Ultima Online gets reborn

EA has announced Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn, a new upgrade promising to give the game a complete makeover.

Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn will give the aging game a much need overhaul, with the game's graphics and user interface the primary areas being given attention. The all-new graphics engine, whilst maintaining the game's original perspective, fully supports 3D-accellorated special effects and the Ultima team is hard at work re-drawing over 9000 pieces of art - used to rebuild the game world with a vibrant new look. What's more, the nine years of content that has been delivered to Ultima Online will be compatible with the new enhancements.

"It's been nine years since Ultima Online first proved that online games could be very popular," said EA Mythic General Manager, Mark Jacobs. "And now, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the UO team and the support of the players over the years, a new day is dawning for this groundbreaking game."

Kingdon Reborn is also a fully featured expansion, so, together with the visual upgrade, players will get a host of new content, including a new playable race. Further details regarding the expansion will be released later in the year, with the title's release set for some time in 2007. The expansion is a joint project from EA Mythic and the Ultima Online team.