Winner of the Most Dangerous Place To Be A Lumberjack award nine years running, Ultima Online is quickly approaching its 10th anniversary, and EA has just launched the website for the expansion. The site details new features being added to the game, such as a streamlined, more World of Warcraftian interface, an improved new player experience, and an all new graphics engine, complete with before and after comparisons like the one above. .

I tried contacting the UO player community for comment, but they were all busy helping a friend move. Free pizza and beer, you know how that goes.

All kidding aside, you have to hand it to the UO folks for keeping the game running in the face of the much larger, more successful MMO games that have come along since 1997. Here's hoping that the expansion doesn't put too much stress on their players' 486s. Michael Fahey

Ultima OnlineTM: Kingdom Reborn Website Launches With A Look At The Stunning New Graphics Update

Every Stone, Monster, and Dungeon Rebuilt According to Original Concept Designs - Before and After Shots Available

EA Mythic today unveiled the official website for Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn, the expansion that ushers in a new decade of fantasy role-playing for the iconic MMORPG. Kingdom Reborn, scheduled for release this summer as a free download, provides players with an unprecedented graphics update, improved user interface, and renovated tutorial system aimed at imparting new players with a richer understanding of the world.

To learn more about Kingdom Reborn and see the transformation first-hand through before and after screenshots, visit: www.uo.com/kingdomreborn

Released in September 1997, Ultima Online features an epic storyline incorporating elements of magic and fantasy. With devoted followers around the world, Ultima Online has thrived for a decade. The game has spawned seven expansions and dozens of free content updates, making it one of the deepest, largest MMORPGs ever created.

Ultima and Ultima Online are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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