WHY DOES OSI HAVE A COMPANION PROGRAM?
Many of our players have asked for a program that allows them to help out the brand new Ultima Online players, but without the strict scheduling commitment of the Counselor program. The Companion program fills that need. Companions will be able to play their regular characters, on their regular Shards, and still have the choice to assist new players with advice and guidance in getting started in UO.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE COMPANION PROGRAM?
The Companion program is a volunteer organization that teams experienced Ultima Online players with new player accounts. Companions play with their regular character(s), not a special Companion character. Based on his/her knowledge of the game, the experienced player then provides advice and guidance to the new player on a wide range of topics, including (but certainly not limited to):
- Tips and hints on advancing and optimizing the new player’s chosen starting skills, such as magery, lumberjacking or animal taming;
- Advice on additional skills the player may wish to acquire and advance;
- Advice on advancing in one or more of UO’s many “career tracks,” such as tailoring, scribe or bowyer;
- How to acquire gold and use it to purchase items, such as weapons, armor, reagents, food, pack horses and more;
- Help in identifying dangerous areas for new players and in locating creature and NPC spawning areas appropriate for new player “hunting;”
- Tips on using and optimizing the UO game software.
UO Players can apply for the Companion program by filling out the online application at address: http://town.uo.com/comp_app.html
The application will be reviewed for acceptance by the ArchCompanion (the person in direct day-to-day control of the Companion program) or other OSI personnel. If the application is approved, the applicant and the ArchCompanion or their assistants will make arrangements to complete the short Companion Training Course.
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES TO BECOME A COMPANION?
The prerequisites are simple:
- You must be 18 years of age or older;
- You must be a current Ultima Online player;
- You must have a clean penalty box and harassment record;
- You must attend and pass an online training course.
No, Companions choose when they are available to assist new players by activating a special software “flag.” When the flag is engaged, the game knows that the Companion is available to assist new players.
When a new player does log in, the software selects an active Companion and gives him the choice of whether or not to take the call. If he selects not to assist at that time or takes too long to decide, the software cancels and offers the call to another Companion.
ARE COMPANIONS PART OF THE COUNSELOR PROGRAM?
The Companions are a completely separate program from the Counselors, with their own hierarchy, tools and mission. However, the Companions are part of the volunteer team that incorporates the Counselors, Elders, Seers and Interest Game Masters.
DO COMPANIONS HAVE COLORED ROBES, LIKE THE COUNSELORS?
No. Companions use their regular UO characters when in the Companion program.
WHAT IS THE TRAINING COURSE ALL ABOUT? The training course is designed:
- To familiarize the Companion with the workings of the software that allows them to assist new players;
- To give them the opportunity to actually participate in the “new player quests” so they can see what the new player will go through;
- To give some guidance and training in customer service and on how to handle an assist and advice call for UO.
