EM Drop Methods

[Promathia]

what does this mean for UO if your job is to provide compelling "live event" content to keep your subscribers happy? I honestly don't know. But I do know that many, many people whom I have talked to are sick and tired of the limited "live event" content we do get being nothing more than an endless grind to get new items.

I don't understand the complaints about some of the new content.

Minax Invasion was an awesome fiction line + game content, which lead into PERMANENT content in Blackthorn's Dungeon. Is it a grind? Sure...if you want that reward right away. Of course, any piece of content, in any MMO can be considered a grind if you take that mindset.

Exodus Global Arc lead into PERMANENT game content.

Ararat Global Arc lead into PERMANENT game content.


All the recent Global Arcs in UO have lead to permanent in game content, which only becomes a grind if you choose it to be one.


(And I dont see how what you typed was about EM Events, as they are nothing like a grind. Due to this, my assumption was your statement was about the limited time Global Arcs, which have all recently lead into some kind of permanent content)


** I also want to add, that every MMO has limited events, that have drops you could only obtain during that event. WoW has had many, so has GW2, and I could go on.

 

[Longtooths]

I'd settle for a book on your history in UO and a copy of your most popular/recognizable attire for a little project ive been working on.

 

[Riyana]

Judgement: Not everyone is, or can be a winner. When everyone wins, the game as a whole loses.

By the same token, when only the same few people ever "win", the game as a whole loses. A few players who are no longer "winning" almost every time don't seem to understand that (and yes, I know it's not all of them). UO is a sandbox, and EVERY playstyle should have a shot. If this was really all about effort then some of the governors and player event runners should be swimming in EM rares by now, but I haven't seen anyone arguing for that. (Nor should they. Sweet baby Blackthorn, we don't need the governor system to be a source of rares acquisition!)

I did pretty darn well on EM drops before the change. (Apparently my dragon is almost as good as the "20M event character". My actual character ran around in sorcerer's armor for ages until a friend decided I was embarrassing myself in so doing and took pity on me.) It's entirely possible I will get fewer drops now. Oh well. Maybe my friends will get more of them now. Maybe players who never got them before will get them.

Good.

My husband, for example, has only ever received one EM drop--the virulent rose. He was thrilled to have gotten it.

I got one too--but I found out that a friend who had helped many people through the static quest that was part of the chain leading to that event (there's that effort thing again) hadn't been able to attend and thus hadn't gotten one. So I gave him mine.

Then another friend found out I'd done that, bought one from someone, and shipped it back to Chesapeake and gave it to me!

The EM events have gotten way too cutthroat with the competition for the special, overpriced drops. That's not how it should be in my opinion, but again, UO is a sandbox and people enjoy the game for different reasons. The way drops are distributed now lets everyone play how they like and still have a chance of "winning" an item. Everyone doesn't win every time... but if they keep attending events eventually they might. GOOD!

I think it would be nice if the EMs surprised us sometimes with item sources--I'd love to see some silly little Blackthorn thing handed out at a Council meeting (which is almost guaranteed to be only attended by people putting effort into that particular system and into their home shard's community). Or maybe every once in a blue moon a small number of items given out to the first handful of players to complete a static quest. The last time Chesapeake had a static quest, almost everyone just quit at the first NPC. Some completed it later, but I'm pretty sure plenty didn't. Why should hacking on a monster be the only way to get a special item? And why should being good at hacking on monsters be the only thing in a sandbox game worthy of reward?

TL;DR: I voted for "totally random". The "more characters=best chance" seemed deliberately leading, but more characters ALWAYS means a better chance--people were multi-clienting events before as well. I also think some events should be "everyone" drops (but that those events should end in non-recall areas so people can't recall or gate in piles of alt account newbie toons that didn't actually participate).

 

[Promathia]

I think some of us forget, the new drop system is fairly new. MANY new people are getting drops since it was changed from top damager.

Top damager was hurtful to the community, the new one is 100% fair. If you never got drops before, give the new system a chance and you will see a difference. This new system is the fairest it has ever been.

Basically, if you are upset because you never get anything, you have to give the new system a chance. We have had the old flawed systems since the inception of the EM Program. We have 6+ years of the old unfair systems, and only months worth of the new one.

