Publish 81 Update?

[KLOMP]

There has strong disagreement on aspects of Refinement but not the concept itself... Regardless of how good an idea is, people will always have different views on the fine details but as long as the concept is well liked, there is plenty of room to refine and balance it.

Are you kidding me? Was there actually one good word said about the "concept" or are we counting everyone who skipped right to "95 DCI?! HAHA WTF!" as approving of the rest of it?

I mean I've gone back and looked at some of the older threads. I can do invididual progressions on posters like Cetric and Chise and some others, how they started out with "Gee I dunno I need to test this" and then a month later ended up at "Don't do this." Radian coming in and biching about how many bloody systems the bloody game needs and storming out of the discussion, etc.

What on earth has been "well liked" about Refinement?

 

[spoonyd]

running? More like limping... UO is not still running is slowly dieing. And yes these changes could be the final blow. Sure maybe not for the crafters, farmers, role players, bank sitters, etc... but for PVP this could very well be the end...

You aren't the only one thinking this...nor am I the only OTHER person thinking it.

 

[chise2]

There has strong disagreement on aspects of Refinement but not the concept itself... Regardless of how good an idea is, people will always have different views on the fine details but as long as the concept is well liked, there is plenty of room to refine and balance it.

If you want an example of a proposed change that was not recieved well in concept or details look at the negative feedback recieved by the proposed faction changes. The outrage was so loud and the concepts so out of touch with the game and players that there was no middle ground to move forward.

A complete shame since I moved my entire guild to Origin to help tests the ideas and concepts only to find they scrapped the idea. I wish they had used their initial setback as a stepping stone to sucessfully update factions rather then throwing their hands up and giving up on Faction reform.

-Lore's Player

PS: People will mention rumors of a new Order/Chaos system in the works which is great but both systems should be updated together to reflect changes in the fiction and game mechanics.

Yeah I am actually a fan of the concept of refinements. I think it could be a very interesting system if done right. I just really dislike how they have gone about it so far. I also think it is something that will take awhile to balance and get right. I think right now rather then hold up the publish for who knows how much longer it would be best to leave refinements out for now. Make the few remaining tweaks needed and get this out to live servers. Lets see how these changes effect things first before refinements are considered again.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

There's a degree to which we players have so-damaged our own credibility over the years that I could easily see the team looking over the posts about refinements and the HLD/DCI changes and thinking it's just like all of the other baseless things we've said over the years. They would be wrong, of course, but after all the times we've proclaimed the sky to be falling it is an understandable, if regrettable, error on their part.

-Galen's player

 

[Cetric]

You should see an update to TC sometime next week. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Gears of War until then/release

 

[Gorbs]

Countless times throughout UO's history people have cried wolf over changes that are believed to be the "final blow."

Edit: You know, the whole "sky is falling" reaction where a certain change will bring devastation. Hear it all the time and yet there is still no wolf.

Perhaps you didn't read the fable. There eventually was a wolf. Sure, if you cry out that UO is sure to die from upcoming change A, B, or C you are going to eventually be ignored. The problem is eventually change X, Y, or Z might show up and really kill it.

 

[Tanivar]

Perhaps you didn't read the fable. There eventually was a wolf. Sure, if you cry out that UO is sure to die from upcoming change A, B, or C you are going to eventually be ignored. The problem is eventually change X, Y, or Z might show up and really kill it.

UO will eventually go the way of all good things after enough of it's dedicated players leave due to to much bull and bad Dev choices (as each sees things) or from simply eventually dieing off from old age. EA is making no attempt to bring in new customers so UO's customer base is a bucket with a lid on it and a hole in the bottom, it's going to wind up empty some day. That's just reality. We then wind up playing freeshards as the only option to keep playing UO.

 

[Viper09]

Perhaps you didn't read the fable. There eventually was a wolf. Sure, if you cry out that UO is sure to die from upcoming change A, B, or C you are going to eventually be ignored. The problem is eventually change X, Y, or Z might show up and really kill it.

