What Makes Ultima Online Unique
To Whom It May Concern,
There are always rumours floating around about the imminent demise of any MMO. They usually start before the game's beta, and don't let up until the plug truly is pulled on the game. I have no reason to believe the plug is about to be pulled on our beloved UO, but I thought now was as good a time as any to remind the executives at EA why Ultima Online is more than just another MMO - why it actually matters to it's clients specifically, and gamers and the the gaming universe in general.
1. Ultima Online holds a unique place in the history of Western gaming culture. It was the first true Western MMO, and one of the first MMO's in the world. There were one or two Korean (I believe) MMO's that predated Ultima Online, but for gamers in the Western world, Ultima Online holds a historically significant place, and it has gone on to be the longest running MMO, and as far as I know, one of the most financially successful in the history of the genre. It was a pioneering product, and as such holds a place of honour in the history of MMO gaming, and computer gaming as well.
2. Ultima Online itself, as a game and a gaming product, is utterly unique. There simply isn't anything else like it out there. There is no other MMO that appeals to such a diverse client base. From grandmothers, to testosterone charged teenagers, Ultima Online truly offers a unique gaming experience for all ages and playstyles, in a way that no other MMO that I am aware of has ever matched. From it's isometric perspective, to the existence of a true 2D graphical client, to pvp that is timing based, and tactically and strategically challenging in a way that no other MMO that I am aware of can match, it truly is unique.
3. Because of it's low graphical processing demands, the 2D client is uniquely suited to being developed for mobile devices in a way that no other major commercial MMO that I am aware of is. The potential audience for Ultima Online in the mobile market is huge, and this is something that the development team, and EA itself, should take very very seriously. There are lots of games out there for mobile devices, and more are being developed and released every day, but there are very few that can match Ultima Online's level of immersion, or it's broad appeal.
Lastly, I would request, if the time ever does come for the plug to be pulled on our grand old game, that EA would put gamers first, and show gamers and the world of gaming the degree of respect that, as a major gaming publisher, should be a part of it's corporate culture. I would respectfully and humbly request that EA would consider turning over the source code for the clients and the server, and the perhaps even the databases for the shards, to the Open Source community, along with the intellectual property rights for Ultima Online (not for the entire Ultima franchise, just for Ultima Online itself).
To Whom It May Concern,
There are always rumours floating around about the imminent demise of any MMO. They usually start before the game's beta, and don't let up until the plug truly is pulled on the game. I have no reason to believe the plug is about to be pulled on our beloved UO, but I thought now was as good a time as any to remind the executives at EA why Ultima Online is more than just another MMO - why it actually matters to it's clients specifically, and gamers and the the gaming universe in general.
1. Ultima Online holds a unique place in the history of Western gaming culture. It was the first true Western MMO, and one of the first MMO's in the world. There were one or two Korean (I believe) MMO's that predated Ultima Online, but for gamers in the Western world, Ultima Online holds a historically significant place, and it has gone on to be the longest running MMO, and as far as I know, one of the most financially successful in the history of the genre. It was a pioneering product, and as such holds a place of honour in the history of MMO gaming, and computer gaming as well.
2. Ultima Online itself, as a game and a gaming product, is utterly unique. There simply isn't anything else like it out there. There is no other MMO that appeals to such a diverse client base. From grandmothers, to testosterone charged teenagers, Ultima Online truly offers a unique gaming experience for all ages and playstyles, in a way that no other MMO that I am aware of has ever matched. From it's isometric perspective, to the existence of a true 2D graphical client, to pvp that is timing based, and tactically and strategically challenging in a way that no other MMO that I am aware of can match, it truly is unique.
3. Because of it's low graphical processing demands, the 2D client is uniquely suited to being developed for mobile devices in a way that no other major commercial MMO that I am aware of is. The potential audience for Ultima Online in the mobile market is huge, and this is something that the development team, and EA itself, should take very very seriously. There are lots of games out there for mobile devices, and more are being developed and released every day, but there are very few that can match Ultima Online's level of immersion, or it's broad appeal.
Lastly, I would request, if the time ever does come for the plug to be pulled on our grand old game, that EA would put gamers first, and show gamers and the world of gaming the degree of respect that, as a major gaming publisher, should be a part of it's corporate culture. I would respectfully and humbly request that EA would consider turning over the source code for the clients and the server, and the perhaps even the databases for the shards, to the Open Source community, along with the intellectual property rights for Ultima Online (not for the entire Ultima franchise, just for Ultima Online itself).
Mythic only comes here and they wont relay the message. 
