Ultima Online has now run three New Legacy open beta weekends thus far as Broadsword tests out its upcoming alternative server ruleset – and we say open here because you don’t actually need to be paying for your account to try it, as I proved myself. Along the way, the team has been making multiple changes to the test build, and I have to say, the latest changes are much more in line with the original game (and make me much more interested in giving it another spin than I was after the first weekend).
“In our previous Dev Diary, we talked about our plans to introduce an alternative way of experiencing New Legacy that was less focused on the main story narratives and building your character through questing, and closer to the traditional character building experience veterans of Ultima Online are familiar with,” Broadsword says. “Beta Weekend #3 will feature the first rollout of this new Divergent Path that players can follow.”
Essentially, this alternate path for the alternative ruleset (yes) pulls leveling off its New Legacy rails. Here’s how the system in last weekend’s test works:
“The starting experience after character creation has been redesigned to offer you a choice after selecting your Surname. You can still choose to follow the Narratives and experience the stories of New Legacy as they unfold, and increase your skills through narrative quests. Alternatively, you can now choose to opt out of the primary narrative lines. You will take an accelerated path to receive basic skills and be sent into the world to make your own way. You will still be governed by the underlying systems that make up the New Legacy experience; however, you will be increasing your skills through using them in combat instead of questing.”
In other words, it’s a lot more like the original game, but still on the New Legacy server, and yet the on-rails experience is also there for people who want more guidance.
Broadsword has also said it’s working on housing areas, housing density, the tracking skill, mining bugs, and more. We’re assuming a fourth beta weekend will run starting Friday if the pattern holds true.
