Ultima III Retrospective | Origins & Exoduses

In 1983 the Garriott brothers, dissatisfied with the state of the industry, took matters into their own hands, forming the now legendary Origin Systems. Within a year, the developer released Ultima III: Exodus - a game regarded as foundational not only within its own series, but for RPGs in general. This video chronicles the story of Richard Garriott's exodus from Sierra, and the origin of Origin Systems.
This is the 3rd video in my Ultima Retrospective series. Watching earlier parts isn't necessary to enjoy this video, but it is recommended. They can be found here:
Akalabeth & Ultima I: • Akalabeth & Ultima I R...
Ultima II: • Ultima II: The Revenge...
Links:
/ majuular
/ majuular
Music used in this video (with timestamps):
pastebin.com/0UZRPuGR
Running list of sources used in the Ultima Retrospective:
pastebin.com/Nri8p0jy
00:00 - Introduction
5:13 - Release & Backlash
8:07 - Ports & Preamble
15:25 - Character Creation & Combat
27:08 - Humble Beginnings
33:28 - Exploration
38:06 - Ambrosia
42:34 - Dungeon Crawling
47:02 - Mythologizing Ultima
50:35 - Storming the Castle
54:45 - Ultima III Conclusion
57:14 - Origin After Exodus
1:01:22 - Credits + Q&A

[@ProsperoCh]

If I had a nickel for every time I watched a multi-hour breakdown of the Ultima franchise, despite never playing an Ultima game... this would be the third nickel.

[@Epicname333]

Lmao I played UO but same

[@someguywithacoconut9895]

Spoony and Finntrovert?

[@gingipride]

Ah shit, here we go again.

[@georgefrankly]

if you count Spoony I've got a few bucks already

[@paul.1337]

Wizardry!?!?

[@BossALKENO]

Ultima 3’s party system walked so Dragon Quest 3’s could run

[@freddywilliams9837]

And for this, I am every bit thankful.

[@Jarakin]

"With your hands now thoroughly soaked in Jester blood." Ah, yes. There's that old Ultima nostalgia kicking in.

[@georgefrankly]

Literally 25 minutes ago I was starting my drive home from work and scrolling KZbin for something to listen to and thought "it's been a couple weeks, I wonder if there's a new majuular soon" and then BAM

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

There is a god.. and he's on KZbin

[@georgefrankly]

@@JoeZUGOOLA he's finally got my endocrine system synced to his release schedule. I am chemically dependent now

[@zyrkugilgamesh]

"Majuular, always there for you"

[@_witchyy_]

saw ziltoid in the party's names and tbh it 100% tracks you're a hevy devy fan A++

[@BassForever]

Ultima 4-5 is when Lord British was at the peak of his writing chops and I can't wait to see you tackle them.

[@kellinwinslow1988]

Actually I'd say the peak of Ultima writing was 6 and 7 by far. The stories are so good that frankly a lot of modern RPGs don't stand up. It's a shame EA just sits on the games and does nothing with them. With some work they could be released on systems like the PS4 or Xbox Series X and they would be great. The Super Nintendo versions of the games controlled fine but were completely gutted in terms of content and story.

[@hamburgers140]

I can't wait for the "demon children in cages" controversy

[@lolusuck386]

​@@hamburgers140that sure aged well, didn't it?

[@NeedGamesNow]

I agree and disagree. :) I think Ultima 1, 2 and 3 were solid games, yet each time things were improved. When Ultima 4 and 5 hit I felt the game had really become great. The writing was amazing and the games were just about perfect. For Ultima 6 and 7 I think the writing was just as good, but the new engine was horrible to play with - it is like they tried to improve upon something that didn't need improvement at that point.

[@nope1a4]

@@NeedGamesNow As someone who started at Ultima 6. It is impossible for me to play anything previously to that. The engine on 6 was the best they made. 7 got kind of goofy though with the drag and drop inventory toybox of chaos that just was a mess to deal with. If not for the inventory system, 7 would have been an improvement over 6. But nah. Everything previous to 6 was not better engine wise. If I had a wish. It would be Ultima 6 remake in VR along side Deus EX 1 Remake in VR.

