Storage issues for new players

[Kat]

Since grandfathered type housing and the other ideas have been sort of shot out of the water, we need to try and come up with other options that will help with storage issues. Whether its a "low hanging fruit" or something that will require more effort, we still need to look for ways to address the storage issues for new players.

So far, I have been able to come up with a few options:

1. Additional bank box storage for all shards

I think that could help us two fold. First, it would allow new Siege players to live out of their bank box for quite a while, in this extremely item dependent game. It would also help to store their belongings on their home shard if they were to decide to remain on Siege.

2. The addition of an extra security option utilized by targeting another player. This would allow only that player and the house owner to access the contents of that secured container set up for the use of individual players.

With this type of security feature would be helpful for those that are willing to house new players, which can offer those folks more security for their items. It also has the added benefit for RPer's who might like to open an Inn, Dormitory, Barracks, etc for those without housing.

3. Increase the max number of items a container can hold... say 500 per box.

In conjunction with the addition of the extra security feature described above, this could be very, very helpful! Even if this has to go to all shards, it would be helpful to us.



I welcome your thoughts on these and ideas of your own!

 

[Freelsy]

lets STOP trying to keep coming up with change after change.


If they're gonna need more storage, then they will have to make a decision. Stay on their home shard, or bank all their stuff and join Siege Perilous. If they need more than 125 items, then they've been playing this shard for a little while, and are probably at that breaking point as to whether they are staying or going.

 

[Mook Chessy]

I like the idea someone had about renting a room at an inn. Make it have 5 chests or something like that.

 

[Kat]

I like the idea someone had about renting a room at an inn. Make it have 5 chests or something like that.

That was from my "A Different Siege" thread.

• Create rooms for Rent, for a fee. These rooms would have lockable doors with a key [Bonus for Thieves and PK's] and one lockable chest with a 1000 item limit. Payable monthly, in person, to an Innkeeper or risk losing the room and contents. [Perhaps impose a time limit to prevent squatters that no longer play Siege, but try to prevent losing items]
• Rooms For Rent available at any currently built Inn and Buildings such as those outside Moonglow South Gate, those near Brit West Bank, Cabins southeast of Minoc and any other such locations.

Its definitely not LHF, but might be doable after July. We can ask!

 

[HoldenCaulfield]

Can't this already be accomplished by a trustworthy person running an inn and providing secured "locked" chests that require a key and only give the renter and him/herself copies of the key?

A private house with only access to those renting a room. I guess maybe a thief renter might be able to get someone's key but might have to assume that small risk.

 

[CroakerTnT]

Actually, I agree with Freelsy (in my current inebriated state). (thank goodness for spellcheckers).

I think 125 item storage is plenty for newbies to siege who don't bother to get involved with the community. There's always plenty of storage if they just ask.

IMHO, this is a minor issue. People who migrate to Siege know they are in for a period of newbie-dom. The main thing is balancing the duration of that period to be long enough to find ways to encourage them to stay, yet short enough to make it not too frustrating.

I think we should consider a discussion on what makes people stay on siege.

That might inform our other issues about increasing the overall population for the betterment (and more fun) of all.

 

[Vortex]

I think Kat is bringing this up becuase if they want to have a house on Siege, they cannot have a house on their "home" shard. Thus, more storage is a valid point - so they dont have to scrap everything on their home shard.

I like the general idea of more storage, tho I'm undecided on the best way to do it.

I know one thing they need to look at in my opinion, and that is that bank checks stop at 1 million. With the economy on prodo shards, it takes no time at all to fill your banks with 125 million dollar checks. I think they should have larger check values available, 5 million, 10 million. This reduced the number of storage items total.

Why should Siege care about that? Because, as Kat said, if people come to play on Siege, they might want a house here. That means closing the house on their prodo shards, which means the 300 million in gold checks they have in their prodo house wont fit in their banks.

 

[Sturdy]

I like the check idea (though I hate that things cost 10s of millions on prodo)

This thinking could extend to other things. Stacking issue should be addressed in general. I have a lot of "bugged" items that dont stack properly. Just making all resources stack properly would be a big help. (potions in particular)

Proposed tools to consolidate things like rune books, t-maps, SoT, power scrolls, etc would help.

