Ultima VIII: Pagan Retrospective | A Titanic Mistake

It was the mid-90s and the computer game industry was undergoing rapid change. 3D graphics were becoming more feasible. Full-motion video was all the rage. The limitations that had bound PC gaming to slow-paced, methodical experiences were quickly being overcome. Left to the mercy of first-person shooters and real-time strategy games, the CRPG, it seemed, was not long for this world.

Ultima's future was uncertain. If neither its publisher, Electronic Arts, nor the buying audience wanted to take a chance on big, complex, text-heavy games, what could be done? Lord British sounded the war horn. It was time for another radical change in the series' identity.

This is the 12th video in my Ultima Retrospective series. Watching earlier parts isn't necessary to enjoy this video, but it is recommended. Here's a series playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL16yfJJxAM6g-4YxKGI-17q-K3nrXuVSd&si=KwPJ06RHpnpa28JZ

https://www.patreon.com/majuular
https://www.youtube.com/@Majuularcade (2nd channel)

This video features music by Wulfsige
https://wulfsige.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@UCNTv9Xip8pPSNAR_BMiuzIg

Thumbnail by Valin Mattheis
https://www.strange-gods.com/
https://www.instagram.com/strangegodsart

Lord British narration read by Andrew Bluett
https://www.youtube.com/@UCTYcU2U4akDOI7NB0dWQMGQ

00:00 - The CRPG is Dead
6:23 - Changing Times
12:36 - The Making of Ultima VIII
24:10 - The Chronicle of Pagan
31:09 - Welcome to Pagan
40:19 - Combat
43:23 - Simplifying & Streamlining
51:23 - Verisimilitude
1:02:00 - The Adventure Begins
1:08:31 - Dungeons
1:12:00 - Platforming
1:19:36 - Necromantic Pursuits
1:29:24 - Cutscenes & Rigidity
1:35:56 - Characters & Writing
1:42:11 - Atmosphere & Music
1:46:09 - Theurgy
1:53:45 - Tempestry (or lack thereof) & Party (or lack thereof)
2:01:32 - Demon's Crag
2:10:55 - Dude, Where's My Virtue
2:16:40 - Defeating the Titans
2:22:37 - Conclusion
2:30:12 - The Release of Pagan
2:39:42 - The Lost Vale
2:44:46 - The Post-Pagan World
3:07:36 - Exodus
3:16:00 - The Future of Ultima
3:18:26 - Credits

LIST OF MUSIC USED IN THIS VIDEO:
https://pastebin.com/B003i8av

RUNNING LIST OF SOURCES USED IN THE ULTIMA RETROSPECTIVE:
https://pastebin.com/Nri8p0jy

These videos are created without the use of gen AI. Everything from the script, to the clips used, to the voiceover, to the thumbnail, to the original music have been forged in the crucible of the human spirit, warts and all. Finding a 7 second shot of Warren Spector speaking at a convention to use as B-roll footage during editing is one of the great pleasures in my life. I will be dead & buried before I relinquish it.

Doomguy 3D model by Devin Briggs.