I think it's absolutely hysterical, to be honest, that UO's reached such a low point in its subscriber base that the current "producer" of Ultima Online is considering putting to rest one way or another the debate over a "Classic Shard." A debate which every previous development team has laid to rest ad nauseum.
The fact that there is consideration of a "Classic Shard" is proof positive that the subscriber numbers are nearing the dangerously low level -- because now Mythic will try anything to get new subscribers.
And it might work.
For about six months.
And then all of those players who come back who had been pining for a "Classic Shard" will remember all of the reasons that the game progressed beyond a "Classic Shard," and will be bored all over again.
By the way... it's bad enough that you are having to support two rulesets... considering a "Classic Shard" while the Siege Perilous ruleset has basically been back-burnered is basically a slap in the face to dedicated, CURRENTLY PAYING customers. It's not often you're going to see me waving pom-poms for Siege Perilous, but seriously, why in god's name would we trust you to effectively support a THIRD ruleset when you cannot effectively support a SECOND ruleset?
I have to say... I'm not impressed with what I'm hearing. I'm not impressed with how long it's taking to complete the SA product (which has been out for several months now). There are still areas in the game you can't even get to. I'm not impressed with it taking THREE YEARS to do something with Magincia (I mean, come on, REALLY?). And I'm not impressed that we're going on YEARS AND YEARS of development on a replacement client that STILL fails to be a "draw" to Ultima Online.
The release of Draconi, which I'm certain in no short order affected the departure of Sakkarah, and many of the other "decisions" that have been made with regard to Ultima Online simply cement the well-known industry fact that EA continues to make money off of Ultima Online completely and totally in spite of its efforts to the contrary.