UT3

[Pugnate]

I liked the game as well.

In the end I don't think it sold well because gamers have lost the taste for that sorta thing. Quake Wars sold really poorly as well.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: N2gaming
Greetings Group

Well, I know I'm late with UT# but to make a long story short I bought it last week and am loving it...at least the single player part.

Why is there not any on-line play like before??/ I can't freaking believe it, there is really not much at all going on.

At first I thought it was 'cause of the holidays but now when I check every nite it as slow as molasses and I live in the So. Cal. area where you would expect huge crowds

Disclaimer: I love Epic, and I love the Unreal franchise.

That said: I already bought this game back in 2004. They have released it again, what is now the third time, with nothing more than a graphical upgrade. I can see pretty things in screenshots. If you want me to play the game, you have to give me things to do. In 2004, there were new things: Vehicles. Control points. Voice communication. Those were nice.

I've already done the things you do in this game. I have grown tired of them. The majority of the community seems to agree.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
BS, whole books could be written on what's wrong with UT3. I preordered the game, and according to xfire, I've only played 33 hours. Why? Because the game isn't fun. Most of those 33 hours were spent tweaking my setup. I bet I don't have 15 hours of actual gaming. My favorite of the series so far is UT2k4, but I'd rather play any version other than UT3. The only game I can even tolerate is IG DM, and I only play that so I don't feel like I wasted $60. I like 2k4 IG better.

As far as TF2 stealing UT3's thunder goes...That's a red herring. Why didn't UT3 steal TF2's thunder? Everybody points to other games, and says they're the reason UT3 isn't being played. Why aren't the other games being neglected for UT3? It doesn't take a marketing expert to figure that one out...

Did you play UT99? And why didn't UT3 steal TF2's thunder? Well first you have to know your history, TF was around before UT existed so a successful sequel meant a 10 ton guerrilla in the FPS gaming world. And TF2 is a successful sequel. It may not be everything TF1 was, but it's damn good and people are finding matches very easily over Steam as opposed to finding matches on the abortion that shipped with UT3.

I stick to my original comment, UT3s community will thrive instead of dying out.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: lxskllr
BS, whole books could be written on what's wrong with UT3. I preordered the game, and according to xfire, I've only played 33 hours. Why? Because the game isn't fun. Most of those 33 hours were spent tweaking my setup. I bet I don't have 15 hours of actual gaming. My favorite of the series so far is UT2k4, but I'd rather play any version other than UT3. The only game I can even tolerate is IG DM, and I only play that so I don't feel like I wasted $60. I like 2k4 IG better.

As far as TF2 stealing UT3's thunder goes...That's a red herring. Why didn't UT3 steal TF2's thunder? Everybody points to other games, and says they're the reason UT3 isn't being played. Why aren't the other games being neglected for UT3? It doesn't take a marketing expert to figure that one out...

Did you play UT99? And why didn't UT3 steal TF2's thunder? Well first you have to know your history, TF was around before UT existed so a successful sequel meant a 10 ton guerrilla in the FPS gaming world. And TF2 is a successful sequel. It may not be everything TF1 was, but it's damn good and people are finding matches very easily over Steam as opposed to finding matches on the abortion that shipped with UT3.

I stick to my original comment, UT3s community will thrive instead of dying out.

Games get neglected because other games are more fun. Period.

And the hell with UT99, who remembers the ORIGINAL Deck16?

 

[EvilComputer92]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Games get neglected because other games are more fun. Period.

That's bullshit. There are plenty of excellent games that are released that no one buys. There are also plenty of crappy games that sell really well.

Originally posted by: ja1484

And the hell with UT99, who remembers the ORIGINAL Deck16?

From the original Unreal? That version was nearly identical to the UT99 one as both games used the same engine. Someone needs to remake Ariza and Tundra. I always loved those two maps and they never returned in the newer games.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Originally posted by: lxskllr



BS, whole books could be written on what's wrong with UT3. I preordered the game, and according to xfire, I've only played 33 hours. Why? Because the game isn't fun. Most of those 33 hours were spent tweaking my setup. I bet I don't have 15 hours of actual gaming. My favorite of the series so far is UT2k4, but I'd rather play any version other than UT3. The only game I can even tolerate is IG DM, and I only play that so I don't feel like I wasted $60. I like 2k4 IG better.

