[UO Herald] Letter from the Franchise Producer

[UO News]

Hail Fellow UO Adventurers,
I wanted to take a few minutes, clear up some things I’ve been reading, and post my thoughts on Ultima, UO and our recently announced new title, Ultima Forever. I’m sure for many it was exciting to see we have more things in store for Ultima beyond just rereleasing the classics through GoG, setting up a history site for all things Ultima, and continuing to support UO as it hits a major milestone next month --its 15th anniversary. I’m sure for others though, questions were raised. Why is BioWare not putting more development effort into UO instead of wasting time on U4E? Why are they doing U4E instead of UO2?
Well, let me do my best to explain and assure you UO has exciting things to come with a passionate team behind it. First, it's important to know that U4E was never built to compete with UO. In fact, they are two very different projects run by two different teams. We have a phrase here in the office that every generation deserves an Ultima game. It's been far too long, and when we looked at the gaming landscape of today, and more importantly tomorrow, we birthed the concept behind Ultima Forever -- an online RPG adventure game you play with friends as you quest to save Britannia and uphold the eight virtues to prove your Avatarhood. Just as the classic Ultima titles of the past differ from UO, so is the same for U4E. This doesn't mean either title distracts attention from the other. Mesanna and her crew of henchmen are driving towards some fun things for the upcoming 15 year anniversary. We have some new merchandise anniversary items in the works. See below for a sneak peek. Shhhhh... don't tell marketing!

Lastly, for those interested in seeing a UO2. No surprise announcements on that today, but what I will say by everyone continuing to support UO and Ultima Forever this is the kind of ammunition I need to convince the high level execs that the market is ready for more Ultima. So keep playing UO, follow us on Facebook, and show support for all things Ultima. If you get a chance, sign up for U4E at ultimaforever.com.

See you online,
Jeff "Gryphon" Skalski

Continue reading...

 

[NBG]

Soooo...

Resources went to U4E.... and it takes that long to just say that I guess.

15 anni stuff better be good heh.

Oh yeah, FIRST!

 

[Borric]

I would give up everything on UO for a UO2.

 

[kulder]

Well at least he gave it his best shot

 

[Warsong of LS]

And as usual..wait til you see what we are going to do in the future. Coming soon...More stuff for you to buy! Thanks for saying nothing, why people keep expecting actual communication from anyone over there is beyond me. The anniversary items better be bitchin! Somehow I doubt it though. And you wonder why we can not grow the player base?

 

[Driven Insane]

What a waste of time reading that was.

 

[NBG]

Well account age finally updated for me hehe.

Happy 15th UO birthday to my characters... To think if the same time is used to raise a human being, my characters should be off to college soon. Hah

Maybe UO2 in 5 years? lol

 

[Zosimus]

Sometimes you got to roll with the punches. Not everybody is going to like what Jeff said.

UO2 would be a nice in this time and age of MMO's. Maybe he is really trying to push for it. It's the higher execs that need to be convinced and he may have a huge up hill battle with the SWTOR situation. Just got to keep moving along until it may happen.

15th anny may be huge for UO but again the community has to be patient. The most obvious thing besides items and all that UO wil be 15 and that itself should be huge. The community has made UO longevity and it still has an impact today.

 

[Reth]

I'm really disappointed reading this. So much was expected, but nothing was given. The last thing I was thinking was that U4E was competing with UO, much less news on UO2. I want to know plans for THIS Ultima, not others.

 

[NBG]

For some reason, I had a feeling that U4E was going to be in the announcement one way or the other....

Great to be the stepping stone all the time to something else that EA is selling

 

[DevilsOwn]

someone splain, please, "GoG" ? I'm lost again

 

[Reth]

someone splain, please, "GoG" ? I'm lost again

GOG.com

They have the single player Ultima games on there. On sale atm too.

 

[BeaIank]

someone splain, please, "GoG" ? I'm lost again

GOG.com

Online game store that sells old games, and where EA made old Ultima games avaliable.

 

[Nimuaq]

The last thing I was thinking was that U4E was competing with UO, much less news on UO2. I want to know plans for THIS Ultima, not others.

