Ultima Online maker sued
The lawsuit accuses Origin Systems and its parent company, Electronic Arts Inc., of negligence, breach of contract and intentional misrepresentation.
The attorney representing the named plaintiffs told GameSpot News that the group seeks to hold Origin and EA to the promises made on the game's box. Those include assertions that players could play 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that the game could be played in "real time" -- that is, without lags in play.
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"We're not telling someone how to design a game," plaintiffs' attorney George Schultz said.
Ultima Online is a hugely successful online-only game, in which players assume the roles of various fantasy characters and can interact with each other online.
Ultima users rally behind company
Origin Systems and Electronic Arts have so far refused to comment on the pending litigation. They have not officially been notified. Schultz said both companies would likely be informed officially of the lawsuit in the next day or two. A judge must also rule on whether the suit can go forward.
GameSpot, a Ziff-Davis Web site, asked users to write in with their opinions about the suit.
"I would love to see Origin get slapped for grabbing cash for a product which is as bug-ridden and unplayable as UO," wrote one Gamespot reader, identified only as George S.
But for the most part, GameSpot readers supported Origin, lambasting the five plaintiffs.
"This is clearly someone trying to make a quick buck at the expense of Origin and UO," wrote another GameSpot reader, identified as "P."
The letters underline the fact that Ultima Online has succeeded in captivating a huge segment of the computer game audience.
The complaint seeks money damages to be determined at trial, punitive damages to be determined at trial, and other relief "as the court may deem just and proper."
Robert Lemos of ZDNN contributed to this story.