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[UO Herald] Producer Holiday Update

S

Sevin0oo0

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was certainly trash
Planesword, Sovereigns, rubble. All sell in the millions now. you don't want it until you throw it away. That's why I say Dev's should cleanup past events, graphic bugs (cannons on the water), etc instead. Really clean up Brit, not just increase house storage.
 
S

Sevin0oo0

Guest
not much speculation about the new sea encounter - 35000 hp mob ON your HS boat when an sos treasure is fished up, better take a crew
 

Mapper

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not much speculation about the new sea encounter - 35000 hp mob ON your HS boat when an sos treasure is fished up, better take a crew
I hope not. They've already made white nets unsolable due to the threat of a Scalis. And I very much enjoy doing ASOS's alone. :p
 
M

MySavannahRanger

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Love how the conversation turned to pvp. (sarcasm)
I also belive ppl have no problem throwing away junk. Yet they are promoted to hoard items that are worthless. Only for the chance to get a good prize in the turnin. Therefor defeating the whole point of CUB.
In addition to make the reference "stupid High Seas", would now doubt come from someone who hides in their house with their vendors and is looking forward to the turnin because they own alot of useless items. Don't be afraid, insure your items, go out and enjoy the game.
 
M

MySavannahRanger

Guest
Just to make clear my comment about pvp. It was not in reference to the earlier conversations about the pvp changes. I was refering to the comments, that the Leader of Britannia should be decided by pvp.
I am not the most knowledgeable in UO history. However i do believe that we have always been called to protect Britannia against raiding monsters of a local or foreign relm. As apossed to being the best of those that choose to fight amongst ourselves.
I am not apposed to pvp. I support it. Though i do not believe it plays a part in the Leadership of Britannia.
If im wrong thats cool, just my opinions.
 
C

Cloak&Dagger

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Love how the conversation turned to pvp. (sarcasm)
I also belive ppl have no problem throwing away junk. Yet they are promoted to hoard items that are worthless. Only for the chance to get a good prize in the turnin. Therefor defeating the whole point of CUB.
In addition to make the reference "stupid High Seas", would now doubt come from someone who hides in their house with their vendors and is looking forward to the turnin because they own alot of useless items. Don't be afraid, insure your items, go out and enjoy the game.
Only flaw is that people were hoarding those items long before any notion that there would be such an "event". But I guess once they let that cat out of the bag it just made things worse *shrugs* Specially with some of those people who are complaining it is taking to long for them to be able to, what is essentially, throw crap away.
 
B

BellaofCats

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"Clean up Britannia (the update formerly known as Spring Cleaning) – We are currently testing and evaluating about 850 items with turn ins and rewards"

I...*bang*...just...*bang*...cleaned...*bang*...out...*bang*...some...*bang*...of...*bang*...my...*bang*...houses...*Is no longer conscious*..........




OMG!!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!! THAT was too funny!! :thumbup:
 

GalenKnighthawke

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"Next week (after we return) we will be posting patch notes and adding High Seas content."

Next week? I cannot wait that long I must have it now...who do I have to PK to get the information? Why must you torture me so? How can the team be so cruel?


"Clean up Britannia (the update formerly known as Spring Cleaning) – We are currently testing and evaluating about 850 items with turn ins and rewards"

I...*bang*...just...*bang*...cleaned...*bang*...out...*bang*...some...*bang*...of...*bang*...my...*bang*...houses...*Is no longer conscious*..........
I figure those of us who like clean houses will purchase the rewards from the hoarders.

-Galen's player
 

Dermott of LS

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...

I'm still trying to figure out what people could have been hoarding that would require a cleaning event so soon after the last one.

I mean the first one was due to restrictions of what you could store in your house and the second was due to the sheer number of event item drops that were "going to have a purpose at a later time" but never did.

Unless there were such items in the more recent events, I'm not sure I see the purpose of the upcoming cleaning event.
 

Pfloyd

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I'm still trying to figure out what people could have been hoarding that would require a cleaning event so soon after the last one.

I mean the first one was due to restrictions of what you could store in your house and the second was due to the sheer number of event item drops that were "going to have a purpose at a later time" but never did.

Unless there were such items in the more recent events, I'm not sure I see the purpose of the upcoming cleaning event.
Smoke and Mirrors...
 

GalenKnighthawke

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...

I'm still trying to figure out what people could have been hoarding that would require a cleaning event so soon after the last one.

I mean the first one was due to restrictions of what you could store in your house and the second was due to the sheer number of event item drops that were "going to have a purpose at a later time" but never did.

