...there's interest in the subject of Unreal franchise, and UT. That doesn't mean there's specific interest in UT3, although that's irrelevant...
...about UT in general, i play Unreal (yes, the original Botmatch-powered) and UT, and that's it. UT2004 was ok, but that was just it, ok. Not going to get into wich one was better (overdiscussed), but personally i just didn't dig into UT2004 and uninstalled it. The feeling was off, floaty, and silly: while UT has (and i highly enjoy and play) a more down to earth, hard hitting gameplay, UT2004 had it tweaked silly; while UT had some wooded but man-ish player animations (mostly), UT2004 doesn't - just watch a player model sidestepping in UT, and then the silly dance they do in UT2004. This are nitpicking, but relevant (IMHO) nitpicking when it comes to convein a sense of bloodsport that for all purpose and intent (and color) was present in UT... and that the chubby player models of UT2004 definitely didn't capture. That comparison can be taken to any other details between both games.
Why all this chat? Because UT2004, while ok, wans't in the end, the new UT sequel, and most often than not, many kept with UT (i do, and proudly). Not that i wouldn't play UT2004... but why bother really? I have a better game already with UT, and for far less disk space and system specs (and no hogging static meshes, that clutter more than give beauty to maps... and i prefer minimalistic maps, mostly, any way - although i enjoy the beauty of a good looking map... DM-Semerhket in UT2004 i.e.).
In the same way, if UT3 doesn't improve over the formula, there's little reason for people to move on, especially if they're like me that enjoys botmatching, as opposed to iGib/Sniper/Zark servers that comprise the little online activity... UT came with NW, people! NW are weapons too!
So, either there's some real product capable of improving over previous iterations beyond speculation, or were back at the same as with UT-UT2004...
In my black and pink sweaty dreams, i envision a simple UT formula: UT (so called ut99), plain and simple. Trim the content that doesn't matter (i.e. 98% of the stock maps=trash, make some actual playing maps with good looks. Not that hard, i have been living out of absolutely excellent custom content for UT, for 5 or so years now):
- maps anew, common knowledge of game flow would help. Stuff like Agony or Pyramid are ok for 3min, not for long lasting play. And we all know how to make cube maps, if we really want 3min fun... because... were *paying*. That means that what we pay should have some actual playing quality, lest we be resumed to custom maps to actually have fun. No, really. Actual quality is needed, or you're seeling cat for rabbit.
- diverse player models, with diverse skins, and several diverse voicepacks. Really. This is your representation in the game world where you'll spend most time (playing UT - rest is either navigating menus, or playing with Ued), and yet there's either limited choice (UT), or a little more choice, but highly uninteresting and ballet-like movement (UT2004)... how would you like to be in real world and see the same people, with the same cloth, saying the same things over and over and over, for years? Or having them dancing around and double hopping like some crack-powered rabbit?
- gametypes. Pretty simple. Keep them thight and simple. This is bound to anger some but there's my choice of known gametypes i'd like in a new UT:
Dm, Tdm, CTF, AS, Mutant, Jailbreak, Rocket Arena (not exactly as known, a little tweaked). Maybe any other for kicks, but that covers a good ground already. I'm not too keen on vehicle based gametypes, not because they're not interesting, but because i've yet to play one in FPS that is actually fun. In a competitive FPS, moving yourself is part of the 'science' in winning. Vehicles, until know, erase that...
Simple huh? Just UT, in a new engine, and polished. That is what i hope for the new product... but i have zero confidence in EPIC. Pretty silly they've been neglecting Unreal franchise, since that was what give them all they have right now, and since only Unreal franchise and GOW franchise are the only worthy stuff EPIC has to play with ATM...