Foundational RPG series Wizardry has, over forty years since helping to codify the roleplaying videogame, found itself torn between present-day custodians. Atari announced yesterday that they’d acquired the rights to the first five Wizardry games, as well as “their underlying IP,” and said they’d be re-releasing those five on modern platforms. This morning, however, Japanese publishers Drecom – who bought Wizardry’s copyright and trademark rights in 2020 – tXeeted that contrary to certain reports on Atari’s acquisition, it was they who’d continue to own and manage the intellectual property in the future.
It’s fascinating to see the history and evolution of the Wizardry RPGs unfold, especially with such a unique ownership situation. This series has had a significant impact on the RPG genre, and it’s great to see discussions about its legacy. Looking forward to more insights on this topic!