Amazing UO's 15th Anniversary : shouldn't some ideas start coming up ?

[popps]

It is May, and in September comes UO's amazing 15th birthday anniversary.

Ain't it about time that some ideas start coming up on the Forum for Veteran Rewards, Events, Anniversary Rewards and so forth ?

It takes time to design and code so perhaps it might be a good idea that players started saying what they wished for such a milestone anniversary ?

 

[Lord Frodo]

Your Predictions for the 15th Anniversary. | Stratics Forums

 

[Ox AO]

Teleport you can drop a rune or rune book to. Then return if you step on the same spot that you marked on the other side.

A translucent dye so we can have our robes but don't have to see them.

Allow small house placement on low populated shards with one account. (two houses on one account more for grandfathered) Or pay for access to place another house. I am suggesting the second house on a shard that isn't played as much.

Thought I would throw this in:
New items for factions that can be found in the fel side of the new covetous spawn.

 

[Lady Storm]

Sugar where have you been?? We have hashed that out months ago. But you are right, it takes time to get a decient consept, do the art, code in , test to the nth degree. and then decide if they want anything else to go down too.... just be patient.

 

[THP]

How about there is no exclusive can be used by only 15 yaar vet rewards that give a massive advantage over all other players

The shard shields and the like will put NEW players off for even starting because of the MASSIVE unfair advatage vet players inlcuding myself have...and new players can never dream of playing for ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO CATCH UP.........its bloody stuipid..

Rewards this year should be lame statuttes and the like...... that nobody can claim for an unfair advantage...

Thankyou

 

[Woodsman]

The shard shields and the like will put NEW players off for even starting because of the MASSIVE unfair advatage vet players inlcuding myself have...and new players can never dream of playing for ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO CATCH UP.........its bloody stuipid..

Rewards this year should be lame statuttes and the like...... that nobody can claim for an unfair advantage...

Rewards this year should be new players.

 

[THP]

Rewards this year should be new players.

That would be great but while ever EA make announcing stupid ''high'' year gifts then new players will be further and further put off from playing...and more importantly STAYING...jeeze they gotta wait bloody 3 years for a ethy ride......thats bad enough....and knowadays damn right stupid...the olde 3 year gifts should be allowed from new player status if not 5 year stuff

 

[Woodsman]

...and more importantly STAYING...jeeze they gotta wait bloody 3 years for a ethy ride......thats bad enough....and knowadays damn right stupid...the olde 3 year gifts should be allowed from new player status if not 5 year stuff

Actually that's a very good idea - a 1st year ethy of some sorts. New players are a lot more important than satisfying vet players with more pixel crack.

 

[Zosimus]

That would be great but while ever EA make announcing stupid ''high'' year gifts then new players will be further and further put off from playing...and more importantly STAYING...jeeze they gotta wait bloody 3 years for a ethy ride......thats bad enough....and knowadays damn right stupid...the olde 3 year gifts should be allowed from new player status if not 5 year stuff

Agrees with this

 

[Woodsman]

I just got an ICQ from somebody watching the the live TV thing and said Mesanna just asked for ideas for Christmas and vet rewards for the 15th anniversary.

First MMORPG to reach 15 years and they are focusing on pixel crack

 

[Sevin0oo0]

i vote Animated Deco pixel crack - I want a Pony! :mylittlepony:
I want heavier weather effects, and trees that move
rideable WW
golf

 

[LordDrago]

I just got an ICQ from somebody watching the the live TV thing and said Mesanna just asked for ideas for Christmas and vet rewards for the 15th anniversary.

First MMORPG to reach 15 years and they are focusing on pixel crack

Just because Mesanna asked for ideas for Christmas and 15 year Vet Rewards does not necessarily mean that that is what the devs are focusing on.
Not saying they are or they are not, but I think we should not always try to read too much into what is being said...particularly coming in from a third party.

Perhaps Mesanna could clarify a little bit here?

 

[Woodsman]

Not saying they are or they are not, but I think we should not always try to read too much into what is being said...particularly coming in from a third party.

Perhaps Mesanna could clarify a little bit here?

Did anybody hear exactly what she said?

 

[Raptor85]

I just got an ICQ from somebody watching the the live TV thing and said Mesanna just asked for ideas for Christmas and vet rewards for the 15th anniversary.

First MMORPG to reach 15 years and they are focusing on pixel crack

Fifth MMORPG to reach 15 years actually....assuming you ignore all the much earlier ones that were considered MUD's and only count the graphical ones with large player bases....but then who's counting...

