Mark Percival wrote:
Also keep in mind that the original Ultima was owned by California Pacific and Ultima ][ by Sierra Online. The Ultima Trilogy I-II-III was done by Origin and Ultima III may have been the only one that they had the rights to. That could have added to the need for the rewrites.
I think a distinction between "owned" and "distributed by" needs to be made.Also, Richard Garriott himself coded much of Ultima I and II, though I'm not quite sure at which point he brought in help. I have a book (luckily, I know exactly where it is) that has all that info - pretty much the Ultima life story up to a point (VI?) and it's also a strategy guide. I'll dig it out tonight and check it.
Ah, here it is: I have the first edition. http://www.notableultima.com/collectibles/Books_OBOU.html