Vet Rewards

[Captn Norrington]

Those tickets are kinda junk ya know Dodger, so I wouldn't really consider it exploiting lol. The best thing on them is a 32 spell spellbook, with no properties at all, just a plain book. Amazingly all the other rewards are even worse. They used to be ok when the game was new, but now...they're junk.

 

[Warpig Inc]

The eth ride rewards should of been left year pick and use. Any UO player having an issue with that needs to go back to playing Farmville or Bubble Town. The rides have a status of time done. Now those that want everything without any effort. Get their wishes granted speaking through the keyboard with no need to remove their wabba.

No ride is any better then the next. They should of been left alone. Could go on about the robes also. That would be petty. The Black one always gave an advantage at the fel Yew moongate.

 

[Apetul]

No 15+ yr vet will stop playing just because devs arent releasing reward that are only used by +15yr vets... so who cares.

15yr vets should be grateful that this game is still alive.

 

[Uvtha]

I do completely understand that people feel like the devs are being unfair to their most loyal customers, I was pretty offended at first when they made vet rewards usable by anyone, but after about 2 years of seeing how happy that made all the players who don't have old vet accounts, I believe it was worth it. Same applies for this, would I like to be one of only a few who have a 17 year reward? of course, but I would be much happier knowing that hundreds of players are enjoying the new gifts, instead of just me and a few others.

Holy cow was that change really two years ago??!

 

[Uvtha]

The eth ride rewards should of been left year pick and use. Any UO player having an issue with that needs to go back to playing Farmville or Bubble Town. The rides have a status of time done. Now those that want everything without any effort. Get their wishes granted speaking through the keyboard with no need to remove their wabba.

No ride is any better then the next. They should of been left alone. Could go on about the robes also. That would be petty. The Black one always gave an advantage at the fel Yew moongate.

But there is still effort involved, in fact there is NOW effort involed where before there was none. Keeping your account active for years can hardly be considered effort.
Players must now come up with the gold to buy rewards they can't choose and they only get sold (or gifted) by someone old enough to claim them. If people got mad about anyone being able to pick any gift that would be much more reasonable to me, but that's not the case. If vets really cared about their status then nothing would change because no one would sell status items to younger accounts, as that is the only way younger players can get them.
Clearly that wasn't the case. Vets still have the advantage, they just also now have the freedom to choose what they want to do with their picks.

I admit I was all for this change being a 16 year old vet who doesn't give a rats ass about "Status" in a video game, and thinks the concept is pretty ridiculous, but to each his own.

 

[Tranquility]

[New Player]: I have a few questions can anyone help me out?

[Veteran]: Sure I’d be happy to. What’s your first question?

[New Player]: That 17th Year Reward Dragon Saddle that allows you to mount Dragons. How do I get one?

[Veteran]: Well when did you start?

[New Player]: I just started playing a week ago.

[Veteran]: Oh well in that case you won’t be able to choose that as a reward until 2032. You have to wait 17 years.

[Veteran]: What was your other question?

[Veteran]: Hello?

[Veteran]: Hello?

[Veteran]: Anyone there?

[Veteran]: Hello?

Welcome to Ultima Online New player.

 

[Lady Storm]

Ok people... vet rewards usualy are out sometime in October... early November. This is a bit on the early side to start yelling.

 

[popps]

I was wondering about it, but that's not the same as being concerned about it. Truth is, there is enough cool/fun stuff in this game for everyone to enjoy, regardless of how many years they've been playing.

Well yes, there's plenty in the game to enjoy it but that's the same with all commercial products out there...

Customers, usually, purchase products or services because they need them, not just because they like the companies which make or service them... That is, they get already their money worth back from using that product or service without the need for rewards ....

Yet, that said and nonetheless, I seem to reckon that it is common commercial practise for several businesses to issue rewards, prizes, promotions etc. as a token of appreciation from them to their customers who tend to favour their products or services over competitors'....

