[UO Herald] Producer's Letter - 11/02

[Woodsman]

So Jeff, any chance as UO franchiser you are willing to bring UO back to stores? or at least the game time cards? i know id be willing if you did to buy every coppy available in the store i work in and give them away as gifts to get people more interested.

UO could triple or quadruple subs and it's just not going to happen.

EA has tasted the sweet, sweet nectar of being the point of sale for games through Origin.com with Battlefield 3, and with Star Wars. You can kiss physical boxes for most of EA's games goodbye within 5 years or less. EA makes too much money by being the publisher and distributor/retailer.

 

[Aurelius]

Good start, lots of interesting stuff in there and it sounds to be full of good intentions, so I'm rather hopeful things will be improving.... but (there had to be a but..) I do notice that question one, "1) Franchise Producer for Ultima? What does that mean?" gets a lot of words, but they don't actually seem to contain an answer...

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

I think what these folks wanna know Jeff, in plain old english is that they wanna know if you're going to start renting "liscences"

to open custom shards with custom rules... (someone even with lots of time and passion could make a old school box that is liscenced and manufacture it back to the shelves without EA having to invest even a dime) *I can think of alot of people who made enough money out of UO to at least give this back to the community*

Or if it means something else than you being in charge of UO and the other projects you mentioned.

 

[Woodsman]

I think it means he's in charge of UltimaForever, whatever that is:

Launching UltimaForever.com and giving players an official place to download for free one of my favorite games in the series, Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar is just a baby step to where we are going. Expect to see more content celebrating all things Ultima on that site over the coming months.

Ultima Forever: the Ultima IV download page

Whatever it is, based upon all of the hints, some blatant, some subtle, it's going to be tied into Ultima IV. Jeff even has "working on virtuous things" as his Tweeter title.

 

[Aurelius]

I think it means he's in charge of UltimaForever, whatever that is:

Ultima Forever: the Ultima IV download page

Might do... but in UO terms, has he more control over GM and helpdesk staff quality and training - Cal mentioned before those were 'not his department'. Has Jeff any input into the accounts system and getting it anything like useable for UO players? Will he be able to start marketing the game more, if so how - or is that still something 'marketing' do? And the there's the direction of the game itself, as well as 'what other bits of Ultima are in this franchise' - more releases of old stuff, a new 'playguide', help pages that actually help (a website with working links would be nice since many of the ones from UOHerald now go to 'link not found' on an old EA server)... I'm not even sure what the 'Franchise ' is since he's been clear the 'Lords of Ultima' rubbish isn't under his control. Is it UO and any now out of print 'Ultima', or more than that.. or less?

What, actually, is Jeff's job? He starts out saying what he did before, and mentions some vague plans for the future - but the question he himself set out to answer was "Franchise Producer for Ultima? What does that mean?" - honestly, on that one, I'm no wiser after reading his reply....

 

[Minerva Foxglove]

HUZZAH!

Old school player, wants to "catch up" before communicating. Manages not to step on toes in first post.



Welcome Jeff Skalski. Glad you took the time to do it this way. Cals "toestepping " was irreversible.

Ive been here since feb 1 2000 non stop and new players is my main interest. You will see me in every post about welcoming new players and helping them trough the first owerwhelming and often discouraging first time in Sosaria.

Your "what to do list" seems fine to me, missed taking care of cheats and improvements for new players. But I bet it will come. Great start!

 

[Kons]

Why no reference to the Enhanced Client?

 

[RaDian FlGith]

Welcome, Jeff...

But you'll forgive me if I leave my pom-poms over on the floor. As far as I'm concerned, this is SSDP. Action will speak louder than words, and while you admit to it having taken 8 weeks to announce yourself, understand that your predecessor was great at taking blame too. He wasn't all that great with follow through, however.

Here's hoping that there is follow through and that UO's on a good track again. However, as a 14 year veteran, I can tell you: We've seen and heard this all before. Don't pick up the reigns to drop them in six months. Let's see a proven track record of positive success rather than the tidbits that the true pom-pom wavers will pick up and nibble on at every opportunity.

Again, welcome!

Now let's see some fantastic progress!

 

[Old Man of UO]

Probably the BEST UO Producer letter I've ever read. Let's all hope he can keep on track with his goals.

Jeff my friend. Shame is great. Don't sugar it down. But I am on one knee begging... please make UO a realm to explore again. Shame is a good start. Please consider random spawning adventures that pop up all over the land.

Cracks in mountains for mini dungeons that come and go.
Odd orc battle parties.
Shipwreck on a shore.
A game generated decaying house.

Things that randomly appear and disappear with no rhyme or reason.

I want to walk south and walk the realm and find stuff that is recall, rinse and repeat.

Lots of good ideas around the above are just examples.

And simplify it. We dont need 4 factions. Why not just good and evil or just order chaos. 2 sides. Simplicity. Even Red or Blue.

