The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Hi, my name is Gjon, pronounced, Gee- John.... I would like to inform you about a game that I consider to be one of the greatest creations ever developed by the gaming industry. Many of you may have already heard about it or even played the game I write of.

But before I go any further... I must warn you. I want you to decide right now whether u have plenty of time each day to spend on this game. Consider this time you will designate each day, hobby time. For those of you who don't have the time to add anything more to your current list of activities, do not read any further. I repeat, if you don't have a lot of time on your hands, STOP NOW!!!!

If you just have to know why I tell you this, it is because this is the most addicting type of playground you will ever have experienced. You won't be able to help how immersed you become within a community of roleplayers who take this game to heart.

For those of you that need a new interest in your life and still feel your inner child, please join me in our expedition into the world of fantasy gaming... A world within the world we know. An escape from reality.

Many of you readers may have already experienced this game, many may have not. The game I write of is UO (Ultima Online). I know you have heard of it, some even played it. Some love it, some hate it. Some may have just looked at it and thought OH GOD! You're kidding right? But before you give up on this article, please consider what I have to write...

When I was in 6th grade my friends introduced me to an exciting fantasy game of the time called Dungeons & Dragons. It was the neatest game because, even though there were rules, the game had no limits or boundaries. Every time you gathered your friends to play, it was a new adventure. Never the same outcome, or plot. We used pencils and paper back then, LOL!

My friends and I would stay up late together so often. We would fantasize about a way to play a game that was closer to reality. Something we could actually see and hear. And then, the commodore 64 came out! YES!!!! Hehe.

Fantasy gaming took another leap with the advent of online gaming. You could now call up your friends and adventure together within a game online. That was just soooo cool. We thought, "man, this is great!"

And then our childhood dreams were realized when we came together to play UO on one Saturday morning during 30' weather. We created characters with distinct looks and styles. We could move our characters as we wished. We were chatting with each other while playing. We could talk to any other player who ventured into the world. We found computer generated opponents, as well as real player opponents too! We could be good or evil. There was no particular ending to the game. No particular goals forcing you upon certain paths. We chose our way each and every day.

And some of you experienced online gamers might wonder, why should I consider this game over all the other online games that allow you to play against other real life players?

I will explain... Take for example, one of the hottest games to come out for testing; quake3; tournament. The game was a rush. Non-stop action, going against multiple online gamers. Testing your quickness of thought and actions. Forcing you to learn the best tactics or become the target of everyone who wanted a quick kill... And it was cool to send a chat message to someone you just toasted saying, " how do u like being in the six foot and under league?" MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! And after three days of playing with my bud. I began to wonder about the differences between this successful game and UO.

My preference after that weekend; UO still ROCKS!!!!

"Why?", I asked myself, do I still enjoy UO over this action packed thrill ride of a game. And this is what I figured out:

The reason why UO is so successful;

Is because you can create a distinct character of whom others will know you by.

Is because the game allows you to know people on a personal level.

Is because there are things to gain and lose while playing. Unlike Q3 where you just begin exactly as you were when you died.

Is because there are numerous variations.

Is because the game is ever changing.

Even after playing the game for almost a year, I still consider it to be my favorite. Even though I have seen every spot of the world within the game. Interacted with most of the most powerful player characters within the game. Completed quests created within the game. The game still entrances me. The game is unique in that you can create your own adventures. I will give you an example of an adventure we players created ourselves.

45 players came together and were stripped to just shirts and pants. All weapons removed. All of our clothes were dyed orange (prison orange, hehe). And we were gated to the lowest level of a dungeon. We called this adventure, "the pison break". Our goal was to try and get out of the prison (er dungeon). On our way up through the levels we encountered many of the evil denizens which spawned within the dungeon. We had to fight our way, run around, fight, and hide from that which we encountered. Some even pushed others into monsters (very funny), so that they could escape its jaws...! Some monsters we just overwhelmed and pummeled as we made our way through. Finally, 6 people did escape. And out of the cavern with them came 39 ghosts. That made for one of the funniest screenshots I have ever taken. The survivors were rewarded a magic katana and 10,000gp. Sweet! J

This is just one example of how fantasy gaming within UO can be exercised. There are so many adventures I have gone through. So many I have created for my own guild. The possibilities are endless. And if you have half the imagination I have. You will find yourself up at 3 o'clock in the morning eating cookies and drinking milk laughing so hard, you spit it out through your nose.

Well, I could write forever about my exploits within the game. So feel free to reply to me and ask me anything. If you currently play, please send me a message. I would like to meet you and learn about your character and style of play.