As far as TF2 stealing UT3's thunder goes...That's a red herring. Why didn't UT3 steal TF2's thunder? Everybody points to other games, and says they're the reason UT3 isn't being played. Why aren't the other games being neglected for UT3? It doesn't take a marketing expert to figure that one out...

Someone on here once said, everything about UT3 sucks except the game. That's very true. The game itself, besides the UI and lack of content, is far superior to 2k4, and this is coming from a longtime UT99 player.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

Originally posted by: ja1484

Games get neglected because other games are more fun. Period.

That's bullshit. There are plenty of excellent games that are released that no one buys. There are also plenty of crappy games that sell really well.

Originally posted by: ja1484

And the hell with UT99, who remembers the ORIGINAL Deck16?

From the original Unreal? That version was nearly identical to the UT99 one as both games used the same engine. Someone needs to remake Ariza and Tundra. I always loved those two maps and they never returned in the newer games.

Ariza was remade for UT2k4. I probably have it on my drive somewhere.

 

[Miklebud]

I bought it too and was disappointed in the lack of decent servers. Plus, I play TF2 way more.

 

[MikeyLSU]

i got the game for christmas but havn't opened it yet, also got Crysis and am waiting till I beat Crysis before starting UT3

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

Originally posted by: ja1484

Games get neglected because other games are more fun. Period.

That's bullshit. There are plenty of excellent games that are released that no one buys. There are also plenty of crappy games that sell really well.

Sometimes, rarely. Usually (e.g. Psychonauts) there's not much of a push behind the title when this happens. TF2 and UT3 were both AAA titles - it's not like either was underexposed. I agree with the red herring statement earlier in the thread. They need to shake up the UT formula a bit - new engines don't do it anymore.

Originally posted by: ja1484

And the hell with UT99, who remembers the ORIGINAL Deck16?

From the original Unreal? That version was nearly identical to the UT99 one as both games used the same engine. Someone needs to remake Ariza and Tundra. I always loved those two maps and they never returned in the newer games.

Kind of, but not really.

UT99 used a different build of UE1 from Unreal. IIRC UT99 used a build somewhere in the 400s whereas Unreal stopped with 226. There were some modifications in there that broke compatibility, but with a little elbow grease you could port stuff fairly easily.

But yeah, I agree about Ariza. Tundra was ok, not my particular favorite, but making stand in the belltower with the 8-ball (oh, how I miss the 8-ball) was good stuff.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Originally posted by: ja1484


Sometimes, rarely. Usually (e.g. Psychonauts) there's not much of a push behind the title when this happens. TF2 and UT3 were both AAA titles - it's not like either was underexposed. I agree with the red herring statement earlier in the thread. They need to shake up the UT formula a bit - new engines don't do it anymore.

The marketing behind UT3 was practically nothing. I think that led to it's sales. It also sold much better on the PS3. It got about 100k sales there, much more than the PC version.

Originally posted by: ja1484


And the hell with UT99, who remembers the ORIGINAL Deck16?

Kind of, but not really.

UT99 used a different build of UE1 from Unreal. IIRC UT99 used a build somewhere in the 400s whereas Unreal stopped with 226. There were some modifications in there that broke compatibility, but with a little elbow grease you could port stuff fairly easily.

But yeah, I agree about Ariza. Tundra was ok, not my particular favorite, but making stand in the belltower with the 8-ball (oh, how I miss the 8-ball) was good stuff.

You can copy the maps straight from your Unreal maps folder into your UT folder and they work fine. All the weapons are replaced with the UT counterparts. For the 8 ball, I actually got a mutator for UT3 that allows you to fire up to six shots or grenades with the rocket launcher. I always missed that feature from UT99.

As for Tundra, I like making that statue fall down on people below me.

 

[N2gaming]

a little update here...on-line play still sucks

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

You can copy the maps straight from your Unreal maps folder into your UT folder and they work fine. All the weapons are replaced with the UT counterparts. For the 8 ball, I actually got a mutator for UT3 that allows you to fire up to six shots or grenades with the rocket launcher. I always missed that feature from UT99.

