Got a couple of avenues with old timers to ask this Ultima question. Will see if anyone has the inside skinny.
Cool. I’m just shocked that they would let the IP waste away when we seem to be in a bit of a nostalgic period.
Word so far was that it was all on the EA camp, as they owned the Ultima IP (But not the Lord British avatar). Seems foolish to ignore it, but it was EA....
Now that Microsoft is in the driver's seat, it should be a greater possibility. If they think it would have the legs to justify producing it.
The rights are with EA so how does Microsoft come in exactly?
Positing something that they could put on their game pass.
As to why EA doesn't exploit this, no one seems to know. Maybe complicated rights issues? None of the Origin folks knew more details about it, other than it was an EA camp choice.
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
I recall a story once which said Richard G. believed that the reason SotA wasn't selling was due to a lack of marketing, believing if people only knew this game existed they would flock to it.
I don't think the Ultima name holds much sway in the larger gaming community these days.
I'm sure my 30 something son and his friends would stare blankly if the name Ultima was brought up unless it included Rick and Morty in the title.
Even my 3 friends in my static, all over 60 would not know what this was about as they don't "follow" games and never have played any of the Ultimas.
Even at EA I'll bet theres not that many people that worked on or remember much about the Ultimas, but RG's failure with SotA will not have gone unnoticed in the boardroom.
No, they'll just keep investing in well worn franchises like FIFA or Madden and sit on the Ultima IP for eternity most likely.
SotA was originally conceived as a quite different game. But backers and fans only wanted retread, warmed over Ultima, so that's what they got.
Hollywood IP fixation, which bleeds over into gaming and entertainment, makes any IP more attractive for development. It's that kind of mindset that could bring out a new Ultima.
On the other hand, why now, given they've deepsixed it for so many years?
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
I recall a story once which said Richard G. believed that the reason SotA wasn't selling was due to a lack of marketing, believing if people only knew this game existed they would flock to it.
I don't think the Ultima name holds much sway in the larger gaming community these days.
I'm sure my 30 something son and his friends would stare blankly if the name Ultima was brought up unless it included Rick and Morty in the title.
Even my 3 friends in my static, all over 60 would not know what this was about as they don't "follow" games and never have played any of the Ultimas.
Even at EA I'll bet theres not that many people that worked on or remember much about the Ultimas, but RG's failure with SotA will not have gone unnoticed in the boardroom.
No, they'll just keep investing in well worn franchises like FIFA or Madden and sit on the Ultima IP for eternity most likely.
You nailed in my opinion. MMRPGs were always niche, and still are. The only one players outside the genre can reliably name is WoW.
The same thing is happening with EQ, DAoC, an host of other half popular IPs. Soon, they won't be worth remaking and won't be inspiring any spiritual successors (which is a blessing in disguise because they've all been horrible).
I disagree. I just played through Solasta and really enjoyed it. I also very much enjoyed BG3. Last I heard, BG3 had sold over 10 million copies. No, that isn't Call of Duty numbers, but it's still a big number.
I'm not sure we're disagreeing though. Solasta and BG3 are based on D&D, which is still a huge well know IP. D&D players are constantly clamoring for more computer games with their favorite themes. I think a new Dragonlance D&D game could be a big hit. MMRPG IPs are what I'm talking about losing their identity interest. Those are fading quickly.
A studio could release "Curse of the Azure Bonds" and a lot of people wouldn't likely know there was an SSI Gold Box game of the same name, but it might still be massively popular because it's D&D set in the Forgotten Realms.
btw I think Solasta is a very good game too, and the dungeon maker with community content and modding is rad.
Great point, both my son and my friends are well aware of the D&D franchise, having seen movies, or even from friends who went off to play BG3 last fall.
My son does know Hogwarts because Harry Potter was big in his youth, but my older friends will be unlikely to ever have heard of the game even though they've either read the books and or seen the movie.
Guess what comes up in Google if you search on Ultima? (Hint: not a game related film)
The game was commercially unsuccessful, with sales of roughly 75,000 units in the U.S. by August 2000.[36]
Might have contribute on developers giving up. And you really don't need the IP to create a game in that general.
The EA Ultimas suffered from management 'advice and admonishment' on how to develop those games. They lost a chunk of their audience to 'keeping up with the times' in that special EA way.
Though Garriott needed to be shepherded around himself.
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
The game was commercially unsuccessful, with sales of roughly 75,000 units in the U.S. by August 2000.[36]
Might have contribute on developers giving up. And you really don't need the IP to create a game in that general.