I did indeed read the fable and I was actually hoping someone would point that out because that was a secondary and implicit point to my post, so thanks for catching that. Yes, after so many countless cries we tend to ignore them because it never ended up being that "final nail" in the coffin. But eventually someone will indeed be right, and because of the countless cries beforehand no one will pay attention.

On a different note, however, there may never be the fabled "wolf." There may never be any change that ends it, UO may simply go away due to time and players simply losing interest. But, again, time will tell.

 

[KLOMP]

There's a degree to which we players have so-damaged our own credibility over the years that I could easily see the team looking over the posts about refinements and the HLD/DCI changes and thinking it's just like all of the other baseless things we've said over the years. They would be wrong, of course, but after all the times we've proclaimed the sky to be falling it is an understandable, if regrettable, error on their part.

That would take some stunning hubris on their part, given their track record. I mean it's not like we flog this stuff on the forum and then embrace it after they push it through anyway. Factions really did die horribly at their hands. The void pool really was forgotten about in like a week. Everyone did turn their nose up at epiphany armor, and Charybdis did sit ignored. Ephemeral items really were treated as worthless garbage. So on and so forth.

 

[Lord X]

Yes!!!!!! crafting it already to complicated. After working with numbers, excel, and people all day the last thing I want to do when I get home from work is pull out another spread sheet for a "game"

KISS..... KEEP IT SIMPLY STUPID.

But you dont have to make suits every day, do you? I meake a suit lasts years for a char.

 

[Orgional Farimir]

But you dont have to make suits every day, do you? I meake a suit lasts years for a char.

And I know someone who PvPed in an ancient samurai helm until 6 months ago. That suit lasted him 7 years, does that mean it is good? Just because a suit last years because if durability doesn't mean it wont need upgrading/ completely replaced to remain competitive. Now multiply that by 7 characters on 4 shards and it can get very time consuming.

 

[Orgional Farimir]

Gears of War until then/release

I have been playing Temple Run 2 and talking to my wife.... I don't know how much longer I can keep it up haha.

 

[Paps]

Tanivar--"We then wind up playing freeshards as the only option to keep playing UO."
I made the leap to free servers over a year ago. You may like or dislike them dpending on which `era` of UO you want to play on.
Most of them are behind on content vs OSI but what can you expect from people doing coding in their spare time for a non-pying playerbase.
Having `some` experience with them has shown me just how little it costs to keep a game server up and going.Now i can only guess as to what the total UO monthly costs are to EA but i would dare to say `not much`.Knowing this i state once again that it is unlikely that EA will pull the plug on UO until it's monthly subscription base drops below 5-k accounts.Possibly even MUCH less if they are only keeping the game open for `bragging rights` as for the worlds longest running MMO.
Will these changes be `the nail in the coffin`....for some players yes it will be he straw that breaks the camels back and they will leave UO for other games/activity.For others whom might not mind the change or hose whom dont PVP much the game will go on and yes they can still go into Felluca to PVP at an empty T2A...an empty champ spawn area...or an empty yew gate.AFK banksitting will not be affected much though.
How `dead` the game is is relavent to your playstyle and to many, the game has been `dead` or some time now.

 

[Legendary Rick]

So is it safe to assume the promised update to TC this week has now been scrapped? Surely nothing is coming today and I don't know if anyone is actually working tomorrow on Good Friday? Update us Kyronix?

 

[Viper09]

So is it safe to assume the promised update to TC this week has now been scrapped? Surely nothing is coming today and I don't know if anyone is actually working tomorrow on Good Friday? Update us Kyronix?

I have never known Good Friday to be a day that companies don't work. But time will tell, still early into the day.

 

[Cetric]

*ahem*

 

[Tanivar]

You may like or dislike them dpending on which `era` of UO you want to play on.
Most of them are behind on content vs OSI but what can you expect from people doing coding in their spare time for a non-pying playerbase.

