In case the last couple of weeks have been as dizzying for you as they have for me, let’s quickly recap: so far this month, we’ve seen someone bring Octopath-style lighting to Ultima 7, someone else re-create it as an MMO that plays in a browser tab, and a third person post news about a 3D prequel to the game that is being worked on. There was also an AI-assisted decompilation of the game’s source code posted at the start of the month.

Now, it seems, we’re also getting a version of the game that supports multiplayer co-op.

Earlier this week, XCAST3D (who goes by Ill_Command_1200 on Reddit) posted to r/Ultima about Quest of the Companions, a custom Exult build he has been planning and working on, off and on, for the past few years.

The idea is simple enough. The host plays the Avatar, and up to seven friends each take control of a companion, with room for four more people to watch as spectators. Players can connect directly by IP (on port 1992, fittingly enough) or through a lobby system that hands out join codes. Player chat appears over their characters’ heads, and the fork also features private whispers, emotes and a minimap. A “leash” system limits how far companions can wander off to loot or scout without splitting the party across Britannia, and the host’s saves cover everyone. Builds for Windows and Mac are currently available, with cross-play support.

Co-op is only one of three new systems, though. A new targeting system lets you cycle through people and creatures with Q and through objects with E, and act on them with Space. That should cut down on what XCAST3D calls “the pixel hunting of moving entities (yes, I’m looking at you Emps near Yew).” There’s also an optional class system that gives each companion three skills based on their Ultima IV class, each with its own new artwork. Iolo is a Bard, Shamino a Ranger, Jaana a Druid, Dupre a Paladin, and Spark gets a “Dirty Trick.” When nobody is playing a companion, AI takes over and acts according to their class. And thanks to native controller support, tested with Xbox, PlayStation and Steam controllers, Ultima VII can now be played from the comfort of one’s couch.

XCAST3D’s announcement was only meant to be an announcement. The subreddit clamoured for it, though, and he posted builds well ahead of schedule: “I wasn’t planning on releasing this into the wild so soon, but since everyone is as excited to try this as I am in building it. The builds are now up.” His own co-op playthrough isn’t finished yet. Asked whether AI was used, he answered plainly:

For development, yes. … If the question is: did I vibe code or one-shot prompt build it? Absolutely not. Every system was designed, optimized and tested by myself and my testing partner. By my own estimate, it has taken well over 100 hours (not including testing which is a massive part of the build) to get this project to where it is. The custom exult build is mainly a technical and systems upgrade so no generative AI was used.

Builds for Windows and Mac OS are available from the project’s website, and the links are mirrored at the brand new project entry here at the Codex. As usual, you’ll need your own copy of Ultima VII: The Black Gate in order to use them. Serpent Isle support is planned, and so is the release of the source code: XCAST3D intends to make his GitHub repo public once testing is done and he has finished a full playthrough of the game in co-op mode. The site’s credits thank his brother Marc for aiding with testing. Marc, XCAST3D says, was the one he took turns with at Ultima VII back in 1992, one playing while the other watched. Thirty-odd years later, they finally get to play it side by side.