EA has filed new trademarks for Ultima, signaling potential interest in reviving the legendary RPG franchise after eight years of dormancy. The move comes as series creator Richard Garriott prepares to reclaim the game's copyright next year under U.S. copyright law provisions that allow original creators to reclaim works from publishers.
Ultima, one of gaming's most influential franchises spanning over 40 years, has languished under EA's stewardship. The last entry, Underworld Ascendant, released in 2018 without the Ultima branding and failed to capture the magic of the original series. Since then, the franchise has been largely inactive, with EA retaining trademark rights but showing minimal development activity.
EA's trademark renewal appears defensive. The publisher likely seeks to maintain control over the intellectual property ahead of Garriott's legal opportunity to reclaim it. Under the Copyright Term Extension Act, creators can regain ownership of their works after a specified period, giving Garriott a legitimate path to recover Ultima from EA's portfolio.
This creates a fascinating tension in gaming's corporate landscape. Garriott has expressed interest in returning to Ultima through independent channels, including potential blockchain integration in past statements. A successful reclamation would hand control of one of RPG's foundational series back to its visionary creator, potentially opening doors for new development that aligns with Garriott's original vision rather than EA's more cautious, profit-driven approach.
EA's trademark filing doesn't guarantee active development. The publisher often maintains dormant franchises to prevent competitors from acquiring them. However, it signals awareness that Ultima carries cultural weight and potential revenue. Whether EA plans genuine revival or merely defensive positioning remains unclear, but the clock is ticking on their legal hold over Garriott's creation.