@~For those who are eagerly awaiting the latest in the saga ... ULTIMA IX : ASCENSION The Frequently Asked Questions List Version 1.02 - 5 Dec 1995 Compiled by Adrian Yau (Sagacious Dragon) ayau@tartarus.uwa.edu.au Copyright (c) 1995. All rights reserved Contents -------- Section 1 : Introduction 1.1 Objective 1.2 Disclaimer 1.3 Trademarks 1.4 Acronyms & Symbols 1.5 Spoiler Warning 1.6 Obtaining the FAQ Section 2 : Background Info 2.1 What is Ultima? 2.2 Who is the Avatar? 2.3 Who is the Guardian? 2.4 The Guardian Trilogy so far. 2.5 The Official Ultima 8 End Sequence 2.5.1 Has the Guardian conquered Britannia? Section 3 : Plot 3.1 Why is the game called 'Ascension'? 3.2 General plot features of Ultima 9 3.2.1 How much of the plot has been worked out? * 3.2.2 What's the story about? * 3.2.3 Philosophical elements 3.2.4 Plot Non-Linearity 3.2.5 Sideplots 3.3 The Avatar's Character 3.3.1 Character Transfer. * 3.3.2 Will the Avatar retain the powers gained in U8? 3.4 Companions and Party Members * 3.4.1 Will companions from previous Ultimas appear in U9? 3.4.2 Will Dupre return? 3.4.3 Will there be party members in Ultima 9? 3.4.4 How many party members can I have? I want an army! 3.5 Magic 3.5.1 How important is magic in the plot of Ultima 9? 3.5.2 What sort of magic system will be implemented? 3.5.3 Will reagents still be used for the magic system? 3.5.4 Will party members be able to cast spells? 3.6 Miscellaneous Plot Questions 3.6.1 Will dragons be involved in the storyline? 3.7 The Ending Section 4 : Gameplay Issues 4.1 Will U9 use the same engine as U8? 4.2 World interaction * 4.3 Will the conversation menu system still be used? 4.4 Movement 4.4.1 Will there still be jumping and climbing? 4.4.2 Will the Avatar be able to swim? 4.5 Combat 4.5.1 What will combat be like in Ultima 9? 4.5.2 Will there be two combat models, realtime and turnbased? 4.5.3 Will combat combine the keyboard and mouse? 4.5.4 Will there be more monsters? 4.5.5 Will there be Resurrection for the Avatar? 4.6 Graphics 4.6.1 Characters 4.6.1.1 Will there be an option for a female Avatar? 4.6.1.2 Will there be character portraits? * 4.6.1.3 Will there be live actors and movie cut scenes? 4.6.2 Weather 4.6.2.1 Will we see the return of night and day? 4.6.2.2 How about the seasons and weather? 4.6.3 Inventory 4.6.3.1 Will inventory have a graphical interface? 4.6.3.2 Will there still be paperdolling in inventory? 4.6.4 Map * 4.6.4.1 Will it be a mono- (U7) or dual-scaled map (U5)? 4.6.4.2 What sort of perspective will Ultima 9 use? 4.6.4.3 Will a rotating perspective be used? 4.6.4.4 Can we run the game at different resolutions? 4.7 Sound 4.7.1 Will we get 32 channel sound like in WC3? * 4.7.2 Will Ultima 9 have full speech? 4.8 Interface 4.8.1 Will there be more shortkeys? 4.8.2 How about user configurable keys? Section 5 : Technical Issues 5.1 Platforms 5.1.1 Which platforms are U9 currently targeted for? 5.1.2 Will U9 be released for 3DO? + 5.1.3 Will there be a Mac version? 5.2 Multitasking 5.3. System Requirements * 5.3.1 What will be the minimum requirements to run U9? 5.4 How big will Ultima 9 be? 5.5 Will there be a floppy version? Section 6 : Miscellaneous 6.1 Who's on the Ultima 9 project? 6.2 When will U9 appear on the shelves? 6.3 Where can I get screenshots? 6.4 Is Ultima 9 "The Lost Vale"? 6.5 Will there be add-ons for U9? 6.6 Will there be a Ultima 10? 6.7 Will there be a special edition for Ultima 9? 6.8 Cheat Menu Section 7 : In Conclusion * 7.1 Credits 7.2 Obtaining more information 7.3 Contacting the author Section 1: Introduction ----------------------- 1.1 Objective This FAQ was created to answer some Frequently Asked Questions on the net regarding 'Ultima 9: Ascension', which is currently in development. Hopefully, this FAQ will also serve to dispel the many rumours floating around the net. This FAQ was suggested by Brian Martin, Design Coordinator of the Ultima 9 project, who has provided most of the information you will find here. 1.2 Disclaimer Please keep in mind that Ultima 9 is still in development. As such, nothing is set in stone. The game design could possibly change by the time it is released. Unless stated, all information presented in this FAQ have been confirmed by Origin. 