Ultima Online Future?

[Frodo The Great]

Will Ultima Online have a few more years left?

After playing the game for 7 years in my honest opinion i believe Ultima Online have gone from Great to Terrible, when i first joined there used to be so much to do, i used to be able to tame horses and sell them at Britain Bank! i used to spend at least a month or more trying to make a full 70 suit with 100% LRC it was great! and now all i have to do is go and buy one for 10k? what has this game turned into? i would like other peoples opinions on this and i am wondering how long Ultima Online has left in its self before the game fads away?

I want to take a little time to express my feelings and tell Ultima Online how i feel and what i think needs improving and Updating so here goes...

Things have came into this game that i think never should have.. this game is a old style game, Swords and old Wizardry and so on.. what has happened... there is now Imbuing? Reforging? And More!! why has all this been added? this has changed the game a hell of a lot! some people will say.. yes i love the new items but old players that know how the game used to be should know how much fun it was trying to get item and make good suits!

I believe that Ultima Online have gone down hill very fast in the past 2 years, maybe Ultima Team have gone through some changes and yes maybe they have had to cut back on staff and other things BUT this does not mean Ultima Online paying customers have to suffer? i think Ultima Online are adding things to this game that is changing it from a RP Old School Game to a up to date Game? i think that Ultima Online need to ask there paying customers if there ideas are good maybe do a Poll, i know for a Fact that Ultima Team cant win on everything as there will always be someone who will complain about something BUT all i am saying is this game is turning... well... Dead? i play Europa myself when i was here 7 years ago i could not move! there was people everywhere... But... Now... i jump for joy when i see 1 person!.. i have a few friends that have left this game and gone to other games and they all say the same old thing... the game is not how it used to be... this is no longer the Ultima Online i know... So i ask why? why is this not the Ultima Online they used to know? they reply with this... Ultima Online used to be one of them games where when you started playing you could not stop! I used to be exited to get home from work JUST so i could play Ultima Online.. But near the end i got bored.. people left.. things got stupid... Ultima Online team just stopped with the fun they used to do.. to much changed and not for the good... So i sat down and i had a think to myself wonder why they say this and then i went through the old memories i used to have at Brit Bank and with the 100's of people i used to play with and how the game used to run... and i think to myself i see what they mean.... So i ask you Ultima Online players? What do you think? what do you make of the past few years this game has changed?

 

[Elixar]

First let me say, "I hear you..."

But...

Nostalgia in an Online Role Playing Game is rare for the this one reason: No other MMPORG has lasted as long as Ultima Online has lasted. I am nostalgic for the old days of Brit Bank as well but I am not nostalgic for the loss of items before insurance. I enjoyed gaining skills and becoming good but I prefer my near godly status now that has been allowed by the changes (imbuing/reforging/artifacts).

I think it is important to realize that each new era of UO gives us a chance to learn and to grow and become good at the current skills and master the current rules and changes. When reforging/imbuing came into play I was of course mad. I didn't know how to do these things and didn't have the skill yet and so I groused about it like everyone else. Then, reluctantly, I picked up the scrolls and tried the skills and did my bods to get the runics and started reforging/imbuing. Now my chars are much better and my income has increased and I am sought after by players for my services greater than I ever was in the olden days of yore!

What I think you and I truly miss are the haydays of 250k subscribers and fewer skills. Those days are gone. They are never coming back. So we must do out best to make the current days the best they can be. I make good items for new and returning players and I help them get into good guilds with active players and hope beyond hope that I have helped stick one more subscriber to this game I love beyond all things.

Love the game. It will love you back if you give it just the slimmest chance. And then the random number generator will make you hate it all over again, just like when you were (young) player. Good Luck, Good Hunting, and Be Safe!

 

[Aran]

I've played UO for 14 years and have yet to run out of things to do, and on the whole it's about the same as when I started, however I've changed in that time.

I imagine it's similar for you, you're just not looking at it that way.

 

[James Moriarty]

Run out of things to do? We must be playing different games

 

[Winter]

So - what's the point of forecasting doom and gloom? Do you want the game to end sooner rather than later?

