ScriptUO

Ultima Online Fan Board => General UO Chat => Topic started by: NObama on April 02, 2010, 02:51:43 PM

Title: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: NObama on April 02, 2010, 02:51:43 PM
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: TrailMyx on April 02, 2010, 03:33:01 PM
Na, just a new group of people over there that really just don't know what makes UO work and who's really paying the bills.  Most of the scripters I know maintain multiple accounts, many more than the casual player.  EA corporate would have something to say about dropping 1/2 of the playerbase; especially one that's as energized as the scripting community.  I hear sabers rattling, but in the end it was just someone dropping their butterknife.  ;)
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: _C2_ on April 02, 2010, 03:53:11 PM
it is probably something like a pattern detector that detects someone doing the same exact mining steps for endless hours afk.  then they review acct and check in.  ban accts not being payed for mainly but who knows.  I agree with Tm - we have heard this so many times and i remember all the fuss and talk being put out before they said oh no- punkbuster would shut uo down behind the seens and backed off.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: _C2_ on April 02, 2010, 03:56:04 PM
not to mention they are babbling and mixing up stuff that they talked about last threat.  Last threat was we are 99.9% done with speed hacks.  then we will work on 3rd party.  wth happened to speed hacks?  now u are all the sudden almost done 3rd party???  Do you listen to yourselves?
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Scrripty on April 02, 2010, 04:17:04 PM
I just know I'm done if EUO is patched out for more than 2 weeks. :)  See ya!  Would be another first for an MMO tho.  Going from profitable to dead in 3.2 seconds.  Also, be the *FIRST* MMOG to be controlled by a 3rd party app. :)  Do the non scripters even consider what would happen to UO if they are cut out?  No more bulk resources... no more bulk online sellers, seriously, it would ruin the NEW ingame economy.  In a very bad way.  It would go from ghost town to completely empty.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: 12TimesOver on April 02, 2010, 04:56:29 PM
I just know I'm done if EUO is patched out for more than 2 weeks. :)  See ya!  Would be another first for an MMO tho.  Going from profitable to dead in 3.2 seconds.  Also, be the *FIRST* MMOG to be controlled by a 3rd party app. :)  Do the non scripters even consider what would happen to UO if they are cut out?  No more bulk resources... no more bulk online sellers, seriously, it would ruin the NEW ingame economy.  In a very bad way.  It would go from ghost town to completely empty.
There are plenty of people that play games for the games without scripting. Mass resources will always be available, they will just be more expensive and a million gold will be worth a lot more IRL. Unfortunately there are many games out there and UO would just become nothing special. I think scripting is what makes this game worth playing but, of course, that's the opinion of a scripter ;)

I'm with you Twinkle McNugget; EUO goes bye bye, so does XIIxOveR. It will be a blessing in disguise in my opinion. The only thing that keeps me going is scripting and the people from SUO; life would be much more productive without UO but I can't bear to let it go on my own lol.

X
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: _C2_ on April 02, 2010, 05:31:20 PM
i pretty much play for the challenge of writing.  i may and i stress may.... might keep one acct for pvp and some pvm stuff
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Scrripty on April 02, 2010, 07:04:14 PM
I'm interested to hear what Cheffe has to say.  He's been awfully quiet, but I think he's enjoying the new OpenEUO too much to take it sittin down. :)
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Coragin on April 02, 2010, 07:31:03 PM
I know I have been a ghost lately, but that is due to uoboost.  Recently I posted a topic on uhall in response to someone with an anti cheating idea.  In the thread they mentioned the following

1. punkbuster type
2. breaking easy uo
3. wow type software and memory monitor system.

I made a really long reply as to why it would not be smart to mess with scripters too much and why.  Weather anyone listens or not, well that remains to be seen.  But I have seen other games that try and break 3rd party apps that are very popular and it causes a huge infulx of programmers to work together to fix it or make something better.  Read my post and tell me what you think, I pretty much nailed it, which is why probably no replies after I posted.

http://vboards.stratics.com/showpost.php?p=1665353&postcount=18
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Khameleon on April 03, 2010, 04:59:35 AM
can anyone say Auto Pilot?  that would be my last resort though...
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: jtw1984 on April 03, 2010, 05:41:18 AM
I believe this is just another letter to make the current player base feel like something is getting done. Until I see something I will not believe otherwise.

What if we all logged on in 2 weeks and our accounts were banned?