Unless there were such items in the more recent events, I'm not sure I see the purpose of the upcoming cleaning event.
People have cited a bunch of things but the only ones I can remember off-hand are the Halloween crystals (the ones that can also be used in Magincia gardening) and books from the fishing quests. (Other fish-related things too I think.)

I can also think of the SA ingredients that have no known use.

I'll let hoarders address the issue more. But there have surely been things cited.

There's always the issue of things which appear to have no use but later develop one, such as the Plane Swords which now have great value in PvP because of how they can be Imbued over normal intensity.

-Galen's player
 

Nexus

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· Art resolution updates to the Enhanced client
I'm curious to see how this turns out..

But first let me issue a Challenge!

Your fancy Gamebryo Engine vs me using the Quake 3 Engine...

My First Example...






Yes I know it's not erm.. exactly the same, but hey I'm making a map for Open Arena.

Here's an earlier look at it as I was doing basic layout and running through looking over a few things.

[YOUTUBE]oF8FLM5E57Y[/YOUTUBE]

If you guys can't top this with a technologically superior graphics engine, something is seriously wrong.
 

Dermott of LS

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Well, first of all, it's not really a valid comparison due to the fact that aside from ditching any current client for a brand new build PLUS a brand new server build, we're going to be stuck with the current perspective we have and NOT be using a 3d one.

Secondly, the art updates mentioned will be the first round which will be limited to terrain and walls, and not a full-fledged revamp (yet).
 

Nexus

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Well, first of all, it's not really a valid comparison due to the fact that aside from ditching any current client for a brand new build PLUS a brand new server build, we're going to be stuck with the current perspective we have and NOT be using a 3d one.

Secondly, the art updates mentioned will be the first round which will be limited to terrain and walls, and not a full-fledged revamp (yet).
Oh I know, but still it's sad the old id tech 3 (the graphics engine for Quake 3) is almost as old as UO is (1999'ish), yet back then it was possible to create things that well to be honest put the EC to shame. Yes it's 3d not 2d isometric, yet if I can do this in my free time, alone what can experienced world builders (I say experienced considering I've been dabbling with map building all of 4 days) with access to superior tools accomplish?

That's the whole point of my post, why in 14 years haven't we see anything that lives up to that quality of work done to UO? The resources have been there, they've been there a long time, how come no one has exploited them yet?
 

Dermott of LS

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We WOULD have had the dev teams not changed the way they did and then decide to cater to a segment of the playerbase that was never going to accept anything that wasn't the 2d client (and assets) to begin with.

Yes, the KR graphic set needed work, but in the end, what it needed was a targeted effort (as they are supposedly doing now) and not the wholesale slaughter of the upgraded work.

Sure swap what the "default" setting for artwork was, that would have been fine, but they at least had a much more advanced base to work with the the KR artset than they did with 2d's both in terms of resolution and color depth (which you can tell by placing newer artwork items next to items that have been part of UO since day one even in the 2d client).

I am FIRMLY convinced that trying to compromise with people who refuse to upgrade in the first place caused more problems than they solved.
 

Tina Small

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I'm still trying to figure out what people could have been hoarding that would require a cleaning event so soon after the last one.

I mean the first one was due to restrictions of what you could store in your house and the second was due to the sheer number of event item drops that were "going to have a purpose at a later time" but never did.

Unless there were such items in the more recent events, I'm not sure I see the purpose of the upcoming cleaning event.
Dermott, I'm convinced that the #1 reason some of the most vocal proponents push for spring cleaning events is not to get new stuff but rather to make things that were once relatively commonplace rarer and more valuable. There are people out there that I'm sure have held onto holiday and event items you can no longer get while others rushed to turn them in for pixel crack, and if those items have been available since then, they've probably grabbed them too and stored them away for speculative purposes. It's why we have people demanding to have castles and keeps in facets other than Fel and Trammel. They're hoarding stuff, not to turn it in, but in hopes that everyone else will turn in that stuff and make what they're hanging onto 1000 times more valuable in the long run.
 

Madrid

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We WOULD have had the dev teams not changed the way they did and then decide to cater to a segment of the playerbase that was never going to accept anything that wasn't the 2d client (and assets) to begin with.

Yes, the KR graphic set needed work, but in the end, what it needed was a targeted effort (as they are supposedly doing now) and not the wholesale slaughter of the upgraded work.

