There is a lesson here for Broadsword Mesanna

[Llewen]

I am not comparing SotA to UO in this thread. This is not a message of doom of any sort, consider it a gentle nudge, or an elephant kick if you prefer.

https://www.shroudoftheavatar.com/?p=45724

Scroll down to the part titled "Chris Spears’ Release 11 Impressions". SotA was just released on Steam. Read that section and take it to heart. Please, do not drop the ball when it comes to the release of UO on Steam.

 

[SpyderBite]

UO will see no advantage to being on Steam unless they lose the monthly subscription.

UO can't compete with the other 1000 mmos that offer optional/no subscriptions already established on Steam.

I was kind of surprised and excited when I heard uo was going to Steam cause I assumed they were finally ditching the subscription model.

Meh.

 

[Llewen]

The SotA "beta" is not "free to play". You have to send them money before you get access to the beta. You basically have to buy the game to gain access to what is a pre-alpha product. UO will see tremendous benefit from being available on Steam, even under the current subscription model. And I'm not convinced that f2p would be anything but a major headache - but that's for a different thread. If the ball gets dropped with regard to Steam it will be one of the two worst things ever to happen to UO.

 

[Uvtha]

The SotA "beta" is not "free to play". You have to send them money before you get access to the beta. You basically have to buy the game to gain access to what is a pre-alpha product. UO will see tremendous benefit from being available on Steam, even under the current subscription model. And I'm not convinced that f2p would be anything but a major headache - but that's for a different thread. If the ball gets dropped with regard to Steam it will be one of the two worst things ever to happen to UO.

I think you're both right. With a sub model it's not going to attract a ton of people, but being on steam will attract SOME people, and not actually following through after bothering to get green lit would just be idiotic.

 

[cazador]

I wouldn't be opposed to FTP on test center only..have complete access but have to deal with shard wipes every 3 months..if people play there and like it may sub up to come back to prodo..it'll bring back vets and new players alike. Plus some of the less populated shard players could go there for fun or to recruit players into PvP on PtP shards

Test would just need a major revamp with better access to items..less Grindy and more jump in play and learn


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SpyderBite]

I am a KS Backer of SotA. I apologize if I didn't mention that.

 

[SpyderBite]

Test Center will be packed and the subscription servers may see a little trickle but nothing more significant than RtB.

Pay $40 up front. Get everything up to High Seas and no subscription. The immediate influx of cash will carry uo through the termination of subs and a reworked online store would give UO brand new life.

I'm sure nobody will agree. But as somebody who has personally spent more than $2500 on f2p games over the past 3 years I can confidently say that there is a huge market for it and a very small market remaining willing to play more than $5/ month for a subscription@

 

[Nexus]

I am a KS Backer of SotA. I apologize if I didn't mention that.

Me too.. Enjoying it.

 

[Dot_Warner]

If the ball gets dropped with regard to Steam it will be one of the two worst things ever to happen to UO.

It already has been.

It's been MONTHS with no visible movement whatsoever regarding Steam.

The Greenlight page is little more than F2P ramblings, private shard ads, and SoTA nonsense. Broadsword squandered their chance.

 

[Viquire]

I think you're both right. With a sub model it's not going to attract a ton of people, but being on steam will attract SOME people, and not actually following through after bothering to get green lit would just be idiotic.

Got to get the game to where the gamers are. *Nods*

 

[Tomarke]

I know that the original point the OP was trying to make was not about FTP but about having UO available on Steam and I apologize that your thread got hi-jacked but I still feel the need to address the FTP fanbois. I came back to UO after the SWG servers closed exactly because the FTP market was booming and UO is a sub based game. I will tell you straight up that if this game ever does go FTP the very next minute my accounts will be closed and I will be gone and I know that I am not the only one. I do not enjoy the immature tourists the FTP model attracts and I continue to play this game precisely because the Sub based model tends to attract a more mature crowd (of course there are always exceptions that prove the rule). I can pretty much guarantee that my money will continue to come to UO for the foreseeable future, if I and the others like me are replaced by the fickle FTP crowd can they make the same claim?

