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removed some broken links: I doubt there will ever be guides about cancelled games
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'''Origin Systems, Inc.''' (sometimes abbreviated as '''OSI''') was a computer game developer based in Austin, Texas that was active from [[1983]] to [[2004]]. It is most famous for the ''[[Ultima]]'' | '''Origin Systems, Inc.''' (sometimes abbreviated as '''OSI''') was a computer game developer based in Austin, Texas that was active from [[1983]] to [[2004]]. It is most famous for the ''[[Ultima]]'' and ''[[Wing Commander]]'' series, and the two ''[[Crusader]]'' games. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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In September 1992, [[Electronic Arts]] acquired the company. | In September 1992, [[Electronic Arts]] acquired the company. | ||
In 1997, they released one of the earliest and most successful graphical MMORPGs, [[Ultima Online]]. After this title, Electronic Arts decided that Origin would become an online-only company after the completion of ''Ultima IX'' in 1999. However, within a year's time, EA canceled all of Origin's new development projects, including | In 1997, they released one of the earliest and most successful graphical MMORPGs, [[Ultima Online]]. After this title, Electronic Arts decided that Origin would become an online-only company after the completion of ''Ultima IX'' in 1999. However, within a year's time, EA canceled all of Origin's new development projects, including ''Ultima Online 2'', ''Privateer Online'', and ''Harry Potter Online''. Richard Garriott left Origin shortly after and founded [[Destination Games]] in 2000. | ||
In later years, Origin mainly existed to support and expand ''Ultima Online'' and to develop further online games based on the Ultima franchise such as '' | In later years, Origin mainly existed to support and expand ''Ultima Online'' and to develop further online games based on the Ultima franchise such as ''Ultima X: Odyssey'', originally to be released in 2004 but later canceled. In February of 2004, the studio was disbanded by Electronic Arts. | ||
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== Characteristics == | == Characteristics == | ||
Origin's motto was "We Create Worlds" and its games were known for their well-realized plots and the amount of detail furnished. | Origin's motto was "We Create Worlds" and its games were known for their well-realized plots and the amount of detail furnished. Origin was always ahead of the curve in terms of cutting edge graphics and game versatility. | ||
The original ''Wing Commander'', for instance, came with a booklet purporting to be a shipboard magazine named ''Claw Marks'', written and published by the crew of the ''Tiger's Claw'' (ghost-written by Aaron Allston); it provided the player with a number of irrelevancies (such as an interview with the star of a popular televised wartime drama) as well as convenient statistics and user guides for ships, weapon systems, and information regarding pilots and tactics on both Terran and Kilrathi sides and also hints on a rich background history. | The original ''Wing Commander'', for instance, came with a booklet purporting to be a shipboard magazine named ''Claw Marks'', written and published by the crew of the ''Tiger's Claw'' (ghost-written by Aaron Allston); it provided the player with a number of irrelevancies (such as an interview with the star of a popular televised wartime drama) as well as convenient statistics and user guides for ships, weapon systems, and information regarding pilots and tactics on both Terran and Kilrathi sides and also hints on a rich background history. | ||