Key information
Richard Garriott, the creator of the legendary Ultima fantasy RPG series, is nearing the recovery of the franchise's rights from Electronic Arts. Originating in 1981, the series has remained largely dormant for two decades following the closure of various multiplayer projects and the release of Underworld Ascendant.
Garriott is leveraging a specific United States copyright law that allows original creators to reclaim rights 35 years after selling them. Having initiated formal communication with Electronic Arts in April of this year, Garriott reports that the company acknowledged the legal validity of his claim, which requires no financial payment to execute.
The transition of ownership is expected to be finalized by 2027. Garriott is currently exploring a potential collaborative agreement with Electronic Arts that could allow for continued cooperation between the parties despite the change in intellectual property ownership.
Looking ahead, Garriott intends to republish the original titles in the series. Furthermore, he has explicitly confirmed that he will control all future production of the franchise, leaving open the possibility of developing new sequels to the classic RPG saga.
