New EA Release: Journey into the Unknown

[RavenWinterHawk]

OH LET ME SAY IM NOT we EA but I am with EA as in Eagerly Awaits. Please dont run out and by this game. This is fiction and it does not exist. I amended this after some of the concern of the posters.

We at EA, after listening to player feedback, felt the journey was lost in the game of Ultima Online.

We thought deeply and see a lot of UO has become - the destination. For instance, we gave every group the ability to recall in some form. There is literally little traveling, only arriving at the destination. No horses, only ethy's. There isn't even a need to eat or drink.

We gave you quests that were about occupying your time to make it feel like a journey but in the end the destination was already predetermined.

Where can you go in UO that is a journey into the unknown? The answer we came up with is - nowhere.

Everything is scripted with how to enter, how to summon, and what you are rewarded.

We are sorry. Our next release is going to be Journey into the Unknown.

We have created a dynamic spawning system and created a randomized breathing world where the dungeons, landscapes, and cities change regularly.

Exploring the world of Ultima is our goal.

Monster intelligence has been increase and hit points have been decreased. You want a battle! You got it! But beware, if you die, the monsters will loot you. The risk to finding great rewards on their fallen bodies and secret caverns.

Gold is now needed to maintain the towns. Simple... you want town events and town construction. You want guards, fairs, and travelers of the realm... Pay to upkeep the cities. You would be suprised at what riches come to a well maintained city. You would be suprised at what gifts are bestowed apon great donors.

Guilds that pay their share will become the lead sponsors of the town. Welcome to Vesper: Home of the Immortal Guild. With sponsorship comes benefits of the most amazing fantasies.

Welcome to the Vendor Bizarre of Vesper... may just be one fantasy.

We ask you to bring your friends and walk in any direction or dungeon crawl. If you aren't fully immersed in the journey... then we failed. The unknown awaits... are you strong enough to survive?

YES I MADE THIS UP.

 

[Arcus]

I hate threads that look like they must be real and maybe newsworthy and are really just meh. How about something in the title like FICTION so it looks less like news.

 

[Beer_Cayse]

Would you have read it otherwise? By not labeling it ahead of time it should be able to get more people reading it than bypassing it. <shrug>

 

[Beer_Cayse]

Interesting. A start would be just the randomization of spawn in dungeons and overland. The concept of monies to support towns/cities is also interesting.

I'd want the landscape in general to remain the same however. I'd be mightily peeved if a mountain range popped up in the middle of my house - ala the tent spawns that are still not working right.

 

[Trebr Drab]

I've always wanted game play centered around the world, instead of the character. Not to eliminate "character", but to enhance the world aspect of the game. UO used to be like that in basic form, what with the GM events, player interactions, etc. But it needed to have a few issues fixed (never happened) and to grow the "world" by expanding what it was capable of doing (again, never happened).

 

[Coppelia]

It lures people in the wrong thread in order to read it when they wouldn't have read it, that's true. But maybe the reason they wouldn't have read it with the right label is because they don't want to read that, and that they are now unhappy to have been lured to read what they don't want to read.
So it's efficient, but is it respectful? No. I think mislabelling isn't allowed on these boards.

 

[Trebr Drab]

Interesting. A start would be just the randomization of spawn in dungeons and overland. The concept of monies to support towns/cities is also interesting.

I'd want the landscape in general to remain the same however. I'd be mightily peeved if a mountain range popped up in the middle of my house - ala the tent spawns that are still not working right.

I think he meant little changes like discoveries of secret rooms and caves, occasional earthquakes that open up new caverns, things like that.

I also thought the idea of city construction was interesting. Although, I'd much prefer that players controlled it, and built their own cities that way. Existing, start up cities, could be taken over by guilds through wealth and votes. Or maybe just "districts".

 

[Babble]

Sounds nice.

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

No offense but you should be able to figure it out once you read the 1st sentence that it is fiction.

But be honest... You read it - thought wow this is exciting and then you were let down.

Sorry but the story is my way of saying...

lets focus on the journey vs destination/reward.

that sentence would be a boring thread.

 

[Evlar]

We at EA, after listening to player feedback...

I knew it was bogus after that opening line, because simply... they don't.

 

[Sevin0oo0]

yep, soon as you said randomization of dungeons & spawn, I thought I was in the runes of magic forum.

 

[PASmountaindew]

Re: New EA Release: Journey into the Unknown {FICTION}

This is fiction

 

[popps]

We are sorry. Our next release is going to be Journey into the Unknown.

We have created a dynamic spawning system and created a randomized breathing world where the dungeons, landscapes, and cities change regularly.

Exploring the world of Ultima is our goal.

Monster intelligence has been increase and hit points have been decreased. You want a battle! You got it! But beware, if you die, the monsters will loot you. The risk to finding great rewards on their fallen bodies and secret caverns.