I still enjoy the game immensely, even though I don't have as much time to play as I once did. I still have not done everything in the game, and will continue to play UO as long as possible.

 

[Petra Fyde]

Being old and retired (see avatar ) I have lots of time to spend in UO. Like Aran I've been playing for 14 years and I've yet to run out of things I want to do. My biggest problem most days is deciding which of the many things I could do most suits the mood I'm in.

I guess the team's biggest problem is finding the balance between the people who want to kick UO into a future we're not sure we want and those trying to drag it back into a past that wasn't as rosy as they like to remember.

On balance, from my point of view, they're doing OK. Some things in UO aren't what I enjoy, so I leave those to others, but there's still plenty of things that I do enjoy for me to do.

 

[old gypsy]

I try not to think about it these days... just enjoy it as I go. That's become my approach to life in general as well. I try not to think too much about the inevitable end since I can't predict the time or day or year... nor do I want to know.

 

[Longtooths]

I'm happy that it is still here and each day that I get to play it.

 

[Lord Nabin]

Yes - There are many more Vintages to Good Old Moonglow Red to explore in the years to come.

*Tips a glass of Good Old Moonglow Red in your direction in Salute*

 

[Ray_Martin]

Being a returning player (For the 3rd time) I'm concerned about investing much time in a game that may be turned off, but I sincerely hope that it's not. I've loved this game since I was 16. I'm taking this new return slowly and not trying to burn myself out leveling skills to catch up with players. I'm just having a good time.

I want a crafter for my own gear. A tamer, just because it's so unique to UO. And a rune Library. I'm going to work on them slowly.

I love this game. Thank you all for everything you do. Players too and ******* PVPers too.

 

[Frodo The Great]

Thankyou for all your comments i have read them all and took them in, for the people that say there is plenty to do i hear you and agree there is... BUT on a shard like Europa as Petra will know there is not very many people left so things like, Prime Lich and Dread Horn and all other things its not so easy to get a group of people to do it if you all understand what i mean? Also i love the game and have for 7 years BUT as i say, some things they need to work on that others such as Bug fixes and fixing the game up rather than adding new item that is just my opinion... the only problem i have is there is nothing NEW yeah they bring in like new items on Brit Hand in and New PVP stuff and Shame Loot and all that but i mean NEW like new areas in Tur Mer or new BIG monsters to fight in new areas ect if you guys know what i mean?

 

[Ender]

I'd like to see a new mini-expansion/booster. High Seas was the last one, almost 4 years ago. Expansions always provided the best surge in population, the devs just need to be able to keep those new/returning players.

 

[Uvtha]

Run out of things to do? We must be playing different games

I have that same feeling a lot of the time which is why I don't play regularly. There may be more things for me to do, but I am not especially interested in many of them. I don't think that's unreasonable, as much of it is just a grind festival with rewards not everyone is interested in.

I agree to a degree, I think UO is a lesser game now than it was 10 years ago (0r 14 whatever), but on the other hand it has also improved greatly in many many areas. I really think that most of the games issues could be solve, but it would take some tough choices, so it wont happen, or at least all of it, and not quickly. It would be great if they did a "kingdom reborn" but with a realignment/balancing of all game systems from skills, to monsters, to loot, to rule sets... everything, instead of a focus on graphics. Won't happen, but I can dream.

How long will UO last? A long time is my guess. It needs very few players to keep going. I assume when the subs are no longer keeping the game afloat it will either go f2p or the dev team will be reduced to one guy to keep the servers running, and then slowly die from there.

 

[Petra Fyde]

Thankyou for all your comments i have read them all and took them in, for the people that say there is plenty to do i hear you and agree there is... BUT on a shard like Europa as Petra will know there is not very many people left so things like, Prime Lich and Dread Horn and all other things its not so easy to get a group of people to do it if you all understand what i mean? Also i love the game and have for 7 years BUT as i say, some things they need to work on that others such as Bug fixes and fixing the game up rather than adding new item that is just my opinion... the only problem i have is there is nothing NEW yeah they bring in like new items on Brit Hand in and New PVP stuff and Shame Loot and all that but i mean NEW like new areas in Tur Mer or new BIG monsters to fight in new areas ect if you guys know what i mean?

