Richard Gariott (Ultima Series) and Todd Porter (D&D) Create New Game Studio to Develop Crypto MMO

Richard "Lord British" Gariott and Todd Porter announced today the launch of their new game development studio DeMeta which will be developing an MMO with crypto / blockchain elements. Given the massive hype behind crypto and related projects, DeMeta should have no trouble securing funding. Unfortunately there's been little to no details about the new MMO being developed. All we know is that it'll have blockchain elements.

Richard Gariott is best known as the creator of the Ultima series of RPGs and the hit MMORPG Ultima Online. His last MMO, Shroud of the Avatar, has been a total commercial flop though and he has since distanced himself from that project. Ultima Online though is still running since its launch in 1997. Todd Porter is a 'founding producer' of the pen and paper RPG Dungeons & Dragons.

“Ultima has an enormous fanbase of 25+ million players. Our mission is to take MMOs to the next level,” says Todd Porter, “offering this huge fan base the opportunity to help build our next title, and to shape the next version of RPG the same way that Richard and I shaped those in the past”

There's no doubt that Richard Gariott is an icon in the MMO world, but given all the sketchyness behind many crypto projects, I'm skeptical of DeMeta. Crypto games tend to monetize well before launch with the sale of NFTs and digital land. Sales of in-game assets regularly take place years before launch and often times these games shut down before they even launch. As with any crypto project, if you're interested in this new MMO proceed with caution.

Further reading: DeHorizon Website (Parent company of DeMeta)