Gold is now needed to maintain the towns. Simple... you want town events and town construction. You want guards, fairs, and travelers of the realm... Pay to upkeep the cities. You would be suprised at what riches come to a well maintained city. You would be suprised at what gifts are bestowed apon great donors.

Guilds that pay their share will become the lead sponsors of the town. Welcome to Vesper: Home of the Immortal Guild. With sponsorship comes benefits of the most amazing fantasies.

Welcome to the Vendor Bizarre of Vesper... may just be one fantasy.

We ask you to bring your friends and walk in any direction or dungeon crawl. If you aren't fully immersed in the journey... then we failed. The unknown awaits... are you strong enough to survive?

I just wanted to say that I would love if they made Ultima Online a dynamic virtual world that could breath and live a life of its own.....

It would be the greatest gaming experience........

Besides, if I do not recall it wrong, the initial idea for Ultima Online was to have dynamic environments. Monsters, for example, would need to be fed and if their food became scarce because of players killing what they fed on, the Monsters would have become more aggressive and wandered away from their locations in search of food, even towards Towns and attacking them......

Perhaps, after 13 years and with all of the advancements in the technology and in the hardware it now is possible to make that dream possible and make Ultima Online a dynamic virtual world that can have a life of its own ?

I would certainly love it..........

 

[cdavbar]

We at EA,

We thought
We gave

The answer we came up with



We are sorry.

We have created .

is our goal.

Monster intelligence has been increase and hit points have been decreased. You want a battle! You got it! But beware, if you die, the monsters will loot you. The risk to finding great rewards on their fallen bodies and secret caverns.



We ask ...then we failed.

YES I MADE THIS UP.

I thought pretending to be a member of EA was against Stratics RoC?

 

[Cogniac]

I thought pretending to be a member of EA was against Stratics RoC?

Do I think that fictional trickeration game idea threads like this are lame? Yes. But what I think is even more lame are the people who wander into said threads and put up a plaintive cry of "I don't want to insinuate anything, but I have outlined here 482 very specific cases in this post that clearly demonstrate that the OP maybe possibly marginally broke a rule of the board if you view it in a certain irrationally critical light during a blue moon, and like I said, I'm not trying to insinuate anything, but what I'm insinuating is that you should ban them and possibly murder their family in retribution."

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

Do I think that fictional trickeration game idea threads like this are lame? Yes. But what I think is even more lame are the people who wander into said threads and put up a plaintive cry of "I don't want to insinuate anything, but I have outlined here 482 very specific cases in this post that clearly demonstrate that the OP maybe possibly marginally broke a rule of the board if you view it in a certain irrationally critical light during a blue moon, and like I said, I'm not trying to insinuate anything, but what I'm insinuating is that you should ban them and possibly murder their family in retribution."

Yikes. lock me then. I can see if you read EA in the title and then read the middle - you could be fooled it was EA. I better amend it for the less qualified.

I guess I gave all readers more credit then some of you think is merited.

My mistake.

 

[Coppelia]

Do I think that fictional trickeration game idea threads like this are lame? Yes. But what I think is even more lame are the people who wander into said threads and put up a plaintive cry of "I don't want to insinuate anything, but I have outlined here 482 very specific cases in this post that clearly demonstrate that the OP maybe possibly marginally broke a rule of the board if you view it in a certain irrationally critical light during a blue moon, and like I said, I'm not trying to insinuate anything, but what I'm insinuating is that you should ban them and possibly murder their family in retribution."

Breaking his kneecaps would be sufficient.

This thread has its place in the Idea's Den. But the title isn't appropriate, it implies that EA really released something and you want to share the information. Just add "Imagine:" in front of the title and we all know what it's about.

 

[Merion]

You're ideas are fantastic - I'd love to play that!

 

[Ni-]

About the issue about misleading information: I didn't have a big problem with the ambiguity of the official-ness of the original post. Though, a standard disclaimer mght help for any that did. Personally, I like reading creative and intelligently designed (aside from the ambiguity) posts, such as this.

As for the OPs ideas:

I think we could reasonably hope for spawn randomness and monster AI modification as mentioned. For spawn randomness, adding monster groups to the brigand/gypsy group spawner would be a simple way to add additional 'random' spawn throughout the world. I would think that new regions/locations could be added. I could see the Champion spawner system being modified/toned-down for Dungeons.

I like the idea of better monster AI while reducing the HP some. I know things can't be made too realistic, with regards to what is actually real (such as humanois and animals/monsters which closely resemble RL creatures).

