Spam Spam Spam Humbug 158 – The Elevator Pitch
How would YOU reboot the Ultima series?
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If you could have the ear of somebody who could make a new Ultima game, even for a minute…what would your proposal for that game be?
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I would pitch it as an open world RPG, in the vein of Skyrim. Ultima’s RPG elements were secondary to the story and story related mechanics (such as karma).
The skyrim style of simplified RPG elements would lend itself to this. EA could easily have a competitor to the Elder Scrolls, they don’t have to match the original games exactly, just match the tone and systems that made it unique.
Not that i would want EA to remake it. I’d rather some other studio do ir, but i can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled first. The IP will linger in limbo.
I would maintain the 2.5 isometric playstyle, only updated to 3d standards with higher detail. I would begin the reboot with the destroying of mondains orb, just as UO did to explain why the story may veer away from what happened before. Take the Bioware approach to dialogue (fully voiced) and options for the karma system that would reflect the virtues. Most of the core I would keep, words of power, reagents, the world of Britannia, and the Avatar concept. Have first game begin with destruction of mondains orb, and the avatar returning to earth, open game on earth, and the sudden call back to Britannia, where Lord British has been assassinated, the world is in disarray, looking for a hero old companions call you forth to unite the lands (become the Avatar) and help remove the false king Lord Blackthorn.
Focus first on the Virtues of Ultima IV. Expand the story around them to create a deep, involving, and demanding set of quests to become the ‘Avatar’. Throw in doubt, conflicting and/or challenging ideas/virtues/concepts. Make the quest of the Avatar into a quest to mold the world into a set of virtues that the player defines through his play.
Second expand on the world simulation of Ultima VII. Take it to the next level. Everything is real, everything works and can be interacted with.
Combine these two things, as they are the stand out elements of the whole series. Use them to set Ultima apart from other offerings.