Thinking of returning ...

[Wallenstein]

I joined UO in 2003 at the launch of Age of Shadows and fell in love with it.. However, as people quit for other games like SWG and because AoS was such a massive change to the game, I felt like the community was dwindling and the game started to become not as fun.

Then, when Paragon artifacts were originally put in, I made the decision to leave UO because the game was simply too artifact-based. But of course after a while I heard the Britain theme song and nostalgia set in, so I reactivated my account.. played for a couple more years, started a fansite, and things were looking up.. all until my UO account got hacked and EA refused to help me get it back (trust me, I called numerous times, emailed, talked to supervisors, but they told me because the person who'd called them [i.e. the hacker] to obtain the account password had verified the billing address on the account and requested no further changes ever be made to the account, and I was out of luck).

So I left and haven't been back since. I did obtain an 11-year-old account from a friend but played it for about two weeks and just didn't have the motivation to start over. So, I have a few questions that will help me decide if I should come back or just pack up and leave UO for good:

1: Honestly, in the past year, how has the community looked overall? Have you noticed your shard dwindling, gaining players, or staying the same?

2: How is PvP? Has EA added any outrageously superior powers (like the days with Archery one-shot kills)?

3: How is the Game Master response when you page for help? Do you EVER see a real GM or do they just send predefined responses still?

The GM question is by far the most important for me, because I remember when OSI ran UO in Austin and I'd see GMs appear for issues as small as not being able to remove a trash can from my house, and they'd always be up for chatting and having fun with the players. I don't think EA understands how much this impacts the community in a positive way; EA is just too commercial and 'business' to do this. Are predefined text responses still the norm?

Sorry for the long read, but thanks for helping.. just saw that this board had 150 people viewing it so I figured I'd give this a shot.

 

[Evlar]

Sadly, it appears you missed the "best" of UO, which was before AoS...

 

[Merion]

some quick answers:

1. We had a surge of returning players after the release of SA last year, then numbers start to dwindle again. I'd say we're at the same point as a year age - which means pretty low numbers on Drachenfels, sadly

2. PvP is as balanced as never before. Sure, there's always a flavor-of-the-month template that is a bit overpowered (over here it seems to be the Myst-Parry-mage at the mom) and melee has been given the short end of the stick for years. But overall it's fun.

3. We have Game Masters? *shifty eyes* Never seen one in over 9 years of UO...

 

[It Lives]

I joined UO in 2003 at the launch of Age of Shadows and fell in love with it.. However, as people quit for other games like SWG and because AoS was such a massive change to the game, I felt like the community was dwindling and the game started to become not as fun.

Then, when Paragon artifacts were originally put in, I made the decision to leave UO because the game was simply too artifact-based. But of course after a while I heard the Britain theme song and nostalgia set in, so I reactivated my account.. played for a couple more years, started a fansite, and things were looking up.. all until my UO account got hacked and EA refused to help me get it back (trust me, I called numerous times, emailed, talked to supervisors, but they told me because the person who'd called them [i.e. the hacker] to obtain the account password had verified the billing address on the account and requested no further changes ever be made to the account, and I was out of luck).

So I left and haven't been back since. I did obtain an 11-year-old account from a friend but played it for about two weeks and just didn't have the motivation to start over. So, I have a few questions that will help me decide if I should come back or just pack up and leave UO for good:

1: Honestly, in the past year, how has the community looked overall? Have you noticed your shard dwindling, gaining players, or staying the same?

2: How is PvP? Has EA added any outrageously superior powers (like the days with Archery one-shot kills)?

3: How is the Game Master response when you page for help? Do you EVER see a real GM or do they just send predefined responses still?

The GM question is by far the most important for me, because I remember when OSI ran UO in Austin and I'd see GMs appear for issues as small as not being able to remove a trash can from my house, and they'd always be up for chatting and having fun with the players. I don't think EA understands how much this impacts the community in a positive way; EA is just too commercial and 'business' to do this. Are predefined text responses still the norm?

Sorry for the long read, but thanks for helping.. just saw that this board had 150 people viewing it so I figured I'd give this a shot.

Sorry to be harsh but, if you are calling gm's to remove trash barrels, do not come back.

Look at all the energy you just wasted complaining about gm's. You could have been asking the Community how to remove trash barrels/ re-learning the present game mechanics. Wasting a gm's time on things that you can resolve your self, helps NO ONE.