The "Trinsic Market Place" idea would give new player on all shards an outlet for things they dont want to toss but cant sell (also for a fee)

Maybe banks could add a "Safe Deposit Box" for storing commodity deeds. (for a fee of course)

This kind of approach just seems like house cleaning to me and should be done an all shards - not just Siege.

 

[Draxous]

I think Kat is bringing this up becuase if they want to have a house on Siege, they cannot have a house on their "home" shard. Thus, more storage is a valid point - so they dont have to scrap everything on their home shard.

I like the general idea of more storage, tho I'm undecided on the best way to do it.

I know one thing they need to look at in my opinion, and that is that bank checks stop at 1 million. With the economy on prodo shards, it takes no time at all to fill your banks with 125 million dollar checks. I think they should have larger check values available, 5 million, 10 million. This reduced the number of storage items total.

Why should Siege care about that? Because, as Kat said, if people come to play on Siege, they might want a house here. That means closing the house on their prodo shards, which means the 300 million in gold checks they have in their prodo house wont fit in their banks.

You get at minimum... 5 character slots on prodo. 5x125 = 625 items. Make it 7 char slots and thats... 875 items. Add a pack beetle to each char that's another 625 items. Add a backpack for each person logged out in trammel. That's another 600 items. You think with almost 2000 in available storage absent of any home... is whats keeping them from packing up?

I really love all the speculations about prodoshards and what people on them think or do or whatever... coming from people who have little to no experience on those shards.

Good stuff.

 

[IanJames]

I've ready plenty of posts from people in the past who have said they would play on Siege more if they could have a house for more storage without having to give up their house on their other shard.

When I made the switch, I wasn't heavily invested in a prodo shard, I had just come back to the game so it wasn't a big deal for me. But I can see it being a big problem for other people. With no transfers, they don't have many options.

How much storage is available on boats? What if we could get an increase on that?

I think the inn idea is good. We certainly can keep promoting that idea while we work on another solution.

Another solution certainly is needed.

 

[Draxous]

I've ready plenty of posts from people in the past who have said they would play on Siege more if they could have a house for more storage without having to give up their house on their other shard.

Storage is not the issue... it's not having the house that is.

...

This is not a problem that can be fixed (apparently) so we need to move past it and work on fixing what we can.

It's kinda like the instanced dungeons that mondains legacy brought. It's a problem here because it's not supposed to be here... but we have to deal with it because it's just not going to be corrected.

 

[Pyrite_DTA]

Storage is not the issue... it's not having the house that is.

...

This is not a problem that can be fixed (apparently) so we need to move past it and work on fixing what we can.

It's kinda like the instanced dungeons that mondains legacy brought. It's a problem here because it's not supposed to be here... but we have to deal with it because it's just not going to be corrected.

I think you are probably right. Years ago, there was a big push to allow people who own houses on the other shards to also place on Siege. I was really opposed to that idea- still am. (I do not want to see all the housing spots used up on Siege by people who come from other shards just to place because they can)

Now, with the increase in stackable items, I think the storage issue has probably greatly improved. A new player probably has enough space to get started here.

Drax, you are right again- Siege has a lot of problems that we have to deal with. We always have, and I guess its just the way it is supposed to be. Would it be Siege if there were no problems? I feel like I have been putting up with all the things that are wrong with Siege for a good part of my life now. I have been rolling with the punches so long, I am dizzy.

Maybe that is why I am finding it so hard to stay in game for any length of time. I used to play 6 or more hours a day. Now, if I manage 3 hours a week, I am doing good. And what this game needs is something that will get me and a lot of other players back in game for more than a few hours a week. I do not know what that is. If I find it, I will let you know.

Siege is a community- it needs people who are here on a daily basis to give it the feel of community. There is more of a community here on the Siege forums than there is in game.

I wonder if we spend too much time here, buying and selling, when we should be doing it in game. One example- when someone gets on this board and asks for a price check for a certain item, I wonder if they have traveled the shard, checking vendors and looking for the price? Doing so would put them out and about in game- meeting people- friend and foe.

That said- I will log on. Maybe I will find someone.

 

[Vortex]

I really love all the speculations about prodoshards and what people on them think or do or whatever... coming from people who have little to no experience on those shards.

