Setting up Exult, the website is https://exult.sourceforge.io:

I don't know where GOG saves the Ultima 7 and Serpent Isle directories, but the Ultima Collection CD that came out around the time of Ultima IX had them in \blackgate and \serpentisle. What I do is make a directory named C:\Exult and copy \blackgate and \serpentisle into that. If you can find where GOG stores the games, copy those directories. Name shouldn't matter.

Now run the Exult installer, get the latest 1.8 snapshot. Install in C:\Exult. It should detect the two games, if not browse and select the folders manually. I'd recommend installing the audio pack and the Keyring and Serpent Isles Fixes mods, the installer will download the latest versions off the Inernet.

Now run either game, create a new character, and journey onward. Now you can hit Escape and select the options, these apply to Black Gate and Serpent Isle both.

My video options are: Full Screen - Enabled, Display - 640x480, Scaler - Super Eagle, Game Area - 320x200, Fill Quality - Bilinear, Fill Mode - Centre. AA - Disabled, Same for full screen and window - Yes. But every setup is different so you can experiment and choose what you like.

Now for Audio, Sample Rate - 44100, Stereo, Enabled for the next 3 boxes, then Midi can be disabled because you're using the digital. That just leaves the SFX settings: Enabled, the Roland MT-32 pack, and Speech - Enabled.

I also go into Gameplay Options and set the speed to 8fps because I like a fast walk lol, but you can experiment and pick what works on your machine. You can also enable status bars which shows everyone's HP/MP bars at all times, and turn cheats on and off. One useful one is hitting F3 for teleporting anywhere, a cloth style map will come up in each game and you just click a spot. You can read the Exult documentation on the website for more information on cheats and game options - etc.

And last, here's how to make shortcuts to the Keyring and Si Fixes mods so you can run them without going through the Exult main menu: Make one shortcut for the Black Gate Keyring mod and in the Target box put "C:\Exult\Exult.exe --fov --mod Keyring" (without the quotes). And in Start in put "C:\Exult" (without the quotes). For the Serpent Isle fixes, make a shortcut and put in the target box "C:\Exult\Exult.exe --si --mod sifixes" (without the quotes). And Start in: "C:\Exult" (without the quotes). And you're good to go. Hope this helps people, and you might want to make it a sticky lol. :-)

Edited: 7/19/2024

thanks for the tips on this, i just installed exult and it was confusing to say the least. still figuring out the audio files, i did download the audio pack that was listed but will fiddle some more lol I may get the key ring mod, tho so far the tip to just drop the key by the lock is working out. are keys reused for different locks or are they one lock only? dropping the key may get me in trouble later


regarding enabling the cheat mode in exult, is that only if you do that thing at the beginning of loading a new game, or can you enable cheat mode on an existing game?

cheers mate

You can enable the cheats at any time in the menu. Most of the keys in Ultima VII are for one lock I think, if there are any for multiple locks maybe someone else knows.

thanks

It's extremely rare that a key is reused, and if they are, it's never for anything important.

What is the best scaler choice for Exult in your experience?
2XSAI seems to be the smoothest, is there a better setup?

I know this is three years late but I'm not an expert at scalers. I personally like Super Eagle. Emulators and the like seem to use scalers. I'd research them and pick whatever works good for you.