The EA Ultimas suffered from management 'advice and admonishment' on how to develop those games. They lost a chunk of their audience to 'keeping up with the times' in that special EA way.
Though Garriott needed to be shepherded around himself.
Yeah I think it was a huge misstep when thy tried to make it more like an action/platformer type game. Ultima 8 was a step in the wrong direction and 9 really turned people off with the jumping stuff.
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I just installed Ultima 4... one of the pinnacles of Ultima. I lasted about 3 minutes.
How did I ever game like that ?
And using a DOSbox.. man did that make me appreciate windows so damn much.
I never enjoyed Ultima much before 6 and 7, which I feel was the series peak until Ultima Underworld, that was one of my favorite RPGs back in the day.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I recall a story once which said Richard G. believed that the reason SotA wasn't selling was due to a lack of marketing, believing if people only knew this game existed they would flock to it.
I don't think the Ultima name holds much sway in the larger gaming community these days.
I'm sure my 30 something son and his friends would stare blankly if the name Ultima was brought up unless it included Rick and Morty in the title.
Even my 3 friends in my static, all over 60 would not know what this was about as they don't "follow" games and never have played any of the Ultimas.
Even at EA I'll bet theres not that many people that worked on or remember much about the Ultimas, but RG's failure with SotA will not have gone unnoticed in the boardroom.
No, they'll just keep investing in well worn franchises like FIFA or Madden and sit on the Ultima IP for eternity most likely.
You nailed in my opinion. MMRPGs were always niche, and still are. The only one players outside the genre can reliably name is WoW.
The same thing is happening with EQ, DAoC, an host of other half popular IPs. Soon, they won't be worth remaking and won't be inspiring any spiritual successors (which is a blessing in disguise because they've all been horrible).
I think what you are missing is the desperation of entertainment studios (not just gaming) for IP's. They will look at anything and one day they will try their hand at some sort of new Ultima game, but because the recognition of that name is at the bottom of the barrel it may take years and years yet for that to happen.
I just installed Ultima 4... one of the pinnacles of Ultima. I lasted about 3 minutes.
How did I ever game like that ?
And using a DOSbox.. man did that make me appreciate windows so damn much.
I never enjoyed Ultima much before 6 and 7, which I feel was the series peak until Ultima Underworld, that was one of my favorite RPGs back in the day.
Yeah, 4-6 was the greatest trilogy and 7 was possibly the best single game. Ultima 7 released the same year that EA bought Origin...
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
The last one was Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar. A mobile game. It wasn't a stereotypical Ultima game at all. But I still enjoyed it. It was utterly destroyed by monetization though. I still wish they brought it back and just toned it down a little. They tried way to hard to push selling chest keys.
I recall a story once which said Richard G. believed that the reason SotA wasn't selling was due to a lack of marketing, believing if people only knew this game existed they would flock to it.
I don't think the Ultima name holds much sway in the larger gaming community these days.
I'm sure my 30 something son and his friends would stare blankly if the name Ultima was brought up unless it included Rick and Morty in the title.
Even my 3 friends in my static, all over 60 would not know what this was about as they don't "follow" games and never have played any of the Ultimas.
Even at EA I'll bet theres not that many people that worked on or remember much about the Ultimas, but RG's failure with SotA will not have gone unnoticed in the boardroom.
No, they'll just keep investing in well worn franchises like FIFA or Madden and sit on the Ultima IP for eternity most likely.
You nailed in my opinion. MMRPGs were always niche, and still are. The only one players outside the genre can reliably name is WoW.
The same thing is happening with EQ, DAoC, an host of other half popular IPs. Soon, they won't be worth remaking and won't be inspiring any spiritual successors (which is a blessing in disguise because they've all been horrible).
I think what you are missing is the desperation of entertainment studios (not just gaming) for IP's. They will look at anything and one day they will try their hand at some sort of new Ultima game, but because the recognition of that name is at the bottom of the barrel it may take years and years yet for that to happen.
IP's a pretty big draw, but all the negatives in today's gaming philosophy (CS's, Themepark level grinds, the social travesty, FtP, etc.) is going to pretty much kill them all, at this point.
MMO's have to give up on the current design philosophy, and that's scary because of the lost revenues and inability to understand the Ultima "worldly" philosophy (where Ultima 7 was the best, and then UO shined past even that).
But if someone does do that, and well, they'll lead MMORPGs back to the top money maker over time, with a monthly fee (that gets a bad rap from the 5% cheapsters and RMTers - profits, after all).
Players are dying for it, most without realizing that it's the world and the other players that make it the most fun thing they can play.
