Redemption Fact Sheet November 2003

1.) Introduction

Ultima IX Redemption is an alternate last instalment to the Ultima series. The story is original and unconnected to Ultima Ascension or the Bob White plot for U9.
The goal of "Redemption" is to release a classic end to the trilogy of trilogies that most fans never saw in UA. It's a labour of love from long time true veterans of the series that *will* satisfy.
The team will use some of the ideas that were mentioned by Richard Garriott in the initial U9 concepts. Redemption will equal U4 in terms of the virtue system and philosophy. It will strongly resemble UV in respects to the "Shades of Grey" story and that "in hiding like Robin Hood" feeling. It will emulate that "We're at war!" feeling from U6 and surpass U7 in terms of World Interaction. Last but not least; Redemption will be a true "loose end tier" to the series.

2.) Engine

The U9 Redemption engine is an altered (enhanced) Morrowind Engine. The final game will require Morrowind, and both the expansion packs of Tribunal and Bloodmoon. The upcoming demo, however, will only require Morrowind and Tribunal.
Weapon stats, armour stats and combat stats will be adjusted to match  U4 to U6. The text of skills will be replaced by more Ultima like lables; say, "Security" to "Traps" or "Magicka" to "Mana"

3.) Story

'The opening cutscene/story will be the U8 ending entwined together, so it picks up right where U8 ends.  The U8 ending explains how the Avatar gets back, though the U9R intro will add a lot more depth in how, specifically, the Avatar found his/her way through the endless void to find Britannia.'
'The Avatar will find himself/herself in a world conquered by the Guardian, wanted by the bad guys, on the run, Lord British imprisoned, kind of like U5's setting, but a lot less good guys than bad. It's a lot deeper than that of course, as it will involve building up your Titan of Ether powers and a hundred other major plot reasons.'
The story will be non linear and you will be free to go anywhere you want. It is possible to follow the main storyline at your own pace and choose your path towards one of the five different endings. Apart from the main storyline, there will be hundreds of side quests and locations. The story will be packed with references to previous ultimas, including Savage Empires, Serpent Isle and the Underworlds.
 

4.) World:
Britannia will have a 32x32 cell grid (this is huge). Redemption will contain a Britannia map four times the size of Ultima Ascension.The map will be the classic land map as you know it from U4 to U7. U9R will be set on a spherical planet, for this is the most widely used in the series.  The world will be inhabited by over 350 unique, custom scripted NPC's with extensive Dialogue who's quality and quantity equals Ultima VII. Redemption will contain many dungeons, including the major eight classic dungeons which can be visited in any order. Every dungeon will have a different feel, purpose and theme with it's own varied ecology and habitants.

5.) The Avatar
As in Morrowind, the character creation process will let you choose your name, your gender, hair style, hair colour, facial hair and facial hair colour. The Gypsy, as known from U4, will return in a memory. There is no obligation to be a 'good' avatar. You can be Britannia's savior and follow the path of virtue, or walk a dark path and serve no one but yourself. You will have a maximum of three companions at one time. The player can choose up to three trusty companions from previous Ultimas, or perhaps recruit a new character? There will be specific party members for the evil Avatar as well.  All in all, the player can go at it alone or have up to three companions with him/her.

6.) Team:
The Redemption team counts about 18 people. Among them some well known and long term Ultima fans. The production leader is Scott Nicholas 'Avatus Kingsman', until recently he was administrator of the Ultima Legacy. Avatus is also the lead story writer for the overall main story, sidequests and story direction for U9R.
The art for the site as well is some of the conceptual artwork is made by Ralph Damiani who was webmaster and artist for Ultima 1 A legend is Reborn.
There's Mayday, who's the lead programmer, Chlorth who does the music, and who is also my partner-in-crime for developing U9R.
For a compleate and  up to date list, jump over to the Redemption website.

7.) Progress
Teamleader Avatus mentioned in the recent (q3 2003) Gamestar interview;
Modelling is being done, worldbuilding is full steam ahead, NPC's are being written, I am constantly restructuring design docs and writing story threads. Our coders are very talented and are already producing scripts I never thought possible, scripts such as sailable ships and full NPC schedules.
The Redemption is close to the release of a playable demo featuring the complete island of New Magincia. The demo will show the following features (Avatus on the UR9 forums):
- Ultima VII style menu dialogue. Nothing like Morrowind at all
- The party system.
- The classic Ultima spellbook system that requires the use of mana and reagents.
- NPC schedules. Watch them go and lie down on their bed, get up for work, walk to work, go home again 
- Custom textures, models, creatures, animals and artwork unique to our projecting that give justice to the look and colour of Britannia 
- Our custom hunger and eating system. It works in a similar way food worked in U6, but more interesting and fun. It won't be like U7's hunger/feeding system
- Interactivity. Harvesting grain, Making food, Fishing, Cooking etc
[There are other exciting Ultima systems that may make it into the public demo, but I don't want to say until I'm sure we can do it in time.] The demo will be an entire town, multiple NPC's, sidequests and will only give hints as to the main storyline, so you can resture assured there will be no major spoilers.
Here is a sip from the intervieuw UltimaDot had with Avatus Kingsman (Q3 2003)
UltimaDot: Do you have any idea how long it will take to finish the project?
Hrm, probably a year or two? A year if we double our team, two if the team size stays as is. This game is big. It's HUGE. It'll be epic beyond epic and I guarantee you whatever wait it takes will be worth it.

7) more info:
Redemption has a well designed website with ans extensive Faq, a piece of fan fiction and some concept art. Their Forum at The Wayward Avatar contains many interesting discussions regarding Redemption and the Ultima series in general.
U9R Site: http://ultima.ukpcnet.co.uk/ U9R Forums: here