[UO Herald] Developer Q&A, May 2011

[UO News]

Greetings,

As announced in the Producer's Update, here is the Developer Q&A video for May.

Follow the link and enjoy 12 minutes packed with information from Calvin and Bonnie.



More...

 

[Viquire]

YAY! That settles that.

 

[Storm]

Thanks ! well done

 

[BlissMarie]

Good job, you guys. I like the video format for Q&A. Are you hoping to do that at least once a month?

Mesanna, I like your shoes!

BlissMarie

 

[NuSair]

Great stuff... didn't like all the answers, but loved the format. Much better.

 

[Madrid]

Good video!

Thanks guys for the communication it's appreciated!

Looking forward to the upcoming changes to the EC!

 

[Viquire]

Good job, good format!

You did not discuss in detail the encounter that was being added in for High Seas, but I did like you all on the vid. Watching Bonnie make faces while Cal talks is a hoot! I may have to go watch it again just for that.

*runs off to pop popcorn*

*edit* The only real nit I can see to pick at is the title cards could stay a second or two longer.

 

[Miri of Sonoma]

I think Cal is a little afraid of Mesanna *grins*

I liked the video format though..I am not sure who the other guy is though

 

[Beastmaster]

I think Cal is a little afraid of Mesanna *grins*

I liked the video format though..I am not sure who the other guy is though

GM Akamai (sp)

 

[Tina Small]

At 7:41 in the video: No permanent EM for Siege. Will be the training ground for new EMs.

Lovely....

 

[Demonous]

woot some people that work for mythic and bioware both want a classic shard! one day.... maybe not one day soon....... but one day, it will happen !

and spring clean in the summer yay!

more gold sinks please, we need more than the new mag sink

oh yeah and my vet reward suggestion is to make years 1-14 get 5 skill points every year, instead of just 1-4 and cap at 720, should go beyond that and 5 more skill points every year, i dunno why it stops at 4 years, make it worth it to be a 14 year veteran with all those extra skill points

another vet reward suggestion is an instant summon mount for 14 year, instead of taking a few second the summon, the second u double click it ur on the mount, they really should make it worth it being 14 years, make younger accounts jealous, hell im nowhere near that age anyway but id still be happy for something to look forward to in a few years

or possibly a bonded silver steed that can only be controlled by someone whose account is 14 years old so u cant sell it to random people

 

[Miri of Sonoma]

ohh thank you Beastmaster *smiles*

 

[olduofan]

so now spring cleaning is in the summer wow I wish they would just drop this hole mag thing nobody seems to like it and its a waste of time to keep developing it , just stop regroup come up with something better and start over I mean time give the players what you told them you and we seem to want spring cleaning! some of the ideas I liked but others like the high seas stuff sounds good and fun But I refuse to even bother with it takes way to long to craft every thing you need and cost of the saltpeter is the main reason I do do any hs along with boats decaying and can only place 1 at a time to do quest. I the high seas could have been a huge success but fell flat on its face because they once again didn't list to the players. Tel mur being finaly worked on again sounds good and brings me to why are they wasting time on new mag once again and yes I have a home there and I dont want the bazaars there .

 

[Viper09]

so now spring cleaning is in the summer wow I wish they would just drop this hole mag thing nobody seems to like it and its a waste of time to keep developing it ,

By no one you mean yourself and the select group of people here on stratics?

I like it, others here have also approved of it, you don't speak for me or them.

 

[Prime.]

I'm browsing the forums at work, and connection is to slow to watch videos... Can someone give a lay down of what was discussed? Was factions or pvp mentioned at all?

 

[Demonous]

I'm browsing the forums at work, and connection is to slow to watch videos... Can someone give a lay down of what was discussed? Was factions or pvp mentioned at all?

neither were

 

[olduofan]

By no one you mean yourself and the select group of people here on stratics?

I like it, others here have also approved of it, you don't speak for me or them.

not one person I chatted with in or out of game likes it. none of them will waste any amount of gold on it. I could only imagine that the players with a large amount of gold and know how to dupes hack and script would like this, just anther system for the rich in-game. I do not see this system as it is helping bring back or even bring new players. I would much rather them fix the broke system in the game before adding more. But YOU do have a right to your opinion and I respect your rights...

 

[Viper09]

not one person I chatted with in or out of game likes it. none of them will waste any amount of gold on it. I could only imagine that the players with a large amount of gold and know how to dupes hack and script would like this, just anther system for the rich in-game. I do not see this system as it is helping bring back or even bring new players. I would much rather them fix the broke system in the game before adding more. But YOU do have a right to your opinion and I respect your rights...

