Ultima
News, coverage and analysis tracking Ultima across the outlets.
Latest coverage
A Real-Life Romance (And The Love Of Fans) Fueled A Classic NES Remake
A remake of the NES cult classic Battle of Olympus is being developed for Steam, fueled by a real-life romance between its original creators, Yukio Horimoto and Reiko Oshida. The project highlights the positive aspects of game development, emphasizing love for the medium and fan support, in contrast to prevalent negative industry news.
EA could sell "dormant IPs" like Ultima and Wing Commander after Saudi acquisition, former manager says: "There are plenty of IPs like that at EA that nobody cares about at this moment"
Former Electronic Arts manager Emmanuel Rosier suggests that EA may sell off dormant intellectual properties like Ultima and Wing Commander following a significant acquisition. He believes these underutilized IPs could be sold or licensed to external studios, potentially for mobile game development, as a way to generate revenue and manage debt.
Will the next Mass Effect actually release under EA's new owners? 'I'll believe it when I see it,' says former EA manager turned Newzoo analyst
Following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, industry analyst Emmanuel Rosier expressed uncertainty about the future of the company's less prominent intellectual properties and studios like BioWare. Rosier suggests that EA might sell off dormant IPs such as Ultima and Wing Commander or focus heavily on sports titles and esports due to regional interests.
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.
Warren Spector retires from game development, at least he thinks so
Veteran game developer Warren Spector has announced his retirement from the industry, citing age, health, and a diminished enjoyment of the business. Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex, Thief, and the Ultima series, expressed a desire to still make three more games, including one large, one small, and one he's unsure how to create. He plans to focus on writing books, reading, and consulting in his post-retirement career.
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.
"I'm pretty sure I mean it" - Legendary game developer Warren Spector announces retirement
Legendary game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex and the founding of the immersive sim genre, has announced his retirement after a 44-year career. Spector expressed mixed feelings but cited the changing game industry and a desire to pursue other interests like writing and lecturing as reasons for his departure. He encouraged the next generation of developers to continue innovating and experimenting in game design.
OG Fallout was "entirely different" from foundational RPGs like Ultima because those games "expect you to be good," says co-creator: "Fallout has no such expectation"
Original Fallout co-creator Tim Cain discusses how the series' focus on exploring the ethics of a post-nuclear world, with its absence of authority and gray morality, differentiates it from foundational RPGs like Ultima. He emphasizes that Fallout's core appeal lies in allowing players to make their own choices and face the consequences, rather than expecting them to adhere to a predetermined moral code.
'The last time I liked everything about a game was probably Baldur's Gate 3': Raphael Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, talks us through the games installed on his PC
Raphaël Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios and WolfEye Studios, discusses the games installed on his PC, highlighting Baldur's Gate 3 as the last game he "liked everything about." He shares his thoughts on current plays like Mewgenics and Cyberpunk 2077, his enduring love for immersive sims like Thief and Deus Ex, and his early PC gaming roots with Ultima 7.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 573: Project Demogorgon
The Massively OP Podcast episode 573 covers SpiritVale's early access launch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's Terror of Demogorgon expansion, and the cancellations of Overwatch Stadium and Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss Richard Garriott's comments on Ultima and the predictability of MMO experiences.
MMO Week in Review: Lament for Elder Scrolls Online
Microsoft's decision to lay off a significant portion of The Elder Scrolls Online team has led to further management turnover and a restructuring of the studio. This week's MMO news also covers the early access launch of SpiritVale, the cancellation of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, and discussions on lessons for Guild Wars 3.
Richard Garriott vaguely references Ultima plans, including using Shroud of the Avatar as a testbed
Richard Garriott vaguely discussed potential plans for the Ultima series during a birthday livestream, mentioning ongoing discussions about regaining copyright and hoping for more substantial news by DragonCon. He and Chris Spears of Catnip Games suggested using Shroud of the Avatar as a testbed for new Ultima concepts, while Spears also provided updates on Shroud of the Avatar's backend improvements and future episodes.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 570: Card Wars 3
The Massively OP Podcast episode 570 covers various MMO industry news, including Guild Wars' card game, a potential ArcheAge revival, and Richard Garriott's interest in Ultima. Discussions also touch on World of Warcraft's upcoming patch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's new race, and EverQuest Legends pre-orders.
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.
As EA appear to renew the trademark for Ultima, its creator lies in wait to reclaim the game's copyright next year
Electronic Arts has renewed trademarks for the Ultima series, prompting discussions about its future. Series creator Richard Garriott revealed he has been attempting to work with EA on an Ultima revival for years and plans to reclaim the copyright in 2027, when the 35-year term expires. While EA would retain the trademark, Garriott aims to regain copyright for his original work under a new title like 'Lord British's Ultima'.
It seems a copyright law quirk will finally let Lord British reclaim Ultima from EA’s clutches
A quirk in copyright law may allow Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, to reclaim the Ultima franchise from Electronic Arts. The article suggests that legal technicalities could lead to the return of the classic RPG series' rights.
Lord British May Regain Ultima Copyright
Richard "Lord British" Garriott is reportedly planning to regain the copyright for his seminal role-playing game series, Ultima. The series was a pioneer in PC gaming and helped define the genre.
Ultima creator Richard Garriott now claims he could regain the series’ copyright by next year
Ultima creator Richard Garriott claims he may regain the copyright for the series from Electronic Arts by 2027, citing a 35-year rule in copyright law. While EA currently operates Ultima Online, Garriott expressed past frustrations with the company's handling of potential revivals. This news comes amidst EA filing new trademarks for the Ultima series.
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".
New Ultima trademarks filed by EA, but don't get too excited
Electronic Arts has filed new trademarks for the Ultima series, covering downloadable PC games and online experiences. While this suggests potential activity, it may also be routine intellectual property protection, as there have been no new single-player installments since 1999. Creator Richard Garriott has expressed interest in a revival, and Larian Studios has been mentioned as a potential developer.
