As was reported yesterday, Mythic Entertainment has been in talks with the developers of DOSbox; I received word this morning from Paul Barnett that Mythic has been given the OK to push ahead with using DOSbox as a wrapper for the Ultima games — like iD Software did with the Commander Keen games for their Steam release. And presumably, that’s the end toward which Mythic is driving: seeing the series published on Steam, Impulse, or Good Old Games.
One question I get asked a fair bit, whenever the subject of the Ultima Collection (or a new version thereof) comes up, is: “will it include Savage Empire and Martian Dreams?”. And to be fair, it’s a good question. These two games, each built with a re-skinned version of the Ultima 6 engine, are famous and much beloved spin-offs of the Ultima franchise. It is also brutally difficult to find copies of them these days.
Which, interestingly enough, is not just my problem (I don’t have either game in my library)…it is also an issue for Mythic. I made a point of asking, directly, about Savage Empire and Martian Dreams, and I learned something surprising (which I hope I’m not being untoward in relating here): Mythic doesn’t have an extensive archive of Ultima and Ultima-related titles in their library. (Although, from what I’ve seen of the Origin Museum effort, neither did Origin Systems.)
So here’s the rub: does anyone — anyone — have a spare copy of Savage Empire, or of Martian dreams, that they’d be willing to send Mythic’s way? It’s relatively easy to find copies of most other Ultima titles — the Ultima Collection is available for sale through Amazon in the site sidebar, after all. But Savage Empire and Martian Dreams are…quite a bit more rare.
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That probably won’t be necessary.
They’re rare, but they’re not “Mt. Drash rare”.
I’m sure copies are available on eBay.
I’ve found a couple on Amazon since posting. Still, figured I’d ask. Plus, I’m quite keen on showing support for Mythic…they’ve really got the Ultima spirit and fire in ‘em, and I think we in the community would do well to sound off about their efforts.
I have complete original copies of Savage Empire and Martian Dreams (actually all of the Ultima games), so if Mythic actually needed a copy, I’d be willing to help out as long as I could get some sort of guarantee I’d get them back. I mean, if I gave them the complete boxes, it means they could properly scan the manuals as well, since I’d HATE to see any of these games being released without the original manuals being included as high-quality scans. You should have my email now, so if you want to put them in contact with me, go ahead.
Also, I have original Ultima II PC disks (from the trilogy re-release), which means with a bit of cleverness, they could have Ultima II with proper map disks without having to resort to any patches (since I don’t know the legality of that).
Actually, I have a 2nd complete copy of Savage Empire with manuals and disks. I’d be willing to even donate that free of charge for a good cause.
I have a copy of Martian Dreams from the GT entertainment release, and a cd with a collection of several older games, including Savage Empire, which includes scans of the manuals.
Interesting, doesn’t seem like these games would sell much to modern audiences unless they were packaging it with something else?
I have two spare sealed copies that I picked up on eBay for a steal awhile back.
If Mr. Barnett is still in need I’ll gladly donate them to the cause.
(and by two I mean I have a spare copy of each game)
Wow, guys…that’s a heck of a response!
I’ve dropped Paul a link to this thread; we’ll see what comes of it.
OK, well if he needs my email address, please put him in touch, since those don’t display here.
I’m sure he’ll ask me for info as needed. But yes, will do.
Not sure why they don’t look on the abandonware sites…I found both Savage Empire and Martian Dreams on them with little trouble. Now if they are looking for ACTUAL copies of the games, then that is an ebay issue.
There’s a weird thought: Mythic pirating the games that they have been given the IP rights to.
I suspect EA would read them the riot act for using that course of action; even for the de facto owner of the title, legal nightmares like abandonware & piracy are probably in the realm of “just don’t.”