 

[MalagAste]

At any rate I think the silly poll you all started shows exactly how people feel. We are sick and tired of investing multiple hours in stuff for nothing. I spent 2 days and 3k in bait trying to catch a zombie fish from Gravewater Lake while wearing the stupid fishing suit that I can't cast in and for what? Zero zombie fish.

No one likes that. I go to EM events so much I'm top ranked in the spies. I almost NEVER miss an event and can tell you the plots of dozens of them.... on my shard. I give a rats about doing EM events on every shard or other shards because that's NOT my HOME. I care deeply about what happens on Great Lakes.... Why? That's my home. It's been my home for the vast majority of the 14+ years that I've invested in UO. I don't care what the events are on Sonoma, Legends, Origins, or Atlantic... I don't live there. Not my home. I don't want to sell crap to people on those shards because I don't need to buy anything there I don't live there. I'm not going to live there.

I know the RP history for the last 17 years of GL's because that's where I live and breathe.... that's where my characters have been born and died... and work, eat and sleep... I WANT to remember what happens there because I care... because it's as much my home as the one I'm sitting in beyond the screen of my computer and at my desk right this moment as I've spent countless hours working on building and working in the community on Great Lakes. I have helped dozens of players, I have run 100's of events, helped with many more, been a fixture at many events and care about the other players on my shard enough to post on the forums, write to the DEV's and the CEO's of EA on their behalf... I put gold I get back into the economy on GL's and I give back to the community by donating countless millions to the Trade Deals and huge events that I do every year.

And you think I shouldn't be rewarded for all that? You think some jerk who only invests in himself and his or her own suit and skills should then be rewarded over someone who attends the events and actually tries to follow and help the EM and actually listens to the EM follows rules regarding pets, doesn't stand over the EM and spam spells all over every 2.5 seconds, doesn't use fel tactics and gates to ruin other peoples game play..... etc ..... and these jerks ought to be rewarded with low # drops over those of us who help and care? Who attend every event and pay attention to the hard work put in by the EM's..... not just attend for the drop and leave... REALLY?

It's more than obvious by the poll that a vast majority of the population believes that everyone ought to have an equal opportunity.... infact the poll is wrong to begin with. If you want a true poll you should have one where the choices are:

1 No Drops at EM events EVER.
2 Drops with clickies Only.... ie like the easter goose that are NON-Transferable.
3 Drops to only the top 15 healers/damagers
4 Drops that are completely random to 15 to 20 of those who qualified with looting rights.

That is a far more fair poll.

 

[Promathia]

Malagaste, I have said before, the new system is quite new. You are using examples based on years of doing events. Those systems were unfair and broken.

You HAVE to give the new system a chance. Stop complaining about the past, live in the present.

 

[MalagAste]

Malagaste, I have said before, the new system is quite new. You are using examples based on years of doing events. Those systems were unfair and broken.

You HAVE to give the new system a chance. Stop complaining about the past, live in the present.

I am living in the present.... this all started because some crybaby got asshurt over not getting his usual drop because they randomized it... or did you miss that from the last thread that got Kelmo locked?

I'm aware of how it is now... And I prefer it. Folk are actually starting to be happy about going to the events again because the drops are being distributed in a FAR more fair manner. The original crybaby is pissed about that.

 

[Promathia]

I spent 2 days and 3k in bait trying to catch a zombie fish from Gravewater Lake while wearing the stupid fishing suit that I can't cast in and for what? Zero zombie fish.
No one likes that.

You are trying to catch a fish that is categorized as a "Legendary Fish". If it was so easy to get, it wouldn't be legendary would it?

 

[Promathia]

I am living in the present.... this all started because some crybaby got asshurt over not getting his usual drop because they randomized it... or did you miss that from the last thread that got Kelmo locked?

I'm aware of how it is now... And I prefer it. Folk are actually starting to be happy about going to the events again because the drops are being distributed in a FAR more fair manner. The original crybaby is pissed about that.

Honestly, those people arent going to change anyones mind. The few who complain/grief are getting fewer and fewer.


(Btw, GL has gotten to be a much nicer shard during events with a certain guild gone)

 

[MalagAste]

You are trying to catch a fish that is categorized as a "Legendary Fish". If it was so easy to get, it wouldn't be legendary would it?

And I"m a Legendary Fisherman.... with 120 real skill..... fishing suit and bait..... 3k in bait..... used....