I remember discussions on various subjects like attracting new players, high res artwork, client update and website re-launch, which I guess we both expected to be addressed on this letter, but I don't remember much about UO2. I'm 28 and I haven't played a single Ultima game, so I guess it is fair for me to say that I don't care about any other Ultima game, other than Ultima Online. Since Bioware has the "every generation deserves an Ultima game" phrase, how about making Ultima Online the way the new generation deserves, which is already "an Ultima, with an epic plot as yet largely unrevealed.."? Unless this noble idea is in fact for to sell more games at the expense of neglecting Bioware's (and previously Mythic's) ******* child. Hopefully, Mesanna will address the issues we care on her own letter without making it an ad for Ultima Forever.

 

[sativa green]

all i heard was, buy our other crappy games and buy our merchandise... oh and keep supporting a UO as it comes to a standstill on development.

"mesenna is working on some fun things!!!!"
why is it so hard to get a preview of ANYTHING to come from this team? give us something to look forward to.

 

[NuSair]

And that is what we were waiting on... really?

 

[MalagAste]

*sighs shaking head*

I give. So... who found that in any way inspiring???? Insightful????

Did we become more hopeful for our UO future???



Nope... me either. Just checking.

*sighs*

 

[NuSair]

The only thing to me this cleared up was that either Jeff doesn't care or doesn't have a clue... not sure which disturbs me more.

I feel it's necessary to quantify why I say these things. It's been how long sense we've had ANY communication. And we get a 30-second typed letter that is NOTHING.

This is the 15th anniversary of the greatest and one longest running MMORPG there is (longest running is subject to perception). And there has been NO build up, no teasing, no NOTHING, it is shamefully disgusting what has been going on.

 

[Picus at the office]

Not to stir the pot to much I shall just add that I was very shocked and left in dismay with the effort that the dev team placed here. I am sad that such little effort is spent trying to act as though this game mattered. I am sadder still that this letter was taken as a chance to plant the seed to further still sell more stuff to us after every single month paying for this game.

Good luck UO team, you have no clue anymore about what, how, when or why this game works. I mentioned that the dev team was only concered with producing revenue generating items and not on the actuall content of the game, this letter makes that clear.

 

[Ruppy2]

all i heard was, buy our other crappy games and buy our merchandise... oh and keep supporting a UO as it comes to a standstill on development. quote]

I see your word crappy, and maybe I read his language as 'game line that may be perceived as under-performing.' I feel like it was a letter that was more like a wrapped present under the tree that had nothing in it, but we were supposed to like the empty box.

Not exactly a letter that does what it asks us to do.

The thing is this....if this game goes, I will not invest to the level I have here....15 years......UO has outlived my wife's cats......my kids are starting to play more and more, but we will not jump into a UO2 unless there is some carry-over.

Jo

 

[Picus at the office]

Hail Fellow UO Adventurers,
I wanted to take a few minutes, clear up some things I’ve been reading, and post my thoughts on Ultima, UO and our recently announced new title, Ultima Forever. I’m sure for many it was exciting to see we have more things in store for Ultima beyond just rereleasing the classics through GoG, setting up a history site for all things Ultima, and continuing to support UO as it hits a major milestone next month --its 15th anniversary. I’m sure for others though, questions were raised. Why is BioWare not putting more development effort into UO instead of wasting time on U4E? Why are they doing U4E instead of UO2?
Well, let me do my best to explain and assure you UO has exciting things to come with a passionate team behind it. First, it's important to know that U4E was never built to compete with UO. In fact, they are two very different projects run by two different teams. We have a phrase here in the office that every generation deserves an Ultima game. It's been far too long, and when we looked at the gaming landscape of today, and more importantly tomorrow, we birthed the concept behind Ultima Forever -- an online RPG adventure game you play with friends as you quest to save Britannia and uphold the eight virtues to prove your Avatarhood. Just as the classic Ultima titles of the past differ from UO, so is the same for U4E. This doesn't mean either title distracts attention from the other. Mesanna and her crew of henchmen are driving towards some fun things for the upcoming 15 year anniversary. We have some new merchandise anniversary items in the works. See below for a sneak peek. Shhhhh... don't tell marketing!

