Semi-comprehensive proposal for character customization in UO

[RaDian FlGith]

Sounds like you want this:

In what manner does anything he say sound like he wants UO made easier? He's suggesting aiding customization... that doesn't equate to making the game easier.

 

[garillo]

There is no particular evidence that such a proposal would be complicated. Indeed, it has already been explained in this very thread that such systems exist in the game already: One to transform human/elf items into gargoyle items and another for veteran rewards. Links, at least on the latter, are also provided elsewhere in this very thread.

-Galen's player

The ability to code provides evidence that supports the proposal is too complicated. Do you know the work involved for that suggested system compared to an aesthetic paperdoll? There is a significant difference between the two. There is also a difference in altering and transferring mods from piece A to piece B. Two entirely different systems, and I have pointed out such a system would be easily exploitable.

 

[RaDian FlGith]

The ability to code provides evidence that supports the proposal is too complicated.

I suppose I'll have to bite on this one... The ability to code gives you the ability to provide an opinion. The ability to code well provides evidence that supports that his proposal actually is not all that complicated. Particularly under the transfer of mods from one item to another item in the same slot. Item A of Type A becomes Item A of Type B. Not exactly what I'd call a huge programmatic issue.

Do you know the work involved for that suggested system compared to an aesthetic paperdoll?

No, no one outside of the current and/or previous members of the actual development team know the specific lengths and breadths that would have to be gone to in order to implement the system. That does not prevent one from understanding the concept of programmatic logic, and in no way does what he suggest sound complicated. Especially as evidenced by his ancillary support including the fact that such systems presently exist to convert items between human and gargish as well as vet reward clothing.

Use whatever system (he suggested Imbuing), click Convert Item, you're given a list of appropriate slot items that it can become, and voila, it changes form. Big deal. Part of UO's attraction IS that very customization aesthetic, and what he suggests has valid merit.

He even went as far as to suggest that items would not go from presently meddable naturally to becoming Mage Armor if it was converted to an unmeddable type, and while he suggested the Mage Armor property wouldn't transfer, I would say it would be fair to have it transfer because you already had a piece that had the property to begin with. Essentially, just take all of the properties and transfer them, but give no bonus properties that would be otherwise inherent.

There is a significant difference between the two. There is also a difference in altering and transferring mods from piece A to piece B. Two entirely different systems, and I have pointed out such a system would be easily exploitable.

Yes, you've pointed it out. But with an unusually high number of false dichotomies. For some reason you're stuck on obtaining the piece of armor, and that somehow taking a piece of armor you already have obtained and making it look different allows some sort of exploit or devalues the balance between slots. None of this suggestion would suddenly make more slot-worthy items appear in the game world, it would simply take those existing items and give them different appearances. You would still have to obtain the item.

You also seem to think that the system would be overly complicated to implement. I can tell you with 100% assurance that if I were to be hired by EA tomorrow, I could have the system implemented by the end of May, and that's without having looked at a single line of code. That gives me two solid weeks to learn the language they are using to program in, one week to develop and test the system, and a week to throw it on test center, presuming a 40-hour work week and that a pet project like that would have me behind the computer for at least another 20 a week both learning and implementing on my own time. Different programmers, different skills, but I assure you, it's not difficult.

A valid argument might be that the present development team, given whatever else may be on their plates, doesn't have the time to do it. But lack of time does not equate to complexity.

Oh... and just FYI, before you use a standard, "Gee, Ra'Dian, you've posted a wall of text, therefore you must be really worked up about this topic for whatever reason," Straw Man, I just want you to know I type at approximately 175 words per minute. This wall of text took me an entire three minutes to type, and mostly that was clarifying my own thoughts on the matter before entering them into the text box.

 

[Old Man of UO]

In what manner does anything he say sound like he wants UO made easier? He's suggesting aiding customization... that doesn't equate to making the game easier.

My apologies to the Op about the easy comment. I misunderstood his post, thinking he wanted to make one armor slot type into another armor slot. That would be way overpowering, and was against that idea.

As far as changing one item into another of the same slot type for the sole purpose of the paper doll, meh... I would rather see new armor to fulfill the same purpose.

 

[Meatbread]

Is there any MMO-related idea anyone could even theoretically post, that wouldn't make some masochistic lifer come along and scream that people want it easy?

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

I suppose I'll have to bite on this one... The ability to code gives you the ability to provide an opinion. The ability to code well provides evidence that supports that his proposal actually is not all that complicated. Particularly under the transfer of mods from one item to another item in the same slot. Item A of Type A becomes Item A of Type B. Not exactly what I'd call a huge programmatic issue.

No, no one outside of the current and/or previous members of the actual development team know the specific lengths and breadths that would have to be gone to in order to implement the system. That does not prevent one from understanding the concept of programmatic logic, and in no way does what he suggest sound complicated. Especially as evidenced by his ancillary support including the fact that such systems presently exist to convert items between human and gargish as well as vet reward clothing.

