Reason for downtime...

[DM_Kev]

Somethings missing...

I've recently become rather disillusioned with running the whole thing. I honestly can't work out why.

I feel something might be missing, either on the server or off it. So im going to put it to you; what do you feel is missing from the game or community?

Dont panic, were are not going down.

[Coldbayne]

Well having helped run servers myself one thing I always find important is that everyone online is having fun within the constraints of the vision of the mod set out by the designer. The feeling of everyone enjoying your vision is what gave me my buzz when I ran things.

Just recently we went through some growing pains in terms of radicial gameplay impacting changes which caused some adverse feeling.

Now that these issues have been largely worked out and working well we're left with a framework that allows everyone to play in the manner they wish to - ie soloing or partying without constant monitoring from dms.

I think there is some people who feel constrained by the fact at high level there is a limited number of places you can get xp since the reward range in challenge is quite narrow. To those players, I think they should start new characters since more areas and hence variety is being added all the time. Given time a sense of freedom about ones style of play and where to adventure will return.

All in all, I think this server is great fun and it just requires a period of consolidation in terms of radical gameplay changes so that player numbers will return to old levels with a rich core of rp'ers having a lot of fun.

[Azmar]

Before I post anything that may be taken the wrong way, let me say this. This server is still the best that I have played on.
As far as I am concerned the only thing that I consider missing is something characters can do when there are not many of the people they normally travel with online.... Let's face it we have all got real lives and commitments which mean that some of us can only play at certain times.
The Soloing of areas is now no longer as attractive to some as it used to be. Which I consider a good thing.
We have heard that a new crafting system will be introduced.
I for one am looking forward to it, but in the meantime it seems a case of people logging in, seeing who is online and logging off again if there is no-one there to party with.
Not wanting to sound like an armchair critic, that puts the world to rights, without making any real effort to help out themselves, I suggest that some consideration should be make to create a virtual economic system? Characters could come online mine for materials, craft, sell there wares to merchants etc, which could then be bought by other players.
This system is not new, but it does encourage people to aim to become master craftsmen and gives them something to do while they wait for others to join.
I imagine that there is a lot of work involved with the above, so excuse my ignorance of the scripting requirements etc.

[Luthianna]

There've been a lot of big changes recently, and sometimes things can feel like a bit of an anti-climax when you've put a lot of work into something, and it's finally done. Perhaps just giving yourself a break and playing with the rest of us will show how much people enjoy themselves (you probably already do anyway) and let you relax a bit about it all :)

Then if there's anything you notice, you can fiddle about a bit with it... it'd just provide a different view on things.

I'm perfectly happy here (and looking forward to crafting/new classes etc eagerly), and I'm pretty sure others are too - don't let it become a chore, that'd be the worst thing that could happen. :)

[Coldbayne]

Yes I second that, make an anonymous account and play here as a player yourself if you're not already doing so. See how much fun on the whole we're having :)

[Cullkett]

i've been playing utt2 since its launch and yes theres been alot of changes but in my opinion they have been well thought out and have added to the enjoyment and created a better rp enviroment.
as for the xp *shrugs* who cares its about the rp..... is'nt it?
I've had some great times on the server with some great players i am not the best rp'er but i try and i always enjoy the interaction with others rp'ers more than any quests or monster bashing.
my first meeting with with a well rp'd party is what really got me hooked it made me want to come back for more.
i feel its a shame that new players are sometimes rushed through a quest because the other characters in the party have done it before it detracts from the excitement and makes you feel its just a race for xp :(
as for the dev team they have always been a great help,it takes time to sort out problems but they are all busy people and put alot of there free time into this world i think they should be congratulated on a job well done.
i have not had much interaction with the dms but what i have had has been great fun i cannot fault them and they are always helpfull with in game problems.
Great server Great fun
chin up kev ;)

[ghost81]

I'm biased I admit, most of you have a fair idea of who I am and my involvement in the server but I still think its the best server going.

As Cullket says its about the Rp for me too. Also to pick up one of his points about repeating quests - even if I've done them before I generally try to RP it like I haven't, especially if its someones first time to an area - why give the game away? Enjoy exploring it with them, RP with them and everything.

However - what is missing - I don't know, I really don't know.

