Why Are Paying Customers Being Silenced on Critical Topics?

LilyGrace

Lokea said:

Somebody said there's an IDOC in a few hours on Atlantic, a Minoc castle, so we'll see who ends up with it.

I haven't looked yet as I'm getting ready for Mistas, but if it's in Fel, it's going to be hilarious. Note: IDOCs for billing problems or somebody rage-quitting are not funny as that represents the loss of a UO player, However, a castle in Fel on Atlantic has a lot of potential for humor.

D'oh! I wish I'd read this soon enough to be a fly on the wall for it.

I'm in agreement with Lokea and others who are not interested in raffles. In a raffle players with a large number of accounts will always have the advantage. Maybe an argument could be made that it's fair since they pay more each month, but it's no way to make the majority of players happy on the whole. Certainly not happy making for new or returning players. And it takes away long held traditions and fun, like back when placing houses wasn't overrun by cheaters.

On the other hand I don't think it's fair to keep hammering at Atlantic players, telling them in effect they've made their beds with choosing to play and live on Atlantic. I read that all the time, like there should be a punishment for playing there. You can't fault someone for wanting to play on a highly populated shard.

That said, I think there is a fix for it, but lots of people don't want that either. If moving in-between shards and shard bound equipment didn't make things so restrictive, players would be able find housing elsewhere and go where they want to fight, join groups, take part in events, etc.

And with that said, I've come to see how the ability to move that freely between shards could disrupt established, happy, healthy player communities. That would not be a good thing. I'm speaking strictly regarding moving between shards, not at all about shard bound items. Shard bound items, without a means to turn items account bound, blows. I mean really, really blows. Like, takes a trip to Tijuana gets all liquored up and blows hard. 

Anywho, I'm guessing multiple people have probably already suggested this so, forgive me if I'm repeating something that's already been hashed out...

Why not create satellite shards that are just for housing? Same rules apply, only one house per account. You have a satellite moongate that brings you to your shard's Housing Only area. No mobs there to fight. You can't farm resources. You can't train skills there. You can put your house and all that goes into running and enjoying it there, deco, utilitarian items, resources, etc., including vendors.

What are the down sides? There very well may be things that make this a bad idea. Like what? Off the top of my head it seems doable and a good solution to housing shortages on some shards.