NEWS [UO.Com] Return of Counselors

[UO News]

Game
2014 Feb 24 21:10 GMT

We are going to reinstate the Counselor Program back into UO! At this time I would like to know if we have any players that would be interested in volunteering for these positions. Below are the requirements:

• Must be 18 years old
• Must have an active account
• Must have an account in good standing
• Have great game knowledge
• Desire to help and work with others

We are making a few alterations to make the program work with all the changes that have been made currently so it will not be active for a bit but if you are interested in being considered for a volunteer Position please email [email protected] with the following information:

• account name (no passwords)
• shard you play on
• time zone you live in

I understand most of you have your accounts full of characters so you will be given a work account for this task.

Continue reading...

 

[Uriah Heep]

I can think of a few people who would excel here. Hope they apply!

 

[Vor]

Pretty awesome. Look forward to seeing more on this. I know it's not been very long, but i'm pretty impressed by things since Broadsword took over.

 

[Lord Nabin]

Very good move!

Thank you!

 

[startle]

Excellent, Bonnie, just excellent!

 

[The Zog historian]

Sounds good! Hopefully this can be made more legally "airtight" so a few won't spoil a good thing.

 

[kulder]

I was a counselor not sure if I would want to be one again, I would have to think on that. But other than that I am impressed with the direction we are heading

 

[MalagAste]

That is totally awesome news!

 

[Tjalle]

What does a Counselor do?

 

[Cyrah]

Well done Lady & Team! Well done!

 

[kelmo]

Wow.

 

[kelmo]

Seriously... this is a wow moment.

 

[Victim of Siege]

Seriously... this is a wow moment.

I'll drink to that *passes Kelmo a bottle*

 

[Spiritless]

Many years too late.

 

[Promathia]

Many years too late.

Not like they probably had any option before Broadsword came along.

 

[Spiritless]

Well, maybe. But there's nothing complicated about running a volunteer program. This whole site is operated mostly by volunteers, as are a lot of sites out there. Other MMOs have volunteer positions also. It's easy to do, EA just couldn't be bothered with it after the unpleasantness with the first run.

My opinion is that counselors are a relic of the past in better times when UO had a thriving playerbase and the GM queue was so full it was good to have the extra hands around to help. These days, most players are veterans and I don't think the demand is really there to even warrant bringing them back.

Perhaps if their role was changed to get more involved with providing events or content tailored to each shard, but that's more of what EMs are for. Meh.

 

[WildStar]

Some people have long memories.

 

[Promathia]

Well, maybe. But there's nothing complicated about running a volunteer program. This whole site is operated mostly by volunteers, as are a lot of sites out there. Other MMOs have volunteer positions also. It's easy to do, EA just couldn't be bothered with it after the unpleasantness with the first run.

My opinion is that counselors are a relic of the past in better times when UO had a thriving playerbase and the GM queue was so full it was good to have the extra hands around to help. These days, most players are veterans and I don't think the demand is really there to even warrant bringing them back.

Perhaps if their role was changed to get more involved with providing events or content tailored to each shard, but that's more of what EMs are for. Meh.

I don't see how it could be considered a bad thing. . They are bringing in Volunteer's, its not like they are wasting money or dev time.

 

[Spiritless]

Didn't really say it was a bad thing. Just... it won't be like how it was, either for players or counselors themselves. I wish it had happened sooner than it has. The concept is cool though and it's about time those within the community were empowered to help out more than they already do as regular players. Even just seeing more players around towns in and around Counselors Halls would probably make it worth it, lol.

 

[RockoNV]

I was a counselor back in 99/00. There were some serious issues with the program. How will it be different this time?

 

[Lady CaT]

Hopefully the new Volunteer Counselor Program isn't opening the company to a class action lawsuit like the last time.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/21/revolt-in-britannia-uo-counselors-sue-origin-and-ea

 

[RockoNV]

Hopefully the new Volunteer Counselor Program isn't opening the company to a class action lawsuit like the last time.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/21/revolt-in-britannia-uo-counselors-sue-origin-and-ea

Maybe it was 98/99. It was a long time ago...........I do not remember anything about a lawsuit.

