Would this end the Great Client Debate?

[Nexus]

We have been asking for this for a long time. Graphics switch Clasic/SA/KR. Hope you have better luck.

That's why the poll, it gives the Devs the opportunity to gauge interest without have to read scattered posts across 2-3 different subforums.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

I'm willing to wait and see on what the devs come up with. Currently the biggest issue with SA artwork is the low resolution. Style will ALWAYS be something can simply can't be resolved, so the KEY goal needs to be to get the artwork clear and scalable based on zoom and resolution settings, then add in the option for lower resolutions (for the people who for whatever reason haven't upgraded their system in the past decade).

Beyond that, resolving the artwork is going to do nothing to convince the "CC or die!" crowd (as shown posted in this very thread), so after the art tweak STOP trying to compromise with these people and move the client FORWARD.

 

[Thav12]

stupid biased poll.

How about: I use the EC exclusively already for a year now and I love it.


How about: I only use the CC because I can't win in PvP without my pot chugging scripts

How about: I would switch to the EC but I am too old to learn something new

How about: I have switched to the EC, but I am afraid to admit it in public since my Stratics Posse will no longer like me

How about: I don't like the EC because there is a government conspiracy forcing me to pay taxes

How about: I would play the EC, but I am so focussed on it having to be a carbon copy of the 10 year old client that it inhibits my respiratory drive and makes me break out in hyves for absolutely no frickin reason

How about: There really is no reason for me not to switch to the EC (particularly now with the fantastic Pinco's UI), I am switching as soon as the download is done

There is no debate. The EC is better, more user friendly and up to par with current gaming standards. Drop the CC.

 

[Nexus]

stupid biased poll.

There is no debate. The EC is better, more user friendly and up to par with current gaming standards. Drop the CC.

How's it biased?


And I'll agree the EC is superior as a client, in terms of potential, I use it almost exclusively myself. But we also all know it hasn't gained dominate acceptance, so instead of just doing like so many and whipping out my virtual manhood with a shout of "My client is better than your client!", or "Get rid of the {Insert Client Here} it sucks!". I created a poll strictly to try and determine if there would be interest in the EC, from the non-adopters if it had a toggle option to display CC art work, and not the re-brushed EC art, a move that would free up resources to focus on improving a single client without loosing the Classic feel many players want for one reason or another. Yes there would still need to be additional art from time to time, but the client framework itself would be completely freed up from dual to single client support.

 

[HD2300]

How's it biased?


And I'll agree the EC is superior as a client, in terms of potential, I use it almost exclusively myself. But we also all know it hasn't gained dominate acceptance, so instead of just doing like so many and whipping out my virtual manhood with a shout of "My client is better than your client!", or "Get rid of the {Insert Client Here} it sucks!". I created a poll strictly to try and determine if there would be interest in the EC, from the non-adopters if it had a toggle option to display CC art work, and not the re-brushed EC art, a move that would free up resources to focus on improving a single client without loosing the Classic feel many players want for one reason or another. Yes there would still need to be additional art from time to time, but the client framework itself would be completely freed up from dual to single client support.

Conceptually this seems like a good idea. But the implementation has proven otherwise. You can expect CC users to convert when the CC graphics in the EC are blurrier versions of what is in the CC. The paperdoll is a case in point. WTF??? Are you telling me that they couldnt spend an extra 10 minutes to make the EC version of the CC paperdoll look crisper and less blurry????

 

[Nexus]

Conceptually this seems like a good idea. But the implementation has proven otherwise. You can expect CC users to convert when the CC graphics in the EC are blurrier versions of what is in the CC. The paperdoll is a case in point. WTF??? Are you telling me that they couldnt spend an extra 10 minutes to make the EC version of the CC paperdoll look crisper and less blurry????

EC graphics are really de-resed version of the KR graphics. The land scape in general is a huge difference. What a CC toggle would do is actually replace all graphics with CC graphics that haven't been retouched and retooled, a good example of this are metal chests in the game, graphically they are identical in the EC and CC.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

Current EC graphics are as follows:

Landscape: Altered KR Landscape graphics
Character Models: Lowered Resolution KR models
Items, Plants/Foliage, Building Tiles: Legacy Client Graphics*
Paperdoll: Option of KR or Legacy character model

*There have been a few KR item graphics that have snuck by and remain: The War Axe is a weird example in that it seems to toggle randomly between KR and Legacy versions (to see this, get a War Axe (normal quality will work best) BOD and go to an NPC vendor, buy them out and then fill the deed and watch what happens). There is also the UNLIT wall torch that uses the KR graphics (you can see this in Hythloth level 2), there may be a few others, but they tend to be few and far between.

Also as a bit of trivia, the Third Dawn model for Sand Vortex is in game as a statue in the museum in Ter Mur.

 

[Dakkon Blackblade]

I personally prefered Kingdom Reborn over any client, if only they had been able to reach it's full potential and fix instability issues. I don't care for the EC not just because it's a low res pile of crap, but also one thing that really irks me about it is the spell effects, they just look so weak.

