This new Stygian Abyss and new client...

[Lord Chaos]

Is that something you have to purchase extra for your old active accounts or does that upgrade freely?

Is there a place to download the Stygian Abyss client from? I am wanting to play it on a netbook, but it has no DVD drive.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Yes you have to purchase the new expansion to play with the new content.

The EC is free and is downloadable at the link below. You might have to play with settings a bit if you want the EC to work on a netbook, but I have read from other users that it will run on a netbook.

http://l3-cdn2.nap.eamythic.com/uo/sa/UOSASetup_105.exe

 

[Lord Chaos]

Thanks Dermott, good to see some familiar faces still around.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

I'm like on old weed you just can't quite get rid of

 

[Lord Chaos]

Uhm lol? And now people are begging for KR graphics?

Damn, how the world has changed...

 

[Zodia]

Uhm lol? And now people are begging for KR graphics?

Damn, how the world has changed...

Not people. Just him. Over and over. And over. And over.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

A few of us are keeping up the fight for better graphics, even just as an option... you know, that whole "personal preference" thing. (I'll be nice and not say "those of us who have computer systems built after 1998' )

We don't give in to the Hateorade that other people are drinking in large gulps... we just keep our message strong... that we WANT a client that pushes our video cards.

 

[Lord Chaos]

Erhm...since when is KR graphics considered better graphics? heh.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Subjectivity is like that (I could go into a LOT of detail, comparative images and all, but I've done that enough times already, let's just leave it to subjectivity and be done with it). Yeah they needed a little more cleaning up, but on my system they looked pretty damned good. All they needed to do with the EC was simply swap the default from KR graphics to Legacy graphics and leave in the option for people who like them to use them.

Then they could downgrade the Legacy graphics settings all they wanted to and I would have been happy. As it is, about half way through the EC/SA beta, they SEVERELY downgraded the graphics in the new client so that the clarity of the images is lost to pixelation and distortion (outside of 2d's 1:1 ratio for static items and at any zoom level for mobiles).

So instead of a client for lower end machines and netbooks (2d) and a high end client, cleaned and fixed up, the devs tried to compromise to the haters (yeah, right) and we ended up with a gimped version called "enhanced". Sure the UI is better (my mining macro as discussed on the EC board is proof of this), more powerful, and less requiring of an outside program, but the graphical upgrade in texture quality is GONE.

 

[Lord Chaos]

Ok, so how do you make the 3D client not lag as hell on a netbook? I get like 1 frame per 2-3 seconds or something, its really bad

I can't find many graphical options anywhere and for some odd reason in 3D the lake has encompassed my house.

 

[Ezekiel Zane]

I doubt most netbooks have the computational power to run the EC. Especially with an integrated graphics solution.

 

[Lord Chaos]

Considering the graphics aren't much better than 2D its pretty sad its requiring such a high solution to run.

With the increase in netbooks, the UO devs would really do well in making a client that can run on them too, its a bigger and bigger market.

I take it that the 2D client can't access the new areas?

 

[Ezekiel Zane]

Both clients can access all areas that your account has been upgraded to include. The Stygian Abyss client is free. The SA content is not.

 

[Ezekiel Zane]

There's a post in the UO EC beta forum where Supreeme says they tested the EC on netbooks and it was running on them. The range of performance of different netbooks though is quite large.

 

[Vercingitorix]

I'm running on a Dell Mini 9, turn off shadows, lower the resolution. If the game was as populated as back in the day you wouldn't be able to move but a few feet every 10 minutes. So as long as you don't wander into a massive group of enemies you should be fine.

The CC however runs pretty well regardless of the number on screen.

 

[canary]

...

A few of us are keeping up the fight for better graphics, even just as an option... you know, that whole "personal preference" thing. (I'll be nice and not say "those of us who have computer systems built after 1998' )

We don't give in to the Hateorade that other people are drinking in large gulps... we just keep our message strong... that we WANT a client that pushes our video cards.

