M
Majicthies
Guest
I know Atlantic is highly populated and housing is at a premium, but what other shards are fairly active?
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- Thread starter Majicthies
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I gave Atlantic a shot. The sense of history there, and the dedicated EM (event moderator) team really impressed me. But while my visit to Atlantic impressed me, it also helped to confirm why Great Lakes is still perfect for me, and a nice balance between high and low populations.
Great Lakes also has a strong sense of history. Like Atlantic, it was one of the original shards created. It's nothing like Atlantic, population-wise (no other North American shard is). But Great Lakes still boasts some of the largest active guilds in UO, and many of those guilds mingle, cooperate and compete day in and day out in war, dungeon-crawls, RP, and EM events. Also, I don't know about Atlantic, but there's a lot of people on GL who are close to my age, or older (I'm 35).
In the wilderness throughout Great Lakes, gone are the days when Britannia looked more like urban sprawl than a fantasy setting (excluding Malas, which still feels like a city on GL). And yet, it is far from empty. Walk down any road and you'll happen across villages. Walk through even the most remote forests, and you'll regularly stumble across homes and outposts sprinkled about.
I came back to UO a few weeks ago, and the turnout for EM events (shard-specific and global) has been in the triple digits every time. I like how the community of guilds on GL works hand-in-hand with the EMs for seamless story arcs that feel just as much a part of my experience as all the other nuts and bolts of the game. We're not just spectators on GL. We participate in, and create our world. I've rediscovered a very INCLUSIVE community there. Dig up your old ICQ account, listen to the town criers, and hit the first event they mention. You'll have some friends by the end of the evening.
Great Lakes also has a strong sense of history. Like Atlantic, it was one of the original shards created. It's nothing like Atlantic, population-wise (no other North American shard is). But Great Lakes still boasts some of the largest active guilds in UO, and many of those guilds mingle, cooperate and compete day in and day out in war, dungeon-crawls, RP, and EM events. Also, I don't know about Atlantic, but there's a lot of people on GL who are close to my age, or older (I'm 35).
In the wilderness throughout Great Lakes, gone are the days when Britannia looked more like urban sprawl than a fantasy setting (excluding Malas, which still feels like a city on GL). And yet, it is far from empty. Walk down any road and you'll happen across villages. Walk through even the most remote forests, and you'll regularly stumble across homes and outposts sprinkled about.
I came back to UO a few weeks ago, and the turnout for EM events (shard-specific and global) has been in the triple digits every time. I like how the community of guilds on GL works hand-in-hand with the EMs for seamless story arcs that feel just as much a part of my experience as all the other nuts and bolts of the game. We're not just spectators on GL. We participate in, and create our world. I've rediscovered a very INCLUSIVE community there. Dig up your old ICQ account, listen to the town criers, and hit the first event they mention. You'll have some friends by the end of the evening.
I regularly play Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Lake Austin. Atlantic is the most like the heyday of UO, with very little housing available, urban sprawl, and a boatload of people. It makes a nice change, but is probably my least favorite of the three. Lake Austin is the other extreme...I can be on playing and not run into others, or just a couple people, in an entire evening. Housing is readily available, even large plots, and you never feel "squeezed" at spawns/dungeons/events. The biggest downside there for me is I ping somewhat high to that shard and a lack of people means not as many vendors so I pretty much have to work for all my resources rather than being able to purchase them and thus focus my gameplay more on things I prefer to do. Great Lakes is the happy median for me. Good population, GREAT EM's, plenty of shard events/activities, and the ability to find groups to do certain spawns/mobs, or find a quiet place and go solo. The economy is solid, so resources are available and there is a solid abundance of most things you'll need, without costing your first born to obtain them. It is my home shard, where I first played, and I stay there because of the nice blend. Did I mention the EM's on GL? Fantastic!
I don't visit other shards all that often as I've been anchored on Pacific for as long as UO has been running. Thus I can't really compare, but if you should choose to visit Pacific, let me know and we'll do what we can to get you settled in. 
M
Majicthies
Guest
Thanks very much, my wife an I will be visiting GL soon
Let me know give me a PM I'll show you around if you like.
M
Majicthies
Guest
After visiting many shards we have chosen Great Lakes. Thanks to all who responded.
Welcome to Great Lakes, Majicthies. And I recommend accepting MalagAste's offer. PM her, she can introduce you to some nice folks who are involved in everything from RP to EM events to collecting. Same goes for me (even though I'm a recent returner, I've been fortunate to meet some great people including MalagAste). Even if you just enjoy quiet time soloing, it's good to know when things are going on, in case you want to do something different. There's always something going on. It pays to have a few helpful contacts on ICQ, whether you want to participate in events, need a good starter weapon, or just to have answers for all your questions about what's changed in the game.
Great Lakes is a very intriguing place to be right now, if you enjoy role-playing. But, whether you're interested in a PvM and crafting guild to help you get your bearings, PvP, or an RP guild that's got its nose in all the politics of Britannia, or just a few good ICQ contacts, the door is always open on Great Lakes.