I can only suggest that you join an active guild. Newest 'big monsters' are Cora, Exodus, Corgul, Charybdis, the shadowlords in the Ararat wreck.
Have you tried attending the daily WBB meet up to try to find some like minded players? 6pm - 7pm UK

 

[Promathia]

but i mean NEW like new areas in Tur Mer or new BIG monsters to fight in new areas ect if you guys know what i mean?

Not sure why you specifically mention Ter Mur for getting new areas...but new land isn't needed.

As for new BIG monsters to fight, we have gotten that with the Global Events which have lead into permanent in game content. Specifically, the Ararat Ship Area + Shadowlord Boss and the Minax Captains + Blackthorn's Dungeon. Of course, before that you also had new Bosses in Exodus, Cora, Despise. Now, I am not saying the loottables on all of them make some of them even desireable to do, but its there.

+ VvV is important to bring life back into PvP which has grown stagnant and broken

+ Global Loot is important to give people a REASON to ever check the corpses of their kills

+ We already know they are working on a new EC UI which is needed, and a HI-Def art update to the client.

+ Each shard has an ever evolving live storyline thanks to their EM's, and most shards have plenty of events each month, bringing new challenges, new lore, new community gatherings and more.

+ For those who want something new to do, they have the Trader's Quests which not only can help your Governor's, but also provide new lore, and new rewards.

+ They are bringing back Counselors to help page queues + let GMs focus on real issues

+ They are in the process of being added to Steam (already passed Greenlight) which will give UO a much needed virtual shelf presence to over 6million people.


- The main area I believe UO has gotten abysmal at, is communication with the playerbase. It never even was the greatest, but its gotten so bad its completely ridiculous.

- Another negative are the completely useless loot tables on some of the bosses in the game, which completely negate any desire to actually do them (Looking at you Charybdis)

- UO also probably needs to just do a sweeping re-balance and skill pruning. If you cant find a reason to have some of the skills in the game, just remove them and make it less cluttered.


- UO also needs to get off its arse and finally finish the Virtues. I mean, that's like the biggest Ultima thing IN UO, and its sitting there still unfinished.

- Pet Peeve: Cannons on ships are completely too complex and cumbersome for a casual player. So many steps, just for the sake of RP or something. There is also no incentive to ever actually do PvP Boat Combat (No Ocean Champ Spawn? Cmon)



I am not sure what this means, or if anything I posted even relates to the original topic....

 

[Scribbles]

Im torn between two worlds, the old and a future. I loved the classic uo that i played when i was 16 in 98 and i still miss it. I eventually quit when trammel was released because it basically ruined PKing. We used to sit on bridges hidden waiting for some unsuspecting citizen of britain to try and cross. However what i miss most is a community that had no other option other than to rely on one another. Back in those days you couldnt be a fighter and a crafter because it simply took to much time to train those skills. I remember the day i hit 80 magery and thought this is it... im a bad ass now. If you died you more than likely lost everything, so you tried to avoid it at all costs.

As far as a current state of UO i have this to say. The game has lasted this long why not another 15 years? Even if the game was forced to go to one server and was free to play and had no guarantee of new content or fixes, i would still play the game. Its that bit of nostalgia that will always bring me back to this game. The opportunity to help someone figure something out, or get an item that ive wanted for a long time, or rule a felucca spawn for a day... will always be fun to me.

Honestly I hope UO doesnt bring on any more new content, it is quite obvious they do not have the means of doing so in a "bug" free manner and i dont blame them, its a 17 year old game that has been coded by a lot of different people, its bound to mess up. I only wish that they take what they have and just revamp it from time to time. We obviously need no more new land for housing, on the most popular shard i can still find max storage houses all day long.

The Future will be as we make it.

 

[Ludes]

There is always so much to do!.. My first cup of coffee every day is drank all up just deciding who to be..

And there is always that character that you know you don't play enough...

 

[Warpig Inc]

Even if the game end after midnight today. I have wasted money on worse things. Couple wives come to mind.

Solitaire games used to be a break from UO. Sad story but, today UO has become a break from Solitaire.

