UO Disney Tour of UO

[Lady Storm]

The biggest selling point to UO is the FREEDOM to do what you want WHEN you want it and for how long.
In a way I wish new players could get a tour of the game and the world we live in.... to see the whole world they are about to buy up close like a Disney tour.
They would be safe to look around, See players at what they do, nothing could hurt them while on the tour.... Every corner of the dungeons, land and sea...
See craft items and what they can do with skills once built up.. home construction... or placement instruction...
We need a fully visual of what UO is and can be done here... new players come in and feel in short order... well.... they have told me they feel dumb.
This can lead them to walk away ... and you got to admit for some of you returning vets of over 5 years time the game is a bit daunting in feel too.
Things have changed from your last visit to UO.
This is actually a good idea... A visual of what UO is all about covering all aspects of the game with a toss in of crafts, hunting, taming, mapping, fishing...our world...

 

[startle]

Yes, yes, yes!

But we need to discuss what these potential (subscribing) "tourists" could and couldn't do - to avoid the usual exploits of one kind or another...
I think that, for one thing, they should not be able to use a trade window and they should not have any access to storage. After all, they would be in Sosaria to observe only - to see what it's all about.
Nothing could/would be able to harm them and they could harm nothing themselves. In other words, they could NOT "participate" - only "observe".

So - no bank, no storage, no trading, no fighting. But they could accompany anyone to anywhere to see how things are and how we interact with the Sosarian world around us... I think that this would bring many players into UO.

**Edit**: I would even go so far as to not allow these "tourists" to pick up or hold any item and they would need no backpack. This would avoid the certain "abuse" by current players who would use them to hold regs, potions, etc. for use by their "real" players...

 

[kongomongo]

Sorry to sound dumb but wouldn't that tour be easier / more accessible if it were just videos tightly integrated into the clients? I think its much easier to show people what can be done in a guided/on-rails thing rather than having someone who yet lacks a clue about uo to go wander...

 

[BeaIank]

This "tour" should also include some graphical explanation of the synergy between skills.
How weapon skill + tactics work together. Where healing would fit better. Why do you need eval int if you want to be a mage.

When you first step into this wonderful world, you're on your own and have no idea of how these things work and what are the very basics of the skills that are available so that they can make a functional first character.

And while we are at it, it wouldn't hurt to give them a 50K check to start with and a freaking insured LRC suit with decent resists.

 

[startle]

This "tour" should also include some graphical explanation of the synergy between skills.
How weapon skill + tactics work together. Where healing would fit better. Why do you need eval int if you want to be a mage. When you first step into this wonderful world, you're on your own and have no idea of how these things work and what are the very basics of the skills that are available so that they can make a functional first character.

It would be nice to have more "in-game" info available to "potential" subscribers to better understand the mechanics - talking to players is also allowed and encouraged...

And while we are at it, it wouldn't hurt to give them a 50K check to start with and a freaking insured LRC suit with decent resists.

No need for a check or a suit - these "tourists" should not be able to buy or sell or even use ingame items - that would be abused immediately. They can take a players gate or a moongate to where ever they wish.

 

[BeaIank]

For the check and suit, I mean for when they actually sign to play the game.
The starting equipment is just ridiculous. If they aren't lucky enough to run into a vet that will suit them up, they are in for a rough ride for a while.

 

[startle]

For the check and suit, I mean for when they actually sign to play the game.
The starting equipment is just ridiculous. If they aren't lucky enough to run into a vet that will suit them up, they are in for a rough ride for a while.

Good topic for a different discussion... But let's try and stay on the original topic of a "tour" for "prospective" players please...

 

[Elffin]

How about a new player area, where you can do and try anything you wish, but as soon as you go thru the portal to the real world you start as a new player with your 1k and such.

Elf.

 

[The Zog historian]

Tourism is definitely not a bad idea. No Felucca access, however, to prevent invulnerable players from using tourist accounts to spy on spawns.

 

[Lythos-]

Isnt this the same as the 14 day trial where they're in young status?

For vets there's back to brit yearly.

