Broadsword Online Games have published their development roadmap for 2019, highlighting their planned updates to Ultima Online which will be made throughout the year:

Since its release in 2010, High Seas has been one of the most commonly talked about additions to Ultima Online. It comes up at meet and greets, the various player gatherings we’ve had over the years, the forums, and in feedback we receive directly. We are excited to announce the theme for 2019 will be focusing on the High Seas!

So what does that mean for publishes this year? Is every publish going to be about sailing the oceans, fishing, and pirate hunting? Not exactly – but close! Our goal is to continue to support the events and systems you have come to love while revamping the areas of the High Seas that need it most. In each publish we will be tackling a major High Seas content area and combining it with often requested new features, content, quality of life updates, client updates, tools, and bug fixes.

In terms of what this means for Publishes throughout the year, here’s what we can expect — in general terms — from Publish 104 through 107:

March will bring Rising Tide, updating the cannon crafting, ammunition, and firing process!

As we sail into the Summer June brings Forgotten Treasures where we will focus on updates to treasure chests on both land and sea!

Coasting into Fall we find ourselves confronting Forsaken Foes– a new take on Corgul & Charybdis!

Wading into Winter look high for Jolly Roger bringing both cheer and dread to the oceans far!

A new piece of lore fiction have been released as precursors to Rising Tide; you can find The Rune Carver over on the UO website. And if you play on the Test Center shard, you can now start checking out Rising Tide content thereupon.