 

[Zosimus]

Everybody pretty well knew about the lawsuit.


Hopefully people can understand the meaning this time on the word "Volunteer".


Looks positive but hopefully these positions are moderated by higher ups from any type of an abuse.

 

[Captn Norrington]

Awesome! In my opinion this was one of the best systems ever put in game, it allows the GM's to handle the important and complex problems instead of having to respond to things like "my pet died how do I make it alive again"

 

[Frarc]

Interesting...

 

[Amber Witch]

I'm actually at a loss for words so I'll say, with such great joy............... Thank you !!!!!

We're gonna get some newbies in game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[claudia-fjp]

Below are the requirements:

• Must be 18 years old
• Must have an active account
• Must have an account in good standing
• Have great game knowledge
• Desire to help and work with others

4.5/5.. I lack the desire to work with others. If there's ever a position to roam the servers deleting bugged, broken, and leftover EM things I'll be the first in line though.

 

[Lady Storm]

Yippeeeeeeeee....
What do counselors do?? well.......... to put it in a nut shell... We help our fellow players with issues in the game with information, some common sense, and understanding of the fustration of the issue. When warranted we assist with stuck pets, items , and mediate arguments.. We call in the GM's when nessasarry and always have a happy smile. Now I wont go further as whats needed may be more involved. But it's a welcome sign for this.

 

[MalagAste]

4.5/5.. I lack the desire to work with others. If there's ever a position to roam the servers deleting bugged, broken, and leftover EM things I'll be the first in line though.

What I wouldn't give to be given the ability to "clean" my shard..... to clear all the paintings, statues, and watertroughs as well as the other junk still littering it ...... like the 100's of pieces of "rubble" stuck still all over New Magincia... etc...

I've always said give me a DEV for a day and I'd show them what we see in game.... the things that make us sad... things that need fixed... things that are "ugly"... "Broken".... left undone.....

 

[Cetric]

Where is @Tina Small?

 

[Lady Storm]

This time can i have some sandals??? them dungeon floors are bloody cold

 

[Nails Warstein]

I am extremely pleased this has come to fruition. As a former companion, I broached this topic with @Mesanna at the 15th anniversary party before a crowd of players, and she emphatically proclaimed that something like this will never ever happen again. I am so happy Mesanna & Broadsword could make that which was believed impossible possible again. At that time I posed the question, I mentioned how I'd like to see this implemented in a way that recognizes veteran players who willing volunteer in manner similar to how the Humility virtue was originally intended as lined out here: http://uo.stratics.com/content/virtues/humility_archive.shtml

 

[Ron Silverbeard]

“That’s one small step for Broadsword… one… giant leap for Ultima Online."

 

[Bazer]

This is verry good and awesome to see happen again!! SO far Broadsword is really looking awesome to me!

 

[Lady Storm]

We as Counselors took a good deal of the small stuff off the GM's so they could get to the heavy duty issues... I'd like to see a bit broading of some powers to aid a bit more indepth. but I happy this has become a waking dream.

 

[Jitta the Blacksmith]

Is there support for Japanese?

 

[Warpig Inc]

Just need to add an option to chat. To be able to be in two channels at once. General and Help. Also need the GMs to start insta banning gold site spammers. Well that was all I seen on Help last time I needed a break from the Fel little light saber belly poking contest that floods General chat. All a new player needs to know is how to get on chat. If those logged in ignore another players questions then that shard is on a death path. And if the big wigs log in on a noob account and play the part. They could reward the player that helped with some SWAG. Word gets out that some Dev played noob and rewarded that player that helped with a purple horse eth. New/lost players would never get ignored on chat again. K.I.S.S.

 

[FrejaSP]

Great news, It was a sad day, when we lost our blue robes. I don't know if I can affort the time now but I look forward to see the counselors back and I hope Siege still will be able to have counselors who play Siege too as you need to play the shard to understand the special ruleset to be able to help.

