Server Tired

[Abyz]

I too only wish to play UOSA. In the interest of real life peace and family sanity, I take long breaks from time to time... However, I am in for the long haul on UOSA. For me, SA represents the era that I enjoy/ed the most.

The problem with SA as I see it is stagnancy. You can't really do anything to stop this, but there are a few things you can do to lessen its effects. The housing glut is crazy. I 100% agree with the 1 house per account idea. A return of automated events would be huge for livening things up, and giving more folks motivation to stick around and work on their skills. I also think a super rare random silver coin drop on dungeon monsters would help.

Armed with the best era and rule set (IMHO) I truly believe that UOSA could grow once again. But, as Lambo said... It would require effort from ownership, who seem to be letting UOSA run this natural course towards the end that others have previously talked about. *shrugs* a healthy server needs love from its owner.

[Boomland Jenkins]

Armed with the best era and rule set (IMHO) I truly believe that UOSA could grow once again. But, as Lambo said... It would require effort from ownership, who seem to be letting UOSA run this natural course towards the end that others have previously talked about. *shrugs* a healthy server needs love from its owner.

I'd like to step in and state that we are not letting the shard die. Derrick has no intentions on pulling the plug ... ever. With the increased Staff (3 new staffers since August 2013, one of which is a quality RunUO Developer), you can expect 2014 to be a much better year for UOSA than 2013 in terms of content, patches, etc...

In fact, anyone who's been keeping an eye out on things for a minimum of the last 12 months should know the following;

1. Population has declined - there are many factors here, more than most people realize. 2013 launched a few big shards, giving players more options on where to play. This also gives them the option to play the UO they were looking for. A lot of UOSA's population didn't pick Second Age because they loved the T2A era, they picked Second Age because there wasn't another option for a version of UO that they remembered (in 2007 when UOSA launched, if you were playing a free shard it was probably Divinity or Hybrid) - once other era shards (Origins, UOR, Dem) opened up or became more viable, it's only natural for these people to migrate.

2. Staff has been more active in the last 3-6 months than in the 12 months prior. UOSA has a blueprinted path and we can't simply "add whatever we want whenever we want" like other shards. Everything has to be completely analyzed to keep things on track and as accurate as possible. There have been several events this year and it's only mid-March. We have a few things lined up in future patches which should stir the pot a bit, all while staying within our era accurate goals.

[Abyz]

That's very reassuring to hear, BJ. I'm looking forward to anything neat you guys bring to the table.

[Budner]

Sounds promising, everyone should spread the word to any ex-UOSA people they know.

[Capitalist]

We have a few things lined up in future patches which should stir the pot a bit, all while staying within our era accurate goals.

Black dye tub spawns? Black sandal spawns? Neon furniture dye tubs? Anything else to eliminate an entire rare market in the first 1 minute of release?

[Budner]

I'm thinking marble patio houses.

[GuardianKnight]

We have a few things lined up in future patches which should stir the pot a bit, all while staying within our era accurate goals.

Black dye tub spawns? Black sandal spawns? Neon furniture dye tubs? Anything else to eliminate an entire rare market in the first 1 minute of release?

Trammel stone that works.

[nubnub]

There have been several events this year and it's only mid-March. We have a few things lined up in future patches which should stir the pot a bit, all while staying within our era accurate goals.

I've noticed and I have really enjoyed the events... The pirates invading Minoc was a good time and offered players silver that was previously a gap for new players (at least since I started) and ran the guards out of town so folks could bring in their murderers too. Same with Delucia invasion, another good time! You guys managed to get Richard Garriott to hop on as well and end the double-loot encrusted thingiemabobber.

The freshness of players seems to have increased as well... My gauge, anecdotal as it may be, is to drop firecrackers around Brit bank and see how many folks kill themselves. Lately it's been quite a bit... Either there are plenty of newbs running around or lots of ol' timers that like doing the deathrobe dance.

[WarmApplepie]

Im new here, and as Delo said new to UO (again) I played back in 98'ish and from watching Delo and his bro loot an entire house while be chased back to the guard zone by the house owners, that was all it took for me to get hooked. Since then ive been playing a lot of games which come and go, but ive always wanted to get back into UO.