And they can use any graphics engine they like, it isn't the engine it is what they end up doing with it that counts. If EA let us use KR tommorow I would resub at minimum three of my accounts.

But KR supporters are the minority and I get that so it isn't likely ever going to happen.

 

[Nexus]

Character Models: Lowered Resolution KR models.

I have to say I find some of these Horrid, did with the KR client as well, Hyru are a good example, so are Kitsune. Other models are awesome though, I love the new orc look for example.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

There were some they messed up on (the Gaman was another weirdly textured one), but most of the rest were very cool looking (especially when they were still high resolution).

The biggest problem with UO that includes not just the EC, but KR, 3D, Factions, Virtues, numerous storylines, Ter Mur, Ilshenar, and I'm probably forgetting MANY more, is the lack of follow through to completion. Now there are enough reasons as to why this has occurred, but it's just SO CONSTANT an issue that has built up to a frustrating level. I can only imagine the initial look on a new Dev member's face when they realize just how much stuff is about 60-80% done yet implemented and then they have to figure out how to go forward from there.

 

[JC the Builder]

Online page > General > UO Art > Hi-Res Challenge[/url]
Andrea's Ultima Online page > General > UO Art > Hi-Res Challenge
Andrea's Ultima Online page > General > UO Art > Hi-Res Challenge

The big question is why they simply didn't do this. Instead they decided to reinvent the art direction and change creature models to something new. They did it in Third Dawn, players hated it. They did it in Kingdom Reborn, players hated it. Now they continue to move forward with it in the Enhanced Client. Although they did back-track and put 2D item graphics back in because there was such widely inconsistent quality in the new Kingdom Reborn graphics.

Even worse, they are sticking with sprites instead of moving on to 3D models. They could make it so it would be indistinguishable between what we have now and an all polygon game. That would make it vastly easier to create art for because all video game art is made in 3D now. UO's big art problem is 2D is such a niche skill at this point. You look at monsters added with Age of Shadows onwards, very few match ones created in the original game and The Second Age. Sprites gave UO an edge 15 years ago when polygon characters looked like block people. But we don't stick with CD's today because they beat cassettes 25 years ago.

 

[AirmidCecht]

I think the point being missed here is if aesthetically everything looked the same and internally how you function in game was the same as in the CC client the argument should have little support save for if the EC client runs on your computer.

If you logged into UO and nothing changed in what you are used to, it was exactly as the classic client is now without a single toggle, they could focus on supporting the one client, get bugs fixed quicker and focus on content instead of devoting time for two then everyone wins.

I've said this repeatedly since the EC came out.
*looks for a cookie*

 

[Violence]

Where is the option to use 3rd Party Graphics? ;Ppp I don't think I have to mention names..! Although I'd pay to play that never released 3D Client mentioned early in this discussion.

That aside I agree with 90% of what Thav12 said. And the targetting system wasn't that bad for casting. Minor flaws, could be fixed easily.. IF this wasn't EA we were talking about.. I'll give you that. Then again this appears to be the reason behind the need to have this and other such Polls.

 

[Zyon Rockler]

I could never go back to the 2D client. The enchanced clients macro system allows for alot more to be done. Like the changing of weapons, clothes, spell combinations, changing your mage book.

In the 2D client, I think, most macros I used, did one thing. Now, my macros are all complex and do more of a task and in the future might even be able to dictate certain lifestyles. Like, the way a lumberjack can chop wood and then stop when his backpack is full or the way a fisherman can continually fish.

I think, what they should do, is replace the old macro systems menu, the whole 9 yards. Just leave the 16 bit graphics, until they decide what they are going to do with it, if they're going to improve it or whatever.

What I think they should do, for new players, is have a place where you can download macro sets and keyboard instructions. For example, basic mage, basic chivalry, basic mage/tamer, mage/tamer/weaver, bard/mage/necro.

From the screen shots that I have seen, of players' desktops and the way they play, it's a completely different game, completely different feel and I think by allowing people to try the other types of setups, they would take to the enhanced client better.

For example, simple macros. Like, getting on a pet, are not really simple. You have to create the macro and then test it. Like, mine says, All Stop, All Follow Me, Target Nearest Friendly, Use Targeted Object, Timer, Use Targeted Object, Timer, Use Targeted Object.

This way, if the pet is far away from me and it's a rideable mount, the game checks, trying to remount several times. If the pet is right under me, then in one second i'm back on it and it's no longer fighting but if it's running towards me, it checks again, in a few seconds, giving the pet time to come to me.

This gives the game a completely different feel. One thing is, you don't lose your pets. So, you're not frustrated. Another thing is, the game is doing all of these awesome things and unless you create a cool macro, then what exactly is the enhanced client to you?

And again, graphics is another issue. At a later date they could just pull all of the graphics from UO and put in something completely new because to me, I think, that's the main thing. The key to be able to control your character in a life-like action and feeling more like you're part of the world but that's just my opinion.