Lastly, for those interested in seeing a UO2. No surprise announcements on that today, but what I will say by everyone continuing to support UO and Ultima Forever this is the kind of ammunition I need to convince the high level execs that the market is ready for more Ultima. So keep playing UO, follow us on Facebook, and show support for all things Ultima. If you get a chance, sign up for U4E at ultimaforever.com.

See you online,
Jeff "Gryphon" Skalski

Continue reading...

I just had to quote this as, hours later, I am still so stunned that this was the response that other has preached would "save the world". I can't believe that it was attempted to be cutsie after all the frustration that the base has had. Those that say that the powers that be actually read this and other sites are so wrong it is nearly insane. The only people who do such are the 35 posters and the 6 mods.

A half drawn picture....come on.

 

[SlobberKnocker]

at least the letter didnt begin with the phrase "Dear John"

dont get your panties in a bunch. when do the EVER say anything of substance in these emails. Lets see what the 15th anniversary brings forth. they have also promised to fix a ton of bugs in the next year. i would check out the U4E if i had time but 1 game is all i want to play so w/e.

Take from this that at least UO still has importance around there. if EA gets sold in the coming months, who knows what will happen.

 

[Tina Small]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of UO accounts are closed down September 2nd or shortly thereafter. The Publish 78 notes say that the 15th anniversary items will be available starting September 1st and ending September 30th. So how many people will just say, "Screw it" and log in for their gifts and then hit the account management site and cancel their accounts for a while?

What little has been said about this anniversary has been incredibly vague and unexciting.

Mesanna said in January in her interview with mmorpg.com, "Let's get together on our 15th birthday and have a party!"

Jeff said in March they aren't working on an expansion for the anniversary.

Kai tried to get Mesanna to talk about the anniversary in May during the Wayback Wednesday event, but she shut him down and wouldn't talk about it.

EA may or may not be running "bring a friend" and "return to Britannia" programs (without the ability to place a house) sometime soon, but nothing definite's been said, just vague hints, as usual.

We might be getting more wallpaper, but you don't have to log in for that. Maybe there will be some UO apparel and other purchasable items in the store, but again nothing but vague promises and you don't have to log in to get those.

Supposedly the team is moving the current event arc along with the help of those 30-some EMs and new artist. But trying to get any hints about where it's going if you aren't one of the favored few is impossible. And based on the most recent "events," we know we can almost guarantee they will be tedious, cause carpal tunnel syndrome, or be impossible for most folks to attend because they will be done only once per shard, be laggy as hell, and the published schedule will be full of mistakes or misleading.

Someone made a post the other day that made it sound like it's a definite we're all gonna get a second house soon. Yet another person posting as if they know something that no one else knows. A slip or deliberate? Who the heck knows. I'm tired of seeing that sort of stuff happen. Hiding behind players/contractors to make announcements and hints is BS.

So what can we expect? We can be pretty sure we'll get some new pixel items for the anniversary and the holidays. Maybe sometime in-between we'll see some sort of lame activities for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

However, past that point it all gets incredibly murky. "A big bug publish." "More dungeon revamps." Oh, and maybe they'll be working on champ spawns. And if Bleak's been poking around the SL faction base, maybe there's something going on with factions. Or maybe it's just another "squirrel" meant to distract us.

Why is it that we just can't seem to get anyone to tell us whether or not there's any point in the meantime to actually logging in and working on character skills or to spending money in the Origin store to upgrade accounts? No one from EA seems willing to actually come right out and say anything about efforts to try to get more players into the game, upgrade graphics and the clients so they're more appealing to people used to other games, or even try to do stuff to more fully engage EXISTING players and solicit their input. When the associate producer says in her QA5 interview that she hates to ask for our input on anniversary/holiday items when she knows everything's already planned, or when she tells other members of the team they have to keep stuff secret, you definitely get the feeling that the team really doesn't give a damn what we think, they just want to do the bare minimum to keep the people with the most accounts sufficiently appeased to leave their accounts open "just a little bit longer." They're not above making it look like they're listening to us, when appearances count, but the reality is they mostly don't listen to most of us. They might listen to a favored few, but the rest of us? Pfft. Our opinions, thoughts, ideas, feedback all count for nothing.

