Channel Surfing in 2669

Well, this started off as just an experiment to tag a couple of the TNC Infoburst segments from WC3 together, yet as things progressed it took a bit of a detour. After trying to flesh out the Infoburst with some file footage, intro titles, stock tickers, etc I thought about temping out some snippets of other 'Holovid' programming that might fit in with the typical television/holovid environment circa 2669 -- assuming it actually exists in such a form -- using a bunch of Wing Commander related stuff.

Anyway, I had a blast doing it; perhaps too much fun, so don't take any of the items or references too seriously! I definitely plan to revisit this idea at some point, but not in the 2669 time frame and have already secured one 30-second spot for the next video, luckily not from the Galactic Frungy League!

Cheers,
Bryn

P.S. A word of warning to a sneaky cat whose name begins with T: you know what they say about curiosity!

Gemini Gold 1.3 Released

Privateer Gemini Gold 1.03 (2009-12-21) Come get some... Privateering! We have finished Privateer Gemini Gold 1.03!

The new release brings speech support for the additional Righteous Fire campaign, more original Privateer like features, a few new rendered fully animated interiors and a handful of bugfixes. Checkout the changelist for more details.

This december release is also our christmas present for the Privateer fans. Enjoy the holidays, kick some retro asses and don't forget to refuel your jump drive!

List of Changes:

• A. Righteous Fire campaign voiceovers
• B. High resolution interior/base graphics
  • Perry Concourse with animations
  • Mining Base Landing Pad animated light beam
  • Mining Base Concourse with dust nebular and walking man
  • New Detroit Landing Pad and Concourse animations
  • New Constantinople Landing Pad and Concourse animations
  • Some new damaged upgrade item graphics
• C. High resolution MFD graphics (cockpit displays)
• D. Privateer like communication options and radar colors for bases
• E. Shields power down when playership runs out of energy
• F. More detailed and better visible asteroid fields
• G. Savegames can be named
• H. Better readable Oxford Library computer screen
• I. Bugfixes
  • Level of Detail (might cause performance issues during spaceflight)
  • loading of a saved mission causes infinite new waves of hostile ships
  • missile lock light always on while in gun or missile lock
  • scrolling hud down affects all other huds as well
  • landing after collision with eden moon
  • hitchhiker won't leave playership
  • mission MFD shows nothing.
  • mission bases and planets are not neutral
  • positive militia responses take longer than negative
  • cargo space calculation is wrong when using cargo expansion
  • hit autopilot while communicating in a centurion changes MFDs position

Are You Chicken?

• Press Up, Down, Down, Up, R2 at the Wing Commander copyright screen to access the cheat screen.
• Press R1 or R2 to select a mission
• Press L1+L2+Square in flight to destroy ships

Secrets of the Playstation Website

While the exciting rerelease of Wing Commander 4 for the Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable has many fans and newcomers enjoying this classic as of new, many either missed or weren't around to experience the game's original release on the Playstation console. Back in 1997 Origin actually created a separate website just for the Playstation port. Many wingnuts may not be familiar with just what exactly the Wing Commander 4 Playstation website added to the series or why it was so important.

Included on that website was a Java-based ship and weapons database, as seen in the screenshots below. Another, perhaps more important item from that site is the secret letter from Dr. Brody to Captain Eisen which you can read right here. Before this letter appeared on the website, Wing Commander fans didn't actually have a concrete idea of when the game took place, so the website was essential in establishing exactly where in the timeline Wing Commander 4 occurred. In its own way, this letter also served as a precursor to the amazing Secret Ops fiction which would be released online during that game's original online episodic release.

Star Soldier Still Out There

The ENEMY can appear ANY TIME and ANYWHERE!

Learn these planes and watch the skies!

Bringing Back the Battle Book

You have entered CONFED READYNET. Unauthorized access strictly prohibited. Password:XXXXXXXX. Welcome ENSIGN. This is your first visit to READYNET.

...

Have a question, comment or tip for your fellow warriors? Contact us at editor@ starsoldier.tnc.media or visit us on ReadyNet, keyword StarSoldier.

UO Wins Big Award

Ultima Online, Publisher: Electronic Arts (1997)

Fans of role-playing games remember fondly the Ultima series, which dates back to the original "Ultima I" from 1980. But when Electronic Arts took Lord British's empire online in 1997, it changed gaming forever. Gamers could now dial into (and back then they did indeed dial into) a game server and cross swords with thousands of other players in what became popularly known as massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). "Ultima Online" was not the first MMO--"Meridian 59" and others predate it--but it was the MMO that launched a million fantasy careers on the "World of Warcraft" (2004) and "Everquest" (1999).