#1 and and easiest thing the game needs. Update to any rewards list and/or sets and/or drops that are older then 3 years old. Toss in bunch of easter egg finds her and there. There is enough content already in place. The carrot has been gone for some time now. Time to add a fresh carrot to the stick and stop thinking we would perfer a watermelon instead.

 

[Swt Lippy Hippy]

NO complaints here either !!! hehe Well... I am concerned about tailor npcs and some new fishing ranges for that silly black marlin. I do spend hours and hours and using 2000 bait , luck suit, no luck suit, fishermans suit no fishermans suit and I should not have to go through all my bait for ONE fish .... That is alot of questing to get 2000 black marlin bait ... I still love to fish but I really would love to discuss this soon on the fisher page or something. But overall If you get bored in UO something is not right. lol I can never do enough and always have fun no matter what character I am playing. I think the best thing I like doing is helping my shard and its new players. I notice alot of old vets coming back. Attitude is everything. Be Positive and find the cup half full instead half empty. Find players you feel comfortable with that are like you. Have fun but do not be a negative nancy ! (my two cents) Love you guys !!!

 

[Eärendil]

I am an 8 year-veteran who left the game before Trammel, because of all the agression and harrassment. I played all the offline Ultimas and hated the harsh playstyle which was practiced everywhere. The world was crowded, loud and evil. I came back and found the game I have dreamed of for my peaceful hobbit-like playstyle. If you ask me, UO has never been better than now.

 

[Wolfman]

Even if the game end after midnight today. I have wasted money on worse things. Couple wives come to mind.

You actually have time to play UO and have a COUPLE wives? Just amazes me

 

[old gypsy]

I am an 8 year-veteran who left the game before Trammel, because of all the agression and harrassment. I played all the offline Ultimas and hated the harsh playstyle which was practiced everywhere. The world was crowded, loud and evil. I came back and found the game I have dreamed of for my peaceful hobbit-like playstyle. If you ask me, UO has never been better than now.

*nods* I suspect I probably wouldn't be here today if PKs still wandered freely in the land. I occasionally miss some aspects of living in the pre-Trammel world, but that isn't one of them.

 

[Goldberg-Chessy]

1) Players still regularly tame creatures and sell them for nice profits at Luna bank. What's your point?
2) Players have been buying and selling every type of suit of armor on vendors since the beginning of UO. What's your point?

You did not once reference any actual reasons why UO is lesser then it was when you first started playing.
I am certainly not a trained psychologist but you seem to simply be suffering from boredom and nostalgia and nothing can cure that.
That's cool but feeling the need to spread your misguided and depressing personal nostalgia on the boards is weird and detrimental imo

Just sayin...

 

[Spiritless]

UO's biggest problem is that it's failed to evolve. It hasn't got worse in recent times, it just hasn't improved that much either; in-game or out of game.

 

[Smoot]

UO's biggest problem is that it's failed to evolve. It hasn't got worse in recent times, it just hasn't improved that much either; in-game or out of game.

and thats the problem, we're about 5 years behind the times in aspects of UO that could have been easily changed. Marketing, and payment structure.

New content is there, but 80% of it is worthless from what you get out of it.

Armor / mods / weapons updates are very solid (except that most actual weapon / armor boss drops are generally not useful)

New player experience is severely lacking

EM program / live events are excellent and unlike any other game out there

The devs attempt to comunicate, but there methods are end result is extremely inefficient. It almost causes more harm than good imo. Time consuming "meetings" with the devs in actual game while no basic important updates on the login screen.

PVP and challenging gameplay is not the dev teams strongpoint but they they are making an effort.

All in all i am satisfied, it could be alot better with simple changes a modern gamer would find obvious.

 

[Eärendil]

Agreed. Main problems: Up-to-date graphics and ADVERTISING MARKETING PR COMMUNICATION. Call it whatever you want. But if you dont talk about your product, nobody will.

 

[Aran]

Agreed. Main problems: Up-to-date graphics

The graphics are fine.

 

[Viper09]

I think the biggest problem with this game is that it tries to please both PvP and PvE crowds with the small staff that it has while simultaneously trying to juggle both clients.

