Origin Systems

From 1992 division of Electronic Arts

Wing Commander Ultima Template: Infobox Company / Maintenance / products

Origin Systems (also known as OSI ) was one of the most successful game developers and publishers in the 1980s and 1990s. They created well-known titles such as Wing Commander, Privateer, Strike Commander, Crusader and Ultima.

History

The company was founded by Richard Garriott, his brother Robert, his father Owen and Chuck Bueche as Origin Systems Inc. in 1983. The goal was originally only the third part of Richard Garriott's Ultima series bring out, because he had given up his job at the publisher Sierra On-Line. The firm was based Garriott's home city of Austin in Texas.

After the successful release of Ultima III: Exodus, the company was known quite quickly and brought several more video games out, which sold well - including some well-known Wing Commander series. Therefore, Origin Systems was bought in 1992 by Electronic Arts and renamed Origin. Since the published numerous other successful titles. In 1997, Origin founded with the online game Ultima Online, the genre of the modern MMORPG.

Due to the surprising financial success of Ultima Online EA decided in 1999 that Origin only should still work on Internet gaming. But within a year broke EA all new projects of Origin from - including Ultima Online 2, Privateer Online, and Harry Potter Online. Founder Richard Garriott left the company then in 2000 and founded his new company NCsoft Austin. Several employees followed his example and left the company as well, which is why Origin in 2004 moved to EA headquarters, which in fact amounted to a resolution of the studio.

The brand name Origin was revived by Electronic Arts in 2011 and for the same games download platform ( Digital Distribution ) uses.

Games (selection)

  • Ultima (1981 at California Pacific Computers, rights later repurchased by Origin )
  • Ultima II - The Revenge of the Enchantress ( 1982 Sierra On -Line, rights bought back )
  • Ultima III - Exodus (1983 )
  • Ultima IV - Quest of the Avatar (1985 )
  • Ultima V - Warriors of Destiny (1988 )
  • Ultima VI - The False Prophet (1990 )
  • Ultima VII - The Black Gate (1992 )
  • Ultima VII Part Two - The Serpent Isle ( 1993)
  • Ultima VIII - Pagan ( 1994)
  • Ultima IX - Ascension (1999)
  • Ultima Underworld - The Stygian Abyss (1992, developed by Looking Glass Studios)
  • Ultima Underworld II - Labyrinth of Worlds (1993, developed by Looking Glass Studios)
  • Ultima Online ( 1997)
  • Wing Commander (1990 )
  • Wing Commander II - Vengeance of the Kilrathi (1991 )
  • Wing Commander Academy ( 1993)
  • Wing Commander Armada (1994 )
  • Wing Commander III - The Heart of the Tiger ( 1994)
  • Wing Commander IV - The Price of Freedom ( 1995)
  • Wing Commander: Prophecy (1998)
  • Wing Commander: Privateer (1993 )
  • Privateer 2 - The Darkening (1996 )
  • Crusader: No Remorse (1995 )
  • Crusader: No Regret (1996 )
  • Cybermage: Darklight Awakening ( 1995)
  • Bad Blood (1990: PC)
  • Bioforge (1995 )
  • Pacific strike (1994)
  • Pacific Strike - Speech Pack (1994 )
  • Strike Commander (1993)
  • Strike Commander - Speech Pack (1993 )
  • Strike Commander - Tactical Operations (1993 )
  • Wings of Glory
  • Shadow Caster - as a distributor (10/ 1993)
  • Omega (1989)

Cancelled projects

  • Ultima Online 2
  • Privateer online
  • Harry Potter Online
  • Ultima X: Odyssey
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