[UO Herald] Eleventh Year Collection Items: Update

[UO News]

We apologize for any confusion that may have occurred regarding the 11th Year Collection Game Codes. We continue to strive toward making the UO experience enjoyable across our entire global community. As a result, we want to take time to reevaluate our distribution of these particular items. We will have an update shortly.

If you have questions or are dissatisfied with your order please contact Customer support at http://support.ea.com. Please accept our apologies again for the confusion and accept our thanks for your understanding and patience.




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[Maplestone]

I'm not dissatisfied now ... but depending on what decisions come out of the reevaluation, I might become a tiny bit grumpy.

 

[DHMagicMan_1]

Does this mean you MAY decide to sell tokens in a different way... like maybe 3 for $10 or something and the tokens give you Choice of Item?

 

[Endrik]

I was soooo disappointed with this whole thing... $30 is WAY too much, and then the fact that you cant even pick which items you want... So poorly implemented. This post helps though... It gives me hope that maybe they really do want to please their customers and perhaps will offer these items in a way that will allow you to at least pick what you want.

 

[Tazar]

I'd buy three sets (33 items) if I can pick and choose each item separately. If they stay bundled so that we get one of each, then I will not buy any. I have better things to spend my money on rather than purchase something that I do not want, and will never use...

I do hope that EA-Mythic is reconsidering this point. I think they will make a lot more "profit" on the deal if we have our choice!

 

[MalagAste]

I'd buy three sets (33 items) if I can pick and choose each item separately. If they stay bundled so that we get one of each, then I will not buy any. I have better things to spend my money on rather than purchase something that I do not want, and will never use...

I do hope that EA-Mythic is reconsidering this point. I think they will make a lot more "profit" on the deal if we have our choice!

I too would buy 3 sets "If" I can chose what I get with each one.... I'm not getting 33 tokens and only get 3 of each item.... that would suck.... some of those things I don't really want.... But some I really want... many of.

There is NO WAY I'd buy 3 sets if I'm not able to choose what to get

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Am I reading this right in that you get one of each item... therefore you get ONE BOD book cover in ONE color?

That seems entirely pointless to me. A set would be good, but ONE cover?

 

[kennykilleduo]

$30 is WAY too much , but then again most items are in the store for a 10+ year old game..

 

[MalagAste]

...

Am I reading this right in that you get one of each item... therefore you get ONE BOD book cover in ONE color?

That seems entirely pointless to me. A set would be good, but ONE cover?

Actually from what I understand the bod book thing comes as a package deal one of each color cover including all metals and leathers.

 

[DHMagicMan_1]

...

Am I reading this right in that you get one of each item... therefore you get ONE BOD book cover in ONE color?

That seems entirely pointless to me. A set would be good, but ONE cover?

With regard to the BOD Covers... you get a complete set... one of every color and each one can be used 30 times... so with 1 "BoD Cover" Token... you can cover MANY books....

 

[AesSedai]

- I'm not at all positive, but it seems like it was originally released in Japan as 1 token that give you one each of the 11.
I wonder how this would impact the possibility of a change for this release.
If I were one from Japan that bought the original version, I would be a bit upset if it was sold in a more favorable method for UK/US/AUS, etc. Even if it was made available worldwide in the 'pick&choose' method, I would be upset if I'd already bought the collection (again, just guessing that it originally sold as 1 token with 11 items).
And if they did initially sell it as an all-in-one bulk purchase, one has to wonder why marketing felt they could generate more sales at $30 for one bulk purchase, when some players would only be interested in a few. I really don't understand the thought behind selling in bulk rather than allowing players to pick and choose when they get it in-game, perhaps in groups of 5 for $15 or even 11 choices for $30. I know I'd be much more likely to buy 5 for $15 over 11 for $30. Didn't the Heritage tokens (or some tokens) already allow the ability to choose? So I don't see why it would've been too intensive to code.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Ok, that makes a LOT more sense and is worth the price IMO. A single book cover (random color single use) would have sucked in terms of a pay-for item... as a "log in to ingame gift" it would have been ok, but as a pay for item... no.

Thanks for the clarification... I'm sure ity was listed somewhere and I missed where it was buried.

 

[Maplestone]

Actually from what I understand the bod book thing comes as a package deal one of each color cover including all metals and leathers.

Just to clarify a little further (at least the version that was briefly available)

The set included one token that is redeemed for a bag of 12 covers (8 ore colors, 3 leather colors and 1 "normal" that bleaches a dyed BOD book back to their original color). However, also note that each cover has 30 charges, so with a single token, you can make 30 full sets of BOD books.

