EA to Release Epic Ultima RPG for iPad – Computer Geeks Rejoice!
Electronic Arts and BioWare recently announced at this year’s San Diego Comic Con that the classic role-playing game (RPG) Ultima is about to get a revival. Finally, the old-school computer gamers can relive their awkward teenage years of sitting in a dark room, drinking Mountain Dew and saving Britannia from the forces of evil.
Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar (guh, quick, someone come up with an acronym for this game, the title is way to long) will be released later this year to both the iPad and desktop computers. It will be fully integrated, cross-platform playable so gamers can play at home or on the go with the same account.
“With Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar, we’re excited to give gamers the opportunity to play a high quality game with their friends anytime, anywhere, on both iPad and PC.”
Although the game is not yet ready for mass production, fans of the game can sign up for a closed beta test at UltimaForever.com. Potential testers (and those who will want to eventually purchase the game) must have an Origin account. It is easy to sign up. Origin is EA Games and BioWare’s version of PayPal. It is basically how you purchase your game for download. If you don’t already have an Origin account, sign up at their website. You’ll have to be ready to create a couple of security questions and have your credit card on hand for future purchases.
According to IGN News, the new release is rumored to follow a similar storyline as Ultima IV, but will look and play like Diablo 3. The beta test will allow you to play as either a fighter or a mage so you can try out your combat and spell-casting skills. Although this game is scheduled to be a “freemium” game, BioWare is promising that you won’t have to buy items in order to continue playing. In-app purchases will be for aesthetic items and things to help you get through the game faster.
It is interesting to see that major game development companies are starting to move top-tiered games to the iPad. More and more, it is becoming clear that Apple’s tablet is a viable gaming unit. “There’s a fundamental shift underway in how gamers play and pay for games, and Electronic Arts is a leader in providing new business models and new ways to consume content,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager of EA’s BioWare Label and Co-Founder of BioWare. “With Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar, we’re excited to give gamers the opportunity to play a high quality game with their friends anytime, anywhere, on both iPad and PC.”
For more information on the status of the future release of UFQA, you can follow them on Twitter or Like the game on Facebook.