 

[Woodsman]

I'll paraphrase somebody else: It's the first mainstream MMORPG to reach 15 years, the one that you could in 1997 actually go into CompUSA or Circuit City or Best Buy and buy a copy and go play.

 

[Raptor85]

I'll paraphrase somebody else: It's the first mainstream MMORPG to reach 15 years, the one that you could in 1997 actually go into CompUSA or Circuit City or Best Buy and buy a copy and go play.

Ok fine, UO is the second oldest major MMO you could walk into a Circuit City or Best Buy and buy a copy. (Meridian59 was published by 3DO in the US and was on store shelves everywhere as well)....That's just a technicality though as at least Nexus was sold on store shelves as well....just not in the US in 96 (as it was korea only for a year)

So....YAY!!! UO is the oldest MMO if you add tons of fine print and technicalities, only look at US only...and still ignore the other one that still beats it

 

[Woodsman]

Ok fine, UO is the second oldest major MMO you could walk into a Circuit City or Best Buy and buy a copy. (Meridian59 was published by 3DO in the US and was on store shelves everywhere as well)....That's just a technicality though as at least Nexus was sold on store shelves as well....just not in the US in 96 (as it was korea only for a year)

So....YAY!!! UO is the oldest MMO if you add tons of fine print and technicalities, only look at US only...and still ignore the other one that still beats it

I don't know about Nexus, but Meredian 59 was shut down for a year and a half or so, so they've still got a few years to go before they hit their 15th.

 

[THP]

Well if the Mesanna is reading....

CONCENTRATE on attracting new players.....let them use the ethies from day 1...make it more user freindly for a new player....SOD the pixel crap for us vets...weve already been spoilt rotten....

 

[Sevin0oo0]

Perhaps Mesanna could clarify a little bit here?
I think we should not always try to read too much into what is being said...

Santa knows what you're getting for Christmas, but he still asks for your list, doesn't he?
Soliciting ideas for what items players want is an everyday thing. Regardless of the 'list' they came on, selection may be made for trinket gift, reward, or future in-game item.
It's typical for what GOOD leaders do, say a lot of cool things about a really mundane or generalized subject, not giving an esoteric response.

 

[claudia-fjp]

i vote Animated Deco pixel crack - I want a Pony! :mylittlepony:
I want heavier weather effects, and trees that move
rideable WW
golf

oh oh I know I know! They could kill 2 birds with 1 stone!

A Fuzzy Bear: eats the porridge/stew left behind from the house add on.
A Sledge Hammer of Bug Squashing: breaks static statues, lanterns, water troughs, luck statues, cannons etc.
A Steel Ladybug Wrecking Ball: target a house sign and it tells you the last time the account was paid for and either sending an auto report if over 90 days or just starts the decay.

 

[Woodsman]

Santa knows what you're getting for Christmas, but he still asks for your list, doesn't he?
Soliciting ideas for what items players want is an everyday thing. Regardless of the 'list' they came on, selection may be made for trinket gift, reward, or future in-game item.
It's typical for what GOOD leaders do, say a lot of cool things about a really mundane or generalized subject, not giving an esoteric response.

Santa doesn't run an MMORPG.

I can't go a week without the Star Wars: The Old Republic or World of Warcraft teams sending me information about their upcoming plans. I'm getting emails about games that won't even be out for a while. Blizzard sends me emails about the Panda crap for Warcraft and that won't be out until like the fall. Even Warhammer Online puts out long-term plans, and they have fewer subscribers than UO. Guild Wars 2 was pumping out screenshots and information a while back and they still don't have a release date.

UO teams used to frequently keep players updated about future plans and not resort to so much secrecy.

I'm starting to buy into the view that some have, that the reason for secrecy is they are doing a major upgrade to the EC and they are worried that some groups will get pissed off and they are wanting to get the upgrades done before pushing it out. It makes sense, not only because I want to believe but because client upgrades in the past were hurt by not being ready or fully supported upon release.

 

[MalagAste]

Santa doesn't run an MMORPG.

I can't go a week without the Star Wars: The Old Republic or World of Warcraft teams sending me information about their upcoming plans. I'm getting emails about games that won't even be out for a while. Blizzard sends me emails about the Panda crap for Warcraft and that won't be out until like the fall. Even Warhammer Online puts out long-term plans, and they have fewer subscribers than UO. Guild Wars 2 was pumping out screenshots and information a while back and they still don't have a release date.