I recall a story once which said Richard G. believed that the reason SotA wasn't selling was due to a lack of marketing, believing if people only knew this game existed they would flock to it.
I don't think the Ultima name holds much sway in the larger gaming community these days.
I'm sure my 30 something son and his friends would stare blankly if the name Ultima was brought up unless it included Rick and Morty in the title.
Even my 3 friends in my static, all over 60 would not know what this was about as they don't "follow" games and never have played any of the Ultimas.
Even at EA I'll bet theres not that many people that worked on or remember much about the Ultimas, but RG's failure with SotA will not have gone unnoticed in the boardroom.
No, they'll just keep investing in well worn franchises like FIFA or Madden and sit on the Ultima IP for eternity most likely.
You nailed in my opinion. MMRPGs were always niche, and still are. The only one players outside the genre can reliably name is WoW.
The same thing is happening with EQ, DAoC, an host of other half popular IPs. Soon, they won't be worth remaking and won't be inspiring any spiritual successors (which is a blessing in disguise because they've all been horrible).
I disagree. I just played through Solasta and really enjoyed it. I also very much enjoyed BG3. Last I heard, BG3 had sold over 10 million copies. No, that isn't Call of Duty numbers, but it's still a big number.
I'm not sure we're disagreeing though. Solasta and BG3 are based on D&D, which is still a huge well know IP. D&D players are constantly clamoring for more computer games with their favorite themes. I think a new Dragonlance D&D game could be a big hit. MMRPG IPs are what I'm talking about losing their identity interest. Those are fading quickly.
A studio could release "Curse of the Azure Bonds" and a lot of people wouldn't likely know there was an SSI Gold Box game of the same name, but it might still be massively popular because it's D&D set in the Forgotten Realms.
btw I think Solasta is a very good game too, and the dungeon maker with community content and modding is rad.
Great point, both my son and my friends are well aware of the D&D franchise, having seen movies, or even from friends who went off to play BG3 last fall.
My son does know Hogwarts because Harry Potter was big in his youth, but my older friends will be unlikely to ever have heard of the game even though they've either read the books and or seen the movie.
Guess what comes up in Google if you search on Ultima? (Hint: not a game related film)
I should have mentioned that I searched on "Ultima Movie"..turns out there never were any seriously made, unlike, AD&,D, Super Mario and even Wing Commander.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I recall a story once which said Richard G. believed that the reason SotA wasn't selling was due to a lack of marketing, believing if people only knew this game existed they would flock to it.
I don't think the Ultima name holds much sway in the larger gaming community these days.
I'm sure my 30 something son and his friends would stare blankly if the name Ultima was brought up unless it included Rick and Morty in the title.
Even my 3 friends in my static, all over 60 would not know what this was about as they don't "follow" games and never have played any of the Ultimas.
Even at EA I'll bet theres not that many people that worked on or remember much about the Ultimas, but RG's failure with SotA will not have gone unnoticed in the boardroom.
No, they'll just keep investing in well worn franchises like FIFA or Madden and sit on the Ultima IP for eternity most likely.
You nailed in my opinion. MMRPGs were always niche, and still are. The only one players outside the genre can reliably name is WoW.
The same thing is happening with EQ, DAoC, an host of other half popular IPs. Soon, they won't be worth remaking and won't be inspiring any spiritual successors (which is a blessing in disguise because they've all been horrible).
I think what you are missing is the desperation of entertainment studios (not just gaming) for IP's. They will look at anything and one day they will try their hand at some sort of new Ultima game, but because the recognition of that name is at the bottom of the barrel it may take years and years yet for that to happen.
Apparently EA isn't interested in making small change money, or they really harbor a huge grudge against Richard Garriott.
Back in 2020 someone asked Richard on Twitter why remasters of Ulitima 1 - 8 were not being made since "everyone" was doing such lately.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Garriott fiddlefarts around a lot. Another Origin guy who needs a strong hand to focus him, or else. But most of the folks who worked with him still seem to like him despite that.
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
Looking at the large amount of Ultima games that were made, it kind of looks like those games were very much a product of their time, and to me- seems like they'd have to first re-invent what a ultima game should look and play like.
I just don't think there is a real answer to that question; it's like asking- why does a new Mavis Beacon game not exist?
Fishing on Gilgamesh since 2013 Fishing on Bronzebeard since 2005 Fishing in RL since 1992 Born with a fishing rod in my hand in 1979
Garriott fiddlefarts around a lot. Another Origin guy who needs a strong hand to focus him, or else. But most of the folks who worked with him still seem to like him despite that.
It is quite possible to be liked at work without being a good leader.
