Illshenar Reborn Stygian Abyss Update?

[Nails Warstein]

This event reminds me when Illshenar appeared on the scene over 7 years ago, and later when paragons were first introduced. In Anticipation for UOs first expansion in over FOUR YEARS, originally planned for 2007, will Stygian Abyss introduce not only gargoyle player characters, but perhaps the deepest dungeon in the history of MMORPGs? Will there be more event scenarios like the one we are all enjoying now?

If the ultima on-line task force at the newly named www.mythicentertainment.com/ can accomplish this daunting task, will it be enough for the loyal dedicated players like ourselves? For me, yes because I am deeply invested in the success of this game. However would it not be practical to introduce the Stygian Abyss as quickly as possible? It is long over overdue bugs and all. They are going to be there no matter what. If that's not at all possible, I feel at this time it would be more rewarding to consider including an additional "expansion like" add-ons with the expansion in light of our very long wait?

These additions could be all the bug fixes everyone justly complains about. They could also include more races, more skills, with more spells for spellcasters, and more special moves for warriors? Particularily a form of martial arts spell like moves for the latter. I personally feel if the dungeon under Illshenar were expanded and interconnected with the surface, an underworld race could even be considered. Ones weakened by the game's daylight, and strengthed by the dark night along with armor that only has its special properties in the darkness. Maybe I am wrong, but would it not be as easy as including this concept with the code that makes nightsight work?

If any or all of this could be done, I really hope that Illshenar will be settled with new towns in the vacant ruins occupied by the meer, the juka, the pixies, the angels, the savages, and the gargoyles so we can supply ourselves before entering the Stygian Abyss. Not housing, just towns to use. Hopefully there will be safe havens in the dungeons to relax or one way escapes back to the surface along the way.

These are just thoughts to flame or run with. I have more forthcoming in the next few days from skills, spells, professions, ingredients, weapons, armor, and more. I hope they at least make for interesting reading. All input is welcomed and considered.

 

[Omnicron]

I just want to be able to crawl the Stygian Abyss. Ultima Underworld is/was one of my favorite computer games. The music was top notch, the graphics at the time were fantastic, the lore was awsome and story was pretty deep. I still play that game occasionally, and hope that they make the dungeon something close to what it was in the game, IF they do make it.

 

[Omnius]

I had high hopes of it being in felucca to be perfectly honest. A massive realm beneath most of mainland brittania would be awesome.

 

[Prince Caspian]

We'll get it when Duke Nukem Forever comes out.

 

[Connor_Graham]

I had high hopes of it being in felucca to be perfectly honest.

EA/Mythic would have to be complete idiots to make an expansion that was Fel only, no offense intended. The majority of the playerbase plays on the Tram side. Making an expansion Fel only would pretty much kill the expansion.

 

[love2winalot]

Not saying a single word about it in over a year has already killed the expansion. KR not being accepted by the majority of the player base is what keeps the expansion dead.

 

[legendsguy]

kill the expansion? kill the game probably. why not just make a siege perilous-only expansion

 

[Doomsday Dragon]

EA/Mythic would have to be complete idiots to make an expansion that was Fel only, no offense intended. The majority of the playerbase plays on the Tram side. Making an expansion Fel only would pretty much kill the expansion.

Only in your opinion.

 

[Omnicron]

When Khaldun first came out people loved it. It was constantly busy...alot of trammel players were there too. They added teh revenants to make sure the PKs had a hard time killing anyone there...I think that would work with a new dungeon as well. I dont think it would kill the exspansion, just make players get out of their comfort zone. I mean really, with item insurance, what do you have to lose other than a little gold?

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

We'll get it when Duke Nukem Forever comes out.

And it will STILL beat Darkfall to the shelves

 

[Sneaky Que]

EA/Mythic would have to be complete idiots to make an expansion that was Fel only, no offense intended. The majority of the playerbase plays on the Tram side. Making an expansion Fel only would pretty much kill the expansion.

