As much as I would like to agree with you Petra, the Armory does affect game play on the PvP side. You can see the armor, weapon, and resist details. See the templete used. Not too mention you can see if they are experienced in PvP by looking at their honorable kills. The Armory doesn't give you the option to turn that off, while myguild in UO will allow you to look at the templete if the player allows it.

Ok I see a lot of UO vs WoW bashers in this thread. In my point of view, just because Ultima adapts features used in various games does not make Ultima anything similar or like those games. For example, GW uses the 'press enter' to talk option. WoW uses it, and many games before WoW have used it. These featuers do not make the game A GAME! These are what make the game easier to play aka easier accessibility and better game interface.

So WoW has pvp... Are you gonna whine that UO has it too? Lets look at some of the biggest things WoW doesnt have that UO does, which make them two totally different games.

1) UO has player housing. This is one of the most unique features of the game and is probably most recognized for it.

2) UO has one of the most versatile gaming styles ever produced in an mmo. You can go anywhere, anytime, anyday, and skill level.

3) UO has free will of character class. Just because you're a warrior in ultima; It doesnt restrict you from being a mage at the same time (like WoW and most MMOs do)

4) UO has tons of skills and professions to choose from which doesn't restrict the character to a fighting based player. One may choose to mine or cook all day if it is what they desire.

5) UO DOESNT HAVE LEVEL/QUEST GRINDING. thank the heavens.. Have you ever played WoW? spend 8hrs to go from level 25-26 out of 60-70 levels total? no life...

Ok take a look at some of these examples and please tell me again, how in the hell is UO remotely similar to WoW other than game innovations?

Well then you are just awesome, aren't you? (it's okay, I'm awesome too)

But as far as modal chat is concerned, let's think about this: why do we need it? What is it fixing? It's not like our current form of chat is preventing us from using the various letter/number keys as macros, right? Right, so the only thing that this is "fixing" (and I use that term loosely) is that people can use macros without getting a bunch of random characters in their chat that need to be deleted.

Instead of doing something innovative and oriented towards the game itself, they copy "other games" then call it UI standardization, which of course is nonsense.

Maybe they could have implemented some sort of auto-delete feature that would automatically clear what's in the chat; heck, I could think of a lot of situations where that would be useful. It would maintain the simplicity of the current chat, but provide a very significant enhancement that makes the chat easier to use.

Sometimes, not even I can fathom my own genius.

I thought we were only talking about game innovations....

Anyhoo. Do I think one is BETTER than the other? No!
I am talking about trends that all of these games are following. I love UO, I love WoW, cant we all just get along!
I just find it interesting to see when one makes a change to their platform, it is usually very similar to what the other has already established. Whether it be GW, WoW, UO, or even the Sims Online!
I'm sorry for comparing UO and WoW, it was just an observation.

Okay, let me get this straight, because I'm having a hard time understanding..... Ultima Online picks up a few things that other games have, and that doesn't make it similar to other games? What?

Of course games are going to have similarities...such as PvP (which is a sad example, by the way). But when are you going to draw the line? So, without further ado, let's take a look at your list....

Granted.

Very close, my friend, but I saw a single error in this point. Let me correct it for you:

Ahh, much better.

Sure, you can go with what you want, but that doesn't mean you'll succeed. The skill system used to be great, and in concept is still good in my mind, but with the overpowered/inconsistent skills we have today, it has essentially become "put this in your template or lose/fall behind".

Except that mining and cooking are useless skills. Crafting in its present state is a joke. Try selling GM armor/weapons these days (that aren't runic).

Nice one, implying that people that play WoW have no life. Of course, you discount the fact that UO *does* have quest grinding. Ever do a Heartwood quest?

Since UO doesn't have levels, let's replace the word "levels" with "skills". Oops, looks like UO does indeed have level grinding. Especially skills like poisoning, cartography, lockpicking.... no life...

Quest grinding for skill? Now that, UO doesn't have.. yet. Just wait.

UO is moving that way. Look at the pictures. Look at Mondain's Legacy. Look at the item system. Look at "peerless". Christ, how hard is it to see?

Then what problem do you have with uo adopting a new easier to use interface? is it going to be that much more work to spam for you? will it change the game so dramatically hundreds, possibly thousands will quit because they can't type a sentence with out using the enter key?

And... how is it non-sense?

Also on a side note, Dracconi has already stated there will be a "classic" mode for all the uo vs wow haters out their that believe this will be the end of the game as we know it. Please feel free to use that feature if it fits your interests better.

Both UO and WoW are great games, because of the players who play them and make their respective communities what they are.

Nicely said Maddux

Yes, that 's exactly it. I need to... spam, a lot. More work? Did you not read my positively brilliant idea? I just proposed a simple enhancement that would preserve the awesomeness of the current chat system but help in solving the one problem that modal chat is supposed to fix.

I play World of Warcraft, which means I deal with modal chat plenty, and furthermore, I have very much gotten used to using it. It simply does not belong in Ultima.

Because "UI Standardization" is an excuse to copy the UI of WoW/other games. Seriously. Instead of designing a unique system tailored to the gameplay of UO, they adopt the UI that's tailored to other games and their respective designs. What does that tell you about the future of UO's design?

No, really, listen carefully. Is the UI the gameplay? Of course not, but it defines how you play the game. You think I'm coming here ranting about every little aspect of the new UI because I'm a stingy 2D zealot? Look at the bigger picture. Look at what direction Mondain's Legacy sent UO, and now they're introducing this WoWish-looking UI.

Is UO going to suffer? Hell if I know. All I know is that it's not going to be the same game. I might as well have brought a brand new game, because that's what KR is. A brand new game.

Actually, I'll stick with 2D, thanks.

There are, in my mind, two aspects that compose an MMORPG: the design, and the community. Yeah, sure, the community is important, etc etc, and so forth, but the design is what I'm talking about.

Not sure if I'd play WoW for the community, though.

Then you would only be disppointed.

Deraj I have to ask, do you even enjoy playing UO at all? I dont think I've ever heard you say 1 positive thing about this game, yet you continue to post about UO. Now granted, feel free to post your thoughts. I am not here to say "dont say this or that" about UO. I was just wondering if you even enjoyed playing the game at all anymore, or do you play at all?

Too bad WoW and the other MMO's on the market don't offer any real RP possibilities without imagining almost everything. As a "whack a monster, hang out with friends and collect a ton of kewl lewt" game UO doesn't stand up against the newer games.

But roleplaying is what for makes UO the only viable choice. Simple.