UO teams used to frequently keep players updated about future plans and not resort to so much secrecy.

I'm starting to buy into the view that some have, that the reason for secrecy is they are doing a major upgrade to the EC and they are worried that some groups will get pissed off and they are wanting to get the upgrades done before pushing it out. It makes sense, not only because I want to believe but because client upgrades in the past were hurt by not being ready or fully supported upon release.

UO is also the ONLY game that treats it's players like a bunch of liars and thieves. Any other game can go in.... see who stole from you... see that it WAS in your possession.... see that someone OTHER than you logged in and they RETURN your stuff as well as prosecute the offender and usually they can more permanently BAN someone... Banning people in UO is a complete FARCE... and everyone knows this. No one is ever BANNED from UO... they are right back on same day..... new account same day. Sure they sometimes get an account shut down but the offender can go right back out and buy another starter account and be right back in the game within the hour. *shakes head* I don't get it. I have no idea what is wrong with EA or whatever... but they need to stop.

And yes I 100% agree about updates. I'm not a freaking 12 year old. Yes some things should be a surprise...... but seriously if you don't give me something concrete to be excited about I'm going to FAIL to be excited about the game... when I fail to be excited about the game I don't play... when I don't log in and play I ask myself why am I paying for this game?????? When I start to ask myself why am I paying for this game... I start dropping accounts. I think you can get what I'm getting at...

And another thing... IF we are actually INFORMED about what's going on and what is being planned we could AVOID things ..... like players getting really upset about things.... or like Heritage tokens... I take that for example.... Nice concept..... STUPID approach. I spoke to Cal after they were released to TC and I asked him straight up WTF were you thinking?????? WHY were the tables and carpets not done like Banner deeds????????? ONE Deed.... 10 choices??? This way if I wanted Blue carpet today and gold carpet next week I could do that without WASTING 8 tokens.... I could have 4 and just pick them up and change them.... Tables too.... and his response????? "Oh... damn that's a good idea. Well it's too late now.". Well that sucks for us now. Now how many heritage tokens have been wasted when they didn't need to be??? If it had been done right from the beginning with some good old fashion feedback.... See where I'm getting... BS can be avoided and players would be much happier as a result. They might even get excited about upcoming events and items... excited enough to even tell old friends that aren't playing anymore.... But what do we know.

 

[Sevin0oo0]

Oh, you won't get any argument from me, Woodsman, I'm with ya on that. There's all them Other ways, and then there's the UO way. I understand it's not Burger King, but we Do get our way a lot of the time, like they work for us, and in that respect, they've been lacking, because ya, I remember when times were different. I also remember it stated they'll change, and I think it has been, generally. Course, I don't have mail subs to all those other games, UO delivers differently to me.

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

UO teams used to frequently keep players updated about future plans and not resort to so much secrecy.

I place the blame for the secrecy squarely at Mesanna's feet.

TWO producers now have commented about not wanting to say things because "she would get mad." Seriously?

UO isn't Area 51. Letting the p(l)ayers know whats going on in a timely fashion and regularly releasing tantalizing tidbits to keep people interested are important things, its good marketing strategy and good business sense. We don't expect the entire plot arc to be given away, but if you have nothing else to talk about because of the arc, there are serious problems with where UO is headed.

 

[Dol'Gorath]

Well if the Mesanna is reading....

CONCENTRATE on attracting new players.....let them use the ethies from day 1...make it more user freindly for a new player....SOD the pixel crap for us vets...weve already been spoilt rotten....

New players can already ride ethies from day one.
Ultima Online™ Legacy Token Code
Legacy token gives a charger of the fallen that requires no account age.
Leave the current ethies to vets.

 

[Dol'Gorath]

People usually complain about dev teams dangling carrots. But as far as UO is concerned I think we would like even half a carrot dangled in front of our faces. WoW and other MMO's are constantly emailing and posting their upcoming patches and plans months and months in advance and building up anticipation. UO tends to hide under the flag of secrecy and not really telling anyone anything.

I want to know what's coming. What the long term plans are for the next year [we are doing Despise, Deceit, Destard, adding x new content, finishing haven and adding the remaining skills to the newbie training?!,. etc]
Give players the perverbial carrot on a stick and keep us looking forward to something.

 

[Zosimus]

I would want a super mongbat in a crystal that is fully trained and can 1 shot anything in the game

Nah I would prefer a bird instead of a Mongbat lol.

I agree with Dol'Gorath post 100%.