 

[Llewen]

I'm with you Tomarke. I personally think that f2p would make the current disastrous situation regarding scripted game play much worse. You think it was bad with trial accounts, that will be nothing compared to what will happen with f2p. Now if Broadsword actually implemented some kind of automated action against players running illegal third party apps, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But here I am hijacking my own thread...

 

[SpyderBite]

We used to think like you fellows back in 2004. F2P was a nasty word.

However the most populated games are now f2p with or without an optional subscriptions.

Now if you want your own little private playground where no new players will bother you, then you don't need Steam. Steam is not going to attract an influx of new players. Not with a $15 subscription attached to it.

Nostalgia and sentimentality can only carry a game so far. Even the handful of devs we have left have to eat.

 

[Tomarke]

You know what? I'm done, have fun shouting at the rain.

 

[yadiman]

Are they waiting for the billing / account site to be updated? That would be reasonable imo. www.uo.com/Trial is all about DAoC...

 

[SpyderBite]

You know what? I'm done, have fun shouting at the rain.

There's nothing to shout at. Nothing is going to change. If you are content with the way things are then you are fine and Steam is of no concern.

If you have hopes of some mass deluge of players filling up the servers; I suggest you browse the Steam forums and read the heckling that UO is receiving before it has even made it to the Featured page.

 

[Dodger]

I thought about f2p when I started, just add subtle advertising into the game like instead of drinking a health pot you drink a coke, same effect but your teeth fall out.

Would also like to see free phone apps available tied to your player account, just small limited class specific apps that allow you to farm from your phone. Would make an awesome vet reward.

For example say they made a phone app that only allowed you to mine ore in limited areas on you phone but It's tied to your uo acct so whatever you mine is available when you login to your main account. They do the same thing for other classes. Make some vet rewards, make some you pay for.

People like me are time poor so leave the game, but with a small limited app I can play anywhere and gives me an insentive to keep paying and playing.

Please make the cheque out to Saul Goodman if you use this idea because drugs are Hell expensive.

 

[MalagAste]

It already has been.

It's been MONTHS with no visible movement whatsoever regarding Steam.

The Greenlight page is little more than F2P ramblings, private shard ads, and SoTA nonsense. Broadsword squandered their chance.

Yep just like EA seriously dropped the ball for something as unheard of and amazing as a games 15th anniversary! Talk about serious ball dropping. That came and went like it was nothing at all with almost NO press and very little fanfare... should have been front page news on their website and everything else.

But we are I guess the red headed step child swept under the carpet.

 

[Ludes]

Anyone see the new South Park episode about F2P games?

 

[Capt. Lucky]

I must be the only one that thinks Steam is HIGHLY over rated.

 

[popps]

There's nothing to shout at. Nothing is going to change. If you are content with the way things are then you are fine and Steam is of no concern.

If you have hopes of some mass deluge of players filling up the servers; I suggest you browse the Steam forums and read the heckling that UO is receiving before it has even made it to the Featured page.

Well, as a UO player I'd rather see the servers with less players but "quality" players rather then with a lot of players but who will also bring in more troublemakers or scripters or dupers.....

Better less but good then many but bad, IMHO, and I think that the monthly subscription helps maintaining the quality of players in UO.

I am one of those players who would call it a game over for me if Ultima Online ever went Free to Play......

 

[Pinco]

It's too late for UO to became free to play, because in order to work as "free to play" this game need 4 things:
1) be able to attract new players (tied to many factors, mostly marketing).
2) have massive cosmetic possibilities (so they can sell them): things like being able to change the visibile aspect of the items you wear are a must.
3) addicting activities: right now there is just grinding that can be botted, but with some random factors it can be fixed.
4) an incentive to play with others: right now is more a malus than anything playing in party because the loot became soo ridicule that is better to play in solo.

