Lots of ideas, can have the client read the current .mul and .uop files as well as possibly a better file format so the client could use shaders and stuff to enhance things like water or spells with effects. Here is one example
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I think a web based html5 client would be badass too then I could play UO at work lol.
Perhaps someone could do a kickstart and raise funds for the new client. 8k Wouldn't be too hard to reach. Would the code stay open sourced?
A web-based client would not happen; it sounds cool, it's definitely possible, but it's not going to happen at this time. The whole purpose of me bringing up the funding was to weed out those who are serious about getting this done, as opposed to those who think its a cool venture; yet don't really want to, or financially can't, do anything to accomplish the goal. It's not a bad thing, but we can't finish this project on hopes and dreams. We need capable people willing to devote time, expertise/knowledge, and money toward the development of this.
Donations as little as 10-20 bucks add up after a while and most people waste that on crap daily. So in essence, if you really want a client to handle shaders and water/spell effects then yes it is always possible. However no volunteer developer is going to put in the quality of work that a professional "pay to play" developer will do; the time and effort it takes to re-develop and app like the client-exe in C# isn't worth the effort in the long run to do it for free. Which is why we see a lot of these open-source client projects go by the wayside; devs get burned out, real life gets in the way, and they just have better more entertaining things to do with their time. lol
So my reasoning for bringing this up as a possibility is simply because I know a few people willing to do it, but just not for free; they want to be paid for their effort.
It makes sense, putting money doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll get the right person every time. However it does give you a legal footing to stand on when a product isn't created to the customer/client's specification; especially here in the United States.
With that said, this isn't something I'm really wanting wish-washy people on board with; this is a serious offer for like-minded people who are die-hard fans like me. The gift from us to the community is that this paid venture will become open source for everyone to expand on. This will hopefully bring a lot more attention and interest into our community as well; I'd like to see things grow, not shrink.
[doublepost=1488182272][/doublepost]I'm thinking of having them use UltimaXNA as a base anyway and with that, expand on it and finish the client.exe.
[doublepost=1488182836][/doublepost]Also keep in mind that while 8,000 U.S.D is the goal, the price may fluctuate up depending on who else gets on board.
Right now I have 2 developers in mind. One said he'd do it for 8,000 U.S.D, he worked on the Dungeon Defenders series, is a senior level developer, but has no former experience with Ultima Online or how RunUO works. The other person I have in mind may have the time to take on the project in the near future, he's a much more experienced developer in the sense that he knows RunUO and the client really well (as-in well versed with both), but wants real pay for real work. That means we may be looking a much larger price; which I am sure can be negotiated if I can guarantee the funds. We've all been talking about a new custom client for years - it's time to make it happen.
