Eric Fry has just posted the second official release (version 0.2, that is) of Nuvie, his Exult-like cross-platform front-end/engine for Ultima 6 (and, maybe one day, Savage Empire and Martian Dreams as well). He has termed it “the magic release“, and for good reason:

Magic has been the focus of this release. All 81 magic spells have now been implemented in Nuvie. This brings the project a lot closer to our initial goal of full compatibility with the original Ultima 6 game.

What’s new in this release.

• Added all 81 magic spells!
• Added gui spellbook selector.
• Use crystal ball.
• Use staff.
• Added storm cloak logic.
• Added regeneration ring healing.
• Restore party magic points over time.
• Decrease player alcohol level over time.
• Lit torches now burn out.
• Added chance that storm cloak, invisibility/regeneration rings disappear over time.
• Added correct moonstone/moongate logic.
• Added spin to certain combat projectiles.
• Acid slugs can now dissolve metal objects when attacking.
• Gremlins now steal food when attacking.
• Added brawling worktype.
• Numerous bug fixes.

That’s a substantial number of improvements, though it does mean the end of the eternal torches that I admit I have grown rather fond of. Alas!

Anyhow, I’ve updated the project entry with the latest downloads for Windows and Mac; the source is also available for Linux users to compile from (and if anyone wants to post a general Linux build here that others can download, let me know!). I can only assume that the Mac build also includes the recent SDL-related changes that were made to various Ultima projects as well.