Exult
A modern game engine that recreates Ultima 7 for contemporary operating systems using the original game data.
What is Exult?
Exult is a modern game engine designed to run the classic RPG Ultima 7 on contemporary operating systems. It solves the problem of playing this DOS-era game on modern hardware by providing a new engine that utilizes the original game's data files. The project enables players to experience the full campaigns of both Ultima 7 titles without compatibility issues.
Owners of Ultima 7 who want to play the game on modern computers, retro gaming enthusiasts, and developers interested in game engine recreation and preservation.
Developers choose Exult because it is the definitive open-source engine for Ultima 7, offering full game support, cross-platform compatibility, and faithful recreation while requiring legal ownership of the original game data.
Overview
Exult is a project to recreate Ultima 7 for modern operating systems, using the game's original plot, data, and graphics files.
Use Cases
Best For
- Playing Ultima 7 on modern operating systems like Linux, macOS, or Windows
- Experiencing the complete Ultima 7: The Black Gate campaign on current hardware
- Running Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle without DOS emulation
- Porting classic RPGs to mobile platforms like Android and iOS
- Studying game engine recreation and reverse engineering techniques
- Preserving and enjoying retro DOS games with enhanced compatibility
Not Ideal For
- Gamers without legal access to the original Ultima 7 game data files
- Developers seeking a general-purpose game engine for creating new RPGs from scratch
- Players desiring extensive graphical overhauls or modern gameplay mechanics beyond the original experience
Pros & Cons
Pros
Uses SDL to run on Linux, macOS, Windows, and even mobile platforms like Android and iOS, as evidenced by extensive CI badges for various operating systems.
Fully implements both 'Ultima VII: The Black Gate' and 'Serpent Isle', allowing players to finish the entire campaigns without relying on DOS emulation.
Leverages original data and graphics files to recreate the classic gameplay accurately, ensuring a faithful experience for owners of the original games.
Regular snapshots and CI builds indicate ongoing maintenance, with community support via IRC and tools like Coverity Scan for code quality.
Cons
Requires owning the original Ultima 7 game files, which can be obsolete or difficult to obtain legally, creating a significant barrier to entry for new players.
Engine is specifically tailored only for Ultima 7, with no support for other games or extensibility for custom projects, limiting its broader utility.
Proper installation involves correctly placing original game data in specific directories, which may be non-trivial for non-technical users and poorly documented in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
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