( although why I'm pointing this out rather than going out profiteering off my 12x29 remaining charges, I'll never know )

 

[JC the Builder]

$30 is WAY too much , but then again most items are in the store for a 10+ year old game..

Once again, the people in japan paid more than $30 for this.

Also the distribution system of all items in one token and not being able to choose is likely exactly the same.

It is funny how people are saying the Asian players are getting favored but then complain about prices and choosing items when it comes over here.

 

[Gheed]

Once again, the people in japan paid more than $30 for this.

Also the distribution system of all items in one token and not being able to choose is likely exactly the same.

It is funny how people are saying the Asian players are getting favored but then complain about prices and choosing items when it comes over here.

JC the items are sold separately on the Asian website (if I am reading it correctly). And I'm sure some folks in the Asian market complained about the price too. Paying too much is a world-wide constant subject to opinion. Please don't think us the lesser for doing it.

 

[kelmo]

*chuckles*

 

[christy1221]

Once again, the people in japan paid more than $30 for this.

Also the distribution system of all items in one token and not being able to choose is likely exactly the same.

It is funny how people are saying the Asian players are getting favored but then complain about prices and choosing items when it comes over here.

If I didn't buy it thinking that I was going to be able to pick what I wanted it wouldn't have been a problem. I don't care to pay the thirty I was just disappointed.

And japan can buy them individually we can't. It would be nice if we could. I would buy more of the bookshelves.

 

[JC the Builder]

JC the items are sold separately on the Asian website (if I am reading it correctly).

Well you can complain about that then.

I think the community staff felt pressured to get this program out the door as quickly as possible because of the demand. Then all this happens and people are saying they are incompetent and this is unfair. While it should not have taken this long, you can't expect things to go perfectly when you bring something you don't understand (because this program was designed by the Japan team) to the market.

 

[Sweeney]

It's obvious there were two plans. One to allow individual choices (hence the website additions), and another to only allow one of each item (likely last minute due to the miscommunication).

To say there was pressure would be an understatement, but they had over 3 months to plan this out.

 

[Viquire]

Its probably also fair to note that these items were included in an 11th ani box, what else, if anything, was included in that box I dont know. But that makes the price of the items PART of that package at $36. US, even if all they had to pay for was cardboard and art for same.

 

[Aboo]

. . . I think the community staff felt pressured to get this program out the door as quickly as possible because of the demand. Then all this happens and people are saying they are incompetent and this is unfair. . .

I almost had to laugh when I read this. It was supposed to be out the middle of December to all of us non-Japanese players. Here it's the middle of February, how is that pressure?

Anyway I really wanted to respond to ask you why you said

While it should not have taken this long, you can't expect things to go perfectly when you bring something you don't understand (because this program was designed by the Japan team) to the market.

Did I miss something about it being designed by the Japan team. I just thought it was given to Japan first for their promotion, not that they designed it. Did I miss something?

 

[JC the Builder]

Its probably also fair to note that these items were included in an 11th ani box, what else, if anything, was included in that box I dont know. But that makes the price of the items PART of that package at $36. US, even if all they had to pay for was cardboard and art for same.

No, it cost that much just for the promotional code on the website. There was a box you could also buy which was a limited run and was offered as a different promotion.

Did I miss something about it being designed by the Japan team. I just thought it was given to Japan first for their promotion, not that they designed it. Did I miss something?

You did. Draconi explained a short while ago that he went to Japan to train EA staff there how to do stuff just like this. The items and promotion was all done by the EA Japan team. Then people over here saw it and wanted it, so they had to work out how that would happen.

We are basically feeling now what Japan does when they try to get the stuff we have over there.

 

[Harlequin]

No, it cost that much just for the promotional code on the website. There was a box you could also buy which was a limited run and was offered as a different promotion.

You did. Draconi explained a short while ago that he went to Japan to train EA staff there how to do stuff just like this. The items and promotion was all done by the EA Japan team. Then people over here saw it and wanted it, so they had to work out how that would happen.

We are basically feeling now what Japan does when they try to get the stuff we have over there.

JC is correct. It's not something done by devs in US and then released in Japan first. It's done by the newly Draconi trained devs in Japan as part of their marketing strategy there.

I now understand why there were people that were extremely unhappy with this. Didn't occur to me to mention this previously. Good job JC.

 

[MorganaLeFey]

Thanks JC, that was my understanding as well.

 

[DHMagicMan_1]

Well you can complain about that then.

