This message from Darkscribe, producer of Ultima Online, reveals some of his plans for the definitive MMORPG as it approaches its tenth anniversary. The big news is that the UO client is going to be completely rebuilt with a new interface and improved graphics, bringing the game more in line with what modern gamers have come to expect.

However, Darkscribe has promised that this will not damage UO's reputation for low system requirements:


Aside from a guarantee that players will retain all ingame housing and items, and that there are "more surprises in store", no other details are given about the exact nature of the upgrade nor any new features which may be introduced. This is not the first time that UO players have been treated to a graphics upgrade, as the 2001 expansion "Third Dawn" included an optional 3D client, but it is sad news indeed for players who can't afford to upgrade beyond their 200 MHz Pentium.