Sure swap what the "default" setting for artwork was, that would have been fine, but they at least had a much more advanced base to work with the the KR artset than they did with 2d's both in terms of resolution and color depth (which you can tell by placing newer artwork items next to items that have been part of UO since day one even in the 2d client).

I am FIRMLY convinced that trying to compromise with people who refuse to upgrade in the first place caused more problems than they solved.
Dermott your spot on!

If the powers that be don't realize by now that a portion of the playerbase (and it may in fact be the majority) will never accept art upgrades no matter what the Devs present then they never will. And if that indeed is the case then I think this game is doomed to end at some point...sooner than later.

It's Einsteins theory of insanity at work.

What gets me is that portion of the playerbade who spoke out against UOKR have up and left the game and now here I am stuck with these #$%^^$ graphics.

Someone said it was too much too soon and maybe they were right but it was a step in the right direction.

Every business needs new customers in order to stay solvent. UO in it's current state certainly isn't going to entice new young players with all the cutting edge graphics out there in other MMORPG's.

I just hope they hit a home run with the new artwork graphics.

UOKR was great I don't care what anyone says...the client had it's issues of that there is no debate.

If the artwork upgrades are similiar to UOKR or better I will be a happy camper!:party:

Throw us some teasers!
 

Kojak

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I sure hope the devs don't get the idea that everyone wants/likes the 3d client just because of a bunch of overly vocal whiners on the uhall because most of us hate it - we just don't come here to whine about how crappy the 3d client is every damn day like you 3d people seem to like to

most of the people in my vent and guild - the vast vast majority - play the 2d client and wouldn't even think of using 3d - it sux big time for pvp for one - we only have 1 person that plays the 3d client and that's it (and of course he's a big 3d client whiner - figures)

i'm sure they're getting the real story because they get the real numbers about who's playing which client and trust me, 3d's numbers are probably still low to this day because it sux balls

there's a little counterbalance post to your incessant 3d is great posts - well guess what - most of us hate it - almost all of us hate it - get over it - it sux
 
M

MySavannahRanger

Guest
My first responce is about the fishing quest books. There is absolutly no reason anyone should be keeping parts 1-4 after recieving their 3rd copy of each, within 20 quests. I personally was disapointed that they were not a turnin at the Brit Library, even though i had already dropped several at the spot that i recieved them. Which brings me to a complaint of my own. For me to actually start turning items in to the fishing items quest at Brit Library, with the option to buy a large ship for 150mil in gold. I was extremely pissed to see it for sale on EA, for $15. I am all about EA making money and the game being funded, but to make the in game reward almost unreachable within a year or 2, but sell it, kinda gets at me.
My second comment has to do with the posted graphics. Just to give a little back history on myself (feel free to pick on me if you have nothing better to do, but it is what it is). I am 33 years old and come from a small town. The computers that were provided at our school, were the old, block, green screened Apples. The only game we had to play was Oregon Trail (almost fell on floor laughing just thinking about it). I have never taken a typing class and after owning my own computer for the last six years i still cannot type. Nor can i spell or claim to be Literate. To get to my point. The reason i play this game, and only this game, is due to the 2d client and the thought put into the game play rather than the graphics. I do support other options for new customers, such as the enhanced client or possibly first person views, in order to continue to fund the game that i enjoy. If the 2d client (as i know it) is ever taken away, I will leave with it. I will not start playing another game, because my enjoyment lives here with UO. The day that i decide i want a first person view, i will turn off my computer and walk out the front door. Doesn't get any more realistic than that. :)
 

Mapper

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I sure hope the devs don't get the idea that everyone wants/likes the 3d client just because of a bunch of overly vocal whiners on the uhall because most of us hate it - we just don't come here to whine about how crappy the 3d client is every damn day like you 3d people seem to like to

most of the people in my vent and guild - the vast vast majority - play the 2d client and wouldn't even think of using 3d - it sux big time for pvp for one - we only have 1 person that plays the 3d client and that's it (and of course he's a big 3d client whiner - figures)
The complaints are attempting to get the EC client improved though, You say it's bad for PvP. Perhaps the complaining will get that fixed?
 

phantus

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I'm still trying to figure out what people could have been hoarding that would require a cleaning event so soon after the last one.

I mean the first one was due to restrictions of what you could store in your house and the second was due to the sheer number of event item drops that were "going to have a purpose at a later time" but never did.

