[ffcmike]

I fully understand how the removal of UDP would ease the streamlining of the client, I even see a scripting benefit it would provide such as with more accurately appearing damage involving triggers, where the use of UDP might make it appear inaccurate.

The problem I see in removing it is that there is alot of players that highly favour the use of it when sparring, PKing or playing events with the basic sword combat etc.
I have experienced seemingly real time spars when myself and a geographically nearby opponent have both used UDP, it's even improved the quality of sparring when facing somebody a long distance away that would usually have very unpredictable lag.

When you consider that it is community based content such as spars and events that keeps the majority of players occupied (and this is coming from somebody who highly stresses the importance of solid content), a change like this could possibly do more damage than good.