2010-06-08 Newsletter
Contents
Ultima Online Newsletter: Number One (June 8, 2010)
The Summer of Good and Evil...
Calvin Crowner - Producer
The summer of Good and Evil … It’s been more than your typical summer for Ultima Online. One year after the release of the 8th Expansion, Stygian Abyss we have not stopped working to grow and evolve the longest continually running massively multiplayer online game in history. We are 13 years and counting, with new as well as former players returning daily.
Call to Arms for New and Former Players
We know that as long as UO has been around, there’s hardly been an update to what we offer new players entering the game … Well; we’ve decided to give new players a leg up.
Players creating new (non trial) accounts will receive a New Player Token giving them access to 20,000 gold; a premium armor set; weapons; and increased skill gain for all venturing party members.
For former players we’ve updated the templates for the Advanced Character tokens that make them a bit more appealing. And as incentive to invite someone new to Ultima Online and bring forth a new pack of “UOphiles” – current players who journey with new players will also receive escalated skill advancement.
Expansion Price Drop
Given our recent history for expanding the game we announce the price drop of the recent expansion: Stygian Abyss. Upgrades will be $19.99 and new users will be able to buy the expansion plus 30 days of gametime for $29.99 USD
Live Events and the Enhanced Client
One of the long lost aspects of UO, Event Moderators, have returned to help lead in game events and drive the live story arc. This spring we began a journey exploring “How good are you when it’s so easy to be evil?” We are re-introducing some characters from both Ultima’s and Ultima Online’s past, and pressing toward re-creating the former majesty of the town Magincia.
As we move forward toward improving the game you love, we’ve also made an effort to improve how you play it. Ultima Online has made some extensive changes and updates to the Enhanced Client, while continuing to support the Classic Client that a majority of our subscribers still use … sometimes you can’t kick that “retro” feel. It’s also important to know that simply downloading the client allows you to play all content through Mondain’s Legacy for the price of the normal monthly subscription.
Arenas Come to UO
In addition, I’d like to mention that we are continuing to invest time in the PvP experience that many players have missed over the years. This summer we are introducing “Arenas” to Ultima Online. Players will have the option of going 1v1 for glory in consensual player versus player combat in one of two arenas.
This new system should be up on Test Center soon after your reading this update, if not there at this moment.
On a more serious note … for some time players have requested a method to memorialize and pay homage to their friends who have moved on from this plane. Player Memorials are now a part of the Ultima Online experience, allowing the real world and virtual communities of the UO Legacy to finally merge.
A lot has happened over the last several years. We’ve been remiss in keeping you updated. I am hoping this small note bring you back to investigate the myriad of changes and journeys that are still waiting for you in Ultima Online!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE ULTIMA ONLINE SERVICE, INCLUDING TERMS OF SERVICE AND GAME AVAILABILITY CAN BE FOUND AT www.uo.com. EA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE ULTIMA ONLINE SERVICE AFTER 90 DAYS NOTICE.