 

[Woodsman]

Zosimus You being the Guild Wars 2 ME, you definitely know how frustrating it is, since GW2 is flooding the media and players with all kinds of information, holding betas, allowing people to post screenshots, videos, etc.

And Guild Wars doesn't even have a release date yet.

 

[Zosimus]

Oh I know they haven't released an official release date but man am I enjoying the betas. If only you could see the 2 email accounts I use one stratictly for GW2 information and the other I have tons of game info coming in. I know and understand the situation you speak of bro. I see the huge differnce in how UO is treated and how other MMO's out there put that information out.


Truthfully, my 15th year present would be a UO2 if I had it my way. I understand that the devs wanted ideas but they should of already had some plan in action way before now. Hopefully events, some type of celebration and cool gifts and vet rewards that EVERY player can use not certain ones on account age. Kind of time to close the gap on 1st year and 15 year vet rewards imo.

 

[Sauteed Onion]

Here's a little something I'd like to see for 15th anni!
New Dungeon Idea | Stratics Forums

I posted this thread awhile back as a pitch into High Seas and kinda seeing a little "closure" on that as the big thing they are pushing, and maybe a bridge way for them to start working on another "booster" pack/expansion whatever. I'm sure most people that play this game for longer than the trial period have gotten most if not all the expansions/boosters or whatever for at least 1 of their accounts, but this being a draw for people to get it with multiple accounts or hell even better get newer people interested in it that didn't have it before cause "OH I DON'T FISH" or "Stupid boats blah" <--- (not one of these people but just covering all the bases here, and hopefully somebody in charge of makity make it decisiions reads these!) and using that new influx of yummy income to carve out new concepts and programming for more UO Stuff! That being said, there was another thread about even payin a little extra tack on your subscription per month and getting an entitlement to place a 2nd house on one account, and also MANY threads about all kinds of stuff that could/should be implemented. I put "should" in there because these are things your customers are asking for. Ideas from devs are great, but a community is asked what would you like to see in the game, and we get something awesome but not at all what we asked for, it begs to reason why were we asked for our ideas in the first place.. anyhow.. I'll illustrate further cause I like drawin with words hehe.

Let's say you go to your favorite pub. You realize you'd like to broaden your horizon's and maybe try the pub down the street. You like the pub across the street, and find yourself going there a little more frequently than before. Pub 1 decides hmm, perhaps now it's time to see what it'll take to get my former drunk back! I know I'll ask him! Drunk says, MOAR BEER! MOAR BEER LIKE THE KIND THAT TASTES LIKE FRUITS OR SOMETHING! Pub 1 guy thinks, hmm! Well that's a great idea! He decides to order "MOAR BEER", but instead of getting FRUIT flavored beer, he gets like Town Loyalty Flavored beer instead, and pushes a storyline about escorting drunks from a sister pub to his on you. Now this is good too, but the drunk was asked his suggestion to get him back to Pub 1, and not hanging around Pub 2, but Pub 1 recieved the input and mutated it around a bit, while still ok and the drunk in this illustration can live with it, he's still not getting the MOAR BEER he asked for. Anyhow, I'll quit making a total idiot out of myself, and hope we can get some FRUIT FLAVORED MOAR BEERZ in game meow. I mean a High Seas Dungeon.

 

[Pinco]

I place the blame for the secrecy squarely at Mesanna's feet.

TWO producers now have commented about not wanting to say things because "she would get mad." Seriously?

UO isn't Area 51. Letting the p(l)ayers know whats going on in a timely fashion and regularly releasing tantalizing tidbits to keep people interested are important things, its good marketing strategy and good business sense. We don't expect the entire plot arc to be given away, but if you have nothing else to talk about because of the arc, there are serious problems with where UO is headed.

as many can remember, in the past they used to share their plans, but unfortunately most were not implemented and players starts to ask about them at any occasion. This brought the devs to keep all the future plans secret until not finished in order to avoid pressures on something they don't really want to add or complainings about how such additions are not exactly what they told in the first time...

 

[MalagAste]

as many can remember, in the past they used to share their plans, but unfortunately most were not implemented and players starts to ask about them at any occasion. This brought the devs to keep all the future plans secret until not finished in order to avoid pressures on something they don't really want to add or complainings about how such additions are not exactly what they told in the first time...

Yes while I'm aware of this most of us are all grown up now. And the past is the past. NO news is 10X worse than false updates that never come to pass... Or get pushed aside... No news makes me bored and makes other pastures start to look FAR greener...