I think the community staff felt pressured to get this program out the door as quickly as possible because of the demand. Then all this happens and people are saying they are incompetent and this is unfair. While it should not have taken this long, you can't expect things to go perfectly when you bring something you don't understand (because this program was designed by the Japan team) to the market.

The US Team took FIVE Months to bring this to the US market. First they announced We'd get it 30 days behind and if we got EXACTLY what they got 30 days behind I'd have no complaints... but the longer that it took and the more times they said we're having issues and we're resolving issues it seemed more and more like lack of competance, either in communication or execution. Then the websites, both the code store and ultimaonline.com announced you get 11 tokens with CHOICE... again HUGE communication oops, you don't get choice, you get one of each! HUGE difference.

$3 per token isn't a huge amount if I get the items I want... I'd rather not get in packs of 10 or 11 but whatever, I'll pay $30 or $10 or $15 for packs of $3 tokens where I get to choose my items. If the items are chosen for me and I get two I want and nine are wasted, NO THANKS... I'm not buying.

It's unfortunate that this program has been communicated and executed on some incredibly badly since last September. I don't know why this happened so badly and so repeatedly but anyone who looks back through the history of what posts where made by EA Reps will agree that this one has been inexcusable.

 

[DHMagicMan_1]

We are basically feeling now what Japan does when they try to get the stuff we have over there.

What do we have ANYWHERE in UO that Japan doesn't have?

 

[Aboo]

No, it cost that much just for the promotional code on the website. There was a box you could also buy which was a limited run and was offered as a different promotion.

You did. Draconi explained a short while ago that he went to Japan to train EA staff there how to do stuff just like this. The items and promotion was all done by the EA Japan team. Then people over here saw it and wanted it, so they had to work out how that would happen.

We are basically feeling now what Japan does when they try to get the stuff we have over there.

Thank you for explaining that, I did evidentally miss it.

I wish, since we all play the same game, that we all got treated the same. I truly hate having played a game for 11+ years and feel like we get the short end of the stick on a lot of things.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

What do we have ANYWHERE in UO that Japan doesn't have?

Yeah, I couldn't think of anything either.

-Galen's player

 

[JC the Builder]

What do we have ANYWHERE in UO that Japan doesn't have?

Athos would probably be able to give some examples if he is following this topic.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Athos would probably be able to give some examples if he is following this topic.

I'm genuinely curious.

You don't have any examples yourself?

-Galen's player

 

[Aboo]

I'm genuinely curious.

You don't have any examples yourself?

-Galen's player

It would be interesting to see a list of those things in UO that we have that Japan doesn't and a list of the things in UO that Japan has that we don't. I'm afraid the list would be slightly lopsided in favor of Japan.

 

[Lord Gareth]

I dont get why its just not released on all servers and not just japan or just American servers. Makes little sense.

 

[Poo]

What do we have ANYWHERE in UO that Japan doesn't have?

they originally didnt get the hooded shrowds of shadows.
when we got one per account.
they got the hooded robe of umbra, and they got 5 per account.

only thing i can think of that we got and they didnt off the top of my head.

 

[Harlequin]

Erm, lots of duped hammers?

What I can remember,

1) no daily rares
2) alot less uber event items
3) no house design contest that got made into a mini deed


Not sure about server births, but that doesn't actually count since the newer shards like legends/origin may not have gotten them either.

What we didn't get,

1) Date with a porn actress

 

[Kratos Aurion]

Bleh at all this marketing stuff. Why can't both teams just work together and release the same items at the same time for reasonable prices considering they are replenishable pixels that can be sold in infinite quantities.

Do whats best for both teams and stop pressuring releases and just work together, get stable products and release them at the same time for the same price (balanced priced conversions).

 

[Flora Green]

What we didn't get,

1) Date with a porn actress

 

[Black Sun]

What we didn't get,

1) Date with a porn actress

Maybe you missed the giveaway, I got one. It wasn't anything to write home about though. The camera crew, sound guy, director, gaffer and kraft services people barely fit in my car, and then they couldn't seat us all at the restaurant because all the lighting equipment was a fire hazard or something.

 

[Aboo]

Bleh at all this marketing stuff. Why can't both teams just work together and release the same items at the same time for reasonable prices considering they are replenishable pixels that can be sold in infinite quantities.

Do whats best for both teams and stop pressuring releases and just work together, get stable products and release them at the same time for the same price (balanced priced conversions).

Amen! So well said!

 

[JC the Builder]

I'm genuinely curious.

You don't have any examples yourself?