Use whatever system (he suggested Imbuing), click Convert Item, you're given a list of appropriate slot items that it can become, and voila, it changes form. Big deal. Part of UO's attraction IS that very customization aesthetic, and what he suggests has valid merit.

He even went as far as to suggest that items would not go from presently meddable naturally to becoming Mage Armor if it was converted to an unmeddable type, and while he suggested the Mage Armor property wouldn't transfer, I would say it would be fair to have it transfer because you already had a piece that had the property to begin with. Essentially, just take all of the properties and transfer them, but give no bonus properties that would be otherwise inherent.

Yes, you've pointed it out. But with an unusually high number of false dichotomies. For some reason you're stuck on obtaining the piece of armor, and that somehow taking a piece of armor you already have obtained and making it look different allows some sort of exploit or devalues the balance between slots. None of this suggestion would suddenly make more slot-worthy items appear in the game world, it would simply take those existing items and give them different appearances. You would still have to obtain the item.

You also seem to think that the system would be overly complicated to implement. I can tell you with 100% assurance that if I were to be hired by EA tomorrow, I could have the system implemented by the end of May, and that's without having looked at a single line of code. That gives me two solid weeks to learn the language they are using to program in, one week to develop and test the system, and a week to throw it on test center, presuming a 40-hour work week and that a pet project like that would have me behind the computer for at least another 20 a week both learning and implementing on my own time. Different programmers, different skills, but I assure you, it's not difficult.

A valid argument might be that the present development team, given whatever else may be on their plates, doesn't have the time to do it. But lack of time does not equate to complexity.

Oh... and just FYI, before you use a standard, "Gee, Ra'Dian, you've posted a wall of text, therefore you must be really worked up about this topic for whatever reason," Straw Man, I just want you to know I type at approximately 175 words per minute. This wall of text took me an entire three minutes to type, and mostly that was clarifying my own thoughts on the matter before entering them into the text box.

Thank you, Ra.

Not much to add after that, save that I can confirm that this post is not Ra being worked up about a topic.

-Galen's player
(Post edited from its original to convert about 100 words into that first 3, of the same intent.)

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Is there any MMO-related idea anyone could even theoretically post, that wouldn't make some masochistic lifer come along and scream that people want it easy?

Nope.

What's more: The less it has to do with that, the more some people will say it, and the more it has to do with that, the less some people will say it.

-Galen's player

 

[Petra Fyde]

Is there any MMO-related idea anyone could even theoretically post, that wouldn't make some masochistic lifer come along and scream that people want it easy?

Nope.

What's more: The less it has to do with that, the more some people will say it, and the more it has to do with that, the less some people will say it.

-Galen's player

And everything would run much more smoothly if I could make a rule saying no one could post before morning coffee or after several beers - have a heck of a time enforcing it though.

Back on topic? please?

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

And everything would run much more smoothly if I could make a rule saying no one could post before morning coffee or after several beers - have a heck of a time enforcing it though.

Back on topic? please?

This post would have made more sense posted not after Meatbred's and my exchange, but after the very first post that made the ridiculous argument that my proposal had something to do with making the game easy. Which was very shortly after I first advanced this proposal. A couple of days or so ago.

The poster wasn't subtle: He posted a gigantic easy button.

When that wasn't actioned upon, I assumed it was a perfectly, and depressingly, legal topic for discussion in this thread.

-Galen's player

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

And everything would run much more smoothly if I could make a rule saying no one could post before morning coffee or after several beers - have a heck of a time enforcing it though.

Back on topic? please?

Here's a link:

Semi-comprehensive proposal for character customization in UO | Stratics Forums

-Galen's player

 

[Petra Fyde]

I thought about it, but by the time I saw it two people had quoted it with explanations supporting you, so I didn't. Since an apology has now also been posted, I will rectify that and remove all 3 posts.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

I thought about it, but by the time I saw it two people had quoted it with explanations supporting you, so I didn't. Since an apology has now also been posted, I will rectify that and remove all 3 posts.

Cool. Given the actual content of the proposal its presence in the discussion was a tad....Odd.

-Galen's player

 

[Petra Fyde]

pre coffee I think, his eyes weren't open enough to read it properly

I think my slant on the idea is a little less complex than yours. My usual theory is, the simpler you make your suggestion, the better chance that it might get actioned. So on the rare occasion I make any suggestions I try to sort of 'hang' it on an existing in game system, so there's less work (as best I can determine that) for the team involved.
One of these days I might even get a suggestion actioned - no luck so far
I guess I haven't made a good enough suggestion yet.

 

[LordDrago]

I thought about it, but by the time I saw it two people had quoted it with explanations supporting you, so I didn't. Since an apology has now also been posted, I will rectify that and remove all 3 posts.

Dang...I've been Petra Fyded(?).