[Community News] Press Pass -Atlanta Town Hall

[Tabbitha]

taken from Thread :- [Community News] Press Pass -Atlanta Town Hall found in UO.UHall




Well all speculation can end now ,as the News is released .

Readwhats REALLY going to come with UOKR

Atlanta Town Hall Notes

We arrived late, only 5 minutes, but even still there was a line out the door to get in. Press Pass in plain view, Camera in hand, Camcorder and tripod in Ancients, we made our way through the crowd. We each received a lovely UO poster upon reaching the entry, but the T-shirts were gone. I immediately sought permission for the video I was about to take. Aaron Cohen, smiled and asked who I was. "Braelynn Aria, of Stratics Staff" I proudly proclaimed. His eyes widen as he said, "Yes please, all the information is free, please share it with the world." And so I give you, the notes, as Ancient took them. I also have 2 hours of video feed which I am searching for a home for so that you may view it.

There will be NO Dwarves in UO!

This is what we saw first. Which most got a good chuckle out of. The rest of my report will be more or less highlights and notes as taken by Ancient of Origin, more will follow as I watch the video

UO Kingdom reborn is going to have many new aspects. Everything is going to be redrawn with more detail and color. (a note on color, they will be toning away, as much as possible any retinal damage caused by bright neon items. The items will still retain a discerning color by which to differentiate them from lesser items, but they will be more of an earthy tone that simply stands out against the more natural colors of the environment) There will be a new interface which will mean fewer clicks. They are also revamping the new player experience and quest system combined with improved skill training. It's EA's most significant investment since their launch of UO.

Paper dolls will now have toggle tabs, one for armor, one for clothing for instant switches.

As you already know Backpacks are being revamped for "efficiency". Aaron Cohen spoke of a "loot all" button from corpses, which will dump their loot into a backpack. This will be revisited due to comments about needed filters for this.

Another nice new feature, will be a gump that calculates for your resists, LRC, LMC, HCI, DCI & SDI – I will need to review the video to be sure, but that’s an overall summery of that feature.

A new feature of the interface are "hot bars" you will be able to drag and drop, spells, bandages, potions etc. into these for use (a la Diablo belts). You will also be able to stack multiple hot bars if you so choose. This is essentially meant to help you decrease your quick spell icons. Cohen alluded to the use of Assist becoming unnecessary.

There was brief mention of: improved chat system, new housing tool and faster targeting systems. It was also confirmed that there will be Male and Female Gargoyles in Stygian Abyss. When I (Braelynn) asked about them I was told that there was a purpose and that they understand the want for UO to continue to hold to its beginnings, but the reason would make itself apparent at the right time.

UO Kingdom Reborn will be FREE, Stygian Abyss however will be like any other expansion and will be a purchasable upgrade (no amounts mentioned) in which the Gargoyle race will be introduced along with: new abilities, UO's Largest Dungeon, new monsters, new skills, new magic, new craftables, new pets, new quests, and new housing sets.

PVP in UOKR is a HIGH priority. Cohen mentioned that not only do the Devs play everyday, but also a good portion of their time is spent in PVP, some spending more than half their time in PVP alone. They are working to revitalize PVP, although they did not go into specifics.

Some suggestions made that they took notes on are:
Making more items stackable, such as: blackrock, seeds & potions.
Jewelry Boxes were discussed for helping with space issues, as were Bod books for TMaps and Bookcases for Rune Book libraries.
A special "Vault" token for those wishing to take time away from the game without loosing possessions over houses.
New map interfaces to find guild mates.

A couple other features/tidbits that are still fresh in my memory, without viewing the videos are: a new Zoomable interface, especially helpful for those interested in home design.
When asked about the pictures that were leaked, they indicated that you could indeed sit on beds now, though it was not necessarily a planned feature, after a overwhelming pleas from the audience Cohen announced, “It’s in!” As to the picture of a player house with new plants such as grape vines, watermelon plants, bushes and other plant life, well let’s just say it was dodged. No real answer as to wether or not that will be something we can do.

I believe that is all I have for you for now. Hopefully we will find a home for the videos I took to be viewed, but in the mean time I will review them for more information that was not included in these brief notes!

Braelynn Aria
Origin Senior Reporter

[Ezekiel]

Excellent. Cant wait for the open Beta

[kitiara]

omg... can. not. wait.

[Snugglebunny]

How do we apply to be in Open Beta?

[Cabe Bedlam]

No Dwarves, I'm sad now. I had all these axes set aside to play a dwarf!

[Som]

I was hoping for Dwarfs too
I wanted a dwarf miner/smith

[Tabbitha]

Originally Posted by Snugglebug

How do we apply to be in Open Beta?

I dont think we will need to apply as such Snuggles,I think it will be just that an 'open' beta.

I imagine some will be informed so they do get ion and for the rest it will be on a 'first come ' basis.

Whats the betting it goes live while most of Europa sleeps too

[Gala]

tabby i think ml released codes during english days as well (i think i got my ml code on a saturday... then spent all night waiting for the damn patch to download) If they are gonna do it the same way then they'll release one set of codes and then another like a day or so after and it'll go on for a while i just hope my internet is sorted by that time because otherwise no beta-ness for me >.<

[Vepl]

I am betting that UO:KR will be a link to a download. It will be a new client so probably will not patch. There will not be a code until Stygian Abyss comes out. Anyway that is my guess.

Vepl

[Tabbitha]

Originally Posted by Gala

tabby i think ml released codes during english days as well (i think i got my ml code on a saturday... then spent all night waiting for the damn patch to download) If they are gonna do it the same way then they'll release one set of codes and then another like a day or so after and it'll go on for a while i just hope my internet is sorted by that time because otherwise no beta-ness for me >.<

Do you think they will do the Beta like that too ?

It will be good if we get a chance to grab some codes before they all go 'poof'

[Cabe Bedlam]

*Starts a petition to bring Dwarves to UO*

[Maddux]

I'd rather see a petition to get rid of littered runes and items across sosaria.