Available via digital download only, Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Players will also 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.

An entrance to the Stygian Abyss has been discovered upon the world of Sosaria, hidden in the seething caldera of a newly-risen volcano. At first glance nothing more than a colossal web of dank caverns and oppressive dungeons, it houses an ancient city that acts as a barrier between the worlds of Sosaria and Tel Mur, home to the Gargoyles. Masters of Imbuing and Mysticism, these clawed and winged creatures find themselves facing certain destruction at the hands of the Abyss, forced to delve into the secrets of the lost city and the rift to their sister world...

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.

Current subscribers can also take part in the Stygian Abyss Open Beta from Friday, August 14th - Sunday, August 23rd by logging on the Retribution server on the server selection screen.

"As the 12th anniversary of the storied Ultima Online franchise approaches this fall, we could not be more excited to launch UO's 8th expansion, Stygian Abyss,"said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. "On September 8thUO players past and presentwill be able to experience all new content, including the new Gargoyle race and one of the largest dungeons in UO history."

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss will be available via UOGamesCodes.com and the EA Store:

• Stygian Abyss Expansion: $29.99
• Stygian Abyss Expansion & 30-Day game-time: $39.99

Additionally, consumers who purchase Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss from September 8th - 29th will receive multiple Alteration Tokens to transform current characters into Gargoyles, an exclusive gargoyle craftable pet, and decorative Stygian Abyss mob boss statues.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available via digital distribution only on September 8,2009.