Mythic has continually stated that Stygian Abyss, the eighth expansion for Ultima Online, will be available through digital distribution this summer. As we wait to see when the Abyss will go live in the next couple months, the company has announced that Mondain's Legacy, the game's seventh expansion, is now available for free to both subscribers and those who try out the 14-day free trial.

Mondain's Legacy was released three years ago in the summer of 2005 and introduced elves, increased storage, spellweaving and new dungeons. If you're a UO subscriber, your client will now be automatically updated with the content from this expansion. If you try out the free trial, you'll get the chance to experience Mondain's Legacy for two weeks.

Jeff Hickman, Mythic's executive producer, said he hopes this move excites players for the upcoming launch of Stygian Abyss. "Our goal is to continually provide fresh and rewarding experiences for our thriving UO community," he said. You can read the full announcement below.

FAIRFAX, Va. – July 30, 2009 – Mythic Entertainment™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) studio, today announced that Ultima Online™: Mondain’s Legacy™, is now available at no charge to subscribers of Ultima Online. Launched in the summer of 2005, the 7th expansion to the legendary MMORPG Ultima Online (UO) introduces the Elven race and several sprawling dungeons to the vast game world. For current Ultima Online subscribers that do not have Mondain’s Legacy, the game client will be automatically updated with the expansion content.

For players that are new to Ultima Online or for those interested in returning to the world, they can download the 14-day free trial which now features all seven expansions, including Mondain’s Legacy. Now all players can experience the Elves, new human racial abilities and new dungeons with dozens of new monsters to battle and weapons to wield.

“Mythic is extremely excited about offering Mondain’s Legacy as a free upgrade to all Ultima Online subscribers, as well as new players who sign up for the 14-day free trial,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “Our goal is to continually provide fresh and rewarding experiences for our thriving UO community. By opening up our 7th expansion to all players, we hope to get everyone excited for the upcoming summer release of our 8th addition, Stygian Abyss.”

Coming this summer, Ultima Online™: Stygian Abyss™, the game’s 8th expansion, revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Players will find expansive new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online. This sprawling 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 one another.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available in the summer of 2009 via digital distribution only. To download Ultima Online at no charge or to find out more information about Ultima Online and the additions from Mondain’s Legacy and Stygian Abyss, please visit:  http://www.uo.com.