Unless there were such items in the more recent events, I'm not sure I see the purpose of the upcoming cleaning event.
Turn-ins are easy for them to add. They take little in the way of imagination or time to code:
1.) Put a box somewhere. (possibly pay attention where it's placed for Siege)
2.) Create a list of objects to turn in. Make sure the overly high points are assigned to High Seas/SA objects so people are obliged to buy it that haven't.
2.) Poorly assign point values to the other turn-in objects
3.) Create a list of objects that are worthless. A list that are mediocre. 1 or 2 things everyone will want.
4.) Let it fly!

So this gives them time to not do anything or work on more micro transactions. I don't think they are even capable of content anymore.
 

Madrid

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Turn-ins are easy for them to add. They take little in the way of imagination or time to code:
1.) Put a box somewhere. (possibly pay attention where it's placed for Siege)
2.) Create a list of objects to turn in. Make sure the overly high points are assigned to High Seas/SA objects so people are obliged to buy it that haven't.
2.) Poorly assign point values to the other turn-in objects
3.) Create a list of objects that are worthless. A list that are mediocre. 1 or 2 things everyone will want.
4.) Let it fly!

So this gives them time to not do anything or work on more micro transactions. I don't think they are even capable of content anymore.
They can use the code from the previous Spring Cleaning..maybe change a few names and add a few new items?

It's not like they have to reinvent the wheel when they have had 1 Spring CLean Up and they already have similiar "dontations" via the Moonglow Zoo, Britain Library, and Vesper Museum.

That's another reason I advocate having the Spring Clean open all the time so that in future the Dev Team won't have to waste time and resources on another Spring Clean Up.

The wheel has already been built...they have the code from previous CLean UP. I'm not a coder but I would think they would be able to incorporate that code and save a good deal of time.
 

THP

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Keeps fingers crossed

That they have the balls to add the talking 2 story statue and a few of the other highly duped items as top rewards....oh yes....plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 

Nexus

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I sure hope the devs don't get the idea that everyone wants/likes the 3d client just because of a bunch of overly vocal whiners on the uhall because most of us hate it - we just don't come here to whine about how crappy the 3d client is every damn day like you 3d people seem to like to

most of the people in my vent and guild - the vast vast majority - play the 2d client and wouldn't even think of using 3d - it sux big time for pvp for one - we only have 1 person that plays the 3d client and that's it (and of course he's a big 3d client whiner - figures)

i'm sure they're getting the real story because they get the real numbers about who's playing which client and trust me, 3d's numbers are probably still low to this day because it sux balls

there's a little counterbalance post to your incessant 3d is great posts - well guess what - most of us hate it - almost all of us hate it - get over it - it sux
I'm not arguing or going to argue the ending of the Classic Client's graphics, at best I'd argue adding it as a "legacy switch" to the EC, and phasing out the CC yet leaving people the ability to use it's graphics, so they'd only have one client to create patches for.

But if they are going to work on an "Enhanced" client shouldn't it at least be enhanced? Polished up graphics and a new UI isn't really a technological leap forward, if anything it's a bit like taking a knife to a gun fight, it doesn't matter if that knife is pitted and rusty or bright and shiny it's still a knife.
 

Kojak

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I'm not arguing or going to argue the ending of the Classic Client's graphics, at best I'd argue adding it as a "legacy switch" to the EC, and phasing out the CC yet leaving people the ability to use it's graphics, so they'd only have one client to create patches for.

But if they are going to work on an "Enhanced" client shouldn't it at least be enhanced? Polished up graphics and a new UI isn't really a technological leap forward, if anything it's a bit like taking a knife to a gun fight, it doesn't matter if that knife is pitted and rusty or bright and shiny it's still a knife.
the UI is the worst part of that client - it's indecipherable to someone who hasn't played WoW which is who they're catering to - the way it draws levels in a house all at once when you go up and down stairs - the way you glide around like you're on rails completely disconnected from the ground - the fact that after 45 minutes I couldn't even figure out how to hide my character - the fact that it crashes every 20 minutes on average - the ridiculously long loading time - the feeling of ponderousness when it's running - the way it doesn't run right windowed (the place I have to click is offset by about 20 pixels vertically which makes it impossible to click on anything) - the incredible tinyness of all the menus which makes it impossible to read and you can't even scale it up over 1.00 to make it big enough to see - you can't use uoassist with it (that's a biggie - i really like uoassist and am very used to it - it does stuff you just can't do otherwise) - the fact that it takes about 600000 billion ram of memory just to run 1 client (I like running 3 or more - good luck with the 3d client) - the fact that when field spells and spell animations go off in a small area like in a battle the whole thing turns into a bright white mess of indecipherable crap and you can't tell what the hell is actually going on or where the fields are - the character health bars are terrible - the fact that hitting escape doesn't cancel a targetting cursor, it brings up a super annoying menu instead - jesus, I could go on and on forever about how unbelievably crappy the 3d client is - that was just off the top of my head - god how i hate it

