Ozark Softscape developed the game for the Atari 8-bit family first because of its policy of developing for the most advanced computers then porting them to other platforms, removing or altering features such as sprites as necessary. Bunten stated that Ozark did not port the game to the Apple II because ""M.U.L.E." can't be done for an Apple". The IBM PC port of "M.U.L.E" was developed by K-Byte Software, an affiliate of Electronic Arts, and published by IBM as part of their venture into the home market with the IBM PCjr, but it sold poorly due to being released in 1985 after the latter had been discontinued (although the game did not have any actual PCjr support).