Hi
Maddog, the first thing that springs to mind is the greater diversity compared to the old servers (I had played on Livonia and Seljuq):
1. The map with the real nations that gives you that feel of being involved in history if not making it (game-wise, yes, but it still feels great). You don't just travel the map - you explore the world.
Consider 'Hey, I am in North Araby/Greece/Syria right now' as opposed to 'I am moving to valley 39'.
2. The real-life histo cities like Constantinople, Jerusalem, Naples, etc, instead of those fictitious histo cities on the other servers. When you attack one of these, it gives you a real rush
Compare 'I am sieging Tyre' with 'I am sieging Thingummybob City in valley 56'
3. Just one valley as opposed to many on the older servers. This makes it clearer and simpler. With just one look over it you get the whole picture of what's going on and where you stand.
4. Colouring. Yes, it is also present on Britannia but is much more streamlined in Outremer. You see the advance/regress of your nation - for instsance, Algeria is now coloured turquoise because the Sicilians I play for have factually conquered it.
5. The naval component. First, it is a welcome diversity. Second, you can travel much faster by see. Third, there's a hope this will evolve into proper naval warfare at some point. You won't ever get anything like this on Crusade, for example, as it is because there are no seas on Crusade
6. The general feel of the server: friendlier, more fun, less of the personal bullshit that blooms eternal on the old servers for all I know.
The old showdowns don't matter on Outremer. In my order, for example, there are guys from the Crusade order TLC but my order also, at one point, included Freaker (you know the guy, right?) and there was absolutely no ill-feeling between the Crusade opponents here on Outremer.
7. All the innovations and new intros first come to Outremer and then go to the old servers. So, we around here taste the cake first
That's about all I can think of right now, mate. If you have specific questions, just post them away here.
