Many attendees seemed to want to see a sequel to Ultima Online, but Odyssey is not that at all. In a number of critical ways, it's actually closer to the final standalone title, Ultima IX: Ascension. Senior Producer Rick Hall emphasized this when he stated clearly that "It's not UO; it's something different - we're trying to go for a different experience." Essentially, the new game is being developed as a sister to the current online world, one that will target people who may not have enjoyed or even tried the original. While players may choose to cross over, the team's goal is to attract and grow a new audience while still expanding and supporting Ultima Online.