Greetings. I have been working on a shard on and off for a couple of years. I started with POL, then made a tentative post here some time ago, but was overwhelmed by C#. I finally settled on Sphere, but have recently decided to return to RunUo and give it another try. Bear in mind that I am not a programmer, though I have learned a bit about scripting in general by working with POL and Sphere, and wish to further my knowledge.
I have decided to start small and build. My first goal (and one that I have not quite been able to actualize yet) is to establish a stable, fully functional, fully spawned server (not for live use yet). Before I download the latest version of RunUo and the Client, I want to make sure that this is the best choice for my intended project.
First of all, the focus is on RP and immersion (and probably voluntary PvP. I have not decided yet, but whatever the case, PvP will play a relatively small role).
Secondly, I want to create a look and feel reminiscent of old school UO. Somewhere between Pre T2A and UO:R. With that said, the overall, old school aesthetic is more important than recreating the authenticity and particulars of a certain era. I would like to spawn the world along these lines (doors, decorations, signs, mobiles, etc.). There is very little I wish to use after UO:R, though I would eventually like to use certain skills, or modified versions of those skills from other eras, and also wish to have full access to all 57 skill slots, as well as a few items and artwork from later eras. I do not want elves or gargoyles. ninjas and samurai, or any items related to them.
Thirdly, I will be using a slightly modified version of map0, which I created with CentrEd. I only wish to allow access to one facet using this map, using the Felucca rule set. I likewise only wish to allow access to areas from the Pre T2A era (though I may use the Lost Lands at some point). I modified certain areas, such as New Magincia, considerably, and am looking for a spawner that will easily generate an initial spawn, but will then allow edits to that spawn, and also allow it to be saved in a file which can be easily reinstated in the event of a server crash, rather than require that the entire process be redone from scratch each time. I also like the NPC dialog system in XML, and I am reading some of the considerable XML documentation.
Given these initial criteria:
1. Is it best to download version 2.3, or should I opt for an older build?
2. Does it matter whether or not I use the newest UO Client, or should I opt for an older version?
4. How much is generated out of the box? Doors? Signs? Or is the world entirely blank until a spawner is used?
3. Which Spawner do you recommend? I have looked at both Nerun's Distro and XMLspawner. I am looking for something fairly simple and straightforward, but that can also be customized, and of course something that can create spawns for certain eras, or at least spawns that are easily modified. I believe Nerun's has a Pre T2A spawn. Less sure about XML.
I have other criteria, but I thought I would start with this first. This is far too long already, so please let me know if something needs clarification. Thanks in advance for any help.
I have decided to start small and build. My first goal (and one that I have not quite been able to actualize yet) is to establish a stable, fully functional, fully spawned server (not for live use yet). Before I download the latest version of RunUo and the Client, I want to make sure that this is the best choice for my intended project.
First of all, the focus is on RP and immersion (and probably voluntary PvP. I have not decided yet, but whatever the case, PvP will play a relatively small role).
Secondly, I want to create a look and feel reminiscent of old school UO. Somewhere between Pre T2A and UO:R. With that said, the overall, old school aesthetic is more important than recreating the authenticity and particulars of a certain era. I would like to spawn the world along these lines (doors, decorations, signs, mobiles, etc.). There is very little I wish to use after UO:R, though I would eventually like to use certain skills, or modified versions of those skills from other eras, and also wish to have full access to all 57 skill slots, as well as a few items and artwork from later eras. I do not want elves or gargoyles. ninjas and samurai, or any items related to them.
Thirdly, I will be using a slightly modified version of map0, which I created with CentrEd. I only wish to allow access to one facet using this map, using the Felucca rule set. I likewise only wish to allow access to areas from the Pre T2A era (though I may use the Lost Lands at some point). I modified certain areas, such as New Magincia, considerably, and am looking for a spawner that will easily generate an initial spawn, but will then allow edits to that spawn, and also allow it to be saved in a file which can be easily reinstated in the event of a server crash, rather than require that the entire process be redone from scratch each time. I also like the NPC dialog system in XML, and I am reading some of the considerable XML documentation.
Given these initial criteria:
1. Is it best to download version 2.3, or should I opt for an older build?
2. Does it matter whether or not I use the newest UO Client, or should I opt for an older version?
4. How much is generated out of the box? Doors? Signs? Or is the world entirely blank until a spawner is used?
3. Which Spawner do you recommend? I have looked at both Nerun's Distro and XMLspawner. I am looking for something fairly simple and straightforward, but that can also be customized, and of course something that can create spawns for certain eras, or at least spawns that are easily modified. I believe Nerun's has a Pre T2A spawn. Less sure about XML.
I have other criteria, but I thought I would start with this first. This is far too long already, so please let me know if something needs clarification. Thanks in advance for any help.