Crystal Discussion Thread

I would simply like to create a thread where we can all discuss the pro's and con's of these crystals that everyone is up in arms about. I feel like I'm not the only one that actually likes these things and would like to see them stick around. Before this gets out of hand, lets keep this productive and not get bent out of shape because we don't agree.

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They do not.

I think the main reason is "consistency".

Nearly every item in UO in this era, is designed to be made on 2d graphics, a somewhat hand-drawn cartoon-like one (I don't know how to explain this in English, not my mother tongue, though I doubt I could even do it in my mother tongue).

However, said gems in question look like a drawing taken out from a CGI software (they belong to ML, which was released in 2005). It looks different, not consistent with the rest of items in the shard.

If we could create new items made from existing items but look in the same graphics, I think it would be less of an issue (a good example I know is a barrel without lid which has spears (5-6) sitting vertically. They don't belong to the game, but at least their graphics belong to the era.

This is where they belong more: (@Blaise close your eyes)
:

This is the exact reason they do not belong here, they look out of place. These later graphics were done by a completely different artist team and/or software.

my guess is the artists made all these later graphics for the 3d client and they were then rendered into 2d for the opposing client, that is probably why all post renaissance graphics look completely different.

I never argued before against them, because I don't think it was worth it assuming very low drop rates. But they look a bit out of place. Probably because of the reasons mentioned above.

Plus they are too damn big. If they were smaller they MIGHT fit in the world a LITTLE better.

I personally think they're fine as is but I could definitely do with the color being toned down a bit, they are a bit bright by contrast. I understand they are from another era, but there is a limited amount of graphics to work with on RunUO as new models cannot be made. If we continue to oppose all items that are out of era we will be left with a very stagnant environment as far as rare drops are concerned. I for one can only be bothered to collect things that are re-hued and re-named so many times before it loses it's appeal.

Are you sure? Where do you get this information from?

I thought you can add new graphics to verdata.mul if you create the artwork. Probably best to someone with experience to confirm.

Telamon has stated on many occasions that new models cannot be created.

I think they look fine as is but for shits and giggles I tried some random hues...


and some ore colors.... that gold hue doe!

I was unaware they came in different shapes as well

I don't like the crystals but I feel they fit in with the shard's all-era inclusiveness. Keep them super rare, experiment with some new hues, call it a day.

If not removed, in my opinion they should be at the very best an unique rare given as a prize at Scavenger Hunts and such, not as a loot drop. Also in less ugly hues than the ones that were looted.

The art for the crystals does not match anything else in the game currently. They look out of place, and if not removed outright, should be restricted to the tmap instance from whence they came.

I have no problem with people modifying their client art so that something else looks like these garish monstrosities, but they should not be forced upon the rest of us that like the original art.

Very out of place.

To put it as plainly as possible: When I see these items, I see UOF, not UOR.


The end.

I think they're easily the most out-of-place items on the shard, and I can't even think of what would be in second place.

I suspect UO Fiddler might have some other rock-type options that would be more in-line with the existing shard decor.

Yeah, I've been debating in my head what graphic to mod my client with to fix this garbage. Possibly actual rocks (like the spawning rares) but I'll have to do something to block the hue as well so it may take extra fiddling.


The only other things that come close to these drops are the Thanksgiving Turkey mobs and statuettes, in my opinion. As far as things that look like they never belonged here in the first place, anyway.

This is how I feel about player statues.