[@QuietM4n]

Takes me back to listening to Spoony talk about Exodus❤

[@everythingpony]

What ever happens to spoony? He disabled comments and when I asked why on Twitter he blocked me

[@charlottecorday8494]

​@@everythingponyIn short, his mental health isn't great. He still streams on a semi regular basis, including being a recurring guest on Conversations With Curtis, which is done by the guy who played Curtis in Phantasmagoria 2.

[@MrXtr1]

This is like my favourite channel ever. Its always quality work, no matter what is uploaded. Thanks Majuular, for being a real one

[@Majuular]

The pleasure is all mine. Grateful to have you tuning in 🙏

[@carlb1874]

I know! Channel quickly went from something i put in as white noise before sleep to something I listened to at work, to something I put on my main monitor relax and give my full attention to. Amazing channel. No rush but can’t wait for the next video!

[@sabinespeed4146]

Yeah, I've listened to all the Tales of Symphonia, Xenogears, etc stuff, despite not really being into JRPGs. The fact he's doing Ultima, my personal favorite RPG series, is just straight up great.

[@docbaker3333]

@@Majuular Agreed your videos are masterfully done and produced every video you make is a treat.

[@matthewdyck5503]

This has been a fantastic series. I love learning about video games I know nothing about. And this series has made me appreciate the Ultima games.

[@jakejutras5420]

Richard Garriott is a very unique and interesting man. Rocked a Rat Tail haircut and went to space lmao.

[@Al3xD3nt0n]

Ah man, these have been good, but I genuinely can't wait for the Age of Enlightenment trilogy next. Also, for anyone interested, Ultima IV is still free on GOG at the time of writing.

[@Gatorade69]

Oh ? Thanks for the tip. It's much appreciated.

[@kellinwinslow1988]

I actually own the Sega Master System version of the game and it's pretty fantastic. Actually comes with the maps and lore books and everything. Probably the best version of the game without mods or anything.

[@whom382]

I prefer III way over IV because LB didn't put in the morality crap into III. Sure, he was making a message, but also, a less fun game in the process.

[@lolusuck386]

This is my most anticipated series on youtube right now

[@Gatorade69]

Better than spoonguy

[@jmh8817]

People who talk about the history of videogames will bring up Ultima a lot, and for good reason, but they rarely get this detailed about it. ESPECIALLY the first few games! I only knew Ultima from when it was already on MS-DOS so I'm always glad to see this series. Excellent work, Majuular.

[@acmnin2146]

This is when you can see the beginnings of the JRPG genre and how influential this game was. Yes I made this comment before you mentioned it 😂 Best cage movie is Wild at Heart because it’s David Lynch.

[@danhill3302]

Spoony walked so Maju could run, this is amazing

[@kugelfischdhi3138]

Spoony didn't even record his own gameplay, nor did he play the first few games. He's always been a hack.

[@Xbob42]

@@kugelfischdhi3138 Who gives a shit? What a weirdly pedantic thing to be a little bitch about.

[@flamingo2946]

I really appreciate this in-depth reviews of old games. I don't think I could play them myself, even if only they would destroy my eyes, but I'm still very interested in them.

[@hamburgers140]

Interesting trivia: The "fuzzies" in Ultima 3 were inspired by the alien race of the same name in the novel Little Fuzzy and its sequels, by author H. Beam Piper. Piper was (in my opinion) a magnificently talented science fiction author whose Terro-Human Future History series deserves to stand alongside the likes of Asimov's Foundation. Sadly, he met a tragic end. When he erroneously believed he'd run out of money (his publisher had died without keeping proper paperwork), his strong libertarian values could not tolerate the idea of becoming a burden on society, so he wrote a short letter, canceled his utilities, covered his apartment with painter's tarps, and promptly shot himself with an antique pistol from his prized collection. I highly recommend his works to anyone interested in classic 1960s sci fi. His writings range in tone from the lighthearted romp Little Fuzzy (which nonetheless explores the scientific and legal ramifications of determining an alien species' sentience) to his magnum opus Space Viking, a bloody and moving tale of forging a new society out of the chaos of galactic barbarism.

[@Sanguivore]

Oh, man. I’d never heard of Piper or his stories, and it’s sad that he met such a tragic end, but thank you for keeping his legacy alive! I’m going to look more into his works! ☺️

[@littleNorwegians]

This video comes at a moment where I might need it the most.