I don't know if I would even be willing to start up again. UO is too time occupying as it is.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: OMGBurgers on April 03, 2010, 07:20:34 AM
I'd quit in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Katu on April 03, 2010, 08:33:48 AM
Wouldnt change my gameplay even a bit. Left the the "OSI" servers good while ago, for lack of events and lag of servers.
If they do something for client, then it few seconds, until Cheffe or someone else finds a way around it, atleast to the point, that it can be used at freeshards.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: TrailMyx on April 03, 2010, 09:37:48 AM
Ya, I have a pretty good presence on Alexandria.  Since I don't play all the new patches and expansions, I've been happy there.  So UO will live on for me even after EA/OSI screws it up for the rest of us.  Plus I'll never have to patch again!  Won't that be great!
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: _C2_ on April 03, 2010, 09:48:05 AM
i have said i would never play free shard but that would cause me to join u
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Paulonius on April 05, 2010, 10:46:12 AM
I don't know if I read it as playing one way or the other with any anti-scripter agenda, but in the context of this letter I wonder whether the recent changes to gumps and resource #Property handles is anti-script motivated.  I am not sure I see anything affected by the changes other than scripts being broken.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Scrripty on April 05, 2010, 12:05:08 PM
I don't know if I read it as playing one way or the other with any anti-scripter agenda, but in the context of this letter I wonder whether the recent changes to gumps and resource #Property handles is anti-script motivated.  I am not sure I see anything affected by the changes other than scripts being broken.

That does make sense.  I bet it's extemely easy to track how many characters are using scripts before and after a patch.  Patching crafting menu's and such takes a long time for the non scripting player base to update all their scripts.  That would be a GREAT and easy way to cut down on scripting in between patches.  I forget how many people have NO IDEA how to write the simplest script.  All their scripts are broken every time there's a patch like that. :)  Funny.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Paulonius on April 05, 2010, 12:12:39 PM
By the same token, if I wanted to go after the source of scripts instead of just the average user I might throw out a relatively easy to fix change.  The typical user won't be able to fix it, but the folks who know how to write scripts will.  Now if I am tracking script use I can target people I think are creating the product.  I think that is probably not what is happening, but it makes you think. 

Ultimately I think it would have the same result as if they find a way to shut down scripting altogether -- people who like to play because they can script, like me, won't play anymore -- but it could be seen as a way to lessen the impact of stopping scripting that avoids rolling out invasive software that creates privacy issues for the game company. I think that perception would be flawed, but I can see someone thinking it was valid. 
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Scrripty on April 05, 2010, 12:23:14 PM
By the same token, if I wanted to go after the source of scripts instead of just the average user I might throw out a relatively easy to fix change.  The typical user won't be able to fix it, but the folks who know how to write scripts will.  Now if I am tracking script use I can target people I think are creating the product.  I think that is probably not what is happening, but it makes you think. 

Ultimately I think it would have the same result as if they find a way to shut down scripting altogether -- people who like to play because they can script, like me, won't play anymore -- but it could be seen as a way to lessen the impact of stopping scripting that avoids rolling out invasive software that creates privacy issues for the game company. I think that perception would be flawed, but I can see someone thinking it was valid. 

Personally I think this post should be removed cause you might get hired by them.  :)
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: JustAnotherFace on April 05, 2010, 01:10:11 PM
Yeah, lets not give them any ideas!!!
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: mTr on April 06, 2010, 02:50:18 AM
Without EUO i'll quit EA/OSI as quick as my explorer loads the uo website. I just started there, and its so hard to get money and to skill up without EUO or Razor or any programm without paying (BTW UOAssist sucks! only is good to combine it with UOAM ). They will kill not only the vets who uses EUO, but newcommers that need to macro A LOT, so New Haven will be empty even with all those free tryal accounts... BTW I'm sure that if they do that, at any time, any expert scripter will jump over that and share with all, as allways happens...

Lets wait their next movement....
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: TrailMyx on April 06, 2010, 09:08:16 AM
My only fear is as time continues, there's less and less people that actually have a CLUE over there at EA/OSI.  At some point, some pious zealot over there might seriously pull the switch on something.  Thankfully, the industry will adapt; it always does.  Tools might break for a while, but they'll get fixed.  Look what happened recently, both UOAI and UOM were created.  If they try and upset the apple cart, they might just have to run around picking up apples.  ;)
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Scrripty on April 06, 2010, 10:30:45 AM
My only fear is as time continues, there's less and less people that actually have a CLUE over there at EA/OSI.  At some point, some pious zealot over there might seriously pull the switch on something.  Thankfully, the industry will adapt; it always does.  Tools might break for a while, but they'll get fixed.  Look what happened recently, both UOAI and UOM were created.  If they try and upset the apple cart, they might just have to run around picking up apples.  ;)

It's understandable to want to protect their interests.  The part I don't understand is why don't they contact the developers like they used to?  Supposedly they spend hours and hours scouring the boards for ideas and such. Why isn't someone contacting these amazing developers who love the game enough to spend valuable free time developing some of the best tools around for it?  Not only are they UO's most untapped resource, but they're some amazing people with great ideas for the game.  I'd snatch them up and hire them if I worked there.  Fire some of the idiots that have no clue.  Get some real talent.  The old devs used to understand this.  They actually had lines of communication with devs and websites.  You could contact them and get responses and change the course of UO with enough great ideas.  That vision has been lost for a while and the new devs are trying to go directions that have been proven not to work.  You can't kill creativity.  The picking up apples anology is great.  That's exactly what will happen.
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: mTr on April 06, 2010, 10:41:44 AM
That vision has been lost for a while and the new devs are trying to go directions that have been proven not to work.  You can't kill creativity.  The picking up apples anology is great.  That's exactly what will happen.

