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After 8 years, Ultima creator says his MMO Shroud of the Avatar finally has "zero bugs" thanks to AI
Richard Garriott, creator of Ultima, claims his MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar now has zero bugs thanks to the implementation of AI in its development process. Garriott stated that AI has significantly reduced development time and costs by fixing bugs rapidly, a stark contrast to the game's previous persistent bug issues. He acknowledges the ethical concerns surrounding AI in game development but believes its use is crucial for efficiency.
Wing Commander 3 ska få en 30-årsjubileumsutgåva
Electronic Arts producer Jim Vessella announced at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo that a 30th-anniversary edition of Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger is in development. Over 600 original FMV tapes have been found and are being restored, promising improved quality for the game's star-studded cast, including Mark Hamill and Malcolm McDowell. The remastered edition will feature controller support, 60 fps, and the Community Enhancement Patch.
Wing Commander and Ultima are making comebacks in surprise Origin revival
Electronic Arts has announced a remaster of Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger, featuring upscaled full-motion video cutscenes and 60fps gameplay for PC. Concurrently, series creator Richard Garriott is set to regain control of the Ultima intellectual property in 2027, potentially leading to new releases or re-releases. These announcements signal a revival for classic franchises originally developed by Origin Systems.
I never thought we'd get a new Ultima RPG, but now that series creator Richard Garriott is getting back the rights…
Series creator Richard Garriott is set to regain the rights to the Ultima RPG franchise from Electronic Arts as early as next year due to US copyright law. Garriott, who sold Origin Systems and the Ultima IP to EA in 1992, has initiated the process to reclaim ownership, which could lead to re-releases or sequels of the foundational RPG series.
The Industrial Revolution is the reason RPGs have area-of-effect spells: A PC Gamer Causality Chain™
This article traces the historical origins of area-of-effect spells in role-playing games, linking their development to the Industrial Revolution. It explores how concepts from J.R.R. Tolkien's works and early tabletop wargames like Leonard Patt's Rules for Middle Earth influenced the implementation of these spells in early video games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Telengard.
Deus Ex creator Warren Spector announces retirement – "it's time to ride off into the sunset"
Deus Ex creator Warren Spector has announced his retirement after more than 40 years in game development. Spector, who also worked on franchises like Thief, Ultima, and Epic Mickey, cited his long career and a desire to pursue other interests as reasons for his departure. He expressed hope for continued innovation in the industry from the next generation of developers.
Deus Ex director and immersive sim legend Warren Spector is retiring, despite having "three games in particular" he'd still like to make
Legendary Deus Ex director Warren Spector has announced his retirement from game development after a 44-year career. While he has "mixed feelings" and three specific games he'd still like to make, Spector feels the industry has changed and it's time for a new generation. He plans to write books, lecture, and possibly consult, but leaves the door open for a potential return.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Ultima's creator Richard Garriott is planning to win back the rights to his legendary RPG from EA with an 50-year-old copyright quirk
Ultima creator Richard Garriott plans to reclaim the rights to the legendary RPG series from Electronic Arts using a provision in the Copyright Act of 1976 that allows authors to reclaim copyright after 35 years. Garriott, also known as Lord British, stated that he intends to regain all copyrights to his original work, though he acknowledges that this would grant him ownership of the copyright rather than the trademark, meaning he could create a game similar to Ultima but not use the 'Ultima' name.
The creator of Ultima is reportedly reclaiming the series' rights back from EA, and it could happen as soon as next…
Richard Garriott, the creator of the Ultima series, is reportedly set to reclaim the copyright to the franchise from Electronic Arts in 2027 due to a 35-year copyright reversion law. While EA will retain the trademark, Garriott plans to develop new titles under a name like "Lord British's Ultima".
'What's your salary? I told him, and he said no problem, we'll double. And those days are gone:' Listening to game dev legends reminiscing in 1989 about the 'golden days of computer games' already being over is a trip
Newly discovered recordings from the 1989 Computer Game Developers Conference reveal industry veterans discussing the perceived end of the 'golden days' of PC gaming. Topics included market saturation, the shift from single-developer projects to specialized teams, and the increasing importance of marketing.
Quoteworthy
Thirty-seven years ago, Robert Garriott of Ultima expressed concerns about an oversaturated PC game market. This sentiment highlights a recurring discussion within the gaming industry regarding market viability and competition.
Ultima's Robert Garriott was worried about there being too many PC games on the market… 37 years ago
In 1989, Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concern about market saturation in PC gaming, noting consumer confusion and the need for higher quality products. He emphasized developing games with depth and graphics that couldn't be replicated on consoles, a sentiment still relevant today.
#7 Highly Compressed PC Games Under 50MB [Working!]
This article lists several classic PC games that are highly compressed and available in sizes under 50MB, focusing primarily on titles from the 1990s. It highlights games like Ultima Underworld 2, Heretic, DOOM, and Tomb Raider 2, noting their original release years and developers.
