TCW Podcast Episode 144 - Ascension into the Black Gate

In our final part looking at the history of the Ultima series we start off looking at Ultima VII.  This game is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the series.   The game combines story elements with a massive world to create a truly unique experience.  The game is followed by two major commercial failures.  Those failures being Ultima VIII and Ultima IX.  The reasons behind those failures are many.  However a lot of the blame for Ultima VIII's shortcomings, especially the jumping, can be laid at the feet of the development team and not EA.  Because of the disaster of VIII, Ultima IX was plagues with issues.  Especially since they had a rotating staff, technology issues, and other challenges the game was an ignoble end to a series that touched many.  However like many of the Ultima games, it is not the destination, but the journey that is the true heart of Ultima.  

Intro to Ultima VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ttf9YrkBdQ

The Story of The Fellowship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mlZVHuK4wM

Museum of the Avatar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIaOiMH8SKg

Retro Tea Break | Richard Garriott tells his Ultima Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU90N4Cbj10

Secret of Money Island 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXRMEz6n5SM

Prince of Persia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv20j8ChtRY

Ultima VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkrCUXc-frY

Ultima VIII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzfnuxXfQ2M

Ultima IX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6kXFf7iyC4&list=PLSlejFTVB3ksWWOh2mePsahP5Kew5rHwc

TCW 038 - Origin Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/origin-story-1489274251/

Crusader No Remorse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUnvNTvHMnQ

Meridian 59: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUsJ6de9mRU

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

TCW Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's book is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/