[@HiddenGemsReviews]

Same here! Funnily enough the first retrospective for Akalabeth and Ultima 1 popped up in my feed a month ago after watching Spoony's again, and they've all been incredible.

[@aphexpesuto]

The Majuular Glue Factory continues to operate.

[@ogreman81]

42:29 - Tough guys don’t dance (1987) reference noted. That earned my like 👍

[@AdamJamesNoyce]

There was a serious dearth of Ultima long form/retrospective videos and if I wanted an Ultima fix, I was left with mostly just a long series supercut of Spoony.... So thank you Majuular! This is a great series and I am glad someone is giving these games a fantastic showcase series. I cannot wait for Ultima IV, one of the games I found the most fascinating in all of gaming.

[@Sanguivore]

You may also like Finntrovert!

[@esprit101]

And Voidbrand! It's actually weird how 3 series about Ultima all ran in about a years span on KZbin. And all are pretty good.

[@Ziegrif]

Majuular faces his most dastardly foe yet! THE FLOOR!

[@actionpotato]

To this day, nobody I know is aware of Ultima. Years ago, I watched Spoony lose his mind covering the game but I felt the same way. This series of games hold a special place in my heart. At least, up until 7 and serpent isle (the other 7).

[@ReverseOcto]

"Come on Richard " lol. Thankyou for doing this ultima series, ive never played, but its been a series that interest any rpg lover. I remember watching Spooneys old videos about the series, i watch them every year or so. You continue to show your love for games, keep on majuular, you're killing it.

[@tatuira93]

Reviewing the Ultima series should become a rite of passage for game reviewers. Keep going.

[@docdoom1987]

Wizardry too.

[@trustytrest]

I think he already completed his rite of passage with the xenogears retrospective

[@rreckinreturns]

You really are the GOAT, Majuular. I don't know why the rest of us try, but the goal for many is to be half as strong as Maj. Great work, as always.

[@Majuular]

You flatter me. The power is within each and every one of us!

[@reloadpsi]

Another Darkplace clip? You absolute hero.

[@jesse.qua.]

Darkplace is so good 😭

[@Majuular]

Any excuse I can find.

[@CaptainRufus]

The Blood scene is basically what I refer to when I talk about Bloodborne.

[@AdriftForWeeks]

I started watching because of these vids. What a gem!

[@WaywardRobot]

I like the use of Quest 64's OST in your videos

[@JustTheSeth]

Witnessed ❤

[@lolusuck386]

There are a ton of great OST picks here

[@Bobson_Dugnutt_Esq]

A covert Devin Townsend reference and an overt one? Nice.

[@whom382]

I missed those but I am only a casual Townsend fan.

[@WoodmanFLG]

Here I was, gassing up this series to you Thursday night. And look at was RIGHT on the horizon! Can't wait to watch dude

[@paul.1337]

I came for the ALKABETH, I stayed for the FLOOR strats.

[@neurocease]

i am blown away at your output. the sheer number of minutes (HOURS, even) you are putting out while still maintaining a high quality standard is bonkers. i would gladly wait six months in between these videos if necessary (and honestly, i’d kind of expect it). fantastic work.

[@Mikenotkip]

Bro every single time I'm bored at work and need something to listen to Majuular hits me with a banger of a video.

[@marafolse8347]

I'm glad you're bored at work so infrequently! Sounds like a cool job

[@heckinharvey]

Thank you, you beautiful man. My naps for the weekend will be accompanied by wonderfully well researched, articulated, and humor filled restrospection. It may take me 4 tries. But I will make it all the way to the end eventually! ❤

[@NouveauArtPunk]

I am SO Happy that you're taking the plunge into Ultima like this. I genuinely believe that more people need to remember how important this series is to the genre. These do such an excellent job illustrating that influence and ambition.

[@Dasten]

Honestly, putting aside your usual marvellous production quality, im gonna give a big seal of approval just from playing Terranigma music alone at 20:35 :)

[@Majuular]

It's such a fantastic track too. I find it getting stuck in my head all the time.

[@operator8014]

Sorry, I need to leave the board meeting early. Majuular just uploaded more Ultima history.

[@Majuular]

They'll understand.

