Last April, EA announced the launch for Ultima Online: Stygian, an expansion pack for the famed Ultima Online series. Today, EA has announced that it is opening its doors to beta testing. Beta testers for Stygian Abyss, the upcoming expansion to one of the longest-running MMORPGs in history, will have the chance to experience the playable Gargoyle race before anyone else.

The closed beta, set to begin later this month, has a limited number of available spots for eligible applicants. Closed beta testers must be current Ultima Online subscribers and will be selected based on computer system specs, previous testing experience, community involvement and other criteria.

To apply for the closed beta, please visit http://www.uoherald.com/beta.

(Source) Press

For the many fans who are addicted to online games, Ultima Online is back better and promising. Mythic Entertainment today officially announced Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss the upcoming expansion to legendary MMORPG Ultima Online. Slated for release this summer, Stygian Abyss will be the eighth expansion to one of the longest-running MMORPGs in the genre’s history. The expansion will introduce a flood of new content for the citizens of Britannia to explore and conquer.

Stygian Abyss revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Since taking center stage in the original Ultima series, Gargoyles have been a fascinating part of the Ultima story – now, Ultima Online players can enjoy Gargoyles firsthand, with a variety of unique skills, including Throwing, Imbuing and Mysticism.

Players will find expansive new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss dungeon itself – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online. The dungeon will contain new boss monsters of unparalleled difficulty including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, as well as Player vs. Player zones where adventurers will be turned against each other.

(Source) Press

A partnership that is aiming to push the new batch of Albatron Nvidia VGA cards is in the works. For gamers who purchase this new graphics card, free playtime for EVE Online will be rewarded to the new Albatron Nvidia VGA graphics card owner.

“There is nothing that comes close to EVE Online as far galactic-interstellar MMORPGs. It is a futuristic adventure like nothing you’ve seen before, rife with both action and strategy. It will be bundled with most Albatron NVIDIA VGA cards allowing you to download the entire game in minutes. Take a look at the awesome trailers on the DVD, try the game and you’ll be hooked.”

The game will be available with the Albatron cards going all the way back to the 9400GT series. Added to this, gamers will get a free month of play for EVE, totaling $14.95 worth of gameplay. I suppose that’s not that bad a deal. Just seems like EVE coming with a new video card is a slightly underwhelming reason for purchasing a video card.

(Source) Cinema Blend