Besides that the graphic could work (right now the pixel art is very appreciated so what we have here can work).

 

[Spiritless]

Just dropping the subscription won't work. The fundamental game systems would have to be modernized and a monetization plan put in place. The new player experience would need to be overhauled, group content would have to be added, the skill gain system would have to be changed, more focused activities would be needed to keep people logging in, etc. It would change UO quite considerably.

 

[Llewen]

There's nothing to shout at. Nothing is going to change. If you are content with the way things are then you are fine and Steam is of no concern.

If you have hopes of some mass deluge of players filling up the servers; I suggest you browse the Steam forums and read the heckling that UO is receiving before it has even made it to the Featured page.

The Steam forums are fairly meaningless when it comes to sales and attracting new players. My guess is that less than 10% of the Steam client base visits the forums on anything remotely resembling a regular basis.

I must be the only one that thinks Steam is HIGHLY over rated.

It doesn't matter what you think of the actual platform. When it comes to selling games Steam is definitely NOT over rated. These days if you want to reach a wider market as a developer of a pc game, Steam is where it's at. They are also attempting to extend their reach into console gaming, although I have my doubts that will be a huge success, but who knows, back when Steam first came out there was no indication whatsoever that it was going to become the industry wide marketing force it has become today.

And I guess again, what makes me want so badly to see this happens is I am familiar with Valve as a game developer, and with their history with Steam. I know they have respect for gamers, and gaming history. They understand what Ultima Online means to the industry, and it's place in the history of gaming, and it will be featured, and given the respect it's due. It won't be as it is with Origin where you only find anything having anything to do with Ultima Online if you know EXACTLY what you are looking for, and enter EXACTLY the right search terms.

If the devs drop the ball on this, it will be the missed opportunity of all missed opportunities. f2p is a completely separate discussion. Without anything changing about UO, Steam will bring new players, and it won't bring just a few.

 

[Ender]

As someone who owns almost 300 games on Steam, yeeeeah, it's kind of a big deal.

I don't see UO being added to Steam doing much to help the population of UO though, personally.

 

[Stubentiger]

I do not enjoy the immature tourists the FTP model attracts and I continue to play this game precisely because the Sub based model tends to attract a more mature crowd

On behalf of the 8 Million WOW players I thank you for recognizing our matureness and confirming that we are not part of the few billion $ ftp noobs!

 

[Stubentiger]

I would say the greenlighting on steam was maybe just a marketing gag.
Get some attention for UO for free.

With Origin EA has its own games platform anyway, so I am surprised they use steam.

 

[Kayne.]

Sota was the worst mistake I've ever backed.

 

[Peekay]

How dull.

 

[Nexus]

On behalf of the 8 Million WOW players I thank you for recognizing our matureness and confirming that we are not part of the few billion $ ftp noobs!

Blizzard cost you guys the mature vote when their world builders only received the pastel crayons

 

[The Craftsman]

I am not comparing SotA to UO in this thread. This is not a message of doom of any sort, consider it a gentle nudge, or an elephant kick if you prefer.

https://www.shroudoftheavatar.com/?p=45724

Scroll down to the part titled "Chris Spears’ Release 11 Impressions". SotA was just released on Steam. Read that section and take it to heart. Please, do not drop the ball when it comes to the release of UO on Steam.

Wow! Id never heard of this game. I was considering reactivating one or both of my UO accounts but took one look at this and used my cash to make a pledge instead. Housing and crafting looks awesome.

 

[Smoot]

It's too late for UO to became free to play, because in order to work as "free to play" this game need 4 things:
1) be able to attract new players (tied to many factors, mostly marketing).
2) have massive cosmetic possibilities (so they can sell them): things like being able to change the visibile aspect of the items you wear are a must.
3) addicting activities: right now there is just grinding that can be botted, but with some random factors it can be fixed.
4) an incentive to play with others: right now is more a malus than anything playing in party because the loot became soo ridicule that is better to play in solo.