When neither the producer or associate producer seem to be putting any effort into talking to gaming sites or gaming magazines about UO's historic 15th anniversary, you really, really have to wonder what the heck is going on. Jeff said on Twitter they're talking to Guiness. Nice, but really, is that going to help the game in any way? Heck, the most recent article (and only) article about UO on the Bioware site is from almost two years ago (October 8, 2010).

It's gotten really old being treated like we're just brainless addicts who will just keep paying our subscription fees if someone gives us a pixel treat once in a while or presents opportunities for us to turn UO into a part-time job one way or another to make a little spending money on the side to pay a few bills every month. For a lot of us, things have reached the point where we feel overdue for cleaning up the houses and cramming the bankboxes, shutting down the accounts, and just letting the chips fall where they may as far as ever returning. If you were thinking about sticking it out with UO in hopes maybe they're working on something that it will lead into and where current/active UO subscribers might get a little bit of an advantage going into a new game, I think Jeff just confirmed with his words that is just another pipe dream and is as likely to happen as just about everything else he's promised in the last year or so since he came on board. So stick with UO until the bitter end or save your time and money and leave before then. A revival for UO obviously isn't in the plans.

 

[Felonious Monk]

It was an advert for a product that is not uo which was delivered in a fashion as to not upset uo players that the franchise producer was/is pushing U4E not necessarily UO.
I do find it distasteful......

 

[Poo]

what i heard.
"we are still here and will continue to be as long as you the player are"

and that's all i needed to hear.

*takes Maul and Buckler off the peg by the door*

time to go play!

 

[SlobberKnocker]

last time they had a hoedown at the fairfax office they gave us the high seas. could be something else on the horizon. they have put in some decent work this year. while i hated the cure quest and they totally borked factions they at least continue to make over the dungeons. despise looks like it will be o.k. so they do continue to work on the game. whether we as players like it is another story.

measanna is pretty hands on and you do see her char in the game at events, i mean when did u ever see Cal anywhere?

 

[Viper09]

I find it funny that every time there is a letter people start preaching about people shutting down their accounts over the letter, sad too though. It's not like we have no idea what is in store for UO, in fact it should be pretty damn clear, dungeon renovations with each major publish. New additions with each major publish. Why on earth should Jeff state what we already know in a letter? It was good, what I read is that there is still life in UO and it will keep moving along. A message we all need to be reminded of, something to keep our faith intact that UO wont be shutdown any time soon.

 

[Joey Porter]

Jeff is my hero.

He must have Ginormous cajones to post a letter like this.

Well done sir.

 

[Lady Silverbrook]

I am glad he finally responded.

I just deactivated every last account I had with Ultima Online. I also want you to know I was a 13 year vet with this game.

Jeff obviously does not 'get it', nor did he answer ANY question that has been posed to him in a fitting manner. We were told in January 'big things' were to be expected this year leading up to the anniversary. We were told they were working on hi res graphics and a new player experience. They only succeeded in one thing... tackling a few of the dungeons. Otherwise this year has went down as a big bust in Ultima Online... quite possibly the worst year I can recall as far as engaging content.

I'm simply not going to pay for substandard service anymore. In cannot in good conscience support a game that literally tells me that they do not care about it. Make no bones about it, this game as I've said before is pretty much in maintenance mode. There are smaller, yet far better serviced games out there that are currently free to play and amazing. Why pay a monthly fee when I get better communication, a larger player base to interact with, better graphics and a more dedicated development team elsewhere?

Players on Baja and Great Lakes... I do have a few months left on my primary account. I am sure some of you would like a few of my possessions. If you want to, please pm me. I would be more than happy to assist. Just be aware that my remaining friends in game will most likely get the 'good stuff'.

To those of you who find the magic in this game, I hope you continue to enjoy it. I simply am no longer among those ranks.

