Richard Garriott's Bold Gambit to Reclaim Ultima from EA

Richard Garriott, the legendary game designer known as "Lord British," is making headlines with his intention to reclaim creative control over the iconic *Ultima* series from Electronic Arts (EA). In a recent statement to Inside Games, Garriott shared his plans to leverage a provision in U.S. copyright law that allows original creators to reclaim their works 35 years after the sale. This strategic move is set to become viable in 2027, marking 35 years since EA acquired Origin Systems, Garriott’s studio, for $30 million.

Garriott's relationship with the *Ultima* series is deeply personal, having founded Origin Systems in 1983 to publish the third installment of the series. Despite several attempts to collaborate with EA for a revival, Garriott expressed frustration over the years, stating, "Every decade or so, I tried to work with EA on a revival of Ultima. They always seemed interested enough to start talking, then abandon talks just as quickly."

The intrigue deepens as EA has recently filed multiple new trademarks related to *Ultima*. The purpose behind these filings remains unclear, and Garriott's statement did not shed light on EA's intentions. However, he has made it clear that he does not plan to purchase *Ultima* outright from EA. Instead, Garriott aims to reclaim the copyright, which would enable him to create a new *Ultima* game, albeit under a different brand to avoid trademark conflicts with EA.

Garriott is scheduled to appear at Dragon Con in Atlanta, where he hopes to share more concrete plans. As fans eagerly await this appearance, Garriott hinted at the evolving nature of his strategy, saying he "hopes to have more thoughts together about what that will actually mean." The gaming community remains on edge, pondering what a Garriott-led *Ultima* could entail in today’s gaming landscape.

The road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. Whether Garriott will successfully reclaim the copyright and what form a future *Ultima* might take are questions that remain unanswered. However, Garriott's determination to breathe new life into his beloved series is palpable, and his upcoming Dragon Con appearance is poised to be a momentous occasion for both him and *Ultima* fans worldwide.

[Original Source](https://kotaku.com/richard-garriott-wants-to-take-ultima-back-from-ea-using-some-legal-quirks-2000708685)