EA has announced that it is now taking applications for gamers wanting to participate in the closed beta for the latest expansion to the Ultima Online franchise called Stygian Abyss. EA says that beta testers wanting to get in on the beta will be chosen based on computer specs, previous testing experience, community involvement and other criteria.

To participate in the beta players have to be current subscribers to Ultima Online. EA says that Ultima online is one of the longest running MMORPGs in history and that the beta participants will be the first to get to play the new Gargoyle race.

The Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and is expected to be available this summer via digital download only. Ultima Online first launched in September 1997 and is hailed as the first successful graphical online RPG.

Via EA