As for Ideas I've given 100's over the years. I'd like to see a nice book for the SoA. That would be nice. A book for T-Maps.... MIB's. I'd love to have runebooks that hold up to 100 runes.... I have about 15 runebooks on me now it'd be nice to have just one or two.

I know that many have suggested a "house pet" something like a dog, cat, spider, wolf, bear, mongbat, imp, rat, frog, fairy dragon or other such small creature that would roam about inside your house freely .... barking, hissing or otherwise alerting you to someones entrance into your home. Happily greeting you when you return... able to be "fed" .... perhaps even put on "guard" mode for while you are out. Even if it just roamed around my house at will and had a nice little "home" it would be super cool.

A Jewelery box would be nice... anything that helps reduce the strain of searching for things or reduces the item count of a home would be very nice. Heck I'd even like a book to put all my deeds like trophy's, banners, tapestries and such into....

I'd like to see a pet much like the Imprisoned Dog that will follow you around bonded but that you could "select" the pet it was... and change it at will but it remained what you set it to until such time that you reset it. This would be neat for RP. It can be yellow for all I care.... but it would be kinda neat.

I would even go for new masks to turn me into things like Boura, a Fairy Dragon... arch deamon, and such... I'd also like the paperdolls to get a "Costume" slot so that I could more Permanently change my appearance and not have to drop my mask to equip a weapon.

I'd like to win a "day with a DEV" in a contest of sorts to show the DEV's how we actually Play..... So we can show them what it is that really makes our life difficult and WHY it's important to us that it's fixed.

I'd LOVE to be able to co-own all my characters to all my homes again.... I'm glad I can be co-owned now to 10 houses but what the frell good is that if each house can only have 10 co-owners??????

I'd like to have a portrait of my character to place in my house... Or to be able to have one done for other people... much like the statues. I can't think that it would be too terribly difficult.

I don't care at all for the robes and cloaks anymore almost everyone wears the conjurers garb now anyway... I think it's high time there was a revamp of the old robes and cloaks to offer things other than a 100% useless 3% physical resist.

I'd like a revamp of things to add alterations into the game that allow not only the alteration of human to gargoyle items but just to alter one item into another same slot same type item..... mempo to gorget.... floppy hat to skullcap, bassinet to close helm..... female plate to plate... or woodland to plate... etc. Keep the properties lose the ugly.... robe to dress...

I'm sick and tired of seeing everyone you encounter pretty much wearing a robe and half apron.

I want to put a saddle on my dragon.... and armor on my horse.

 

[Uriah Heep]

My wish for 15th anniversary would be for behind the scenes stuff to happen, stuff that doesnt necessarily go in your pack, but is a great gift anyway!
Things like, the Devs learn how to turn off guard zones during events like this one, where a mage doesn't lose half their usable spells.

When I lock something down at home, and set the box to friends, THE 125 ITEMS IN IT ARE SET AT FRIENDS TOO, WITHOUT ME HAVING TO CLICK EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY!!!

The ability to use a red leaf on a player created map and sea chart, so it cant be changed.

Fix the boss spawns in Shame where they are actually worth doing...better loots come off the regular spawn, imo.

And the vet thing...for the most part all of UO players are vets, some a little longer than others. Why not just add new selections to the reward menu without a year requirement on it? If it's there, anyone can claim and use it. What do I care if a noob can claim a ethy, use a certain tub, get a certain statue, or even get a shard shield? That doesnt affect my gameplay any at all. *shakes head*

 

[Uriah Heep]

I'm sick and tired of seeing everyone you encounter pretty much wearing a robe and half apron

Yeah Ive been running around in golden plate lately, just to be retro LOL. Imbued it up a bit of course, but still...

 

[Lord Frodo]

Ok fine, UO is the second oldest major MMO you could walk into a Circuit City or Best Buy and buy a copy. (Meridian59 was published by 3DO in the US and was on store shelves everywhere as well)....That's just a technicality though as at least Nexus was sold on store shelves as well....just not in the US in 96 (as it was korea only for a year)

So....YAY!!! UO is the oldest MMO if you add tons of fine print and technicalities, only look at US only...and still ignore the other one that still beats it

3DO shut down the game on August 31, 2000 and it was re-released by Near Death Studios, Inc. in 2002.

 

[Woodsman]

as many can remember, in the past they used to share their plans, but unfortunately most were not implemented and players starts to ask about them at any occasion. This brought the devs to keep all the future plans secret until not finished in order to avoid pressures on something they don't really want to add or complainings about how such additions are not exactly what they told in the first time...

