Ultima Online delays New Legacy into 2023, hosts in-game faire to celebrate 25th anniversary

September 20, 2022 12:30 PM

At the top of 2022, MMO studio Broadsword was still on track to launch Ultima Online’s New Legacy by the end of the year. Unfortunately, that release window has now been pushed off. In fact, according to the game’s latest newsletter, not even the alpha will make 2022.

“While it was our hope to have an alpha version of UO: New Legacy out this year, due to some personal matters our team members had to handle we have to push the timeline into next year,” Producer Bonnie “Mesanna” Armstrong writes.

“I know this is disappointing but we do not want to open up the shard and not have things right. Everyone wants you guys to enjoy what we are creating but we have to be proud of it before we can do this. […] The team is still working hard and is committed to delivering on the vision we shared with you all with Ultima Online: New Legacy. With work on the primary underlying game systems coming to a close we are focusing on delivering an engaging narrative through objective driven content as you explore the expanse of your New Legacy.”

As we’ve been covering, New Legacy is essentially an alternate ruleset server announced back in 2020; it reimagines the Ultima Online experience for new players with simplified but immersive mechanics and systems, organized in seasons that eventually push players to the core servers.

In the meantime, the show must go on, and by show I mean the game’s 25th anniversary, which is this weekend. Yes, you’re old. The studio is celebrating with an in-game faire that runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT on September 24th on the Origin shard, with gifts for those who attend. Events appear to include everything from horse races and kissing booths to a costume contest and a drunken singing competition.