Richard Garriott to reclaim Ultima franchise rights from EA

Game designer Richard Garriott has confirmed he is set to regain the rights to the influential RPG and MMO franchise, Ultima, from Electronic Arts (EA). The move is facilitated by Section 203 of the US Copyright Act, which allows original authors to terminate previous copyright transfers after 35 years.

Garriott originally sold his studio, Origin Systems, to EA in 1992 for $30 million. While EA continued to release titles in the 1990s, including Ultima Online, the publisher canceled all Origin projects in 2000, leading to Garriott’s departure.

Garriott stated that he officially notified EA of his intent to reclaim the rights in April. EA reportedly acknowledged the legal process, stating, “Yes, we know that is the law and we will act accordingly.” Garriott expects to officially hold the rights again in 2027. He is currently in active discussions with EA to explore potential collaborative projects before the rights transfer is finalized, noting that regaining control will allow him to manage the future of the series, including potential sequels or re-releases.