I've seen people say this before, but UO is the only MMORPG that currently does this as part of its policy the past few years. Every major MMORPG released in North America since UO - I've played them. The only time any of them were this shrouded in secrecy was when they were about to make major unpopular changes or they were in financial trouble.

UO has been like this for a few years now from what I can see, and if there financial problems or unpopular changes, we would have seen them already. You can argue that some of the recent changes were unpopular, but that's not the scale I'm talking about. Think the Combat Upgrade in Star Wars Galaxies. UO's recent changes that upset some are nowhere close to that.

If you want to say that it's because of the players getting upset in the past, well you know what? A small group of players should not dictate how information is revealed, because it harms the game for everybody else.

If the reason is what you've said, that they are worried about announcing something that they might not be able to implement, well we are four months from the anniversary, 1-2 publishes based on the current schedule. They should have a grasp of what's going to happen at this point.

And also your theory is shot down by the fact that we are hearing somewhat regular communication about the graphics upgrade. We know that it's been delayed on the engineering side, but work is being done to render things.

Are we disappointed it's taking longer than expected? Yes, but most of us that want to see it happen know how important it is and that this maybe the last chance UO has for any kind of modernization that could bring in new or old players.

The lack of secrecy concerning the graphics upgrade has actually been very beneficial, as it's keeping people interested and even if we don't like that it was delayed, at least we know where it's at and aren't kept in the dark and wondering if there are actual future plans for UO.

 

[Madrid]

Sorry Woodsman I'm going to have to disagree.

It's not rocket science folks. The only conclusion one can draw based on UO's history is that the 'big secret' is nothing is being worked on and virtually zero resources are being put towards improving UO and adding content to UO.

They continue to string along the current playerbase with Story Arcs and lip service. In 6 months I expect to hear "we are working XYZ instead of introducing the high res graphics at this time but those graphics are being worked on in it's just being put on the back burner for a little while." Yeah yeah I know GrimmOmen is working on it....sure he is. They have such a good track record we have to believe it right? Yeah right...

I for one don't believe one damn word that comes from anyone from EA/Mythic or the Dev Team because history tells us it's all BS and lies.

Yeah I'm sorry this isn't a very constructive or positive post. It's frustrating to see how short sighted those in authority over this game have been and how mismanged this game has been. We're coming out with a new client...the SA client...er no I mean the EC client....with graphics far worse than Kingdom Reborn which they spent god who knows how many man hours and resources developed. Jeez....

High resolution graphics should have been the #1 priority 5 years ago and here they are still fumbling around letting this game get trampled in the dust by contemporary games.

What's to keep secret with a game that needs every bit of publicity it can get?

They should be shouting it from the rooftops and their not...

 

[Woodsman]

Sorry Woodsman I'm going to have to disagree.

It's not rocket science folks. The only conclusion one can draw based on UO's history is that the 'big secret' is nothing is being worked on and virtually zero resources are being put towards improving UO and adding content to UO.

While UO could always use more content, it has a lot already, more than many MMORPGs, and a lot of the content is player-driven anyways. What it needs is more players. I know that many people solo UO, but a lot of people play UO for the social aspects. Plus more players offsets players who leave over time for whatever reasons, and they bring in additional revenue.

We all like to pretend that UO will go on for another 15 years, but we all know EA will not keep UO around if it starts losing money. The only way to keep that from happening is to bring in new players.

I do think things are being worked on, at least on the 3D/EC front. As stingy as EA is with money, they would not allow any outsourcing for high resolution graphics or Grimm to be doing all kinds of work for high resolution and putting the means in place to handle 3D unless there were plans to use it.

As dumb (or spiteful) as EA management can be to studios they've acquired, right now they are spending more on UO than normal, which means EA expects to get more money out of UO in some way.

What's to keep secret with a game that needs every bit of publicity it can get?

They should be shouting it from the rooftops and their not...

I agree with this. Watching the video again, or parts of it, my impression was that the MMORPG.com people were doing more to sell UO than anybody else present.

 

[Madrid]

The fact that they put high resulotion graphics on the back burner in favor of work on graphics for the story arc tells me two things:

1) First it tells me they got their heads up their you know what's (bigtime) because what this game needs more than anything to attract new players is some contemporary high resolution graphics. The longer it's put off the worse it is for the game. It's just that much longer of a time period where there is zero opportunity to attract new players. That decision alone tells me the guys running the game don't have an understanding of what needs to be done. The policy should be to "cease and desist all activity" until they get some high resolution graphics into the game. The game needs to be on par with a Diablo 3 or Titan Quest in terms of visual appeal to attract new players. As you've said yourself Woodsman...a major "facelift".