Merry Christmas!

Obee's Album Free

I got my '07 album "A Perfect Point Of View" online for a free download till December 31st as a Christmas gift for my fans.

Cheerio,
Evan/Obee/Patrik (Call me what you want, the guy from the original WingCenter.de ;)).

PS: Oh, the link: http://weihnachten.evanfreyer.de - don't mind the german text :D.

So What's New?!

The exciting rerelease of Wing Commander 4 for the Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable has raised a few important questions. Wingnuts have been asking us for specifics about the game and details compared to the PC version. As this is a 'PSOne Classic' game, what is now available is the original Playstation version released in April 1997, and it's up for purchase now through the PS3 and PSP (and not for the PC) for $5.99.

The Playstation version of the game shipped on four CDs instead of six, so there were certain tradeoffs made. 16-bit stereo Dolby Surround sound was added, but the videos are slightly more compressed and some nonessential scenes and video choices were removed. In order to eliminate ground missions, the entire Circe System was cut. The three atmospheric missions in the Tyr System were replaced by three brand new missions with alternate wireframe briefings. These have the player search and insert marines into space labs to search for the bioconvergence chemist.

The comm videos also are in color on the Playstation! And there are some different names in the pilot database. WC4 also got a control scheme revamp with support for dual analog joysticks, customized controls and "force feedback" rumble. Bonus features for playing this game on the PS3/PSP include the ability to pull the manual up at any time and reassign controls outside of the game. Stop by Crius.net for any other questions. Sound good? Now go get it!

BREAKING NEWS: Wing Commander IV on PSN!

Holiday surprise: Electronic Arts and Sony have made Wing Commander IV available as a digital download from the PlayStation Store. The game is a 'PSOne Classic' which can be played on both the PlayStation 3 console and the PlayStation Portable handheld! The cost is $5.99 and it is currently only available through the US store--we'll let you know when other regions add the game. It's a 2.25 GB download--so it may be time to pick up a new PSP memory card...

The official announcement is here and the game's PSN page is here. Download a copy and send EA a message about interest in Wing Commander!

Colonel Blair is back out of retirement and it's your job to protect the universe! Play as Colonel Blair in this action-packed shooter while making all the decisions, but think carefully because every decision takes its own course. Choose what ships to fly, what missiles to carry, and what wingmen to bring along, but choose wisely…the universe's fate is in your hands! Download this PSOne Classic today!

New X3 Mod Blasts Off

'Origin Museum' Opens to the Public

Diablo has been busy working on an Origin Museum -- Two houses side-by-side, inside the Luna walls, just east of the North Gate. Following EM Faine Morgan's High Seas Gauntlet and Maze Diablo took us on a sneak preview tour of the museums.

The museum opened to the public today, Thursday, December 3. When you drop by, plan to spend some time as both buildings display an amazing number of rares and artifacts. I have asked Diablo for a list of items displayed and some of the history behind the items.

The unique and rare items are an amazing collection, and to be able to view them all in one convenient place is a real treat.

Steer Clear of Scylla

With various images from the net and those provided by AD, I've tried my best to come up with a reasonable 3d model for my mod. I did go way over budget on the poly count with this and it's quite innaccurate, but I figured I may as well post and get some feedback of some kind. Poly count is 4596 (aprox 1800 higher than I wanted, but the detailing was necessary).

One question though: Where is the hangar supposed to be on this thing??

Three Dimensions are Better

Some of you may remember me posting an early test scene of Frontier on youtube in early 2008. It was all in 2D before I learned 3D modelling. Part 7 contains that very same scene so now I've been able to redo it completely. The difference is pretty major.

Vote Wing Commander

Voting Starts This Week

Outpost Group Shot

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, Etc.

I changed the rear dorsal fins as suggested, without it looking totally outlandishly silly from being too big. After doing the textures over a bit more, here's also a number more of screenshots of the ships and also an ortho view...

The Paper Commander Returns

Hello to all!!!

My friends. This year has been very very dificult to me, which has caused a lack of releases, but in few days I'll update Paper Commander with the Epee, Talon and Dorkathi.

This version is a Standoff model of course, excellent work of Eder.

Zero Connection Between Mass Effect 2 and Wing Commander

Paper Gratha Moving Full Speed Ahead

Top side needs a bit of work to fill in a few gaps.

