Origin Systems har netop annonceret den forestående udvikling af en ny udvidelsespakke til Ultima Online, kaldet Age of Shadows.
Med så mange nye og ikke mindst kommende MMORPG'er, kan det undre undertegnede at der er plads til alle disse aktører. Ultima Online er blandt de ældste MMORPG'ene på markedet og har en stor og dedikeret fanskare. Det vil utvivlsomt kunne holde spillet gående et stykke tid, men man må spørge sig selv om ikke det vil blive slået af kommende stortitler som bl.a. Star Wars Galaxies, når disse kommer.
Age of Shadows skal udkomme i løbet af 2003. Her er et uddrag fra pressemeddelelsen: :Age of Shadows players will be introduced to two new professions and a new realm to explore and settle. A house design tool also will be included in this latest version.
The house design tool is accessible to anyone who owns a house within the game. It enables players to build new houses from scratch or modify existing ones with new structures and textures.
Players also will have two new professions to master: a Paladin and a Necromancer. The Paladin is a warrior fortified with new powers and the Necromancer is a wielder of dark magic.
Players also will be able to utilize an enhanced magic system featuring new spells and items. Additional combat techniques and weapons will add depth to the fighting experience when facing the dozens of new monsters roaming the dark realm.