Ultima Creator Is Reportedly Planning to Take Series Rights Back from EA
After 35 years, "the time has come," Richard Garriott says.
Electronic Arts
Ultima is an important series in the gaming world, created by Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, who sold his company, Origin Systems, and the franchise to Electronic Arts in 1992.
Ultima IX from 1999 was the last mainline title, and Underworld Ascendant, the latest part of the spin-off series, was launched in 2018. But the good old days of Ultima might not be over: Garriott is preparing to take the rights for the series back, according to Inside Games.
Earlier this month, EA filed a new Ultima trademark, so Inside Games contacted Garriott to see what he thinks about it.
"Every decade or so, I tried to work with EA on a revival of Ultima. They always seemed interested enough to start talking, then abandoned talks just as quickly."
Now, however, he might have a chance: the US copyright law allows creators or their heirs to reclaim a copyrighted work after 35 years, which means the original maker of the legendary game can do so in 2027. "And so, I have been waiting," Garriott said. "Finally, the time has come!"
There is one important detail: the law applies to copyright, not trademarks, so while Garriott will have the rights to the code, the brand will stay with EA. "Lord British's Ultima will regain all the copyrights of my original work," the developer said. "What it will become is the next challenge."
With games like Baldur's Gate 3 reviving players' interest in cRPG, a new Ultima would be a great next step.
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