Richard Garriott is officially regaining control of the Ultima series
Richard Garriott, the creator of the Ultima series, has officially confirmed that he will soon regain control of the copyright from Electronic Arts. This represents a significant development for the legendary fantasy RPG franchise, which Garriott originally created decades ago before EA acquired control through its purchase of Origin Systems.
The specifics of the copyright reversion timeline and terms are not detailed in available excerpts, but this marks a major shift in ownership and future direction of the Ultima intellectual property. The franchise has remained under EA’s stewardship for many years, and its return to its original creator opens possibilities for preservation, development, and revival of the series going forward.
For the gaming industry and particularly those interested in game preservation and creator rights, this is a noteworthy development. It reflects broader conversations about ownership of classic gaming properties and the role of original creators in stewarding their intellectual creations. The return of Ultima to Garriott represents a rare instance of a creator successfully reclaiming rights to a significant franchise from a major publisher.