Ultima Online Celebrates 18 Year Anniversary
The genre defining fantasy MMORPG Ultima Online celebrated its 18th birthday this weekend. Originally released on September 24, 1997, the official game servers are still up and running despite hundreds of new competitors in the online gaming industry. Based on the popular Ultima RPG series, UO took the franchise and perhaps the entire video game industry to new heights. Developed by Origin Systems, later bought by Electronic Arts and now serviced by Broadsword Entertainment, Ultima Online still has new content being delivered. A new expansion titled Time of Legends is scheduled for global release on October 8, 2015.
As a special anniversary gift for loyal players, all accounts active during August, September, or October will receive the expansion for free. While its great to see the official servers still up and running, many veterans would likely not recognize the current state of the game. Multiple expansions, graphic revisions, and complete gameplay overhauls have drastically changed all aspects of the classic MMORPG.
the current state of Ultima Online, originally released in 1997
Fans looking for a dose of nostalgia can sign up for a free trial on the official site, or check out one of the many free private servers available for Ultima Online. My personal favorite is UO: An Corp which offers a mix of classic rules with a touch of original features. As a player since Publish 4 (March 8, 2000), Ultima Online holds a special place in my heart as my first and still favorite MMORPG. The sandbox gameplay, open PvP, and player-driven economy were all features that helped make Brittania feel like a living, breathing world. Few MMORPGs since then have even tried to live up to this legacy.
Read the official announcement on the official UO site. Check out the video below for a taste of the game that started it all:
