The real reason Siege is not seeing Dev time.

[Draxous]

I've been keeping my mouth shut, but since you brought it up Petra... I figured I'd have this little conversation with the rest of the people I've spent years gaming with.

And while I too would appreciate more developer's attention on Siege, I also realise the staff already work far longer hours than most of us just trying to keep pace with expected events and content for the game as a whole. Please, just for one tiny, tiny moment consider the possibility that the reasons Developers don't do things isn't always because they don't want to, or can't be bothered to, but because they simply can't.

I didn't post this on UHall because... well, not sure how people will react to this.

You're right petra. The dev team simply cannot. They won't be able to for a long time to come, even if then and this is why I rarely play here anymore. I've known for quite a while now that Mythic has been unable to dedicate the resources to fixing siege. Not because they don't want to, but because they can't. That's pretty much why they're stalling on this classic server, and why the halloween one is no where even near "classic".

The reason?

Star Wars.

EA is panicking. George Lucas is panicking. They've cannibalized the Mythic team to help with this. They've spent more than $300 million dollars on this steaming pile of failure and it's eons away from completion. The biggest thing they are tooting their horn on is the freaking sound (which is 20 gigs of voice overs anyway.) They've blown through more cash than James Cameron spent on Avatar. They've blown it big time with this game and they are pissed and freaking out. Think of it like a cool console game with instances, but not an MMO and no where near completion. They are at the point of having to push back the release (yet again) which they cannot afford to do. Which they do not want to do. Which they cannot... do. And let's not forget the $50million project that was warhammer.

Warhammer wasn't the success they had hoped for. Don't believe me? Read up on this little bit of juice.

Why Warhammer Failed | EA Louse

So this begs the question. We get the horse crap promise of changes over the summer. Meetings with community reps. Promises of changes this fall and then no delivery.

I'm not going to lie... I know developers in the industry who've given me information on this epic failure EA is working on called star wars. I'm told things that I'm positive these companies do not want outsiders knowing.

I can tell you all that the reason why we are not getting the dev effort we deserve is because the developers simply cannot give it. Bad timing. Mismanagement. You name it stands in the way.

The point of this post is to warn you all waiting with baited breath of "awesome" changes to come for all your efforts. They are not. Not like anyone in this "room" didn't already know that... though many of you may be in denial holding on to the last shreds of hope.

Basically, everyone here needs to make a decision. Accept the fact that things are going to remain the same and enjoy the new content slated (that was in the pipeline 6+ months ago) or find yourself something different.

Obviously, the choice I've made is pretty clear. I still play UO here and there, but on prodo. My main game these days is Darkfall which actually holds promise. I no longer have the same faith in this one that I once did.

Sincerely,
An Ultima Online player... since beta.

 

[Draxous]

Oh yeah, and he needed Paul Barnett. You know him as the crazy British dude that appears in random videos at EA to promote his latest bull****tery. We know him as the crazy British dude who we have no idea of how he still has a job. This man was supposed to be the savior of Warhammer’s vision and design. Now all he can do is promote his strange ideas about his little secret project web Ultima game that’s been almost universally criticized by all of us and focus groups. What’s that? You didn”t know Paul loves one of those old Ultima games sooooo much he’s making a literal copy of it for Facebook? Well, the cats outta the bag. Too bad it sucks ass.

Maybe I'll see you all on facebook.

*tips hat*

 

[Chardonnay]

:loser:

 

[Czarina]

I hate to say it but you have a good point on thier star wars new game. Everytime they post any info on it it looks more and more like the a upgraded galaxies and is going downhill before its even released.

 

[Lorddog]

this is news? we have known this all the time.
most of us knew giving EA a short easy list of things to help seige (like rot number changes) was all we are going to get.

Thats why I was pushing for blackrock to be turned back on permanently

as it is now with the abundance of sot, alacrity and rot times enhanced it is much better and was a very easy thing for us.

Lorddog

(Long live Blackrock!)