Good stuff.

I play a prodo shard. Unlike you, who spends all his time attempting to make himself feel big by insulting people he has no clue about.

You really think a character is still playable holding 125 items on each of his 7 characters?

How about you play the game instead of trying to put down everyone who has an idea?

 

[kelmo]

Siege is a community- it needs people who are here on a daily basis to give it the feel of community. There is more of a community here on the Siege forums than there is in game.

This.

 

[Monolith]

I play a prodo shard. Unlike you, who spends all his time attempting to make himself feel big by insulting people he has no clue about.

You really think a character is still playable holding 125 items on each of his 7 characters?

How about you play the game instead of trying to put down everyone who has an idea?

becareful before he post his 5 page UO resume. Damn....that is a huge accomplishment in life, but I'm more proud of my little girls who were inducted in the National Honor Society, hehe

 

[Monolith]

Siege is a community- it needs people who are here on a daily basis to give it the feel of community. There is more of a community here on the Siege forums than there is in game.

This.

I agree with this 100%

 

[OldAsTheHills]

That was from my "A Different Siege" thread.



Its definitely not LHF, but might be doable after July. We can ask!

It will probably be quite a programming problem.

A simplier would be a rentable < hence a gold sink > bank vault.
The rented bank vault should be just like the normal bank vault.
The only difference would be that gold disappears from that vault.

*stares*
Yahaxithonix

 

[Draxous]

Drax, you are right again- Siege has a lot of problems that we have to deal with. We always have, and I guess its just the way it is supposed to be. Would it be Siege if there were no problems? I feel like I have been putting up with all the things that are wrong with Siege for a good part of my life now. I have been rolling with the punches so long, I am dizzy.

Maybe that is why I am finding it so hard to stay in game for any length of time. I used to play 6 or more hours a day. Now, if I manage 3 hours a week, I am doing good. And what this game needs is something that will get me and a lot of other players back in game for more than a few hours a week. I do not know what that is. If I find it, I will let you know.

Siege is a community- it needs people who are here on a daily basis to give it the feel of community. There is more of a community here on the Siege forums than there is in game.

Good post and I can completely relate.

I still play UO casually. Due to RL circumstances, that's all I can do. I will not compromise as I've put too much into this game. My time will be spent on atlantic enjoying the many facets/aspects of this game because that shard is what it is and I can accept it for what it is because it functions how it's supposed to.

When siege is working well again, I'll come back. You all have fun without me until then... if then ever comes again.

Only reason I'm here is because it sounded like mythics working on it. If I'm mistaken let me know and I'll go back to enjoying my time in videogames elsewhere.

Thanks for the good post. Made my night.

 

[Luka Melehan]

let me just throw out there that we do have some rentable rooms with chests with keys in Iantown. Not an ideal situation, but hopefully it will help. Just contact me or Kelmo.

 

[AEowynSP]

2. The addition of an extra security option utilized by targeting another player. This would allow only that player and the house owner to access the contents of that secured container set up for the use of individual players.

I did this with the "Zoo of NEW" and it went very well. Was quite near britt moongate for convenience. A house with a locked down chest for the individual and a few chests on the main floor with basic stuff.

I continued this trend with my ice island keep and for many years would have 5-10 guests at a time at my home.

 

[Førsaken]

Bring back the Co-Owner boxes!!! Woot! Except make it to where friends can place them!

 

[Seren Devonf]

I have 2 accounts without houses placed currently, both on 6 month subs. I am willing to allow one account to have a house placed, and I can place co-owner on a reputable person willing to play innkeeper. Kat, if your willing I can do this with you. My playtime is low lately due to coaching HS football but PM me to let me know.

 

[AEowynSP]

in this extremely item dependent game.
!

And there is the problem.

Item based combat has ruined UO.

 

[AEowynSP]

Siege is a community- it needs people who are here on a daily basis to give it the feel of community. There is more of a community here on the Siege forums than there is in game.

This.

X2
Back in the day wen I ran the zoo of NEW I was on daily. Perhaps Shally needs to prod me more?

 

[Kat]

Siege is a community- it needs people who are here on a daily basis to give it the feel of community. There is more of a community here on the Siege forums than there is in game.