Ultima Online's Veteran Rewards program I see it pretty much as that, and rightfully so. Only, in my opinion, to better serve the purpose to appreciate customers loyalty to UO, it should not have stopped at 15 Years when UO's customers keep being loyal well beyond those 15 years of active account age.....

As I said, imagine when Ultima Online will be 25 or 30 years of age and there will be players still having their accounts active even at that whopping active age..... they will see the value of them as customers be recognized by the company who owns the game just the same as other players who had the account for 15 years only, about half their accounts' age ? Others may be fine with this, I simply am not because to me a player who was loyal to the game for 25 or 30 years cannot be recognized as one who was loyal only for 15 years.

 

[popps]

[New Player]: I have a few questions can anyone help me out?

[Veteran]: Sure I’d be happy to. What’s your first question?

[New Player]: That 17th Year Reward Dragon Saddle that allows you to mount Dragons. How do I get one?

[Veteran]: Well when did you start?

[New Player]: I just started playing a week ago.

[Veteran]: Oh well in that case you won’t be able to choose that as a reward until 2032. You have to wait 17 years.

[Veteran]: What was your other question?

[Veteran]: Hello?

[Veteran]: Hello?

[Veteran]: Anyone there?

[Veteran]: Hello?

Welcome to Ultima Online New player.

I would imagine a slightly different discussion....
Like.....

[New Player]: I have a few questions can anyone help me out?

[Veteran]: Sure I’d be happy to. What’s your first question?

[New Player]: That 17th Year Reward Dragon Saddle that allows you to mount Dragons. How do I get one?

[Veteran]: You will be able to claim it when your account turns of 17 Years active age like everyone else BUT, if you get a Veteran player who can claim it for you you will be able to use it just fine right now...

[New Player]: Cool ! Let me ask in my Guild or in General Chat or on the Forums if there is a Veteran player eligible to claim them who can help me out getting one ! Thanks for the info !

[Veteran]: Another tip, also.... make sure to attend Events on your Shards as well as on other Shards because those items can sell for hundreds of millions of gold. You might easily and fastly earn lots of gold to then use to buy whatever you may need in the game, including this Saddle you seem to want so much......

[New Player]:Wow, that's wonderfull tips, thanks a whole lot again ! I am off to checking about Events schedules and make lots of gold in UO in no time !! UO is a great game !!

Not to mention, that many Veteran Rewards can be claimed by low years active age accounts....

 

[Warpig Inc]

But there is still effort involved, in fact there is NOW effort involed where before there was none. Keeping your account active for years can hardly be considered effort.
Players must now come up with the gold to buy rewards they can't choose and they only get sold (or gifted) by someone old enough to claim them. If people got mad about anyone being able to pick any gift that would be much more reasonable to me, but that's not the case. If vets really cared about their status then nothing would change because no one would sell status items to younger accounts, as that is the only way younger players can get them.
Clearly that wasn't the case. Vets still have the advantage, they just also now have the freedom to choose what they want to do with their picks.

I admit I was all for this change being a 16 year old vet who doesn't give a rats ass about "Status" in a video game, and thinks the concept is pretty ridiculous, but to each his own.

Your exactly right. They bent removing the age required to use any eth rides. Age to pick would of never been an issue. If the age to use was never changed then there would of never been any selling to younger accounts issues. 0 none no nadda zip gold earning tears to be shed. If people can not learn patience and hard work has it's rewards in a fake world. What point is there bending to their whims. They are just going to slit their wrist in the near future in the real world anyways. It is bad enough theese weak minded types are ruining the real world, so stop messing up my fake world. Castles and sportscar eths for everyone "aannnnnndd here's your sucker" Someday the human race will learn to let the weak freeze to death. Just slowing up the rest when the bar is lowered for those that can not walk up hill both directions in waist deep snow. And be thankful for the snow cone and cold shower at the end.

If their is no attempt going to be made to draw back vet players. Then at least make a market for those vets to sell their aged accounts. Not everyone wants to drink the water downed weak KoolAid.