Yes, because if someone disagrees with YOUR opinion, they must be drinking 'Hateorade'. rolleyes:

That is as lame a thing to say as when people call others 'whining' due to a differing opinion.

(edit, and for the record, it IS pretty much just you and a small handful asking for the graphics options back. not that they shouldn't accommodate, but it is true.)

 

[curlybeard]

Ok, so how do you make the 3D client not lag as hell on a netbook? I get like 1 frame per 2-3 seconds or something, its really bad

I can't find many graphical options anywhere and for some odd reason in 3D the lake has encompassed my house.

You might want to try GMA Booster to fix the factory underclocking of your integrated intel graphics processor. I think pretty much all netbooks underclock their video processor from the factory, as this increases battery life and reduces heat. I found GMA Booster does improve performance of the EC on a netbook, but then heat becomes your enemy.

I ultimately stopped using the EC on my netbook because the UI is too small to be used comfortably.

 

[Lord Chaos]

No help though as its a GMA500, GMABooster doesn't exist to that yet.

 

[lucitus]

Not people. Just him. Over and over. And over. And over.

*Haschiee*, me too!

 

[Heartseeker]

No help though as its a GMA500, GMABooster doesn't exist to that yet.

Hiya Chaos.

Just run it in 2D, you should be good to go.

The EC is kinda like 2D but eats up resources to much....

 

[Storm]

on any low end machine I would run the Classic client!

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Yes, because if someone disagrees with YOUR opinion, they must be drinking 'Hateorade'.

That is as lame a thing to say as when people call others 'whining' due to a differing opinion.


Actually no, people who have trouble with the EC, had technical trouble with KR, or simply prefer one client over the other, I have no problem with. I help out where I can, and if it doesn't work, then at least an attempt was made.

The Hateorade people are those who have to turn any and all threads in which the EC is imaged, mentioned, or even remotely discussed into a client-bashing flame-fest. Now I have my thoughts on the 2d client, and I will point out where it is technologically problematic (i.e. resolution issues, the way boats work, etc), but these people are the ones who directly are attacking those who use or discuss the EC and that they're only argument is "I hate it, therefore it should be cancelled". These are the Hateorade types, and they are the ones that have been going into the Ignore filter. I don't mind discussing the problems the EC has (actual problems such as the lowered resolution, bugs, etc), but I simply do not respect the knee-jerk client hate or outright misinformation that gets posted. Plain and simple... "Hateorade" is VERY different than a disagreement... a disagreement has reasonings behind it beyond "It sucks, I hate it" or "If I can't play 2d I'll quit".

Secondly, yes, I FIRMLY realize that I'm in a distinct minority in terms of wanting the KR artwork, but my desire is not without reason.

Quite simply, KR artwork is the easiest way to give a high-resolution option. The KR client had the option to switch to Legacy artwork and look the way that the EC does now (or at least 98% as the terrain has been altered somewhat in EC and the resolution lowered). Since they have the assets, they should have simply swapped the default for that setting to Legacy artwork and given the option to go to KR artwork if so desired so that Legacy (default) would be the low resolution models and 2d item artwork and Enhanced (optional) would be the KR artwork and higher resolution models. Best of both worlds.

 

[Cloak&Dagger]

...

Yes, because if someone disagrees with YOUR opinion, they must be drinking 'Hateorade'.

That is as lame a thing to say as when people call others 'whining' due to a differing opinion.


Actually no, people who have trouble with the EC, had technical trouble with KR, or simply prefer one client over the other, I have no problem with. I help out where I can, and if it doesn't work, then at least an attempt was made.

