Ultima Online Ask & Answer Q&A #11-12

For the eleventh and twelfth "Ask & Answer" feature on the Ultima Online website, we are treated to information regarding the team's plans for future loot drops, race additions, loyalty rewards, and more. A handful of questions and their answers:
I roleplay as an orc on Europa (Xug'Klerg) and he wants to know if he will ever fully become an orc? We would both like this...(Velvathos)

Kyronix: Adding additional playable races is an extraordinary task that requires a lot of development time due to the far reaching impact of such an addition. Consider how different gargoyles are than humans/elves and how they have their own equipment, skills, etc. So to do it right would take a great effort that may not benefit the entire player base as effectively as focusing elsewhere. There are currently a number of ways that players can roleplay other races (Which I'm sure you are already utilizing) so enhancing that ability would be more feasible than a full blown additional playable race.

...

Can you tell me how iron beetles are supposed to work? I thought they mined ore but when I bring mine out, it does not mine or do anything really. I've stood alongside mountains, inside caves (Where you can mine the floor), and still, it does nothing. The owner is a GM Miner. (Thumper)

Misk: The Iron Beetles likes to dig up and eat ore so it tries to mine when it is in an appropriate area. They will attempt to mine in the immediate area at random intervals (maximum of 5 minutes). Sometimes they don't like the taste of the ore that they dig up and simply leave it on the ground instead of consuming it. When the beetle eats ore, its body hue changes to the ore color that it has eaten. The Iron Beetle can only mine near valid mining tiles and the mining skill of the owner does not affect the types of ore that the beetle will dig up.

...

Gargoyles are still unable to use Dartboards. (not a huge issue i know), but a bigger issue is the Gargoyles inability to use +mining gloves. like the Ringmail with +5 bonus. any help on these would be appreciated.(Victim of Siege) Could we get an option to alter Mining Gloves for a Gargoyle? Gargoyles have become the crafter of choice with imbuing and reforging and since you need over 100 mining skill to max out salvaging...the mining gloves are somewhat necessray. (swroberts) Blacksmith gloves of mining don't work on mr gargoyle, any chance, down the road, we can alter these in some way??Thnx(Bullseye_of_Atl)

Due to the fact the humans and elf's have racial bonuses, we do not see any reason that Gargoyles should not have a racial bonus also. We are going to give the gargoyles a mining racial bonus.

...

I have a small stone keep. I'd like to lock my items down in my courtyard. Please make a special door which allows players to access its courtyard. I would purchase the door even if it was sold at Origin store.(Nickname:rararin)

A keep is a bit different than the castle, the (courtyards are not accessible it would require us putting in teleporters in and out of those small areas. Can it be done yes it can. We will review this for a future publish.