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This listing features what is arguably one of the rarest physical artifacts remaining from early MMORPG history: the official Ultima Online: Third Dawn Alpha CD for PC. Minted by Electronic Arts and Origin Systems in late 2000, this disc predates all public beta variants and was distributed under strict security exclusively to the earliest internal and select community alpha testers.This specific disc represents the absolute genesis of Ultima Online's monumental leap from 2D pixel art into a 3D polygonal engine. Because alpha test cycles for expansions of this era were incredibly restricted, the production run for this specific "Alpha CD" print line was a microscopic fraction of a standard retail release or even a public beta mailer.The disc face is beautifully preserved, featuring the provisional "Rating Pending" (RP) ESRB stamp and the crisp "Alpha CD" typography set against the iconic silhouette warrior artwork. The data side of the disc is exceptionally clean with an intense, mirror-like reflection and virtually no visible handling wear. A clean, plain white storage sleeve is included to protect the media.Item Specifics:
- Platform: PC / Windows 98 / Windows Me / Windows 2000
- Release Year: 2000
- Publisher: Electronic Arts / Origin Systems
- Genre: MMORPG / Computer Role-Playing Game (RPG)
- ESRB Rating: RP - Rating Pending
- Format: CD-ROM
- Type: Closed Alpha Test / Promotional Prototype Disc
- Country/Region of Manufacture: USA
Please note that this is a 26-year-old closed-alpha historical test disc. The dedicated "Alpha 3rd Dawn" development servers have long since been decommissioned, meaning this software will not connect to modern live networks or private free shards. It is sold strictly as a high-value collector's piece of vintage computer gaming history.
