taken from Thread :-Weather and Environmental Effects
UO Kingdom Reborn

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It's been briefly mentioned before, but I'd just like to bring it up again along with a few other ideas. Currently in UO, weather in 2d client consists of blue confetti that appears and dissapears every now and then, which doesn't really do anything for immersion, while the 3d client doesn't even get that.

So can we get some nice weather pleeeeaaassee. If nothing else, just the rain. It'd be nice to see it look like proper rain, for the environment to darken slightly and hear the sound of rain and perhaps thunder. I've always found storms (that are done well like in morrowind, etc) to be one of the best parts when playing RPG type games.


But not just that! What about snow? Also, environmental effects for dungeons. Adding a little mist or dust to the air, a little swamp mist and stuff in places like the fens of the dead, and things like that, just to add to the atmosphere of UO.


I know this might be a bit demanding though on some (ancient) low-end machines, so an option to turn off envrionmental effects would probably be good for those people too.

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It would be really cool to walk through a graveyard at night if they added a layer of ground fog and put in some really atmospheric spooky lighting.

I'm also hoping for good weather effects... they should definitely be on a slider to adjust for video card power.

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I'd love to see a layer of snow build up by itself in the colder areas of Britannia during winter months (by the Britannian calendar)...
Not just snow falling, but the effects of it showing on the ground.

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There are so many effects I would love to see in UO.

I would love for snow to accumulate on the ground. I would love for rain to leave puddles of water. I would love it if there could be different intensities of rain, from light drizzles to heavy downpours. I would love it if there could be intense thunderstorms (especially at sea), with skies that darken, flashes of lightning, loud thunderclaps, heavy rain etc. I would love for wind to become a factor, especially when navigating at sea. I would love to see sandstorms in deserts. I'd love to see low-lying fog in the morning. I'd love to see rolling seas, flowing rivers... You name it, I'd love to see it in UO.

Unfortunately, I don't think UO:KR will be able to bring any of that to us. I have been hoping for it for a long time now, but I just don't think it'll happen - and the reason for that is the existing clients. For as long as the existing clients are supported by EA, UO:KR can't really include features that the existing clients cannot. That is why, for the most part, UO:KR is just a graphics overhaul - it won't introduce any new environmental features. I find that a bit sad to be honest.

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JIB UO Engineer


This is totally on our radar, we definiately want to get some sweet looking weather/environmental effects in. I can't promise how many we can do for beta but this is where the benifits of a new client pay off. We now actually have the ability to add cool things like this and being a live product we can continue to add new things.



Wooo hooo ,this is great news to read.

FOr some one like me especially.Not getting out much I can play UO with a real sense of 'climate effect' *grins*
Does anyone else appreciate the effect opf 'snow' falling ?

So can we expect random bee-hives, and if we go nearby getting stung. With a few unexpecting players having allergies that get an equivelant of Lethal Poisoning from a sting, while others take minimal damage?

J/K

It will be interesting to see what "environments" they can add in with the new client.

No DiP there going to add random Lightening strikes during storms, out PvPing in the field and it clouds over and lightening strikes you. 10,000 Base damage right there. Some will live, some will die, just like in RL :grin:

I will be waiting to see someone cast eartquake and take out a few towns and homes. Plz remember to recycle in UO.

I think all dungeons should conceal a foggish type ora.

the deeper into the dungeon, the thicker it will get. The only thing that will penetrate it is nightsight and lanterns.

and i've always wanted some sort of weather effects in ultima. Also seasonal effects such as the trees changing in the spring/fall. Water freezing to form paths between islands allowing players to glide across the ice and even ice fish. This would also introduce new transportation methods across the wintery waters such as dog sleds etc.

And not to mention natural disasters would be a nice addition. Ive already seen the tornado so it can be done!