2) Secondly it tells me if they have to put it on the back burner there not throwing very much in the way of resources towards the high resolution graphics to bring it to fruition.

 

[Pinco]

I've seen people say this before, but UO is the only MMORPG that currently does this as part of its policy the past few years. Every major MMORPG released in North America since UO - I've played them. The only time any of them were this shrouded in secrecy was when they were about to make major unpopular changes or they were in financial trouble.

UO has been like this for a few years now from what I can see, and if there financial problems or unpopular changes, we would have seen them already. You can argue that some of the recent changes were unpopular, but that's not the scale I'm talking about. Think the Combat Upgrade in Star Wars Galaxies. UO's recent changes that upset some are nowhere close to that.

If you want to say that it's because of the players getting upset in the past, well you know what? A small group of players should not dictate how information is revealed, because it harms the game for everybody else.

If the reason is what you've said, that they are worried about announcing something that they might not be able to implement, well we are four months from the anniversary, 1-2 publishes based on the current schedule. They should have a grasp of what's going to happen at this point.

And also your theory is shot down by the fact that we are hearing somewhat regular communication about the graphics upgrade. We know that it's been delayed on the engineering side, but work is being done to render things.

Are we disappointed it's taking longer than expected? Yes, but most of us that want to see it happen know how important it is and that this maybe the last chance UO has for any kind of modernization that could bring in new or old players.

The lack of secrecy concerning the graphics upgrade has actually been very beneficial, as it's keeping people interested and even if we don't like that it was delayed, at least we know where it's at and aren't kept in the dark and wondering if there are actual future plans for UO.

What I said is exactly what they are doing, not a fictional theory... I don't remember the exact problem, but at some point in the past they got too many complainings about something they have said in a town hall that brings them to say something like this: "from now on we don't spoil anything unless is not ready".

The new graphics thing probably has been revealed because they think it would requires less time, in fact when they spoiled the first walls they said: "in the next publish you will see ..."

However I think everyone agree about the fact that we know more about what happen in area 51 than UO development

IMHO a middle way would be make a "NEXT PUBLISH NOTE" page on uoherald where we can read what they have done since now (obviously they should add a new line everytime they do something), so the people will say "hey they are really working" instead of "are they alive?"

 

[Woodsman]

What I said is exactly what they are doing, not a fictional theory... I don't remember the exact problem, but at some point in the past they got too many complainings about something they have said in a town hall that brings them to say something like this: "from now on we don't spoil anything unless is not ready."

UO should not be held hostage by a group of players who got their underwear in a wad over a past dev team not being able to fit someting in a publish .

UO needs publicity, not secrecy. There is a reason why other MMORPGs keep their subscribers informed about the future of their games. Secrecy does nothing but hurt UO at this point

 

[Uriah Heep]

UO should not be held hostage by a group of players who got their underwear in a wad over a past dev team not being able to fit someting in a publish .

UO needs publicity, not secrecy. There is a reason why other MMORPGs keep their subscribers informed about the future of their games. Secrecy does nothing but hurt UO at this point

Some of that underwear in a wad was well deserved tho. Remember years ago, we were working on Kingdom Reborn. Then it got quiet (like the anniversary is now ) and kinda just sank outta sight. A year later, Jeremy was pushing everyone to come to a town hall meeting, that they had huge super news and surprises for everyone!!! No one would want to miss it! What was it? They announced that they were gonna start on Kingdom Reborn...Most of us thought it was about done in the time that had passed *shrugs*

The top secret super duper movie that Cal was gonna release next week. Took months, then it was way shorter than a Bud Light commercial, and less entertaining and informative than one...*shrugs*

There's the time they raised the monthly sub rate to pay for improved CS...most here would agree we are still waiting on that.

Just a quick list off the top of my head, I'm sure there's lots of other people can come up with even more than this. But that's why they like secrecy, I honestly believe they think if we have no expectations of what's coming, we can't be disappointed. :/
And because so many of us keep paying, and accepting this method of doing business, they have a license to continue it...

 

[Arrgh]

How about there is no exclusive can be used by only 15 yaar vet rewards that give a massive advantage over all other players

The shard shields and the like will put NEW players off for even starting because of the MASSIVE unfair advatage vet players inlcuding myself have...and new players can never dream of playing for ANOTHER 15 YEARS TO CATCH UP.........its bloody stuipid..