 

[N49ATV]

Biggest issue is we cant come together and give a solid list to EA/Mythic. They see us fight over stuff, they arent gonna alienate anyone by picking sides

 

[TheScoundrelRico]

The only time Siege received constant attention was while the developer who it was his brainchild was on the staff. Before then, nothing, after he left nothing.

Why does anyone think this will ever change?...la

 

[Adrianas]

I dunno, I can buy the 'corporate $$ woes' very easily. I don't know as much about the gaming industry, but I know a *lot* about the book writing industry. (And I do know a little about the computer gaming industry, as I was married to a programmer for 10 years, plus when you're involved in fantasy literature you end up running into game owners from time to time at SF conventions. Dare I mention that I remember when Richard Garriott was promoting UO by attending Austin SF conventions in full platemail?) I suspect that here, as it is there, it's often a bad thing whenever smaller companies are gobbled up by bigger ones. I remember when EA first bought Ultima and at the time I thought, "Oh, no! Here we go!" And sure enough, there has been nothing but staff turnovers, moves across the country (and back) and so forth since that happened. Oh, sure, they have gotten some good people, new staffers who were passionate about the game, but they are obviously on a *very* short leash!

What's worse, to EA, this is nothing compared to other games they made their fortune on. So why should they pay much attention to it or invest much into it?

Further, it's always a gamble, trying for your next "big hit" - and they obviously are already behind the 8 ball with their yet-to-be released Star Wars. Ironically, the best thing we can hope for is some kind of other uber-hit for EA. If that happened, then they might be willing to toss a few more crumbs to the UO staffers. In the meantime, I am extremely grateful for what we have. Yes, I would love to see improvements. But knowing the economics behind the gaming industry, I am just praying that I'll be able to play UO 10+ years from now.

 

[Draxous]

this is news? we have known this all the time.
most of us knew giving EA a short easy list of things to help seige (like rot number changes) was all we are going to get.

Lorddog

(Long live Blackrock!)

O rly?

They had a list of "easy" fixes yet the only thing we got was removing the daily cap for RoT.

Sorry, but list or no list... what you see is what would have happened. Nothing.

 

[Nurse Miss Maude]

Well I've finally decided to respond to what Petra said. I totally disagree with....the devs can't or don't have time. I would imagine since they are on a staff they are doing exactly what they are being told to do by who signs their checks. And isn't the EM (events) staff and the devs staff different entities? Meaning, can't blame them having to take time to run events on the devs when there are EMs handling that. Does Siege have an EM? If so why aren't they doing anything? Are they too busy elsewhere?

It's plain and simple, other shards are getting attention, events and what not....Siege is not. It doesn't have any bearing on what new game is being done, what industry you are in and all that crap. They do what they are told when they are told to do it....no more, no less.

Ok, yeah so let me contradict myself. Yeah, they don't have time cause if it's anything to do with Siege it isn't on their "to do" list.

I'm not going to suck up to anyone and give any tiny benefit of the doubt. Siege is ignored and we all know it. No need to try to sugar coat it.

 

[Kael]

Biggest issue is we cant come together and give a solid list to EA/Mythic. They see us fight over stuff, they arent gonna alienate anyone by picking sides

This is true. People on the Stratics forums can't even agree on changes...I wonder how many active Siege Perilous players don't even follow or post on the Stratics forums.

 

[Czarina]

Im currently trying to get ahold of the person in charge of setting up others as EMs. I wouldnt mind being a EM for siege if people would come to events that i may be able to set up. If i dont get to become a EM then ill try to set up weekly in game events for pvp and pvm. Roleplay and not. I tried emailing the person in charge of EMs but havent gotten a response yet.

 

[T'Challa]

I suspect that here, as it is there, it's often a bad thing whenever smaller companies are gobbled up by bigger ones. I remember when EA first bought Ultima and at the time I thought, "Oh, no! Here we go!" And sure enough, there has been nothing but staff turnovers, moves across the country (and back) and so forth since that happened.

Common mistake. EA owned OSI before UO was ever released.

