unknown@ucscb.ucsc.edu (The Unknown User) (08/30/90)
The following is an old article about Ultima VI for the Apple II..
A lot of it was recently included in someone else's post. I have not
shortened it though in case someone missed the earlier post.
This has addresses to write to and some other information.. Comments by
myself added in will be clearly visible as such by being indented or
marked of some other way.
***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...)
[BRIAN GREENSTONE or the guys who did Arkanoid want to tackle
this one? They seem to show their expertise on the GS!]
3) Have some decent credentials. A solid track record. A good Apple demo.
The ability to produce code on time, without bugs.
[Brian sure has a good "demo", Xenocide!]
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
[I SUGGEST you write to this address also telling them that you
want Ultima VI made for the Apple II and GS! Possibly you could
even give some programmers some raving endorsements, like Brian!
When I wrote a few months ago I mentioned his name]
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!)
[These people don't realize what the GS is capable of! They're
thinking from an enhanced //e point of view! I am in no way
putting down the //e, since Prince of Persia showed that there is
surely still lots of capability in the machine!]
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
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 :)
--- end of included article ---
WRITE! Everyone please write! I even hope that people who don't
have GSes request that a GS version be made as well as a //e version.
And please mention that it should be hard drive installable,
especially if it's a GS version!
If people can find OTHER addresses we should write to, please post
'em!
--
/ Apple II(GS) Forever! unknown@ucscb.ucsc.edu \
\ Computer engineering student seeking a job. /