[UO Herald] Pub 70 Delayed to go Live

[UO News]

Greetings,



We will be bringing build 70 to the test center on Wednesday March 16th. As always, we ask that you participate in this test phase and give us your feedback.



However, in light of the events in Japan we will be extending the Test Center phase of this publication. Publish 70 is the end of the live event and the new beginning of Magincia and we want all players to have a chance to participate; and we recognize that there may be many members of our Japanese community who may be unable to participate at this time.



So here is our current release plan for build 70: Test Center Deployment: 03/16. Our expectation is that we will publish to Origin in around 2 weeks. Of course, as events change, we will keep all of the community updated.



We will be putting a back up of Great Lakes on Test Center 1. We hope this encourages you to log in and discover for yourself how the lotto system on Magincia works. In addition to the house plot lotto please enjoy the new system of planting seeds and watching your plants group in the open land of Magincia.



Thank you for your understanding. We are looking forward to getting your feedback and please join us when we say that the hearts and thoughts of our team go out to our Japanese friends.





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[Tazar]

*applauds*

Nicely done.

 

[AirmidCecht]

Thank you Cal and the rest of the team for finding the balance in deploying publish 70. You absolutely have our understanding and continued well wishes to the Japanese community.

 

[TheMac]

Very Classy

 

[Taylor]

I understand completely. As has been said many times before, our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of this tragedy. They are on our minds daily.

 

[kelmo]

I moved a couple of posts. Just so you know. I understand many are impatient and ready to get on with this. It will be delayed live. Take this opportunity to test this to the max.

Let's all give our friends fro Japan some time. It would be unfair if players from around the world claimed all of their plots.

 

[Kellgory]

I moved a couple of posts. Just so you know. I understand many are impatient and ready to get on with this. It will be delayed live. Take this opportunity to test this to the max.

Let's all give our friends fro Japan some time. It would be unfair if players from around the world claimed all of their plots.

Thank you and well said. Prayers to those that lost loved ones and everything else.

 

[AirmidCecht]

Keep in mind too, it's not just about claiming spots but out of respect for the developer team in Japan and the community of not just UO Players but everyone undergoing immeasurable difficulties right now.

 

[kelmo]

A bit of compassion is in order here. That is all I am saying.

 

[Storm]

Well done! Very good move In my opinion!

 

[Wojoe]

talking about it wont help...donate to the red cross!

 

[Deaol]

A bit of compassion is in order here. That is all I am saying.

I 100% agree with this. And the Mythic team has made the correct decision with delaying the publish.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

donate to the red cross!

The Red Cross is a top heavy SCAM. If you're going to donate, I suggest Americares (2% overhead) or Shelterbox.

With the Red Cross you do not even get the inkling of any guarantee that anything you donate will reach your intended cause.

 

[olduofan]

In times like this when I see Americans showing Honor and having Compassion for others it gives me hope for us.

This is the best thing I have seen out of any UO team in 13 years.

Hats off .

 

[kelmo]

The Red Cross was very good to me when the house I lived in caught fire and burned. If you wish more directed donations... I am sure you can find them.

 

[AirmidCecht]

May I suggest visiting Charity Navigator to decide on personal actions or donations?

In regards to the Publish 70 delay, I echo Kelmo's suggestion to take this opportunity to hop on test center and give constructive feedback on it.

 

[AtlanticVlad]

Grrr I really wish they would give me a back up of Atlantic to play with I'd be able to actually test proper deco Ideas then... Does any one have a boat load of Rubble on GL that want's to let me play around on Test with it? If so Please PM me Thanks!

 

[athos_uo]

Thank you very much, Cal, dev team, and all friends here!

 

[kelmo]

Thank you very much, Cal, dev team, and all friends here!

It is the right thing to do. My thoughts are with you my friend.

 

[Storm]

Glad you and yours are doing ok Athos

 

[Alvinho]

...

donate to the red cross!

The Red Cross is a top heavy SCAM. If you're going to donate, I suggest Americares (2% overhead) or Shelterbox.

With the Red Cross you do not even get the inkling of any guarantee that anything you donate will reach your intended cause.

Not sure how you get facts that the red cross is a scam, and take offence to the statement. While i was deployed in japan my pops passed, it was the red cross who payed my way home to come and take care of his estate, then back to duty. I take offense to you talking bad about a organisation that you personally have a problem with, and to a organisation that truly help people in need.

 

[jaashua]

Nice move, dev team. And thanks for even the rough timeline. It's nice to stay informed.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Scam is probably too harsh, but there's been a BIG issue in that a lot of the RC's donations they take in end up NOT going to the situation people think it goes to.

