Legendary RPG Creator Officially Takes His Game Back from Electronic Arts

When game designer Richard Garriott introduced the inaugural Ultima title in 1981, he ignited a cultural phenomenon that would ultimately shape the bedrock of computer role-playing games. Ten years later, he parted ways with his creation, transferring both the franchise and his development studio, Origin Systems, to Electronic Arts for a staggering $30 million. Following a brief return to game development with the sci-fi MMO Tabula Rasa—interspersed with a historic voyage as a private astronaut—Garriott is now poised to reclaim the intellectual property rights to Ultima from EA.

During a candid discussion with Jesse Petrilla, Garriott revealed plans to invoke a specific clause in United States copyright law. This statutory provision grants original creators the right to revert ownership after a 35-year window has elapsed, provided they issue formal written notice to the current rights holder at least one year in advance. Having initiated contact with Electronic Arts in April 2026 without facing any pushback, Garriott is legally scheduled to regain full ownership of his legendary franchise in 2027.

Could the Legendary Creator Be Bringing Us Brand-New Ultima Installments?

Veterans of 1990s computer gaming undoubtedly harbor fond memories of the Ultima universe. The massively multiplayer spin-off, Ultima Online, proved particularly revolutionary, establishing industry benchmarks through its intricate socio-economic frameworks. Notably, August 8, 1997, marked the setting for the infamous assassination of Lord British. While Garriott was hosting a routine stress test embodied as his sovereign avatar, an unexpected pre-event server crash had inadvertently stripped his character of permanent immortality. Spotting the golden opportunity, a cunning player known as Rainz vaporized the developer with a fiery invocation, prompting an immediate, chaotic retaliation from the development team in the form of a summoned demonic onslaught.

Reflecting on his upcoming acquisition, Garriott admitted that he is still charting out his exact roadmap. “At the very least, it means I could re-release the earlier Ultimas, but it also means I could sequel them,” he noted. Though the gaming landscape has undergone monumental technological and creative transformations over the past few decades, Garriott—a pioneer who spent nearly two weeks aboard the International Space Station in 2008—is undoubtedly equipped for the journey ahead.

Source: Polygon