As for Tundra, I like making that statue fall down on people below me.

Didn't you have to rebuild/compile them in the UT99 editor? It's been years since I messed with the stuff, but I seem to recall that.

 

[VeZ]

Warfare is where its at..thats where you will find me haha. But the community is quite small, and Im actually ranked #5 globally

 

[samduhman]

I think the problem is people weren't happy with the cross platform UI. This in turn led to many negative forums posts. So the hate wagon got fuller and fuller to the point where people who don't even own it automatically say it stinks.

I tend to ignore these posts nowadays becuase people love to complain on forums. Instead I usually look for professional reviews from magazines or the average overall rating from sites like this gamerankings UT3 rating
So you see. While 83% isn't earth shattering it's definately a decent score and someone interested in the title shouldn't let a random joeblow in some forum sway his decision to buy it.

I saw a very similar case when it came to Crysis. Tons of whinners and complainers. I ignored them and picked it up anyway and Im glad I did.. I just checked the review avearage yesterday and was pleasantly surprised after seeing all the negative forum post before the holiday. gamerankings crysis score

I bought UT3. We played at our last 2 LAN parties and everyone had a good time, period. I don't play online much becuase of WoW eating up my online hours.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I download the demo and it sucked royal ass. Over rendered graphics, same old same old gameplay, crappy maps, and the vehicle capture the flag is lame. Plus the guns suck. Nothing to like at all. UT2004 and 99 were way better.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: samduhman
I think the problem is people weren't happy with the cross platform UI. This in turn led to many negative forums posts. So the hate wagon got fuller and fuller to the point where people who don't even own it automatically say it stinks.

I doubt it. I can deal with a poor UI for a good game.

BioShock had a distinctly average UI, but you know what? I'd rather have BioShock with a middling UI than no BioShock at all. Same for Gears of War.

 

[samduhman]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: samduhman
I think the problem is people weren't happy with the cross platform UI. This in turn led to many negative forums posts. So the hate wagon got fuller and fuller to the point where people who don't even own it automatically say it stinks.

I doubt it. I can deal with a poor UI for a good game.

BioShock had a distinctly average UI, but you know what? I'd rather have BioShock with a middling UI than no BioShock at all. Same for Gears of War.

Im not sure I buy that. Bioshock was above and beyond a decent game. UT3 just a decent game. Wasn't the UI server browser for UT3 horrible? Thats the heart and sole of a game like UT3. Of course it would affect peoples decision to buy it when initially released.

Anyway, I don't like the game enough to debate it. I just think people should do their research before taking a few forum posts as written in stone. Especially after patches have been released to fix issues the game may have had. If you don't like it you don't like it and stinkypinky is a prime example but he doesn't speak for everyone. I think it's perty good. I like the graphics, same old gameplay, guns and vehicle capture the flag.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: samduhman

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: samduhman
I think the problem is people weren't happy with the cross platform UI. This in turn led to many negative forums posts. So the hate wagon got fuller and fuller to the point where people who don't even own it automatically say it stinks.

I doubt it. I can deal with a poor UI for a good game.

BioShock had a distinctly average UI, but you know what? I'd rather have BioShock with a middling UI than no BioShock at all. Same for Gears of War.

Im not sure I buy that. Bioshock was above and beyond a decent game. UT3 just a decent game.

Well yeah - that's the point. It's not the UI - it's the game.

 

[EvilComputer92]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

You can copy the maps straight from your Unreal maps folder into your UT folder and they work fine. All the weapons are replaced with the UT counterparts. For the 8 ball, I actually got a mutator for UT3 that allows you to fire up to six shots or grenades with the rocket launcher. I always missed that feature from UT99.

As for Tundra, I like making that statue fall down on people below me.

Didn't you have to rebuild/compile them in the UT99 editor? It's been years since I messed with the stuff, but I seem to recall that.

Nothing at all. A simple copy and paste from the Unreal directory into the UT directory worked. This was also how you could play though the single player campaign in UT, except that required a small mod for saving and loading.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: N2gaming Why is there not any on-line play like before??/ I can't freaking believe it, there is really not much at all going on.