Once EA no longer has a playable UO shard running I'll be out looking for a UO:Ren freeshard, or at least something pre-AoS. Having been playing Siege the last five months I could go pre-Ren, unless the freeshard is of the flavor that made Trammel a game saving necessity. I've no desire to spend my time being fun for others instead of having fun myself.

A UO shard without all the item garbage... <wistful sigh>

 

[NuSair]

I've thought about running a free shard when/if UO closes in my lifetime.

The main things I would change are the armor, spell balance and I'd find a way to add templates. Sure, you are welcome to mix and match skills as you like, but if you use certain skills together, you get bonus skill points or a template that exceeds the skill cap.

 

[Vexxed]

Haven't heard anything about the publish from a dev in a while. It was announced that it was added to TC a month in advance to get feedback, I get that. But it was been 1 month and 3 weeks since it was added.

Feb 1st - announced
Feb 8th - Update 1
Feb 22nd- Update 2
March 8th - Update 3

Are we due for an update today?

Before all the naysayers come rolling around stating that "let them get it right before they put it in" I understand the sentiment, but the last update took two weeks and the only thing added of significance was giving 4 more resists to some material bonuses, which thank god i didn't make suits right before that update, or i would of been pretty irritated.

Just hoping for an update, or at elast a dev comment stating what they are working on with it. there is a lot of high anticipation for many people, but others, the holdup is costing game play (armor/template designs).

About sums it up.....

 

[Kyronix]

Unfortunately we won't be going to TC today as I had hoped last week when I mentioned you *should* see and update this week. There are still some final touches to be made to changes unrelated to the armor revamp. Why can't we just go ahead with the armor changes and forget about everything else? It gets risky trying to do that sort thing rather then release everything in synch...so here we are. Stay tuned to UO.com for updates on when the pub is going to hit TC. There are going to be some specific testing needs related to the City Elections that I will communicate with you through the boards and on TC as well. Look forward to seeing everyone on TC soon and have a great weekend and happy holiday!

 

[hen]

Freeshards kind of suck ass. I followed most of Siege to a free-shard many years back and in the end it kind of sucked ass.
Like when they wiped all the chars to freshen things up and I lost my 6x gm crafter with gm Magic resist.
Free shards suck ass and I don't even know what that means but they suck ass I say !

 

[hen]

Unfortunately we won't be going to TC today as I had hoped last week when I mentioned you *should* see and update this week. There are still some final touches to be made to changes unrelated to the armor revamp. Why can't we just go ahead with the armor changes and forget about everything else? It gets risky trying to do that sort thing rather then release everything in synch...so here we are. Stay tuned to UO.com for updates on when the pub is going to hit TC. There are going to be some specific testing needs related to the City Elections that I will communicate with you through the boards and on TC as well. Look forward to seeing everyone on TC soon and have a great weekend and happy holiday!

*Aims banana cannon*

 

[Kyronix]

*Aims banana cannon*

*prepares pie crusts and freshly whipped cream*

 

[Tanivar]

Freeshards kind of suck ass. I followed most of Siege to a free-shard many years back and in the end it kind of sucked ass.
Like when they wiped all the chars to freshen things up and I lost my 6x gm crafter with gm Magic resist.
Free shards suck ass and I don't even know what that means but they suck ass I say !

That wipe thing possibility is one big minus to freeshards, but given the alternative of not playing UO at all? I'd think I would snap and wind up with one of those nice white hug-me coats with sleeves that tie in the back. I'll go free-shard

 

[Winter]

Why can't we just go ahead with the armor changes and forget about everything else?

