What is Ultima?

Ultima is a computer role-playing game series, developed by Richard Garriott and first released in 1980. In the following two decades, in addition to new mainstream releases of the game, several spin-offs were created in the form of computer games, on-line games, console games, books, mangas and countless fan material. In September of 1992, the Ultima brand was sold to Electronic Arts, who, shortly after, lost interest in producing or licensing the game. Consequently, in recent times, the name has stagnated, however, the Ultima universe has continued in spirit, most recently in Garriott's Shroud of the Avatar.