The Armory · The Avatar Engine
The Avatar Engine
A modern reimagining of Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985) — the real game intact underneath, dressed in modern art, mouse control, maps, and adaptive music.
JRH Avatarv1.7.0
A complete, self-contained engine for Ultima IV, with a bundled Java runtime — nothing else to install. A full 256-tile modern art set (with the original EGA graphics one keypress away), complete mouse support, in-game maps, adaptive music, and dozens of quality-of-life features, while keeping the true 1985 game intact underneath. Playable start to finish, from character creation to the Codex ending.
Download ↓Windows · .msi · self-contained
On first launch, the engine helps you fetch the free game data. It walks you through downloading the free, legal Ultima IV data yourself — a normal one-time step, not a bug — then fetches, unpacks, and files it automatically. The engine ships no Ultima IV content of its own; this “bring your own free game data” model is the project’s legal foundation, in the tradition of Exult and xu4.
Windows may warn you the first time. Because the installer isn’t code-signed, Windows might show a “Windows protected your PC” screen. Click More info → Run anyway — standard for independent software.
◆ New in v1.7.0
⚔Auto-Combat. A new toggle (press
F, or click it on the command bar) lets routine battles play out automatically, turn by turn, while you watch. Toggle it off any time mid-fight to take back control. Dangerous battles trigger a one-time “Continue on auto?” confirmation — you’re never surprised, and the choice is always yours.🖱Mouse support on the first-run setup screen. The initial data-setup screen is now fully clickable — the game is mouse-driven from the very first moment.
By James Robert Haller (JRH) · Non-commercial fan project
Played it? Tell us how it went.
Bugs, balance thoughts, or just how the quest felt — every bit helps shape the next version.
Tell us in the Discord