In a soothing letter to the community, Jeff Hickman, executive producer at Mythic, says that despite the turmoil at EA, Mythic will "remain committed to providing you with the best possible gaming experiences and customer support both now and in the future."

"At Mythic, we remain committed to our games and the passionate people who play them – we're going to continue to deliver the content and service that keeps you playing," Hickman writes. "We want to assure our community that we will maintain the same high level of customer support you've come to expect and continue to improve our games with an exciting schedule of patches, live events and new content."

With cuts at Mythic rumored to be deep, we genuinely hope that the developer is supported by its publisher to remain committed to the fanbase of all three titles. And that the bleeding stops soon, lest everyone be forced to play Pet Society.

Jeff Hickman - Executive Producer's Letter [Warhammer Herald via Joystiq]

Sure, there are other good things about Ultima Online as well. It'll run on your toaster, and there isn't any of that third-person camera view you get in today's MMORPG titles that makes you feel uncomfortably semi-immersed. No, Ultimate Online is old school, and EA hopes that lapsed players are feeling a little nostalgic about old Britannia. At least nostalgic enough to take advantage of a little free game time.

"We're hoping that, as part of the Return to Britannia Campaign, former players will once again rediscover the joys of Ultima Online," said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. "UO was the first love of many MMORPG players, and it still holds a special place in their hearts after 12 glorious years. I think returning players will be pleasantly surprised to find a thriving and vibrant community from around the world ready to welcome back their former compatriots and include them in their ongoing adventures."

Returning players will have access to all expansions through Mondain's Legacy, so they'll be able to create elves and hunt for mailboxes to dance naked near. Those wanting a taste of the new Gargoyle race recently introduced in the Stygian Abyss expansion are welcome to pay for it.

Visit the game's official site to hop back onboard. The free play time runs from now until October 16th.

Ultima Online channels the classic first-person dungeon crawler Ultima Underworld on September 8th, with the Stygian Abyss expansion adding in the game's largest dungeon to date. They've filled it with imposing bosses like the Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, and have even included PVP areas within for those who prefer killing each other at every turn. The expansion also introduces a playable Gargoyle race, with their homeland of Ter Mur just one of the many new places to explore.

"As the 12th anniversary of the storied Ultima Online franchise approaches this fall, we could not be more excited to launch UO's 8th expansion, Stygian Abyss," said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. "On September 8th UO players past and present will be able to experience all new content, including the new Gargoyle race and one of the largest dungeons in UO history."

The expansion will be available online for $29.99, or $39.99 with a month of game time. As a special added bonus, anyone who purchases the expansion before September 30th will receive a code to transform an existing character in a Gargoyle, which is sure to impress whatever ladies are still playing the ancient MMO.

I still can't believe I'm actually still writing stories about Ultima Online after so many years, but EA tenaciously holds on to the aging massively-multiplayer online role-playing game, with a brand new expansion pack due out this summer. As announced previously, The Stygian Abyss expansion adds a new playable Gargoyle race to the game, and EA is eager for fans to give it a spin.

Interested parties are urged to visit the beta sign-up page and submit an application. There are a limited number of slots available, but one imagines that interest is rather limited as well, so chances seem pretty good.

The Stygian Abyss expansion gets its name from Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss, the 1992 PC game that saw players exploring a vast dungeon in first-person view. Now that dungeon comes to Ultima Online, along with a new playable character race in the form of gargoyles. Gargoyles have long been a staple of the series, and now players will be able to take the flying stone creatures for a spin, with new skills such as imbuing, mysticism, and throwing. Oooo, throwing.

The expansion's existence was first revealed in 2007 accidentally on the Japanese Ultimate Online website, so EA's official announcement comes a bit late. Still, I suppose seeing a massively multiplayer online game soldier on after twelve years is cause enough for a press release. Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss is due out this summer.

In a lengthy rant on the f13.net forums, Jacobs tackled recent criticism of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning before going on to detail the many professional and personal attacks he feels he has suffered over his 20+ year career in the games industry.