Even when a counselor do not have alot powers, there is still alot they can help with and sort what really need a GM. If you know the game, you may be able to help even without GM powers, just with advice the player. I do my part in helping new players on Siege but I know, there is players who get lost if they are not lucky enough to find someone to help with advice.

I see one big problem. We do have the help channel and turial accounts can only join that channel, however most of us on Siege is using General channel and as we only can be in one channel at the time, we may not hear their call for help. I would love a changes so it is possible to be in more than one channel at the time.

 

[MedeaDF]

Many years too late.

Yep, too late for EA, but not too late for Broadsword.
I think that new studio already pointed out that they are really willing to make some serious changes for UO!
Can't wait to see whats happening next... WTG, Broadsword Team!

 

[THP]

so we WILL get a Councillor to give us a box reply instead of GM...

still its good news there still investing into our beautiful game...

 

[Orich]

So excellent! Great job so far, keep it up!

 

[NuSair]

Well, maybe. But there's nothing complicated about running a volunteer program. This whole site is operated mostly by volunteers, as are a lot of sites out there. Other MMOs have volunteer positions also. It's easy to do, EA just couldn't be bothered with it after the unpleasantness with the first run.

My opinion is that counselors are a relic of the past in better times when UO had a thriving playerbase and the GM queue was so full it was good to have the extra hands around to help. These days, most players are veterans and I don't think the demand is really there to even warrant bringing them back.

Perhaps if their role was changed to get more involved with providing events or content tailored to each shard, but that's more of what EMs are for. Meh.

It had nothing to do with EA couldn't be bothered with it and was more about the lawsuit from the last volunteer program.

Between this and people saying they had no powers.... it's amazing the rose colored glasses people wear or see what they want to see.

 

[Viper09]

Sleep deprivation due to projects...or is this real? If so, Awesome!

 

[Mapper]

Excellent news! Can't wait to see their roles in the coming future.

4.5/5.. I lack the desire to work with others. If there's ever a position to roam the servers deleting bugged, broken, and leftover EM things I'll be the first in line though.

I'd think that would be a bad idea. Would only be a matter of time before some proper shard history would be deleted.

 

[Spawn DF]

After a long quiet time, now also activity on Facebook.

 

[Ludes]

Everybody pretty well knew about the lawsuit.


Hopefully people can understand the meaning this time on the word "Volunteer".


Looks positive but hopefully these positions are moderated by higher ups from any type of an abuse.

I remember it.. I still don't understand it. The word volunteer seems pretty clear in it's meaning to me as well.
I am pretty excited about this program coming back myself!

 

[Aedon Durreah]

I happen to know where one of the old counselors is lurking, I wonder if he might be interested.

 

[claudia-fjp]

Excellent news! Can't wait to see their roles in the coming future.




I'd think that would be a bad idea. Would only be a matter of time before some proper shard history would be deleted.

Yes, the oh so historical stew, the door that got banned from a house and the house decayed years ago, the static exploit statues and misc items... You see, that's where "Have great game knowledge" comes in. Some of us have it and know the difference between old Seer decoration and stuff that should be cleaned up.

 

[MalagAste]

Yes, the oh so historical stew, the door that got banned from a house and the house decayed years ago, the static exploit statues and misc items... You see, that's where "Have great game knowledge" comes in. Some of us have it and know the difference between old Seer decoration and stuff that should be cleaned up.

Exactly.

 

[Apetul]

Hopefully counselors wont be able to "travel" to any player they choose but only to the ones that are needing help (ie, the ones that sent a page) and they shouldnt be able to enter in private houses unless the owner of such houses sent a page. I wasnt playing back in 98/99/2000 so i dont know if they could do this, or if they can hide like the rest of the staff (em, gm, etc) but well thats another no-no imo, they shouldnt hide. Mmm what more.. ah yes, they shouldnt do it on a shard where they dont really play.
Anyway, I welcome the news.