non event like the Classic Shard, PvP factions revamp, flowers in magincia, anti 3rd party cheating or this 2:58 minute State of the Game video.

 

[Trevelyan]

Did the video say when they will fix leather dye tubs ?

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

They must also be under the mistaken impression that EA management cares about UO. I posted a couple of articles in the "EA acknowledges UO" thread from the past few days covering Star Wars and EA executives talking about certain things in Star Wars that they think are unique and new, when those things apply to Camelot and UO. It's not some PR flunky either, it was the guy who is over EA Games, which includes BioWare Mythic. It almost feels like a "screw you, Origin and UO never existed" to UO players.

I don't think most EA execs know about UO, let alone care about it

When I heard that SW:TOR's space combat system was going to be a glorified rail, I lost all of the minimal interest I had it. The 80's called, they want their game designs back...

EA and OSI had a terrible working relationship to begin with. The biggest mistake Garriott ever made was to sell out. Good for his bank balance, ultimately terrible for his studio/games.

If they were doing this, then why is UO getting a graphics update and why did they release the video through Curse.com?

Weeeellll... Since we don't know what "graphics update" means yet, 10 days after they said they were making it fit for public consumption, we could:

A) Be getting KR graphics back as an option in the EC...and thats it.

B) They could be re-doing the graphics in house piecemeal, and thus it will dribble out in a painfully slow manner... (Seriously, what DOES GrimmOmen DO all day?)

C) They could have hired Saphireena on the sly to redo the CC art in 'Hi-Def,' which I think would satisfy everyone.

or

D) EA has actually ponied up some cash to finance a professional redraw of everything.

Honestly, D is the least likely, A and B are the most. C would be cool, but she's only one person.

Until we know what "graphics update" means to Mythic, we can only speculate and dream. I'm holding off any praise or condemnation on this issue till they actually bother to tell us something substantive.

They could have posted the video through Stratics and only UO fans would see it. I think they don't know what they want to do with UO. Maybe they are doing a few things for UO in case Star Wars flops.

While I agree that Curse.com was a potentially cunning marketing ploy, I believe that it completely missed the mark. Yes, lots of potential eyes saw the 2.25 min vid, BUT they also saw crappy graphics and heard absolutely nothing of any concrete substance. Lots of frivolous hype and "excitement" without anything to back it up might make for a flashy ad, gamers generally tend to do a bit of investigating before signing up for an MMO.

Any investigation into UO's present state will leave a sour taste in a potential subscriber's mouth. Bad graphics, unfinished/buggy content and client(s), inept (and sometimes downright delusional/clueless) management, ****-poor customer service, and a p(l)ayer base that feels ignored.

Since Cal won’t tell us what’s happening in the future until it’s an too late to change things (greatly), we’re kinda stuck in a null void of simply accepting the haphazard development of UO along lines many people don’t seem too fond of. Even if SW:TOR is a huge success, I don’t see them throwing mountains of cash into UO…their only profitable MMO to date. If it flops, bye bye BioWare Mythic.