The Hateorade people are those who have to turn any and all threads in which the EC is imaged, mentioned, or even remotely discussed into a client-bashing flame-fest. Now I have my thoughts on the 2d client, and I will point out where it is technologically problematic (i.e. resolution issues, the way boats work, etc), but these people are the ones who directly are attacking those who use or discuss the EC and that they're only argument is "I hate it, therefore it should be cancelled". These are the Hateorade types, and they are the ones that have been going into the Ignore filter. I don't mind discussing the problems the EC has (actual problems such as the lowered resolution, bugs, etc), but I simply do not respect the knee-jerk client hate or outright misinformation that gets posted. Plain and simple... "Hateorade" is VERY different than a disagreement... a disagreement has reasonings behind it beyond "It sucks, I hate it" or "If I can't play 2d I'll quit".

Secondly, yes, I FIRMLY realize that I'm in a distinct minority in terms of wanting the KR artwork, but my desire is not without reason.

Quite simply, KR artwork is the easiest way to give a high-resolution option. The KR client had the option to switch to Legacy artwork and look the way that the EC does now (or at least 98% as the terrain has been altered somewhat in EC and the resolution lowered). Since they have the assets, they should have simply swapped the default for that setting to Legacy artwork and given the option to go to KR artwork if so desired so that Legacy (default) would be the low resolution models and 2d item artwork and Enhanced (optional) would be the KR artwork and higher resolution models. Best of both worlds.

Or option three, which would only please 2d enthusiasts make high resolution models of the lost 2d art work! (sorry had to)

Would high resolution versions of the current graphic models work for you? (I don't really remember KR graphics to fondly as I had some stability issues with it so didn't use it much) I agree tho, as for developer time I would rather they just add the high resolution KR art work, I would be ok with this (I would prefer high resolution of any kind, if I must voice an opinion on the subject). either way, a lot of hate on these boards....hate to speculate why.

 

[the 4th man]

Erhm...since when is KR graphics considered better graphics? heh.

Compared to 2D? Yeah KR was better, that's a flippin no-brainer.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

High ress 2d would be better, but would be #2 on my list of 3 options from easiest #1 to most difficult #3...

1. Easiest: KR artwork option for higher resolution settings
2. Time consuming, but doable: High ress, scalable 2d artwork
3. Most difficult: Taking the various types of artwork and determining the better version and creating a mixture of KR artwork and 2d high ress artwork. My own opinion for this would be:

Terrain, plants, trees, boats, buildings and roads, character models: KR
Item artwork (specifically armor and weapons): 2d (This I will agree with the 2d players, the KR artwork for many items were changed TOO drastically to be unrecognizable)

And in a combination, instead of having EITHER 2d OR KR artwork for housing tiles, put the KR tiles in as additions to the house tilesets.

I'd love #3, but tend to favor #1 for ease of implementation. #2 would be acceptable, but would require quite a bit of work on the devs' (Grimm and team) part.

 

[Cloak&Dagger]

...

High ress 2d would be better, but would be #2 on my list of 3 options from easiest #1 to most difficult #3...

1. Easiest: KR artwork option for higher resolution settings
2. Time consuming, but doable: High ress, scalable 2d artwork
3. Most difficult: Taking the various types of artwork and determining the better version and creating a mixture of KR artwork and 2d high ress artwork. My own opinion for this would be:

Terrain, plants, trees, boats, buildings and roads, character models: KR
Item artwork (specifically armor and weapons): 2d (This I will agree with the 2d players, the KR artwork for many items were changed TOO drastically to be unrecognizable)

And in a combination, instead of having EITHER 2d OR KR artwork for housing tiles, put the KR tiles in as additions to the house tilesets.

I'd love #3, but tend to favor #1 for ease of implementation. #2 would be acceptable, but would require quite a bit of work on the devs' (Grimm and team) part.

That is a very detailed answer. And yea those options do sound nice....and yes just the port of KR would be easiest and most effective, altho I think number 2 would please everyone (at least anyone who is claiming its the "art work" that keeps them off the EC) oh well, at least I see #1 as being possible in the future, the other 2 options...are not likely.