"I've been called more obscene things, accused of being responsible for every thing that went wrong in DAoC (even when I wasn't involved in the game at all after a few years because of Imperator or WAR), blamed for the state UO is in (except that EA wanted to shut down UO when they gave it to us but I convinced them to spend more money on the game), gotten death threats (and had to call in the FBI), told that I should "shut up and die" more times than I can remember,"

Death threats? People, c'mon. It's only a flippin' game.

[f13.net - thanks, JC]

EA Celebrates 10 Years Of Ultima Online

A Decade of Groundbreaking MMO Gaming Celebrated with In-Game Activities, Special Items and "Return to Britannia" Campaign for Past Players

Redwood City, CA, September 25, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment company, today celebrated the 10th anniversary of the classic massively-multiplayer online game (MMO), Ultima OnlineTM. Launched on September 25, 1997, Ultima Online broke new ground in the multiplayer game space and ushered in the modern MMO era. Anniversary celebrations include special in-game activities and rewards, plus a new amnesty program that invites former players back to experience the major game update, Ultima Online Kingdom Reborn, for free.

"Ultima Online has thrived for 10 years and achieved the status of an MMO classic, thanks in large part to the devoted player community," said Mark Jacobs, VP and general manager, EA Mythic. "We are very excited to celebrate this special anniversary with players."

In celebration of the 10th anniversary, EA is kicking off the "Return to Brittania" campaign, an amnesty program that welcomes former players to discover the gameplay and graphics upgrades implemented in Kingdom Reborn. Past subscribers in good standing will be able to play for free through October 9, 2007 by visiting www.uo.com/kingdomreborn/gamefiles, downloading Ultima Online Kingdom Reborn and logging in using their former account name and password.

During the in-game 10th anniversary celebration, players will be able to take part in a monster hunt with special prizes including an ankh pendant necklace, map of Brittania, Ultima Online commemorative sculpture and virtue armor set. Additionally, all players will receive 10 décor tokens and a wand of fireworks in their characters' inventory.

EA MYTHIC'S ULTIMA ONLINE: KINGDOM REBORN LAUNCHES IN NORTH AMERICA

Pioneering MMORPG Receives Massive Graphic and Gameplay Update Via Free Downloadable Expansion - New 14-day Trial Available

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - August 27, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment company, today announced that Ultima Online(TM): Kingdom Reborn, the latest expansion to Ultima Online, is now available for free download at UO.com and IGN's popular game download site FilePlanet. Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn introduces a stunning graphic update, all-new user interface and updated new player experience to Ultima Online, the MMO that ushered in the modern MMO era. Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn is available for free to all players at:

UO.com
www.uoherald.com/kingdomreborn/gamefiles

FilePlanet
http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/uo

For newcomers to Ultima Online, a free 14-day trial of Kingdom Reborn is now available for download at: http://www.uoherald.com/kindomreborn/trial

With Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn, the legendary kingdom has been redrawn, reengineered and rebuilt for the next decade of players seeking an epic, fantasy MMO experience. The revamped new player content welcomes those who have never adventured through the celebrated lands of Ultima Online. Additionally, enhanced visuals and brand-new user interface present the game in a whole new light to veteran players.

"As the tenth anniversary of Ultima Online's launch approaches, Kingdom Reborn introduces an entirely new experience while preserving the spirit of the classic MMO," said Mark Jacobs, VP and General Manager of EA Mythic. "Kingdom Reborn represents EA's ongoing commitment to MMOs and Ultima Online's dedicated and loyal community, some of whom have been playing the game since its launch almost ten years ago."

To learn more about Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn, visit www.uo.com/kingdomreborn. This game is rated "T" (Teen) by the ESRB.

###

"I think it (AI) has a lot more to offer the MMO genre than a lot people has given it credit for. The richness it offers in helping create the world and making sure that players are not the only moving part in that world is really important for the MMO category."

He certainly has a point there. I'd love to see NPC interaction move past scripted events and the old 'if faction = X then' formula into something much more dynamic. Even now, ten years after the first MMO games began popping up they aren't much more complicated than graphical MUDs.

Of course he then went on to explain how his new game, Tabula Rasa, would be addressing all of these issues, giving the whole proceeding an air of, 'look at me, I am innovating, just like I did ten years ago,' but when you get right down to it the man has every right to come off like that. The genre has been swinging from his rat tails for years now and the time for innovation is upon us. To arms!