There is rare..... which is fine and dandy..... and there is STUPID Rare..... which is just stupid and more frustrating than fun... this falls in the stupid rare category.

The game is meant to be fun and relaxing..... fun is seeing your hard work at gathering bait rewarded by being able to finally get that super elusive fish..... NOT fun but super annoying and makes you HATE UO and everything about UO is working really hard spending hard time working on getting something.... then getting NOTHING... nothing for hours and hours and hours of effort.... that's 2 full days of fishing 20 + hours..... 3k in bait which took 100's of hours of fishing and doing the fishing quests.... for ZERO return on reward.

 

[Tina Small]

I'd settle for a book on your history in UO and a copy of your most popular/recognizable attire for a little project ive been working on.

Sorry. If you wish to cause trouble running around impersonating me, I won't just hand you all the details to help you do it.

 

[MalagAste]

Honestly, those people arent going to change anyones mind. The few who complain/grief are getting fewer and fewer.


(Btw, GL has gotten to be a much nicer shard during events with a certain guild gone)

Yes yes it has... but I don't want to jinx it. Things have gotten almost nice once again there... you can almost hear the birds singing and see the sunshine burn thru the gray again.

 

[MalagAste]

Sorry. If you wish to cause trouble running around impersonating me, I won't just hand you all the details to help you do it.

Thankfully as far as the Governors races go no one can impersonate Willa...... her name is 2 letters too long. Therefore she is immune from impersonation. She is however very sad to have it happening to other Governors.

 

[Lady Storm]

Promethia said it right Tina...
The children of yesterday who were appeased with the "everyone is a winner" slogan and tiny trophys and ribbons of skill they realy dont have are here grown up a tad only in age.... They still feel that they are due that gift by right of exisisting.

I know that is close to what the op is saying but its apples and oranges thinking.
Here is why:
Yes they have super suits, have trained up skills to the nth of perfection, and have the gold and partners in a advanced form of attack that can do the whole event in a short order. And then we got the lowly little newbie standing there with a half baked suit or just the clothes they were made with holding a moth eaten spell book or clanky old sword that couldnt cut warm butter if you tried. Wacking at the toes of the said monster at the moment and dying every few seconds. Then all the rest of us standing in the middle of all this healing and rezing when we can getting a few good licks in on that beast. The OP would love for you to say he and his supertrupers now deserve all the rewards for the Event as they being the superior machine they are have dome the most work and there fore deserve them by right. While yes they could have done the whole thing on their own and with little aid does that equil the effort put forward by the rest of us?
NO
Here is the reason they dont and let me say this once and only once.
This is not a race to see who can kill them all and do it with the leaset effort.
This is done to bring players to come and be a group and do something and enjoy the time.
Be they the lowly newbie, the well equiped but middle of the pack tamer, mage , warrior, or that supertrooper with the god suit on.
Each group puts in 100% of their effort, blood, sweat and deathrobes!
You see each puts in 100% yes the supertroopers have more umph and the newbie can barely light a candle with their 100% but its 100% of their power and effort.
Its why this system is fine as it is kiddos..
It is random.
Meaning all have the same oppertunity to get that reward for coming and partisapating.
This is the one time I feel the saying Everyone is a winner fits.
ALL who go try 100%
All have the chance to get it.

 

[kelmo]

Peace my Uhall friends.

 

[Jirel of Joiry]

what bugs me about event isn't Xshards. Its the players homegrown and Xhard that all they do is scream and spam "Gimme my item NOW!"
They verbally abuse the EMs, stand on the EM so you can't see the EM, and just generally disruptive. These people are what make events no fun to me.

I have an idea: If you act like an azzclown disrupting events, and ANYONE saying "Gimme my item", will get sent to the stocks. The stocks would be located where the guillotine used to be in Nu'jelum. Once a char is place in the stocks, it is there. You wouldn't be able to log in any other char on that account. Just like in the days of olde the criminal in the stock would be subject to ridicule, insults and so forth by fellow players. There would be NPC vendors selling rotten fruit that could be thrown at the criminal. I'm sure if you spent "400 mil" on your event char you'd think twice about about acting like an azzclown. Don't do the crime, if ya can't do the time. Peace Uhallers.

