Five on Friday - March 6, 2009

Will you ever "fix" the circle of transparency in KR?

There are many display related issues that have become the focus of improvement as we continue work on the upcoming Stygian Abyss client. The Circle of Transparency option in the Kingdom Reborn client had a number of problems, a couple of which included making floors underneath your character invisible when attempting to remove the walls from view and making item drag and drop functionality within these areas very difficult. There were other more general display issues such as floors and walls above your character hiding or unhiding in unintended ways which frustrated many players who owned lofty housing.

Much of this has been reworked in the Stygian Abyss client and we are very happy with the results from our continued testing and improving process.

- Axel

--

Will KR users have to do a completely new installation for the new client?

So much has changed with the new client that even if we allowed you to patch up from KR, it would basically be patching the entire thing. I do have some good news though. The new client uses a completely new patching system that is far superior to its predecessor.

  • Patches are no longer incremental. This means you won’t have to download every single patch that has been released since you installed the game. The patcher will only download updates to each file once when you run it.
  • The patching system is built from the ground up to work with our data format. This will result in much smaller patches than what we are used to.
  • The patcher can actually download the entire game from the UO Patch Server. The installer for the new client will be small, around 20 megabytes. When you run the patcher for the first time, it will download the rest of the game files.

- Supreem

--

Will we be able to transfer our macros to the SA client?

This is on our list of features we would like to get in before the client launches. Although there are minor differences between the KR and new client settings formats, the new client saves and loads the settings files from a different folder on the user’s computer. This is to allow players to maintain their KR client settings when we enter various stages of testing for the new client.

- Supreem

--

Last week you said Gargoyles, under SA ,will have a slight skill advantage in Imbuing. So I assume Humans and Elves will be able to use this new skill. Does the same apply with Mysticism and Throwing?

Gargoyles receive racial bonuses to Imbuing, Mysticism, and Throwing.

  • Master Artisan - A strong cultural emphasis on art and craftsmanship grants the Gargoyles an increased chance to imbue, enhance, and unravel magical items.
  • Deadly Aim - All Gargoyles are trained from childhood in the skill of Throwing, giving them a basic competence with missile weapons.
  • Mystic Insight - Gargoyles have an intuitive understanding of Mysticism, allowing them to cast basic Mysticism spells without further training.

Humans and Elves will be able to use Imbuing and Mysticism, but will not be able to use Throwing weapons.

Gargoyles will not be able to use Archery weapons.

- Leurocian

--

The question is, is it intended during statloss period you still have access to all weapon specials even if you do not have the required skills? 120 Archery and 120 tactics in statloss is 80/80 which normally wouldnt allow you to do secondary specials.

No that's unintended. Statloss should prevent secondary weapon abilities because your skill levels have been lowered. Currently, for validating skill requirements for weapon specials, we evaluate the weapon skill level and tactics skill level with no modifiers (i.e., racial, item bonuses, and faction penalties are not included)

-Leurocian

--

Fansite News

Baja

Attention Archers! The March Best Shot in the Realm, sponsored by Misfits of Society, will be held on March 21, 2009 at 8:00 pm Pacific (9:00 Mtn, 10:00 Cent., 11:00 East.). All archers of the land are encouraged and invited to gather at the Skara Brae Fairgrounds

--

Siege

On Sunday, March 8th at 7pm EST there will be an "Introduction to Siege" event where members of the Siege community will be talking about the ruleset there and the many myths surrounding life on the shard. We will also be visiting some key places on Siege, including the unique NEW guild which has been helping newcomers to the shard for years.
The event will be starting at the Skara Brae Community Center. Further details are available here.

