Computer Ports of Savage Empire

Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire was not widely ported to other systems. Unlike Ultima VI, which was translated to the Amiga, Atari ST, and Commodore 64, The Savage Empire was written only for the PC in the western video gaming market. Japan, however, later saw a release for the PC-9801 system (as well as a Super Famicom port).

The IBM-PC Original
The original IBM-PC version of The Savage Empire was released in 1990, using a modified build of the Ultima VI engine. Legacy code and maps from Ultima VI can be found in the game's data files, such as the Realm of the Gargoyles - also see Oddities in Savage Empire.

Among its enhancements is the implementation of the Origin FX system; this allows for the appearance of in-game cutscenes, a feature Ultima VI is not capable of. The improvement is even announced with a special intro at the start. Conversations also take place in the larger main window, temporarily overlaying the view of the surroundings, allowing for a greater volume of text to be displayed at one time and eliminating the need to scroll down. Otherwise, the conversation system is the same, complete with red keywords.

The game was retailed on either four 3.5" or two high density 5.25" floppy disks.



The PC-9801-Port
The PC-9801 port of The Savage Empire was published in 1992 by Pony Canyon, two years after the initial IBM-PC release.

Graphics from the IBM-PC version were upscaled to the PC-9801's maximum resolution of 640x400; however, with no artwork redrawn, only the game's text takes advantage of the system's greater fidelity. Additionally, the PC-9801's constraint of 16 simultaneously displayable colors results in a restricted palette as compared with the original.

The PC-9801 port was retailed on either two 3.5" or two 5.25" floppy disks.