 

[Viquire]

I completely get the new player vs vet player argument and the notion of Noblesse Oblige in the gaming community in general, but the notion that anyone should be able to start up, and immediately have access to everything a veteran player has access to, is dangerous at best.

And, guilds are guilty, some more than others, about trying to appease these desires in the hopes that a welcoming and providing community will produce an active and productive player and community member. However, over the course of the years, it is obvious that the folks that stay and choose to participate are the ones who learned and earned their characters, mostly, for themselves. I have seen a lot of resources wasted on equipment that was lost through lack of repair, or lack of insurance, while a newer player tried to get their feet under them and became familiar with what works for their template, and what does not.

And if a new player were to want to leave, just because they couldn't have a dragon saddle that they saw mentioned on the internet somewhere with zero idea what it would actually mean, in game, to ride your greater dragon,..well, I wouldn't be the one standing in their way.

 

[old gypsy]

Well yes, there's plenty in the game to enjoy it but that's the same with all commercial products out there...

Customers, usually, purchase products or services because they need them, not just because they like the companies which make or service them... That is, they get already their money worth back from using that product or service without the need for rewards ....

Yet, that said and nonetheless, I seem to reckon that it is common commercial practise for several businesses to issue rewards, prizes, promotions etc. as a token of appreciation from them to their customers who tend to favour their products or services over competitors'....

Ultima Online's Veteran Rewards program I see it pretty much as that, and rightfully so. Only, in my opinion, to better serve the purpose to appreciate customers loyalty to UO, it should not have stopped at 15 Years when UO's customers keep being loyal well beyond those 15 years of active account age.....

As I said, imagine when Ultima Online will be 25 or 30 years of age and there will be players still having their accounts active even at that whopping active age..... they will see the value of them as customers be recognized by the company who owns the game just the same as other players who had the account for 15 years only, about half their accounts' age ? Others may be fine with this, I simply am not because to me a player who was loyal to the game for 25 or 30 years cannot be recognized as one who was loyal only for 15 years.

I respect your viewpoint, popps, and will agree to disagree on the importance of new vet rewards. You did make me chuckle a bit, though, when you wrote, "Customers, usually, purchase products or services because they need them..." I think the word "want" should have been used there instead of the word, "need".

 

[Uvtha]

Someday the human race will learn to let the weak freeze to death.

Yes, if only one day the "strong" (people whining about system changes in antiquated video games clearly chief among said "strong") could go through and cull the heard of "weaklings".

 

[Uvtha]

I completely get the new player vs vet player argument and the notion of Noblesse Oblige in the gaming community in general, but the notion that anyone should be able to start up, and immediately have access to everything a veteran player has access to, is dangerous at best.

Yes, but that's not what happened. People weren't given access to what vets have access to... they were give the opportunity to EARN anything a vet can earn. Which is how it should be IMO.
It's not like a newb can come in an be riding an ethy tiger day two. It would probably take years to know the game well enough to earn the money to buy such an item, assuming they can find someone willing to sell one.

On the other hand if someone wants to give some random newb millions in gear, or one of his 16 year vet picks, who are you are I to tell him no?

I don't like artificial barriers. I don't see the value in them. Especially when it's to protect pointless things like vanity items that when limited to age only serve to meaninglessly elevate certain players over other players.

 

[popps]

It's not like a newb can come in an be riding an ethy tiger day two. It would probably take years to know the game well enough to earn the money to buy such an item, assuming they can find someone willing to sell one.

Are you sure about that ?

I heard that Event items can make UO players, even if they just started playing that same day, UO millionaires right away....
Event items have been selling for over, and sometimes WELL over, 100 millions UO gold........

And it is not particularly difficult to get them (i.e. all participants share moreless the same chances) ...........

 

[Uvtha]

Are you sure about that ?

I heard that Event items can make UO players, even if they just started playing that same day, UO millionaires right away....
Event items have been selling for over, and sometimes WELL over, 100 millions UO gold........

