18.1.18 I was so excited about Ultima Online 2 when it was under development because if they can put out a good game the first time around, they definitely will be able to improve on a lot of things. Do you share this philosophy?

You give me an opportunity here to talk about something I think is important. There is, IMHO, a Ultima Online 2, and it's called Star Wars: Galaxies. When Smed & I put together the Austin Studio deal with Vogel and Koster, I know I wanted that team because Ultima Online at the time was the 2nd most popular MMOG... and it's still going decently strong today... YEARS later.

Now, I know people have issue with Star Wars: Galaxies, especially the "EverQuest style" player. But I also know, for example, that the guys who enjoyed Ultima Online here at Sigil enjoy Star Wars: Galaxies (though they have their concerns and opinions, but that's neither here nor there).

Why bring this up? Because I think it's in the gamer's interest to identify the teams and key figures in the development of games and to follow them in terms of what they might make next and what you might enjoy. For example, you read a book because of the author, not the book publisher. You watch a movie often because of the actors or the director.

Now, sure, the genre or world setting is important. I enjoyed Alien and Aliens, which were totally different movies, by totally different writers and different directors (both excellent directors). So if someone really loves the Ultima world and mythos, I'm not saying Ultima Online X or something won't be up your alley.

Anyway, quick tangent there, sorry -- but I saw an opening

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