Being one of the industry's most famous game designer, Richard Garriott is finally free to return into the business after his one year non-compete term. We all know, what games he has brought us in the past - but we all want to know about his future, his plans and his feelings about the latest developments in the industry.

Enjoy our interview with Lord British.  

RPGDot: Hello Richard Garriott - how are you doing these days?

Richard Garriott: In fact, I'm doing very well. I am very excited about getting back into the business. Our fledgling plans are coming together quickly, and I think people will be excited about the team and the plan we have put together.

RPGDot: What have you been doing in this past year after you left Origin?

Richard Garriott: Relaxing! I was in the rat race for over 20 years during the birth of an industry. I was all too ready for a break, much more than I knew.

RPGDot:  …and what are you up to in the moment? Will you found a new company or will you join a team of developers?

Richard Garriott: Well, it's premature to announce specifics, but, a few weeks ago, my path back into the business was expected to be a slow rebuild. Recently EA has cut loose the entire staff that I used to work with at Origin, together we can get right back into the fray much more quickly.

RPGDot: What were the decisions to sell Origin to EA back in 1993? Would you do it again from today's point of view? And, would you sell a new company of yours to a large company again?

Richard Garriott: Back in '93 it was clear that even though we were a top 10 company, only the top 5 had the mass necessary to survive platform shifts. For example: we had bet on the Apple, when the PC standard took off, and nearly went out of business. Yes, I'd do it again. It has a cost and benefit.

RPGDot: Which feeling is more overwhelming for you now: The disappointment about the dismantling of Origin or the excitement about your return into the industry? And even though you left Origin 1 year ago, what are your feelings about the recent cancellation of UO2?

Richard Garriott: My excitement dramatically outweighs the dismantling of Origin. Origin became EA some time back. The Origin I founded was all but gone already. Interestingly, Starr Long and I advised EA not to do UO2, rather we should do sci-fi Ultima or some other non-direct competitor. Strange they insisted we pursue UO2 as the next online game for years, and then laid off the whole team, when they figured out we were right. UO2 was going to be long and expensive. Yet, they should have finished it or spun out the group onto new projects, not given them away to competitors.

RPGDot: Let's talk about your plans: Will you bring us new games with emphasis more on the single player or on the multiplayer aspect? What is your opinion about the future of Online RPG's in general?

Richard Garriott: Both. We plan to do online games, but which blend the best features of both solo, and online styles. For example: In a solo player game, each person who buys the game is blissfully unaware that everyone else is also the 1 hero that saves the day. Yet they do this alone and lonely. In most multiplayer games, you are far from lonely which is cool, but not everyone can be the one hero. We have designs that accomplish both. You will be able to achieve greatness alone or with friends.

RPGDot: What kind of games can we expect from you in the future? Who owns the rights of the Ultima and Wing Commander series? If it is EA - will you consider to buy them back or have you even done this already?

Richard Garriott: EA owns Ultima and Wing Commander. I own Lord British. Lord British has left Britannia, and will be visiting new worlds soon. EA would not likely sell me anything that would help me compete with them.

RPGDot: And the unevitable question: Will there be an Ultima 10 (by you)? If so, will it be single player or MMORPG? Will it conclude the known storyline? And how about Underworld 3 or a new Wing Commander?

Richard Garriott: I seriously doubt that there will be another Ultima, Wing commander or even an Underworld. But, you never know what EA might do with those trademarks. On the other hand, the new team of expatriates and I do expect to continue in the stylistic vein which made those properties great!

RPGDot: What games did you play lately? And what are you all time faves? And, if there were'nt any deadlines, financial matters or anything else - what would your perfect game be like and which of your former games would you re-do?

Richard Garriott: I've not played much this year, thank goodness! My all time favourites though are: Myst, C&C, Heroes of M&M, and Warcraft. Myst is the only non-Ultima game I have completed! I'd love to build a new Ultima IV, now that my design skills have matured, and so has technology.

RPGDot: Is there aynthing else you would liketo share?

Richard Garriott: I hope to have more complete announcements at E3, see you there!

RPGDot: Thank you for your time and effort - I truly wish you all the best for your future!

Richard Garriott: Thanks!!!