A burning question!

Does anyone else here think they should've spent the money/time/resources on updating the 2D client, instead of creating UOKR?

I voted yes
Main reason being, after seeing Saphireena's work on the 2D artwork (paperdoll etc) and what could've been possible for a newer/high res 2D client, I think they should've upgraded or created a new 2D client instead.

It's not that I don't enjoy 3D games, because I do, I'm currently addicted to the graphically gorgeous Eve Online
I also liked WOW's graphics and interface
But UOKR, to me at least, just seems like a waste of resources.

From a good resource I know that the 2d client is a technical mess from beginning.. so its good with a new client.. But they should have focused on a new client to 2d instead.. not KR.

Updating the old wouldnt help. They had to make a new. Sadly wrong path.

So far I'm the token 'no' vote - not because I particularly like KR, but I can't see a 2d client appealing to new players, and heaven knows the game needs them.... it's marking time on us vets remaining, with a smattering of 'new blood', but the figures keep consistently falling.

I can't see a 2d client appealing to gamers nowadays, so I'm convinced the idea of a new, isometric-style view 3d client was the way to set the game up for the future, not least because it's now done with a toolset that there are actually developers trained and working in. I don't think KR is anything like fit for release to the whole world, I reckon that 'delaying' of SA means that within EA/Mythic they recognise it's a long way short of a saleable product - it's improving gradually, but still has a long way to go - but the failings of this particular product don't persuade me that sticking with a 2d client was viable.

I voted yes because that is the UO that I want to play. I have been playing it since 2000 (right after Ren.)

An updated 2D would have been great.

I think we have turned down a road that leads to a dead end with KR.


Off topic... I just heard that Led Zeppelin is reforming. Yay!!

Yes here.

Yes as UO is the 2D isometric view. 3D eye candy does nothing for the game mechanics. A lot of those "3D" crap games don't even look 3D very well, all blocky and polygon like, naw....

They should have overhauled the client, building a new one, with new encryption, and re-used/converted the artwork to work with the newer client.

Regardless of the "ease" of use for 3D artwork mapping, you can't (in my opinion) remake a 3D off old 2D stuff, the engines and conversions just don't pan well.

If I wanted a "good" 3D type game I'll go fire up a console box.

I may be out in left field (nothing unusual for me ) but isn't KR really a new 2D client? If that is the case they are doing exactly what you asked

Vepl

I vote Yay... I played 3d actually and KR is a poor replacement... So I also vote with my logins and only log in with 2d.... I look at it again every patch... But until my house looks Beautiful again.... and Crafting works... and the Economy is more realistic, meaning if things are not so rare that they are worth more in real cash (US$), than for actual use ingame...

If the 2d client was such a wreck behind the scenes, IMO if you were really going to re-write everything, you should have started there.... With a known winner, graphics at the front end... If you wanted to make better graphics, that would have been a good base to start... IMO, you took the easier, more economic route and tried to adapt UO to another existing game engine... and it just doesn't quite feel the same at all...

I don't think that many took the bait...

I also voted yes, but mostly because that is the way UO has always been and what I want it to always be. I have tested KR alot and Its not BAD, but i PREFER 2d over KR.

For EA to really make a decent amount of money I think they should make a completely new game (Where did Ultima X: Odyssey go?) that is up to todays standards. KR just dosent cut it in todays market.

This new game should keep accounts from UO and maybe reward UO vets with something in the new game.

Think about it, ALL new mmorpgs today are exactly the same! ALL games are about grinding LEVELS and getting the high end loot. If EA/Mythic made a game based on UO (housing, crafting, rp, skillgains) WITH attractive graphics, they would actually make money. A totally free (as in gameplay) game for all kinds of players, just like UO.

I chose other. I think they should of rewritten the game from the ground up, updated the graphics, and added a "legacy" graphics option. I do like the new graphics of KR and I like that it has a customizeable interface(are we allowed to do this with 2d-that I would love also, maybe players could even send in the ideas/post them for others like the simcity exchange), and I can't comment on gameplay since I haven't logged in but maybe for a few minutes since beta (I am sure this has improved as well). I'd like to see UO done with the art of the original Diablo (cleaned up of course). That environment was just beautiful when I first picked up the game. I agree with Skrekkugle (this is similar to what I was saying in my "What EA need to do" rant).