As a Developer, you guys have all my respect. But I have to say, your priorities are all wrong. This update to armor and weapons and crafting should not go ahead until all the other things that were already started are either finished or marked officially dead. What about the announced:
Bug fixes - not finished. THIS should be number one top priority over anything else.
New world story arc - announced, going to happen soon, but where is it?
Factions tweak - either fix it, find something better or kill it off.
Arenas - this was just a distraction from Factions, right?
Enhanced Client - how many years has this been in beta?
New high resolution graphics - got a few, but what about the rest?

There are more, but these are what I could remember off the top of my head. Stop the madness, don't introduce any new systems at least until all bugs are fixed, and then the rest of the list either completed or done away with. I really, really do respect your work as Developers, but I think you guys and gals have lost focus with too many things on your plate.

 

[Tanivar]

*prepares pie crusts and freshly whipped cream*

While your munching on banana cream pie, read post 45 in the Graphics Still Matter thread. An idea for TC after the current publish is done.

 

[Cetric]

Unfortunately we won't be going to TC today as I had hoped last week when I mentioned you *should* see and update this week. There are still some final touches to be made to changes unrelated to the armor revamp. Why can't we just go ahead with the armor changes and forget about everything else? It gets risky trying to do that sort thing rather then release everything in synch...so here we are. Stay tuned to UO.com for updates on when the pub is going to hit TC. There are going to be some specific testing needs related to the City Elections that I will communicate with you through the boards and on TC as well. Look forward to seeing everyone on TC soon and have a great weekend and happy holiday!

In case you missed this, i just want to throw this out there to you. Whether anyone really cares or if it only effects a handful so be it.

The constant delay to this publish is absolutely killing gameplay for some. What do i mean by that you might ask? many people have been holding off making suits and templates with this publish in mind, and thus, have not made those suits and templates knowing full well that if they make them and the publish is released tomorrow, then more than likely the work they put in was for nothing. I myself have barely played UO since the last update, mainly because i have a few characters shelved without suits, templates prepared, etc. Why would i even waste the imbuing ingreds to toss a suit together for a character, when more than likely the suits will get tossed in a trash bin the day this is live?

If something like city elections is holding up these major changes, i know i'm not the only one that wants to throw my arms in the air and say the hell with this.

And yea, have a good holiday weekend to you as well.

 

[Cetric]

As a Developer, you guys have all my respect. But I have to say, your priorities are all wrong. This update to armor and weapons and crafting should not go ahead until all the other things that were already started are either finished or marked officially dead. What about the announced:
Bug fixes - not finished. THIS should be number one top priority over anything else.
New world story arc - announced, going to happen soon, but where is it?
Factions tweak - either fix it, find something better or kill it off.
Arenas - this was just a distraction from Factions, right?
Enhanced Client - how many years has this been in beta?
New high resolution graphics - got a few, but what about the rest?

There are more, but these are what I could remember off the top of my head. Stop the madness, don't introduce any new systems at least until all bugs are fixed, and then the rest of the list either completed or done away with. I really, really do respect your work as Developers, but I think you guys and gals have lost focus with too many things on your plate.

Because yes bug fixes are great, and fixing broken systems is great, but at other times and for some people, new content or updated content is equally as important. not everyone shares the same opinions.

For instance, from your list, changing, removing, or revamping factions in a full overhaul would be something i'd love to see. some minor bug fixes would be nice too, but i cant think of anything overly game changing right off the top of my head. The rest, for me, is not even something appealing. For some yes, i agree, but they can't please everyone with every publish i'm sure. The game is too diverse.

 

[chise2]

In case you missed this, i just want to throw this out there to you. Whether anyone really cares or if it only effects a handful so be it.

The constant delay to this publish is absolutely killing gameplay for some. What do i mean by that you might ask? many people have been holding off making suits and templates with this publish in mind, and thus, have not made those suits and templates knowing full well that if they make them and the publish is released tomorrow, then more than likely the work they put in was for nothing. I myself have barely played UO since the last update, mainly because i have a few characters shelved without suits, templates prepared, etc. Why would i even waste the imbuing ingreds to toss a suit together for a character, when more than likely the suits will get tossed in a trash bin the day this is live?

