The Ultima Series is a collection of role-playing video games created by Richard Garriott. The series began in 1981 with the release of Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness and is known for its open-world gameplay, rich storytelling, and innovative mechanics. Players typically assume the role of the Avatar, a hero tasked with saving the world of Britannia from various threats. The series is notable for its influence on the RPG genre, introducing concepts like morality systems and character development. Over the years, it has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, including the popular Ultima Online, which helped pioneer the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre.