Greetings and salutations from
Lord British and the Ultima IX design team,

     In recent months there has been much rumor and
speculation as to many of the details of Ultima IX.
Interestingly much of the public speculation hits pretty
close to our current plans.  I would like to tell you all a
little about our current design directions, explain why we
intend to go into a blackout of further information, and
make a request of you.
     First, let me tell about a small sample of our
thoughts:  Ultima IX: Ascension is the third story in the
third Ultima trilogy.  As such, it will be an epic game,
beyond any that have come before.  The main goal of Ultima
IX will be to achieve your final climactic battle with the
Guardian.  This battle will bring to a close the 7-9 trilogy
that introduced the Guardian.  Ultima IX will also bring to
a close the age of the Avatar with the Avatar's ascension,
thus resolving Ultimas 4-6.  Ultima IX will also reach back
into the First Age of Darkness,  thus concluding Ultimas 1-
3.  Ultima IX will, therefore, be an epic game fitting of
this heritage.
     Currently we intend to take Ultima IX "back to the
basics."  We intend for the feel of the game to be
reminiscent of Ultimas 4-6, with virtue taking a predominant
role.  However, the virtues and the plot of Ultima IX will
not be as strict or black and white as they were in Ultima
IV.  We intend a richly detailed, highly "usable" world
filled with items that the player can use and manipulate.
Ultima IX will feature characters that are much "smarter"
than before, and that are well aware of the "game state".
We have a strong new approach for the RPG elements that I
know you will like. Unfortunately I can't  go into the
details of these RPG elements for the same PR reasons that I
give in the paragraph below.
     On the subject of technology, we are purposefully being
secretive.  For one, it is still changing daily.
Additionally, we have decided, with much advice from our
public relations advisors, that we should be less
forthcoming with information about Ultima IX.  We wish to
"manage" the information release when we are closer to the
release of the product.  Hopefully, this will keep our
thoughts from our competitors, and maximize the impact of
our release.  What I can tell you is this:  Ultima IX:
Ascension contains all new technology. I am very confident
that the new way to view the world, the improved combat
methods, the new animation techniques, a reinvigorated role
playing system, and the rich story that we have planned will
please you.
     Now for my request.  Recently a person on CompuServe
wrote this:  "[Send Origin] a list of the eight Ultimas, and
by each name put what feature you think that Ultima had
which was good, and should be in Ultima 9. This can include
plot, usability, interface, graphics, etc...."  I love this
idea!  We'd love to hear you feature analysis of each
Ultima.  Be brief, but now is the time!  If you would be
willing to pass along your thoughts, we/I would be most
grateful.  In particular we would like to know about
features, not story.  Brian Martin, the design coordinator
on Ultima IX, is volunteering, (as I write this), to collect
your thoughts.  He can be E-mailed via the Internet at:
"www@origin.ea.com".
     In conclusion, the entire Ultima IX team and I would
like to thank you all for your continued interest and
support.  We are all working very hard to make sure Ultima
IX is the very best game it can be.  Hopefully, you will
agree with us somewhere in the fall/winter of 1996.

  -- Richard (Lord British) Garriott --
& The Ultima IX development team