Yes, they do decent work in the field and props for that, however, by and large there are lesser overhead , more directly affecting groups to give to these days.

 

[Storm]

The thing is when donating make sure and check out the people you are donating to and overhead and things like that! Google is your friend

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

A reason to delay that I surely cannot reasonably complain about.

Thank you for the rough schedule as well.

-Galen's player

 

[Winker]

While I deeply sympathise with the plight of the Japanese people at this moment in time. We must all so consider it may take upwards of a year for a lot of these people to be re homed never mind get internet connection back. Do we all have to put our lives on hold while Japan rebuilds?

This is a token of sympathy, no more no less. Most of the people in Japan who are affected enough not to have internet connection, wont have internet connection for a long time to come. Japan is not going to get over this in a few week.

My heart goes out to these people, life will never be the same for them in their life time. Things have changed so much in such a short space of time, so much lost by so few, its hard to comprehend.

 

[jaashua]

While I deeply sympathise with the plight of the Japanese people at this moment in time. We must all so consider it may take upwards of a year for a lot of these people to be re homed never mind get internet connection back. Do we all have to put our lives on hold while Japan rebuilds?

This is a token of sympathy, no more no less. Most of the people in Japan who are affected enough not to have internet connection, wont have internet connection for a long time to come. Japan is not going to get over this in a few week.

My heart goes out to these people, life will never be the same for them in their life time. Things have changed so much in such a short space of time, so much lost by so few, its hard to comprehend.

Obviously, this delay isn't meant to accommodate somebody whose house was washed away into the sea. Unfortunately for them, they will miss out on the Magincia housing raffle. This is for the vast majority of Japanese who were not directly affected but for whom life has nonetheless been disrupted.

 

[Nine Dark Moons]

However, in light of the events in Japan we will be extending the Test Center phase of this publication.

 

[Basara]

While I deeply sympathise with the plight of the Japanese people at this moment in time. We must all so consider it may take upwards of a year for a lot of these people to be re homed never mind get internet connection back. Do we all have to put our lives on hold while Japan rebuilds?

This is a token of sympathy, no more no less. Most of the people in Japan who are affected enough not to have internet connection, wont have internet connection for a long time to come. Japan is not going to get over this in a few week.

My heart goes out to these people, life will never be the same for them in their life time. Things have changed so much in such a short space of time, so much lost by so few, its hard to comprehend.

Obviously, this delay isn't meant to accommodate somebody whose house was washed away into the sea. Unfortunately for them, they will miss out on the Magincia housing raffle. This is for the vast majority of Japanese who were not directly affected but for whom life has nonetheless been disrupted.

Yes - Remember that a significant amount of power production for Japan was taken down by the earthquake. It will take several weeks to get the 7 OTHER reactors that dropped offline (that aren't having the meltdown issue) back up and running. Furthermore, reports were that in a few hours that Japan will start "rolling Blackouts" in different parts of the nation to compensate for the power demand putting too much stress on the remaining systems.

It's likely that a lot of non-essential power use like free wi-fi spots will be reduced, and a lot of prime playing time will be lost due to players being in one of the rolling blackout areas.

In fact, it's probable that the Japan-based shards will go down from time to time as part of the blackouts.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Obviously, this delay isn't meant to accommodate somebody whose house was washed away into the sea. Unfortunately for them, they will miss out on the Magincia housing raffle. This is for the vast majority of Japanese who were not directly affected but for whom life has nonetheless been disrupted.

I immediately thought of it in terms of someone who's just finally settling in with family on the other end of the country, and is sitting there depressed, unable to sleep, and remembers that he hasn't been able to log into UO. Then takes out his laptop, sitting on the kitchen floor, and is pleased to see that key parts of the game have been on-hold, so maybe he won't miss it after all. Then proceeds to lose himself in this world for awhile.

-Galen's player

 

[Viquire]

It is as well a considered response as can be made at the moment. I am sure, if the situation merits it, that a further delay for the lotto roll-out for Asian shards would not be completely out of order.

My family and I made it through Ike, which was disruption enough. Even with that glimpse into chaos I have zero comprehension of what those who were directly impacted by these events are going through.

My thanks to the team for being mindful of their players suffering tragedy. Perhaps humility and compassion will take a hand in ways previously unplanned.

 

[hawkeye_pike]

I am still shocked by the tragic events in Japan. And it is just the beginning. The whole situation with nuclear meltdown and radioactivity that currently is leaking into the environment and that will continue to contaminate the whole island of Japan in the future is horrible. Since the Japanese government is downplaying the seriousness of this catastrophe, the majority of the population is underestimating the negative effects these accidents will have on their future lives.