[@ciscornBIG]

If I'm this excited for this video... I'm nearly afraid of how I'm going to feel when you hit Ultima 4 ;_;

[@ash2dvst]

That Trapt reference gets me every single time. It's my absolute favorite, bless you Maj ❤

[@MateusEstaticaTomagnini]

What a wonderful journey, and to think we have so much to go. makes me exited every time majuular uploads his new bedtime/nightime/daytime/lunchtime storys

[@ReiDuran]

Man, it's so wild hearing the original versions of songs I remember from Ultima Online when I was a kid.

[@adamp6320]

Thank you so much for these. Great content!! I cannot wait for Ultima V, my favorite.

[@nazgulsenpai]

Loving this Ultima series Maj. Your presentation, research and sense of humor are just top tier and this channel should be 10x the subs it is now. Can't wait to see it grow!

[@starlightxfury1256]

thank you, do not stop making these

[@Majuular]

I'll stop when I'm DEAD. Or I run out of Ultima games. Ideally the latter.

[@Landmasters]

This guy's output never ceases to amaze me. I hope you're getting decent enough sleep/free time, cause I'm picturing you with a CPAP machine at the computer with how long and detailed these videos are ...Reminding me of Quest 64 and the memory card scares I've had gives me a flight response

[@whom382]

Quest 64 - the most generic RPG of all times. Note: I didn't hate it or anything but wow was it bland.

[@GambeTama]

Having now sat down for the third installment of this wonderful series, I can say with certainty that you deserve all the credit for the work put into this. Like many of the viewers here, I first found out about Ultima through the Retrospective by TheSpoonyExperiment, and while that one can be seen as a perspective piece done by someone who grew up with these games and is gave a more life-story-esque dictation of what it felt like to be there, yours is most definitely a wonderful historical documentation. The events leading up to the game's development, as well as the thoughts and ideas that likely went into the choices in game design all lend this to be a particular brand of entertaining, and I would recommend them with much excitement. P.S. "...no jester."

[@Majuular]

I am humbled. Always nice to see people who find my scattershot approach entertaining. There is definitely value & comfort in nostalgia, I invoke it a lot on this channel too. Sometimes though it helps to be on the outside looking in, you know?

[@kellinwinslow1988]

Let me tell you it was pretty amazing seeing this game for the first time. I still remember playing it when it first came out ,I was around 14,and it was unlike anything else out there. The maps,the books all drew you into the world. A lot of modern games look better but frankly don't do as good a job setting up the world or putting you in the mood of the world. And without Ultima games like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest wouldn't exist,or would have been quite different.

[@zackwiver]

Just got home from work and my favorite guy talking about video games uploads, appreciate it!

[@grahammartin5491]

Absolutely losing my mind to see a new Majuular video on this hard-to-focus Friday

[@garudave]

Great video Majuular! Always interesting to hear more about the Ultima games, especially as they grow into more philosophical and complex experiences.

[@Phantompuff]

The fm towns marty port section never gets old. Im happy this series exist as without it I doubt I would have this much interest in these games. I'm hoping to be able to fix a c64 I've found in the past to be able to play these games on an era appropriate system.

[@EightFoldOni]

Ah an excellent Friday it shall be then

[@shoshana7369]

Huge amounts of respect for making me look forward to the next video with those final lines! With the context you provide, it makes perfect sense why Virtues became core to the series! I'm too tired for further flattery but these videos and you rule. Thanks dude.

[@lilacorkindheart8325]

Thank You for the review. It was very well done and relaxing to watch. After Spoony's Ultima retrospective there was a big hole left in my heart in the shape of this series. Thank You filling in that need and I personaly cannot wait for Ultima 4. To me this is where the series has found it's heart and soul. I especialy loved how you summed up morality in a single sentence. "...Look outside of the game and into their own Hearts" A sumation of the entire series starting with the next game.

[@whom382]

It's funny. IV is where I feel like LB lost the plot.

[@TheXell]

One more for the Rewatch-Twice-Or-Thrice-Each-Year-Or-Whenever-I've-Had-A-Rough-Day playlist.

[@PotluckB]

I've watched and rewatched most of your videos several times and commented on several as well including the other Ultima videos, but one thought that keeps coming to me that I don't believe I've voiced -- and without wanting to throw no shade -- is simply: I'm very happy that, uh... 'someone else' has finally done some longform coverage on this series after all these years >.>

[@kevinfishburne]

You've restored my faith in the idea of having faith in people.