[stormbringerii]

Well I for one don't see anything missing from the sever. You and the team have done a great job and have created a unique, and diverse world that contains more depth and imagination than anyother server i have been on. And I've been on alot. I took a brief hiatus over christmas and came back to find several changes made. In my mind these changes have ALL been terrific. I am a mage. I am a non offense mage. This makes me about the hardest character to play and survive with. The new rest system...perfect. It adds a level ofsupport, strategey and realism that others servers lack. And it does so without bogging the game down. The new experience system. Wow. You can still solo if you so choose. But to play in a party is where its at. Gee this is no big surprise as thats what the server is geared for. This system is great. This is the first time i've encountered a system that allows people to play how they wish to play without DM's needing to police things constantly. Its balanced and its fair. The custom classes...well here we go.....I challenge ANYONE to show me a server that has as much BALANCED and FITTING custom content as this one has. I mena this server is COMPLETELY built from scratch. And outside of the base classes and less than a handful of prestige classes they're custom too! Now the items...well they've all been renamed to fit the server as well. I coudl go on with this tirade for quite sometime, and it would all be the same. Custom, custom, custom, work, work, work, THATS whats been put into this server. And it shows. Kev and the development team/DMS have put alot of time and effort into this server for us. Its time we showed him/them a little gratitude and support. This is a roleplay server people. Roleplay and have fun. The forums are for feedback and so the community can talk to each other, not so that we can get down on the people that make this place possible. To the Development team and DM's, you do a great job and we're fortunate to have you.
Kudos to you Kev for your vision and insight. Your dream of a middle earth that all can enjoy is a reality. And it only gets better.

[DM_Kev]

Thanks for your idea Luthianna.

I think im going to take a few days off building and just play a while. Should give me some more clearer cut ideas too.

I have played in the past. I have three characters.

Anyway, best stc it back up. Have fun. Keep any useful comments comming.

[Argon Balros]

its about time you enjoyed the fruits of your own labour kev.

[Luthianna]

Indeed, where's the fun in spending all your time on something you're not going to get to enjoy yourself?

Play and you'll have a better chance of seeing what feels wrong to you, and you'll have some fun whilst you do it :)

[Guyror]

Could not agree more.

[dsan1]

i also would like to express that i do enjoy all of this server's features and i appreciate all the work the dev-team has put into it.

i am 26 years old and i didn't roleplay for more than ten years. and i never ever played a computer-game for more than some days. after that it got boring. before finding this server i considered online computer-playing as a very very antisocial thing.

it is only because of this server that i completely changed my mind. for more than half a year now, i spend at least one evening a week online with you guys now and sometimes i can't wait to come home and put my computer on.

my english has already improved by 100% because of you guys!

don't let those ranters get you down! after all it is only a game, i can't understand how offensive one can get just because of some rule adjustment.

Thanks for all the effort!

dsan1

[DM_Kev]

Thankyou everyone. Its 'recharged' my drive to continue. Lets enjoy and celebrate our community. 2 fingers to those intent on causing us trouble :)

[Gloin]

That's the spirit, Kev. You're doing a wonderful job, and you should concentrate on those who appreciate it -- look around, there's plenty of us.

It is a shame some people don't, but that's their own opinion... when they, however, post spiteful comments before leaving/while leaving, they lose any sympathy they might have had from the community, at least as far as I'm concerned.

I read some of the posts you edited, and I would have done the same if I had the power. I (and I'm sure many others, too) are with you 100% on this.

[Gloin]

Originally posted by ghost81
(...)As Cullket says its about the Rp for me too. Also to pick up one of his points about repeating quests - even if I've done them before I generally try to RP it like I haven't, especially if its someones first time to an area - why give the game away? Enjoy exploring it with them, RP with them and everything.(...)


Hmm.. On that note.

I do find it a bit hard sometimes to know how I should play my chars when repeating quests - have they done stuff already or not. On the one hand, it gets a bit old (especially if you end up going with the same people) to "explore" and "discover" everything repeatedly.

On the other hand, consider this -- The first time I do a quest it's generally the most impressive time, just because everything's new. Every one of my dwarves who hasn't been to Moria yet goes around assuring his party members of the safety of Moria and of the warm welcome Balin will give them when they get there, and then is devastated to find the destruction caused by the orcs. This works particularly well if the party is supportive - Vylenthra and Gregoire Althan really allowed me to get into it on Glorin's (and mine) first visit to utt2 Moria. And the thing is - you don't want to ruin that experience for anybody. So if even one person in the party hasn't done a quest, the correct thing to do is RP it as if noone has done it. Otherwise instead of finding out about it, what happens is a random cruise for rewards.

So, the tricky bit is when you do quests that everybody in the party has done before. How do people handle this?