Release 3.3 includes a few new features, the largest of which is the inclusion of Sosaria Mod. This enhancement allows you to play Ultima III on the Lands of Lord British map from Ultima I.
In order to achieve this (for those who are interested in the details) I had to break out several data tables into external mod files. This includes the names of map files as well as the location of the towns, dungeons, moongates, exotics, etc and the inclusion of some logic to support and return the data to the game. Some mod-specific events, like the appearance of Dawn, were highly custom and had to be rewritten so that it could appear in a different location by mod. ULTIMA3.MOD includes all of the game data tables associated with the original game world, while SOSARIA.MOD is of course for Sosaria Mod. Theoretically, others could follow this pattern to contribute game world mods if they were so included. (why not a Britannia-shaped world?)
In addition to Sosaria Mod, v3.3 also includes the Start a New Game feature accessible from the in-game bootup menu, replacing the u3reset tool. Please do not use u3reset any longer, as it does not work with Sosaria Mod.
Another feature is the inclusion of a new Upgrade Tool that streamlines the installation/upgrade process. If you’re installing on Windows, just run u3upw from Windows Explorer. DOS and Linux ports are also provided, as usual. This replaces the previous binpat/binunpat tools.
Lastly, it fixes the nasty bug associated with the Invalid Action sound effect introduced in v3.2 that I posted about here.
For more information, please read the release notes.
Works great. Maybe some other modifications like u3 gold for c64 emulator like Select party leader
Ingame slow or quicken.
Slow winds down a little
Ability to buy/sell up to 99 weapons (tbh raise limit up to 999 i like throwing daggers)
Raise gold total up to 99,999
Tougher versions of the upper level monsters on the lower levels (ie orcs from level 1 would be a lot tougher on level 8).
Maybe one day able to play u1 and u2 similar to ultima 3 (the palm os had 1-3 out… Pix finally was able to play the shareware versions).
Something i really hope to see some day is a full Akalabelth to Ultima 5 construction set (similar to those super mario construction sets online).
Ultima 4 on sega master system was top view dungeons and had combat with targetting similar to ultima 5… Was awesome).
I never get bored of the classic esp when theres many versions and updates.
Thanks for the hard work.
Great ideas! I’ll take a closer look at U3 Gold and see what could be incorporated easily. The party leader definitely seems like a nice quality-of-life improvement.
It’s just so cool the game is still getting attention. U3 was my go to in the 80s on the c64. So many memories.
Since then and the invention of emulators I have tried different versions. I still need to try the appleII and the one disk Pix had found where the scenario disk was changed.
Hi,
sorry to revive this topic, but I just stumbled upon a particular Macintosh version of Ultima III – one that is made by LairWare. It’s been around since 1995, but constantly updated over the years, so obviously an old schooler. Sadly though, it’s not free (although the asking price of $5 seems fair). But it’s got a whole bunch of enhancements similar to yours and some players swear it’s the best port of Ultima III.
So my question is, what are your thoughts on it, Voyager Dragon? Have you heard of it? Are there any features/ideas from that version that you feel you can incorporate into your mod (without hopefully infringing on any IP), so that we can have the one, final, ultimate, *definitive* version of Ultima III ? 🙂
While I think it’s pretty nice I wouldn’t say Lair Ware is the definitive or ultimate.
http://www.pixsoriginadventures.co.uk
Pix is also a huge Ultima fan and I’d say he’s played them all including shareware of Palm-OS 1-3.
I think there is yet to be an ultimate version. I love different constructs and I’d love to see aspects of the different versions put into one version.
We have the classic ULTIMA 3, the GBA version with a part 2, the NES with altered content and additions, FM-Towns version with neat cut scenes, GFX, and ending sequence., and there are a few pet projects here and there.
I think an ULTIMA V type content as far as size, and combat mechanics would be awesome. Graphics are tricky but if you’ve ever played Max Breedon’s EUOTOPIA then you’d see some neat tilesets and mechanics for a diablo-esque typegame.
I lament I am so horrible at programming and applaud this project. I have been following it before gog and will continue.
It is sad that DUNGEONSIEGE skipped a U3, and I still wonder what various construction sets might work. A Baldur’s Gate/Pillars of eternity mod?
I feel the same about many older games. I love them brought out again like Bardstale Trilogy and refurbished with new ideas.
Imagine an engine that lets you play a classic game customized exactly like the original emulating the platform machine or mixing and matching. And then additional content. A lot of older games on obscure consoles/computers could be dusted off in this newer ages instead of forgotten.
Great work imho to all who work on retro.
“I’d love to see aspects of the different versions put into one version.”
Agreed!
“We have the classic ULTIMA 3, the GBA version with a part 2, the NES with altered content and additions, FM-Towns version with neat cut scenes, GFX, and ending sequence., and there are a few pet projects here and there.”
Interesting. I don’t know about these other projects. Will definitely look them up, thank you. (newbie here to the series)
“Imagine an engine that lets you play a classic game customized exactly like the original emulating the platform machine or mixing and matching. And then additional content. A lot of older games on obscure consoles/computers could be dusted off in this newer ages instead of forgotten.”
That does sound nice 🙂
“Great work imho to all who work on retro.”
Indeed, especially Voyager Dragon, for his incredible dedication and passion to keeping the spirit of the game alive. All or free. (I didn’t mean to sidetrack this thread by mentioning the Macintosh port. Just saw a fancy screenshot of it on some forum and the first thing that came to my mind was this thread and what VD would think of it. heh)
Just wanted to say thanks for making this patch. The patch works great even though I had some initial difficulties with the GOG version getting the binpat command to work (mentioned in the README). I actually got this to work without a hitch by using the “UltimaPatcher” instead under Windows10 and it installed the Upgrade 3.3 patch without a hitch. This is super cool. This upgrade patch is deeply appreciated. Thanks!