Converting new players into long term members of Excelsior

[Aghorra]

. If people want to simply to keep up with the same ole, and resist change; fine by me. It's nothing in my pocket to help this shard or the people that want to have a good time here. Have a nice day!

Peace,
Agh

Didn't feel like editing my last response so i went up and quoted soz. This statement here has me questioning your motives. If you want to run around with a stick in your butt instead of getting something you asked for then do it but dont impose your attitude on others in a post where you asked for input. This isn't a good way to get support for your cause. Harsh, Brutal, Direct, or other doesn't matter. We're giving you what you asked for.

On that note, I agree change would be nice.

and here i go editing a post......... For the novice gamer keep in mind there are tours. a lot of veteran or other newer gamers can give a tour and collect ed for it too ! not to mention we have a novice room with donations from the veterans. There's a novice champ and teleporters everywhere in the game, aaaand a ton of veterans or well established gamers give a loooot of stuff away.

Nakkasu,

I didn't intend to speak like I had a stick up my butt, but I don't always feel like tip-toeing around exactly what I want to say. What can I say? eh

Anyway, I do appreciate all angles on this. But, I can also drop this thought like a rock if that's what people feel is best. I like what you said about maybe there just isn't the content to drive more interest, but I wonder if those people that leave so early after character build are truly leaving 'cause the Balrons are on lockdown. I'm just sayin....

Also, if all this stuff is in place and working so well, I don't see why I didn't hear about any of it until now... and I've been here for over 2 months now (not that that's any record). All I'm saying is, take a look at the current system and ask some questions: Does it do what it's intended to do? Can it be improved? Should it be discarded altogether? ..etc. I don't want to put anyone down, but I do think it would be a benefit for all to put forth our best effort at holding onto new players as they decide to put in the time to d/l this shard, just maybe read up on it's rules, and log in.

Peace,
Agh

[Yoda]

maybe an hour of bally's a day... I guess I choose a popular bally hour, noticed nel was out earlier so I played with garg tools.. amazing thing about this shard getting creative is all it takes to find stuff to do...

you guys listed lots of spawns but there is so many others that do the job nicely.. KiRin pass comes to mind.. its one of those places people dismiss.. but you can rake gold in like crazy in that little spot with little to no combat ability

there is 1 of 100's

[Nakkasu]

Lets be honest.

Balron Runs - Nelapsi and Yoda have these on lock, maybe one or two others.

I do them a lot, sure but let me state this. For every 300 minutes I do it, I might see 1 or 2 players and it has been this way since day one. I have nothing locked down, I simple use something that is hardly ever used. On the rare moment when it does get busy which happens on some weekends, I have a dozen other places I can go wander off to.

There's nothing wrong with it at all by any means, the reason you dont see many is because no one wants to compete with you and i see why and that's ok. More hunting locations or beefing up old ones would alleviate that .

Honestly i wish i could hunt like you nelapsi i envy you friend

[Nakkasu]

. If people want to simply to keep up with the same ole, and resist change; fine by me. It's nothing in my pocket to help this shard or the people that want to have a good time here. Have a nice day!

Peace,
Agh

Didn't feel like editing my last response so i went up and quoted soz. This statement here has me questioning your motives. If you want to run around with a stick in your butt instead of getting something you asked for then do it but dont impose your attitude on others in a post where you asked for input. This isn't a good way to get support for your cause. Harsh, Brutal, Direct, or other doesn't matter. We're giving you what you asked for.

On that note, I agree change would be nice.

and here i go editing a post......... For the novice gamer keep in mind there are tours. a lot of veteran or other newer gamers can give a tour and collect ed for it too ! not to mention we have a novice room with donations from the veterans. There's a novice champ and teleporters everywhere in the game, aaaand a ton of veterans or well established gamers give a loooot of stuff away.

Nakkasu,

I didn't intend to speak like I had a stick up my butt, but I don't always feel like tip-toeing around exactly what I want to say. What can I say? eh

Anyway, I do appreciate all angles on this. But, I can also drop this thought like a rock if that's what people feel is best. I like what you said about maybe there just isn't the content to drive more interest, but I wonder if those people that leave so early after character build are truly leaving 'cause the Balrons are on lockdown. I'm just sayin....

