Daniel Walters is a journalist who's been investigating an entrepreneur / con artist named Erick Hansen. Mr. Walters researched a long history of shady dealings and loose ends that brought him to the CIC Forums (where else?). But it wasn't our discussions on Privateer that got his interest - among other things, Hansen claims credit for making Wing Commander 4 on DVD. Wingnuts were able to put the investigator in touch with WC4 producer Mark Day, who has no recollection of Mr. Hansen. It's an interesting story that you can read about in full here. And thanks to the sleuthing Wing Commander fans who helped!
There’s another claim Hansen has often repeated: “We created the first DVD-ROM video game, which was Wing Commander, for Electronic Arts and Creative Labs,” Hansen says in a video newsletter to shareholders. Wing Commander IV was among the first DVD-ROM video games, but the extent of Hansen’s involvement is questionable.
“I have racked my brain regarding Erick Hansen and really have never heard of the guy,” says Mark Day, the internal producer for Wing Commander IV for Electronic Arts. He says it’s possible that Hansen’s company was involved in manufacturing or encoding the discs, but says those were very minor aspects of the process, akin to copying a VHS tape.
Today is the last day of the supplemental Wing Commander Music Album Campaign! Daily visitors might think that we've already reminded everyone we could possibly reach, but we continue to find new fans with each posting. George has clarified that there are currently no plans to sell the album commercially, so today may be the last day ever to order the disc. These will be marked as special collector's copies for the Wingnuts who helped make this possible. $20 gets you the digital album and $60 secures a copy on CD here!
Final Hours! I want to truly thank all those who have donated to this amazing project! Between the initial Kickstarter and this supplemental campaign we've raised enough for at least 30 minutes of orchestral music to be recorded in Prague as well as more than an additional 15 minutes of digitally sampled new arrangements of Wing Commander music!
One point I want all of you to know is that it's likely I will not make this product commercially available after these recordings are done. These historic recordings will belong only to those that have helped to raise the funds to make it all possible in the form of the many rewards that are available. After this campaign is over it is most likely that they will not again be available. If however I do decide to make it commercially available someday any new CDs will NOT be the same product. This initial production will forever be a SPECIAL EDITION tribute to all that have helped make this all possible, and will be labeled as such!
So if you know anyone who would like to be a part of this historic event please spread the word. I'm already busy orchestrating the music, and can't wait to hear it played by world class musicians!
My most heartfelt thanks to all of you!
George
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