unknown@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Unknown User) (01/17/91)
In article <D394EDF9BD9F008714@MACALSTR.EDU> SHBOUM@MACALSTR.EDU writes: >But on the >issue of new programs, I would like to see the following: I replied to a few of this guy's other wishes in mail, but I thought one of them was worth discussing publically again. > 8) Any Good Fantasy/Role Playing Games such as Ultima VI... If you really want this to appear for the //e and/or GS, please write in to Origin and request it! If you DO NOT write, I think it's a valid assumption to say that you DO NOT ACTUALLY care at all!!! Here's the info... ***Ultima VI info-Read Me*** <the following information was downloaded from Applelink> Actually, speaking as a Producer at Origin, I'd be glad to discuss it with qualified Apple programmers. However, under the following conditions: 1) Play Ultima VI first. Don't speculate about what U6 is, and expect that an Apple port would be a piece of cake. 2) Be willing to do it for 0 advance funding. I'm dubious enough about its feasibility that I'm not willing to risk ANY of OSI's money on it. (On the other hand, we CAN offer decent royalties once it's done...) 3) Have some decent credentials. A solid track record. A good Apple demo. The ability to produce code on time, without bugs. So, we're asking for the impossible, and promising nothing up front. However, if you're confident you can do it (again, once you've seriously analyzed U6), drop me a line. The address is: Jeff Johannigman Origin Systems 110 Wild Basin Rd. #330 Austin, TX 78727 [Even if you personally are not interested in writing the program, write to this guy and say you want Ultima VI for the //e and/or the IIGS! If you want to, suggest people like Brian Greenestone or Paul Lund, or other great IIGS programmers!] PS: before you do this, ask me about the sales projections on U6, and you can figure out whether the royalties would be worth a year of your life. --- Here is ORIGIN's OFFICIAL current position, from Greg Malone, Marketing and Communications Manager for Origin: In response to the many inquiries being made by Apple users regarding whether or not ULTIMA VI:The False Prophet is going to be made available on the Apple platform, I'd like to fill you in on ORIGIN's current tt view. Unlike all previous ULTIMA's, number 6 is the first one which was completely designed and implemented on the IBM PC (& compatibles) first. When Richard "Lord British" Garriott learned that he could make use of the hugely growing IBM compatible market which has machines featuring 640K RAM, a hard drive, and 256-color graphics, he couldn't resist the opportunity to as he put it, "...create the ultimate ULTIMA! " Couple that with the ever disturbing fact that the Apple market is continuing to disintegrate at an alarming rate (beginning with base support from Apple Computer, Inc., and trickling down to the Apple-specific magazines and even to disaffected Apple users), it is li ttle wonder that the question about developing ULTIMA on the Apple has arisen. As of this date, a technical evaluation of such an endeavour is being conducted by ORIGIN. When one considers the daunting task of converting a 640K game to 128K and doing so in a timely and cost-efficient manner, the air of pessimism is unavoidable. Also, it is a widely recognized trend among entertainment software publishers today to focus title development on the remaining strong markets, namely IBM & compatibles, Amiga (especially for Europe) and the Commodore 64. (This mix is certain to evolve and change as time passes!) [Obviously these people know NOTHING AT ALL about the wonderful capabilities of the Apple IIGS! In your letters (yes plural!), please inform them of the wonderful capabilities that blow away IBMs, especially in sound!] However, the subject regarding an Apple ULTIMA VI will not be entirely dedcided until all of the facts are in, including whatever comment or enthusiasm YOU (the Apple users) can muster. If you wish to express your support for an Apple version of ULTIMA VI, you should send by U.S. Mail a letter to the address below. Please refrain from sending such a comm communication via this electronic network. Also, while sending us your comments, send a copy of your letter to your local software retailer and to favorite Apple magazine publisher. If you don't, you could be fighting a lost cause. Send comments to: Apple ULTIMA Comments ORIGIN P.O. Box 161750 Austin, TX 78716 [Write to this address TOO!!! This