-Galen's player

Well since I don't play in Japan it is sort of difficult to keep track of this stuff.

One thing I can now recall is the Inu storylines. Japanese shards didn't get a lot of the earlier stuff.

 

[Tina Small]

Two Inu stories from the UO Japan site:

April 12, 2006: http://ultimaonline.jp/news.phtml?id=86508.

April 18, 2006: http://ultimaonline.jp/news.phtml?id=86519.

 

[Aboo]

Two Inu stories from the UO Japan site:

April 12, 2006: http://ultimaonline.jp/news.phtml?id=86508.

April 18, 2006: http://ultimaonline.jp/news.phtml?id=86519.

Tina,

Since both links take me to pages in Japanese is the point you're making that the Japanese did get the Inu stories? I'm just wanting to make sure I have it right. And thanks for doing the research on this!

 

[DHMagicMan_1]

I don't see this as needing to get into a screaming match "His half is bigger!"

The point is, we're all one game and we all pay to play. We should all have the same stuff "in the end".

I really don't care if a region gets something first like a month early... as long as everyone else gets it too and it's not always the same region or group... in fact I'd like to see that.

I'd like to see where something comes out on the Siege servers a month before the rest or vice versa... Europa a month before or whatever... but they have to get their act together so they can deliver the "Initial wave" and the "Follow Up" as advertised.

In the end, I honestly believe the items in this collection were ALWAYS INTENDED to be EARLY for Japan for their box promotion and then delivered to the US a month later. I don't believe anyone was scrambling on how to get them to us, I think it was horrible execution that got us where we are... but they never had any intention of selling tokens for Armor Engraving Tools, Full Bookcases and all the rest without selling them to all the rest of their client base... that would have been moronic planning of them on its face... I rather think they had moronic delivery rather than planning.

Just my opinion.

 

[Tina Small]

Tina,

Since both links take me to pages in Japanese is the point you're making that the Japanese did get the Inu stories? I'm just wanting to make sure I have it right. And thanks for doing the research on this!

The stories are about Inu and they are from the Japanese UO site and dated in early 2006 when we were also getting the same stories. I have to assume that Inu appeared on the Japanese shards at approximately the same time as she appeared on the other shards, but since I didn't play on any of those shards at that time, I can't personally vouch that it happened.

 

[Aboo]

The stories are about Inu and they are from the Japanese UO site and dated in early 2006 when we were also getting the same stories. I have to assume that Inu appeared on the Japanese shards at approximately the same time as she appeared on the other shards, but since I didn't play on any of those shards at that time, I can't personally vouch that it happened.

I would have to assume they got it too then. I wonder why JC would say they didn't. Anyway, thanks again for researching this and posting it.

I'm tired off to bed.

 

[Tina Small]

I would have to assume they got it too then. I wonder why JC would say they didn't. Anyway, thanks again for researching this and posting it.

I'm tired off to bed.

Aboo, if you feel like doing your own research, just go to http://ultimaonline.jp/news/ and poke around a bit. Be sure to click on the links in the dark gray boxes on the left side of the page . If you mouse over them and watch the bottom left side of your browser, you'll get a pretty fair idea of what the links are for (i.e., FYI, events, updates, team comments, maintenance). Several of the links also expand further and I found that there are articles going all the way back to May 1999, with many of the oldest articles posted in English. The site also boasts a working search engine.

You'll need to find a web page translator you like. I've mostly been using Google's, realizing that it's not giving the best of translations.

 

[Harlequin]

Maybe you missed the giveaway, I got one. It wasn't anything to write home about though. The camera crew, sound guy, director, gaffer and kraft services people barely fit in my car, and then they couldn't seat us all at the restaurant because all the lighting equipment was a fire hazard or something.

Damn! So that's what that weird token was for! I only caught a glimpse before the wife threw it in the trash

 

[Aboo]

Aboo, if you feel like doing your own research, just go to http://ultimaonline.jp/news/ and poke around a bit. Be sure to click on the links in the dark gray boxes on the left side of the page . If you mouse over them and watch the bottom left side of your browser, you'll get a pretty fair idea of what the links are for (i.e., FYI, events, updates, team comments, maintenance). Several of the links also expand further and I found that there are articles going all the way back to May 1999, with many of the oldest articles posted in English. The site also boasts a working search engine.

You'll need to find a web page translator you like. I've mostly been using Google's, realizing that it's not giving the best of translations.

Thank you, I'll try my hand at that!

 

[Deb]

Any more word on this or did I miss an update?