Editing Ultima Online (section)

===Clients===
Electronic Arts provides the standard clients with which players are allowed to connect to the ''Ultima Online'' servers, though some third-party clients were made.

The 3D client was originally released as a part of the ''Ultima Online: Third Dawn'' expansion, but received poor reviews due to performance issues (especially [[memory leak]]s early on) and sub-par graphics. An update to the 3D client was made on January 30, 2006 when characters and creatures from the game were scaled down to smaller sizes. As of early May/Late April 2007, the ''Third Dawn'' client was no longer supported by Electronic Arts, and focus shifted to the ''Kingdom Reborn'' client and its successor the Enhanced Client. Electronic Arts ''Ultima Online'' servers do not allow the ''Third Dawn'' client to connect.

[[File:UO-Kingdom Reborn.jpg|thumb|right|Screenshot from ''Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn'']]

''Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn'' was announced in August 2006 and was released August 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ultima's Kingdom is Reborn |publisher=Gamespot |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ultimas-kingdom-is-reborn/1100-6177764/ |date=August 28, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> A series of clues provided by [[Software developer|developer]]s via an in-game event arc allowed players to find a [[URL]] on the ''Ultima Online'' website wherein a simple message was contained as well as a [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] movie featuring screenshots of the upgraded graphics. In addition to the upgraded graphics, there was a newer, more streamlined interface. Some of the changes included [[hot keys]], a scrolling bag configuration and a new character sheet. The new client modernized the game's look, making it easy to add new content without backsliding through outdated and outmoded art, while maintaining the niche market as an MMORPG that can run on [[high-end|lower-end]] computers. Electronic Arts referred to the ''Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn'' client as "2.5d," meaning that it was written in 3d and then moved into 2d to make it easier for lower-end computers to run. The client is available as a free download.

Electronic Arts originally stated that the ''Ultima Online: Kingdom Reborn'' client would replace the long-standing ''Ultima Online'' client. As of September 2009, the ''Kingdom Reborn'' client has been superseded by a modified version of the ''KR'' client, now called the "Enhanced Client".<ref>[http://uo.stratics.com/uoherald/news/news.php?newsid=863 The new "Enhanced Client", based on the KR client], 17 Jul 2009.</ref> The ''Kingdom Reborn'' client no longer works on official shards.<ref>[http://uo.stratics.com/uoherald/news/news.php?newsid=928 Abandoning development of the KR Client], 07 Sep 2009.</ref> The new "Enhanced Client" keeps the rendering engine (including particle effects and light source rendering) from Kingdom Reborn, but not the KR graphics. Support for this client ended to streamline the patch process prior to the release of the [[Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss]] expansion.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zeeman |first=Chrissay |title=Kingdom Reborn Client |url=https://uo.stratics.com/uoherald/news/news.php?newsid=928 |access-date=April 13, 2019 |date=September 7, 2009}}</ref>

A modified version of the ''Kingdom Reborn'' client, renamed as the "Enhanced Client", was introduced as part of the ''Stygian Abyss'' expansion. It was released as an [[Closed beta|open beta]] in July 2009. Changes included enhanced macro abilities, a more configurable interface, changes to the mapping system, and graphical improvements.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crowner |first=Calvin |title=New Client Open Beta |url=https://uo.stratics.com/uoherald/news/news.php?newsid=863 |access-date=April 13, 2019 |date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> The enhanced graphics of the ''Kingdom Reborn'' client had been retired in favor of lower resolution original graphics that more closely resembled the original 2D client. This graphic set was based on the ''Third Dawn'' client and was previously available in the ''Kingdom Reborn'' client as optional original graphics.