And I respect opinions of others too. But what I don't like is people saying "no one likes it and thinks it is a waste of time" when in fact that is incorrect.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

It was dumb of them to so much as mention the custom shard again.

Regardless of how much Cal, and the players who scorn him and yet for some reason he wishes to appeal to, want it, it clearly isn't going to happen, and his continually mentioning it is only going to add fuel to a fire that has damaged the game and will continue to.

Same with combining shards. They have not been subtle that they aren't going to do it and that it flat-out wouldn't be that good an idea. Mentioning it yet again after it's already been answered clearly isn't a good idea.

UO has a community guy? I had no idea.

Whether that is his fault or mine I can't say.

He appears to have been not present for most of it.

I am pleased by the upcoming non-epic scenario and old dungeon revamp and High Seas additions; for the foreseeable future, there should be new content in existing areas rather than make new areas.

I am not qualified to at all address what they said about the Enhanced Client, other than to say it's a very odd, and not good, sign to me that they called it the "advanced" client. Knowing the terminology of your product strikes me as important.

Based on this one video, though, they are correct that this format is much superior to a Video House of Commons. Much. Much.

-Galen's player

 

[Clog|Mordain]

Well done guys!!

How frequent will these be?

 

[olduofan]

What happen to the arenas ?

 

[Eyes of Origin]

Video was good, it answered a lot... would like to see it more often... maybe take questions from the Ask the Devs board and address them via video every month??

Akemai, you're awesome, just saying.. Best GM we have at the moment, imho.
I can think of a few ppl Mesanna can come to Origin and kill over and over

Thanks for the video!

 

[PitrGri]

And I respect opinions of others too. But what I don't like is people saying "no one likes it and thinks it is a waste of time" when in fact that is incorrect.

We like it...

Thanks to the Devs... we moved the Gentle Rest Inn back to Felucca!

TY! TY!

 

[Viquire]

At 7:41 in the video: No permanent EM for Siege. Will be the training ground for new EMs.

Lovely....

Baptism


by fire.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Well done, good answers to quite a few questions (looking forward to seeing the EC artwork updates!), but at the same time I do kind of miss messing around with the devs that were brave enough to hang out in the open channel in the IRC version (though video does allow a LOT more info to be brought forward in MUCH less time).

So it's kind of give and take I guess.

 

[Gheed]

I liked the video too. It gives a broader perspective. Seems they have a lot of irons in the fire atm.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

I'm very glad to see that mine is one if the more negative posts in this thread.



The game is, after all, and perhaps unfortunately, not Galen Online.

-Galen's player

 

[MalagAste]

I still prefer the old question answer... but then most the time there are no answers.

As for the EC updates... I'd be happy if I didn't have to go into the CC just to deco my freaking house anymore... I'd like to be able to make custom stairs in the EC without having to use the CC...

As far as the NO we aren't going to do anything with wearables... well that just stinks.... could you at the very least fix the way dresses are in the EC?? I'm sick and tired of all dresses and skirts in the EC looking like they are painted to my legs... How is my character supposed to walk when where dress is wrapped about her legs tighter than bandages??? And what about the poor gargoyles and that hideously ugly "sack" they wear? Robe? NO that's no robe.... looks like a burlap bag.. it's UGLY!

I don't really want "new" wearables technically..... I just want to "alter" the ones I have into something that I'd rather be seen in public with.

What about updating what can be altered? I'm a bit "miffed" that Gargoyles can't wear 90% of the Arcane wear... No boots, no gloves, and no cloak... Gargoyles also can NOT benefit from any of the hooded shrouds or hooded robes... like the stealth bonus one we got as a reward from the EM's... Can't be altered for gargoyles. None of the ones from the Treads can be altered for gargoyles... This STINKS. I'm crying FOUL! Can't these robes be "altered" into a gargish Fancy Robe???? Please!?

No mention of when you are going to fix the Co-owners on houses either.. Yes now I can be co-owned to 10 houses that's great but wait..... I can still only have 10 co-owners.... so I'm right back to square one again... all my characters are stuck as "friends" in my own freaking houses.

I'm glad to hear you are fixing things and adding stuff to the High Seas.... that's great.