 

[Uvtha]

The biggest selling point to UO is the FREEDOM to do what you want WHEN you want it and for how long.
In a way I wish new players could get a tour of the game and the world we live in.... to see the whole world they are about to buy up close like a Disney tour.
They would be safe to look around, See players at what they do, nothing could hurt them while on the tour.... Every corner of the dungeons, land and sea...
See craft items and what they can do with skills once built up.. home construction... or placement instruction...
We need a fully visual of what UO is and can be done here... new players come in and feel in short order... well.... they have told me they feel dumb.
This can lead them to walk away ... and you got to admit for some of you returning vets of over 5 years time the game is a bit daunting in feel too.
Things have changed from your last visit to UO.
This is actually a good idea... A visual of what UO is all about covering all aspects of the game with a toss in of crafts, hunting, taming, mapping, fishing...our world...

Trial account + young status.

 

[Emil Ispep]

I was thinking maybe setting up a sticky thread, sort of the "Tour of Britannia" with images, links and a few basic how-to guides. (a how-to guide is a must for a new player trying to navigate the account management website, for sure). Any ideas on what you think would be good: images, skills to explain, places to see, house customization, expansions, landmasses, craftables... ect; and im sure something can be put together, and linked to those curious about what UO has to offer.

I do see a few different threads that are buried across stratics, but nothing really to entice people into playing the game by showing what it has to offer... just posts on helping those youngins that have already joined.

We all know EA isn't going to do anything in regards to advertising UO, so why not make a sticky thread and pass the link around? I think its the most were going to get, unless you want to get a sharpie and write 'uo.com' on the bathroom walls at your favorite bars...

 

[Lythos-]

I think its the most were going to get, unless you want to get a sharpie and write 'uo.com' on the bathroom walls at your favorite bars...

That's pretty funny. But seriously, instead of pointing fingers, people should reach out to Gaming Vloggers or even make your own youtube vids of what the game consists of nowadays if you seriously want to promote UO.

 

[startle]

Trial account + young status.

Young status doesn't give "protected" access to dungeons...

 

[THP]

Totally agree..Alas as for new players....and especailly younger players ...u can get better graphical games on mobile phones...for free or peanuts....UO as become far too complicated in many areas ....even basics ....like making a suit ........U need a degree in maths to get your head around it and all the diff bits and bobs u need....LOL.....Deffo NOT for a casual player

Saying that.......Long live UO!!!

 

[Uvtha]

Young status doesn't give "protected" access to dungeons...

I guess I just don't see why that is needed. People know what mmos are. Don't get me wrong id like a permanent trial account option of some manner. I just don't see the point in a hand holding trial.

 

[Lady Storm]

While a pictorial or "movie" version of a tour is nice it still is just a movie... and has a not so real feel to it.
With that said...
I was wondering about something close to the old companion system but not for a set person but one of a sign in for escort...
Where anyone on that shard could sign in and offer up their time to show off the shard, skills, and hunting.
Strictly on a voluntary basis.. Guilds could offer tours of their shard and explain skills and hunting with various templates. Armor and weapons cold be shown the history of the shard. Special points and homes ... building systems... all the differences we have in our game.

Queen Mum has been a good example of her help to the new players of her shard.
As has the NEW2 guild on Siege.
What I propose is to extend this to cover these "Ethereal Visitors" to heighten with the great players we have who are knowledgeable of their shard and wiling to share it.
The "Ethereal Visitors" will get the best idea of what UO is really like. They will have no freedom in the game out side their hosts escort (which will have a range of a screen or two at most and if too far will auto return to the starting point at the Visitor Center.).
I am not sure if this can be done.... but what it would do to show people how UO is and how much there is to do...
We all know how vast the game can be, and to put our best foot forward to bring new people in is worth a lot.

Uvtha we need something to show how we are and what we do. I have walked new players through the game for hours and shown how to hunt, gather, and move around UO.
New players get lost fast... and feel they are a bother when a vet offers them help. I am quite sure if all the new players who quit the first day had a walk through and could see the workings of a shard most wouldn't have left the game and we would be not having a conversation about how to get more people in the game.

I have always said a better welcome pack to UO should have been in the offering when someone plucked down for a 3 month subscription. First 3 months should be at a discount for one 8.99 per month with in game perks of a fairly good starter pack.
Suggestions have been made of gold, suit of armor, an such but that can be worked on to make a beginner pack that will not be total junk as is given out today...

well I would like this to be considered by you all Too bad there is no Disney Trolly car that you can run through the game as it sits and just see what is up and going on without bothering in game players ... who knows there just might be a way

 

[Uvtha]

Uvtha we need something to show how we are and what we do. I have walked new players through the game for hours and shown how to hunt, gather, and move around UO.
New players get lost fast... and feel they are a bother when a vet offers them help. I am quite sure if all the new players who quit the first day had a walk through and could see the workings of a shard most wouldn't have left the game and we would be not having a conversation about how to get more people in the game.