1.3 Trademarks Ultima, Britannia, Origin are registered trademarks of ORIGIN Systems, Inc. Avatar, Serpent Isle, Pagan and Ascension are trademarks of ORIGIN Systems, Inc. Origin Systems Inc. is a subsidiary of Electronic Arts. 1.4 Acronyms U4/5/6/7/8/9 Ultima 4/5/6/7/8/9 U7SI Ultima 7 part 2: Serpent Isle * Changes from last version + Additions from last version 1.5 Spoiler Warning There will be spoilers for gamers who have yet to play the previous Ultimas. Sections 2.2 - 2.4 (Background Info) contain most of the spoilers. 1.6 Obtaining the FAQ New versions of this FAQ will be posted in the newsgroups: alt.games.ultima.dragons and comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.rpg You can also access the FAQ on the web at: http://www.uwa.edu.au/student/ayau/u9/u9faq.htm You can also request a copy of the FAQ from the author at: ayau@tartarus.uwa.edu.au Section 2 : Background Info --------------------------- 2.1 What is Ultima? For those unfamiliar with Ultima; it is a line of computer games of the Role Playing Game (RPG) genre produced by Origin Systems. Currently, there are 13 games in the series (14 if you include Akalabeth). For more information about Ultima, refer to the Web at: "http://www.why.com/ultima/" The Ultima Homepage "http://www.ea.com/origin.html" The Origin Systems Homepage 2.2 Who is the Avatar? The Avatar is the main character of the Ultima series. The Avatar is the champion of virtue in the games. The concept of virtues (philosophical values) is a main feature of the Ultima games. 2.3 Who is the Guardian? The Guardian is the main antagonist in the current trilogy (U7-9). He first appeared in Ultima 7, where he attempted to gain control of Britannia. Physically he has been depicted as a huge red being (male) with yellow eyes. 2.4 The Guardian Trilogy so far. In Ultima 7 (The Black Gate), the Avatar is summoned to Britannia and uncovers the Guardian's plans to gain control of the world, with Batlin's help. Naturally, the Avatar foils the Guardian's plans and Batlin flees Britannia. In Ultima Underworld 2 (Labyrinth of Worlds), the Guardian makes another attempt on Britannia by encasing the Avatar and Lord British's castle within a dome of blackrock. The Avatar travels to other worlds dominated by the Guardian, to gain the power to free the castle. In Ultima 7 part 2 (Serpent Isle), the Avatar follows the trail Batlin has set; to the Serpent Isle. The Avatar discovers the land on the verge of destruction from the forces of Imbalance. In restoring Balance to Serpent Isle, the Avatar falls into the Guardian's trap. In Ultima 8 (Pagan), the Guardian throws the Avatar into the world of Pagan. There, the Avatar seeks a way home to Britannia. 2.5 The Official Ultima 8 End Sequence From the 5 blackrock fragments, the Avatar recreates the Blackrock Obelisk of the Great Temple. The pyramid shaped obelisk is a black gate which takes the Avatar into the Nexus of the Worlds (place with the white pillars). Upon entering the Nexus, a person is taken to where they most desire to go. The Avatar is taken back to Britannia, where he appears wearing the suit of the Titan of Ether. A Britannia unlike the one we remember. The sky is blood red, rivers of molten lava vein the land and dragons swoop about in the sky. The Guardian's head is carved into a mountain. 2.5.1 Has the Guardian conquered Britannia? We'll have to play the game to discover this. Section 3 : Plot ---------------- 3.1 Why is the game called 'Ascension'? There is no official explanation from Origin as it would probably give away the plot. However, the general feeling from most fans is that the Avatar will have a direct confrontation with the Guardian in Ultima 9. In order to defeat him, the Avatar has to 'ascend' to a more powerful state. 