Re: Why No Ultima VI?

["Donald C. Lee" <coach41@pacbell.net>]

I seem to recall this type of communication being noted in A+  or some 
other magazine back when the game was rumored to be in development.  I 
remember writing to A+ magazine at the time and trying to encourage 
Apple II users to write to Origin.  I believe I got my letter published 
too!! :D

It was disappointing that Ultima VI never made it to the Apple II. 
However, given that Ultima V took several disks, it's not surprising 
that Ultima VI for the 8 bit II's never was planned as the market was 
shrinking and the ROI was predicted to be small.

Funny, that by Ultima VII, wasn't the market sole PC's?  The Amiga and 
C-64 bit the bucket pretty quickly afterwards.


Don




Mitchell Spector wrote:


> 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!) 
>
> 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 
>
> ===============end clipping===============
>
>
> Mitchell Spector