And, Jeff? If you want to, and would ever actually read these forums, please feel free to email me. I would love to tell you what you could do with my deacativated accounts.

 

[Uriah Heep]

last time they had a hoedown at the fairfax office they gave us the high seas. could be something else on the horizon. they have put in some decent work this year. while i hated the cure quest and they totally borked factions they at least continue to make over the dungeons. despise looks like it will be o.k. so they do continue to work on the game. whether we as players like it is another story.

measanna is pretty hands on and you do see her char in the game at events, i mean when did u ever see Cal anywhere?

It IS possible to be hands on, and still make reallly bad decisions....ask my wife

 

[hen]

All fluff, no substance. Still love the game but....

 

[Tina Small]

measanna is pretty hands on and you do see her char in the game at events

I wish I could say what I really think about that, but I'll behave. And as far as Cal goes, I was fine with knowing that he actually played periodically on an incognito basis. I know he showed up at some EM events here and there, but by and large, he didn't give the impression he needed in-game groupies to do his job.

 

[Poo]

im amazed by the amount of people that post with the lean of their talk being that they have a RIGHT to know what EA is doing with the game.

last time i checked we where here to PLAY THEIR game.
we arnt share holders.
they have no mandate to tell us stuff.

they give us a couple peeks behind the curtain from time to time to make us drool, and thats fine, but to come in here and talk like we are OWED something from them for a game that they own and we rent monthly is just stupid.

i see people yelling that they are cancelling their account due to the lack of communication and such.

if your cancelling your account because no one is gonna tell you the FREE present you are gonna be getting in a week from now, it would probably be better if you left.

if your cancelling your account because you feel that some company should feel obligated to impart to you how they are trying to remain fiscally viable through marketing strategies and the likes when all you are is a renter of their game? then yes, you should probably leave as well.

IF you would like to play a game that some of us have enjoyed for 15 years and log in nightly to get together with friends and go on epic adventures and save the realm from the evil... or BE the evil, then by all means, stay, pull up a chair and lets play.

far too many Chicken Little's and Sky Falling for my tastes going on here.

 

[Lady Silverbrook]

im amazed by the amount of people that post with the lean of their talk being that they have a RIGHT to know what EA is doing with the game.

last time i checked we where here to PLAY THEIR game.
we arnt share holders.
they have no mandate to tell us stuff.

they give us a couple peeks behind the curtain from time to time to make us drool, and thats fine, but to come in here and talk like we are OWED something from them for a game that they own and we rent monthly is just stupid.

i see people yelling that they are cancelling their account due to the lack of communication and such.

if your cancelling your account because no one is gonna tell you the FREE present you are gonna be getting in a week from now, it would probably be better if you left.

if your cancelling your account because you feel that some company should feel obligated to impart to you how they are trying to remain fiscally viable through marketing strategies and the likes when all you are is a renter of their game? then yes, you should probably leave as well.

IF you would like to play a game that some of us have enjoyed for 15 years and log in nightly to get together with friends and go on epic adventures and save the realm from the evil... or BE the evil, then by all means, stay, pull up a chair and lets play.

far too many Chicken Little's and Sky Falling for my tastes going on here.

If you honestly think you believe others (like myself) are 'yelling' (which oddly I do not recall using caps in my previous post) about knowing what the gifts are so we choose to quit is baffling.

It is over a long history of a lack of communication, direction and overall service from this game and its company. I am not a share holder, but I am a consumer. When I deem the quality bad, it is my choice to go elsewhere and talk with my wallet. As any consumer should. I am sorry if you fail to grasp that.

 

[Nimuaq]

Poo, let us check this interview for another EA mmo:

We’re also listening to our community and our players, and communicating with them as much as possible, to ensure that we’re taking their needs and wants under consideration. Our community team, as well as our key developers, are active on the forums and in various channels, and we do listen to our player base. After all, they’re paying to play The Secret World, and it’s our job to make sure they’re having a good time and getting their money’s worth.

