Hello,


I have been away from In-game UO Evolution due to moving to a new house (yay!) and also my recent participation in the Havock League of Legends north american tournament (we came in 2nd place!) That being said, I have come back to some very dis-heartening things.


This evening I came online to multiple pages for various scenarios involving how people are treating each other in this game. Please understand that from a developer and staff perspective I want everyone to enjoy themselves and feel welcome here. This shard should be your safe haven from verbal abuse, religious persecution, annoying in-laws, mean co-workers, bad traffic and any other form of "real world" non sense.


I won't go into specifics but I believe that people need to understand a few things about this shard. First off, EVERYONE here is a real person as hard as that is to believe everyone here was born, they eat, they laugh, they cry and they bleed. We all have something in common, we play Ultima Online. You would think that having this type of common ground would bring everyone together. For some of you, this is true - you conduct yourselves with honor and you treat people with respect and dignity, whatever the situation may be. To those of you that do I salute you for making this shard a better place each and every day.


Basically what I am saying is that - those of you who go out of your way to treat someone else poorly by verbally harassing them in teamspeak, camping their house, res killing them, stealing their champs, scamming players out of their items or simply just being an unsavoury individual I have one thing I want you to know. This is your shard too and even though you may not think its true this shard lives off of player enjoyment. If you create an environment where players feel unwanted or you riddle them with verbal abuse, chances are they will not come back. This to me is a problem and it should be for everyone else. We are all a part of UO Evolution and we want it to thrive, grow and progress. Sure there are some bugs that need working out (as with anything else) but everyone deserves the chance to play here and enjoy themselves.


So the next time you decide to treat someone poorly, kill them while they are afk, scam them out of their items, yell at them in teamspeak, make comments about their parents, their wives, their family, just remember. They are a real person and they deserve your respect.


I hope you all take this to heart, I consider ALL of you to be members of my extended family (scary thought I know) and I truly do want you all to have a good time. Please help me make this a reality.


**comments are welcome**


- Kyn.
Developer, UO Evolution, Human Being.

I came to evolution for a game to play and ended up as part of a family.  I like that.  The core people I have interacted with over the last 3 months have been great.  This is from the staff all way to the newest players.  I do not say down to newest players because we are all equal (as Kyn said human and all humans are created equal).


I have thicker skin towards comments but work in a place where grown men and women acted like first graders on a regular basis.  You never know how things are going to affect some one.


At work we have what is called the newspaper test.  Simply put think of what you are going to say or do and put it in the headlines of tomorrows paper.  How does it reflect on you as a person?  If you think people would look down on the actions or words don't do it.


Each and every one of us has feelings and different things trigger those feelings.  There are about 4 people in my life that I would go to prison for murder if they were harmed.  You never know when some one feels that strongly about some one or some thing.


There are some other things I would like to write here but I think I should keep this more PG.

It's not restricted to this shard, computers or the internet at all...

It's a societal problem, where people are on each others lips all day and night. Turf wars, religious disputes, a car driving in front of you, you name it.
it's blind rage... "get...the...fuck...out...of...my...way". That's what everyone's teaching themselves and their children.

Morality fades when there's just an inch of leeway.

I share your opinion that everyone's a human being. Beneath each hands stands  a person, now matter how soft you cares it... no matter how hard you hit it.

I think most of whats been said, should have gone without saying. It's unfortunate when things get to a point, someone takes it upon them selves to remind other people to be civil and social.


Thank you Kyn, for doing what I believe has been necessary for some time. I personally cannot stand a bully and will go as far as is needed to stand up and make them feel as unwelcome as they do others, I wouldn't say that's a smart thing to do, it's just how I'am.


Hopefully, people will learn and respect Kyns example.

I agree with Peterr.  I am no spring chicken and at the same time not an old fart either.  I remember playing this game and multiple others and the one defining thing in my 10+ years of online gaming is that there is always players playing that are not in it for the community but themselves.

I'll be the first to admit that when I was younger I was among an entire guild of these so called players.  Some of them were actually decent people when it came to the real life.  But in game they as well as myself were hated.  Not that we were jerks to other players but because we were excellent at what we were doing in the game.  People didnt like the fact that a group of 5 would be able to dungeon crawl our way through dungeons not meant for less than 20!  Here's the kicker.  We grew up!  As some of the more veteran players began to realize it was boring being able to do certain things with the guild and eventually our guild disbanded.  Those of us who wanted to continue the ways went one way and those who wanted to actually be helpful to the community (myself included) went on to other games!

The point of my whole post is that just because it's fun to you doesn't mean it's fun or beneficial for the community.  If you like this server and this game then be helpful.  Not just to your guild members and not just to the staff but everyone.  If you have a problem with someone specifically, then take it to PMs!  At least there new players won't see it in general chat.  If things escalate too much, page a GM.  If you cannot be an adult about dealing with someone else sitting behind a computer screen then you really shouldnt be online ever!

That's my 2 cents

Dartagne

very true and meaningful.

I agree with your post to the T Kyn.


People forget that its a person behind the screen. And it happens more often than not. I myself have slipped into the blind and forget.  I am not perfect nor pretend to be.
Over the many years of online chat rooms and gaming I've said my fair share of sorry's and please tell me you didn't take that wrong.


Just have to take a step back and come back to the situation later. I am one to jump and quickly and many times have to walk away and reassess the situation. LOl some times its even hubby tell me to calm down.  (There is a reason for my quick to jump that is personal. Those who know me know what I'm talking about  ) And those who really want to know I'll explain it to them. But not in an open forum.