This.

X2
Back in the day wen I ran the zoo of NEW I was on daily. Perhaps Shally needs to prod me more?

I agree with both sentiments and I encourage both of you to log in daily to help keep the community alive. Rebuild the Zoo or any other establishments that you feel will help the shard. There are many of us trying to do this, but we need all the help we can get!

Pyrite... Rebuild your guild along with existing members if there are some still hanging on! We have new players that need guilds! You are partly responsible for creating your own fun. I find myself feeling the same way you do, quite often. Our numbers dwindled, but we have been recruiting to increase our numbers in an effort to keep everyone busy and give them guildmates to do things with.

Rebuild your empire! Its a good place to start.

I'd love to see Hoffs do the same! You still have existing members that are missing their leader. You had a great vision for Gilfane... Rebuild your empire before they all leave. Perhaps a few will return!

 

[OldAsTheHills]

Since grandfathered type housing and the other ideas have been sort of shot out of the water, we need to try and come up with other options that will help with storage issues. Whether its a "low hanging fruit" or something that will require more effort, we still need to look for ways to address the storage issues for new players.

So far, I have been able to come up with a few options:

1. Additional bank box storage for all shards

I think that could help us two fold. First, it would allow new Siege players to live out of their bank box for quite a while, in this extremely item dependent game. It would also help to store their belongings on their home shard if they were to decide to remain on Siege.

2. The addition of an extra security option utilized by targeting another player. This would allow only that player and the house owner to access the contents of that secured container set up for the use of individual players.

With this type of security feature would be helpful for those that are willing to house new players, which can offer those folks more security for their items. It also has the added benefit for RPer's who might like to open an Inn, Dormitory, Barracks, etc for those without housing.

3. Increase the max number of items a container can hold... say 500 per box.

In conjunction with the addition of the extra security feature described above, this could be very, very helpful! Even if this has to go to all shards, it would be helpful to us.



I welcome your thoughts on these and ideas of your own!

I believe the only reasonable extra storage option should be that a player
may purchase the use of an extra bank vault. This vault should have a fee
set by the amount of value of the stored items, but not gold piles. The fee
should be automatically withdrawned. If gold not available, then the items are
converted to gold. An one time fee to create the account. The number of
such accounts is one.

*stares*
Yahaxithonix

the

 

[Elmer Fudd]

I think if a second character slot was here on siege, it would greatly bring some "OverFlow" players from other shards...like when there shard might be a bit slow...they pop over here and before you know it theres the sence of growth...they can train there crafting skills to bring up there Pvpers, and right now they would have a good sense of security to hunt and do what they want because the population/PK presence is down, which in turn would bring out the PK populace which would bring out more PvP and fun...


With a second character slot made as an option, it wouldnt be a bad plan if when creating that second character you were given the oppertunity to place a "Temporary" house here on siege and within an apropriate time frame, lets say a month or two? you would then be given the chance to excersise your right to keep it or loose it...seems there wouldnt have to be much coding involved in that, just extend the timer for siege from like a 7 day idoc thing to like a month or two month thing

So basically your account would still only have one house option per account...only a temporary option for second character slots on Siege...I feel if this was made in public forumns and other shards...you would see a mad race to create a second character and place a house fast...which would increase the populace so fast it would seem almost radical....this is just an idea, not sure if its possible or not...but Ive always thought in my own whacky thoughts it would work...

 

[kelmo]

I do not believe second houses is on the burner.

 

[Kat]

I think if a second character slot was here on siege, it would greatly bring some "OverFlow" players from other shards...like when there shard might be a bit slow...they pop over here and before you know it theres the sence of growth...they can train there crafting skills to bring up there Pvpers, and right now they would have a good sense of security to hunt and do what they want because the population/PK presence is down, which in turn would bring out the PK populace which would bring out more PvP and fun...