We do pay for the content which is used to run the very service Ea provides, if we don't pay them, there is no service, that's the power of the subscribers, this is how powerful we are. This is why dungeons are getting revamped, anniversary gifts are handed out and new content is added to the game, to appeal to their subscribers. Ea is not making us a favor by letting us pay for the service, let's be clear on that.

IF you would like to play a game that some of us have enjoyed for 15 years and log in nightly to get together with friends and go on epic adventures and save the realm from the evil... or BE the evil, then by all means, stay, pull up a chair and lets play.

I do, but I really don't have many friends left to get together, most quit and now playing on free-shards. So our criticism arise from our concerns.

 

[hen]

I CANNOT WAIT TO PLAY MY HARPSICHORD! MOAR HARPSICHORDS! HOPE I GET THE RARE ONE!

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

PR spin and doubletalk, smoke and mirrors BS.

Jeff Skalski, I crown you Cal 2.0 - UO Spinmaster and BS Artist Extraordinaire!

I can't believe you had us waiting on your letter like it would be the herald of great change and a bright future for UO. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't anything more than pomp and circumstance giving us another glimpse of how disconnected from reality the UO team really is. Sad. It's bad enough that Mesanna doesn't talk about UO publicly, preferring to shroud everything in secrecy, but none of us want to hear about U4E when you're supposed to be addressing the UO playerbase. None. We also don't want to hear crap about a UO2 when you can't even grasp whats wrong with UO.

If you actually want to fix problems with UO, start with communication. Lack of communication is UO's #1 problem, without an open dialogue with the players, the Devs just sit in an ivory tower pumping out work that doesn't match the expectations of the players. The Awakening arc, for instance, is a prime example of a sheltered team that has lost their way, churning out events only the most self-deluded of players have enjoyed (the one exception, perhaps, being the Nexus puzzles). It's time to push Mesanna from the nest and force her to open a regular, continuous dialogue with the players, not the tiny microcosm she gets by appearing at EM events. Let the other Devs loose too, while you're at it.

Continuing to hide behind the tired "community hostility" excuse isn't going to fly. The lack of communication is what starts the hostility in the first place, especially when stupid things like casino games get published while other systems languish (I really hope you have metrics on the arenas and the casino so you can see just how little they are used!) Many of us play other MMOs that bombard us with information about future plans, upcoming events, items etc in an attempt to keep us interested and excided. UO fails at that on a staggeringly epic level. We aren't mushrooms, stop keeping in the dark and feeding us crap.

 

[Lady Storm]

Where's the Beef?????????


To quote a very good tv ad pitch lady....... Jeff you didnt disapoint me..... you failed miserably. I expected this kind of slough off message that had little or no meat of the needs of players on UO. Dear god man get some guts and start talking. Seriously.
There is so much you could be talking of to keep players in the loop....
I dont want to hear about uo4e, I dont plan on using it so its a waste of our time... We and I do mean WE of the UO community want results we can SEE.
I have noticed as others here have pointed out we are ether not getting any messaging through Mythic/Bio or we are getting lip service filled with dross.
Why not tell us of changes to get our input.... you might find you have quite a imaginitive group of players who just might surprise you of their prowse in the gamming world.
Your a Franchise Producer as your title is quite plain to see, that means you have some voice and can chat... Well boy this is STRATICS you know our addy and how to log in as it evident by past posts. Get off your duff and come in here and get your arse chewed and beleave you me you deserve a few bites....

Mesanna .......
Bonnie we got alot of people here who are not happy. They are very very tired of the hidden behind the curtain bit that has been status quo. Look back when we both roamed the early lands of Beta and that first year not a day went by without hearing a GM or Dev tell us oops we need fix this sorry folks we need to go down for a repair... try a new shard or go to test center..... You talked to many of them over the years ... wilki comes to mind. Great kid and very good listener to the masses. Draconi, I miss that guy... he always had good input and was one of us... a player who knew the score. GrimmOmen, what can I say about a guy who treated players as his mates and listend to ideas that had merrit and said so. He has given us so much, I for one will sorly miss him and his dedication to UO. The list of past Dev that took the few minutes evry few days or more, to come here and talk goes on in my mind as well those here on Stratics.
But now that line of communication is gone.... except you of course. I know your time is now very very busy but a line or two would be so welcome.
I dont mean to jump down Jeff's throat but the man must learn you can only go so far on your twitter page.... Pfft.