I'm not sure how much random map modification could happen, though. The parts of the map that could be effected would have to be re-done. Similar to how Magincia was rebuilt with separate non-static items so that it could be dissasembled. So, running with that idea, say all eligable mountians were re-done in a way that one day the whole mountian was solid and the next a cave enterence could be spawned. That cave enterance could be linked to another randomized cave design, with a randomized spawn group set. The cave/dungeon could also be a randomizable design so that it always changes. The spawn could start out few. If those few mobs are slain at a certain rate, then the cave could go uninhabited. If left to multiply, then the cave/spawn could grow...

As for towns, I could see some shops going empty of NPCs over time when they are not purchased from, though I think a minimum number must exist so that an NPC type doesn't dissapear for good. You could see shops close down and become abandoned, possibly even changed profession or reappear as if a 'new' business had started. Some professions are purchased from more than others, so there may need to be logic that will lower the bar for some professions.

What could really be interesting is to be able to see the landscape change based on population use. One interesting idea could be that where all PCs/NPCs walk is made note of. Places traveled more gradually create worn paths (dirt) and places less traveled become over grown (grass tiles). Again, I believe that the map would need alteration before this is implemented to set up 'variable' tiles. The variable tiles could be re-calculated/determine every day at server up. This give RP towns some control over their own environment. The Fel/Yew gate may become a mud pit, though.

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

QUOTED:
"What could really be interesting is to be able to see the landscape change based on population use. One interesting idea could be that where all PCs/NPCs walk is made note of. Places traveled more gradually create worn paths (dirt) and places less traveled become over grown (grass tiles). Again, I believe that the map would need alteration before this is implemented to set up 'variable' tiles. The variable tiles could be re-calculated/determine every day at server up. This give RP towns some control over their own environment. The Fel/Yew gate may become a mud pit, though."

That is the exact idea. Im not talking new mountain ranges. Though an open might occur by a mountain or a landslide that reveals things. Small changes but landscape changes.

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

The whole idea to this post would be a group of 5 could go out in any direction and find battle. Battle that isn't recall and start spawn, like champ-spawns.


The journey itself leads to adventure. The destination is completely unknown. You might find nada or come a cross a shipwreck on the beach... that becomes an orc ambush.

 

[Trebr Drab]

QUOTED:
"What could really be interesting is to be able to see the landscape change based on population use. One interesting idea could be that where all PCs/NPCs walk is made note of. Places traveled more gradually create worn paths (dirt) and places less traveled become over grown (grass tiles). Again, I believe that the map would need alteration before this is implemented to set up 'variable' tiles. The variable tiles could be re-calculated/determine every day at server up. This give RP towns some control over their own environment. The Fel/Yew gate may become a mud pit, though."

That is the exact idea. Im not talking new mountain ranges. Though an open might occur by a mountain or a landslide that reveals things. Small changes but landscape changes.

This is an interesting idea. I alpha tested Raph Koster's MetaPlace game making system, and although my coding experience is very little I did get an idea of how things can work.

What you could do here is this...

[*]Give each "dirt" tile several possible images instead of just one. These would be:

1. plain dirt
2. small grass
3. large grass and weeds
4. small grass and tree/stump stage 1
5. small grass and tree/stump stage 2
6. small grass and tree/stump stage 3
7. large grass and weeds and tree/stump stage 1
8. large grass and weeds/stump and tree/stump stage 2
9. large grass and weeds and tree/stump stage 3

Now give each tile "hit points", and every time one is walked on, or assaulted by fire or other elements, or tilled by player farmers(!), it loses these hit points. Every day the server calculates what happens based on this, and makes changes to the tile as far as "grass" goes. Trees would be handled separately. So a tile could lose grass or gain grass stages.

Now give tiles an ability to "send" to adjoining tiles, sort of like infecting them with "grass", so dirt tiles would gradually change to grass tiles. Once a tile is a grass tile, it can:

1. grow into a "large grass with weeds" if it takes no damage to it hit points.
2. Gain a tree of stage 1, which can then grow into higher stages.
3. And give tiles with trees an ability to also "send", only to a larger radius, maybe 8 tiles, and "plant" a new stage 1 tree (but only if that tile is a "grass" tile. Random chances and directions. Trees also not allowed in tiles directly next to existing "tree" tiles.

Give players the ability to chop down a tree and instantly change it to a stump tile.
Give players the ability to remove stumps instantly by using a tool.

Edges of tiles can be made to "blend", which UO already does I think.

I think that covers it.

But I'd rather see a 3D world with a high quality 2.5D avatar and items. The Avatar would have a "3D soul", so as to allow for 3D things like jumping over things and flight, falling, etc. I'm not too sure how well that could work, just a thought due to lag issues and engine capabilities.

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

A nice little "trinket" you propose there ... as far as "dynamic system" goes ...

Have you applied a chain of "what if's" to it ...
when it is interfaced with the other existing "Dynamic"?

ie. PLAYERS?
which, iirc, is why the first trinket "failed". In a short review: Players overwhelmed the "ecology" rather quickly.