If it weren't for EA (and the massive amount of backing they gave OSI during development) UO wouldn't exist.

 

[Czarina]

Look at the major changes when OSI was gone. OSI had counselors and more active GMs They actualy appeared in game anytime you paged. Compared to now when you get a message or a website referance. Counselors (or however you spell it) were great cause they would get player involved . I miss seers also for the events and such. It seems when these all were gone players started leaving. Was there any other major things that people enjoyed when OSI had the larger share of running siege? Besides the cooler opening movies when you loaded UO.

 

[Mook Chessy]

The real nail in the coffin for Star Wars was when Steven Spielberg walked away from the project...happened last month.

The fact is 85% of UO players are UO junkies and EA knows this so they treat us like junkies!

The only way to make them stop is to quit and cancle all acounts, what junkie can give up their fix...not I!

 

[Rykus]

Obviously, the choice I've made is pretty clear. I still play UO here and there, but on prodo. My main game these days is Darkfall which actually holds promise. I no longer have the same faith in this one that I once did.

Same here, except I let all 5 of my houses/account go about 10 months ago now. Darkfall is not UO, but it's the only game that's made me forget about the game I played for over 10 years. I've been there about 3 months now, which is longer than I played just about any other MMO (besides UO of course), and I only look forward to logging in with each day I'm there.

I hope you all enjoy Siege for another 10 years, really do. However, if you are done here, and would like to see what it's like when 50, 100, 200+ people take to the battlefield at once, in a very Siege-like fashion, come see me. I am Rykus Wraithpaw, a Mahirim, on the NA-1 server. Hear me roar!

To any orks out there who miss Shadowclan.. I am in a clan call the Ruff Necks. It is a wolf (Mahirim) and ork only clan that promotes (but doesn't require) RP. Some, including the clan leader, are former Shadowclan, and they are a lot of fun.

I miss you guys..

 

[Adrianas]

Common mistake. EA owned OSI before UO was ever released.

If it weren't for EA (and the massive amount of backing they gave OSI during development) UO wouldn't exist.

That might be true, but I read it more as EA stalked OSI because they were doing well. I do remember those earliest days and remember sitting at conventions with folks like Steve Jackson (when Illuminati was big). Steve Jackson games is still around and they started at about the same time.

In any event, the scoop on Wiki seems to be relatively accurate:

Richard Garriott - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As an SCA member, I once attended a "Knowne World Academy of Rapier" at Garriott's estate. It was pretty cool. He had built an English village for his SCA friends. Austin folks can tell of the secret passages and such that he built into his house, etc. I only know of these things second hand, as told by Bob Asprin (author, now deceased) and others who actually attended parties and such at the estate. Garriott was traveling when the Academy of the Rapier was being held, so I didn't get to see the interior of the house personally, just the outside. That was neat enough.

 

[Adrianas]

P.S. kinda - While it's true that EA has brought good things to UO, it is also possible that it might have been fine if it had stayed with a small independant company. There's no way of knowing, of course.

From where we are now, EA could eventually sell off UO to a smaller company, or do what they have done thus far, simply hang onto it as the stepchild that brings in some money but not as much as Madden Football. For all of us, the key is to keep it financially viable for *whoever* is holding the reigns. (This is one of the reasons I do buy the expansions, boosters, whatever.)

I would say more, but shouldn't to protect the interests of my publisher. Suffice it to say that I have a different perspective when it comes to UO. A lot of folks like to grief. A lot of folks take this game for granted and seem to think that it will never go away. I hope that it is still here for my great-great grandkids.

Bottom Line: Never take anything for granted. (And many players, particularly Siege players, I think do *not* take it for granted. We just need more of us!)

 

[Draxous]

I am having trouble following what you're trying to say, dbolesny...

T'Challa is right.