If something like city elections is holding up these major changes, i know i'm not the only one that wants to throw my arms in the air and say the hell with this.

And yea, have a good holiday weekend to you as well.

Agreed really they are trying to do way too much in one publish. The armor and weapon revamp along with some bug fixes and such could have been a publish all on its own. I mean unless this city election stuff is tied in somehow to the armor revamp I donlt see why we have to wait for it to be done before we get the armor/weapon revamp. Now I realize at this point its probably too late for them to say well lets just get the armor/weapons revamp done and worry about the other stuff later. But I think that is what should have been done. I just hope that after this next update to test center we won't be too much further from it going live. Getting hard to be patient lol!

At least tc1 is up again though still doing some testing with material types trying to find the best combo. So hopefully the next update doesn't change the resists around again!

 

[Winter]

Because yes bug fixes are great, and fixing broken systems is great, but at other times and for some people, new content or updated content is equally as important. not everyone shares the same opinions.

For instance, from your list, changing, removing, or revamping factions in a full overhaul would be something i'd love to see. some minor bug fixes would be nice too, but i cant think of anything overly game changing right off the top of my head. The rest, for me, is not even something appealing. For some yes, i agree, but they can't please everyone with every publish i'm sure. The game is too diverse.

I don't really disagree with what you said, but you missed my point. The Developers keep starting something new, and so many things along the way they get distracted and leave half of what was started unfinished. That just wastes time... and players' patience.

 

[hen]

It has ramifications way beyond building suits ( which is important and stopping people from playing). It is now around 14 months since 'Shame Loot' came in. Since then, treasure chests, ML dungeon loot, all overland spawn, all Fire, Ice, Orc, Stygian Abyss general loot is junk.
Since Shame in November 2011 (correct me if wrong please), we have had Wrong, Covetous and Despise Tram. In 14 months. It really really needs to be rolled out quicker.

 

[chise2]

It has ramifications way beyond building suits ( which is important and stopping people from playing). It is now around 14 months since 'Shame Loot' came in. Since then, treasure chests, ML dungeon loot, all overland spawn, all Fire, Ice, Orc, Stygian Abyss general loot is junk.
Since Shame in November 2011 (correct me if wrong please), we have had Wrong, Covetous and Despise Tram. In 14 months. It really really needs to be rolled out quicker.

Yeah I really hope they go back to revamping dungeons and the other things you mentioned after this is done. But I think now that they have started it and really almost finished it might as well get the armor/weapon revamp done.

 

[kelmo]

Folks have really stopped playing while waiting on a publish?

 

[hen]

Folks have really stopped playing while waiting on a publish?

Stopped building suits yes sir.

 

[kelmo]

What is wrong with the suits ya have now? Nothing has changed as yet.

 

[hen]

This is my serious face.

 

[kelmo]

*chuckles* OK.

 

[chise2]

Folks have really stopped playing while waiting on a publish?

I haven't but I do play on Siege and its not a big deal for me to remake a suit since I don't try to make the best suits possible or whatever. But I can see why someone on a regular shard would be hesitant to make a suit a new char/template or whatever with this publish and its changes hanging over our heads.

 

[Viper09]

Why would people stop playing while waiting on a publish? Ok, so suit building is on hold, still a ton of other things to do, like play.

 

[Mithryl Elves]

I Haz A Feeling Dupers Are In Touble!

Over Under On Accounts Banned Anyone?

 

[Lord Lew]

I Haz A Feeling Dupers Are In Touble!

Over Under On Accounts Banned Anyone?

I would love to believe that they are, however I'm not holding my breath. I'd love to log in some day and see dupers houses on fire and the lamentation over lost Gold and items, but it's doubtful. But a man can dream.

 

[Cetric]

What is wrong with the suits ya have now? Nothing has changed as yet.