and what i'm worried most is just what you put in your post ... "hey, all these 2d guys care about is the graphics ... let's just polish them up a little and then go "here you go guys" "great new client for you" "isn't it wonderful" ... awesome, now we get to do less work because we only have to update one super crappy client - yay"

well guess what - that's exactly what i'm trying to prevent from happening here - we don't want to get absorbed into that crappy ass 3d client because the graphics are only a minor part of what we hate about it as you can probably tell from my extensive list above, so I decided to speak out against that attitude of roll it into the 3d client because that is what we DO NOT WANT - EVER - GET IT?
 

Black Sun

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the UI is the worst part of that client - it's indecipherable to someone who hasn't played WoW which is who they're catering to
Like it or not, that WoW crowd is the one we need to cater to if we want new subscribers. Old players aren't going to come back in droves, I wish that wasn't the case, but they're gone and there's nothing that will make a good majority of them come back (at least on a long term basis). If we want to keep things going we need to appeal to that younger crowd, sad thing is they started with (and grew up on) WoW. If you want to pull them away you're going to need to make it easy for them. A similar UI is the first logical step.
 

Kojak

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mission accomplished then (except that the thing the WoW people always pancake about is that their computer plays their WoW client just fine and yet it craps out on ultima's 3d client - i hear that one alot
 

Martyna Zmuir

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the UI is the worst part of that client - it's indecipherable to someone who hasn't played WoW which is who they're catering to - the way it draws levels in a house all at once when you go up and down stairs - the way you glide around like you're on rails completely disconnected from the ground - the fact that after 45 minutes I couldn't even figure out how to hide my character - the fact that it crashes every 20 minutes on average - the ridiculously long loading time - the feeling of ponderousness when it's running - the way it doesn't run right windowed (the place I have to click is offset by about 20 pixels vertically which makes it impossible to click on anything) - the incredible tinyness of all the menus which makes it impossible to read and you can't even scale it up over 1.00 to make it big enough to see - you can't use uoassist with it (that's a biggie - i really like uoassist and am very used to it - it does stuff you just can't do otherwise) - the fact that it takes about 600000 billion ram of memory just to run 1 client (I like running 3 or more - good luck with the 3d client) - the fact that when field spells and spell animations go off in a small area like in a battle the whole thing turns into a bright white mess of indecipherable crap and you can't tell what the hell is actually going on or where the fields are - the character health bars are terrible - the fact that hitting escape doesn't cancel a targetting cursor, it brings up a super annoying menu instead - jesus, I could go on and on forever about how unbelievably crappy the 3d client is - that was just off the top of my head - god how i hate it

A lot of the stuff you complained about has been remedied in Pinco's UI, including much of the functionality of UoA.

Your crashing and slowness sounds like your computer, not the EC. Anymore, I only crash when there are a massive amount of people on screen, or an EM mob spams novablast. The EC does require you to have a PC made in the last 3-5 years with 3+ gb of ram and a capable video card...

I've also successfully run 4 instances of the client without any problems. Though if you're trying to do that for PvP, you're going to regret it.


Field spells are still a cluster of bad graphics; however, you can tone down the spell particle effects to saner levels.

The EC takes a good month of play to get used to, but once you learn the ropes you probably wouldn't want to go back to a postage stamp sized play window.
 

Nexus

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and what i'm worried most is just what you put in your post ... "hey, all these 2d guys care about is the graphics ... let's just polish them up a little and then go "here you go guys" "great new client for you" "isn't it wonderful" ... awesome, now we get to do less work because we only have to update one super crappy client - yay"
All the current EC is, is a polished up CC with a new UI overlay. I hate people try to call it a 3D client, because it isn't and never has been. I'd love to see UO have a true 3D client available, and honestly I wonder if the EC wouldn't work better if it was 3d, it's using the same engine as Warhammer, Elder Scrolls III and IV, even DAoC uses the Gamebryo engine. Come to think of it I can't find a name for a well known 2D game that uses Gamebryo, but what that's because it's designed as a 3d Graphics Engine.

Ever stopped to think it might not suck as much if they used the game engine for what it was developed for?
 

Kojak

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A lot of the stuff you complained about has been remedied in Pinco's UI, including much of the functionality of UoA.