And anyone (and rightfully so) can get them...........

That's certainly a possibility, but clearly an exceptional one. Honestly I would rather see event items be less like they are now with people winning a lottery with some uber rare item.

 

[Capt. Lucky]

That's certainly a possibility, but clearly an exceptional one. Honestly I would rather see event items be less like they are now with people winning a lottery with some uber rare item.

I was thinking the same thing. Hitting on a valuable event item is pretty much like hitting the lotto. People were talking about ethys. My favorite is the regular horse, although I like it normal hued and not invisible. Some of the "uber" things people ride I think are laughable. But regardless we should be focusing on the new player. That's where they need to spend our limited dev resources if we expect any future for UO. And it's not even that they don't want to add new items, it's the greed (ego, vanity, whatever you want to call it) that only someone can get it who's been here 20 years, lol. That's just pathetic. The people I respect in game aren't riding tigers with uber vet robes (although there are always some that are cool people). The one's I respect are the ones who kick butt, sponsor events, and help fellow players. And you know who they are by name usually long before you ever see what they ride, because they are known for their works and deeds. When I see someone sporting all the vet toys I tend to think "bank sitter".

 

[Uvtha]

The people I respect in game aren't riding tigers with uber vet robes (although there are always some that are cool people). The one's I respect are the ones who kick butt, sponsor events, and help fellow players. And you know who they are by name usually long before you ever see what they ride, because they are known for their works and deeds.

This +1000.

Also I don't think you need to sacrifice vet players to attract new players, then again I personally see allowing people to sell their vet picks where before they were unable as a boon rather than a insult to vets.

 

[Capt. Lucky]

This +1000.

Also I don't think you need to sacrifice vet players to attract new players, then again I personally see allowing people to sell their vet picks where before they were unable as a boon rather than a insult to vets.

I respect the vet players who kept the game going when I wandered off to try new things. But no one has ever said they won't get new things. They are just locking the max at 15 years. At some point you gotta do something. Who's gonna get that 52 year vet reward anyway? lol

 

[Viquire]

Yes, but that's not what happened. People weren't given access to what vets have access to... they were give the opportunity to EARN anything a vet can earn. Which is how it should be IMO.
It's not like a newb can come in an be riding an ethy tiger day two. It would probably take years to know the game well enough to earn the money to buy such an item, assuming they can find someone willing to sell one.

On the other hand if someone wants to give some random newb millions in gear, or one of his 16 year vet picks, who are you are I to tell him no?

I don't like artificial barriers. I don't see the value in them. Especially when it's to protect pointless things like vanity items that when limited to age only serve to meaninglessly elevate certain players over other players.

Yes I agree. I don't like artificial barriers either.
My reply was mostly to the notion, previously in the thread, that some new players would just go away if they could not get access to "what they wanted" cause they read about it here, or on some other UO site, right away. Now, those that show up and ask how they can get a piece of equipment, and I don't mean by buying gold and paying millions for 1337 gear, are the ones I enjoy. I am happy to give away my experience, and really, I'm happy to help people get started. But there are reasonable limits to what I am willing to put in the trade window for little or nothing in return.

 

[Capt. Lucky]

Just to clarify. I'm not saying I don't appreciate someone that's been here 17 years. And they will be getting new eye candy. But the resources we have now are valuable and limited. UO has reached a point where our effort should be to attract the new and returning player and not the vet. Toys mean nothing if the game isn't healthy. My efforts would be to see there's someone here to show your vet toys off to. Our goal should be the new player and returning player and not so much the veteran. It's the attitude that needs to change if we expect to continue.

 

[Viquire]

Just to clarify. I'm not saying I don't appreciate someone that's been here 17 years. And they will be getting new eye candy. But the resources we have now are valuable and limited. UO has reached a point where our effort should be to attract the new and returning player and not the vet. Toys mean nothing if the game isn't healthy. My efforts would be to see there's someone here to show your vet toys off to. Our goal should be the new player and returning player and not so much the veteran. It's the attitude that needs to change if we expect to continue.

