New Ultima Online expansion in works

Electronic Arts has today confirmed that it is working on another expansion pack for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Ultima Online. Scheduled for release this fall, the currently unnamed expansion will add a number of new features to the game, including two new character professions, a vast new land to explore, and additional player-versus-player capabilities.

"We are constantly improving Ultima Online by paying attention to our players' wishes," said Anthony Castoro, producer of UO Live. "Feedback from our large international player base helped us determine priorities for this expansion, including new world content and a unified player-versus-player system."

Details on the expansion pack are scarce at present, but EA has confirmed that one of the new professions will focus on physical combat abilities, while the second concentrates on magical combat and stealth techniques. It's also been revealed that the new land will be a "mysterious Asian environment," and players will gain access to new house customization themes and decorations.

For more information on Ultima Online, which has spawned a handful of expansion packs since its release in 1997, check out our previous coverage of the game. We'll bring you more information on the expansion pack, which was announced today, as soon as it becomes available.