'MMO design has not changed in a decade' - Garriott [Developmag.com]

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.

###

With the New Year just around the corner, MMO players are going to need a new calendar to monitor how many days they can safely go without sleep before succumbing to death's icy embrace. MMO Portal has exactly what they need in the form of their 2007 MMORPG calendar, featuring art from a different game every month, signed by members of their respective dev teams. It'll cost you $14.95, and 100% of all proceeds go towards the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee.

Featured games include:

• Dark Age of Camelot
  
• Dungeons & Dragons Online
  
• Eve Online
  
• EverQuest II
  
• Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising
  
• Lord of the Rings Online
  
• Star Wars Galaxies
  
• The Chronicles of SpellBorn
  
• Ultima Online
  
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
  
• Warhammer Online
  
• World of Warcraft
  

MMO Calendar 2007 [MMO Portal, via GamePolitics]

It seems that one of the MMO's that popularized the genre will continue to receive some life support, this time in the form of a totally new client. Yep, massively multiplayer online role playing game Ultima Online will see a considerable graphics overhaul and a reworked UI.

Some of the changes players can expect courtesy of producer Aaron Cohen (aka Darkscribe):

1. We are completely re-building the Ultima Online client with new graphics and a new easier-to-use interface.
2. It is an in-place upgrade. That means you will be able to keep your characters, items, houses and everything else you've earned over the past nine years.
3. We are committed to maintaining extremely low system specs. They will be higher than what UO launched with in 1997, but will still be far lower than almost any other MMORPG on the market.
4. The launch will happen in 2007.
5. There are many, many more surprises in store.

Hopefully they'll continue to address the problematic cheating and gold farming issues in UO, despite the massive hilarity both can cause. Michael McWhertor

Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn

Ultima Online just did some major housecleaning. A few weeks after the game started to use cheat detector PunkBuster, Electonic Arts announced that they have closed down 180 accounts and permanently deleted about 15 trillion gold pieces. That's a 15 with god knows how many zeros.

Raph Koster points out that using the exchange rate, pre-deletion, that's about $21 million dollars in real cash. If that doesn't have a mammoth impact on the economy of Ultima Online I don't know what will. One would think that it would cause a huge upswing in the value of gold, but it is probably too early to tell. Brian Crecente

The Money Pit [Edge Online]

These are exciting days for MMORPG fans here at EA. With the acquisition of Mythic, the UO team will be working with the creative folks who brought us Dark Age of Camelot and are hard at work on the spectacular-looking Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. I'm thrilled that the UO team and Mythic will work together to forge Britannia's future.

There is much to talk about with our new partners, and it will take some time to review and finalize our plans. Because we need to take that time, we are postponing the announcement that we were going to make this week. The in-game fiction cycle will take a break for a bit and will return soon.

Tantalizing, I just wish they were a little more specific about just what Mythic and Team UO will be forging.... a 3D Ultima MMO that won't get canned, a major make-over for Britannia, a server off-switch? Brian Crecente

Mythic Teaming With Ultima Online [Camelot Vault]

Master MMO designer and Ultima Online graduate, Raph Koster points out the emergent artificial life simulation created by a Second Life user in the non-game.

While the thing itself is very interesting (our very own Wagner James Au has a terrrific write-up over on his site), what I find even more fascinating is Koster's reaction to it.

He calls this sort of self-sufficient world, where bee's beget plants and clouds beget rain, the future of dynamic world enviroments.

Natural resources and natural shifts in them offer plausible reasons for AIs to behave differently over time. Add in users affecting abundance or scarcity, and you get systems with changing dynamics. If it doesn't spin out of control, that is. But you can curb that with balancing mechanisms.

Going to a simulation level also allows players to interact with the world and actually affect it.

In other words, developers may begin to program ecosphere's as opposed to static graphics and AI-embedded characters. Better still, Koster says based on what he's done and seen, this way would be way cheaper. Brian Crecente

Way Cool [Raph Koster]

EA also plans to give away some UO posters (autographed, if you like) and other sweet schwag. Since it s a bit of a long commute for team Kotaku, someone needs to go and take pictures and notes for us.

Ultima Online Town Hall Meeting [UO]