The new Legacy server of Ultima Online has a release date! Fans of the 27-year-old MMORPG classic can expect more than just a nostalgic journey to the original Britannia.
When will the Legacy server of Ultima Online launch (Update from October 7, 2024)? On the official website, the developers at Broadsword announced that Ultima Online: New Legacy will go live on October 15, 2024 (via uo.com). What lies behind the classic yet improved gaming experience of Ultima Online is explained in the following original announcement.
Original announcement from August 5, 2024: Four years ago, the Broadsword developers had already announced their intention to provide a kind of Classic Realm for the father of MMORPGs (Meridian 59 was earlier, but Richard Garriott defined the term MMORPG with UO).
Only recently, during the past weekends, did the first beta tests take place (via uo.com). According to the official newsletter (via mailchi.mp), the final launch is supposed to take place in time for the 27th anniversary, likely sometime in September 2024.
Here you can watch the new gameplay trailer for the Legacy server of Ultima Online:
Ultima Online: Classic Plus
What is included in the Legacy server of Ultima Online? The fundamental promise behind the Legacy project is to let you experience the core roots of the MMORPG with a new server shard, but with certain extras – similar to a “Classic Plus” for World of Warcraft.
- You can expect the original map of Britannia as well as the core RPG experience of Classic UO. However, the Legacy version is not intended to be a 1:1 replica of a classic server of Ultima Online from year X.
- On the contrary, the developers are adapting various core gameplay systems. On one hand, they want to improve things that didn’t work well in hindsight with today’s knowledge. On the other hand, they are no longer limited by the technical constraints of 1997, which means they don’t have to adhere to various limitations from back then.
- Specifically, the developers want to make areas such as the game world, skill and equipment progression, resource gathering, item crafting, PvP, and social interaction more intuitive and engaging.
- The new Legacy server relies on seasons, each of which is to be concluded with a cataclysmic event. After that, the next opportunity to build a legacy in Britannia will begin.
- In order to play on a Legacy server, interested parties need an Endless Journey account or an active subscription.
Trend towards Classic Servers: Ultima Online is not the only MMORPG trying to attract old and new fans with a nostalgic server experience. Old School RuneScape has been doing this since 2013. With WoW Classic, Blizzard has also celebrated great success in this area for almost five years now, and two legendary worlds for Lord of the Rings Online have just gone live again.