Poo love ya to death but sugarman this lack of honest communication thats worth the player loyalty is needed. Yes they want more for their $ out of them but to be honest in business many do and want that very same thing. I dont care what line your work is you will get this from all of the customers who use/want/need your product.
Shipping of a item is late... do you (a) keep doing what your doing and dont talk to the customer who is waiting for it. OR (b) contact them on a regular basis with even a hello just checking in and the product is processing an is due out by....
I guarantee you if you picked (b) your customers will stick with you. Just because you took out the time to say hello and sorry for the delay.

 

[Salivern_Diago]

Oh geeze! Quit with the moaning for heavens sake! If you take the grumpy glasses off and actually read the letter, you'll see there is alot of information there! Alot of you forget that Jeff ISNT the producer of UO.. He is the Boss of Mesanna and Producer of the Ultima Franchise. Give the guy a break will ya!

Jeff has obviously had alot of complaints and concerns about U4E so it was an obvious opening message that nothing has been taken away from UO. Also who said that whatever they are producing for the 15th Anni that we would have to pay extra for? I dont see it and dont believe it will.

Lastly the paragraph about a UO2... Shesh some of you must only have tunnel vision! It is pretty obvious that Jeff is pushing for a UO2 and that he needs the support of the current Ultima players (Not just UO.. ALL Ultima players) to achive this. A UO2 would definately prove attractive under the current development team and its something I would buy into. However as he said... he needs all of our support.. so what do some of you do? You quit... Well to be frank, dont let the door hit your ass on the way out.

If you want questions answered about UO directly then ask Mesanna not Jeff. He dosnt produce UO, he produces ALL of the Ultima IP's. This letter is exactly what a Producer of the IP would write, what some of you want is what a Producer of UO would write. Dont confuse the matter.

As a matter of thought, the fact Mesanna outright refuses the discuss a new expansion speaks volumes, if your too blind to see it... your loss.

 

[Luvmylace]

sick to death of the complainers and the quitters .

 

[hen]

sick to death of the emperor's new clothes.

 

[Woodsman]

IF you would like to play a game that some of us have enjoyed for 15 years and log in nightly to get together with friends and go on epic adventures and save the realm from the evil... or BE the evil, then by all means, stay, pull up a chair and lets play.

I would like to be playing an official UO in 5 years. Nothing Jeff or Bonnie has said in the past 10 months or so inspires any confidence in that. When they present things like anniversary gifts, vet rewards, holiday gifts, and bug fixes as something new, when we've been getting them for over a decade, yeah, people are going to call them out on it.

far too many Chicken Little's and Sky Falling for my tastes going on here.

Wait just a minute, I don't have the thread handy, but just two days ago you were telling me you can't fault players for going after Jeff because of his crappy communication, and now you flaming those same players when he produces more crappy communication?

If you felt that people had a right to flame Jeff a few days ago, I don't see how you feel that people don't have a right to flame away when he throws out some U4E marketing and the same PR fluff UO players have been getting for far too long.

 

[Woodsman]

This is UO's 15th Anniversary coming up, and we get a letter advertising U4E and more secrecy and vagueness.

Just tell us that it's in maintenance mode. At least the Warhammer Online players realize the truth, and I would feel a lot better knowing UO is in maintenance mode rather than getting my hopes up that they are going to try and grow it and bring in more players.

 

[Xalan Dementia]

hes the ULTIMA franchise producer, meaning he covers all things ultima, which means he should always cover everything he can that is Ultima. U4E is ultima, 15th anniversary RL items are Ultima (and have been asked for by some of the community for a while)

yes it lacked substance, but hopefully these letters can be more common. I wasnt really expecting the letter any way so it wasnt a let down, dont know why some people hyped the coming of the letter so much but meh.