The following is a web address to my guilds guild forum page. Please check it out, register and post a reply. I would really love to hear from you! Select a forum – UO Witch Hunters Guild Forum: Moderated by Priestess Mani http://www.roleplayersguild.net

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Ultima Online
Author: Gjon Nikollaj Category: Online Multiplayer Game Company/Publisher: Origin Line: Ultima Page count: n/a Playtest Review by gjon nikollaj on 12/09/99. Genre tags: Live-action	Hi, my name is Gjon, pronounced, Gee- John.... I would like to inform you about a game that I consider to be one of the greatest creations ever developed by the gaming industry. Many of you may have already heard about it or even played the game I write of. But before I go any further... I must warn you. I want you to decide right now whether u have plenty of time each day to spend on this game. Consider this time you will designate each day, hobby time. For those of you who don't have the time to add anything more to your current list of activities, do not read any further. I repeat, if you don't have a lot of time on your hands, STOP NOW!!!! If you just have to know why I tell you this, it is because this is the most addicting type of playground you will ever have experienced. You won't be able to help how immersed you become within a community of roleplayers who take this game to heart. For those of you that need a new interest in your life and still feel your inner child, please join me in our expedition into the world of fantasy gaming... A world within the world we know. An escape from reality. Many of you readers may have already experienced this game, many may have not. The game I write of is UO (Ultima Online). I know you have heard of it, some even played it. Some love it, some hate it. Some may have just looked at it and thought OH GOD! You're kidding right? But before you give up on this article, please consider what I have to write... When I was in 6th grade my friends introduced me to an exciting fantasy game of the time called Dungeons & Dragons. It was the neatest game because, even though there were rules, the game had no limits or boundaries. Every time you gathered your friends to play, it was a new adventure. Never the same outcome, or plot. We used pencils and paper back then, LOL! My friends and I would stay up late together so often. We would fantasize about a way to play a game that was closer to reality. Something we could actually see and hear. And then, the commodore 64 came out! YES!!!! Hehe. Fantasy gaming took another leap with the advent of online gaming. You could now call up your friends and adventure together within a game online. That was just soooo cool. We thought, "man, this is great!" And then our childhood dreams were realized when we came together to play UO on one Saturday morning during 30' weather. We created characters with distinct looks and styles. We could move our characters as we wished. We were chatting with each other while playing. We could talk to any other player who ventured into the world. We found computer generated opponents, as well as real player opponents too! We could be good or evil. There was no particular ending to the game. No particular goals forcing you upon certain paths. We chose our way each and every day. And some of you experienced online gamers might wonder, why should I consider this game over all the other online games that allow you to play against other real life players? I will explain... Take for example, one of the hottest games to come out for testing; quake3; tournament. The game was a rush. Non-stop action, going against multiple online gamers. Testing your quickness of thought and actions. Forcing you to learn the best tactics or become the target of everyone who wanted a quick kill... And it was cool to send a chat message to someone you just toasted saying, " how do u like being in the six foot and under league?" MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! And after three days of playing with my bud. I began to wonder about the differences between this successful game and UO. My preference after that weekend; UO still ROCKS!!!! "Why?", I asked myself, do I still enjoy UO over this action packed thrill ride of a game. And this is what I figured out: The reason why UO is so successful; Is because you can create a distinct character of whom others will know you by. Is because the game allows you to know people on a personal level. Is because there are things to gain and lose while playing. Unlike Q3 where you just begin exactly as you were when you died. Is because there are numerous variations. Is because the game is ever changing. Even after playing the game for almost a year, I still consider it to be my favorite. Even though I have seen every spot of the world within the game. Interacted with most of the most powerful player characters within the game. Completed quests created within the game. The game still entrances me. The game is unique in that you can create your own adventures. I will give you an example of an adventure we players created ourselves. 45 players came together and were stripped to just shirts and pants. All weapons removed. All of our clothes were dyed orange (prison orange, hehe). And we were gated to the lowest level of a dungeon. We called this adventure, "the pison break". Our goal was to try and get out of the prison (er dungeon). On our way up through the levels we encountered many of the evil denizens which spawned within the dungeon. We had to fight our way, run around, fight, and hide from that which we encountered. Some even pushed others into monsters (very funny), so that they could escape its jaws...! Some monsters we just overwhelmed and pummeled as we made our way through. Finally, 6 people did escape. And out of the cavern with them came 39 ghosts. That made for one of the funniest screenshots I have ever taken. The survivors were rewarded a magic katana and 10,000gp. Sweet! J This is just one example of how fantasy gaming within UO can be exercised. There are so many adventures I have gone through. So many I have created for my own guild. The possibilities are endless. And if you have half the imagination I have. You will find yourself up at 3 o'clock in the morning eating cookies and drinking milk laughing so hard, you spit it out through your nose. Well, I could write forever about my exploits within the game. So feel free to reply to me and ask me anything. If you currently play, please send me a message. I would like to meet you and learn about your character and style of play. The following is a web address to my guilds guild forum page. Please check it out, register and post a reply. I would really love to hear from you! Select a forum – UO Witch Hunters Guild Forum: Moderated by Priestess Mani http://www.roleplayersguild.net Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)