Ultima Online developer dispels rumors, introduces new features for the year

In an open letter by producer Bonnie Armstrong on Ultima Online's official site, developer Mythic Entertainment worked to dispel rumors amongst the community that "the sky is falling" in its massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

"We still have a team that is dedicated to UO and is excited about what is to come," Armstrong's letter reads."The Event moderator program is here and still going strong."

The letter reinforced its promise by introducing future plans for the coming year. The developer plans to add a plethora of new features to the game, such as a new theme pack called "The Kings Collection," new story arc, reworked fishing and pirate loot and opening the minimum in-game age for Vet Rewards so anyone can use it.

It also plans to add a vendor search functionality and fix bugs, for instance remedying one to allow co-owners of a house to teleport as intended.

Ultima Online first launched on Sept. 24, 1997. It celebrated its 15th anniversary last September by overthrowing its in-game king and reinstating a new one.