 

[Uriah Heep]

Wow. I'm one of the scarce few to vote #2. My mage can't do enough to outdamage the tamers and get rights, but since they added healing to the mix I can get a drop by healing people and pets. Everyone there shouldn't be in the mix, that is why at events we see offsharders standing around outside the circle after hitting it twice, waiting to run back in right as the thing dies. I dont see how it could be based solely on damage, that won't be fair to everyone. And if you give it to everyone there, then again, the off sharders will just stand around and wait, the same will be true if it's a clicky, they just show up when it's time to collect. But a balance between damage and healing I think is a great compromise. At lest that makes the off sharders have to stay in the game and actually do something.

 

[Promathia]

Wow. I'm one of the scarce few to vote #2. My mage can't do enough to outdamage the tamers and get rights, but since they added healing to the mix I can get a drop by healing people and pets. Everyone there shouldn't be in the mix, that is why at events we see offsharders standing around outside the circle after hitting it twice, waiting to run back in right as the thing dies. I dont see how it could be based solely on damage, that won't be fair to everyone. And if you give it to everyone there, then again, the off sharders will just stand around and wait, the same will be true if it's a clicky, they just show up when it's time to collect. But a balance between damage and healing I think is a great compromise. At lest that makes the off sharders have to stay in the game and actually do something.

The system already takes into account healing + doing damage + taking damage. The choice #3 is how Top Damager worked, which means only the top 10-20 people would get the drop. It was very easy for the same people, across ever server top the ranks above any other players.

As it is now, the same principle applies as to what counts, as in you get rights by doing damage+healing+taking damage. Except everyone who participates in the fight will have a chance to get the drop, randomly.

 

[Uriah Heep]

Isn't that what I said? lol

All I know is I get tired of running to the healer over and over, and having the same xshard chars standing there waiting to run in and get a few hits right at the end.

 

[Smoot]

Wow. I'm one of the scarce few to vote #2. My mage can't do enough to outdamage the tamers and get rights, but since they added healing to the mix I can get a drop by healing people and pets. Everyone there shouldn't be in the mix, that is why at events we see offsharders standing around outside the circle after hitting it twice, waiting to run back in right as the thing dies. I dont see how it could be based solely on damage, that won't be fair to everyone. And if you give it to everyone there, then again, the off sharders will just stand around and wait, the same will be true if it's a clicky, they just show up when it's time to collect. But a balance between damage and healing I think is a great compromise. At lest that makes the off sharders have to stay in the game and actually do something.

Agreed, while i voted #3 (in my opinion #2 was too easy to monopolize) i think its healthier for the game to promote making your character / gameplay better. While the system we have does in fact give a chance everyone now, even low damagers, you are right there are many who go thru 4-10 characters and do the least amount of damage possible to get looting rights.
I dont blame them, why wouldnt you want to increase your chances? I just think its not good gameplay and thats what the current system, with absolutely no benefit to giving your all on 1 character over doing the minimum.

Maybe im just lazy. Maybe im just too cheap to open many accounts. Ill be honest saying "all kill" and then doing nothing just doesnt seem very rewarding to me. If i were to get a drop that way it just wouldnt seem as rewarding as if i put in alot of effort.

Keep in mind the new system is still relatively new. Many, including myself are still working on getting multiple / more characters. My limit is 2 per shard. Im not opening another account. However those with many accounts are still working on getting 5-10 characters on each shard. Then chances for "normal" players playing 1 character will go down and down as us "powergamers" start getting more and more characters. and im on the extreme low end of those "powergamers" Its not "fair" but its the truth.

I do like getting drops, and i do like to see new/casual players also getting drops.
What i dont like is that there is no benefit to playing well, developing a skilled character over doing the minimum. I think it promotes a stagnant game overall with no advancement.

I dont see why a system could be implemented that rewards skilled gameplay, character development, and hunting for and updating gear, while also having a "random" factor so that anyone, even in a sorcerers suit with 300 skill points has a chance to participate.

 

[Smoot]

The system already takes into account healing + doing damage + taking damage. The choice #3 is how Top Damager worked, which means only the top 10-20 people would get the drop. It was very easy for the same people, across ever server top the ranks above any other players.

As it is now, the same principle applies as to what counts, as in you get rights by doing damage+healing+taking damage. Except everyone who participates in the fight will have a chance to get the drop, randomly.

choice #3 was supposed to be interpreted as half and half, meaning 1/2 the drops are totally random, 1/2 the drops are rewarded to top damager/healer. The percentages dont really matter, doesnt have to be half. it could be 1/3, or even 1/10 point is there should be something to promote a skilled character over a minimal damage character. Of course the top damagers would be competing for only half the drops they were, so would encourage those interested to make even better suits / characters than before. Of course if they did not make top damager/healer list, they would also be in the roll for the random item. So overall a slightly better chance if you had a competitive character.

