Difference between revisions of "Clients"

Revision as of 08:48, 8 November 2009

On a slightly more technical level, a "client" is a program on your computer that is used to access information on another computer, called a server. Your web browser acts as a client, acquiring information from the servers hosting web sites. In this case, the UO client accesses information on UO's servers, called shards.

New UO players must download one of the current clients and install it on their computer. They must then run UO which will automatically check to see if it is the latest version and download Client Patches if necessary to update itself to the latest version. Sometimes, this initial patching can take a considerable amount of time, even on broadband connections.

Current Clients

These game clients are currently supported and frequently updated. They can be used to connect to official Ultima Online game servers. Both of UO's current clients also used the isometric perspective. Most other games similar to UO use a perspective that's closer to "first person."

Classic Client

The original and most popular game client. It has very low minimum specs and is highly optimized after over a decade of continual improvement. Unlike many similar games, UO's client used an "isometric" perspective, which basically seems to mean overhead, with a tilted camera. This was about the same perspective used by many of the Ultima single-player games upon which UO was based. It is still the most popular client to use playing UO and especially so among veteran players.

Latest Version: 7.0.2.2 - November 2, 2009

See: List of Classic Client Patches

Enhanced Client

The current 3D-ish client, the Enhanced Client was developed from some of the underpinnings of the Kingdom Reborn Client but was purportedly highly optimized based on performance and player feedback. It was initially called the Stygian Abyss Client to coincide with the release of the Stygian Abyss expansion but as development of the two projects fell out of synch, it was increasingly often referred to as the Enhanced Client. While in a high state of stability and much better performing than the Kingdom Reborn client, it is still under active development but does enjoy a modest adoption rate, especially among new players.

Latest Version: 4.0.2.1 - November 2, 2009

See: List of Enhanced Client Patches

Discontinued Clients

These game clients have been retired and can no longer be used to connect to official Ultima Online game servers.

Third Dawn Client

Introduced with the Third Dawn expansion, the Third Dawn client was created with 3D technology but kept the isometric perspective. It was the first attempt to replace the 2D client and initially, for a time, only players using this client could enter Ilshenar.

The Third Dawn client never caught on and was discontinued when the Kingdom Reborn(or "KR") client was released.

Final Version: 5.0.9.1 - March 28, 2007

See: List of Third Dawn Client Patches

Kingdom Reborn Client

The graphical base was, more or less, 3D-ish. The user interface was very different from either the original 2D client or the Third Dawn client, and was closer to more modern online games.

EA once stated that the original 2D client could be phased out if 80% to 90% of the player base was consistently logging on using the Kingdom Reborn ("KR") client alone but adoption was never widespread and it was discontinued in favor the Enhanced Client(also called Stygian Abyss(or "SA") client.

Final Version: 2.59.0.2 - July 14, 2009

See: List of Kingdom Reborn Client Patches

Downloads

EA Official UO Clients Download Page

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 On a slightly more technical level, a "client" is a program on your computer that is used to access information on another computer, called a server.  Your web browser acts as a client, acquiring information from the servers hosting web sites.  In this case, the UO client accesses information on UO's servers, called [[shard]]s.
-==2D Client==
+New UO players must download one of the current clients and install it on their computer. They must then run UO which will automatically check to see if it is the latest version and download [[Client Patches]] if necessary to update itself to the latest version. Sometimes, this initial patching can take a considerable amount of time, even on broadband connections.
-The original and most popular game client.  It has very low minimum specs.  Unlike many similar games, UO's client used an "isometric" perspective, which basically seems to mean overhead, with a tilted camera.  This was about the same perspective used by many of the Ultima single-player games upon which UO was based.
-Both of UO's more "updated" clients also used the isometric perspective.
+==Current Clients==
+These game clients are currently supported and frequently updated. They can be used to connect to official Ultima Online game servers. Both of UO's current clients also used the isometric perspective. Most other games similar to UO use a perspective that's closer to "first person."
-Most other games similar to UO use a perspective that's closer to "first person."
+===Classic Client===
+The original and most popular game client. It has very low minimum specs and is highly optimized after over a decade of continual improvement.  Unlike many similar games, UO's client used an "isometric" perspective, which basically seems to mean overhead, with a tilted camera.  This was about the same perspective used by many of the Ultima single-player games upon which UO was based. It is still the most popular client to use playing UO and especially so among veteran players.
-==Kingdom Reborn==
+'''Latest Version:''' [[Client Patch 7.0.2.2|7.0.2.2]] - November 2, 2009
-This client is currently active.  The graphical base is, more or less, 3d-ish.  The user interface is very different from either the original 2d client or the Third Dawn client, and is closer to more modern online games.
-EA has stated that the old 2d client could be phased out if 80% to 90% of the player base was consistently logging on using the Kingdom Reborn ("KR") client alone.  However, there is no evidence that his is going to happen anytime soon.
+''See: [[List of Classic Client Patches]]''
-==3D Client==
+===Enhanced Client===
-Introduced with the [[Third Dawn]] expansion, it was created with 3D technology but kept the isometric perspective.
+The current 3D-ish client, the Enhanced Client was developed from some of the underpinnings of the Kingdom Reborn Client but was purportedly highly optimized based on performance and player feedback. It was initially called the Stygian Abyss Client to coincide with the release of the [[Stygian Abyss]] expansion but as development of the two projects fell out of synch, it was increasingly often referred to as the Enhanced Client. While in a high state of stability and much better performing than the Kingdom Reborn client, it is still under active development but does enjoy a modest adoption rate, especially among new players.
-The 3d client never caught on popularly, and has been discontinued.
+'''Latest Version:''' [[Client Patch 4.0.2.1|4.0.2.1]] - November 2, 2009
+''See: [[List of Enhanced Client Patches]]''
+==Discontinued Clients==
+These game clients have been retired and can no longer be used to connect to official Ultima Online game servers.
+===Third Dawn Client===
+Introduced with the [[Third Dawn]] expansion, the Third Dawn client was created with 3D technology but kept the isometric perspective. It was the first attempt to replace the 2D client and initially, for a time, only players using this client could enter [[Ilshenar]].
+The Third Dawn client never caught on and was discontinued when the Kingdom Reborn(or "KR") client was released.
+'''Final Version:''' [[Client Patch 5.0.9.1|5.0.9.1]] - March 28, 2007
+''See: [[List of Third Dawn Client Patches]]''
+===Kingdom Reborn Client===
+The graphical base was, more or less, 3D-ish.  The user interface was very different from either the original 2D client or the Third Dawn client, and was closer to more modern online games.
+EA once stated that the original 2D client could be phased out if 80% to 90% of the player base was consistently logging on using the Kingdom Reborn ("KR") client alone but adoption was never widespread and it was discontinued in favor the Enhanced Client(also called Stygian Abyss(or "SA") client.
+'''Final Version:''' [[Client Patch 2.59.0.2|2.59.0.2]] - July 14, 2009
+''See: [[List of Kingdom Reborn Client Patches]]''
 ==Downloads==
-* [http://largedownloads.ea.com/pub/uo/ Official EA Client Downloads] - Direct download and fastest available
+* [http://www.uoherald.com/downloads/ EA Official UO Clients Download Page]
-* [http://www.download.com/Ultima-Online-Mondain-s-Legacy-client/3000-7541_4-10432238.html 2D Download.com Client Mirror] - Next best available
+==See Also==
+* [[Client Patches]]
+* [[Publishes]]
 [[Category:Directory]]