No mention of actually completing the tile sets that you want me to pay good money for.... Your going to put out yet another incomplete expansion and you want me to pay for it... And don't tell me it is complete because we all told you what is missing in it and wrong with it. Either you want feedback or you don't. But when most all the posters agree that it is indeed incomplete then I seriously can't be wrong.

I'm also glad to hear you'll be "revamping" old dungeons and looking at the loot tables. Can you make loot tables that make sense? The Oni is in bad need of updating while your looking at things... much of the stuff in Tokuno is. Other things need updating if I spend 20 minutes killing something ...... and it's pretty nasty.... then the loot ought to reflect that.

Can we please take some of the cost out of Pirate Hunting or revamp some reward?... Also.... could use a few more merchants and Pirates on the waters... Especially on some of the more "populated" shards.

Also I know several have mentioned... can we please sail to Tokuno and such?



Oh and Mesanna.... you can come to GL's and kill me if you like, but I know a few that need a good killing.... repeatedly.

And if you want to know what I'd like for a reward... read the post "Cool house Idea".... I want a house Butler/Maid... that will keep an inventory of my house and fetch things for me.

 

[G.v.P]

Good video, a lot more satisfying than last video.

But really, why can't you guys have the ship wheel be placed on a ship? Why would anyone want that as house deco? I just don't understand the purpose of the item. As a disclaimer, I never got one. But I am just being persistent for those who did, because I can't understand why they can't be changed.

 

[VinnySP]

Baptism


by fire.

Whats thats supposed to mean?

 

[Lynk]

Nothing on arenas?

 

[Poo]

i really liked the video.

was a nice little watch, answered a lot of questions.
left out a lot of questions that have been asked, but allways leave them wanting more i guess, eh.

all in all i liked what was said and how it was said.

i hope they continue to do this and make it a more regular thing.

vet rewards.
Tents for vets.... cause if you where actually here since the begining you lived in a tent! just make them usable..... like you can use them on other shards that you dont have a house on or something like that.

or make it so you are safe inside and can insta log out anywhere.... like camping.
which is kinda neat.... camping.... tent.... camping.... tent

ohhhh, i know.... how about a dress form that you can actually PUT STUFF ON!!!!

that way people could put out the rare suits they have collected over the years.

and also make a interface so people making suits can check all the stuff on it.
so it would tell you the resists, LRC, LMC ect ect ect of the suit that you have on the dress form.

im a little lost about that talk about titles.
where did this come up from?

was this about some of the old EM titles from years ago like the Grand Master Duelist ones and such?

 

[Basara]

At 7:41 in the video: No permanent EM for Siege. Will be the training ground for new EMs.

Lovely....

Baptism


by fire.

There probably isn't screaming fire drill for event items on SP that there is elsewhere, for obvious reasons...

That would make training EMs easier

 

[Minerva Foxglove]

Thanks devs, I liked the video. But we still need the written word , atleast us who has another first language. Many of us are used to reading and writing and understands the written words better.

Fish pies... does anyone make or use them? I made once , the barracuda pie. The ingredient I had to buy at the Emporium was so expensive , I had to try and sell them for more than they were worth. So, they didnt sell. No use to waste baits to catch something noone wants. But this should not be hard to change, would it?. Same with the salpeter and other equipment needed for using cannons. All my friends stopped to do it after a while, and they are normally stubborn old crafters .

Cant wait to see what the new players will get!

 

[claudia-fjp]

That picture reminded me of something, didn't the New Magincia design docs have the new moongate over in the area by the bank instead of the old spot?

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

Player Abuse:
We are very aware of the escalating cases of abuse in the game over the last few months. We have had problems with our petitioning systems, and have been unable to receive or action some cases as quickly as we’d like to. As an answer our operations team working with CS has developed a new tool to allow our GMs and customer support reps not only to action faster, but to record activity better as well as a functionality to replace lost items. Expect to see the results of this new tool in the near future.

*face palm draws blood*

New TOS then?

escalating cases of abuse in the game over the last few months ...

bookmarked

 

[Woodsman]

It was dumb of them to so much as mention the custom shard again.

Regardless of how much Cal, and the players who scorn him and yet for some reason he wishes to appeal to, want it, it clearly isn't going to happen, and his continually mentioning it is only going to add fuel to a fire that has damaged the game and will continue to.

Same with combining shards. They have not been subtle that they aren't going to do it and that it flat-out wouldn't be that good an idea. Mentioning it yet again after it's already been answered clearly isn't a good idea.

It is foolish to mention both of those.