Your three questions may seem innocuous, but are nothing more than a single rant.

 

[Garm The Green]

You could have been asking ....
Wasting a gm's time on things that you can resolve your self, helps NO ONE....

Your three questions may seem innocuous, but are nothing more than a single rant.

Man, chill out. Could say the same about unhelpful ranting replies, how vicious!

To the OP, ignore this chap. UO is still the broken game we know and love. Everything seems pretty sweet since SA, everyone seems to love it, imbuing has apparantly levelled the playing field somewhat.

Go for it. I just started back 2 months ago, and sure drachs is quiet, but europa isn't!

There's plenty of fun to be had... u just gotta find the right people.

You will need some help, so post on the shard you're gona play. I used to be something pretty good, but find my suit and skills are looking a bit past it, but that#s part of the fun. i also find myself pretty poor but as always with UO people are willing to help, ther's a small community but good one!

Today i just made another friend while soloing a T2A champ, it's nice like that.

Give it a go dude, and i'm sure the game will swallow you whole again!

Peace,

Garm.

 

[GL_Seller]

Lets see the community on GL which is one of the larger servers has dwindled pathetically.

PVP is a joke. Cheating is the norm now.

If u have a problem set apart 3-4 hours of ur day then page. When you get ur answer it will lets say 80% of the time be a link to a page that has absolutely nothing to do with ur problem so u will have to repage. Just pray you dont get another GM who doesnt know what uo is.

 

[sablestorm]

Is it me, or is the stratics UO community more likely to dissuade new and returning players from coming back than encourage them to come back?

 

[It Lives]

You could have been asking ....
Wasting a gm's time on things that you can resolve your self, helps NO ONE....

Your three questions may seem innocuous, but are nothing more than a single rant.

Man, chill out. Could say the same about unhelpful ranting replies, how vicious!

To the OP, ignore this chap. UO is still the broken game we know and love. Everything seems pretty sweet since SA, everyone seems to love it, imbuing has apparantly levelled the playing field somewhat.

Go for it. I just started back 2 months ago, and sure drachs is quiet, but europa isn't!

There's plenty of fun to be had... u just gotta find the right people.

You will need some help, so post on the shard you're gona play. I used to be something pretty good, but find my suit and skills are looking a bit past it, but that#s part of the fun. i also find myself pretty poor but as always with UO people are willing to help, ther's a small community but good one!

Today i just made another friend while soloing a T2A champ, it's nice like that.

Give it a go dude, and i'm sure the game will swallow you whole again!

Peace,

Garm.

I am chilled, it may not have been a political response but it was a honest one, my first words to the OP were sorry to be harsh.

My "harsh" point to make is that players make the communtity not gms, not how pvp is going, not who has the best gear.

A healthy Community takes the honest efforts of the players themselves.
If you are a solo player then community is by choice something you will not have.

IF you want community it's there to be had, don't place the blame on external factors.

If all the player wants is unique and special treatment in a MMO from the company then Uo is not for them.

 

[Taylor]

Hey, Wallenstein. Just a note from your ol' UOLedger volunteer: hope you decide to return. ^^

 

[Derium of ls]

Is it me, or is the stratics UO community more likely to dissuade new and returning players from coming back than encourage them to come back?

That should be sticky in UO

 

[Derium of ls]

Sadly, it appears you missed the "best" of UO, which was before AoS...

so true too! not only did they miss it, but they were right on the line with the time AoS dropped!

 

[Luvmylace]

I say , Give it a shot come to Catskills and look me up in Luna Library or ICQ me(2639646). I will help you get started .the only one who can tell if it is worth it is you !

 

[Derium of ls]

If you do come back, just let us know what shard you land on (ATL is the biggest at the moment). and you someone from that shard will help you out i'm sure

 

[Wallenstein]

Sorry to be harsh but, if you are calling gm's to remove trash barrels, do not come back.

Look at all the energy you just wasted complaining about gm's. You could have been asking the Community how to remove trash barrels/ re-learning the present game mechanics. Wasting a gm's time on things that you can resolve your self, helps NO ONE.

Your three questions may seem innocuous, but are nothing more than a single rant.

Advice taken. I guess because I didn't know how to remove a trash barrel from my house when I was two months into Ultima Online means I shouldn't even consider playing now. And it's quite ironic when you call my three questions rants, when the only rant in this entire thread is your post which I have herein quoted.