With a second character slot made as an option, it wouldnt be a bad plan if when creating that second character you were given the oppertunity to place a "Temporary" house here on siege and within an apropriate time frame, lets say a month or two? you would then be given the chance to excersise your right to keep it or loose it...seems there wouldnt have to be much coding involved in that, just extend the timer for siege from like a 7 day idoc thing to like a month or two month thing

So basically your account would still only have one house option per account...only a temporary option for second character slots on Siege...I feel if this was made in public forumns and other shards...you would see a mad race to create a second character and place a house fast...which would increase the populace so fast it would seem almost radical....this is just an idea, not sure if its possible or not...but Ive always thought in my own whacky thoughts it would work...

The second character slot is one idea we can ask for again in the second phase... lol The phase of "Higher Hanging Fruit". Did I understand you correctly that you feel this should be offered for a limited time only?

I believe allowing players another house on Siege, even if temporary, is something that Cal has pretty well shot out of the water, though I think it wouldn't hurt to pick his brain on the issue! A limited time offer might be an interesting approach.

 

[AshleyWalker]

From kat:
1. Additional bank box storage for all shards

I think thats a good idea myself i play alittle siege myself when pacific is down and i have a hard time worrying about the storage in my bank i think the extra room in the bank would be nice
-Black Elf (mainly from pacifc as Ashley Walker)

 

[Elmer Fudd]

The second character slot is one idea we can ask for again in the second phase... lol The phase of "Higher Hanging Fruit". Did I understand you correctly that you feel this should be offered for a limited time only?

I believe allowing players another house on Siege, even if temporary, is something that Cal has pretty well shot out of the water, though I think it wouldn't hurt to pick his brain on the issue! A limited time offer might be an interesting approach.

Yes, your understanding me correctly, it may not be the best idea...but I have thought about it a great deal and seems to me, that everyone wins...the house would only be temporary, then they would have to choose to keep the house here on siege or give up the house on there other shard, but at least it gives them a chance to get started with two characters and it seems all they would have to do is act like its an IDOC, with a two month timer...then the choice will have to be made...keep the house they placed on siege or there other home...obviously with an option to get a bigger home also...but you get my point...seems reasonable...the second they place a second house on siege with there second character slot, the house goes into a two month IDOC status Per Say.....just brainstorming thats all

 

[Mr.StinkyPants]

well whatever happend to the idea of cheaper faction artys? that would give me a good reason to log in and play/pvp

 

[Skylark SP]

The post title is misleading. There really are no "storage issues" for new players. True new players start with nothing, and if they outgrow a bank box with junk, they can save up for a house during normal game play like everyone else, to move into. The issue is really for people who want to "part time" Siege.

I tend to agree with some others - there is no reason to come up with special incentives to have people "part time" Siege any more than another shard. We have one house per account, it is decision time, Siege is no different in that respect in terms of choice than people who want to play for example Atlantic and Napa Valley.

If some of the barriers to people choosing Siege as their primary shard are fixed, the other will take care of itself IMO, as they will make the choice to have their one and only house, here.

TLDR version: The idea of increasing bank box storage across the board helps with the issue of anyone who wants to split time among several shards. That is a benefit that should be lobbied for completely independent of the idea of helping Siege. I know it will have a better chance that way as well.

-Skylark

 

[Duke TNT]

I posted something like Elmer's idea in another thread. It is the same general idea just with more rules...

Houses on a person's 'home shard' (ie. the shard where the current house is located) will be 'permanent' for a certain amount of time (say 3 months) after the character places a house on a different shard (Siege or not). In that 3 months, the house on the home shard, will stay standing and will not require refreshing. After that 3 months, the new house (the one on the new shard) will fall and the old house (on the home shard) will no longer be 'permanent' - it will revert back to the current housing rules. If the player decides to stay on the new shard, he/she will have to demolish the house on the old shard before the 3 months is up (if not the new house will IDOC). If a third house is placed on any shard, BOTH the 'permanent' house AND the second house will fall. To prevent people from demolishing and reconstructing a new house every 3 months (to keep the permanent house standing indefinitely), the account can only have one 'permanent' house once every 12 months (or some other amount of time).

I know Cal has said an extra house is out of the question, but as Kat said, a temporary house may be an option. This extra house for only a couple of months will give people from other shards a chance to try out Siege without the risk of losing their things on their home shard. In such an item based game, IMO you cannot adequately try Siege with only 125 items. I say 3 months as the temporary time just because it takes about that to get most templates done and playable.

Just my 2 cents