I suggest learning to like Warfare and Deathmatch for now and perhaps vCTF. Sadly, real CTF--regular weapons no-vehicles CTF--has few players on the public servers. Guess I should get off my butt and play more often.

One of the problems is that UT3 is competing with the Original UT99 and UT 2004 and a lot of those players were very, very disappointed with the clunky and slow user interface and nearly featureless and barely functional server browser. (In contrast, the UT99 and UT 2004 user interfaces and server browsers were excellent.) Most UT99 players enjoyed the Demo and were hyped for the retail version, but when they found out that the retail version was basically the beta demo but with more maps they were turned off because of the user interface and server browser.

Here's some help in finding the UT3 community. Websites:

http://www.BeyondUnreal.com
http://www.UnrealNA.com
http://www.UnrealPlayground.com
http://www.ProUnreal.com
http://gearsforums.epicgames.com

Also, look for people on the IRC (Internet Relay Chat):

SERVER: irc.GameRadius.net
CHANNELS: #ut3tdm #ut3ctf #mlut #speedpug

(#mlut and #speedpug are really UT99 channels, but you'll still find UT people there.)

...And yes folks...the North American UT community is NOT on GameSurge. There's a UT guy who owns his own IRC server, GameRadius, and that's where we're at. (The European UT players can be found on Quakenet.)

Originally posted by: N2gaming
Well, let me explain a little bit more. There are some CTF servers but as an example, if there are 87 CTF-servers on line only two or three would be playing, also, thats pretty much the same with all of the on-line games in UT3.

There are servers but nobody's on them.

You should see a number of populated Warfare and Deathmatch servers during North American prime time. You might consider going to the Epic forums and searching out topics from folks who've had similar problems. One thing to do might be to make sure you haven't checked off "Do not show empty servers". Also, be sure to install that first patch!

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
The game sucks. Most peoples opinions range from ambivalence to disgust, with a minority that enjoy the game. Epic managed to alienate aficionados from GOTY to UT2k4. That must have taken some heroic planning and execution to make a game that no former players enjoy.

Actually, the UT99 people and many UT 2004 players did enjoy the UT3 game play. What turned off the UT99 crowd were the awful user interface and server browser. If you can get past that, the game play itself is quite good. It'll be even better once some custom maps that are brighter (like UT99 maps) and that aren't cluttered full of eye candy get released.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: N2gaming
Well, is there another game out right now that is something like UT3..I'm dying for some good 'ol CTF

YES!

Play UT99 CTF!

Seriously! UT99 CTF is still alive and kicking--just not on public servers. Instead, we play PUG (pickup games) matches, which are much, much more fun than playing on public servers anyway. If you've never played in a clan-match style match, you don't know what you're missing. Imagine having balanced, organized teams with positional assignments, teamwork, and voice comm! No schedules! Play when you want to! Just sign up to play and when it gets to 10 people signed up, two become captains and pick the other 8 players like in gym class. It's lots of fun!

Here's where you can find the PUG matches on IRC:

SERVER: irc.GameRadius.net
CHANNELS: #Speedpug #mlut

Note that #mlut requires you to have registered with the irc server itself, help with that is available at http://www.GameRadius.net

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
UT3's gameplay feels almost identical to UT2004. It seems more like a graphical update rather than a new game to me.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[WhipperSnapper]

UT99 never really needed anything for a sequel other than better graphics, better net code, better user interface and server browser, new game types, and new maps, etc.

The UT99 game play itself was excellent and near-perfect--so why should it change in sequels? The improvements in sequels should take the form of the trimmings surrounding the game. Chess is a great game and folks have played it for hundreds of years and no one complains that the game hasn't changed. So why should the Unreal Tournament game play change? It's less of a one-time-play RPG or adventure game and more of an online bloodsport where you improve your skills over time. People still play basketball and that game hasn't changed at all, so why should an online bloodsport like Unreal Tournament change?

If you don't know what I'm talking about...maybe you never played the real UT99...maybe you never played it in an organized clan match or pickup game match. Unreal Tournament is not a disposable computer game--rather it's an online cyber sport--so why should the game play change whenever an improved version is released?