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Let's hope they manage to create something that stands out from other games these days.
Strangely though, the mere fact of an RPG being solely underground has a special appeal to me, as it had back then when I played Ultima Underworld 1+2.
Saw it on here too http://www.indieretronews.com/2014/07/underworld-ascension-incredible-rpg.html

DROOL! WANTZ NOW :D
Umm... FUCK YEAH!!!

The Bostonians strike back! Been waiting for a proper Looking Glass revival. Hope they can also get the Brosiuses on board. Let the new golden age begin!

edit: Nice job on the Keeper symbolism in their company logo! :D
Post edited July 01, 2014 by fronzelneekburm
Looks like Tim Stellmach, another LGS alumnus, will also be joining the team.
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Enebias: I never had the pleasure of playing Ultima Underworld, but since Blue Sky Production gave birth to Looking Glass Studios (my favourite developer team EVER) I must take in consideration the idea to give it a look. What do you say? Should I repent and get my copy asap?
Yes, you should get UW asap. Like, now. And while you're playing it, keep it mind that it was released around the same time as Wolfeinstein3d. Not to excuse the "oldness", but to put in perspective how much this game was ahead of its time.
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KingOfDust: Yes, you should get UW asap. Like, now. And while you're playing it, keep it mind that it was released around the same time as Wolfeinstein3d. Not to excuse the "oldness", but to put in perspective how much this game was ahead of its time.
In fact (or as the legend goes), John Carmack of id Software that were making shareware 2D games for Apogee, saw a working prototype of UU at a fair and said: "I want to do this, too!". So UU is to blame he became one of the most respected realtime-3D gurus in software developement. And to think that this his "inspiration" lead to Wolf3D, Doom, Quake...
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KingOfDust: Yes, you should get UW asap. Like, now. And while you're playing it, keep it mind that it was released around the same time as Wolfeinstein3d. Not to excuse the "oldness", but to put in perspective how much this game was ahead of its time.
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toxicTom: In fact (or as the legend goes), John Carmack of id Software that were making shareware 2D games for Apogee, saw a working prototype of UU at a fair and said: "I want to do this, too!". So UU is to blame he became one of the most respected realtime-3D gurus in software developement. And to think that this his "inspiration" lead to Wolf3D, Doom, Quake...
The legend should refer to the innovation of 3D texture mapping. Games with gridless, real-time 3D environments like UU or Wolf3D were done on personal computers as early as 1982. :)

Wayout
http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/wayout
Post edited July 08, 2014 by Snickersnack
Good News, people!

The game is now called Underworld Ascendant and is going live on Kickstarter around 14 days - see the countdown on their site


Ultima Underworld, Lost & Found



When we completed Ultima Underworld II in 1993, I never imagined that this classic fantasy RPG franchise would go dark for the two decades.

The Underworld’s were arguably the first immersive 1st person games. Not only were they the first to create a real-time 3D texture-mapped world, they also pioneered player-driven sandbox gameplay. They influenced a whole generation of games: Doom, Thief, Deus Ex, Skyrim, BioShock and more. Today, leading game designers view the Underworlds as still astonishingly modern in design.

But when released, the games were years ahead of their time and didn't fit into the established genres of that era. This contributed to the franchise falling between the cracks and becoming lost in the publisher’s labyrinth depths. Over the years I’ve tried without success to raise the Underworld series back up. Just now have the stars aligned so this can happen.

I started OtherSide Entertainment an indie studio to rekindle this classic. Joining me is an incredible team of developers, who will be introducing themselves over the coming weeks. Some worked with me on the original Underworlds, along with Looking Glass favorites like System Shock and Thief. Others contributed to more recent classics including Deus Ex and BioShock Infinite. We have deep understanding of the genre, and share a passion for bringing Underworld back.

The newest incarnation of the franchise, Underworld Ascendant, will retain the distinctive fantasy RPG gameplay of the originals. We already have an early prototype running on the PC. At that same time we will be pushing forward with new innovations --- I can’t wait to tell you more about what we have planned!

But this can only happen with your help. As an indie studio, we are looking to our fans to fund a significant portion of the development through our upcoming Kickstarter campaign, which begins on February 4th. We aren't shy about our ambitions to make a great game, but that takes serious resources and effort.

Beyond funding, we are inviting you in on the making of Underworld Ascendant. Rarely have fans been able to participate in the often unpredictable, sometimes messy creative process that gives birth to innovative games. We hope you’ll join us on this adventure!

Paul Neurath

Founder | OtherSide Entertainment
Gamespot article
IGN article with video
MMORPG.com article
I take it this won't tie in with the Ultima games in any manner?

I should really finish Ultima Underworld 2, I'm pretty close to the end but my latest save is from 2004 and I have no idea how to play it anymore nor what the story was all about. Should start over I suppose..
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Rixasha: I take it this won't tie in with the Ultima games in any manner?
Given who owns the Ultima rights and that even Richard Garriott was unable to get the rights back; it's highly unlikely.
Sounds good, but I prefer to approach all the kickstarter backed projects that relay on nostalgia and famous titles of the past very carefully.
Post edited January 21, 2015 by Breja
The Kickstarter is UP NOW
About this project

In 1992, Ultima Underworld changed the rules of what a fantasy RPG could be. It introduced the concept of 3D immersion, a player-authored experience, and a richly dynamic world to explore. Its influence led to a whole generation of games such as Thief, Deus Ex, BioShock, Skyrim, and Dragon Age.

Underworld has been hidden away in the deepest vaults of its publisher for two decades. Only now have the original creators unchained the franchise, freeing it to innovate yet again.

Backing the game grants you unprecedented front row access to the creation of the next epoch of this storied masterpiece, Underworld Ascendant. With your help, here's a glimpse at what we can together build:

Exquisitely Realized Underworld – Plunge into The Stygian Abyss: dark, ripe with dangers, full of ancient secrets to discover. A vast subterranean fantasy world made startlingly real and alive.
Dynamic Factions – Become embroiled in an epic plot, as rival factions vie for dominance in struggles that ebb and flow across The Stygian Abyss. Your choices will alter the outcome in subtle and dramatic ways.
Improvisation Engine – Delight in player-authored gameplay taken to a whole new level, with a suite of technologies that empower you to solve challenges with astonishing ingenuity. Be the ‘MacGyver’ of a fantasy world.
Hero to Call Your Own – Jump right in as a Fighter, Thief or Mage. Then as your Avatar grows, freely mix and match across any skills to develop a unique hero, tailored to your style of play.
Pushing Boundaries – Stretch Goals will innovate on co-op play with a friend; letting you build your own corner of The Stygian Abyss; and more.
What's with the "Holy Trinity" classes they've got? Need moar.
Post edited February 05, 2015 by Crosmando
200k$ already gathered, impressive!
Backed it! Just couldn't resist. :)