Good ideas. Anyone else remember the tower in Ilshenar that randomly spawned with blood tiles that you could pick up? It should have had some challenging monsters, but we need more of this. I'm not sure when it stopped spawning, but dress it up and make it happen again - Everywhere!

 

[curlybeard]

Welcome. Many interesting changes in the works. Imbuing was a great addition to crafting, and gave added motivation to spend much time in the abyss. Likewise, the changes to loot and Shame could ultimately bring back interest in the old anti-virtue dungeons.

I wonder if there will be an item property intensity bonus for fel.

 

[phantus]

Welcome Jeff.

My advise: More action less words. If I compare the list of promises from producers of the past and the results it's usually a one sided comparison. Especially in the bug category. Personally, I don't believe bug squashing is something you should be promising at all as it should be something that just gets done. You want to impress with bug squashing? Make a top ten bug list based on player feedback and get them fixed. Then do another on a regular schedule.

My question: As a Franchise is Ultima going to be releasing a new Ultima standalone game? I am not a person that believes UO is going to get new players by squashing bugs and changing the loot tables or revamping dungeons(or even old areas.) I'm sure you will get returning players for a time but not new players. Only a new(quality) title will accomplish this. Don't have to be a lengthy answer. In fact, I'd prefer a yes or no.

Good luck.

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

Thats it curlybeard, they did say there would be a bigger "budget" on items in fel.

Phantus, that goes without saying...

 

[longshanks]

welcome. jump right in the waters fine

I'm encouraged with what i have seen you do this year. Re doing the original dungeons was long overdue.

you really should look at making housing available in the main cities particularly britain. i think its the biggest black eye in the game that the main town is really a ghost town with the exception of the bank.

 

[phantus]

• Communication with the people of Britannia who matter most… you the players.
  • I’ve been doing a lot of reading and listening lately. It’s obvious to me that you demand to hear more from us, so I plan to improve that. Starting with this 8 week late Producer letter. (Hey at least I admitted it.) Joking aside, I had a lot of Ultima Online to catch up on before I felt I could type this up.
  • Second, for those UOForums and Stratics users you’ll see me and the team online more. We’re going to be kicking off weekly Q&A sessions with members of the team. Expect to hear from Mesanna soon.

Jeff, your first opportunity to prove you mean what you say has materialized. The thread about loot changing in peoples pack in Shame is a perfect way for you to do this.

 

[Shelleybean]

Welcome. You're off to a great start.

 

[Zosimus]

Good intro Jeff! Short and sweet. Not to complicated with your message.

 

[longshanks]

loved your other post about killing off trammel and putting us back on an all fellucian ruleset.

UNITE THE LANDS

 

[UOPlayer4LYFE]

loved your other post about killing off trammel and putting us back on an all fellucian ruleset.

UNITE THE LANDS

Must've been one strange dream you had there.

 

[longshanks]

hee hee hee.

*grabs the gas can and the matches*

 

[curlybeard]

really should look at making housing available in the main cities particularly britain. i think its the biggest black eye in the game that the main town is really a ghost town with the exception of the bank.

THIS!

 

[Mirt]

Well in Ultima Lore what happened to Magincia does end up happening to most of the other cities. I can't remember all the details right now because I am caffeine deprived. So maybe they could add housing in Britain just like they did in Magnica.

 

[KingHen]

Welcome aboard.

UO Players are like the biggest board of directors any company has ever seen. We are demanding, but loyal. (obviously)

I hope you accomplish all you are gunning for.

 

[PJay]

Welcome Jeff,

A very PC introduction indeed.
As for your points to attack weve heard it all before and were still in the same boat!

Personally i believe actions speak better than words and will not be convinced till changes come our way.

It worries me that you make no meantion ridding the game of Cheating and Exploiting but then were all getting used to living with it!

I really hoped you would seriously hammer the bugs before adding more content the shame plans are great but im worried all this recent content addition will spring more bugs to your allready large list!

Sorry if this is a Cold welcome but many producers on and still things havent changed.

So i challenge you to pursuade me!!

Good Luck
PJay

 

[Kayne]

Now i will appologise now for any rants i have in the future, i get very 'passionate' about this game........even got the UO symbol ink'd on my shoulder.

Wow that is dedication right there. I like the UO symbol and all but a tattoo on my shoulder I don't think so...

Has Jeff any input into the accounts system and getting it anything like useable for UO players?

What, actually, is Jeff's job? He starts out saying what he did before, and mentions some vague plans for the future - but the question he himself set out to answer was "Franchise Producer for Ultima? What does that mean?" - honestly, on that one, I'm no wiser after reading his reply....

Even if jeff doesnt have input into the accounts debacle he needs to get himself involved and fix it. We've lost countless players due to it and it still continues to be a problem 3 months after it happened.

I agree Aurelius he never really gave any impression of what his job actually is.