Ultima creator Richard Garriott is suing former employer NCSoft for around $27 million, alleging he lost stock options when the Tabula Rasa publisher mischaracterised the circumstances of his depature, GamePolitics reports.

"I am leaving NCsoft to pursue [other] interests" wrote Garriot in an open letter when he left in November 2008, making his depature appear voluntary when this was not the case.

While in quarantine following his voyage into space, Garriott was informed by telephone that his employment was terminated despite his protestations, the suit alleges.

Had Garriot's employment been terminated, his stock options would have lasted until 2011. Instead, presented as voluntary, Garriott's options expired after 90 days and he sold into "one of the worst equity markets in modern history", losing "tens of millions".

Garriott seeks to recover damages, interest and legal fees for his claims of breach of contract, fraud, and/or negligent misrepresentation--totalling around $27 million.

With his sci-fi MMO Tabula Rasa shutting down soon, Ultima series creator Richard "Lord British" Garriott looks to be returning to the genre that made him so popular in the first place.

Garriott's next project is "probably medieval fantasy and probably online," the designer told BBC News.

"After 25 years at Origin, the last thing I wanted to make was yet another medieval fantasy game," Garriott explained, adding he's now "keen to get back into the fray and work on a new game."

Exactly where Garriott would pursue development of a new title is unknown, as he left his position at Tabula Rasa publisher NCsoft this fall after returning from outer space.

As the Ultima brand of fantasy games is now owned by Electronic Arts, it's unlikely, though possible, that Garriott could return to the long-running RPG franchise, which has spawned numerous sequels along with a beloved PC MMO titled Ultima Online.