New Letter From The Producer Out...

[canary]

http://www.uoherald.com/news/

A lot of talking, no action. It is what it is, I guess.

 

[Mapper]

Very very interesting, Love the Speedhacking update.

VERY interested in the Classic Shard and what will come of it, I'd certainly play it for a bit to see if I prefer it or not!

Thanks for the update.

 

[canary]

Very very interesting, Love the Speedhacking update.

VERY interested in the Classic Shard and what will come of it, I'd certainly play it for a bit to see if I prefer it or not!

Thanks for the update.

The thing is, if they have only 'discussed' it... which they actually have many times in the past... it would take a long time to really get it right, squared away and implement it.

I guess I'm bummed because he states a lot of things they are ALWAYS in discussion about (ie 3rd party detection, classic shard, etc). I would honestly prefer a 'this is how we are going to steer the ship' game plan. UO seems like such a 'by the seat of their pants' kinda team, and thats very off putting.

 

[Spellbound]

The news link always takes me back to UO Herald's Stygian Abyss advertisement page. The link at the top loops me right back as well.

 

[Zodia]

Actually, this is the strongest comment regarding a Classic Shard in a LOOONG time. For many years, we've been told "it's too hard" or "not gonna happen."

In the letter, he says there are "four major topics that the team is discussing at present"...... and #2 is a Classic Shard! I am blown away! This is AWESOME NEWS for bored vets like me. I logged on tonight to get my valentine gifts, but quickly logged out and actually pondered (again) canceling my sub because I personally have become bored. This letter has given me new hope!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GIVE US A CLASSIC SHARD! I will guarantee you that subs will come flooding back. I know DOZENS of old players who would join up for the chance to play on a pre-aos classic shard. Most of all, UO needs some "buzz" right now. It is stagnant for new players -- imagine the internet buzz from a "RETURN TO THE OLD UO!" would bring. Lasting subs? I don't know, but it is worth a shot! PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN!

 

[Divster]

quote

Finally, not sure if you’ve heard, but the team has been playing in Baja. The reason? Cause we laugh hysterically when we do, and two, we want to learn how to reduce the barrier to entry for those who want to play our game. We need to understand what the ‘X” is for UO and help others get into it and love it as much as the community and the team does. I’ll be opening a blog in the near future that will journal our exploits (in a journey sense, mind you … not a cheating sense).

I will tell you I recently played another game that had a barrier of entry not unlike UO’s. But there was one major difference … when I play on any shard invariably there is a person who will assist and take me aside and shake his or her head sadly saying …”No no no … This is what you do …” Recently someone has helped one of our artists make her way into the warm fold of Ultima Online, and now she’s working on buying a house, when she swore she’d never be able to get into the game. That is UO. Eventually, everyone will understand how magnificent and sublime it is. I believe it because I’ve seen it.

Oh ... one last note... thanks to the guy who put up the MacDonald’s on Baja … it looks great in presentations to execs about what makes UO … UO. And for the record … I am gearing up a mage. Yes, I played a tamer for a while, and got all kinds of grief … and why the heck do I have to have 100 LRC anyway? There has to be a way that I can reduce the cost of reagents without having to know a dozen imbuers to get what I need. I’m gonna have to see who is in charge around here!!

end quote




Ok now I may be drunk but personally I find these 3 paragraphs unsettling to say the least! Have we heard what the team is doing? eer no?, what exactly does the x for uo mean? All games I know have people that will give you help and explain what ure doing wrong, uo doesn't have a monopoly on kind people (however rare that might be). And if there are people you have encountered that are willing to help and give pointers, surely that means there is a definitive system available to any barrier?? Does this mean there will be a better system for introducing new players to the game or are you going to change the game to make it easier for new players?

And whats that about the lrc? is this a hint about imbuing becoming easier, more available or you really saying its that hard to find a 100 lrc suit?

 

[Andrasta]

Next: is there ever going to be a classic shard? I will tell you … it’s a good idea … in theory. In practice it gets a LOT more complicated. We had a Saturday lunch recently (the same method we used when we were developing for Stygian Abyss), and discussed the benefits and costs (resource and impact to community) for developing a Classic shard. First we discussed what does a Classic Shard really mean? We came up with some core ideas and left it at that. There are several other things surrounding the implementation, and we almost have it nailed. Will we do it? I don’t know and cant’ say for certain, but at some point we will put the idea to rest one way or another, and we hope to make that decision this year.

Yes Please

 

[Silverbird]

I am not shure about the classic shard ... it didnt work for DAOC and it might not work for UO, too.

 

[Llwyd]

I am not shure about the classic shard ... it didnt work for DAOC and it might not work for UO, too.

I think a true "classic" shard would draw back a lot of players initially, but that most of them would soon be humming the melody to an old Peggy Lee song... "Is that all there is?"

"Classic" means not only the old rules, but doing without all the great additions we've come to love.