Richard Garriott's plan to reclaim Ultima rights from EA

In short

Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, has announced that he wants to reclaim the rights to the Ultima series from Electronic Arts (EA). EA acquired those rights in 1992, and under a 50-year-old copyright law, Garriott may be able to take legal action in 2027 to win them back.

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The Ultima series, which launched in 1983 through Garriott's Origin Systems, has left a lasting mark on the RPG genre. The last major release, Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar, came out in 2013, and there has been little activity since then. EA recently filed new trademarks for the Ultima franchise, which could point to an attempt to revive it. However, the implications remain unclear, especially given the franchise's history under EA's ownership.

Garriott's possible move to reclaim the rights could mark a turning point for the franchise. If he succeeds, we could see new Ultima games that stay true to the series' original vision. For fans, that would be a chance to see a classic return, with innovative gameplay and stories that capture the spirit of the original games.

What does this mean for players?

For players, this could mean new Ultima games are in the works that honor the series' rich history. The uncertainty around EA's trademark plans adds another layer of intrigue to the situation. Fans of the franchise are hoping for a revival that combines the series' original elements with modern gaming experiences.