^C^1AN ORIGIN UPDATE


The last time we spoke with Lord British, we learned that several new Origin
products were in the works.  First of all, a re-vamped version of Ultima I was
being prepared for a mid-December 1986 release.

Why re-write the classic?  Richard reminded us that he wrote the original
Ultima in BASIC, when he was 19.  The new version, written in machine
language, brings the original game up to ~/ standard of quality set by the
latest Ultima adventures.  The animation techniques and sound effects, for
example, are much improved.  Prompting and menu systems also make the new
Ultima much more friendly than the original -- the new Ultima, Richard tells
us, is as least as user-friendly as Ultima IV.

While the appearance of Ultima I has changed, the adventure's scenario remains
the same -- up to a point.  Although fans of the original will recognize the
plot, the world of Ultima I has been expanded.  There are many more places to
visit in the adventure, since all of the villages and castles now have unique
characteristics.

The Apple version of the new Ultima I was due to be released on December 15th;
Commodore and Atari versions should follow in a few months.  Owners of IBMs
will have to wait until the summer of 1987 before their version is released.


The Shape of Things to Come
---------------------------

According to Richard, Origin will be releasing two "high exposure" products
soon.  One is the next Ultima adventure, Ultima V, which Richard and three
other programmers are currently readying for a summer release.

The other product is a fantasy role-playing game set in space, currently called
"Space Rogue."  People at Origin are quite excited by Space Rogue's 3-D
graphics package.  Unlike the 3-D effects used by current simulation programs,
Richard said, the 3-D views you will see in Space Rogue will flow smoothly
into one another.  Space Rogue is also due out this summer.