I am human, I do have feelings. And these feelings are very tender at most times.  This game to be honest has brought me to tears before. Because I feel this is my family away from RL. And I enjoy my online family. And I do see a LOT of you as family. With a few of those weird ones that you only want to visit once a year. And only when drunk. hehehe.


I'd like to see this family grow with a lot more happy and helpful people. Even if that means more Pk's hehe because even those are people too. And are rather neat people to get along with. Even if they TRY to take my lootz.


Take care Evo!

I think most of whats been said, should have gone without saying. It's unfortunate when things get to a point, someone takes it upon them selves to remind other people to be civil and social.

Their are people on every shard that are like this, Unhappy in their lives and have decided to take it out on a Game. Their are drunks, jobless, abusers, thieves, their are married people looking for a good time, and good people who just want to play. But as the OP states we have one thing in common we love UO or most of us do. Some people need to quit taking it so serious. If you don't like someone or cannot get along with someone stay away from them block them and don't talk to them. Here is what I have to say to those who are causing the issues, GROW UP most of you are adults and the way you play your game reflects your real life. If you are unhappy it shows in your gaming and the way you act in game. I personally have been angered by some of you and been even on the abused end of things but guess what your on block and I don't hear your crap no more. I am a no nonsense person to an extent and can usually find the good in everyone but we have some on this shard their is no good in them, they are users and abusers and will take advantage of anyone and everyone they can. My suggestion is don't take their crap stand up to them and continue to let staff know how they treat you. Eventually staff will take care of something. well Just my 2 cents which is pretty much all it is worth if that. God Bless and happy gaming.

I agree completely. People need to treat each other with respect. If any of us met each other in real life, we know we would all be best friends because of how rare it is to find people who play this game. Yet, in game, behind a keyboard, people dispel so much hate and anger. It just doesn't make sense. We need to come together and enjoy our common interest. We're a group of awesome people. Hopefully, us players can do our best to ignore those among us who attempt to make our fun turn into frustration and let the GMs handle it. Life is too short to spend time emotionally and verbally fighting with our fellow shard members. I am very hopeful these people will be put in their place soon.

Thanks Kyn, it's a shame that common sense is so very uncommon...

Kyn that was an awesome post. A wiser man than me once said "all man needs is love. If you can't give him that, give him hope. If you can't give him that, give him something to do!" For a lot of us, that's exactly what this game is, something to do and hopefully, something fun. This post has been like a pep talk to me and has given me a renewed sense of ownership for my part and why I like to play this game. If I have ever hurt someone's feelings or made someone mad, I am truly sorry for that was never my intention. I love playing this game and love this shard. I only wish I had more time to play with you all.

 
I like the idea. Let us all remember. It is just a game, not real life.  If I have offended anyone, I apologize.  I believe a small percentage of the player base should realize. That the shard is just as much our baby as it is Dantes. 
 
       We Experience a high volume of new players. I would like to say on a weekly basis. It only takes one bad experience for most people to give up. Just remember that you are speaking to another adult on the internet. Sometimes certain personalities do not mesh well together.  Then dont speak to that person. Just please try to be mindful of your environment. Have a good game guys and girls.
 
Savant
 
 

Respect is earned, not deserved.

I still have no respect for many of the players here and I would have no respect for them if they conducted themselves outside of the internet in a similar fashion. A "feelgood" method to try and force people into a pattern of behavior is a fallacy.

Your opinions may be different, but that does not mean I will agree with them.

Respect is earned, not deserved.

I still have no respect for many of the players here and I would have no respect for them if they conducted themselves outside of the internet in a similar fashion. A "feelgood" method to try and force people into a pattern of behavior is a fallacy.

Your opinions may be different, but that does not mean I will agree with them.

If you feel that it has gotten to the point that this is what you need to try so be it.

Truth is the Truth regardless.

Respect may be earned but I believe everyone deserves at least a little bit of respect from the get go, from there they may earn more respect or loose respect.


You cant go around not respecting everyone and then expect respect yourself.

My general "formula" for respect:


Everyone starts neutral with general pleasantries (please and thank you like your momma taught you).  From there let peoples actions determine how you react.  Dante and Kyn working hard on this free server get my utmost respect.  Some one who spouts F bombs* at everybody, makes demands that things be given to them, and in general work to degrade others self esteem I lose respect for.  When I lose respect for some one I just ignore them and move on.  Life is full of great experiences, why waste time and energy feeding a troll.  If you fail to feed a troll they lose interest fairly quickly and move on.


Now people do have bad nights or get drunk and play (I have done both).  Don't write some one off instantly if they are in a bad mood as their mom may have cancer or their dog just died.  It does take some common sense.


*Disclaimer:  I do use my fair share of vulgarities but I try to keep it limited.  Basically some times gosh darn just doesn't cover the level of frustration.

I totally agree with you Keldon.


I got the best compliment tonight from Kyn. Saying my son has great manners.  That means a ton to me. I try to raise my kids right. Please and thank you. He says thank you every chance he gets. From letting him have a soda. To the food I cook. And he's only 13!


Everyone should start off with some respect. Until they prove otherwise. I for one give everyone a chance. Those who know me in game see that.  Burn me. And I untie those knots and eventually you're on my do not bother with list.  But you do have chances. But only so many.