Ultima IX: Redemption

Ultima IX: Redemption is an attempt to create a replacement for Ultima IX, which many saw as a disappointing climax to the Ultima series. The game uses the Morrowind engine. Excepting the engine and some models, U9R is completely new. The original storyline, written by Direhaggis and in part by the project leader Corv, spans both U9R and its sequel, UX: The New King.

Current production as of December 2007 is 75% complete.

History behind the project
Although plans for Ultima IX: Redemption have existed since 1999, there have technically been two vastly different attempts to produce the game.

The first project originally started shortly after the release of Ultima IX 1999/2000. The game was to use the Dungeon Siege engine. Its' goals were to create multiple endings, the ability to travel to worlds the Avatar had encountered previously, etc. Plans to use the Dungeon Siege engine were scrapped early on in mid 2002. The first U9R team finalized pre-production and agreed to use the forthcoming Morrowind engine. The finalized plot of the first project was never released but still exists in the Titans of Ether (see below) archives.

The development by the first U9R team, never officially named, was generally slow. Management problems, tepid team recruitment, conspicuously frequent "hard-drive failures," and low retention were consistent problems. The master file was also prone to inexplicable errors in-game.

In late 2003 the team leader, Avatus, suddenly disappeared. He had wiped the FTP server with no explanation, erasing some of the work produced. Chlorthos Dragon, a co-writer of the main quest and musician, took control of the group along with another team member. The team did not recover from Avatus' departure, however, and production was at a standstill.

In late August 2004, Chlorthos was contacted by Corv, the team leader producing Ultima: The New King. Corv struck a deal where the old Redemption team would be incorporated into the UX: The New King team, forming the Titans of Ether (ToE). The new team agree to make U9R first, followed by The New King as a sequel. The vast majority of the old Redemption team left, with the exceptions of Chlorthos and Direhaggis, a relatively new writer at the time.

The old data, master file, and almost all of the concepts from the first Redemption team were not usable. The only exception were NPC dialogues written by Direhaggis and some portions of the U9R premise. The Titans of Ether thus started with a completely new foundation, introducing more streamlined concepts, and expanding the gameplay options available in U9R (e.g. mini-games reminiscent of the Final Fantasy series, intra-party conversations, multiple methods of solving quests, etc.).

While the team size and composition varied between 2003 to 2006, the size of the team has stabilized in the last few years. Production has moved briskly ever since then.

As of December 2007, production is approximately 75% complete.

Britannia of the game
Compared to Ascension, the Britannia of Redemption will be a far more conservative approach. While the war had changed some of the settlements, the land itself will be modeled mainly after Ultima VII and Ultima VI, so that its shape will be familiar to long-time players and -fans alike. For example, places like the Isle of Fire or Ambrosia, will re-appear since they existed in Ultima VII. These two exapmles were seen on a map of the land for the game.

New areas will also be presented, both below and above ground to utilize more of Britannia.

Further details are unknown for now, since the game is still in development.

Links

 * Redemption main page
 * Redemption duscussion board