Gargoyles a-plenty with Ultima Online’s 8th exp-yawn-sion: Stygian Abyss

I’ll set the record straight here early that I have not tried Ultima Online Stygian Abyss, but the series fell out of my favor years ago, after having been an avid UO’er for nearly 6 years. However, today marks a historic moment for EA and Ultima Online as one of the longest running MMOs in a genre thick with new titles. The sheer fact that UO has been around for 12 years and is still kicking is a feat in and of itself. This is the 8th expansion for Ultima Online, far from the world of Lord British and Lord Blackthorne in the good old days.

I’ll aim to highlight the new features in this expansion, but I do look at them as a bit late in an ever expanding genre that has so many new features that a few gargoyles and additional bosses may be too late for gaining a new audience. Ultima Online’s expansion, according to many players, have been the downfall of the MMO.   As new additions have brought in features such as Candy Land aka Trammel, as well as Samurais and Kirin dragons (Not sure what the hell this has to do with Ultima lore).

Updates coming with the expansion:

• A new playable Gargoyle race
• New areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online.
• New boss monsters of unparalleled difficulty, including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon
• Increased Player vs. Player zones where adventurers are turned against one another.

Adding the expansion requires the original version of the game, which both will be available from EA on their site for digital download for a decent price of $29.99 for the expasion for former or existing account and $39.99 for the full version of the game with the expasion and 1 month of free playtime.

I really hope EA got it right with this expansion and the current and new subscribers are able to feel life breathed back into a once great game. Hell, co-editor Justin and I once held the title of 2v2 champions, so you can understand my fear of a gargoyle expansion sullying the name of the once great MMO. As for me, I’m going to go hang out with my life size Lord British doll and check out the newer MMOs for now.

EA Unleashes the Gargoyles with the Release of Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss

FAIRFAX, Va.--Mythic Entertainment™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) studio, today released Ultima Online™: Stygian Abyss™, the 8^th expansion to one of the longest-running MMORPGs in the genre’s history. Stygian Abyss is available exclusively via digital download from UOGameCodes.com and EA Store™.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Players will also find expansive new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online. This sprawling dungeon contains new boss monsters of unparalleled difficulty, including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, as well as Player vs. Player zones where adventurers are turned against one another.

“We could not be more proud to release Stygian Abyss as the 8^th expansion of the storied Ultima Online franchise,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “As the 12 year anniversary of Ultima Online approaches, we are thrilled to offer a brand new Ultima adventure, including the new Gargoyle race and the massive Stygian Abyss dungeon, to both new and existing players.”

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss will be available via UOGamesCodes.com and the EA STORE:

• Stygian Abyss Expansion: $29.99 (EXISTING & FORMER ACCOUNTS ONLY)
• Stygian Abyss Expansion & 30-Day game-time: $39.99 (NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY)

Additionally, consumers who purchase Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss from September 8^th – 29^th will receive a multi-use Alteration Token to transform current characters into Gargoyles, an exclusive gargoyle craftable pet, and decorative Stygian Abyss mob boss statues.*

Last month Mythic announced that Ultima Online™: Mondain’s Legacy, the 7^th expansion of UO which introduced the playable Elven race and several expansive dungeons, is now available at no charge to existing subscribers, and to new players as part of the Ultima Online 14-day free trial.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available via digital distribution only. To download Ultima Online at no charge or to find out more information about Ultima Online and the addtions from Mondain’s Legacy and Stygian Abyss, please visit: http://www.uo.com or http://www.uoherald.com/stygianabyss.

*Offer expires September 29th, 2009. Good only for new purchases of ULTIMA ONLINE™: STYGIAN ABYSS™. Valid only at the EA STORE at www.eastore.ea.com and at participating online retailers. Limit one offer per purchase. Customers will be emailed the code with the email notification of product release. Download code expires December 31, 2010 days. Valid only in U.S. Offer may not be substituted, exchanged, sold or redeemed for cash or other goods or services. May not be combined with any other offer, gift card, rebate or discount coupon. Retailers, distributors and employees of Electronic Arts Inc. and their agencies/affiliates are not eligible. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

About Ultima Online

Released in September 1997, Ultima Online is one of the longest-running games in MMORPG history. The first widely successful graphical online role-playing game, Ultima Online has thrived for over a decade, with armies of devoted followers around the world. Fans of the game continue to experience an epic storyline set in an ever-growing world of magic and fantasy. Ultima Online has spawned seven expansions and dozens of content updates, making it one of the deepest, largest MMORPGs ever created.

Got a news tip? Send it to press@mmomfg.com and we'll shower you with love!