Ultima Creator Richard Garriott to Reclaim Series Rights from EA by 2027

Richard 'Lord British' Garriott, the esteemed creator of the highly influential Ultima series, is on the verge of reclaiming the rights to his seminal work from Electronic Arts. This potential shift, expected by 2027, marks a significant moment for one of PC gaming's most revered franchises, which has remained largely inactive under EA's stewardship for decades. Garriott's previous efforts to revitalize the series have been met with stalled negotiations, but a specific provision in US copyright law now opens the door for him to take back control.

The Ultima franchise holds a storied place in the history of computer gaming. Its core role-playing games were lauded for their intricate and vibrant worlds, while offshoots such as Ultima Underworld and Ultima Online were instrumental in shaping the immersive simulation and massively multiplayer online genres, respectively. The enduring legacy of Ultima is evident even today, with modern successes like Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin and Baldur's Gate 3 drawing considerable inspiration from titles such as Ultima 7.

However, the series itself has seen little activity in recent times. Electronic Arts acquired Origin Systems, Garriott's development studio, in 1992, granting them control over the Ultima intellectual property. While a few notable Ultima titles, including Ultima Online, emerged under EA's banner, the series has mostly languished, with short-lived ventures like Lord of Ultima (2010) and Ultima Forever (2013) failing to capture widespread success. This extended period of dormancy now appears poised for an upheaval.

According to reports from Brian Gaar of Inside Games, Garriott himself shed light on the situation. Recent trademark filings by EA pertaining to Ultima prompted Gaar to inquire with Garriott. Garriott revealed that despite numerous attempts over the years to collaborate with EA on an Ultima revival, discussions consistently faltered. "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," Garriott reportedly stated.

The turning point stems from a provision in US copyright law that permits creators or their legal successors to reclaim copyright ownership of a work after a period of 35 years. Given that Garriott transferred the Ultima rights to EA in 1992, this legal window allows him to regain control of the copyrights in 2027. "And so, I have been waiting… finally, the time has come!" Garriott excitedly shared with Inside Gaming.

It is crucial to note that while Garriott can reclaim the copyright, the trademark for "Ultima" will likely remain with EA. This means he would not be able to simply release a game titled "Ultima." However, he could create a game with a slightly altered name, such as "Lord British's Ultima," which appears to be his current intention. "Lord British's Ultima will regain all the copyrights of my original work," Garriott elaborated to Inside Games. "What it will become is the next challenge."

The current gaming landscape seems particularly ripe for an Ultima resurgence. The overwhelming success of expansive CRPGs from developers like Larian and Owlcat demonstrates a strong market appetite for detailed, narrative-rich experiences. Whether Garriott's vision for the revitalized series aligns with this trend remains to be seen. He is expected to provide further insights at the upcoming Dragon Con event, where he hopes to outline his plans for the future of Ultima.

This development signifies a potential rebirth for a foundational gaming series. The prospect of Richard Garriott, the original visionary, once again guiding the destiny of Ultima offers a thrilling possibility for both long-time fans and a new generation of players to experience the magic of Britannia anew. The journey ahead for "Lord British's Ultima" will undoubtedly be a fascinating one to follow.