Town vs City vs Village

We know that world map makes traveling easy and fast, wouldn't this make towns pointless? I don't see how a town gets more traffic compared to a village.

Why do I say that?

1)If I am living in village and I want to buy or use a service not available in a village, I will go straight to Cities. I wouldn't want to waste my time to drop by a town.

2) Village has higher housing density than a town therefore more players are actually hanging around the villages producing and buying goods.

If you look at UO today, nobody shops at any other cities except Luna. You can build your home in the most secluded location and teleport (recall) to the most popular city for your shopping and banking needs.

So the point of a townhouse is just that it supports larger house types, and that cost $1500 bucks....

 

Good questions.

1. Is the house and shop you own visible for all players in every instance?
2. Can only one player own that specific spot?
3. Is there an upkeep fee (mortgage)?
4. How many houses, shops can you own at once?
5. Can a regular house be converted to a shop?

 

I really hope devs can provide detailed information on housing to aid people to make decision for the KS campaign.

 

PvP is part of the attraction to visiting a close by town over a far away city. The longer your trek the more chance of danger.

 

Problem is people can choose who they want to play and avoid PvP entirely.

 

From what I understand the Cities will have more essential NPC services and buildings, where as a village might only have a tavern and a basic shop.

So the need to visit those buildings, combined with the large player buildings makes those places a far more likely place for players to visit.

 

Yes but why visit towns when players can go to cities when traveling is so easy.

 

Villages have service A
Towns have services A, B
Cities have services A, B, C

If you need service A, you'll go to the nearest village, town or city.
If you need service B, you'll go to the nearest town or city.
If you need service C, you'll go to the nearest city.

The interesting point is that villages will have more player run shops, so it could turn out that villages will offer more services via player run shops than cities. Unless services B/C are NPC-only (full healing, respect skill points, purchase new skill trees etc).

 

I hope the world map travel doesnt just plop you in the central city and at least makes you walk from the outskirts of the town where the suburb houses would be. Also, do you have to travel by world map?

 

I think world map is the only way to travel, not 100% sure though.

 

Have I missed something? Where has it been said that all homes will double as a shop? I think this is a bit odd. I'd prefer all players to be forced to rent an area in-game to sell their stuff.

 

From what I remember you can choose to make your lot a business or a home. I haven't heard of a home/business combo option.

 

I also like the idea that with a Duo map, is that ability (If the need arises) to create another Village/town for extra house lots!
and if the facts remain true from the previous released Videos, there could even be the chance to Partition a Village to be built for a Guild.

 

I would also like some clarification on the housing situation.

 

Also, one of the main differences between village, towns and cities will be the level of security. Villages and towns can come under seige and when it is under siege shops and homes will be unavailable to the player until the situation is reaolved. Towns will be safer than villages and cities will be very safe.

I think I saw this explained in MarkeeDragon interview. So it isn't just the number of available services, but the availability of services.