*nods*
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: SolidSnake on April 10, 2010, 01:10:38 PM
My only fear is as time continues, there's less and less people that actually have a CLUE over there at EA/OSI.  At some point, some pious zealot over there might seriously pull the switch on something.  Thankfully, the industry will adapt; it always does.  Tools might break for a while, but they'll get fixed.  Look what happened recently, both UOAI and UOM were created.  If they try and upset the apple cart, they might just have to run around picking up apples.  ;)

It's understandable to want to protect their interests.  The part I don't understand is why don't they contact the developers like they used to?  Supposedly they spend hours and hours scouring the boards for ideas and such. Why isn't someone contacting these amazing developers who love the game enough to spend valuable free time developing some of the best tools around for it?  Not only are they UO's most untapped resource, but they're some amazing people with great ideas for the game.  I'd snatch them up and hire them if I worked there.  Fire some of the idiots that have no clue.  Get some real talent.  The old devs used to understand this.  They actually had lines of communication with devs and websites.  You could contact them and get responses and change the course of UO with enough great ideas.  That vision has been lost for a while and the new devs are trying to go directions that have been proven not to work.  You can't kill creativity.  The picking up apples anology is great.  That's exactly what will happen.

THIS is 100% spot on!!
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: Adenocard on April 10, 2010, 10:12:19 PM
They always say this. Can UO afford to lose accounts? Even when whole guilds were duping mass artifacts. They only banned one guild. I have no idea if their TOS supports scanning of harddrives like Blizz. Anyone know?
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: jtw1984 on April 11, 2010, 04:44:08 AM
This may be a ridiculous idea. I'm not sure. If they did use a program to scan processes or your hard drive could you not block that program through your firewall? Thus not allowing it to send information back to EA?
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: JustAnotherFace on April 11, 2010, 06:34:12 AM
Sure you can block it....... when they notice it is blocked they deny you log on. So you let the program run, or you don't play.

JaF
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: kracked on April 17, 2010, 08:25:49 AM
I'm interested to hear what Cheffe has to say.  He's been awfully quiet, but I think he's enjoying the new OpenEUO too much to take it sittin down. :)


i went and started the question there cause noone was talkin aboout it and heres what he said

Quote from: Cheffe
No seriously, they take control of their game. I secretly applaud them for it. We know what abusive scripting can do to a shard's economy if there aren't any major gold sinks built into it. If there were a good way to prevent the worst effects I would probably implement it freely.

In fact, CEO and I have had a discussion about it with the RunUO guys a few years back but we couldn't agree on a mutual solution. As author of EUO I have to side with scripters, so I'd like to have things as liberal as possible. Shard owners like to keep things as restricted as possible if they allow EasyUO at all. I'm aware that they have found other ways of keeping their couple of shards more or less free of scripting. And so far we have grudgingly respected that decision, at least as long as it's not troubling too many of our users.

With EA, we'll have to wait and see. I think they've acknowledged that some sort of scripting is to be allowed unless they want to lose a lot of customers. I'd imagine they'll add a dynamic engine that will not only detect EasyUO (which would be trivial) but which can also look into scripts and see what they're actually doing. With that, they'll be able to dish out warnings and let people gradually know what's okay and what not. At least that's what I hope they'll do.

The problem is that a mild approach also has its cost. GMs and technical personnel are expensive. It would be much easier and cheaper to simply tighten the screws more and more. And I guess their main goal is still (and should be) to have their shards completely scripting free and 100% fair for everyone. The question is if that goal is realistic.

If they indeed choose a mild course and decide not to step on scripting too hard then I might in turn decide to let them and will take no steps against it. If not... luckily I already have a project in the pipeline that'll solve that problem (and it uses some seriously delicious technology to back up any number of claims I'd like to make). I don't know if we can take over existing scripts (e.g. exevents nor any sort of memory writing will work anymore), but I can guarantee you that you'll still get most of your scripting done.

So I wouldn't worry overmuch. Let's just wait and see what happens.
cal121
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: JustAnotherFace on April 17, 2010, 10:37:29 AM
Well, although I have little to no respect for the majority of the Mods and Admins over at EasyUO, I have great respect for Cheffe.  Although his opinions and my opinions often do not match completely, I have to respect him for the game changing app that he spent so much of his time creating.  Without EUO, or equivalent I would have stopped playing UO and canceled my 8 accounts a long long long time ago. 

Sounds like Cheffe already has something up his sleeve, which is great. 

I don't really see much need for worry yet, as EA has given this same basic speech so many times over the years that it just kind of goes in one ear and out the other now. 

If they actually ever do step up and do something, I think that there will be more than enough people around that have the knowledge and desire to defeat what ever they come up with.

JaF
Title: Re: Producer's Letter: What do you think?
Post by: SolidSnake on April 17, 2010, 03:49:59 PM
The constant battle. If someone puts up a wall..someone else is going to go around it, under it or just plain ass blow a hole through it. it keeps A LOT of people very well employed.