one is more important than the previous address, but both very important! If you want Ultima to be written for the //e and/or GS, you NEED to write and get anyone you know to write! I also suggest that people who have GSes ALSO ask for a //e version, because //e AND GS versions would be superior to just a GS version. Hell, JUST a //e version would be superior to none at all.. Also mention things like hard drive installability!] Ultima VI will *not* be made for the Apple II series unless you, the end users show your support for The Apple Ultima Saga All those who speak of dwindling support for the II series, heres your chance to be heard :) PASS THIS AROUND TO ANYONE YOU KNOW! (I won't put this here for everyone to see, like I sent to the guy in mail, but if anyone's interested on info on getting CDs really cheaply, about $4-$5 apiece, mail me!) -- /Apple II(GS) Forever! unknown@ucscb.ucsc.edu MAIL ME FOR INFO ABOUT CHEAP CDs\ \WRITE TO ORIGIN ABOUT ULTIMA VI //e and IIGS! Mail me for addresses, & info. /
gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn) (01/17/91)
In article <11162@darkstar.ucsc.edu> unknown@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Unknown User) writes: >> 8) Any Good Fantasy/Role Playing Games such as Ultima VI... I played Ultima VI on a state-of-the-art 386 system during the recent holiday season. I was less impressed than you might think from Origin's hoopla about how the IBM environment permitted such an improvement. In actuality, assuming it had worked right (there was horrible distortion of the sound through the AdLib capabilities of a Sound Blaster), it would not have shown any new capabilities that we have not seen in IIGS products already. The Nintendo-inspired changes to have the whole party trailing the leader, and one size scale instead of separate country vs. town scales, I found to be hindrances instead of improvements. Inventory management was also quite awkward. While it would be nice to have this game available in a IIGS version (NOT 8-bit Apple II, that's ludicrous), I'd much rather see Sierra's CD-ROM games on the IIGS than Ultima VI.
6600prao@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Parik Rao) (01/18/91)
Doug Gwynn:
I don't think you'll be impressed by the sierra
cd-rom game. First off, the interface is very
simplistic. Instead of having to figure out what to
do with a axe, you just change your cursor into a
hand and click on axe. It'll do a entire sequence
for you. Its turned into a very easy game, I solved
Kings Quest V within 5 days w/o any solves or
such... (it was actually over a period of 3 weeks,
but 2 hours or so each day for 5 days).
On the other hand, I also solved Ultima VI and it
took me *WEEKS* over summer, and I was totally
engrossed. Its a very compelling game, in no way
Nintendolike ("duh... joystick left!"). Its a
fantastic game, the world has shrunk a bit (as a
measurement of how long it takes to get from 1 side
to another) but Ultima VII should be huge once more.
I've also played Worlds Of Ultima:The Savage Empire
and while it isn't as good as UVI (in fact, I
thought Ultima V was better!) it was decent. The
plot was pretty weak, imho.
Anyways, the point - Ultima VI isn't a game to be
shrugged off. If it ever did come to the Apple
II/IIgs in a respectable fashion (NO WINDWALKER GS!)
I think you'd really enjoy it.
Just as a sidenote, Ultima VI was recently released
for the Commodore 64. Origin didn't come to CES but
that isn't a major suprise, computer companies
rarely do. Anyways, do write, if a Commodore 64
version of Ultima VI can be done, Origin should fry
in hell for not doing a AII version...:((
--
Parik Rao, University of California Santa Barbara
6600prao@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edugwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn) (01/19/91)
In article <8272@hub.ucsb.edu> 6600prao@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Parik Rao) writes: >Just as a sidenote, Ultima VI was recently released >for the Commodore 64. ... if a Commodore 64 >version of Ultima VI can be done, Origin should fry >in hell for not doing a AII version...:(( Yes, indeed. Perhaps now that most of the work has been done Origin will decide to invest the small amount of additional effort to convert the Commodore-64 version into an Apple II version. (Although I'd rather have a full IIGS version than a floppy-based 8-bit Apple II version.) Thanks for the game evaluations. I'd purchase either if they were available for the IIGS.