Ultima Online
News, coverage and analysis tracking Ultima Online across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Perfect Ten: The 10 worst problems in the MMORPG community that we could probably fix
This opinion piece identifies ten fixable problems within the MMORPG community, ranging from nostalgic revisionism about past game experiences to issues with player entitlement and antisocial behavior. It argues for greater honesty, acceptance of change, and a focus on constructive community engagement to improve the overall player experience.
The Daily Grind: What concepts do MMORPGs keep trying to reinvent for a new generation?
This article discusses how MMORPG developers often reintroduce older game design concepts as if they are new innovations. A ZeniMax Online Studios developer's comment about a new dungeon type is used as an example, highlighting how open dungeons were common in early MMOs like Ultima Online and EverQuest before becoming less prevalent after World of Warcraft.
Gothic blev det Ultima 9 vi aldrig fick
This article analyzes how Piranha Bytes' Gothic, released in 2001, succeeded as a role-playing game where Ultima 9: Ascension failed. While Ultima 9 promised an open-world 3D experience but delivered a buggy and unoptimized product, Gothic, despite its "European jank" and technical limitations, offered a living world and a sense of genuine player immersion. The piece suggests Gothic filled the void left by Ultima 9's shortcomings and influenced subsequent European RPGs.
The Daily Grind: Have you ever designed an MMO quest?
This article discusses the concept of player-designed quests in MMORPGs, referencing older titles like Star Wars Galaxies and City of Heroes that featured systems allowing players to create content. It also touches upon how players in games like Ultima Online and EverQuest would manually create quests using in-game resources and guildmates.
MMO Week in Review: ArcheAge’s revival, Guild Wars’ CCG
This week's MMO news roundup covers a variety of topics including Guild Wars receiving a CCG in China, ArcheAge's revival, and Richard Garriott's efforts to regain Ultima copyright. It also features updates on Tomo Endless Blue's Kickstarter success, Embers of the Uncrowned, and Diablo Immortal's new Warlock patch.
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".
As Xbox eyes layoffs, Microsoft's CEO says its videogames aren't monetised enough—so it's not the cancelled games or $68.7 billion deals or AI overspending, then
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company's video games are not sufficiently monetized, suggesting this is the core issue rather than cancelled projects or large acquisitions. This comes amid layoffs at Xbox, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma calling for a "reset" to better meet fan expectations. The article also touches on the rising costs of game development and the industry's struggle to find sustainable monetization models.
Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park 'assembly line' MMO just isn't viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: 'We hit the wall'
Veteran MMO developer Raph Koster believes the 'theme park' style of MMO, popularized by World of Warcraft, is no longer viable due to skyrocketing development costs. Koster, who worked on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, argues that the increasing expense of creating static content, coupled with player consumption rates, makes this model unsustainable. He suggests that the genre has become stagnant, with players growing bored and feeling underserved by an industry focused on monetization over innovation.
Stars Reach could be the second coming of the sandbox MMO, with player-built cities and 40+ Star Wars Galaxies-style…
Stars Reach aims to revive the sandbox MMO genre with ambitious features like player-built cities and procedurally generated planets. Creator Raph Koster describes it as a blend of Star Wars Galaxies, RuneScape, Eve Online, and Ultima Online, emphasizing deep simulation and a wide range of player-driven professions. The game is slated for early access this summer.
The MOP Up: Crimson Desert hints at an upcoming DLC
The team behind Crimson Desert has announced plans for gradual updates throughout the summer, including a significant DLC. Other MMO news includes new events and content for Star Trek Online, RIFT, Terraria, Myth of Empires: Throne, and MechWarrior Online, alongside updates for Sky Children of the Light, Ultima Online, Final Fantasy XIV, EVE Online, War Thunder, War Robots, and Diablo IV. The article also mentions the upcoming action RPG Iron Swarm.
Massively Overthinking: What’s the next best thing to your favorite MMORPG?
The Massively OP staff discusses where players might migrate if their favorite MMORPGs were to shut down. Contributors share personal experiences of losing beloved games like City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, and explore whether direct replacements are sought or if players move to different genres entirely. The consensus leans towards players finding games with familiar elements rather than exact replicas, or embracing a more transient gaming experience.
Some Assembly Required: Could MMORPGs benefit from computer ‘storytellers?’
This article explores how computer-controlled storytellers, similar to those in Rimworld and Paralives, could enhance the player experience in MMORPGs. The author suggests that dynamic event systems and human Game Masters, as seen in Ultima Online, could break player routines and create more memorable gaming moments. While acknowledging the significant development effort, the potential for transforming stale MMOs is highlighted.
29-year-old MMORPG Ultima Online has stealth-increased the price of its sub in some regions
Broadsword, under Electronic Arts, has stealthily increased the subscription price for the 29-year-old MMORPG Ultima Online in several regions including Germany, Spain, the UK, and Brazil. The price hikes were not officially announced, leading to player frustration, with some European players now paying significantly more than their American counterparts.
Playable Worlds’ Sandbox MMORPG Stars Reach, Led By Ultima Online Designer Raph Koster, Launches into Early Access this Summer
Playable Worlds' science-fantasy MMORPG, Stars Reach, designed by Ultima Online creator Raph Koster, is launching into Steam Early Access this summer for PC. The game features a vast, simulated galaxy where players can explore, build, craft, trade, and engage in combat with a flexible, classless progression system. Early Access will offer multiple planets, resource gathering, combat, and crafting, with additional features like factions and PvP to be added later.
Diablo creators worried "RPGs were so overwrought with statistics that the genre had shrunk to a tiny audience," so they wanted it to be like "how we'd played Dungeons & Dragons as kids"
Max Schaefer, co-founder of Condor (later Blizzard North), discussed the early design philosophy of Diablo, aiming to simplify RPGs by focusing on core mechanics like hitting monsters and gaining loot, inspired by childhood Dungeons & Dragons experiences. This approach was intended to counter the overly complex statistics and penalties found in many contemporary RPGs, making the genre more accessible and rewarding for players.
The Daily Grind: Is there an MMO you don’t enjoy claiming as an MMO?
The author questions whether Roblox should be classified as an MMORPG, despite its massive player base and numerous hosted games. This piece is part of a daily series where Massively Overpowered writers discuss the MMORPG genre and pose questions to readers.
Ultima Online’s brand-new shroom-centric Spritelight holiday event has arrived for spring
Ultima Online has launched its latest major update, the Spritelight holiday event, which centers around mushroom harvesting and preservation. The event introduces new truffle hogs, shroom-related tools, and various rewards including decorations, titles, and unique items. The update also includes a PvP balance pass, new wooden weapons, and an update to the Clean Up Britannia rewards system, with another event, Moonveil, planned for July.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 565: Happily Farever after
The MassivelyOP Podcast episode 565 covers Guild Wars 2's new zone, EVE Online studio CCP's rebranding to Fenris Creations, and Path of Exile 2's 'Return of the Ancients' update. The hosts also discuss the early access launches of Farever, Reaper Actual, and Outbound, as well as Ultima Online emulators.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG has the most realistic diseases and poisons?
This article discusses the lack of realistic disease and poison mechanics in modern MMORPGs, contrasting them with older titles like City of Heroes and Ultima Online where these effects could be genuinely debilitating. The author asks readers for examples of the most gruesome or realistic disease and poison implementations in the genre.