Its a fine line we have to walk. To maintain the base while we grow the base.

 

[Nexus]

I am all in favour of rewards being usable also for younger years accounts regardless of what year can claim them. No problem with that.
Qualifying year to claim a Vet reward is one thing, eligibility to use it is another.... they can well be kept separate like with a certain year be needed to claim them but all years be capable to use them.....

I do disagree wholeheartedly, though, that a 20, 30 or 40 years old active account should be rewarded just like a 15 years old one....

Personally, I think that Veteran Rewards should go back to be awarded to the top Year as well as some rewards for lower years, but all Rewards be at the same time usable by any year account. Stopping them at 15 years is way too much a slap in the face of those customers who stayed most loyal to Ultima Online, IMHO.

They aren't rewarded just like a 15 year old account, they have accumulated a total number of reward choices beyond what a 15 year account has. The items themselves are immaterial in the game world until claimed, it is the right to claim (and total number of rights to claim over time) them that is the reward not the item itself.

 

[Uvtha]

Yes I agree. I don't like artificial barriers either.
My reply was mostly to the notion, previously in the thread, that some new players would just go away if they could not get access to "what they wanted" cause they read about it here, or on some other UO site, right away. Now, those that show up and ask how they can get a piece of equipment, and I don't mean by buying gold and paying millions for 1337 gear, are the ones I enjoy. I am happy to give away my experience, and really, I'm happy to help people get started. But there are reasonable limits to what I am willing to put in the trade window for little or nothing in return.

I don't think they would either. It might add to the general sense of hopelessness I think a lot of new players get hit with initially when they see how much stuff has stacked up over 17 years and how impossible it seems to catch up. But I think if you play a while you can see it's not nearly as daunting as it seems.

I was annoyed about untradable vet rewards like I am annoyed about character bound items, or quest items we can't remove from our bags. Stuff like that really annoy me because they seem to just inhibit fully exploring the game and what you can do.

 

[TandaBSK]

Perhaps the solution is to change the name, from veteran rewards to customer appreciation. Those who have met or exceeded the 15 year mark could perhaps be recognized in another means, the title system is on, perhaps a pennant or other display that is posted in the yard in front of your house. Most who have been around that long have at least 1 house that isn't going anywhere save some catastrophic event, or a shard based legacy hall 1 character name your choice from the old account etched into the memorial park. Has to be a means to foster both long term loyalty and not send a message to newer players that they aren't appreciated. Maybe a gold plaque for all of us who have surpassed the $1.000.00 mark in paid monthly subscriptions, heck I know some for whom that number happens 1x a year.

 

[Captn Norrington]

Holy cow was that change really two years ago??!

Yep, lol. they did it sometime around the 15th anniversary, now we just celebrated the 17th. Amazing how fast time goes by.

 

[Captn Norrington]

Someday the human race will learn to let the weak freeze to death. Just slowing up the rest when the bar is lowered for those that can not walk up hill both directions in waist deep snow. And be thankful for the snow cone and cold shower at the end.

You do realize if humans did "let the weak freeze to death" then none of us would exist right? All of us have at least one ancestor at some time in history who was weak. If they had died because no one would help them, guess what, we would never have been born.

 

[Ruppy2]

Wait till December, just like the last half-dozen years.

Well said...last year, I believe, was the first year in at least 6 years that the announced vet rewards did not include a unique reward for the oldest veterans....Ill go back and check.

 

[kelmo]

15 is enough. I also like that they add rewards at several levels,

 

[Uvtha]

Yep, lol. they did it sometime around the 15th anniversary, now we just celebrated the 17th. Amazing how fast time goes by.

Yeah man, I was thinking it was like... late last year or something. Then again I keep thinking of 2009 as recently. Aging bro, who needs it. :/

 

[Rieley]

So do most here feel there will be something new added? I only ask if anything has been said because I don't want to use my last picks if new choices are available.