Your crashing and slowness sounds like your computer, not the EC. Anymore, I only crash when there are a massive amount of people on screen, or an EM mob spams novablast. The EC does require you to have a PC made in the last 3-5 years with 3+ gb of ram and a capable video card...

I've also successfully run 4 instances of the client without any problems. Though if you're trying to do that for PvP, you're going to regret it.


Field spells are still a cluster of bad graphics; however, you can tone down the spell particle effects to saner levels.

The EC takes a good month of play to get used to, but once you learn the ropes you probably wouldn't want to go back to a postage stamp sized play window.
wasn't crashing on my computer - that was an anecdotal story from someone in my vent server - he's always crashing and yes, he does run pinco

that's another thing - pinco requires you to run some kind of executable to patch the client - i'm not running a .exe from some uhall board warrior - that's just asking to get hacked - you people are crazy to do that
 

Martyna Zmuir

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mission accomplished then (except that the thing the WoW people always pancake about is that their computer plays their WoW client just fine and yet it craps out on ultima's 3d client - i hear that one alot

This is because WoW is full on 3D models using textures, something modern video cards are made to do with ease.

The EC, is, well, not 3D. The ground and mountains are textured surfaces, so they can be called "3D." Sadly, however, Mythic chose to go the sprite route with everything else.

Here is where the problem lies. EC mobs are basically like layers of animated gifs being moved around the screen. They are a single polygon with 'one' animated texture, graphics cards don't like this.

The same goes for all non particle effect items: a single polygon with a sprite slapped on it.

Had Mythic embraced early 2000's 3D technology, instead of bastardizing it, then KR/EC might actually have been fully skinned 3 models. Their laziness and/or backwards thinking has screwed them on 3 clients so far.

Third Dawn was the only true 3D client, poorly done as it was.
 

Martyna Zmuir

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wasn't crashing on my computer - that was an anecdotal story from someone in my vent server - he's always crashing and yes, he does run pinco
Better to use first hand experience here, bad mouthing based on someone else's reported "experience" rings a bit hollow. His computer might be a steaming pile, who knows.
 

Barok

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The complaints are attempting to get the EC client improved though, You say it's bad for PvP. Perhaps the complaining will get that fixed?
PvP'ers don't want the EC fixed cuz they can't script with it.
 

yars

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the "enahnced client" isnt so enhanced if it takes someone from the outside to fix it, granted im sure pinco has done a great job. my problem lies in that fact that nothing is truly distinguishable compared to the classic client. the EC reminds me of everquest, which was another load of crap i dont care for. if you want to run a WoW like game, run WoW.
 

Nexus

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if you want to run a WoW like game, run WoW.

Uh.. WoW's nothing but an EQ clone, with a pretty coat of paint.


But for all the complaining, griping and whining about the slowing diminishing size of the player base it's interesting to see how many people object to them devoting themselves to a project that has the largest chance of success in drawing new folks (a Good EC not what we have now).

If you don't want them to work on making UO a modern relevant game again, that's fine I have no issue with someone having that attitude. But those that do want to see the game head in the opposite direction in terms of player base size shouldn't complain and gripe about the devs investing in a modern client, the CC is not going to draw all a significant number of new blood.

People can harp on content, history, culture, PvP, etc. that the game has to it's benefit all they want, but EA can't market that. It's all intangible, it's pretty shiny, that will draw the eyes, it's all those other things that have to set the hook once they take the bait.
 
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Woodsman

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People can harp on content, history, culture, PvP, etc. that the game has to it's benefit all they want, but EA can't market that. It's all intangible, it's pretty shiny, that will draw the eyes, it's all those other things that have to set the hook once they take the bait.
People forget that there has been almost an entire generation of people born after Ultima VII was released - we are coming up on 20 years in 2012. For those people, the Ultima franchise is mentioned in passing by game websites or by older gamers, and it simply does not carry the weight among that crowd that it did 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. And plenty of those people will scoff at graphics that have been superseded by games on their iPhones and iPads.

We need new players, period.
 

Nexus

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People forget that there has been almost an entire generation of people born after Ultima VII was released - we are coming up on 20 years in 2012. For those people, the Ultima franchise is mentioned in passing by game websites or by older gamers, and it simply does not carry the weight among that crowd that it did 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. And plenty of those people will scoff at graphics that have been superseded by games on their iPhones and iPads.