Just a point to examine ... "the world" contains several "dynamics"

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

A nice little "trinket" you propose there ... as far as "dynamic system" goes ...

Have you applied a chain of "what if's" to it ...
when it is interfaced with the other existing "Dynamic"?

ie. PLAYERS?
which, iirc, is why the first trinket "failed". In a short review: Players overwhelmed the "ecology" rather quickly.

Just a point to examine ... "the world" contains several "dynamics"

The ecology or economy for that matter.
I think it would be interesting to add several what ifs

Over activity in dungeon might...
Over minining might...

The challange would be keeping it dynamic and so integrated you cant puzzle piece it out and figure out how to farm off it or kill it.

The changes would NOT have to be huge that everything is impacted by everything. Some stuff is stagnet.

Start small and expand. You wouldnt want a guild to be able to trample and change the whole land in a few days.

Keeping perspective of how on player can exert unrealistic change is needed.

In real life I could clear 10 trees in a day (WITH HELP). In UO one player could clear Brit forest in a day - If that is what you mean.

But even on a small scale it would be interesting.

 

[Tinsil]

I hate threads that look like they must be real and maybe newsworthy and are really just meh. How about something in the title like FICTION so it looks less like news.

x100.

I mean a decent idea by OP in concept, but the title is misleading..

 

[Trebr Drab]

A nice little "trinket" you propose there ... as far as "dynamic system" goes ...

Have you applied a chain of "what if's" to it ...
when it is interfaced with the other existing "Dynamic"?

ie. PLAYERS?
which, iirc, is why the first trinket "failed". In a short review: Players overwhelmed the "ecology" rather quickly.

Just a point to examine ... "the world" contains several "dynamics"

The ecology or economy for that matter.
I think it would be interesting to add several what ifs

Over activity in dungeon might...
Over minining might...

The challange would be keeping it dynamic and so integrated you cant puzzle piece it out and figure out how to farm off it or kill it.

The changes would NOT have to be huge that everything is impacted by everything. Some stuff is stagnet.

Start small and expand. You wouldnt want a guild to be able to trample and change the whole land in a few days.

Keeping perspective of how on player can exert unrealistic change is needed.

In real life I could clear 10 trees in a day (WITH HELP). In UO one player could clear Brit forest in a day - If that is what you mean.

But even on a small scale it would be interesting.

Good point Fayled, and I only briefly thought about it in relationship to the area around a guild house. But that's an easy thing to solve, I think. For one thing, you can give home owners a setting or other means to maintain the grassy area around their house. For another, you can balance the hit point damage vs. use. But it is something that would need a good look at. I was more interested in showing how it can be done than actually finishing it to actually work.

And yeah, UO's original version of wildlife was totally overrun by players. UO was just way too small for that. But then, their original expectations was that they'd only sell 1K accounts too. Before EA saw the excitement and said "oh no, you're going to sell 10,000 accounts! Plan for that!"

 

[Zyon Rockler]

I've always wanted to see obelisks, where maybe there is a Guardian spawn or some type of puzzle or key. Maybe they could be connected and randomly spawn anywhere. So, they could spawn up and once you figure out how to access it, it might open up a gate or port your party into a dungeon, that might stay open until server reset. So, you would need to find them daily.

I don't like the idea of making characters have less hit points. They should have more for longer fighting, in my opinion. The spawns should get more moves added to them, to make fights better.

Ettins could be made to dismount you and throw you on the ground with a touch of bleed. A graphic of the character falling down and a teleport scaled type movement. Titans, Cyclops' could do the same but cause a bit more damage. Maybe throw further and cause more of a bleed.

All spiders could use a web but the weaker spider would only hold you for a short time. So, just adding the same thing but with stages of power to all spawns would make them new again.

I would also like them to take all the Bosses and let them spawn all over. The game needs that badly. It would be awesome. I could see myself out for a walk, bored and looking around and what do I see, The Stygian and Medussa walking out of the woods towards me. I would set it up so they would walk into towns, maybe even give them tracking to look for players and hunt them down.

Fel would get alot of the same but I would add Ballies, Liche Lords, Dark Fathers, Dread Mares, Daemons and maybe even some player copy spawns, good and bad. Just adding in some stuff would be great. You know like, maybe at 12:00 a.m. the Fel stuff spawns all over the place.

I think it's important for there to be a constant challenge of some opposing force, kind of like a parallel event so that the game is constantly giving you a challenge as well as having events, like The Bane because it adds that element of excitement. You could be killing The Bane, thinking you have it under control and then next thing Medussa is tapping you on the shoulder or maybe a red is just about to kill you, when a player copy spawn freezes the red and turns the table.