Sure, but all new players of older mmos (and even new mmos and non mmos) feel lost at first. UO isn't unique in that aspect. I personally think a limited permanent free trial account would bring in far more people than have people shepard people around. Figuring out a game is part of the fun. Meeting people to help you is also part of that fun. *shrug*

 

[The Mule]

Young status doesn't give "protected" access to dungeons...

Thought as long as a player didnt attack they would not be flagged. Something along the lines of "A creature looks at you menacingly and would have attacked you had you not been a young player to Brittania..." Or has that changed. Its been a while since I had a young player account.

 

[Painted Elves]

I Like ideas for getting more players to UO.

Why not make a detailed YouTube video, done professional style?
But I also think a Poll would be useful here with some ideas on how to get new players and I wish the developers would use that info.
Does EA even market UO anymore....?

 

[THP]

id rather they did something than nothing,..... doing nothing means uo will close....doing something may get us a few more years...

people have got to accept that UO could ............And would .........surviive better with 4-5 shards... aka 1 euro...usa east ..........usa west...asian west and asian east....[END OF]

with less devs to pay....... less servers rental /// less and more to those that stick aroud...Hey trollers dismiss and troll it at your leisure............... gents and ladies..

but if UO IS TO SURVIVE THEN CHAMGES NEED TO HAPPEN AND HAPPEN FAST

 

[wanderer1origin]

well save uo make a uo channel in youtube then post links lol ea will never advertise game, if u feel need make game seem fun tryable, dont blame ea if not willling to do simple stuff we know ea wont do has never done

 

[Lady Storm]

Youtube might be a way to intro UO to the masses and a tour of what and how it works would be a good start.

 

[Gospel]

What a waste of time this would be. Better off spending dev time working on the new player areas and tutorials. So many good ideas have been ignored or turned down already, why would you waste your time suggesting a bad one?

 

[startle]

What a waste of time this would be. Better off spending dev time working on the new player areas and tutorials. So many good ideas have been ignored or turned down already, why would you waste your time suggesting a bad one?

You didn't quote anyone here, Gospel. So what are you talking about that would be "a waste of time" here?

 

[Zosimus]

There are UO videos on youtube. If recall there was a thread a while back and some discussion of making a UO video. Not sure whatever happened with that. There are many ways UO videos can be used not just to show gamers world but guides as well. The only issue you see many freeshard vids than you do prodo shard vids n youtube.

You are going to have to make the vids unique and keep up on making newer ones to keep viewers coming back that may be on the fence of playing UO. It takes work and time. So it's up to the communty shoulders to take on this task to do it because EA wont.

 

[Lady Storm]

As I am not that well versed in making them I call apon the masses here who do... Fighting is fine but we need a practical visual of life and work in the world of UO. If you looked on the youtube post by Richard Garrott about the avatar... you see he shows how his game is developing.. we have a fully working game and while its not that fluid a graphics ours has a charm all its own and needs to be shown. So if any could or would be willing to try..
Many here I am sure would volunteer time and their play to help.

 

[startle]

Screen recording is really quite simple if you have the software, and there are a number of free recorders to download. I personally have used CamStudio for years. Here's a link as a place to start your search for one.

 

[startle]

Here's one of many tutorials on using CamStudio. I found it by typing Camstudio into YouTube's search box, where you'll find quite a few video tutorials on it...

​

 

[Zosimus]

Lets go with a quest video as an example...... Oh btw since I play GW2 I am going to use some videos from the game to maybe give you all some ideas to work with.



I will use the human to elf quest


Make a video of it.


Edit it with words to let the viewer see what you are doing and understands the quest.




Spawning video


Make a tutorial of spawning and again add words on the screen so viewers would understand tactics and such for the different champs.




Open PvP video.


Speaks for itself but have cool music and/or commentary for it. GW2 example below.

Guild Wars 2: World vs.World

This is like the open lands of Fel in UO.






Arena PvP battles.


Same as above in open PvP but just in Arenas and cool music. Gw2 Example below


Guild Wars 2 - 'PvP Map: Skyhammer' Trailer ( This is what we call sPvP which is similar to UO Arena type battles.)









UO tour video.


