Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Industry veteran Richard Garriott’s current project could conceivably become an official Ultima title.
Speaking in an interview with Eurogamer, Garriott explained he is currently in serious discussion with EA over access to Ultima.
“We’ve had discussions at very high levels with Electronic Arts about access to the property. We’re in discussions with Electronic Arts even now about a possible marketing and distribution relationships and things of this nature,” he stated.
While the upcoming title is not a direct sequel to the original Ultima series, he insists it’s still an Ultima game.
“What essentially makes an Ultima an Ultima is the principles of design. And I’m very confident that when players sit down with this new world they will very quickly recognise that, whether or not we end up doing any deal with Electronic Arts. This is clearly the spiritual successor of the Ultima series.
“Electronic Arts is a big company. There are some parts of the organisation that would love and embrace and clearly understand the logic of ‘wouldn’t it be great to work together on an Ultima.’
“And then there are other parts of the organisation who – I’m actually not sure where the resistance comes from, but it must be people who either have their own ideas about where the product should go, or have their own ideas about whether or nor I should be involved in it. And I don’t know where the counter-forces come from. So far we’ve not put a deal together, but of course, yeah, I would be very open to it.”
Garriott went on to explain the new title may well retain an isometric perspective, would be free-to-play, and available on all platforms including mobile devices.
While his CV is steeped in RPGs, Garriott has been outspoken about his belief in casual titles as of late, having recently said that game publishers ignore the casual sector at their own peril.
