After an extended hiatus of nearly eight years, the Ultima franchise is stirring once again. The last installment, Underworld Ascendant, while not officially branded as Ultima, marked the series’ absence from the gaming landscape. As time marches on, even beloved franchises that have stood the test of over four decades can lose their momentum. However, recent developments suggest a potential revival is on the horizon.
Trademark Developments and Creator’s Aspirations
Earlier this week, Electronic Arts (EA), the long-time steward of the Ultima rights, filed new trademarks associated with the series. This move has sparked renewed interest among fans and industry watchers alike. In a conversation with Brian Gaar from Inside Games, series creator Richard “Lord British” Garriott revealed his ongoing efforts to resurrect Ultima. “Every decade or so, I tried to work with EA on a revival of Ultima,” Garriott noted. “They always seemed interested enough to start talking, then abandoned talks just as quickly.” Despite these setbacks, Garriott is optimistic about reclaiming the copyright in 2027.
Under U.S. copyright law, creators or their heirs can reclaim rights to their works after 35 years. Since EA acquired the Ultima rights from Garriott in 1992, the year 2027 marks a significant milestone. “And so, I have been waiting… finally, the time has come!” Garriott expressed, hinting at a renewed opportunity to bring Ultima back to life.
Copyright vs. Trademark: Navigating the Landscape
It’s important to clarify that while Garriott may regain copyright over his original creations, he will not have the ability to use the Ultima name freely, as EA retains the trademark. In the realm of video games, copyright protects elements such as source code and audiovisual content, while trademarks safeguard brand names and specific characters. Garriott is already contemplating the future, stating, “‘Lord British’s Ultima’ will regain all the copyrights of my original work. What it will become, is the next challenge.”
Although details remain sparse, Garriott is set to make an appearance at Dragon Con later this year, where he hopes to share more insights about the future of the franchise. The prospect of new Ultima content—whether under its original name or a reimagined title—has fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead. As the gaming community watches closely, the revival of this iconic series may soon become a reality, reigniting the passion of both long-time fans and a new generation of players.
