Online gaming was so new and barely a thing back then it was definitely one incredible experience, people today who weren't there don't understand it was before any type of trolling and lame asses etc... People played the game all genuinely, it was just a different time and place.
Everquest was like that as well given it was the first 3D mmo and again the feeling and way it all played out, was just incredible. Finding friends in game for things was so surreal, I remember finding a friend who was an armor crafter and she made armor for players at a fixed prices, but I helped her gather ore and so she then made it for me at a much lower cost.
The comradery of it all back then was so real. EQ was the same if you died your shit may not be able to he recovered.
I'm glad I was there for it all
The interactions did feel so much more genuine. There were assholes, no matter, but they were clever and honestly made the game more interesting. Everyone found there place in UO and the virtual economy felt more alive in the late 90's than any other mmo I've played since.
Glad to be there for it too.
I will always argue two points.
1.) We can not replicate these experiences today, because "ONLINE Gaming" and the internet were a "new-ish" phenomenon at the time.
I argue this all of the time too. There were no rules to how to interact with each other online. Back then it felt so refreshing and I even remember showing my little brother that the people on the screen were all real. We probably stood there with our jaws on the floor just watching it for a bit. Those kind of moment don't exist anymore, because we're all so used to it now. The rules have been re-written too because now it feels like no one wants to interact with each other.
Even UO feels different in that regard. However, there are more willing to engage like the old days because they're that older generation that remembers what it was like.
I cannot fathom why EA aren't doing anything with Ultima. That IP could've been as big as Elder Scrolls. They've got all these IPs from the studios they've bought up over the decades, and yet they rather shit out fucking Star Wars games instead.
EA on any and every IP they hold. I remember thinking this back in the mid 2000's. Not much has changed. Now it feels like most studios fumble their IP's
Just seeing this thread for the first time. I never played UO (or uh... any Ultima game, for that matter), but I've always thought it sounded super fun from all the stories people had about it. I regret missing out, though I was too young and had too shit of an internet connection to have actually played it back in 1997. I'll echo the sentiment that you really couldn't make something like it today - games like this worked because they were made by nerds for nerds, and there was a certain magic to discovering what you could do with online games back then.
100%. It took my many years to realize there will never be a game like it again. Kind of a goofy story, but related: back when I was a kid and my brother and I were sucked into UO all summer, I'd mow my neighbors lawn to help pay for the game. I remember one time when I was mowing I was basically day dreaming of what the future of MMO's would evolve into. Basically an entire virtual world that relies solely on other players. Not only could you own a house, but you'd have to hire people that have 'lawn mowing' skills to take care of your yard, or hire people to repair your house. Then you could be a police officer catching criminals (all other players) etc, etc.. I was a kid so I just thought the market would adapt UO and take it further.
It basically did the opposite. Now no one wants to talk or interact with each other and would rather run fetch quests solo.
What a shame. Lol
Ultima Online was my first MMO and no other MMO since then has replicated that experience. It was a game that didn't cater to casuals and the systematic nature of its complex gameplay systems meant that you could do things even the developer never thought about. The game is still alive and kicking through private shards like
UO Outlands which improved several aspects of the game and even released multiple high quality expansions with new landmasses.
lots of love go into this game because of the freeshards developers.
I just wish Broadsword would take a chance for once and create something worthy to keep people subbed. I still sub and play the official game, but I know how dedicated and great these freeshards are.
It was my first MMO too. So glad I was able to experience the game when it was new. There are countless stories out there from the UO community and all of them so intriguing in what you could do with that freedom.
