Ultima Underworld
News, coverage and analysis tracking Ultima Underworld across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith launches a new studio and it literally has the word 'Immersive' in the name
Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith and executive producer Ben Horne have launched a new studio named Black Pony Immersive. The studio, comprised of developers from Arkane, Insomniac, and other major companies, aims to create singleplayer first-person action RPGs with emergent gameplay systems, drawing inspiration from classic immersive sim titles.
Industry legend Warren Spector is retiring: 'I'm feeling like I've done what I set out to do'
Industry veteran Warren Spector, known for his work on immersive sims like Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement from game development after nearly 44 years. While he has mixed feelings and ideas for future projects, Spector feels he has accomplished his goals and is ready to pursue writing, lecturing, and consulting. He also cited changes in the industry and a desire to make way for new talent as reasons for his departure.
Deus Ex And Immersive Sim Founding Father, Warren Spector, Retires From Game Development
Warren Spector, a pivotal figure in the creation of the immersive sim genre known for his work on Deus Ex and Thief, has announced his retirement from game development after a nearly 45-year career. While he has mixed feelings, Spector, aged 70, feels it's time for a new generation to innovate and plans to focus on writing books and consulting. His final game, Thick as Thieves, was released earlier this year.
Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector is 'a little bitter' that his studio isn't getting props for sparking Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's big comeback
Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector expressed frustration that his studio, Junction Point, is not receiving adequate credit for revitalizing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Spector highlighted the significant role Oswald played in the Epic Mickey games, including giving the character a voice for the first time and introducing his paramour, Ortensia. He feels the games that reintroduced the character to the public consciousness are being overlooked ahead of an upcoming Oswald the Lucky Rabbit miniseries.
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.
After 44 years, legendary Deus Ex and System Shock developer Warren Spector announces his retirement from game development: "Wouldn't change a thing even if I could"
Legendary game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement after 44 years in the industry. Spector cited his age as the primary reason for stepping down, expressing mixed feelings but stating he wouldn't change his career. He plans to pursue other interests like writing books, lecturing, and playing the piano.
2026's best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants 'to do a first-person game at some point'
Developer Christoffer Bodegård discusses his journey into PC gaming, highlighting influential titles like Dragon Age: Origins and Deus Ex. His recently released CRPG, Esoteric Ebb, was inspired by tabletop RPGs and aims to replicate their unpredictability. Bodegård is exploring ideas for his next project, potentially a first-person game, and shares his current gaming habits, including extensive play of Paradox Interactive's grand strategy titles like Victoria 3 and Europa Universalis IV.
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".
In 1997, Warren Spector told us the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex was inspired by Final Fantasy, Miyamoto, and 'the…
A 1997 interview with legendary game designer Warren Spector reveals his early inspirations for the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex, including Final Fantasy VII and Shigeru Miyamoto's work. Spector discussed his move to Ion Storm and his vision for a first-person RPG that blended console accessibility with deep simulation, initially planning to use the Quake II engine before ultimately opting for Unreal.
Decades ago, Gabe Newell revealed that Super Mario 64 influenced Half-Life, and it seems future Steam god GabeN was a lot better at Nintendo's platformer than Valve's FPS classic
Gabe Newell revealed in a 1998 interview that Super Mario 64, along with Ultima Underworld and Resident Evil 2, were significant influences on the development of Half-Life. Newell also admitted he was not particularly skilled at Half-Life's multiplayer, contrasting it with his perceived proficiency in Super Mario 64, which he later called his favorite game of all time.
Immersive sim pioneer Warren Spector's new stealth game Thick as Thieves makes the blessed pivot, dropping PvPvE in…
OtherSide Entertainment's new stealth game, Thick as Thieves, led by immersive sim pioneer Warren Spector, is removing its previously announced PvPvE elements. The game will now focus on single-player and co-op gameplay, a change the studio states will enhance the core stealth mechanics.
The best CRPG docuseries on YouTube just covered Ultima 8 with a 3-hour retrospective
A YouTube docuseries by Majuular, focusing on CRPGs, has released a three-hour retrospective on Ultima VIII: Pagan. The series explores the game's history, development, and its significant influence on the CRPG genre, despite Ultima VIII not being the most acclaimed entry in the series.
