More packet changes in client version 6.0.14.2

[Xuri]

Looks like there are some new packet changes again, in version 6.0.14.2. Related to the new version of the client to be used with the Stygian Abyss expansion, probably.

Discussion about the issue on RunUO forums (with solution).

[Xuri]

Arrr?? Has something funky happened to the board? I've lost several posts!

At work now so don't remember the details any longer, but by changing a value (reserved size of packet 0xB9 I think?) from "3" to "5" in some ClientEnableFeature-something function, clients from 6.0.14.2 to 7.0.3.0 start working.

However it also breaks clients lower than that, so to fix it we either need to decide to go with lower client versions only, higher client versions only, or to write up some fancy code that can do things differently depending on the client version.

[Shudderz]

I wouldn't have the slightest idea on how to do that off hand. I would need to study up on that some.

On the other hand, most servers use older clients anyway, so is there much need to use the newest clients? Maybe there is just for completest sake, but personally I'm good with using the older client. (especially because I'm unable to update past 5.x anyway!)

[Xuri]

The main reasons why I wish we'd keep up-to-date with the most recent UO clients are that it makes it easier for people who play both, or for people who come here from official UO (if any), as well as being able to access whatever new assets become available in the client.

But I'd be really interested in hearing what you all think. "You all" primarily meaning any currently active users and/or developers, plus any old timers/newcomers

So... pick a client version and stick with it, or try to keep up with the client (encryption/packet-wise, at least, if not actually implementing all new stuff that appears on the official shards)?

Thoughts/Opinions, anyone? stranf? Shudderz? Kiff? Grimson? giwo? Jedi, still around? (Maarc? Still getting the newsfeed? ) Anyone else?

[Kiff]

I vote for pick and stick.

I've never played an official shard in my life though, so I might not know what I'm missing.

[Shudderz]

Right now I'm thinking to stick with a client version. But maybe if I understood what is involved in keeping up with new client material I would change my vote... or maybe I wouldn't change my vote

[Ghostwolf]

Stick with the old stuff, took me several years before circumstances forced me to update the client beyond 4.0.3e lol

[Xuri]

One major problem with sticking to the older client versions is that OSI keeps updating the versions of the freely downloadable client they have on their site (currently v7.0.3.0), which means a very high barrier of entry for any new UOX3 users that might appear out of the blue, since many of them also need an appropriate client-version and the official download has been the best place to get just that.

Unless there are alternate, legal links to older clients, it'll be very hard to get any new users up and running.

[Ghostwolf]

Torrents are the only way of finding some of the older clients. I ended up needing to upgrade because no one could find LBR or AOS anymore but

[Puck]

I don't know much about UO, but from the screenshots and reading a bit, they are trying harder and harder to blend in and be "just another wow" (slight exaggeration, but you know what I'm getting at, I guess). I don't think its necessary to emulate that, because well, it's just not hard to get your average-modern-mmo-fix.

Getting your "olden days UO fix" however, is a different story.

So I'd rather have UOX be some sort of refuge for the endagered species of the older clients. I think there will always be people who like the retro feel of those.

Plus there are "bigger" emulators who are trying hard to keep up with the pace, and seemingly uox moves slower, so actually this sounds like the perfect thing to do.

Of course, I'm biased, because I'm all for old school and on top of that, this is the voice of the guy who never ever cared for uo server emulation only 7 days ago. Funny enough, I still think I actually just made some sense.

Unless there are alternate, legal links to older clients, it'll be very hard to get any new users up and running.

As of now, you still can ML from CNET. That should be good enough, no?
http://download.cnet.com/Ultima-Online- ... 32237.html

[dragon slayer]

what will it take just to get the new client to login? and play