Reverse-angle: used a small flash-light (camera's flash made too much glare) to show the 3d-ness of the awesome engine ports. They're almost big enough to stick your pinky-finger in up to the full length of your pinky finger-nail.

Underside: I got the red/grey bit backwards on the slanted bit running back from the intake, but it's just a place-holder while I work out the rest of the cowl/armor back there.

Before cutting I place a layer of this 2-inch wide tape over the parts (helps strengthen the paper, makes it easier to clean since it provides a tiny bit of water-proofing, and gives the completed model a nice "plastic-like" sheen too)...

Since that part folds inward it was hidden in total shadow, so I had made the inside a pinkish-yellowish-off-white (just like you see in the rear-view of Michelle D's pic) and held up a small flashlight to shine light in (the camera's built-in flash made so much glare you couldn't see any shape/detail), but as a nice side-effect the light reflects off the tape and ta-da, instant "engine glow" without any kind of internal LEDS/batteries...

UO May Not WoW, But It's Not Out

Mod to Mod Strums Standoff's Strings

Thanks for all your feedback regarding some of the changes I made to Standoff by throwing in some WC3 generation ships, I've made a couple more touches now:

Used a string editor to change the VDU data of the ship you are targeting, i.e. the Vaktoth now shows as a 'Vaktoth' rather than 'Gothri' (which it replaced) also, note the ship VDU icon now corresponds to the Vaktoth (this was simply a matter of extracting the correct icon from Prophecy and throwing it in.)

787 Completes First Flight

Invasion Fleet Assembles in FPtD Part 6

The Patton and Hornblower rendezvous with the rest of the invasion group, where Caine confronts Krauer regarding the Captain's past. Meanwhile Sarah awakens in to find herself and Captain Esteban trapped by an unknown party. And back the aboard the Patton and Hornblower the order is given to gear up for the invasion ahead.

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6 - New!

Help Create the WC Encyclopedia

Another Killer Wallpaper

More Wing 3 Concept Sketches

Firekkan 'Valtar' Ready for WCCD

Originally when I was designing the Valtar I had waaaay too many not just similarties but (exacts) to the Raven's Claw model, sometimes it's just the creative process. But as I went on I started to steer away from that model and I started trying to get it more similar to one of the proposed "Wing Commander Online - Border World" ships that I thought would be more appropriate to mimic. The shot on the left is then "FINAL" model of the Valtar and on the right is one that I used in the creative process.

Searching for a Shipyard

Unfortunately no Indomitable or Kiranka BattleCruisers. :( Unless someone would like to model one....

Ascii Casino Coming Soon

• Fixed bug that wouldn't allow you to take off because of a non-existent passenger.
• Fixed bug that sometimes made corpses on your ship not show up on the cargo terminal.
• Fixed bug with tile walkability when buying a capital ship.

Saga's Dreadnought Jumps In

The massive and intimidating H’varkann-class dreadnought is the largest and deadliest warship in the Kilrathi fleet. Its array of heavy beam cannons and missile batteries can lay waste to entire enemy fleets, and its fighter complement is equal to that of several heavy carriers. In addition, its super heavy shielding and armor makes this battlewagon virtually invulnerable to any attack.

Several of these vessels were seen in various Wing Commander 3 cutscenes. One of them, KIS H’varkann, served as Prince Thrakhath’s flagship. Another ship of the class, the KIS Vorgath, made an appearance in the False Colors novel.

Nominees Needed

We want to hear your suggestions for Wing Commander Fan Project & Web Site of the Year. Voting will occur at the end of the month and be based off the items that you submit! Our prior winners are below. There has been a ton of fan activity lately, so there's plenty of recognition to go around! Check back later this month for information on how to vote for the top sites and projects of 2009.

From Drawing Board to Drawing Board

This is a piece I started a while back and promptly forgot to finish... I started it back when the CIC ran an article on Privateer 3 concept art. I discovered it yesterday sitting in a stack of papers, so I finished it today. It was another attempt at creating concept art which looks to me like it would belong in a Kilrathi privateer's hands, err paws.

To make drawings like this, I do a series of silouette sketches to find a shape I find to be dynamic and pleasing and then I draw a basic wireframe version on paper. If the the initial framework looks good, I fill in the details first with a light pencil and then I ink out the details The shading is created with either a pencil (in this case) or grayscale copic markers.

