Death Rifts... one of my favorite screenies!

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/20111211183421.jpg

UO is definatly a legacy of a game...no matter its state now. 

I retired from the game earlier this year, but I still own and run a fansite forum.  I can say that the community is what keeps this game alive.

No matter what happens...what horrible bugs or problems they encounter, the players seem to just stick together.  They go about their worlds and somehow get through it. 

The game's numbers are not big.  And they seems to lose people (and gain old players back) frequently.  But the players still decorate for Christmas, hold festivals, run events and just generally like to play the game together. 

I have no idea how much longer the game with last with this new 3D client, but most seem to enjoy it.  And I'm glad.  It's an amazing game..unfortunatly it just didn't hold my attention any longer.  But seeing what the players and community do, I decided that our site would stay alive and I'd support it.  I just can't let that kind of enthusiaum for this game die! I know many who have played from Day 1 and still play...that's 10 years of play...that's dedication!

The Adventure packs are fun.  They add a nice little story line for you to get into and complete.

DoF has it's good points and bad points for me.  It does cater to higher levels, but you can get to Maj'dul easily and that's a fun city.  DoF introduced the climbing wall thing...eh...that's ok.  A cool addition to an online game though. Other then that, I spend little time in the sinking sands.  Oh! this expansion added the Arenas too.  Altough I've never played in them, I know a lot of people who really enjoy the arena battles.

KoS brough the AA experience and that was all I really got out of that one.  Only because the content was so high! So I don't really have much of an opinion on that expansion yet. 

EoF was a great expansion in my opinion.  The new lands are great to explore and range from beginning to level 70.  I think the Fae were a great race to add.  A lot of people disliked this expansion, but it all depends on your tastes I suppose.  I love it and it was the one that brought me back from a 5 month break of the game. 

I'm not sure why some are "anti-expansion" myself.  I think that EQ2 does a little better then some other games and trying to give new content to all.  It's not perfect, but no game expansion ever is.  Not all expansions will be for everyone, people need to just remember that I think and buy what interests them.

Originally posted by Everith
Hello I'm a pretty big mmo fan even though the entire market is pretty stale atm with alot of good titles a long ways off. I just left a couple games which the community was eating away at me. I'm a LONG time dungeons and dragons player from back in the Ad&d days. I've always wanted to play UO but i never knew anyone who did so i shy'd away not wanting to delve in alone. I'm just curious: How's the game going Do you think i'd enjoy it at this stage and hows the community?

If you're a flamer please don't post as i will disregard your comment immidiatly.

Please all comments good or bad State reasons so this doesn't turn into a flame war.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Hi Everith! I just wanted to come and say that I played UO for 7 years and it is one of those games that has kept it's staying power for many years. 

It has it's bad points, as do all games.  A few bugs and not so great systems, but it's a great game nevertheless.  I think one thing that you will find VERY different from other games is the Community.  UO relies on it's community for everything.  The players hold events constantly, invite you into their homes to help you out, etc.  Depending upon what shard (server) you play on, you will be surprised at just how active the community can be. 

As was said before, it's getting a big overhaul.  And the best thing is, it's going to be a free upgrade to the new 3D client.  The next expansion to buy will include a Gargoyle Race that you can play.  Currently it's just humans and elves.  They've done quite well sticking to the Ultima history.

If you are interested, I suggest maybe checking out an Ultima Online forum. MMORPG is great, but one that's dedicated to UO will be able to answer your questions better and help you out in game if you decide to give it a whirl. I run The Lost Lands, which has a great staff who know a ton about UO. www.thelostlands.com

Well I can certainly try and answer some.  Anything I miss I'm sure someone else will have some info! So I've just answered the ones I know (or think I do! LOL)

1.  Is this a strictly level based character progression system?  Can you customize your character using skill points at all?

There is levels within the game, but you also earn Attribution points.  I believe it's level 9 you start earning them.  You can use these to bump up some some your attributes, but you can refund the points and put them somewhere else if you want too.  So what you choose the first time, you don't have to stick with if you don't want.

2.  What is the penalty for death?

No penalty until Level 7 and you will spawn at an alter when you die.. After that period when you die, either wait for someone to rez you, or you spawn yourself at an Alter. If you go to an Alter, you leave behind a gravestone and get some experience loss.  You can run to your grave and reduce your loss, or just work it off. 

You an also have your body/remains summoned to the alter, without running to get them.  But this costs coin and I don't think it's cheap.

4.  On the PvP server, what is the reward for killing another player?  Can you take any of their items?  What does it cost the other player when they die?

I believe it's...*tries to remember right*...no items but 15% of your coin..

7.  Are caster abilities on the PvP server the same as caster abilities on the non PvP server?

I believe so, yes

8.  Are there zones in the game?

No zones...seamless world