UO – MMO Fallout

Fifteen is a big number for any video game to still receive regular support and updates, but Ultima Online has been trucking along since its launch in September 1997. Actually these days it seems like five is a high number for many MMOs to still receive regular updates. Still, the fact that Ultima Online is still alive and kicking says a lot about the development team behind it, and what better way to celebrate than to invite everyone back for a month?

For fifteen years Britannia has been a world of arcane arts and cold steel, a world where the Apprentice can become Legendary, a world where Warriors become Champions. Throughout its rich past Britannia has been a place where histories have unfolded, where new friends have become family, and where each new adventure can lead to great fortune.

Through the month of September, old players are welcome to come back. Simply log into your account and start playing.

Important: The Return to Britannia event does not begin until September 5th. I’m not sure why this isn’t announced on the news page, but it was confirmed elsewhere.

(Source: UO Herald)

It’s easy to forget sometimes that Ultima Online is still with us. After all, the game enjoys a healthy but quiet community, and the idea that Ultima Online 2 could be a reality was mostly given up on some time ago. Still, the reveal of Ultima Forever, the remake of Ultima 4 as a free to play game, has some fans worried about the future of the ancient MMO they love. In order to quell these thoughts, Jeff Skalski has posted a Letter From The Producer on the Ultima Herald. In the letter, he assures players that Ultima Online will remain stead in its tracks, and that neither Ultima Online or Ultima Forever have had an affect on the development of each other.

Finally, Skalski made a point of Ultima Online 2:

Lastly, for those interested in seeing a UO2. No surprise announcements on that today, but what I will say by everyone continuing to support UO and Ultima Forever this is the kind of ammunition I need to convince the high level execs that the market is ready for more Ultima.

So fans of the much anticipated and oft-cancelled sequel can take solace in knowing that they aren’t they only ones who would like to see the franchise continue. If you want to see an Ultima Online 2, I suggest making your desires known to the executives at Electronic Arts.

(Source: Ultima Online)