Show all the selling points of UO. Housing, dungeons, lands and special areas, sea, events, arenas, pvp, crafting, RP, ect ect ect.


the Beauty of Guild Wars 2






You can make similar video of UO but it takes time and effort. UO has many many quests and things to do in the game. From tutorials, to EM events, to just general game play and what you like to do can be done and promoted on youtube. That is how you may catch some of the old vets, or possible new players that the community is looking for.

Social media also plays huge in today's world and I see many posts of people talking about icq from time to time. I would utilize more updated tools like Twitter and Facebook to help achieve your goal.

 

[Lady Storm]

First Video should be of starting up an account, logging in and the choices of what you can have. Race, choice of gender, then the skills of one.
We all have been there... young players need help in every department of play of UO.
Crafters, Warriors, Tamers.... each need instruction in the arts.
They need to know how to make things, including gold.. the legit way in game.
Most of all they need friends... A Disney Tour is what we need...

 

[pumpkin_escobar]

Maybe the devs can set up a website for new folks on how to set their screens up and maybe a current list of bugs so they don't get screwed like most of us here have.

I tried setting friends up who live away from me and they are lost, they gave up and uo is out money.. Wonder if they care?

 

[whiterabbit]

While a pictorial or "movie" version of a tour is nice it still is just a movie... and has a not so real feel to it.
With that said...
I was wondering about something close to the old companion system but not for a set person but one of a sign in for escort...
Where anyone on that shard could sign in and offer up their time to show off the shard, skills, and hunting.
Strictly on a voluntary basis.. Guilds could offer tours of their shard and explain skills and hunting with various templates. Armor and weapons cold be shown the history of the shard. Special points and homes ... building systems... all the differences we have in our game.

Queen Mum has been a good example of her help to the new players of her shard.
As has the NEW2 guild on Siege.
What I propose is to extend this to cover these "Ethereal Visitors" to heighten with the great players we have who are knowledgeable of their shard and wiling to share it.
The "Ethereal Visitors" will get the best idea of what UO is really like. They will have no freedom in the game out side their hosts escort (which will have a range of a screen or two at most and if too far will auto return to the starting point at the Visitor Center.).
I am not sure if this can be done.... but what it would do to show people how UO is and how much there is to do...
We all know how vast the game can be, and to put our best foot forward to bring new people in is worth a lot.

Uvtha we need something to show how we are and what we do. I have walked new players through the game for hours and shown how to hunt, gather, and move around UO.
New players get lost fast... and feel they are a bother when a vet offers them help. I am quite sure if all the new players who quit the first day had a walk through and could see the workings of a shard most wouldn't have left the game and we would be not having a conversation about how to get more people in the game.

I have always said a better welcome pack to UO should have been in the offering when someone plucked down for a 3 month subscription. First 3 months should be at a discount for one 8.99 per month with in game perks of a fairly good starter pack.
Suggestions have been made of gold, suit of armor, an such but that can be worked on to make a beginner pack that will not be total junk as is given out today...

well I would like this to be considered by you all Too bad there is no Disney Trolly car that you can run through the game as it sits and just see what is up and going on without bothering in game players ... who knows there just might be a way

I WOOD FOLLOW FOLLOW LADY STORM ANYWHERE...OZOG

 

[sablestorm]

Didn't they have something like this once upon a time, with the tour given by... the NPC name escapes me, but there are two copies of him who sit around in the huts of Minoc. Being old and forgetful, I have forgotten what the tour was like. Anyone else remember this?

 

[Lady Storm]

Vague memories of something like it.. but don't quote me.
We the players need to start this as I doubt EA will.... they too worried if they should buy the blue Rolls Royce or the black one...
Perhaps a few designate Tours of UO Skill working with explanations of set up and tools and how to go about it.
Then hit up hunting by different skill sets and keep it level based meaning try not to influence anyone's choices..
Tour of the lands might be the next step.. introduction to Lost lands(t2a), Malas, Tokuno, TerMur... Fel and tram side with a small explanation of why the difference. Explaining the Shards might be slightly different not so much in shape but is look. Age and players have molded the Shards to what they are today.

 

[Tina Small]

Didn't they have something like this once upon a time, with the tour given by... the NPC name escapes me, but there are two copies of him who sit around in the huts of Minoc. Being old and forgetful, I have forgotten what the tour was like. Anyone else remember this?

Publish 39 added a "New Player Guided Tour System" in January 2006: http://uo.stratics.com/uoherald/news/news.php?newsid=761 . I remember that you went to Britain and Zento (by the bridge on the east side of Zento) but that's about all I remember of it.