In a world of f2p and flash in the pan mmo's, we need to show EA and whoever buys them that UO fans are the most loyal. We have been payin and playin for 15 years, through highs and lows and super lows. I'm not saying throw your money at them in hopes of getting a UO 2, but perhaps the players can try to start a viral/internet grass roots ad campaign. I know I know, not our responsibility but you never know, it could boost UOs population or get the attention of the higher ups in charge.


just a thought, we are all entitled to our opinions

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Let's see...

Game 1: Just released their latest Patch/Publish which addressed several complaints and issues with character builds, specifically weaker skills vs what had become standardized builds. Said patch also rebalanced many other aspects of the game such as difficulty, drop rates, and item quality. On top of that, it added in a new path of continued advancement within the game. The devs of said game have also posted further plans for upcoming Publishes and continued concerns over the stated issues with the game by the community. These statements go into actual detail on the issues they are covering.

Game 2. Just released their latest Letter from the Producer that had more content on a separate game than the one being covered, posted a small picture, and mentioned a sequel that isn't even on the radar, much less announced. No mention on the state of either client, unfinished systems, thoughts on feedback in regards to live events or dungeon revamps.

Can't say that I'm impressed at what I read today.

 

[Xalan Dementia]

...

Let's see...

Game 1: Just released their latest Patch/Publish which addressed several complaints and issues with character builds, specifically weaker skills vs what had become standardized builds. Said patch also rebalanced many other aspects of the game such as difficulty, drop rates, and item quality. On top of that, it added in a new path of continued advancement within the game. The devs of said game have also posted further plans for upcoming Publishes and continued concerns over the stated issues with the game by the community. These statements go into actual detail on the issues they are covering.

Game 2. Just released their latest Letter from the Producer that had more content on a separate game than the one being covered, posted a small picture, and mentioned a sequel that isn't even on the radar, much less announced. No mention on the state of either client, unfinished systems, thoughts on feedback in regards to live events or dungeon revamps.

Can't say that I'm impressed at what I read today.

maybe hes leaving UO details for Mesanna, the UO producer to put into her own letter

 

[Flutter]

This is UO's 15th Anniversary coming up, and we get a letter advertising U4E and more secrecy and vagueness.

Just tell us that it's in maintenance mode. At least the Warhammer Online players realize the truth, and I would feel a lot better knowing UO is in maintenance mode rather than getting my hopes up that they are going to try and grow it and bring in more players.

If UO is in maintenance mode I want a discount on my subscription fees.
I don't mind paying for developer time... but we don't have any.

 

[Kylie Kinslayer]

Well, seeing as how this Producer's letter was from the Ultima FRANCHISE Producer what else would you really expect him to talk about? He talked about the franchise of Ultima which entrails various game titles, I don't see the issue there at all and why folks are crying foul. I just hope there is a Producer for Ultima Online {Messana} letter in the works, THAT's gonna be where the good stuff is for us UO folks.

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

maybe hes leaving UO details for Mesanna, the UO producer to put into her own letter

Because her first letter was just so full of exciting details?

 

[Lady Silverbrook]

In a world of f2p and flash in the pan mmo's, we need to show EA and whoever buys them that UO fans are the most loyal. We have been payin and playin for 15 years, through highs and lows and super lows. I'm not saying throw your money at them in hopes of getting a UO 2, but or perhaps the players can try to start a viral/internet grass roots ad campaign. I know I know, not our responsibility but you never know, it could boost UOs population or get the attention of the higher ups in charge.


just a thought, we are all entitled to our opinions

Wait... so you want to start a campaign for Ultima, with graphics dating back 15-16 years and get people interested in it when it lacks a decent new player experience? Not to mention you have to pay outright for it (aside from a mere 2 week trial), unlike F2P games like AION, DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS, RUNES OF MAGIC or LORD OF THE RINGS (not to mention a host of others)? You want to entice people to join in a game that has no official forum for it and little to no actual developer/ producer interaction?

You do what you want, and honestly... good luck.

People can do what they wish, I just am in awe that the carrot and stick routine works so well with so many UO subscribers. I can understand that people do enjoy the game, but when they blind themselves to all the willful and tragic neglect heaped upon UO I am just dumbfounded.