EA Launching Ultima Website…?

Posted by Rampant Coyote on June 1, 2011

GameBanshee has some more information, including a screenshot of a page that was up only briefly. They’ve also confirmed that EA is the owner of the site. Dang, fans are just too diligent, and won’t let a company sneak something like this past them for long…

Ultima Forever Website Leaked

The web page screenshot suggests Bioware (now a division of EA) is involved – not a surprise, offers the download of Ultima IV for free, and while ostensibly just a fan page to celebrate the series’ past, it seems to suggest there may be more happening in the future with it.

Interesting news, to be sure.

Filed Under: Mainstream Games, Retro - Comments: 10 Comments to Read

McTeddy said,

You know… a few years ago I’d have been excited to see an Ultima remake by Bioware…

But now, the idea of Bioware controlling the Ultima franchise fills me with one part dread and one part sickness.
Menigal said,

Ultima, now with less gameplay and more cringe-worthy David Gaider “romances”. :p
skavenhorde said,

Online I don’t really care about, but I am interested in this Ultima 4 rumor. I’ll reserve judgement till after they’ve confirmed it.

I’ll read what they have to say, see what they post and then I’ll go straight to nerdrage 😛
Brian 'Psychochild' Green said,

HEADLINE: EA performs brand necromancy to squeeze dollars out of nostalgic customers. Uses “Bioware” word of power in the hex for +5 to nostalgia roll.

Yeah, that about says it.
Andy_Panthro said,

They are on the twitter too.

I know there are a few folks who know what Bioware Mythic are up to, but they are sworn to secrecy. I’m hoping that more info will be available sooner rather than later.
Rampant Coyote said,

I am trying not to get excited. After all, I ceased to be an Ultima fanboy around Ultima VIII, ceased to be a Bioware fanboy around the time of Jade Empire, and ceased to be an EA fanboy … well, about the time they quit packaging their games like record sleeves.

But I guess hope springs eternal, and the possibility of seeing a comeback of the series in a form that doesn’t suck remains a dream. But I really don’t see how it would be possible given the state of the industry today.
Max said,

You lost me at “EA”. Seriously I expect nothing good ever to come out of major publishers. Activision, EA -whatever . Ubisoft sometimes publishes decent games, thought I forgot where was that last time. EA last good game was LHX ( I wonder how many people remember that 🙂 )
Adamantyr said,

Yeah, I’m sure this is EA realizing they got to use or lose the Ultima license… frankly, I wonder how much value it has now; most modern gamers are completely unfamiliar with it.

If they are intending a relaunch, well, there is the small hope that whoever is handed control will care more about Ultima than EA or Richard Garriot ever did. We’ll see.
Andy_Panthro said,

It appears to be quite possible that the EA/Mythic announcement and the GOG.com announcement are linked.

Speculation ahoy here:
http://www.wcnews.com/news/update/10817
and here:
http://www.ultimaaiera.com/blog/for-those-of-you-who-enjoy-such-speculations/
Rampant Coyote said,

Ummm… wow. That would be totally cool if true. And totally painful to my wallet. The big RPGs I’ve been waiting for from GOG.COM were the Ultima series and the SSI D&D series… though I already own most of ’em in one form or another.

Heh – this would be the third time I purchased Wing Commander 1 if this pans out. I bought their limited release Windows 95 conversion as well…