Ultima Creator Regains Copyright from EA in 2027 Under U.S. Law

Richard Garriott, who created the Ultima series in 1981 and sold it to Electronic Arts along with his studio Origin Systems in 1992 for $30 million, will regain the copyright to the influential RPG franchise in 2027. Under Section 203 of the U.S. Copyright Act, original copyright holders may reclaim rights transferred or sold to another entity after 35 years, provided the current holder receives written notice at least one year in advance. Garriott notified EA in April 2026, and the publisher confirmed it will comply with the legal provision.

Ultima is regarded as one of the most influential early computer RPG series, having established genre conventions in world-building, exploration, and social systems. Ultima Online, the MMO spinoff released in 1997, became particularly significant for its sophisticated in-game economy and community features. EA released several Ultima titles during the 1990s but ceased development in 2000. The last mainline entry, Ultima IX, shipped in 1999. Subsequent revival attempts, including the 2013 free-to-play title Ultima Forever, did not achieve commercial success.

Garriott stated he is in active discussions with EA about potential collaborative projects before the copyright reverts. Once the transfer occurs in 2027, he indicated several possibilities for the franchise: re-releasing earlier Ultima games on modern platforms, developing sequels, or pursuing entirely new titles. He emphasized that regaining control means "I have control again of the future of my seminal product line." Garriott noted that while the copyright will revert to him, EA retains ownership of associated trademarks, though he suggested workarounds may exist.

After leaving EA in 2000, Garriott founded Destination Games and partnered with South Korean publisher NCsoft to develop the MMO Tabula Rasa, which launched in 2007 but closed in 2009 due to disappointing sales. He later became a private astronaut, spending 12 days aboard the International Space Station in 2008. His more recent project, Shroud of the Avatar, represented his last major game release. Sources indicate he has expressed interest in exploring generative AI applications for future projects, though no concrete plans have been announced.