Also, if all this stuff is in place and working so well, I don't see why I didn't hear about any of it until now... and I've been here for over 2 months now (not that that's any record). All I'm saying is, take a look at the current system and ask some questions: Does it do what it's intended to do? Can it be improved? Should it be discarded altogether? ..etc. I don't want to put anyone down, but I do think it would be a benefit for all to put forth our best effort at holding onto new players as they decide to put in the time to d/l this shard, just maybe read up on it's rules, and log in.

Peace,
Agh

What bothers me the most is you start off with a humble speech about how you would like to be a part of a helping movement but then you put on a quick internet tough guy attitude comment somewhere in your paragraph's. What are your motives? I get it you're a cool guy or i get it you're a helper? which is it ? or are you just a fence rider?

[Aghorra]

TBH, I'm just tossing out something I thought might be of benefit (maybe even to the YC). I know that my experience when I first logged in to Excelsior benefited greatly from my prior experience playing UO. All the other stuff (rats/newbchamp/donationroom/youthcenter) came from overhearing something along the way over general chat, and knowing enough to take note.

I do help, so, I guess that applies. I have no clue if I'm cool, but I am a little over 40, have some education and life experience, and like to see things work well. That's really all.

[Nakkasu]

TBH, I'm just tossing out something I thought might be of benefit (maybe even to the YC). I know that my experience when I first logged in to Excelsior benefited greatly from my prior experience playing UO. All the other stuff (rats/newbchamp/donationroom/youthcenter) came from overhearing something along the way over general chat, and knowing enough to take note.

I do help, so, I guess that applies. I have no clue if I'm cool, but I am a little over 40, have some education and life experience, and like to see things work well. That's really all.

2 Thumbs Up !

[MKaros]

I've been running Balrons for starter cash, and it's not that bad to compete with the 3-4 other people running them, but I've also found better hunting areas that are less crowded. It took me a very long time to even figure out where Balrons were. I'm relatively new, but putting together a pack of mules and some decent gear with partial minor artifacts is letting me begin to make the income required to take the step to relayers, imprisoned pets, a bio, etc. - basically what's required to function at a high level and go after GoC pieces alone.

I do have to say, though, that it took me hours and hours and hours of research to even figure out what was ideal on the shard, what imprisoned pets were, how to max them out, what to use oints on, where to make money, how to use a lot of the shard's features, and all that.

So, the hurdle to new players isn't only "Okay, my medium-to-advanced strategy is going for relayers and imprisoned pets and a bio and a yumi that has hit lower defense/mana leech/DI/lightning/fireball." - it's also even realizing that these things exist, what they are, and how to use them. Most of the information is out there, but I've read probably every forum post for the last year (and then some) and every wiki article and there are still things I don't understand. I mean weapon leveling alone and figuring out how to properly determine what a "good weapon" to put a leveling deed on is extensive research right there and that's really just one of the first steps you take towards endgame content.

[Aghorra]

I agree MKaros.

Know also, that there are those that want to keep much of this knowledge quiet. Know that as a fletcher, they might not want to let you know just how perfect a yumi must be constructed in order to out level a looted 4-5x46er, let alone a 5x58er. By informing others, this fletcher would be effectively taking food from his own mouth.

And, this example exists in many areas. If I tell you where all the best hunting spots are, now I have one more person to compete with for those areas (let alone all the others you tell for whatever reason). If I tell you about champ availability, then how can I charge so much for my Power Scrolls. If I tell you that a relayered item will waste anything the game offers naturally, then you may not buy all the other stuff that I'm selling, along the way. There are so many areas where hording of information may be prevalent, which makes it so awesome how Devlin offered up his "How to be Awesome" post, and subsequent wiki update.

There are those that try to help others, and there are those that will try to help only themselves... Hopefully, we can move beyond this and all enjoy the game together.