Back on topic, I appreciate the advice from everyone. I'll probably just skip rejoining UO and focus my efforts elsewhere. I'm sure once I reactivate my account I'll be instantly disappointed in the "customer service" or some other aspect of the game. Who knows, I'll sleep on it.

 

[chuckoatl]

Come back, the PvP is as level as before AOS. Everything is Item based, but everyone can get the same items now. Imbuing has totally leveled the playing field. Its still a great game, no matter what anyone here says.

 

[Derium of ls]

I will admit it, for being a total item based game, it is really easy to compete with other people with items now. that aspect I do like.

 

[Fin of LS]

Let me try to answer the questions you are really asking:

First--I am a returning player, been back about 10 days, played originally from 97 to 2000, then off and on until WoW came out. Ran the 5th largest guild in UO in 98 and we were Anti's--hugely involved in PvP( maybe our reason for existence-lol)
1. Is the "magic" still there? Do you feel the same awe that you did when you first started this game?
A: Having played them all, WoW, Darkfall, Aion --etc--no game compares in depth and the ability to mold your character. The "magic" is still there and more so for the retruning player who remembers the "old" days.

2. Population?
A: Down considerably, I played on LS and my old account is there. Sadly, I will move to Atlantic to eventually find and join a guild ( have not yet) After all, it is an MMO and other players make and enhance the experience-good and bad. Having said that RL compels me to hacve limited hours so I still expect alot of solo time--which I find i also enjoy and which the game--with all the changes, seems to support much more than in the past.

3. GM
A: Never seen one--but rarely saw one in the past and even when OSI ran things--they were not all that helpful--and tbh they are not in any other game I have ever played. Fact is--I find this community amazingly helpful, the Stratics boards have numerous people engaged in discussion and debate and always ready to answer questions--even from an old "newb" like myself.

4. Enhanced Client
A: I know you did not ask but for an old player this is an amazing thing--not 3D but if I wanted that I would go back to Darkfall. Really does add a new demension to the game I just wish Tug's UOassist worked with it--perhaps someday.

Bottom Line: How can you lose for $15 a month--thats not even lunch money these days. And, moving your old toons to a new server--$19.99 per each--. Got to add that building new toons is easily 3 times as fast as the old days--you may just want to move your major support toon over and just build new killers--thats what I intend.

Advice: give it a shot.

 

[Valerin]

I too am considering a return, but... I can't see how they justify the same subscription rates for UO, as for the other "modern" mmorpgs. I think if they were able to show that UO was significantly less expensive than the other games, they'd be able to bring in more customers, especially new (not returning) customers. Why is a a new mmorpg player going to choose UO with inferior graphics, over a game with amazing graphics, for the same cost? I personally would, but only because I know what UO gameplay is like (superior in my opinion), but your average new player sees the same cost for half the graphics. It's a shame really.

 

[Beer_Cayse]

... 4. Enhanced Client
A: I know you did not ask but for an old player this is an amazing thing--not 3D but if I wanted that I would go back to Darkfall. Really does add a new demension to the game I just wish Tug's UOassist worked with it--perhaps someday.
...

Doubtful. The EC macros can do repetitive steps ... for that matter so can the Classic (2D) client now.

I have my reasons for sticking to the CC but I know the EC has scads more ability if you wish to take the time on macros. There's lots of capable support for the EC here on Stratics. They can help you over rough spots.

 

[Beer_Cayse]

I have rarely called for help from GMs and I have 11 UO years under my belt. But if you are going to judge return based on what might/might not be needed then perhaps it's not the right time to return.

Go with your gut on this one ... and you can be sure someone will not agree with it no matter what the decision is.

 

[Renyard Foxenwyle]

I just reactivated two of my accounts so that I could support the UO Dev Team and hope and pray for a classic shard. I started playing in April of 98 and quit shortly after AoS because of how itemcentric the game became.

HOWEVER, I will say that while I do not care for the mechanics it still has some of that magic I felt back in the day. I've found myself playing it almost every night that I am able to here in Iraq, and haven't touched darkfall, the mortal online beta, or world of warcraft in the last 2 months.

Regardless of weather you like the itemcentric nature of the game, there is enough of a sandbox left in the game to have some fun with. Also housing is much easier to come by. I never thought I'd end up plopping down a couple of large towers just a week after I got back.