The only important thing the OSI ownership represented was Richard Garriott. He had large sway over development of this game. Even then, you can see the big wig push with UO Renaissance. Was no secret that EA panicked over the success Sony was having with EQ and tried to make UO more like it. You can see this formula for UO being applied to almost every expansion/publish since. DAoC and factions. WoW and p.16/AoS. SWG and UOLBR (blackthorn lasers!) On and on and on. There is very little "innovation" left in this game. You can even hear it when the developers talked about kingdom reborn and how they wanted to make the UI more familiar to players coming from other games.

EA's always had a heavy hand in the development of this game. The corporate $$ woes issue has everything to do with it.

UO will be riding it's niche market until it grows old, tires and dies... which is a long time to come, I imagine. I just don't know that it's the kind of game Siege players are going to remain content with. I know that unless I see some drastic changes (the one's asked for) made... I won't be content.

 

[Draxous]

I hope you all enjoy Siege for another 10 years, really do.

Me too.

Darkfall is not UO, but it's the only game that's made me forget about the game I played for over 10 years.

Yep. Last night my army and I spent 7 straight hours fighting hundreds of players over control of 2 of our holdings. We goofed and got caught mid trade and were double sieged (which happens rarely) and therefore had to fight two battles on opposite sides of the map at the same time. We won one siege and the other came down to the wire where we lost.

I haven't felt adrenaline rushes like this for upwards of a decade now. To the point where my hands and arms go numb.

This game has every element of Ultima Online that I could have wished for. I own a house in prime real estate and run a successful vendor from it. I pvp, hunt monsters, treasure hunt, participate in the event arc, raid dungeons, raid other player towns, 1v1 tournaments, you name it.

The developers even get involved. AV Developers put together a video of a player 1v1 tournament

EDIT: Here's 2 screen shots of us on the way to one of the battle. This is roughly 1/5th of OUR force.

 

[GoodGuy]

Me too.



Yep. Last night my army and I spent 7 straight hours fighting hundreds of players over control of 2 of our holdings. We goofed and got caught mid trade and were double sieged (which happens rarely) and therefore had to fight two battles on opposite sides of the map at the same time. We won one siege and the other came down to the wire where we lost.

you guys lost tolenque? We had crazy fights last night on Nif as well. Then we went and killed the ice dragon with like 30-50 players, first time i ever saw some of its graphics and that thing is ****ing awesome!

 

[Draxous]

Yep. Last night my army and I spent 7 straight hours fighting hundreds of players over control of 2 of our holdings. We goofed and got caught mid trade and were double sieged (which happens rarely) and therefore had to fight two battles on opposite sides of the map at the same time. We won one siege and the other came down to the wire where we lost.

you guys lost tolenque? We had crazy fights last night on Nif as well.

We lost Apautan... tolenque is a chaos city we based out of since Apa didn't have the bank up (we got bamboozled mid xfer by LoD).

Do you and Rykus want in on helping us get it back? PM me on boards if your clan/alliance is up for helping us out.

 

[Draxous]

Then we went and killed the ice dragon with like 30-50 players, first time i ever saw some of its graphics and that thing is ****ing awesome!

Dude, you haven't seen anything yet. Over halloween the developers tested their new "player controlled" monster system with their game master staff. They've been attacking cities all over the map with monsters controlled by game masters while they work the kinks out of it and are reporting to the player base that they will start running events with monsters being controlled by AV staff very soon (the ultimate in PvE experience.)

Not only that, but they are talking about putting demi-gods into the game for the next expansion possibly.

For anyone who doesn't know what these are... here is a picture of one of them. My character is slightly smaller than the little guy (a below) standing next to it.

Imagine a developer controlling that thing while he's destroying your town. My panties are wet thinking about it.

 

[Chardonnay]

My panties are wet thinking about it.

Now all Darkfall needs is it's own forum so you can get the **** outta here!

 

[Symma]

Never thought I'd be agreeing with Chardonnay, but this is kind of turning into a Darkfall recruitment thread lol.

 

[Chardonnay]

http://vboards.stratics.com/darkfal...800-i-got-banned-darkfall-forums-oh-well.html

Sounds like Darkfall is one LONG grindfest sorta like WoW to me...unless your name is Diablo and you can play 16 hours a day i wouldn't waste my time...

