Re: Ultima I

[rubywand@aol.com (RUBYWAND)]

In article <53v7ep$a92@news.sas.ab.ca>, tturner@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca ()
writes:

>....
>                              Beyond Adventure Lies Akalabeth
>
>   1980 yadda, yadda, yadda   BOOT DISK DIRECTLY ON ANY APPLE
>
>   in green, on a full-size white label. Is that similar to the game
>   Ultima I? Just curious (if anyone knows)...


     The green-print label is similar; the games are very different.

     About a month ago, Akalabeth was downloaded from Asimov because our
Akalabeth disk was messed up. Since I had never really played the game, it
was interesting to check out the Asimov version. It can be started under
DOS 3.3 and played; but, once launched, it wipes DOS. There is no Game
Save. (Is this the way the original version acts?)

     As for differences between Akalabeth and Ultima I: Akalabeth's map
uses simple line-drawn figures to indicate towns, dungeons, and mountains
(on a black background).  The scrolling map is on a 20 x 20 grid with
mountains acting as borders. The map is randomly generated each time the
game is started. Your hero is shown as a small "x".

     Akalabeth's monsters are encountered only in the multi-level dungeon
mazes. These use 3D-perspective line drawings similar to those in
Wizardry. Monsters are also line drawings. All drawing is done via BASIC
commands. Akalabeth uses TEXT screens for transactions in towns and the
castle.

     Ultima I uses hires characters for map pieces and hero/monster
'paste-on' pics. This makes it easy to generate a scrolling map showing
mountains, seas, towns, etc. upon which your character and monsters move.

     The towns are single-screen pics upon which you move to visit the
Armory, Magic Shop, etc.. Castles use a similar technique. (In later
Ultima's, town and castle displays are separate multi-screen maps.) 
Ultima I mazes are virtually identical to those in Akalabeth.

     Mainly, Akalabeth is a short-play quest for knighthood. It is a
decent 'dry run' for developing techniques and ideas for Ultima I. Ultima
I is a long-play quest to rid the land of the Evil Wizard, Mondain. It
includes several programs and delivers a much more elaborate gamescape
plus a scheme for character growth (including a Game Save).

     Getting back to the Asimov version, it includes a Start program which
lets the player read a scenario intro and directions. Since the original
intro pic is missing, my guess is that this text intro was added by an
Apple II devotee as a substitute for printed docs. The intro is not
credited. Too bad, it is, certainly, very nice to have.

     It seemed like a fun idea to modify the Asimov version for running
under DOS with a Game Save. One thing led to another and, so, "Akalabeth
2" now runs under ProDOS and includes a Game Save. It incorporates
character "Experience" and "Levels" and permits Selling of items. Some
useful spells were added, too. Now you can cast Make Food, Heal, Shield, 
_and_ Detect Traps!  There are some other enhancements, including
restoration of the original intro pic.   
     

Rubywand