 

[Promathia]

Isn't that what I said? lol

All I know is I get tired of running to the healer over and over, and having the same xshard chars standing there waiting to run in and get a few hits right at the end.

Wow ok. Guess what, those same XShard players are the ones who dominated the top damager charts, so your reasoning is kind of odd

 

[Flagg]

I would like something like this:
* Sometimes, top dog DPS/Healing person gets the reward.
* Sometimes, it is totally random.
* Sometimes, have EMs decide some random act of heroism which earns player the reward. EMs would beforehand agree upon it amongst themselves but it wouldn't get shared to players beforehand. Sometimes this " something" is managing some epic RP prose monologue when situation and event calls for it. Sometimes reward goes for generally contributing in storyline in meaningful fashion. Sometimes it is the guy who was fastest to answer some question EM asks. Sometimes it is the best dressed dude in the room. Keep it a little unpredictable.

Bottom line, make it unpredictable. There is absolutely no need to heavily rely on some mechanic system based on pure luck or raw DPS amounts.
And yes, it'd spark epic forum tinfoilhatting about favoritism and what not. It'd still be a better system.

 

[Jirel of Joiry]

I would like something like this:
* Sometimes, top dog DPS/Healing person gets the reward.
* Sometimes, it is totally random.
* Sometimes, have EMs decide some random act of heroism which earns player the reward. EMs would beforehand agree upon it amongst themselves but it wouldn't get shared to players beforehand. Sometimes this " something" is managing some epic RP prose monologue when situation and event calls for it. Sometimes reward goes from generally contributing in storyline in meaningful fashion. Sometimes it is the guy who was fastest to answer some question EM asks. Sometimes it is the best dressed dude in the room. Keep it a little unpredictable.

Bottom line, make it unpredictable. There is absolutely no need to heavily rely on some mechanic system based on pure luck or raw DPS amounts.
And yes, it'd spark epic forum tinfoilhatting about favoritism and what not. It'd still be a better system.

What about maybe a reward for epic hilarity/stupidity resulting in hilarity, aka pulling a Leeroy Jenkins. You know that one person that does something that cracks everyone up at an event. Same rules as heroic act reward. Hey even kings need court jesters!

 

[Flagg]

What about maybe a reward for epic hilarity/stupidity resulting in hilarity, aka pulling a Leeroy Jenkins. You know that one person that does something that cracks everyone up at an event. Same rules as heroic act reward. Hey even kings need court jesters!

Yeah exactly. Why not. Once event is more or less deisgned, I would imagine EMs have pretty good idea of the overall spirit and atmosphere to-come. Tons of situations where something like that could be sneaked in.

If players were kept " on their toes" regarding what exactly rewards the lot, it'd end up in people being pretty active in all stages. As opposed to showing up with few accounts, alt tabbing til it's time to kill stuff.

 

[Scribbles]

1. a clicky at every event
2. 1 of 3 for top damagers
3. 1 of 3 for top healers
4. 1 of 20 for randoms.

all different items. everyone wins, everyone feels special... and the same time we just doubled the work load for the EMs and Devs.

Or we could realize there is no way to appease everyone, and let the person putting the event on chose what to do. You know the person that actually puts all the work into running, organizing, advertising, writing the script, and DEALING WITH ALL OF YOUR COMPLAINTS.

I am definitely guilty of complaining about EM events, but from here on out i say we sit back, shut up and let them do their job with out all of us harping on what they are doing all the time.

 

[Smoot]

I would like something like this:
* Sometimes, top dog DPS/Healing person gets the reward.
* Sometimes, it is totally random.
* Sometimes, have EMs decide some random act of heroism which earns player the reward. EMs would beforehand agree upon it amongst themselves but it wouldn't get shared to players beforehand. Sometimes this " something" is managing some epic RP prose monologue when situation and event calls for it. Sometimes reward goes for generally contributing in storyline in meaningful fashion. Sometimes it is the guy who was fastest to answer some question EM asks. Sometimes it is the best dressed dude in the room. Keep it a little unpredictable.

