Ultima Online
News, coverage and analysis tracking Ultima Online across the outlets.
Latest coverage
BioWare co-founder says EA's Saudi Arabia buyout was "the final nail in the coffin" for the RPG studio: "It's easier just to pump out sports games"
BioWare co-founder Ray Zeschuk believes Electronic Arts' acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was the final blow to the RPG studio, citing concerns over human rights and potential policing of game content. Zeschuk suggests EA will now prioritize sports titles and Battlefield over complex RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
LOTRO’s Latest Expansion Is Out Now, Nearly 20 Years After The Game Launched
The Lord of the Rings Online has launched its latest expansion, The Wolves of Mordor, nearly 20 years after the game's initial release in 2007. The expansion introduces three new regions, new skills, and companions with unique personality traits. It is available in multiple editions ranging from $40 to $130.
MMO Week in Review: Lament for BioWare
Electronic Arts has officially shut down the legendary studio BioWare, laying off 400 employees in the process. This move has been met with significant criticism, highlighting concerns about venture capital and corporate practices in the gaming industry. Several other MMOs and studios also saw news this week, including updates on MapleStory Classic World, Chronicles of Elyria, and the closure of Zenith.
'This is the bit where the comet hits the earth and the dinosaurs die:' Tim Sweeney revisits scathing 26-year-old eulogy for beloved studio Looking Glass
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney's 2000 statement on the closure of Looking Glass Studios, which described the event as an 'economically realistic day' and criticized the studio's overhead and niche appeal, has resurfaced. While Sweeney stands by his assessment that game businesses must be profitable, industry figures have criticized his 'asshole CEO' mindset, highlighting the artistic impact of studios like Looking Glass and the often illogical reasons behind modern studio shutdowns and layoffs.
Vague Patch Notes: The struggle to review MMORPGs, now and forever
Reviewing MMORPGs presents unique challenges due to their constantly changing nature, slow pace, and heavy reliance on player interaction. The article highlights how factors like open PvP and the social dynamics of forming or joining groups make objective evaluation difficult, suggesting that any review of an MMORPG is inherently provisional.
MMO Week in Review: Funcom’s folly
Funcom has confirmed significant layoffs and the stepping down of its CEO as part of a restructuring effort. The company will now focus on its existing titles, Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles. This news comes amidst a broader week of MMO updates, including RuneScape halting its Reignited plans and Enshrouded launching its 1.0 release.
The MOP Up: Jagex prepares to migrate all of its legacy RuneScape accounts
Jagex is preparing to migrate all legacy RuneScape accounts to Jagex Accounts on November 17th, 2026, and will also release a MacOS Silicon launcher. The article also rounds up other recent MMO news, including updates for Elder Scrolls Online, Ultima Online, Trove, Helldivers II, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Ace Combat 8, World of Warcraft, PUBG Battlegrounds, and The Finals.
Ultima Online announces the launch of New Legacy Season 2
Ultima Online has launched New Legacy Season 2, introducing improvements to crafting, caster abilities, animal taming, and player onboarding. The update aims to enhance the experience for both veteran players and newcomers exploring Britannia. The in-game store will be unavailable until October 27th.
Games Inbox: What is the next FromSoftware game?
Readers discuss upcoming game releases like The Duskbloods and Phantom Blade Zero, express concerns about Activision's Call of Duty franchise, and praise the unique experience of Big Walk. There are also requests for PlayStation 3 repair services and commentary on EA's acquisition history and the impact of AI on game emulation.
Vague Patch Notes: What we remember about MMORPGs overrules their past
This article analyzes how player memory and received stories often supersede factual reality in MMORPGs, using the infamous 18-hour Final Fantasy XI Pandemonium Warden fight as a prime example. It argues that even inaccurate narratives can serve a purpose and shape a game's legacy, influencing perceptions of games like WildStar and Ultima Online.
Richard Garriott får tillbaka upphovsrätten till Ultima nästa år
Richard Garriott will regain the copyright to the Ultima series in 2027 due to a US law allowing original creators to reclaim intellectual property 35 years after its transfer. Garriott has notified Electronic Arts, the current owner, and plans to potentially remaster old titles or create new ones.
Richard Garriott får tillbaka Ultima-varumärket nästa år
Richard Garriott is set to regain the rights to the Ultima brand in 2027 due to a U.S. copyright law that allows original owners to reclaim trademarks after 35 years. Electronic Arts, the current owner, is aware of the law and has indicated no opposition. Garriott plans to potentially re-release, remaster, or create new games in the series.
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.
Perfect Ten: Revisiting our last ten ‘Stormiest Future’ winners
This article revisits Massively Overpowered's past predictions for MMORPGs with 'stormy futures,' analyzing the outcomes for games like New World, Cryptic Studios' library, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, and Star Citizen. Many of the predicted 'stormy' futures materialized, with some games shutting down or facing significant challenges, while others, like World of Warcraft and Cryptic Studios, have shown resilience or recovery.
Massively Overthinking: What does a sandbox MMORPG have to do to hook you in the first two weeks?
The Massively OP staff discusses what elements are crucial for a sandbox MMORPG to retain players beyond the initial two weeks. Key factors include confidence in the game's longevity, a persistent world with diverse activities beyond combat, a sense of player mastery, and rewarding exploration without excessive punishment.
YouTuber Majuular takes a deep-dive look at the Ultima Online series as a whole
YouTuber Majuular has released an in-depth video retrospective on the MMORPG Ultima Online, focusing on its launch state and early development. The video explores various aspects of the game, including crafting, combat, player economy, and player killing, offering a comprehensive look at its history and unique appeal.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
Drop everything and grab the popcorn: Majuular's 4.5-hour documentary on Ultima Online is here to devour your…
YouTube creator Majuular has released a comprehensive 4.5-hour documentary detailing the history and influence of the MMORPG Ultima Online. The video, six months in the making, covers the game's development from its inception by Richard Garriott and Starr Long to its evolution under Raph Koster and its impact on the genre. The article highly recommends the documentary and Majuular's entire video series on the Ultima franchise.
Ultima Online marks 29 years of operation with a livestream and New Legacy Season 2 details
Ultima Online is celebrating 29 years of operation with a special anniversary stream and the announcement of New Legacy Season 2 details. The MMORPG will offer veteran players a gift for logging in, and the stream discussed upcoming additions like tutorial updates, a new Chivalry skill line, more heirlooms, and new items for Mages. The Reaping event is also live on Sakura and Legends shards.
Over 10 years later, Gabe Newell's advice to devs still holds up
Valve head Gabe Newell's decade-old advice to game developers about distinguishing between genuine player creativity and malicious hacking remains relevant. He highlighted the Ultima Online incident where a player killing Lord British was treated as a hack, arguing that such player-driven events can create more compelling lore than planned narratives.