3.2 General plot features of Ultima 9 3.2.1 How much of the plot has been worked out? Most of the plot for Ultima 9 has been finalized, including the characters in the game, the events in the game and the ending. Town and dungeon layouts have already been worked out as well. * 3.2.2 What's the story about? Ultima 9 has been coined the 'trilogy of trilogies' and will continue the story from Ultima 8 and wrap up the current Guardian trilogy (U7-9). The game designers have revealed that they intend to resolve everything about Ultima; right from the beginning of Ultima. Many artifacts and locations from past Ultimas will be brought back in Ultima 9. * 3.2.3 Philosophical elements Starting from Ultima 4, the series has always had a plot based around some system of values. The concept of the Avatar and the Britannian Virtues will play a key and central role in the game. 3.2.4 Plot Non-Linearity Ultima 9 will feature a non-linear plot. Quests need not be done in a specific order and there will be many ways to solve puzzles. 3.2.5 Sideplots We have been promised that there will be plenty of sideplots (minor quests unrelated to the major storyline) and lots of Easter eggs. 3.3 The Avatar's Character 3.3.1 Character Transfer. Transferring your character of the Avatar was a feature of the older Ultimas (this option was left out from Ultima 7 onwards). Can we transfer the Avatar's stats from Ultima 8? They're not sure if it will be implemented. * 3.3.2 Will the Avatar retain the powers gained in U8? In short, no. Building up the character of the Avatar is part of an RPG. The Avatar will have to work to gain strength and powers in Ultima 9. By the end of the game, the player should have fully explored the powers of the Titan of Ether. 3.4 Companions and Party Members * 3.4.1 Will companions from previous Ultimas appear in U9? Yes, the companions will return, however it has yet to be confirmed if they will join the Avatar's party. Other characters with sufficient reason to have a long lifespan will also appear in Ultima 9. In general, these are characters from other worlds. 3.4.2 Will Dupre return? Origin's not telling on this. However, in a interview (1994), Richard Garriot mentions that Dupre will, at the very least, be present at the ending. 3.4.3 Will there be party members in Ultima 9? Yes, there will be party members in U9. Though there is no confirmation on who they will be. 3.4.4 How many party members can I have? I want an army! The total number of party members has yet yet to be decided. Unfortunately, there won't be an army. 3.5 Magic 3.5.1 How important is magic in the plot of Ultima 9? Magic will play an integral part of the game. 3.5.2 What sort of magic system will be implemented? Even though the magic system in U8 was very interesting, it was too complicated and ended up quite cumbersome. Ultima 9 will return to the spell book system similar to Ultima 7. 3.5.3 Will reagents still be used for the magic system? Yes, traditional Britannian reagents will be used. 3.5.4 Will party members be able to cast spells? They're not telling. 3.6 Miscellaneous Plot Questions 3.6.1 Will dragons be involved in the storyline? There has been no confirmation from the design team on this. However, in the Ultima 8 end sequence, there are dragons flying about the sky. Furthermore, Lord British also mentions dragons as a form of transportation in Britannia (letter to fans in Ultima 8 patch kit). In an interview, Lord British also mentions taming dragons will be a major plot in the game. 3.7 The Ending Will the Guardian finally be defeated for good? Will the Avatar or Britannia still exist after U9? They're not telling :) @~To be continued in the next issue - o -