Mythic and Electronic Arts have been saying since April that Stygian Abyss, the eighth expansion for Ultima Online, will be coming out this summer. Well, a release date has finally been revealed, and it's Sept. 8. The expansion will be available through digital download only via UOGameCodes.com and the EA Store for $29.99. Also, new players can buy the full game for $39.99 with 30 days of game time added.

Current UO subscribers can participate in the Stygian Abyss open beta starting tomorrow, Aug. 14, by logging on the Retribution server on the server selection screen. The beta event will end Aug. 23. In addition, players who buy the expansion from Sept. 8-29 will receive multiple Alteration Tokens to transform current characters into Gargoyles, an exclusive gargoyle craftable pet, and decorative Stygian Abyss mob boss statues.

For more information, check out the full announcement below.

FAIRFAX, Va.-- Mythic Entertainment, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) studio, today announced Ultima Online™: Stygian Abyss, the eighth expansion to one of the longest-running MMORPGs in the genre’s history, will be released on September 8, 2009.

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.

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

“As the 12 anniversary of the storied Ultima Online franchise approaches this fall, we could not be more excited to launch UO’s eighth expansion, Stygian Abyss,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “On September 8 UO players past and present will 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.

Earlier this month Mythic announced that Ultima Online™: Mondain’s Legacy™, the seventh expansion of UO which introduced the playable Elven race and several expansive dungeons, is now available at no charge to existing subscribers, and to new players as part of the 14-day free trial.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available 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 or http://www.uoherald.com/stygianabyss.