Ultima
News, coverage and analysis tracking Ultima across the outlets.
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Commander Shepard actors Jennifer Hale & Mark Meer mourn BioWare: 'It was in the hands of ownership that may…
Voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer expressed sadness and concern over the reported closure of BioWare and the fate of its intellectual properties. They reflected on the impact on employees and the potential loss of beloved franchises like Mass Effect, with Hale even humorously suggesting a fan-led Kickstarter to save the studio. The article also touches on the broader trend of industry consolidation and the potential for IPs to be mishandled by new ownership.
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.
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.
Richard Garriott expands on his comments about getting the copyright back to Ultima in 2027
Richard Garriott is discussing his plans to regain the copyright for the Ultima franchise in 2027, 35 years after selling Origin to Electronic Arts. While he has notified EA and negotiations are underway, EA still owns the trademark. Garriott has not specified his plans for the franchise, and his recent game ventures have had limited success.
Evening Reading - October 8, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Order of the Sinking Star and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, discussions on Phantom Blade Zero and Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC, and updates on Ultima IP rights. It also touches on Xbox's new film and TV division, Apple's upcoming event, a Cyberpunk 2077 movie in development, and Sony's AR/VR patent sales to Meta.
Games Inbox: Which 2026 video game has the best melee combat?
Readers discuss which upcoming games will feature the best melee combat, with Onimusha: Way Of The Sword and Nioh 3 being highlighted. The discussion also touches on the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker, issues with Amazon's game delivery, the pricing of live service cosmetics, and the potential for dormant game franchises to be revived.
Richard Garriott to Soon Take Back Rights to the Ultima Series From EA
Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, is set to regain the rights to the Ultima series from Electronic Arts. This development marks a significant moment for the creator of the iconic RPG franchise.
Ultima creator Richard Garriott claims he will get the IP rights back from EA in 2027
Ultima creator Richard Garriott claims he will regain the intellectual property rights to the series from Electronic Arts in 2027, citing a US copyright law that allows for rights reversion after 35 years. Garriott has indicated plans to revive the dormant franchise, which last saw a mainline entry with Ultima IX in 1999.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