Bottom line, make it unpredictable. There is absolutely no need to heavily rely on some mechanic system based on pure luck or raw DPS amounts.
And yes, it'd spark epic forum tinfoilhatting about favoritism and what not. It'd still be a better system.

I love this idea Flagg : ) I think having EMs choose a player would be hard to implement, many could call "favoritism, corruption, or foul play" but in a perfect world it would be nice.

 

[Smoot]

1. a clicky at every event
2. 1 of 3 for top damagers
3. 1 of 3 for top healers
4. 1 of 20 for randoms.

all different items. everyone wins, everyone feels special... and the same time we just doubled the work load for the EMs and Devs.

Or we could realize there is no way to appease everyone, and let the person putting the event on chose what to do. You know the person that actually puts all the work into running, organizing, advertising, writing the script, and DEALING WITH ALL OF YOUR COMPLAINTS.

I am definitely guilty of complaining about EM events, but from here on out i say we sit back, shut up and let them do their job with out all of us harping on what they are doing all the time.

agreed, i know if i were an EM, the actual drop system would be the farthest thing from my mind.

 

[The Zog historian]

Peace my Uhall friends.

You don't have the required skill to peace any of the individuals, and area peace doesn't last very long...

 

[callum_fitzhugh]

So the system that was introduced to stop "newbies" and "cross-sharders" from getting the phat loot is gone? Frankly it was a stupid system and hadn't been thought through fully as to just how much resentment it would cause. Items HELD on reasonably tough monsters would more or less sort out the newbies as a new player cant really kill much can they? Cross sharders with good characters can get rewarded for their efforts and so can the lower powered players from the shard. And if its a multi drop clicky thing then so what if newbies get an item? They were supposed to be mementos of an event NOT a specific reward

 

[kelmo]

Perhaps EM drops could all be made so as to not be eligible items for cross sharding. They stay on the shard they are created for.

 

[THP]

just listen to the public.....a momento at each event....thats all we want.... they dont need to be all singing/dancing everytime...hey nice touch when they are ...simply .....if theres 20 folks there at the event then hey 20 drops...if there 200 folks then 200 drops......who gives a damn... we ALL got a momento of the event we just did!!!.......SO NO MORE COMPLAINTS [end]

 

[MalagAste]

Perhaps EM drops could all be made so as to not be eligible items for cross sharding. They stay on the shard they are created for.

That's what I said..... NON-Transferable. But Yes I agree. I prefer if they stay on the shard they are intended for... though I really love my "Essence of the Spider Queen".

 

[MalagAste]

just listen to the public.....a momento at each event....thats all we want.... dont ned to be all singing/dancing.....if theres 40 folks there then hey 40 drops...if there 140 folks then 140 drops......who gives a damn... we got a momento of the event we just did!!! [end]

Doesn't have to be each event.. Gods no. But one drop for each arc would be fine. Something that everyone gets. Stop all the greed. You know the crazy thing is Rares collectors shouldn't dictate the events for everyone else. They can have other rare items. And hey..... even if it is 140 items dropped.... that's still pretty darn rare.

 

[THP]

WOW you are quick to reply...LOL...BUT SAME same lets have event momento....like u say 100-200 drops there still rare on the whole...and its not the value...its the ''i did that'' that makes it worthwhile

 

[4runnersport]

Why cant everyone be like me and easy pleased. I liked the old system bc I wasn't lazy. I like the new system even better after a few months crappy training chars that is now paying off better than the old system. Pretty much the only thing im not fond of is the stealing events. Yes anyone can make a thief but if ppl complained about thowers and weavers being overpowerd only templates at events that could get drops then what does that make stealing? Forces you to have it instead of several options like killing a boss with just about any template. But o well like I said lets all be easy pleased and adaptable

 

[Viper09]

What does stealing have to do with events? Most events are in the tram rule-set facets, where one can't steal from players (unless in guild and guild wars). Unless you're talking about Siege/Mugen...

 

[Smoot]

What does stealing have to do with events? Most events are in the tram rule-set facets, where one can't steal from players (unless in guild and guild wars). Unless you're talking about Siege/Mugen...

alot of events are stealing actually. Its stealing items off the ground, like tram stealing. Atlantic had one few months ago, chessy had on last month. pacific has them. good number of stealing events. its a nice change of pace. they are usually announced or alluded to, but once every so often there are random items too.