Looking at the large amount of Ultima games that were made, it kind of looks like those games were very much a product of their time, and to me- seems like they'd have to first re-invent what a ultima game should look and play like.
I just don't think there is a real answer to that question; it's like asking- why does a new Mavis Beacon game not exist?
Naa, I got to disagree. A new Ultima SP game would look similar to Skyrim, with a lot of worldly Sandbox MODs included. Just my opinion.
Looking at the large amount of Ultima games that were made, it kind of looks like those games were very much a product of their time, and to me- seems like they'd have to first re-invent what a ultima game should look and play like.
I just don't think there is a real answer to that question; it's like asking- why does a new Mavis Beacon game not exist?
Naa, I got to disagree. A new Ultima SP game would look similar to Skyrim, with a lot of worldly Sandbox MODs included. Just my opinion.
It could. It could also look like BG3 with a deep dive into Virtues and moral dilemmas where they conflict.
VasFlam!
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
Looking at the large amount of Ultima games that were made, it kind of looks like those games were very much a product of their time, and to me- seems like they'd have to first re-invent what a ultima game should look and play like.
I just don't think there is a real answer to that question; it's like asking- why does a new Mavis Beacon game not exist?
Naa, I got to disagree. A new Ultima SP game would look similar to Skyrim, with a lot of worldly Sandbox MODs included. Just my opinion.
It could. It could also look like BG3 with a deep dive into Virtues and moral dilemmas where they conflict.
VasFlam!
That too. Both fit what the Ultima's were doing as the franchise advanced.
Gotta love the people shitting on Richard Garriot... all people who didn't achieve 1% of what he did in his life. Yeah, I admire the guy. He started selling games in plastic bags in front of computer shops, and now he managed to take a stroll in space. A self made man, not some kind of rich kid because his father was rich. He's more than you haters will ever be, and that makes you so hateful.
Respect, walk, what did you say? Respect, walk Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me? - PANTERA at HELLFEST 2023
Gotta love the people shitting on Richard Garriot... all people who didn't achieve 1% of what he did in his life. Yeah, I admire the guy. He started selling games in plastic bags in front of computer shops, and now he managed to take a stroll in space. A self made man, not some kind of rich kid because his father was rich. He's more than you haters will ever be, and that makes you so hateful.
Comments
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
The game was commercially unsuccessful, with sales of roughly 75,000 units in the U.S. by August 2000.[36]
Might have contribute on developers giving up. And you really don't need the IP to create a game in that general.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_(series)
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
How did I ever game like that ?
And using a DOSbox.. man did that make me appreciate windows so damn much.
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
MMO's have to give up on the current design philosophy, and that's scary because of the lost revenues and inability to understand the Ultima "worldly" philosophy (where Ultima 7 was the best, and then UO shined past even that).
But if someone does do that, and well, they'll lead MMORPGs back to the top money maker over time, with a monthly fee (that gets a bad rap from the 5% cheapsters and RMTers - profits, after all).
Players are dying for it, most without realizing that it's the world and the other players that make it the most fun thing they can play.
Once upon a time....
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Back in 2020 someone asked Richard on Twitter why remasters of Ulitima 1 - 8 were not being made since "everyone" was doing such lately.
His short reply was
https://www.gamesradar.com/ultima-remasters-were-turned-down-by-ea-says-series-creator-richard-garriott/
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.
I just don't think there is a real answer to that question; it's like asking- why does a new Mavis Beacon game not exist?
Fishing on Gilgamesh since 2013
Fishing on Bronzebeard since 2005
Fishing in RL since 1992
Born with a fishing rod in my hand in 1979
A new Ultima SP game would look similar to Skyrim, with a lot of worldly Sandbox MODs included. Just my opinion.
Once upon a time....
VasFlam!
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
I think it’s because at the time we just accepted the games as they were.
”Those are the controls? Ok fine.”
” Have to figure it out or else I don’t progress? Ok.”
And we didn’t question the pixelated images as they were mostly improvements from what came before.
I remember a friend of mine and I marveling over how metal looked like metal in Diablo 2. Whoa!
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Once upon a time....
Yeah, I admire the guy. He started selling games in plastic bags in front of computer shops, and now he managed to take a stroll in space. A self made man, not some kind of rich kid because his father was rich.
He's more than you haters will ever be, and that makes you so hateful.
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
- PANTERA at HELLFEST 2023
I was reading up on Garriott at his Wikipedia page, I agree that he's pretty impressive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Garriott
Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has flaws, so I guess it's a case of looking at the big picture.
Once upon a time....