--

Sonoma

Hail! Tonight at 7:00pm Pacific Time, your presence is requested on Sonoma/Felucca at the YMCA* for the return of Story Night. The Yew Merry Center for All will be awarding a purse of gold to the player whose story is accorded the popular vote by those in attendance. Especially desired are those veterans with tales to tell from Sosaria of yore - of deeds, deaths and derring-do - anything with which to regale the audience. Your stories are all new to them...you are the legends before their time. Tell 'em like it was!
Sharpen up those pens (and ears) and come to share a tale of your choosing with us...or simply grab a seat by the fire, toss back an ale or three, and enjoy listening to other's creations. (Songs, poetry and humor are always welcomed, as well)
So...blow the dust off of those manuscripts, polish em up a bit, and drop by the YMCA for an evening of entertainment, refreshments...and gold!
*The Yew Merry Center for All is a player-run, blessed, public tower, located directly across the road from the Yew Cemetary, south of Yew, on the Felucca facet of Sonoma.
REMINDER: The YMCA is a neutral establishment, and all hues are welcomed...red, grey, orange, purple or blue. No aggressive acts towards other patrons are condoned on the premises. A caveat, however: this event takes place in Felucca, so please do not travel with anything that you cannot afford to lose.
Please be sure to read the rule book locked down on the front steps. Thank you!

--

Pacific

Saturday, March 7th at Noon Pacific (2pm CT ^ 3pm ET) - Meet & Greet EM Stardancer - Spend some time chatting with our EM's and welcome EM Stardancer to Sonoma at the West Brit Counselor's Hall (Tram). For map location click HERE
~~~
Sunday, March 8th at 10am Pacific (Noon CT ^ 1pm ET) - Renewing Vows Ceremony - Everyone is invited at to attend the renewing of marriage vows ceremony performed by EM Eira between Queen Mum & Pop Lancermane. CLICK HERE for more details.
~~~
Friday, March 13th at 5pm Pacific (7pm CT ^ 8pm ET) - Lucky the Lost Leprechaun - Help the unlucky Leprechaun find his way out of the Hedge Maze and retrieve his pot of surprises. Sponsored by Sonoma Community Coalition and Friends.
~~~
Friday, March 13th at 6pm Pacific (8pm CT ^ 9pm ET) - Shard gauntlet - The Peoples Army of Sonoma will take other citizens to the gauntlet for fun. Gold skulls provided by PAS

--

This week on Whispering Rose Radio...

Friday - March 6th - Shard Chatter is buzzing with the latest hot topics of Ultima Online news. Join DJ Exiled Connections starting at 10pm ET (7pm PT) on WRR and participate in this lively UO discussion. Instructions on how to tune in and participate are located on the www.wrrad.com website. You can contact Exiled Connection by ICQ 179-159-158
~~~~~~~~~
Friday - March 6th - The Box Game with 50 Million in UO prizes to give away over the next 2 weekends runs from 9pm to 11pm PT (Midnight to 2am ET) Its easy to participate and anyone on UO can play. Go to www.wrrad.com for details and be ready to contact DJ Flash at ICQ 124-373-22
~~~~~~~~~
Saturday - March 7th - While getting your game on tune into www.wrrad.com from 1pm to 3pm ET (10am to Noon PT) for the Sounds of Sosaria Show. Chill out to New Age, Ambience and Soundtracks with DJ Skal who is always available to listeners requests and can be reached by ICQ at 436-663-883
~~~~~~~~~
Saturday - March 7th - Tune in for the ever popular Brush LimpPaw show starting at 5pm ET (2pm PT) on WRRAD where listeners hear his Universal Outlook on the worlds 'current events' - as only he can deliver it!
~~~~~~~~~
Saturday - March 7th - WRR Deal or No Deal 'UO Style' ~ Win up to 10 MILLION in GOLD on the shard of your choice (1/3 Siege) playing Deal or No Deal. This weeks DoND is on PACIFIC starting at 6pm Eastern, 3pm Pacific. The DoND house is located just EAST of LUNA moongate. Players from all shards are eligible to participate...just make a character on PACIFIC to join in the fun!! Rules on how to play DoND UO Style are available on the station website where you can also tune in to hear this and other UO events live from...Whispering Rose Radio - For more details and location map CLICK HERE
~~~~~~~~~
Saturday - March 7th - WRR's Name that Tune & Artist Show with over 25 Million in UO Gold can be won on the shard of your choice (1/3 Siege)!! Anyone can play - just log onto LAKE SUPERIOR and head to the game house of Club Xanadu located inside Luna town along the north wall then tune into Whispering Rose Radio at (www.wrrad.com) to hear the tunes. Every person that plays is on their own ladder. For full game details and map of location CLICK HERE
~~~~~~~~~
Saturday - March 7th - If you missed Friday nights Box Game (with 50 Million in UO prizes to give away) you have another chance tonight from 9pm to 11pm PT (Midnight to 2am ET) Its easy to participate and anyone on UO can play. Go to www.wrrad.com for details and be ready to contact DJ Flash at ICQ 124-373-22
~~~~~~~~~
Sunday - March 8th - Tune in each week from 11am to 2pm ET (8am - 11am PT) and win at least a MILLION in gold on the shard of your choice (1/3 Siege) by being the first to figure out the clues given to help find DJ Slide on Sonoma. Anyone from any shard is eligible to participate, just make a character on Sonoma and tune into www.wrrad.com for the clues. Each week that DJ Slide is not 'found' the reward increases by 1 Million. *This weeks winning is worth 1 Million on the shard of your choice (1/3 Siege).
~~~~~~~~~
Sunday - March 8th - The Pacific Auction House (located just East of the Luna moongate) continues after 4 fantastic years to bring all UO players more great deals. Get there early for best seating. Auction starts at 3pm ET (Noon PT) and is broadcasted live on WRRadio.
~~~~~~~~~
Thursday - March 12th – Its time to party with the Tazz and Keg's Underground show broadcasting live from 10pm to Midnight ET (6pm to 8pm PT). You will never forget entering their underground world. You can call into the show via Skype! For full details on how to call into the show visit the Tazz & Kegs Underground website the Underground Knights.
~~~~~~~~~
Weekly - "Our House - UO Player of the Week". Is there someone who has affected you and others playing of Ultima Online in a positive way? Show your appreciation by nominating them for the UO Player of the Week! It's easy to do. Contact DJ Slide at ICQ 277-163-033 (or by PM on the boards) with the name and shard of the player. Slide will contact you for more details to help in recording this special tribute and will play the spot during DJ Slide's Sunday Show from 11am - 2pm ET (8am - 11am PT) on Whispering Rose Radio
~~~~~~~~~
Have a blast playing Ultima Online and listening to Whispering Rose Radio (www.wrrad.com) ~ see you all on the flip side!

