Ultima IX Redemption Fact Sheet
Parcival, 2003-08-14

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 "Shades of Grey" story and characters. 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.

Engine

The U9 Redemption engine is an altered (enhanced) Morrowind Engine. The game will require both Morrowind and the add-on expansion pack Tribunal to run. probably the expansion pack Bloodmoon will also be needed for the final version, but there is no final decision on this yet.

Story

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 precious ultimas, including Savage Empires, Serpent Isle and the Underworlds.

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 use in the series. It will be possible to travel across the Ether to multiple worlds with your trustworthy companions. New and Old worlds can be revisited. The world will be inhabited by over 350 unique, custom scripted NPC's with extensive Dialogue. Redemption will contain many dungeons, that can be visited in any order. Every dungeon will have a different feel, purpose and theme with it's own varied ecology and habitants.

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. 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 two companions at one time. Of course it will be possible to leave a party member behind and ask someone else to join you on a specific quest.

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. Lead story writer is Laura Campbell 'Shadow of Light Dragon', who runs Dragon Press. 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.

Progress

Teamleader Avatus mentioned in the recent 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.

Website

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. After a three month break, the website as recently been updated. Their new ´website and news guy´ Vistaer Dragon strives a one site update a week.

U9R Site: http://ultima.ukpcnet.co.uk/ U9R Forums: here