 

[Ender]

The graphics are fine.

Heh, not really.

 

[weins201]

DLTDHYOTA

TTFN

Wow is cheap

 

[Eärendil]

For my personal purposes the graphics are fine. But not for the mass audience, for all those digital natives, for the smartphone-generation. Maybe we dont need these people. But they make about 95 percent of paying customers in gaming. So, you have to address their taste. Otherwise UO stays the same. Which is fine for me. I like it this way. But...

 

[Spiritless]

I don't really mind the graphics. They are what they are. To change them significantly (to be comparable to modern MMOs) would require so much work it would effectively constitute UO2. The time would probably be better spent starting that and building from the ground up rather than renovating this game. (No a high def remake of the current graphics aren't gonna "wow" anyone to start playing or return.)

Since we're focusing on this UO though, my comments mostly pertained to skill gain, new player experience, private chat/whispers, friends lists, being able to log out right back to the character select screen rather than having to enter your password every time you wanna switch chars, a payment system and online shop that doesn't piss people off... you know the core, basic stuff you'd get in any generic MMO these days which make communicating and playing with people less of a chore.

 

[Kael]

Ultima Online will continue to exist for many, many years. Whether it be through BS or another source it will be around.

 

[Tomarke]

I started playing in 2001 when training combat skills meant beating on the Rotting Corpse in Cov for hours on end. I kinda miss those days, just chatting with people as we sat there working up our skills but it did need to change. Efforts were made after pub 16 to make the game less of a grind but there were always systems in place to get you out of the dungeon grind for a little while -- mine was crafting. Not long after AOS came out I left of another game and then returned about 3 years ago.

What I have noticed over the last couple of years that I really don't like is the push back to the dungeon grind and for that I point to Blackthorn's dungeon. I hate this concept. But unfortunately this is the only way our current dev team thinks of to add any non-pvp content to the game.

I really enjoy crafting and the BOD system along with it. BUT...they "fixed" the ore spawning system which makes it exponentially harder for honest players to gather colored ore (BTW the scripters are still doing just fine) but never adjusted the ore requirements to fill BODs, which was a system implemented back before the ore spawn was "fixed" and ingots were more available to (and yes I'm going to keep saying it) HONEST players. What was the the answer? Go grind in a dungeon to earn points to get a tool to change the color of the ore you mined. I craft to get away from the dungeon grind. So now I have thousands of BODs sitting waiting to be filled because I refuse to buy ingots from the scripters and I would need to spend months upon months of doing nothing but mining just to get a fraction of the ore I need. Thank you for fixing a system which didn't really need to be fixed.

I have found some other distractions so far but I am pretty much to the point where I will do everything I can to keep from walking into another dungeon grind.

So I would like to address the upcoming additions to the game and why I am seriously considering taking another break:

- VvV -- means absolutely nothing to me, I don't PVP and never will. I'm glad these players are getting an update, it is long overdue from what I understand

- Global Loot revamp -- I am somewhat interested in this but ultimately I see it as just expanding the Shame grind for gear to support the min/maxxers (which I am not)

- EC UI redesign/Art -- I couldn't care less about this, I play CC.

- EMs/Player events -- EM events have been ruined for me by the spammers and people who only show up to get drops and ruin everybody else's time. Until the drops are fixed I have given up on this system

- Trader's Quests -- Will keep me entertained for a little while. I'm interested to see how it is actually implemented. Jury is still out on this one.

- Counselor's -- meh. I didn't use them in the old days and really don't see me using them now. I don't even bother with GMs any more. If I have a problem I figure it out for myself, ask here to see if someone else knows of a fix, or live with it.

- UO on Steam -- from what I know of the most of the Steam playerbase, not many of them would be interested in this ancient game. Might bring a few people back but they will more than likely just end up on Atl. Overall an increase to the playerbase is good for the entire game but doesn't really have a bearing on whether or not I keep my accounts open.

Things that I want:

1) Revert the Ore Spawn system back to what it was in 2002 or somehow adjust BOD to be more realistic in their colored ingot requirements.

2) Improvements to the CC to match to additions being made to the EC

3) Make EM events less of a loot/drop grab so that casual players can actually enjoy a storyline.

