UO.com has been updated with this week’s Five on Friday from August 25, 2006 - questions and answers for and from the UO Development Team.

1. Can you tell us more about the 9th Anniversary box?

Darkscribe: Just a bit. It will contain Mondain’s Legacy, cost $19.99, and even though it ships in late October, you probably won’t see it on shelves until early in November. And there is a very special surprise early buy anniversary gift, and it doesn’t involve the word “soul” or “stone.”
(more…)

A major gaming site, FiringSquad, has an interview with EA Mythic’s Mark Jacobs about Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn. Not to long ago, major gaming sites/publications showing an interest in UO was fairly rare. It seems things are picking up. It sounds like UO is falling under EA Mythic umbrella, with the UO dev team remaining in place (and staying where they are at and not moving to Mythic’s current studios).

Quote:

FiringSquad:Finally, why do a revamp of UO at all when the team could work on a full sequel to the game which might have better graphical features and more content than the original?
(more…)

Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn got a mention at Gamasutra, Britannia Reborn With Ultima Online Revamp.

Following recent news that the existing Ultima Online team would begin working with Electronic Arts’ newly acquired studio Mythic (Dark Age of Camelot) in order to “forge Britannia’s future,” EA today announced a significant upgrade to its long running MMO.

Tentatively titled Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn, the upgrade is described by EA as “a complete make-over,” and will feature a new graphics engine, new user interface, and new content on top of nine years of existing content which will be further enhanced as well. In addition, Kingdom Reborn will add a new playable race, though no other specific information was released at this time.

I mention this, not because of the angle that UO is starting to get more positive press coverage (although there is that), but I would like to say that I don’t think the acquisition of Mythic had anything to do with UO: Kingdom Reborn. The screenshots - one shows a few months old, which when you look at the timeframe, there is not enough time for Mythic/EA to have whipped up a brand new client for UO. As we have stated in the past, we believed that the signs were pointing to a new client, even before the Mythic acquisition.

I think that what you are seeing instead, is a culmination of a new direction that EA is taking - a revamp of UO, the acquisition of Mythic, etc., and it just so happens that some things are close together date wise. Unfortunately, those who aren’t closely following UO may not see it that way - they see “new client, Mythic just acquired, hmmm, must be Mythic’s doing”.

In a thread at Stratics (since locked unfortunately), many players asked that the various neon colors not be carried over to the new client/artwork.

Wilki’s Response?

That decision was a no-brainer and was made a looooong, looooong time ago.

Like we said, we’re Ultima fans

Later on, Wilki mentioned they might bring back the Silver Steed. Another Dev, Silvani I believe, mentioned that they were looking forward to the new unicorns, in another thread.

The August 18, 2006 Five on Friday questions at UO.com. News (or not) about the New Client being developed, as well as the ongoing scenario, and the winners of the Personal Attendants.

1. Can you tell us more about the new client?

Darkscribe: I’d love to answer every question right now, but for now I have to say, “We’ll answer you soon.” By the end of this year, I doubt there will be a question left unanswered. And there will be a full announcement with many more details in the near future.

Meanwhile, if you haven’t seen it, you can check out the teaser site here, and my note about it here.

And don’t think that the in-game fiction cycle has ended. More in-game surprises are in store as well.

2. What’s going to happen to Inu now?

Wilki: Well, I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.

Hint: This isn’t the last you’ll see of Inu the Crone!

3. Will there be any use(s) for the items we are collecting now from the ophidian invasion like the green journals and the snake skins?

Draconi: Definitely! Some may be more useful than others, though.

4. Whats with the angry Fire blocking the way to the star room area in the keep?

Draconi: Somehow the Ophidians have managed to seal off the Terathan lair, trapping the bulk of their forces inside. A few brave scouts managed to make their way down there, and have reported the following.

* The flames are deadly to any living thing, and any attempt to simply run through them will be met with a rather unpleasant death.
* The flames are magical in nature, and we’ve asked some of the Grandmasters from Moonglow to investigate their properties. This is proving difficult, however, as the Ophidian forces have been nearly overwhelming.
* The Terathans seem to be trapped on the other side. Our scouts have heard agonizing and otherworldly screams echoing across the sharp snaps of the flames… but can only guess what horrors have been unleashed upon them.

5. Can you tell us who received Personal Attendents from the Pub41 test shard giveaway?
Wilki: Here are the five winners:

1. C. S.
2. Oliver B.
3. Eric Y.
4. Chad L.
5. Yuuki K.

Congratulations to all of the winners!