 

[GoodGuy]

Have fun playing siege for another 10 years! i really don't have time for these forums much anyways, enjoy playing Ultima Forum Online.

 

[Førsaken]

Have fun playing siege for another 10 years! i really don't have time for these forums much anyways, enjoy playing Ultima Forum Online.

Are you as bad at Darkfall as you were at UO? Do they call you (crying) Good over there too *get it?*, or have you gotten rather good at RP'ing a not so whiny pancake?

Just curious...

 

[Rykus]

http://vboards.stratics.com/darkfal...800-i-got-banned-darkfall-forums-oh-well.html

Sounds like Darkfall is one LONG grindfest sorta like WoW to me...unless your name is Diablo and you can play 16 hours a day i wouldn't waste my time...

This is funny... I have been there about 3 months now, and my toon is very PvP viable, and has been for quite a while. I may not be able to take on the best out there 1 on 1, but I can make significant contributions to sieges, and am considered a 'vet' in terms of my skill development.

There is a free 2 week trial if you feel like finding out for yourself. Making assumptions based on ignorance, and rumors, is....what it is...

In any case, Siege will never get the attention it needs to thrive, and as long as people are happy with that, there shouldn't be any problems. If that's not an acceptable situation, then.. *shrugs*

 

[Chardonnay]

This is funny... I have been there about 3 months now, and my toon is very PvP viable, and has been for quite a while. I may not be able to take on the best out there 1 on 1, but I can make significant contributions to sieges, and am considered a 'vet' in terms of my skill development.

There is a free 2 week trial if you feel like finding out for yourself. Making assumptions based on ignorance, and rumors, is....what it is...

In any case, Siege will never get the attention it needs to thrive, and as long as people are happy with that, there shouldn't be any problems. If that's not an acceptable situation, then.. *shrugs*

There's where your assumptions made YOU look ignorant...how did that swimming all night macro work out for you?I don't have time or enjoy macroing a character day and night or even enjoy the way PvP is setup...second of all im not a guild kinda person and that is what this game is you rely on a guild and the guild relies on you. That's the reason i never liked shadowbane...i'm not macroing mining all day to give half my resources to the "guild" then turn around and have a ****ty guild turn around and sell my hard work...been there done that...Darkfall is not for me...and for 9 years in the making it was terribad...

P.S. I think advertising another game in a Siege Perilous Forum is quite ignorant too...

 

[Draxous]

There is a free 2 week trial if you feel like finding out for yourself. Making assumptions based on ignorance, and rumors, is....what it is...

It's chardonnay... you honestly think anyone believes he knows what he's talking about?

The only part of character development in DFO that's hard are stats.. and even then stats don't matter much. I find it hilarious anyone from siege who has put up with RoT could think any other game has a grind. Even WoW. How long have we all been playing Siege? Who's got a finished character? lol.

 

[Chardonnay]

It's chardonnay... you honestly think anyone believes he knows what he's talking about?

The only part of character development in DFO that's hard are stats.. and even then stats don't matter much. I find it hilarious anyone from siege who has put up with RoT could think any other game has a grind. Even WoW. How long have we all been playing Siege? Who's got a finished character? lol.

Shouldn't you be playing Darkfall?

BTW, grind means quests and gear...UO doesn't have that problem...going thru ten zillion quests to level my toon is not fun...and sitting in the battlegrounds 24/7 to earn gear is not fun either...oops new expansion now you need to grind ten more levels and earn all new gear...that's my definition of grind...or macro swimming all night, or macro mining all night...

I mean in all honesty if i had the hours like you to play i would sit at my town all day and protect my stuff but sadly i have a life and cant play a online game for hours...see once you become a real man and move out of your mothers bedroom you'll see you cant spend ridiculous amounts of time on a online game too...

 

[Chardonnay]

It's Draxous... you honestly think anyone believes he knows what he's talking about?

Holy hell! I been saying that about you for years ever since you started up a guild and failed miserably at being a gm...