4) The Dev team to please understand that dungeon grinds are not content. Add questlines to the game that can satisfy many playstyles, not just the most vociferous. There are many other players in this game than just the ones who spend their time shouting in this forum.

 

[Smoot]

The CC graphics are fine, there are retro games with 10 times UO's playerbase.

The EC graphics are Not fine, if marketed to someone who expects the standard 2014 looking mmorpg graphics.

I dont see why the EC couldnt be scrapped in favor of a modern real 3d rendering engine using client. UO is able to be rendered in 3d, many players have done it, its just against current terms of service to do it.

 

[Pinco]

I dont see why the EC couldnt be scrapped in favor of a modern real 3d rendering engine using client. UO is able to be rendered in 3d, many players have done it, its just against current terms of service to do it.

This means to remake the EC client, because as it is now it will not work with 3d models. The only thing that may happen is to have the CC models on EC, but that's it...

 

[Smoot]

This means to remake the EC client, because as it is now it will not work with 3d models. The only thing that may happen is to have the CC models on EC, but that's it...

what do you mean the client? like the UI? its been able to be done for 5 years now. im not a techy tho, maybe its only not possible with OSI / old UO for some reason of coding?

Or yeah, scrap the whole EC client and just make another one thats a little more up to date.

 

[Aran]

UO is able to be rendered in 3d

[citation needed]

The last attempt I saw went over like a flan on a roller coaster.

Edit: Oh, interesting. I hadn't seen Iris2, just the first Iris

 

[Uvtha]

For my personal purposes the graphics are fine. But not for the mass audience, for all those digital natives, for the smartphone-generation. Maybe we dont need these people. But they make about 95 percent of paying customers in gaming. So, you have to address their taste. Otherwise UO stays the same. Which is fine for me. I like it this way. But...

Meh... retro graphics have always remained popular , and the classic graphics are clean and nice looking. I think the biggest problem is the EC graphics because they are clearly a mix of old and new graphics styles and it looks disjointed.

Anyway, they spent a year + on a graphics upgrade, and like 80% is now sitting unused on a back up server someplace. They wont invest in new graphics again.

The best we can expect is "hd" graphics. Personally I think that's fine. UO is what it is. Its not a modern game, so why pretend?

 

[Uvtha]

[citation needed]

The last attempt I saw went over like a flan on a roller coaster.

Edit: Oh, interesting. I hadn't seen Iris2, just the first Iris

It also looks stupid, and just as old if not older than 2d UO. IMO anyway. I cannot believe any modern mmo player would look at that and say: "That looks great I have to play it!"

 

[Tomarke]

The CC graphics are fine, there are retro games with 10 times UO's playerbase.

I don't know if this was directed to my post but my response is the same anyways. I didn't say anything about changing the CC graphics. I prefer the CC graphics to the EC and that is why I still play it. What I would like to see is some of the extras from Pincos UI and even UOA added into the CC client. UOA is a very helpful tool and I don't play without it but the integration isn't exactly seamless. What I would like to see is a more robust CC client with all of the bells and whistles that EC players enjoy and will be enjoying once the curtain is lifted off the new enhancements they are making.

Leave the CC graphics alone. They are just fine the way they are.

My final wish for the CC is to widen the game window. I don't want a change to resolution just more of a viewable area. I don't know if this is possible but I would like most of my 24" inch monitor not to be black background.

 

[Pinco]

what do you mean the client? like the UI? its been able to be done for 5 years now. im not a techy tho, maybe its only not possible with OSI / old UO for some reason of coding?

Or yeah, scrap the whole EC client and just make another one thats a little more up to date.

That link is for iris that is totally a custom client. EC has a 3D engine but it uses 2D sprites for the creatures, and plain 2D images for the items.
In order to make it fully 3D it will require a TOTAL redraw of every item and creature into 3D models, and a TOTAL remake of the client because the current structure is not made for 3D. Probably will require also some serious server rework that will require the CC to be removed.
The cost of something like that is probably very high, it costs like if they have to make a totally new game. So unless this game starts to produce millions, it will never happen.