--

Lake Superior

***With the exception of the Community Meetings, all events are subject to cancellation in the event a town comes under attack by the Shadow Army.***
------------------------------------------------------
Advanced Champion Spawn hunt
Date: Saturday, March 7th
Time: 8:00PM Central
Starting Location: Shrine of Wisdom, above Luna Bank
Host: Elendil Felagund
------------------------------------------------------
Community Meet'n Greet
Date: Monday, March 9th
Time: 7:30PM Central
Location: West Britain Counselor Guild Hall
Hosts: Airmid / Sabina Nikolai
------------------------------------------------------
Treasure-hunting for the Britain Library Community Collection
Date: Tuesday, March 10th
Time: 8:00PM Central
Starting Location: New Haven Terrasse
Host: Taeara Mi'Aken
------------------------------------------------------
Peerless hunt (Mondain's Legacy Required)
Date: Wednesday, March 11th
Time: 8:00PM Central
Starting Location: New Haven Terrasse
Host: Taeara Mi'Aken
------------------------------------------------------
Bag of Sending Group quest
Date: Thursday, March 12th
Time: 8:00PM Central
Starting Location: New Haven Terrasse
Host: Taeara Mi'Aken
------------------------------------------------------
Ilshenar Champion Spawn hunt
Date: Friday, March 13th
Time: 9:00PM Central
Starting Location: New Haven Terrasse
Host: Taeara Mi'Aken
------------------------------------------------------

--

UOForums Interviews Draconi, UO Lead Designer

Draconi has agreed to do an interview with UOForums. You can find the interview here
Thanks to Draconi for a fantastic interview and for completing it so quickly! Thanks to all our users who submitted their questions And of course, thanks to the fansites who share this interview with their respective communities.
Adam
UOForums Founder

--

Announcements:

If you are not seeing your vet rewards gump and you are not using an approved 3rd party program please click here. We will need your account name (no passwords) and email address to investigate this further.

--

It's that time again to stump the devs. Submit your Five on Friday question here.

See Also