[@kaptenteo]

I love your writing and narration. I especially appreciate the amount if research you do for your videos, making them part review and part documentary. Thanks for such quality content!

[@shadowraven12]

I cannot adequately put into words how glad I am that I found your channel all those months ago. So I'll just say thank you for being here and doing this. You're pretty darn great.

[@pendantblade6361]

I don't think I could ever play through this games to its age so thank you for making these videos.

[@Nillansan]

Just wanted to thank you for these retrospectives. It genuinely feels like my birthday whenever they pop up in my notifications, such a treat!

[@HomerGumther]

that ending hook has me really excited for the next Ultima video as someone who has heard about the Ultima series for ages now, but never got around to playing them the retrospectives are deeply appreciated

[@tshiif]

Continuing to love these videos. I can delve into the Ultima series forever. This is where the good stuff starts. Can't wait for the next trilogy, especially 6, which is still my favourite - mainly as I was just the right age when we got it.

[@marbles8641]

Thank you for taking your time to single out the NES versions. I was always curious how they held up to their PC counterparts, and Exodus is technically the first RPG on the NES, and FAMICOM. It was also one of the first games I ever played on the NES, and I didn't know WTF I was doing.

[@thomasderosso5625]

God, I remember the Satanic Panic. My mom got caught up in that for a while; it's why I never got to play _Chrono Trigger_ on the SNES. Why CT was the work of the Devil but FF"3" was fine, I'll never know.

[@Seb_Falkor]

Watching this series in tandem with idyl's recent video on what Richard did after all this success is a real treat

[@CaptainRufus]

He embarrassed himself but at least doesn't seem to have done crimes. So.. yay?

[@Incrediblefatslug]

You are honestly the best bet we as a community have of getting a proper Ultima Underworld Retrospective. Thanks for giving this series love

[@JediBusouSonic]

Found your channel randomly the other week, been marathoning your vids and im happy to now see your newest content! Thanks for making these cool chill videos. Ive played a handful of Ultima titles but it was the later ones.

[@fabamatic]

Looking foward to the next one. I did play a lot of Ultima 4, 5 and 6 in the mid nineties

[@vincentvalenzuela9579]

I’ve never played any of the games in his videos but I’m alway excited when I new one comes out. Great stuff dude!

[@tieffsound]

I found your channel 3 weeks ago and binged every single video, you are doing somw great stuff. Happy to have a new upload, these Ultima videos are very interesting, even to someone who never really cared about these games before. I like the gaming history you add to these videos.

[@JoshBurcham104]

This series is incredible! Ive heard about ultima many times in my run as a consumer of deep dives into various facets of video games and their histories (if I hear "the first Dragon Quest was meant to be a simplified console based version of American computer RPGs like Wizardry and Ultima" again...) so it's amazing to know all these details about the backstory of these landmark works!

[@Phoebe5448]

I remember binging the Wikipedia articles on Ultima back in 2005 when I was in ICT class learning how to use the Internet. I was fascinated. Too bad I couldn't get Ultima at the time.

[@houraisheperd9721]

Ooh, sweet. More old and forgotten Ultima game.

[@Electricdynamite]

Love the Devin Townsend reference with Ziltoid the Omniscient

[@whom382]

Ah, I didn't pick that up but I am a casual Townsend fan.

[@TheThreeTwo]

That quote about The Nausiator is going to live comfortably in my head for a while

[@AsterothRayet]

Always a joy seeing a new majuular video coming out.

[@Misa_Susaki]

I mentioned this in a reply, but please look into Roe Adams III's influence on Ultima 4 before doing a video on it! A lot of people overlook his contributions to the series, and erroneously just attribute it all to Lord British. Roe was the one who wrote the story for Ultima 4, and the Virtue system, the symmetry of the number 8 in the game, the manual, and Skara Brae all came from him! He's such an important part of the game, but he is often overlooked. I do hope you see this comment.

[@violet_turning_violet8702]

You know it's a good day when Majuular drops an Ultima video.

[@codybaier]

The channel name being MaJUULAR had me wondering, but when you named one of your characters Ziltoid, that confirmed it. Patrician taste, my guy.

