This week’s Massive Update is actually two because … sniff … I missed a week. :(

I was too sick to do it last Wed/Thurs, and as a result this week’s is two ginormous weeks of MMOG news wrapped up in one package. It was so much I had to skimp on the big story, which was … UO’s decade. (duh)

The Big Story.
There were numerous important and interesting stories in the Massive genre in the past two weeks, but how often does a Massively Multiplayer game reach its decade anniversary? Ultima Online has reached its ten year mark, and while there haven’t been a lot of parties, there is a lot to celebrate. Until October 9, if you once subscribed to UO, you can download the new graphics client and revisit the world.

“In what EA is referring to as the ‘Return to Brittania’ campaign, past Ultima Online subscribers can download the game files on the Kingdom Reborn website through October 9. Kingdom Reborn offered a major graphics upgrade for the ancient game along with some gameplay tweaks and new areas to explore. Returning and current players alike will be able to hunt the realms of Brittania for some cool, unique prizes during the celebration weeks. New armor sets, commemorative items such as an Ankh Necklace and map of Brittania, and weapons from the game’s past will all be available within the game. Check out UO’s special tenth anniversary website for more info on all the festivities.”

Lots of players have fond rememberences of the game, with especially nice words from Ryan Shwayder and Stephen Emond. Aleks Krotoski notes that, of course, UO isn’t the longest running online game.

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