[BocaSanta]

Well, the OP has a good point here, but as a newbie here a must to say that isn´t a server problem or his players, but it´s a problem of the Ultima Online. Don´t worry, i can explain .
Lot of the guys trying UO shard came from "click and kill games" , these " grindfest games " are very easy and the players act like machines, without think for play, they just clik and go smoke while the char kill the mob. In UO, all that change, the guy are looking for UO coz he heard that this game is the true sandbox and bla bla bla ; and that´s true, but i think that most of those guys aren´t ready for the high learning curve here. Take me as example, i have years of experience in MMORPG´s , but little XP in sandbox, and my first day here was a nightmare, things easy like move the char or hit mobs is hard in the first time, also, for every step in the game you have 100+ questions . I had help from 3 guys and im still full of questions .
So, will be easy just quit and back to the grindfests... i think that 90% will think that, but for players like me , that will stay here, will be good if the vet´s make better guides. I already saw wiki and forum , but i couldn´t find nothing that really guide newbies to begin his life in the game, most of the guides only say : "Oh, we have newbie quests here, go look for them"... But what can i find them? " OH, if you is new, go to a X place kill they Y mob ". but a newbie won´t have idea about how find this mob. I am not complaining , i am just saying that a better step by step guide will help increase the % of players that will stay in the server after the first view.

Ps. Sorry for my terrible english, i live in S.America and all i know about this language were learned from movies, so i have not idea about correct sintax or spell check.

[Aghorra]

Boca,

Thanks for your input... if you need info at all, please just pm me. I'll come and spend time with you and show you whatever to help you find the game beyond the learning curve. I truly think we just take for granted that you click on options in your paperdoll, select to not have to hold "tab" for war mode, and then can double click anything (that's not blue or a player on this shard) to war it.

There are so many things that many of us Vets of UO do that a brand new player just doesn't know about. These things make it a very smooth transition for the Vets, but may turn off a brand new player, as you say.

Again, thanks, and pm me whenever.

[BocaSanta]

Boca,

Thanks for your input... if you need info at all, please just pm me. I'll come and spend time with you and show you whatever to help you find the game beyond the learning curve. I truly think we just take for granted that you click on options in your paperdoll, select to not have to hold "tab" for war mode, and then can double click anything (that's not blue or a player on this shard) to war it.

There are so many things that many of us Vets of UO do that a brand new player just doesn't know about. These things make it a very smooth transition for the Vets, but may turn off a brand new player, as you say.

Again, thanks, and pm me whenever.

Thanks bud, for sure i will contact you for further questions.

Well, i remake my toon today coz i discovered that i made an mystake using the skill ball . i saw in a guide ( book ingame ) that you must choose wisely a skill and just use the ball, but nobody told that BEFORE do that, you can go train in a NPC and increase 30+ for FREE. This situation can be used as an example how the guides need improvements.

[Aghorra]

Boca,

Thanks for your input... if you need info at all, please just pm me. I'll come and spend time with you and show you whatever to help you find the game beyond the learning curve. I truly think we just take for granted that you click on options in your paperdoll, select to not have to hold "tab" for war mode, and then can double click anything (that's not blue or a player on this shard) to war it.

There are so many things that many of us Vets of UO do that a brand new player just doesn't know about. These things make it a very smooth transition for the Vets, but may turn off a brand new player, as you say.

Again, thanks, and pm me whenever.

Thanks bud, for sure i will contact you for further questions.

Well, i remake my toon today coz i discovered that i made an mystake using the skill ball . i saw in a guide ( book ingame ) that you must choose wisely a skill and just use the ball, but nobody told that BEFORE do that, you can go train in a NPC and increase 30+ for FREE. This situation can be used as an example how the guides need improvements.

Absolutely Boca,

It's funny because this is just one area that could be better explained. Also, know that you have something like 5 times you can do this before it begins costing you for the skill, but it's still hugely beneficial even with the relatively small cost!

Know too, that remaking your toon doesn't roll back the 21 day young player clock. The key here is the rat quest for setting up your bank (read: multi-millionaire as a 21 day young player) and noob champ (read: set up with 120 scrolls to get your character rocking by the end of your 21 days). Maximize the use of these, cause you'll wish you had later if you don't!

If it were me, I'd go rock the rat quest while working fighting skills in the training room while waiting for the 30 minute clock on the rats. This will get your bank right and you can afford some truly maxed mules, maybe a good bow, and armor for the MoA champ that's there for those within their first 21 days. Know that when you train in the training room, skills can't go beyond 70, so, it's just enough that you won't be so likely to die while gaining from 25 to 30 in macing

Good luck and do find me. I enjoy working with newer players and seeing the growth. Hopefully, you'll be rocking along soon enough and able to hold your own with all the other Vets.

