Meanwhile back at Turbine HQ...

[HaemishM]

You really are Jack's Bitter Spite, aren't you?

[WindupAtheist]

The funny part is, they actually roleplayed with Lando.  I got confused references to the port in Minoc being very spacious, and the "guards" wanted to know what "rebels" I was talking about.  The next day there was a very positive thread on their forums, talking about how novel and funny the whole thing was.  :-D

[Hoax]

I dont believe you, link or die.

[WindupAtheist]

Link!

[schild]

Link!

You're every member on that forum, aren't you?

[WindupAtheist]

Ostensibly the root of the URL is short for Forums4Games, and not the result of someone screaming "omg rp is for f4gs y0!"

[Yegolev]

Ostensibly the root of the URL is short for Forums4Games,

The first two sig pics I could withstand... say otherwise.

[Cheddar]

God help me, but I need a sandbox fix STAT.  I am extremely tempted to jump into Ultima Online this weekend and see how much it has changed. 

[Yegolev]

God help me, but I need a sandbox fix STAT.  I am extremely tempted to jump into Ultima Online this weekend and see how much it has changed. 

I did this last fall and I can save you some time.  Jesus H. Cristo, there is always EVE.  I'd rather play Horizons than UO.

[Cheddar]

God help me, but I need a sandbox fix STAT.  I am extremely tempted to jump into Ultima Online this weekend and see how much it has changed. 

I did this last fall and I can save you some time.  Jesus H. Cristo, there is always EVE.  I'd rather play Horizons than UO.

EVE has an equal attraction to me; problem is getting my friends into it.  I dunno, EQ2 is the pinnacle level based MMOG out there (imo of course), but really it has the same inherent weakness every other game like it shares.  I tried getting back into console games and failed miserably.  Maybe I should just stick to hookers.

[WindupAtheist]

I think I'm going to concoct a really obnoxious roleplayer sig for these forums.

*runs off to google*

[Toast]

Nice job, WUA.
Fun is a rare commodity these days. Way to use the sandbox.

One of the simple joys of MMORPGs is creating gimmick characters to harrass friends.

[5150]

I keep hearing that UO is the sandbox to play if you are an SWG refugee - unfortunately (and I'll admit to being a hypocrit here) I just cant get past the graphics

I own a copy of UO (2 in fact, Blacksomebodys revenge or something and the second age or something so I could play the offline version) neither of which lasted very long installed on my system

I guess its the same kind of problem (only not over the graphics) which stops some people from getting into Eve?

[Yegolev]

The big difference, I think, is that it is EVE's gameplay alone that whittles down the playerbase.  UO has the gameplay as a repulsor, but the graphics too, and probably other items I didn't endure long enough to detect.  The unfortunately-complex UI in EVE exists only because the game itself is very complex; most everything is doable via right-click context menus and I don't really know how to make that more simple... so while most newbies feel overwhelmed by the UI, if they persisted through a week or two of play they would come to realize that there is a huge amount of information under there.  First, though, you have to get used to things like this:

http://www.eve-files.com/media/corp/GreyArea/Info2.jpg

[Engels]

The big difference, I think, is that it is EVE's gameplay alone that whittles down the playerbase.  UO has the gameplay as a repulsor, but the graphics too, and probably other items I didn't endure long enough to detect.  The unfortunately-complex UI in EVE exists only because the game itself is very complex; most everything is doable via right-click context menus and I don't really know how to make that more simple... so while most newbies feel overwhelmed by the UI, if they persisted through a week or two of play they would come to realize that there is a huge amount of information under there.  First, though, you have to get used to things like this:

http://www.eve-files.com/media/corp/GreyArea/Info2.jpg

For me it wasn't ever the complexity of the data, just the huge data clutter. Just in that screen shot, try to visually compare the stats of the two missles or whatever they are. I found my eyes wandering all over the charts before I found the paired stats. Now playing a game that asks me to do that not once in a while, but nearly ever 15 minutes isn't a space simulator, its an excell nightmare come true.  Eve is artistically fabulous, but the gui and data presentation were a real strain to me.

[WindupAtheist]

I think when I get a little time, I'll write an honest review of UO.  It's (almost) the only sandbox left, and most people are largely unfamiliar with the modern incarnation.  I promise it won't be a lovefest. 

[Yegolev]

I agree, Engels, if you can't get into comparing stats for weaponry then you aren't going to enjoy EVE, thus my point about the gameplay itself driving people away rather than the UI.  If you want your eyes to really glaze over, check out one of the official guides on weapon ranges or missile damage (I think their web site is down now).  There is a huge amount of data to consider if you really want to get into it, and I don't see how any interface can do anything other than hide it from you most of the time.

Sticking with hookers is a viable option.  The UI is pretty simple, and they are pay-to-play.

I think when I get a little time, I'll write an honest review of UO.  It's (almost) the only sandbox left, and most people are largely unfamiliar with the modern incarnation.  I promise it won't be a lovefest. 

Be sure to detail the newbie experience.  If there is one.

[shiznitz]

UO Newbie experience:

What the hell is a hind?

*ouch* *pain* *dying*

[WindupAtheist]

There is an actual newbie introduction now, where they make you invisible and teleport you to various points of interest (Brit bank, dungeon Doom, etc.) before dumping you off in Haven within easy reach of some newb quests.  I'll get writing in a bit.