[@Uncle-Jay]

I personally like the idea of the floor being an enemy. I wrote a one shot D&D game for some friends a few years back, in which one of the characters inherited a house from an estranged family member. The house was in fact a "House Hunter" a mimic the size and shape of a house. Many of the things inside the House Hunter were either parasites living off it, smaller mimics or dead adventurers. One of the players got caught by a mimic rug that wrapped him up and tried to crush him, the party then proceeded to beat the fuck out of the rug while the other player was still trapped within, lmfao..

[@queerandsad]

This is such a good series. Thank you for putting each game in its own video. It allows for each to have room to breath and be its own thing

[@brigettekowalewski1805]

I'm always impressed with the work coming out of Maju-yulaar. Thank you for these retrospectives

[@justinkroboth360]

My man Maj is secretly a fucking machine and we never even knew it! The rate at which you churn out amazing pieces is astounding to me, friend - thank you, again, for another banger.

[@EHAmos]

When I checked KZbin today and saw a Majuular vid I was so excited I bit my lower lip. You always check out games directly from my childhood

[@polygonvvitch]

Your series has gotten me to finally play Ultima 4 which I've had on GOG for free for like literally over a decade and after a while bumbling around I have fallen in love with it. Have avoided watching the actual U4 video until I finish it myself and will try to finish 5, 6 and 7 before you get to them on the series.

[@ocircles738]

Very comfy video. Also I was going to complain about the loud beep in the background but then I remembered I have tinnitus.

[@lesbianmareep]

Your videos have rapidly became one of my favorite channels on KZbin, and a personal inspiration.

[@jqmichael13]

These videos always seem to pop up while I'm on a long road trip! Cheers to that!

[@blinxman4956]

I'm starting to appreciate the importance of the Ultima series and how it inspired pretty much both Computer and Japanese RPG'S like Dragon Quest, Wasteland and The Elder Scrolls.

[@halifaxsteppenwulf7980]

Man I’m so excited to see Ultimate get the Majuular treatment

[@musiclover01ization]

This was another great video, Majuular. I'm not into the Ultima series but I like watching these videos and seeing you explain the history of these games.

[@FennecManEXE]

HOLD UP. Chuckles the F&%king Jester was based on one of the developers?! Man, wonder how he feels knowing how many people have gone out of their way to kill that character. Good retrospective, Maj!

[@glenpywell8769]

Having Ziltoid the Omniscient on your team is almost unfair.

[@CourtIsAdjourned]

What a fun trip down nostalgia lane! And incredibly well done. Learned plenty about the contexts the game was designed in, and I never got close enough to defeat this one (never got the marks). Sort of jarring opening up with Mass Effect soundtrack music tho, hahaha

[@Stereozentrum]

Fantastic retrospective and so refreshing to finally see someone posting a full cue list of the music used (unlike for instance a certain "Historian"). Keep up the good work, Majuular!

[@rasmusazu]

Oh goodie! Another long form content creator that I havent heard of. That means I'll have hours of videos to watch as I do other less interesting things ^^

[@fbiguy5269]

I just wanted to say that i love your videos. I watched the 3do video like 7 times because i like to turn it on and listen to it while i sleep. Your videos have a comfy vibe.

[@jazzylament9909]

It’s always a delight when i discover you have put up your next ultima video. Thanks!

[@RemnantCult]

You're videos will soon be the retrospective to watch on Ultima. Great work.

[@kevinhung8037]

Great work! I hope you keep going through every Ultima game in the series!

[@DecayingReverie]

I want to thank you for your content. I found your channel recently and have been binging some of your videos from the past couple years. I appreciate the depth you go into and I think you have a pleasant commentary voice (I'm not trying to sound creepy, I promise). Games like Ultimata and King's Field are games that I've always been curious about but I don't have the patience or desire to fight the jank of games that old. I enjoyed your Harvester video too. It is interesting to see the roots of video game RPGs. Your videos feel "cozy". It lets me luxuriate in the past, even though I wasn't born until '95.

[@whom382]

If he wants to do all the roots, I'd love a Temple of Doom on the TI 99/4A video. That was my first RPG - well maybe excluding Adventure on the Atari 800, but I hate that game.

[@smugshrug]

i love that i keep hearing the Skies of Arcadia OST in your videos.