Journey to Largkza

Gratha Gets Its Tail Feathers

Did a cover-up layer for the top of the body and the cockpit area so that I could get that dark-red feathering-effect on. Also got that hawkish-beak (tooth like) bit on.

As you can see, the central part of hte tail is built... I just need to work out the sides of it. I've got it sketched out. The round engine exhaust-funnel things are done and waiting building.

Bottom-wise, I need to do the intake and its area. Rough plans already in the works. Just needing to finalize and print and cut-fold.

And in the forth pic you can see that curved gray area under the cockpit. Not exactly sure what its supposed to be... thinned armor for the radar? Perhaps the cockpit lowers down and out (rather than other ships where one needs to climb up a ladder and then have a canopy lowered over you).

After Action Report

We all know the feeling of coming back from a grueling mission, but what comes next? After you've landed and had your debriefing, what is the first thing that you do?

Our last poll determined that the most popular ship to strike was the classic Fralthi, followed closely by the Fralthra. Wingnuts seem to like both hammering on a capship with guns and missiles and swooping in for a torpedo run.

Blair, Tolwyn Rock Out

Dethklok is the biggest, baddest, and most famous heavy metal band in the world. The quintet, consisting of Americans Nathan Explosion (vocals), William Murderface (bass), and Pickles the Drummer, along with Scandinavian guitarists Toki Wartooth and Skwisgaar Skwigelf, have to deal with their fame and other situations in their lives, all the while being monitored by a government organization out to destroy them.

Wing One More Time

This is the soundtrack to the first Wing Commander game by Origin Systems. I was asked by the game's producer, Chris Roberts, to write something that sounded something like Star Wars and Star Trek the Motion Picture. My Team Fat writing partner, Dave Govett, had this little tune (the fanfare/theme) in his head already. It took him about a day to get finished music to me--and with that one tune, game music took what is perhaps a bigger step than it had taken before or has taken since. If you don't believe me, do the research. Try to find a soundtrack with stronger musical sensibility, better composition, or better arrangements. This game supported the then-new MT-32 sound card--this was pre-General MIDI, and most games had just used the internal FM sound card--which was considered high-quality at the time! In addition, Chris Roberts insisted on making the soundtrack interactive. There have been other soundtracks before and since, but this one stood out. Wing Commander was the hit of the CES show that year. These days, game soundtracks that attempt to imitate John Williams are commonplace. I don't like to do it anymore. But to my knowledge, this is the first one, and compositionally remains one of the better ones. I believe that for several years after this, game composers were still not asked to imitate John Williams. They were asked to imitate David Govett and Wing Commander.

You will hear the authentic, original MIDI files, playing back on a Roland MT-32 sound module, as you would have heard if you were playing a Brand New Wing Commander game on The Best Game Sound-Equipped Computer Available At The Time. A touch of Roland Sound Canvass (in MT-32 emulation mode) was added just because it was easy to do and made the tones just a tad-bit richer. Other than that...Welcome To The State of the Art in PC Audio, circa 1990!!!!

Ascii Sector Maintenance Release

• Fixed bug with theft added to criminal record when taking stuff on board a ship.
• Fixed bug with being able to melee attack in a smoke cloud.
• Fixed bug with stunned, captured or blinded characters knocking guns away and blocking attacks.
• Fixed bug with combat mode kicking in on board a ship even if you've captured all hostiles.
• Fixed bug with weapons not using ammo if knocked out of your hand.
• Fixed bug with captured ejected pilots being removed from the manifest when landing.
• The game now ships with SDL_mixer 1.2.11 which will hopefully fix the music crashes.

Prelude to Big Things

Thanks heaps for the continued interest and support with Frontier.

As we're approaching some pretty large scale scenes which will have a great deal of different main and bit part characters, I've sort of discovered I'm gonna need more voices.

So if anyone is interested in volunteering their voice talent for Frontier - Prelude to Darkness, please drop me an email at lewis@ardament.com All you'll need is your own mic (semi-good quality preferably) and ability to record audio files, zip email them.

Any at all help will be greatly appreciated (by me of course)

Two Dimensions is Plenty

D-A-C Compared to Arena

Call For Nominees

The annual CIC year-end contests are approaching fast, so now is the time for everyone to submit their nominations. Voting will begin soon for Wing Commander Fan Project & Web Site of the Year. Choices should be based primarily on how much each contender has contributed to the Wing Commander community in 2009. Previous winners are listed below. This year has been full of fan activity, so there's plenty to recognize this time around. Check back later this month for information on how to vote for the top sites and projects of 2009!