Visionary Realms and Portalarium.

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen and Shroud of the Avatar.

Brad McQuaid and Richard "Lord British" Garriott.
 

When discussing the origin of the MMO, you'd be a fool to skip the two names above. Their role in establishing the genre through the EverQuest and Ultima series is firmly entrenched in lore bordering on mythic. Starting today, you'll hear their names together even more: Visionary Realms and Portalarium have begun to "collaborate".