Besides that the graphic could work (right now the pixel art is very appreciated so what we have here can work).

are we playing the same game? UO is perfect for a ftp game. it has lots of extras for revenue, is "grindy" only if you go for the "free" version (like dont buy tokens, sots, etc, more of which could be added as pay features) honestly i can set up a playable character in about an hour that is competitive for lots of UO content. (pvp excluded that takes a little more time but can even do that "cookie cutter" and get by)
tons of customization
appeals to retro gamers
appeals to young gamers whos parents might not let them play more modern, graphic games
remember graphics doesnt make a game (example minecraft)

if UO had gone ftp 5 years ago the population would most likely be at least 400% what it is now and most likely making double revenue, maybe more.

 

[The Craftsman]

are we playing the same game? UO is perfect for a ftp game. it has lots of extras for revenue, is "grindy" only if you go for the "free" version (like dont buy tokens, sots, etc, more of which could be added as pay features) honestly i can set up a playable character in about an hour that is competitive for lots of UO content. (pvp excluded that takes a little more time but can even do that "cookie cutter" and get by)
tons of customization
appeals to retro gamers
appeals to young gamers whos parents might not let them play more modern, graphic games
remember graphics doesnt make a game (example minecraft)

if UO had gone ftp 5 years ago the population would most likely be at least 400% what it is now and most likely making double revenue, maybe more.

I couldnt agree more. There are literraly dozens of different ways that different price points could have been implemented from F2P to full subscription. Number of characters, skill point caps, accessing different land masses, housing options from none to small houses only to non customisables right up to castles, guild joining options, stable options, bod options, powerscrolls, etc etc. There are endless options to facilitate F2P and fund the game by allowing people to pay to customise their game experience through the store. Steam was the perfect platform to implement this but as usual the short sighted muppets in charge completely miss the opportunity

 

[Lord Lew]

Sota was the worst mistake I've ever backed.

If you have a founders account there are several that would like to buy it in our guild!

 

[SoulWeaver]

If you have a founders account there are several that would like to buy it in our guild!

I have a founders accounts I may consider getting rid of.

Knight Status

With:

Village Lot Property Deeds (digital)
The 6-Pack of Prosperity (digital)
Village Mine 5-Story Basement (digital)
Ye Olde Hot Tub (digital)

Icq: 426394637

 

[Fizzleton]

First: I really don't think it's a "FTP vs sub" - issue. WoW was mentioned before, it is also a sub-based game with tons of players. It is the game that is attractive or not, not the question, how you put your money into it. FTP may be attractive for kids having small monthly budgets and who want to be free to "hop around" the gaming world, but UO is played by mature people with an income, and spending 12 Euros per month having fun is no issue at all for most of them.

Second: most of the posts are written by veterans who know what to do ingame. I once took my kids to uo (son and daughter), and at first they liked it (Papa, there is a blackrock elemental standing in front of us... - "RUN!!!"), but very soon after they dropped it. Why? Because the game was too complex for them! They didn't know what to do, they were completely overwhelmed by properties (what is a good item to keep?), they didn't understand what makes a template effective or not, etc. etc. Most unattractve was the first point - not knowing of what to do in this complex world and getting "lost" in opportunities...

 

[Dodger]

I am gunna say again, the majority of uo players are time poor. Some have grown up and have families of their own. The Perfect way to regenerate some interest in the game is through smartphone apps that allow a player with an existing active account limited access through a phone app to mine, craft, or banksit or PvP or whatever.

 

[Lord Lew]

I am gunna say again, the majority of uo players are time poor. Some have grown up and have families of their own. The Perfect way to regenerate some interest in the game is through smartphone apps that allow a player with an existing active account limited access through a phone app to mine, craft, or banksit or PvP or whatever.

Ok that's crazy talk!

The mishmash of code over 17 years would make that an impossible task, I don't even know where they would begin.

 

[Dodger]

They open small New areas just for the apps.

It could attract a lot of new players and would be better appreciated than Xmas ice you cant smoke.