They've already publicly said that there is no set agreement on what constitutes a classic shard and that they don't have the people to handle building another ruleset, and that combining shards would create a lot of anger among those who might lose housing or have their communities disrupted, or who prefer less populated shards.

Repeating those two things again serves no purpose other than to rekindle the debate.

 

[wee papa smurf]

Its Feluka not Felushia

 

[5% Luck]

Its Feluka not Felushia

I know I know

I still prefer fel-eww-ssaa

 

[Cear Dallben Dragon]

Its Feluka not Felushia

I know I know

I still prefer fel-eww-ssaa

opinions dialect and accents do exist.

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

It is foolish to mention both of those.

They've already publicly said that there is no set agreement on what constitutes a classic shard and that they don't have the people to handle building another ruleset, and that combining shards would create a lot of anger among those who might lose housing or have their communities disrupted, or who prefer less populated shards.

Repeating those two things again serves no purpose other than to rekindle the debate.

heh! /really

It is >as if< they have no memory of stating a decision
or knowing what someone else decided and said ...

Seriously ... when it was mentioned ...
I was quite surprised that morganna didn't login and start posting.
(Victory lap , spiking an "I told you so!" in her sig ... )

Speaking of shard mergers?
oh my god ...
Sure ... / it could be done /
the surprise mini booster called Joplin 9.0
(auto deducted from Your CC ... no "choice"/ no refund )

Login in one bright sunny day ...
destroyed houses and banks and characters missing ...
it'll be a fun adventure rebuilding ...
toss in an earthquake and tsunami ( I actually like this one *snicker*)
Maginicia could be re-wiped and remain totally "in character"
Luna would be gone ... and a refugee camp / open air market (ala thunderdome)
would spring up under a felluca ruleset (break a deal and die! err ... depending on the wheel of the RNG )
(Maybe that's why they failed to mention arena's? ... Surprise! permadeath has arrived ! )
Disable the guards at the felluca side gates
Trammel guards might respond (but only if You've "bribed" them )

*shakeshead*
2011 is certainly an ODD one ...

 

[Lord Urza]

not one person I chatted with in or out of game likes it. none of them will waste any amount of gold on it. I could only imagine that the players with a large amount of gold and know how to dupes hack and script would like this, just anther system for the rich in-game. I do not see this system as it is helping bring back or even bring new players. I would much rather them fix the broke system in the game before adding more. But YOU do have a right to your opinion and I respect your rights...

No Kidding!!!

 

[Tina Small]

There probably isn't screaming fire drill for event items on SP that there is elsewhere, for obvious reasons...

That would make training EMs easier

Ummm...the thieves and PKs do seem to take a particular shine to the event items though....

<----Smurfy at the thought of new "shinies" to steal.

 

[It Lives]

Nice Black sandals, are they double blessed?


Vet rewards, new mid year or even 1st year mounts, and ethereal(see thru) robes and cloaks

 

[wee papa smurf]

Its Feluka not Felushia

I know I know

I still prefer fel-eww-ssaa

opinions dialect and accents do exist.

Take a breath, it was a joke, coming from from a Scottish guy who is in vent with 99% Americans

Open your mind to some humour once in a while :gun:

 

[jbfortune]

Much much better.

Advanced client though? I thought it was the Enhanced client. Clearly its not played much in the office either

 

[Petra Fyde]

The questions are those sent in by players. Some of them are picked up from the 'ask the devs forum' here. Cal correctly speaks of the 'Enhanced Client'

 

[Cirno]

Advanced client though? I thought it was the Enhanced client. Clearly its not played much in the office either

Advanced, like GIR?

 

[jbfortune]

Also, why why why is can the captains wheel not be put on a boat? Is there a game breaking reason? It just makes no sense!

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

There probably isn't screaming fire drill for event items on SP that there is elsewhere, for obvious reasons...

That would make training EMs easier

Ummm...the thieves and PKs do seem to take a particular shine to the event items though....

<----Smurfy at the thought of new "shinies" to steal.

Well put ... thing is though ...
IF they gonna be training new EMs on Siege
A) remains to be seen ... but are they gonna prepare them for the SHOCK of the fire drill?

B)What is the problem that they cannot overcome, get around, allow for ... "fix"
so that Siege CAN have a full time GM?

Just saying ... from >my< experience over decades of HR
that "qualifier" re job description/requirements and the apparent staffing results ..
*shakes head*

just doesn't "compute"
or rather ...
doesn't compute well (to a resolution/"fix")

humph!