Let us not forget, Japan is (was) a high-tech country, and still this nightmare happened due to a simple generator failure. This tells me that disasters like these can happen anywhere anytime. Just think of the nuclear power plants that have been built at the west coast of the U.S. right next to the San Andreas Fault in California.

Anyway, I am pretty sure the Japanese population will have other problems but an UO live event for months and maybe even years to come. Still, postponing the events is a sign of sympathy, as insignificant as it may be in comparison to what happened in Japan.

 

[Ken of Napa]

However, in light of the events in Japan we will be extending the Test Center phase of this publication. Publish 70 is the end of the live event and the new beginning of Magincia and we want all players to have a chance to participate; and we recognize that there may be many members of our Japanese community who may be unable to participate at this time.

Thank you for your understanding. We are looking forward to getting your feedback and please join us when we say that the hearts and thoughts of our team go out to our Japanese friends.

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Very Classy! The right decision at the right time!

I too hate delays, but this is the right thing to do!

 

[Adol]

Not sure how you get facts that the red cross is a scam, and take offence to the statement. While i was deployed in japan my pops passed, it was the red cross who payed my way home to come and take care of his estate, then back to duty. I take offense to you talking bad about a organisation that you personally have a problem with, and to a organisation that truly help people in need.

And I was further offended that when people's lives are at stake, not only that Dermott didn't even bother to check the basic facts (The Red Cross is nowhere near as "top heavy" as you claimed, spending 4.4% on Administration, which considering the enormous reach it has, and the wildly varied activities it's involved in is unsurprising... the nearest Red Cross Office to me works on tracing missing family members separated by conflict or disaster, which generates an enormous amount of paperwork) but then linked to a charity that may be efficient, but has an extremely dubious international reputation for giving only in ways that further American interests.

I can do without a bit of delayed content if thinking the world is genuinely concerned about their plight brings a smile to a Japanese face now when they most need it; but keep your damn politics out of the game and off the boards thanks; Especially when it will lead to more cynicism about genuine charity, not less.

 

[AirmidCecht]

Guys,

Everyone has their own beliefs on which charitable organization is effective for them. Please consider referring to the Charity Navigator instead of debating organizations here.

I would venture the one thing regardless of where you donate the majority of us are united in is our support and well wishes for Japan.

 

[Petra Fyde]

Can we please drop this side issue? This is not a thread about the integrity of various charities.

This is the right thing to do, those Japanese who are not directly affected by the tragedy will be appreciative of the fact that the event was held so that those of them that can are able to participate. A brief escape from harsh reality into Sosaria will be therapeutic when circumstances begin to allow for that.
Meantime the publish is not delayed in its arrival onto test center, so those who feel that publishes aren't thoroughly tested before world wide deployment will have the opportunity to ensure that this one is.

 

[Yalp]

Greetings,

However, in light of the events in Japan we will be extending the Test Center phase of this publication. Publish 70 is the end of the live event and the new beginning of Magincia and we want all players to have a chance to participate; and we recognize that there may be many members of our Japanese community who may be unable to participate at this time.

Thank you for your understanding. We are looking forward to getting your feedback and please join us when we say that the hearts and thoughts of our team go out to our Japanese friends.

More...

Classy compassionate and touching..excellent decision. Thank you UO.

 

[kelmo]

From this point on, consider it dropped, Boss. *folds arms and stands guard*

 

[Mapper]

Interesting idea, Not sure 2 weeks would be enough for most people to even consider wanting to play UO with what's happening, But I suppose it's the thought that counts.

 

[G.v.P]

When did the bane from spirituality disappear? Are all the bane demons gone on all shards as well? They're all gone on Chesapeake.

 

[silent]

While it is a nice gesture I would think UO is the farthest thing from people's minds that are involved with this disaster. I know it would be from mine.

 

[canary]

Interesting idea, Not sure 2 weeks would be enough for most people to even consider wanting to play UO with what's happening, But I suppose it's the thought that counts.

Agreed.

If you are honestly dealing with such a huge, life affecting issue, I'm unsure that you care very much about a 15x15 cyber plot.

I mean, the team's notion is good... in theory. But still an odd thing. Regardless, I support it if thats what they wish to do.

 

[soze]

Nice thought, good move

This will give some Japanese players time if they still wish to participate after dealing with everything they have on their plates.

The gesture is nice and while it won't fix anything there, it provides a little convinence for these players.