Thankyou

Times a frickin million... I've played and payed since launch but my first two accounts I gave to 2 different friends to interest them into playing...one got banned and the other is still in use and paying. The vet reward shields are just another nail in this coffin, can't take many more.

 

[Arrgh]

It is May, and in September comes UO's amazing 15th birthday anniversary.

Ain't it about time that some ideas start coming up on the Forum for Veteran Rewards, Events, Anniversary Rewards and so forth ?

It takes time to design and code so perhaps it might be a good idea that players started saying what they wished for such a milestone anniversary ?

How about new tokens that contain various replicas of rares that have been around forever, like oh, say the 2 story statues that speak and sell for 200-500m or the *snicker* Singing Balls everyone would love to have, Palm Tree replicas from Magencia event, etc etc

 

[Woodsman]

Just a quick list off the top of my head, I'm sure there's lots of other people can come up with even more than this. But that's why they like secrecy, I honestly believe they think if we have no expectations of what's coming, we can't be disappointed. :/

There comes a point at which the secrecy does more harm than good. That point is about to reach critical mass in the next few months.

It's the 15th year, and as we get closer to the anniversary, and more websites start talking about UO, old players and potential newbies are going to take a look at the UO website and the lack of information about plans and and the future, and assume that it's in maintenance mode.

I go to the Star Wars website, I go to Blizzard's, I go to EverQuest 2, and I see them talking about stuff they are working on. It's clear to anybody visiting those sites that they are being actively developed.

 

[Woodsman]

It really mystifies me why so many people are willing to accept the status quo and believe that we shouldn't be asking for future plans from the team.

I love UO, and I want it to be around for many years to come, and I want the team out there talking to players, and more importantly, would-be players about future stuff and just trying to sell the hell out of the game. They don't need to be preaching to us - we're the choir. Most of us aren't going anywhere as long as we think the game has a future.

When you have a product to sell, you need to be trying to sell it, not keeping it a secret.

 

[MalagAste]

I'm inclined to agree that anything that gives advantage should be low .... and should be perhaps only obtainable by maybe up to year 4 or 5 but ANYONE should be able to use stuff... this silly BS with ethy horses and llamas and dyetubs only serves to alienate new players.. and I also am inclined to agree that EVERYONE should start with 720 available skill points.

30 days in you should get your 5 stat points...

All this other BS just tends to discourage new players and many returning players.

Deco stuff should be for those who have been around for years... I see the shard sheilds as ok for maybe a 10 year reward but 14???? Really??? Again discourages newer players unless there was some way to gain in reward years or something....

 

[Sevin0oo0]

Something might have gotten placed on the back burner, was it Art, or was it old ideas?
Reading between the lines, this is what I see. roughly Quoted...
Coders hired in, temp typically means medium term | 6 month calendar FULL for the head Art Guru | EC should have never been born |
conversion of art assets | No new animations for CC.
Then there's no regularly scheduled expansions.
Excepting Shame and Cove, which were scheduled already, haven't the last few holidays been rather Dull?
Busy, hiring extras, low content, y'all really think it's just a new tile set or something that's coming to show for all this work?
I smell a single client - this team is more and more proving they can blend opposing viewpoints into workable resolutions for all.

maybe, maybe not, maybe just a dancin' pony?

 

[MalagAste]

So the last few holidays boring..... so no one liked the new Mailboxes, Display Cases, Grandfather Clocks, SoT books or Mannequins?

 

[Sevin0oo0]

So the last few holidays boring..... so no one liked the new Mailboxes, Display Cases, Grandfather Clocks, SoT books or Mannequins?

I think i like the Mannequins (haven't used them yet, but have several), and thought I would the display cases until i put a named player head in one, poof. NO to the rest, I still have all the deeds tho, just another vendor item. You thinks that enough for what, almost a Year? I was beginning to think they do the work for all (30-40?) games at that studio, time will tell, I have my fingers crossed.
Halloween - thanks to Grimm
xmas - more deeds, meh
only thanks to another player I got the large dragon egg, all an EM thing I believe
easter - hidden EM events, blah
Spring - scattered EM content
summer 2011 - what'd you get?
thanksgiving - not much new there
arenas - good? except they're always so packed
if the grind was removed, you wouldn't need Sot's
phase out of Bods? - Yeah! now we're talkin'