The only way to have a fully 3D client with a technology of this century, is an UO 2 project. But if you look around the free MMORPG are flooding the market so I don't think there is anyone crazy enough (especially in times like this), to spend millions for a risky project like this
And even if there is, how many people will leave UO for UO 2 when you have to start all over again?

 

[Smoot]

That link is for iris that is totally a custom client. EC has a 3D engine but it uses 2D sprites for the creatures, and plain 2D images for the items.
In order to make it fully 3D it will require a TOTAL redraw of every item and creature into 3D models, and a TOTAL remake of the client because the current structure is not made for 3D. Probably will require also some serious server rework that will require the CC to be removed.
The cost of something like that is probably very high, it costs like if they have to make a totally new game. So unless this game starts to produce millions, it will never happen.

The only way to have a fully 3D client with a technology of this century, is an UO 2 project. But if you look around the free MMORPG are flooding the market so I don't think there is anyone crazy enough (especially in times like this), to spend millions for a risky project like this
And even if there is, how many people will leave UO for UO 2 when you have to start all over again?

agreed. just saying thats what i think the EC we have now Should have looked like. to make it look like that now would just be a waste of time, because its already outdated.

I think the EC could have been alot better, its still not "finished" after half a decade, never looked very good to begin with. hard to use. Hopefully the new UI will help some with an intuitive interface, not much can be done with the graphics i suppose.

 

[Lady Michelle]

* looks around waiting for chicken little to run in and claim the sky is falling*

 

[Dot_Warner]

 

[Ender]

Meh... retro graphics have always remained popular , and the classic graphics are clean and nice looking. I think the biggest problem is the EC graphics because they are clearly a mix of old and new graphics styles and it looks disjointed.

Anyway, they spent a year + on a graphics upgrade, and like 80% is now sitting unused on a back up server someplace. They wont invest in new graphics again.

The best we can expect is "hd" graphics. Personally I think that's fine. UO is what it is. Its not a modern game, so why pretend?

Give me a damn KR art toggle already

 

[Warpig Inc]

You actually have time to play UO and have a COUPLE wives? Just amazes me

Thieving sluts made them X wives. Forgot the X. Ohh for the good old days when a man could just point a finger and say "She's a witch". And the church takes care of the problem saving trees from all that paperwork we have to deal with today. Win Win.

 

[Eärendil]

We forgot ONE decisive point: It should be possible to make a smartphone-client for UO. IMAGINE THIS!!! I WOULD LOVE A SMARTPHONE CLIENT!!! I could play UO in train or bus or waiting for the doctor... Hehe.

Honestly, IF there is a will to widen the population again, there are three promising strategies: (1) TALK about the game! Advertise it! (2) Develop a smartphone-client for everybody! (3) Keep CC and make an amazing new 3D-client.

Content is okay, there is enough space everywhere, housing is fantastic, loads of stuff to do outside.

 

[Pinco]

agreed. just saying thats what i think the EC we have now Should have looked like. to make it look like that now would just be a waste of time, because its already outdated.

I think the EC could have been alot better, its still not "finished" after half a decade, never looked very good to begin with. hard to use. Hopefully the new UI will help some with an intuitive interface, not much can be done with the graphics i suppose.

well, personally I think that if there will be an option to use the CC animations for creatures it will be fine to replace CC completely, because the current animations are what makes it look weird for everyone that likes CC style.
In my wishlist there are several extra features for EC that could make it better such as:
- water puddle while raining (just a local effect)
- footsteps sound (I asked this since day 1 of KR and still they have not added them even if they said yes at the time AND the sound is already inside the client!)
- short footsteps trail (local effect) when you walk on snow/sand and when you get out from a swamp terrain
- a serious day/night cycle and a toggle for the nightsight effect (so you can enjoy the night if you want to).

and there is more, but let's be honest, none of this will ever happen because people doesn't like details (even if the details are what makes the difference between nice and amazing...).

 

[Winter]

...
In my wishlist there are several extra features for EC that could make it better such as:
- water puddle while raining (just a local effect)
...

ESO has one of the best implementations of the water effects in the rain. If possible, put these effects and other weather effects in now!