Post: #3

I do enjoy that the latest version of sphere can work around almost all the hardcoded issues we previously had to just deal with.

Really the only hardcoded issues we're "stuck" with is the client's abilities to translate the information Sphere sends it. But even some of that can be manipulated with sendpacket.

Really the one and only roadblock I'm hitting is the client's abilities. I plan on using the 2D Classic Client, but some things are very annoying and we have no real options but to deal with them. Like the gameplay window size, for example. I can patch the CC to force a higher window size, and then use Sphere's .visualrange tool to get rid of the "Gray/Unloaded" areas that would normally be slightly out of range, but the totally unloaded, solid black areas of the terrain that popup in the distance I can't do much about. If I could get past that one small problem, I'd have a 1024x768 gameplay window (or even 1200x800).

All in all, Sphere is much more fun to script on too, it's in an easy to understand, but vastly deep language.

I have big plans for my shard, including some advertising (in the $500~ range) that I'm going to dump day 1 to get my community skyrocketing and get everything going. I also plan to advertise Sphere on my site, so players will know what's under the hood. Like you said, players really aren't loyal or "care" about what emulator is running the shard but if it gets enough attention, the RunUO server admins might take note of some of the amazing things we CAN do, if my shard gets large enough to hit the top of google.

An MMORPG based on the Ultima Online engine.
Completely Custom Map, GUI, AI, Combat, Skills, Crafts, Art, Music and so much more.
http://aetharia.com - Home of Ambition!