I played on UO forever for about 2 weeks and, their population is defiantly higher. It was actually kind of refreshing, i started my first char as a miner to start gaining some cash for other skills. There was 2 or 3 miners in the caves at all times, got to pk a little bit even with being such a newbie.

I ran around all day the other day in brit out of the town and didnt see a single person. Kinda fustrating but it is what it is, I joked with Vega about how to shut down all the other shards and force them here. As much as that is impossible, it would kinda be nice. But again, im just a noob so take it with a grain of salt.

[Vega/Delo]

I agree with budner in the account amount and housing issues. For the good portion of the time I started and began hunting idocs... I thought it was one house per acct., had I known that I would own a lot of great housing. That's besides the point, when I figured out it was 15 houses... that number is sickly large. I know it won't changes but it would bring a lot of good to the server.

The mods and gms in no way "forgot","left it to auto run and die", ect. Like the bjizle stated 2014 will be great as of what I've seen in the last couple of months. And to vega about the rares, understandable anger those who collected what they have. Although it's a game and gold is always flowing. I would love the shot at some of the stuff only some have, but patches made those items what they are and no chance that will happen.

Viva la UOSA!
Delo

[Menkaure]

Ill never play another shard.
I'm not playing here right now but I'm not playing uo at all. This is the only non osi/real uo shard I ever played or ever will play. I've always been a supporter of the shard and always tried to bring population to the shard/increase server health etc; even if I don't agree with certain changes I've always been a fan of how the staff isn't corrupt. The biggest problem with private shards in general is corrupt stuff (anyone ever play UOWoW? Coulda been huge but corrupt staff killed it, quick). Ill be the first to admit I am not a fan of Kaivans ideas, views, or even personality, but the guy isn't corrupt. And that's why I think this shard will always stay alive, even if its barely. Its a shard that people will always feel safe coming to where they know everyone is treated equally.
Do I think the shards population will pick back up? No. I think unless an insanely major change is implemented, that it will not go back up. But I don't think it'll die either.
I think this shard will always stay between 200-450.

[farnk]

We have a few things lined up in future patches which should stir the pot a bit

[Lambo]

There is no denying the fact staff has been more active and some of the events have been top notch! My point was not to say ownership is letting the server go to waste and I know for a fact by the conversations I have had with Mammoth that it is certainly not the case. The point I was making is the perception that has been portrayed through 2013 is ownership is letting go. I think its undeniable that many players have viewed it this way.

New staff members are trying extremely hard to In Vas Mani this situation. While it may take time I truly believe we will cross that hump when the perception is changed. Which may just take some time and things implemented.

I think the best thing community can do at this point is remain positive , the major obstacle the new staff is facing is negativity portrayed through IRC and forums. For every positive thing they complete there is 10 negative voices. But I believe most negativity is just frustration redirected because we care so much about the longevity of this silly game.

I think the main thing that has been lacking (and still lacking) is communication with the community. A little reveal here or there goes a long way.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

[Capitalist]

Lambo, that was very articulate. Albeit, it was biased and rightly so since it's your opinion. My assertion is based on your interpretation of perception. The disposition and proposed negativity is typically by players who, like Boomland said, were looking for a different era or mechanic within a server to begin with. So once those options were available to them, said players (no specific examples, too many nigs) badmouthed this server until the day they cashed out and quit. It's funny because they all cashed out knowing that this server would be there when their new choice was dead, as not a single one of them just up and quit; they all invested time and energy into acquiring future equity. However, the people who never left this server are not the loud voices and crybabies, thus it's perceived that the server is dying and no one cares. I've personally spoken with all old staff and new staff (way less w/ the new staff) about the longevity and goals of this server and I'm still here. As a man keen on business and power, do you not think I would be gone?

tl;dr Just because Derrick hasn't personally patted you on the back with a note of reassurance doesn't mean the owner(s) of this server don't care.

[Lambo]

Solid point Vega. Unfortunately the UO community is very opinionated and most importantly fickle. They do need that pat on the back to invest time. Which a pat on the back is simply just communication. There are a million things we could point fingers at.

The best thing I think we could do as a community above all is be active (which I have been doing a terrible job of lately). The forum viewer count/irc numbers rival servers with 500-1000 clients. What we have a lot of is players sitting around waiting for other players to log in ... maybe we should just go ahead and do it.