 

[Lord Lew]

Every now and again there is a fel event where the drop is not insured

 

[Smoot]

I wouldnt say its "broken" - the new system is doing what was intended, making it possible for people in UO who arent capable / prefer not too make competitive event characters to participate to get a reward. UO is no longer a "hard" game, over the years the changes have catered to casual players and most risk removed. If i absolutely hated those changes, i would play a good free shard.

What is do find discouraging tho, is that the new system lacks any encouragement to make ones character better. Why have new content and loads of new gear and new mods if people arent at least somewhat encouraged to utilize what the devs worked so hard to give us?

I think the EM event drop system could be done better. Chance for all, while also encouraging improving characters and gameplay.

Thats about all i have to say on this subject. Its just been something on my mind for a while since the change.

 

[Lady Storm]

I find that the possible sarcasim from Exploit has a tinge of personal loss tied to it.
It truly sounds like you cant stand the loss of not getting the most if not all the drops from an Event.
Where is it fair for the same people getting the drops?
Every time.
If this was the case the EM might as well just hand the item and forgo the whole thing.
This system lets others get the possibility for a drop... its not the end of the world.
Just buy the ones you want if you miss out and call it a day....

I can understand your being upset that things have changed...
I dont agree with it but i do understand.

 

[Parnoc]

Perhaps EM drops could all be made so as to not be eligible items for cross sharding. They stay on the shard they are created for.

Bravo Kelmo, I'm with you and back you 1000% on this!!!!!!!!

 

[THP]

Player attends an event..be it 30 minutes or 4 hours....end result...everyone doing it gets the same momento....as a keep sake to remember...yes some folks will run 2-3 chars to sell a couple...so what...at least everyone doing the event is happy and theres no ill feeling anymore...and yes there will be still value for resale for the people that insist this is there ''money earner''....just look at the europa drop for instance [...A Broken Mirror Shard, That Whispers "I Shall Always Be Watching You" (200) ]....yes 200 drop and still high gold to buy.....

...just saying...

everyone doing the event will be happy - no ill feeling and bitterness....like there is now....and there will always be a few extras for the other people to buy that missed it!!....So everyones a winner baby!!!! thats a fact.

 

[Riyana]

Agreed, while i voted #3 (in my opinion #2 was too easy to monopolize) i think its healthier for the game to promote making your character / gameplay better.

That's just the thing. "Better" gameplay in a sandbox game is relative. The way you play is not the way everyone can, wants to, or should play. Being able to hit harder does not make you a better player, nor one more deserving of special items.

If EM events are only max dps/healing contests then why bother having an event at all? Just skip all the story and spawn a monster every couple of weeks. The events should be for everyone, and now everyone can get a reward. People playing super elite "event characters" still have a chance; they just can't monopolize everything anymore.

There are plenty of ways to test your character and skill that don't discourage other players from even trying to participate in content that is supposed to be for everyone. Would you still be "testing your character" if there was no reward at the end?

All this hand-wringing isn't about character optimization or anyone's motivation to play "better". It's about getting drops. Full stop.

Perhaps EM drops could all be made so as to not be eligible items for cross sharding. They stay on the shard they are created for.

I'd be fine with this myself, but I think it would be met with severe backlash. If it had been this way from the beginning then we'd probably be seeing a very different situation today, but I think the horse left the barn a long time ago on this one.

LOL are you kidding me? This all started because the current system is BROKEN! Again you're another one of those ignorant kids who can't get his facts straight before running his mouth about someone.

Also the thread got locked because people started posting stupid pictures...

The system is not broken. Your ability to monopolize it is.

 

[Goldberg-Chessy]

And I"m a Legendary Fisherman.... with 120 real skill..... fishing suit and bait..... 3k in bait..... used....

There is rare..... which is fine and dandy..... and there is STUPID Rare..... which is just stupid and more frustrating than fun... this falls in the stupid rare category.

The game is meant to be fun and relaxing..... fun is seeing your hard work at gathering bait rewarded by being able to finally get that super elusive fish..... NOT fun but super annoying and makes you HATE UO and everything about UO is working really hard spending hard time working on getting something.... then getting NOTHING... nothing for hours and hours and hours of effort.... that's 2 full days of fishing 20 + hours..... 3k in bait which took 100's of hours of fishing and doing the fishing quests.... for ZERO return on reward.

