Underworld Ascendant - Shared Fiction with 'Shroud of the Avatar'?

There is a new rumor going around that Underworld Ascendant may somehow be connected to Richard Garriott's own Kickstarted project, the Shroud of the Avatar.  In the same way that Ultima Underworld and the mainline Ultima titles are connected, Underworld Ascendant may be set in the same universe as Shroud of the Avatar.  There has yet to be official confirmation from Otherside Entertainment, but Richard Garriott has said the following on Twitter:

We are still working together on joint fiction, so we continue history together!

Obviously, given the historical connection, this is interesting if true.  Any thoughts on this?  Does this increase or decrease your excitement for Underworld Ascendant?  For Shroud of the Avatar?