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The Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: The Players
Wow! The response to last week's inaugural Game Archaeologist column was phenomenal -- guess we're not the only ones who find MMO history and trips down nostalgia lane captivating stuff! Thanks to everyone who commented, sent in e-mails and (heh HEH) volunteered to be interviewed. Speaking of which, this week we move past the facts of the matter to the experiences. The Game Archaeologist scoured the globe, mostly between coffee breaks, to find some of the most passionate and learned players of Ultima Online. In the second part of our Ultima Online exploration, we injected a tiny bead of Hobi frog toxin into their systems, freeing their tongues to tell the truth and their limbs to jerk uncontrollably. Just what do Ultima old guard chat about at the club on the weekends? We extracted the full scoop from Ultima vets Adam "Ferrel" Trzonkowski, Brandon Crowe, "Professor" B.J. Keeton, Jon Craig and JD DMichael. Read on!
The Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: The History
Welcome to the first madcap adventure of The Game Archaeologist! In this column, we'll be looking back at some of the MMORPGs that may not get the spotlight these days, but deserve our respect and attention due to their place in MMO history. Together, we'll don our explorer gear, jump back in time, dust off forgotten treasures and look at the titles that helped build an online empire. Each month, we'll embark on a voyage through a particular MMO of yesteryear in a three-part series. The first part will examine the history of the game and its place in the genre, the second part will feature interviews with current and past players of the game, and the third part will witness The Game Archaeologist himself checking out the title as it stands today (if the MMO is still up and running, that is). For our first column, we'll salute one of the greatest grandfathers of the modern MMO: Ultima Online. Crack your whip and dive into the Stygian Abyss with us!
EA looking for beta testers for new Ultima Online expansion
If you're one of the devoted nation of Ultima Online players, you already know that EA are making good on their agreement to continue to develop the game, and that there is another expansion coming. What you may not know is that the developer team is currently looking for some good players - especially those with beta testing experience - to give them a hand testing the new Stygian Abyss expansion! Beta testers will have the chance to step into the claws of the new Gargoyle race and stomp around the new areas before anyone else. This expansion purportedly has 'the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online', as well as PvP zones and of course, the new Gargoyle homelands. Those who are interested in joining the beta test have to be current Ultima Online subscribers, and will be based on "computer system specs, previous testing experience, community involvement and other criteria." Signups are currently open on their site, so you'd better hurry if you're interested.