We need new players, period.
I'll agree we need new players, but people holding on to the concept that the CC should be the peak of UO's graphical evolution is simply an absurd approach to take, yet what do we hear from posters consistently? Like I've said I've nothing against people who want and prefer the CC's graphics, nothing at all, but for many of them to consistently argue and take a stance against EA taking a route that ultimately could be one of the most beneficial up-takings for the future health of the game (along with killing off RMT, and an proactive anti-cheating stance), make no sense to me, especially when as it stands there are no intentions of abandoning the archaic client or graphics style they prefer.

The EC isn't really an improvement outside the UI, graphically it might be considered hmm, well honestly it's still stuck in 1997 in many respects. Sure we get nice particle effects, and much better lighting and shadow effects, but that's about it, which is a poor showing for a game engine like Gamebryo. Sure the EC has issues, it really does, and I blame them largely on being stuck using a mashed up combination of textures and sprites, along with how many textures have to be used for the landscape for the server to track player and NPC locations accurately and orient things properly for both the CC and EC. I honestly don't think on the long term it is a good idea to continue to struggle with two clients, nor do I think it's a good idea for them to not overhaul the server side to make full use of the EC's capability, while adding removing tons of bugs that have plagued UO over the years, and making the game less "Cheat" friendly.
 

Dermott of LS

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...

Come to think of it I can't find a name for a well known 2D game that uses Gamebryo,

Civilization 4 is probably the closest. Dunno if 5 uses Gamebryo or not though.
 
C

Cloak&Dagger

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I'll agree we need new players, but people holding on to the concept that the CC should be the peak of UO's graphical evolution is simply an absurd approach to take, yet what do we hear from posters consistently? Like I've said I've nothing against people who want and prefer the CC's graphics, nothing at all, but for many of them to consistently argue and take a stance against EA taking a route that ultimately could be one of the most beneficial up-takings for the future health of the game (along with killing off RMT, and an proactive anti-cheating stance), make no sense to me, especially when as it stands there are no intentions of abandoning the archaic client or graphics style they prefer.

The EC isn't really an improvement outside the UI, graphically it might be considered hmm, well honestly it's still stuck in 1997 in many respects. Sure we get nice particle effects, and much better lighting and shadow effects, but that's about it, which is a poor showing for a game engine like Gamebryo. Sure the EC has issues, it really does, and I blame them largely on being stuck using a mashed up combination of textures and sprites, along with how many textures have to be used for the landscape for the server to track player and NPC locations accurately and orient things properly for both the CC and EC. I honestly don't think on the long term it is a good idea to continue to struggle with two clients, nor do I think it's a good idea for them to not overhaul the server side to make full use of the EC's capability, while adding removing tons of bugs that have plagued UO over the years, and making the game less "Cheat" friendly.
I am not sure Gamebyro was the best way to go in terms of platforms to use for UO at all. Unless they have some unsaid plans to try and turn the game into a 3d model, (which Gamebyro excels at) then well they should have went with either a 2d base engine or a new engine designed for what they have in mind.

Aside from that one thing, I agree with almost all your posts. Of course there is the HUGE task for them to actually "fix" UO which is to rewrite the server code in a format that is easy to follow by today's standards.

This entire game revolves around removing the 2d client, how anyone could say the interface is confusing is beyond me, sure it takes some getting use to since we have had 14 years of the exact same client with little to no changes made to it, but I have never played WoW and did not have any issues with the client from the start (aside from obvious bugs that have been around, but we are talking about the UI and such)

Also @Kojak, WoW uses both its server and client side code effectively, We over here at UO are stuck with people like you who wont allow for such efficiency. The EC could work so much better if they update the server code, which would make the older client void for use (their plan from the beginning I might add). Apples to Apples please.
 

Nexus

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...

Come to think of it I can't find a name for a well known 2D game that uses Gamebryo,

Civilization 4 is probably the closest. Dunno if 5 uses Gamebryo or not though.

Me either and I did some digging trying to find one.
 
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Woodsman

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Cloak‡1982926 said:
I am not sure Gamebyro was the best way to go in terms of platforms to use for UO at all. Unless they have some unsaid plans to try and turn the game into a 3d model, (which Gamebyro excels at) then well they should have went with either a 2d base engine or a new engine designed for what they have in mind.
Both Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online use Gamebryo, as do several other EA titles, so it sounds more like EA had a package deal or felt they could save some money and development resources by picking one client for the three Mythic MMOs (Star Wars uses a new engine built for MMOs).

I do agree that they have to get the graphics right for the game to move into the future, and still be viable.
 
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Cloak&Dagger

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Both Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online use Gamebryo, as do several other EA titles, so it sounds more like EA had a package deal or felt they could save some money and development resources by picking one client for the three Mythic MMOs (Star Wars uses a new engine built for MMOs).