 

[Rykus]

BTW, grind means quests and gear...UO doesn't have that problem...going thru ten zillion quests to level my toon is not fun...and sitting in the battlegrounds 24/7 to earn gear is not fun either...oops new expansion now you need to grind ten more levels and earn all new gear...that's my definition of grind...or macro swimming all night, or macro mining all night...

None of this applies to DF except possibly the swimming part, and that's only for 1 stat. Macro mining - what?? I can't say this is impossible in DF, but I can't imagine how someone would pull this off. This is actually very easily done in UO, but not in DF. Try again..

Fortunately, the swimming thing will no longer be an issue in a couple weeks once they implement an offline skill system to eliminate the need for people to 'grind' things like swimming against a rock all night. It will basically allow everyone to 'grow' while offline to help casual players keep up in a few basic skills. Stat growth is a nice bonus to your toon, but not a make or break kind thing as it is in UO.

Again, you really have no idea what you are talking about here unless you try it. I'm not saying you should, but your opinion of DF vs. the reality of how the world works are very different things. I had very similar misunderstandings of how the game actually was until I tried it a few months ago. I am there to stay, however your mileage may vary.

I'll jump out of here, wasn't really trying to here, but hammers and nails.. Y'all have a great night..

 

[GoodGuy]

Are you as bad at Darkfall as you were at UO? Do they call you (crying) Good over there too *get it?*, or have you gotten rather good at RP'ing a not so whiny pancake?

Just curious...

LOL still upset you couldn't beat me? wow buddy, get over it.

 

[GoodGuy]

Shouldn't you be playing Darkfall?

BTW, grind means quests and gear...UO doesn't have that problem...going thru ten zillion quests to level my toon is not fun...and sitting in the battlegrounds 24/7 to earn gear is not fun either...oops new expansion now you need to grind ten more levels and earn all new gear...that's my definition of grind...or macro swimming all night, or macro mining all night...

I mean in all honesty if i had the hours like you to play i would sit at my town all day and protect my stuff but sadly i have a life and cant play a online game for hours...see once you become a real man and move out of your mothers bedroom you'll see you cant spend ridiculous amounts of time on a online game too...

You don't have to do any quest in darkfall if you don't want to. THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED ONE BIT......

PS. What the **** are the battlegrounds? Darkfall is exactly like siege perilous, actually more dangerous.

Most of the "gear" average people fight in is basically what you'd consider GM suit of leather armor. Easy to get, easy to make, cheap to buy.

Try it for 2 weeks chard, and if you tell me it doesn't remind me of UO and doesn't float your boat, then i'll believe you. But you obviously have no ****ing idea how great of a game darkfall is that you're trying to talk **** on.

 

[Førsaken]

Are you as bad at Darkfall as you were at UO? Do they call you (crying) Good over there too *get it?*, or have you gotten rather good at RP'ing a not so whiny pancake?

Just curious...

LOL still upset you couldn't beat me? wow buddy, get over it.

Oh look! He made time to come back to lil ole' UO forums to have storytime!

 

[Sprago]

Where are the MODS do you really think deiscussing another game in Siege furoms is really needed why the hell are you not doing anything about it?

 

[Draxous]

Re: [Devs] Any plans to make SotD permanent?

Because sadly this test server gets more time than SP and if you not gonna make it permanent then i'm not gonna waste my time playing it...

Yes or No?

lol!!!

 

[kelmo]

*sighs* I had hoped this would just fade away. Since this discussion is primarily about Darkfall, please note that Stractics has a forum dedicated to this MMO as well as many others.

As there are just a handful of folks posting here, I hope you understand why this thread will be closed. It definitely is not UO, nor does it promote Siege.

The Stratics Darkfall forum is located here: Darkfall Discussion Hall - Stratics Forums

I understand Darkfall has its own forums. Feel free to continue this discussion in either of those places.

If any of the interested parties wish me to move this thread to the Stratics Darkfall forum let me know. It will not continue here on UO Siege Stratics.