Who are you to decide what is STUPID or what is fun and relaxing for everyone that plays uo?
The amount of caps that you spew into your posts(on all different topics)clearly shows that you are easily frustrated by just about everything that does not personally suit you.
Lol at that

 

[Smoot]

If EM events are only max dps/healing contests then why bother having an event at all? Just skip all the story and spawn a monster every couple of weeks. The events should be for everyone, and now everyone can get a reward. People playing super elite "event characters" still have a chance; they just can't monopolize everything anymore.


The system is not broken. Your ability to monopolize it is.

You do understand my point tho? That its better for the game to be encouraged to play 1 character well rather than doing the minimum amount possible on 4 to 10 characters?

there are players still holding monopolies. I dont blame them, they put in the time to adapt to the new system. Ill only mention 4runnersport because hes openly embraced the new system in this thread. In his own words, hes getting more drops now than the 100% drop rate he had before. Him and a few other players get every drop. often multiples. so currently about 1/3 of the total drops are going to around 4 players. then there are many who have 2 - 4 characters who also have a much better chance than 1.

Currently about 1/3 of the drops go to around 4 of the same players
another 1/3 go to the devoted eventers with 3or4 characters each
the last 3rd go to the "normal" players with 1 character, who get absolutely no benefit over a fresh noob character from an advanced character token. Do you think that is fair?


My goal is 2 characters, because i have 2 accounts.

However i prefer to play 1 account with a developed character, if i knew i had even slightly better odds than a minimalistic character.
I think most players would also like to have odds at least slightly in accordance with how high their skills are and how well they do.

So, yes everyone does have a chance. However i will have to disagree with you that a monopoly cant be held in the current system. Its better than the old system, but theres room for improvement.

 

[Smoot]

There are plenty of ways to test your character and skill that don't discourage other players from even trying to participate in content that is supposed to be for everyone. Would you still be "testing your character" if there was no reward at the end?

In short, yes. as long as it was quantifiable somehow. i dont know if youve played other games, but being the first, second, even third on a damage/healing meter is very rewarding for many gamers. even if they get no reward / drop / armor upgrade from the entire encounter.

 

[Deraj]

It looks like my preferred option isn't available on the poll.

Add a property to event items "non-transferrable" so that they cannot be taken off the shard from which they originated. Retain the current distribution system based on looting rights, so that items are given for being a part of the event, not because a player spent that extra gold to get that extra +5% damage (or as some call it, "earning" their event loot). Let events stand on their own merit; not propped up by some event loot industry. If events really are so much fun, let's see how many regulars continue to show up without the cheap incentive of valuable pixels.

 

[Smoot]

It looks like my preferred option isn't available on the poll.

Add a property to event items "non-transferrable" so that they cannot be taken off the shard from which they originated. Retain the current distribution system based on looting rights, so that items are given for being a part of the event, not because a player spent that extra gold to get that extra +5% damage (or as some call it, "earning" their event loot). Let events stand on their own merit; not propped up by some event loot industry. If events really are so much fun, let's see how many regulars continue to show up without the cheap incentive of valuable pixels.

i didnt add this as an option, because only 8to10 of the 27 shards have a big enough native population to support events. the others might only have 0-3 people attending who have houses on those shards. So it would be an option i supposes, but would eliminate over half the EM positions (i doubt mesanna is going to spend $$ for that low of a turnout)

Plus, it wouldnt affect the root of the issue im adressing at all. On the shards where events were still viable, the we would have the same thing as we do now. No benefit to playing a well made character over a minimalistic character.

 

[Uriah Heep]

Remember the events from long ago? They worked. Why? There wasn't an appointment made for them, they were spontaneously generated by the seers and gms. One of my favs was the time the crier at Brit bank started shouting about needing help at the crossroads, aid the travelers from the beast. Out there they had spawned a super duper Ogre Lord, took a while and a lot of people and deaths to kill it. Even if we had transfer tokens back then, it wouldnt have been a xshard event, cause no one knew to show up beforehand. My wife even got an engraved katana from the gm, engraved For Valor in Battle, of something like that...AoS naming system took it out of existence. But the point is, even if there is only 5 drops per event, quit announcing worldwide that we are having an event on Legends, say, let it be spur of the moment. Would eliminate xsharders a little bit