I do agree that they have to get the graphics right for the game to move into the future, and still be viable.
I did not mean to sound like I was saying no other game uses it, simply that it was not the best way to go.
 

HD2300

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There has been very little progress with the same game engine for the last 4.5 years. There has been another leading constant, most probably even more significant than the same game engine in the last 4.5 years, but I do not think it is constructive to highlight that here. I do not expect anything different in the next 12 months.

I am just waiting for the NetDragon 3D Ultima Online client.
 
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Cloak&Dagger

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I take it you're from Asia, since it won't be available to play in North America.
Well...you could more than likely play "it" but unless I am mistaken it wont be the same servers that are offered currently, it is not exactly an "Asia" offering, more like a "China" offering since parts of Asia can already access the current game.

But yea...it is a useless mention since we won't be able to log in on our preferred server, plus it will more than likely have no English in the client *shrugs*
 
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MySavannahRanger

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Once again, if the 2D client disapears so will I. It is also my opinion that most of the people with jobs and careers will leave aswell. Even though our jobs take us away from the game at times, we continue to pay our accounts every month. We are probably the ones who actually keep this game funded.


Apossed to (but not picking on) those who live with their parents, are struggling to pay their way through college, or those happy working fast food as long as they have cool graphics and a quarter sac to come home to. Simply getting grounded and parents refusing to pay the account that month, having to choose between bills and game time, or having to choose between game time and a quarter sac are a drain to the game.


The more time and resources spent on graphics rather than game play, will run the main funding base for this game off. It will be left to actually competeing in graphics, rather than having its game play, which is what makes this game what it is. Graphics will have to be updated every 6 months inorder to keep up with the latest games. Therefor making this game just like the others. Where people pay their accounts for 3 months, inorder to see the new graphics and then head on to the next game.



I am not apposed to spicier options for the game hoppers, but DO NOT JACK WITH MY 2D CLIENT.
 

Dermott of LS

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Once again, if the 2D client disapears so will I. It is also my opinion that most of the people with jobs and careers will leave aswell.
I'm not sure what one has to do with the other as having a full time (and VERY busy) job has not hindered me in the least to adapting to new technology. One has nothing to do with the other, it's like adding red and blue and getting cucumbers.

Even though our jobs take us away from the game at times, we continue to pay our accounts every month. We are probably the ones who actually keep this game funded.
Yes the people who pay for the game are the ones who fund it... not seeing where this has any bearing on the clients.


Opossed to (but not picking on) those who live with their parents, are struggling to pay their way through college, or those happy working fast food as long as they have cool graphics and a quarter sac to come home to. Simply getting grounded and parents refusing to pay the account that month, having to choose between bills and game time, or having to choose between game time and a quarter sac are a drain to the game.
Um wow. Just... wow. Are you REALLY trying to infer that the people who use anything other than the 2d client fit this completely made up stereotype? If so, please do yourself a favor and actually spend some time learning who these people are, if not, you'd do well to revise and clarify or remove such statements.

The more time and resources spent on graphics rather than game play, will run the main funding base for this game off. It will be left to actually competeing in graphics, rather than having its game play, which is what makes this game what it is. Graphics will have to be updated every 6 months inorder to keep up with the latest games. Therefor making this game just like the others. Where people pay their accounts for 3 months, inorder to see the new graphics and then head on to the next game.
Graphics and Gameplay are NOT NOT NOT mutually exclusive. Beyond that, UO has needed a graphical upgrade for the past 6+ years (or whenever The Pixel Challenge thread was started if you want a real timeframe). Whatever your opinion of the style of the original artwork, the fact is that it is too low a resolution and color depth to be taken seriously in 2011. People have been clamoring for a UO box on the shelves, but as long as it retains the artwork level (in EITHER client) it has now, it won't even compete on the $5.99-$9.99 bargain bin without getting laughed at much less the $39.99+ standard shelves.

UO already has the gameplay. It is in SORE need of getting itself up to current day standards for resolution.

I am not apposed to spicier options for the game hoppers, but DO NOT JACK WITH MY 2D CLIENT.
Nobody said anything about the 2d client other than that it would be easier for the game as a whole to not deal with older technology and newer technology at the same time.

You prove my point though. By refusing to go beyond the 2d client, you're holding back the game, not just in terms of graphics, but of actual GAMEPLAY, and the reason why they have to do such a huge artwork revamp (or at least attempt it) is because they tried once already to compromise with that viewpoint.
 
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