Just to answer your question form my perspective - i have 2 new pvm chars and 3-4 new pvp characters that are sitting suitless, and need minor tweaks to skills depending on some changes. I'm not going to make them suits until after the publish, for what should be obvious reasons. I make my suits based on template, i rarely if ever share suits between characters, some items yes, but not the entire suit.

So until then, i play the currently setup characters, which are fine, but having all of those characters sitting unsuited and unused is rather annoying.

Maybe you don't play that way, i'm not sure. I just remembered you play siege, so this really has no credence with your play style at all does it? Just goes to show you how opinions can vary so widely depending on how you play ultima online.

 

[budman23]

UO is becoming too cookie cutter. First you force us onto throwers next its poisoners now all mages have to have wrestle.
Diversity is interesting, this is just getting stupid.
Insert not so random template that everyone will be running but you are to think YOU thought of it LOL.

 

[Viper09]

UO is becoming too cookie cutter. First you force us onto throwers next its poisoners now all mages have to have wrestle.
Diversity is interesting, this is just getting stupid.
Insert not so random template that everyone will be running but you are to think YOU thought of it LOL.

Forced to play a certain templates? I must have been missing something this past 10+ years

 

[budman23]

And I know someone who PvPed in an ancient samurai helm until 6 months ago. That suit lasted him 7 years, does that mean it is good? Just because a suit last years because if durability doesn't mean it wont need upgrading/ completely replaced to remain competitive. Now multiply that by 7 characters on 4 shards and it can get very time consuming.

That guy in the samurai helm has been carrying your guild for years.

 

[Theo_GL]

Look if 100% outrageously negative feedback isn't enough to make you discard an idea, then don't pretend you give a **** about listening to feedback. Don't just go "Well I bet someone somewhere would like this idea, so I'm just going to assume they exist and pre-emptively listen to their feedback that they haven't actually said!"

Changes to the game should be good/positive for either existing players or attracting new players.

The armor changes are pretty universally hated by the existing playerbase and I can't imaging for one second someone out there thinking 'I was really waiting to try UO but have been holding off until they balance that armor by making crafting 25% more complicated! OMFG - I'm IN!"

Seriously team. If you are that dense - get a 10 person focus group from your playerbase and let them design the game and you just implement it. I would take that over our current system in a heartbeat.

 

[Orgional Farimir]

That guy in the samurai helm has been carrying your guild for years.

not my guild

 

[CovenantX]

Forced to play a certain templates? I must have been missing something this past 10+ years

I'm sure he means by "forced" it's because they are so easy to play/overpowered, that you make the game harder on yourself if you don't take advantage and play them.

I agree, some skills are just crazy overpowered for the amount of points invested, while others don't give enough to balanced it out.. hence why everyone has Throwers, Mystics, and many variants of Poisoning characters.


Anyway... maybe we could possibly see an update today? LOL JK April fools.

 

[cazador]

Scrap 81 altogether...all I see is people saying "insert idea" = waste of developer time..but yet this is what's its spent on? Making a complex system when all that was needed was damage modifications of weapons and an increased Imbuing weight to make certain items more desirable. I don't know about alot if you but excited for yet another plethora of bugs this will most likely command..well played dev team..well played!

 

[KLOMP]

Scrap 81 altogether...

Pretty much. I mean this was supposed to be the "revamp" that made all the forgotten stuff viable, and instead it's turned into this halfass boondoggle from a bunch of WoW-playing developers who clearly know nothing about UO. Some of those early changes especially (stamina getting pecked away by magpies, fencing losing access to feint, etc.) were just embarrassing. I mean testing, schmesting, it was seriously a disgrace that anyone on the dev team even imagined that those MIGHT be good ideas. It just made it agonizingly clear that no one developing this game actually plays it.

Now we have this Refinement garbage where they're just grimly, sullenly pressing ahead with this stupid idea despite 0% support from the playerbase.