Ultima Online is one of the foundational MMOs that many look back fondly on, and the world that Lord British built is celebrating its 27th anniversary alongside a new beta test for its upcoming New Legacy update.
Ultima Online's 27th anniversary is monumental in a genre where games can die within a year of launch. The fact that the team is still gearing up for a 28th year of live development is a testament to both the developers and the fanbase that keeps Britannia alive.
Via the official website:
"For nearly three decades players from all over the world have come together to experience the magic that is Ultima Online. From humble beginnings in 1997 the persistent world of Britannia would become a place where stories were told, friendships were forged, and legends were made! As we look to the 27th anniversary of the launch of Ultima Online, this iconic game moves into its 28th year of production and we are pleased to welcome everyone to build their legacy in, Ultima Online: New Legacy!"
Ultima Online: New Legacy, if you'll recall, was actually announced alongside the 23rd anniversary and is a custom ruleset shard that is designed to give players the chance to start fresh in Britannia with an emphasis on the classic UO experience. While tests have been ongoing the last eight weekends, according to developer Broadsword, the beta server will open again tomorrow for a week of final stress testing before finally being released.
"For the past eight weekends players have had a chance to try New Legacy and offer their feedback to really make this world their own. From the bottom of our hearts we thank those dedicated beta testers that have spent countless hours playing and providing feedback!
The New Legacy Beta server will once again open on September 24th, 2024 for 1 week as a final stress test before launch. This stress test will start with a clean wipe – this is your opportunity to help us identify any remaining major issues before we launch. Again – we thank everyone for their participation!"
Meanwhile, the MMO is celebrating 27 years in operation, and the team is planning a "full slate of events for Live" in what is left of the year. This includes things like the 27th Anniversary Collectibles, Pumpkin Carving, Huntmaster's Challenge, and more.