[kurinys]

As a newish player I think one of the daunting elements of this shard has been stated, but not as what it is. It is one thing to realize what you need to be adequate on this shard being a bio, yumi, etc. But how many players leave because the path to power is so narrow? Why play an mmo where there is only one viable build? Seriously everyone I see on this shard is a chiv/archer with a yumi, can we implement some cool things for melee or something that makes that a more viable option for something other than upping the difficulty of competing in a camped area?

I accept I'm probably missing the point of this shard, max out all skills use the one most min/maxed path of combined elements, but that drops all variation that gives a point to playing an online game. Granted some of us will stay, like myself, UO/UOEX supplies enough stylized stuff and great crafting that I'll take the hit for function for style, but how many others want to have && eat cake?

[BocaSanta]

As a newish player I think one of the daunting elements of this shard has been stated, but not as what it is. It is one thing to realize what you need to be adequate on this shard being a bio, yumi, etc. But how many players leave because the path to power is so narrow? Why play an mmo where there is only one viable build? Seriously everyone I see on this shard is a chiv/archer with a yumi, can we implement some cool things for melee or something that makes that a more viable option for something other than upping the difficulty of competing in a camped area?

I accept I'm probably missing the point of this shard, max out all skills use the one most min/maxed path of combined elements, but that drops all variation that gives a point to playing an online game. Granted some of us will stay, like myself, UO/UOEX supplies enough stylized stuff and great crafting that I'll take the hit for function for style, but how many others want to have && eat cake?

I think that "viable build" is a problem of every private server, and not only in UO, but for every MMO out there. When you change skill gain/XP , cap level or add custom you create a world without balance, i know that this is my point of view, but in every server that i already played we had a "viable build" , an overpower class.
But , i must say to the OP that this "viable build" isn´t an issue, you can freely follow ur own path ( im not archer ) and Yes, you won´t be Overpower guy like 95% of the server, but who cares? it´s ur time, ur kind of fun. This isn´t PVP server, so , this "viable build" won´t kill ur char coz you can lvl up all skills without make an specific for PVP template.

[Aghorra]

As a newish player I think one of the daunting elements of this shard has been stated, but not as what it is. It is one thing to realize what you need to be adequate on this shard being a bio, yumi, etc. But how many players leave because the path to power is so narrow? Why play an mmo where there is only one viable build? Seriously everyone I see on this shard is a chiv/archer with a yumi, can we implement some cool things for melee or something that makes that a more viable option for something other than upping the difficulty of competing in a camped area?

I accept I'm probably missing the point of this shard, max out all skills use the one most min/maxed path of combined elements, but that drops all variation that gives a point to playing an online game. Granted some of us will stay, like myself, UO/UOEX supplies enough stylized stuff and great crafting that I'll take the hit for function for style, but how many others want to have && eat cake?

Kurinys,

I thought that same thing until I delved a bit deeper into this shard. IMO, they've made strides to balance things a bit, but you'll still have your archers that prefer distance between themselves and their 1-hit death opponent. But, I recently heard that while all fighting skills can be essenced up to 130, macing can go higher (maybe 140). I'm wanting to check this and am working on that atm. To me, if this is true, the special hits of a war hammer and the crazy skill level would make that a viable option. Also, I thoroughly enjoy an axe. And, with bonuses to damage getting a boost from lumberjacking as they do, along with the sweet special hits of my double axe; I can do some sweet damage and enjoy the "in close" action when I'm up to that. Too, I see plenty of people melee soloing mega mobs that would 1-hit kill me, so no, there's not a single best build as it might outwardly be suggested.

One of the very nice things about this shard is, even if you do push all your eggs into one proverbial basket, and decide that's not the right path for you; you're not stuck with all that wasted time. Simply pick up the new skill set and continue your work. What you've done is just put some balance into your character, and still have all that work in the other skillset if you later change your mind again! You truly can't lose.

One other thing I would say... some of these guys melee soloing the mega mobs have some uber leet gear that's cost in terms of relayers and such, and likely cost either a pretty "real life" penny, or an amount of their gaming time on gold farming. Another thing that I'd say is that someone told me recently that off of 20 maxed beehives, they can make like 1.2 million gold per week. So, anything seems to be possible here with access to the right information. The key is just to tap into that info and hold on for the ride. From all I can see, this shard is hands down, the best out there. Enjoy.