Making a fel only expansion would bring back soooo many players its not funny, for every one of your majority of Trammies I would be willing to bet there is just as many, if not many more frustrated ex-UO players that would jump at the chance to get back into PvP if the attention was given to it (which it is starting to be actually, see factions...). The only reason there is a majority of Trammies is because the game has been geared towards Trammel ever since Ren, we all know this.

Now I dont think they should make SA fel only, what I do think though is they should give each rule set its own unique content, instead of this 'mirror' garbage where all fel gets is Trammels regurgitated content.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

I believe it was stated that portions of the Stygian Abyss would be Fel rules and portions Tram rules, but not sure how they plan on having THAT work.

I have to agree... Fel DOES need some of its own content and not a mirror of Tram's additions.

Here's hoping that the ongoing Factions Revamp are a part of this.

 

[Ender]

...

I believe it was stated that portions of the Stygian Abyss would be Fel rules and portions Tram rules, but not sure how they plan on having THAT work.

I have to agree... Fel DOES need some of its own content and not a mirror of Tram's additions.

Here's hoping that the ongoing Factions Revamp are a part of this.

I don't remember ever hearing that... And there's almost no information about SA as of now, so I highly doubt that is true.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

This was EARLY on on the unveiling of KR and SA (when they announced that KR would be fiurst and SA would be the separate expansion). I'll see if I can dig it up... it would have been in the SA forum pre-board crash, and I THINK it was in one of the town hall videos (back when they were unveiling KR early-beta). So the info is well over a year and a half old.

Let me see what I can find, but if I recall correctly, there would be entrances scattered in various facets, dungeon would be largest in UO, portions would be Tram, portions would be Fel.

 

[Omnius]

EA/Mythic would have to be complete idiots to make an expansion that was Fel only, no offense intended. The majority of the playerbase plays on the Tram side. Making an expansion Fel only would pretty much kill the expansion.

I don't mean to be a jerk but all the major games coming out are pvp oriented. UO is item protecting. You live in absolute safety and never lose your belongings unless you're careless or using 3rd party programs. There are no longer any excuses why not to make a pvp oriented expansion, for one it might just bring in new blood (and many that left us due to the current expansions).

I don't mean to cause a tram v fel debate. It's simply interesting how the MMO market has turned to cater to diverse markets. It does take the wind out of many an argument's sails.

it's not one-sided and change is what UO seems to need with it's declining populations and decaying communities.

 

[Cogniac]

I am of the opinion that the Abyss itself should be randomized a la Diablo or Mythos. Perhaps the entire thing can randomize at each server up, and certain smaller sections can be entire mini dungeons that instance in the style of the ML dungeon boss battles and randomize for each group that goes in.

 

[prison bound]

We'll get it when Duke Nukem Forever comes out.

isnt that coming out next week?

 

[phantus]

I had high hopes of it being in felucca to be perfectly honest.

EA/Mythic would have to be complete idiots to make an expansion that was Fel only, no offense intended. The majority of the playerbase plays on the Tram side. Making an expansion Fel only would pretty much kill the expansion.

All fel rules would be an undeniably mistake. Making some parts contested would be prudent however. Of course, this is Mythic. They cannot make a game without the RvR spin on it so expect something along those lines. A shame turbine couldn't come up with the capital to launch Warhammer. It was 100 times the game Mythic is putting out and the pvp would have been far superior.

 

[Omnicron]

All fel rules would be an undeniably mistake.

I dont agree. It would force people to get out and try something new and get out of their comfort zone. I think it would be a good shot of adrenaline for the game. Just my opinion though.

 

[Ravenspyre]

Making a fel only expansion would bring back soooo many players its not funny, for every one of your majority of Trammies I would be willing to bet there is just as many, if not many more frustrated ex-UO players that would jump at the chance to get back into PvP if the attention was given to it (which it is starting to be actually, see factions...). The only reason there is a majority of Trammies is because the game has been geared towards Trammel ever since Ren, we all know this.

Now I dont think they should make SA fel only, what I do think though is they should give each rule set its own unique content, instead of this 'mirror' garbage where all fel gets is Trammels regurgitated content.

That's a bet you would lose, big time. History proves that in spades. I suggest you back a horse that isn't dead.