This is by far my favorite time of year in UO, Samhain, anny gifts, possibly turkeys, and holiday season.

 

[Captn Norrington]

So do most here feel there will be something new added? I only ask if anything has been said because I don't want to use my last picks if new choices are available.

Like I posted above, the developers said last year they will never be making a 16th or above veteran item. they will all be 15th or below forever if the developers don't change their mind.

However, they will still add new veteran items, they will just be lower years, like a 5th anny or 10th anny.

 

[Maximus Neximus]

I'm still waiting for the vet reward that lets you pick a higher vet reward!

IE. You have an 6th year account but want the 8th year Davie's Locker? It takes 3 reward choices instead of one to make up for the two year gap.

You still wouldn't be able to claim a 15th year reward until year 6... +3+1+1+1+1+2=15

I don't know. I'd like something to make vet rewards more available. If my accounts weren't as old as they are, I guarantee I wouldn't like the system as is.

 

[popps]

Like I posted above, the developers said last year they will never be making a 16th or above veteran item. they will all be 15th or below forever if the developers don't change their mind.

Well, I still hope that they see how big a slap in the face of Veteran players who have been (and still are...) supporting the game for 17 long years now, has been to stop Vet rewards at 15 years, and actually change their mind and bring back at least 1 top Year new Vet Reward as it was removing the 15 Years block.

The only change that was needed, IMHO, was to make all Veteran Rewards usable by any age account (barred Shard Shields). Only the claiming of them should have been restricted to a given year. The blocking Vet reward at 15 Years was, IMHO, unneeded overdoing and a slap in the face to Veteran Players.

If at all, "perhaps" what Maximus Neximus suggests here http://stratics.com/community/threads/vet-rewards.322479/page-2#post-2441764 could be a decent compromise if well done.

That is, remove the 15 Years block and again bring a new Veteran reward only claimable by the oldest active account age (along with a few other rewards claimable also by lower years as it has been so far...) BUT, at the same time introduce a system where using 2/3 picks could allow one to get the reward for the following year.

I will make an example to clear out better the concept.

Let's say that the 15 Years block gets removed for good (Hurray !!) and this Year comes a cool W.C. toilet that only 17 Years old active accounts can claim (but once claimed all accouts will be able to use it....).

Now, let's say there is a 16 Years account player who would dearly want this W.C. toilet but being 16 Years, he/she cannot claim it. By using 2/3 picks with the newly introduced change he/she now can !! That is, if he/she wants so much the W.C. toilet even if he/she is 1 year short, still by using more picks (2/3) he/she can jump one year of active account age and get the item !

A player who is currently 15 years account age, will need to use up 4/6 picks to claim that 17th Years W.C. toiled item he/she wants so much. And so forth going down to even younger age accounts.....

This system will still be fair to older veteran players than the current one which blocks rewards at 15 years AND allow younger accounts players to jump a few year at the expense of more picks, to get an item which they really want very much.

Personally, I think this would be a decent and good compromise, MUCH better than the system we have now that blocks rewards at 15 years...

 

[Warpig Inc]

I'm still waiting for the vet reward that lets you pick a higher vet reward!

IE. You have an 6th year account but want the 8th year Davie's Locker? It takes 3 reward choices instead of one to make up for the two year gap.

You still wouldn't be able to claim a 15th year reward until year 6... +3+1+1+1+1+2=15

I don't know. I'd like something to make vet rewards more available. If my accounts weren't as old as they are, I guarantee I wouldn't like the system as is.

That is the big issue. Rewards that are really usefull to every age should have no limit to use or pick. Something that is bling and is nothing special being an artwork pasteover should be age locked to throw vets a bone. Trying to put rewards like the tiger and the shard shield in the same boat is silly. Those that think the polar bear and the tiger should be treated equal have not grown hair in those special places yet. And the code mages that thought the change would be good, "puff - puff - pass" When the polar bear came out it was huge. Problem is it was so long ago few are left around that was there when hanging out at the bank was also not a bad thing.