Secret Ops Ship Upgrade Project Off To Great Start
DefianceIndustries' new mission to swap out the models in Wing Commander Secret Ops has already reached a significant milestone. The video below shows an enhanced Piranha fighter in flight within the game. This important step proves out the initial feasibility and technical possibilities that Defiance is aiming for. He lays out several iterations for how the mod will grow below, but it's already a huge visual improvement over the original. Over the years fans have worked wonders to initially up the game's original 640x480 resolution, and then they added more advanced graphical effects for modern cards. This is the next evolution of Wingnuts doing amazing things with an engine that's now 18 years old! Check out more pics and stay up to date on the latest developments at the CIC Forums.
I plan on doing the pack in several releases; the first major release will replace all models in the game with HD versions, including new textures and spec maps. A stretch goal for 1.0 will include updated cockpits as well; but depending on how long the models and testing take, that might get moved to 1.5. 1.0 will also include an updated Cerberus .ROM file with a simulator and model view built in. Briefing models remain a question mark, I'm pretty sure that the way I'm assembling the models will break the briefing wireframes in ICIS. I'll look at a work around for it but that may also slide to 1.5 unless it totally ruins playability.2.0 will include visual improvements to the models as well as any "nice to have" fan requests. So far I have fully modeled cockpits and potentially animated pilots on the docket. I'm also talking with a friend of mine who is a good 2D artist, if I can land his help, I'll also look at potentially improving the weapon and damage effect sprites but that's still TBD. From my other thread I've been able to get a Piranha model and an Excalibur model into the ship viewer. The geometry and textures (after some heartburn) now look like they will work.
If anyone has a hankering to help, I'm never too proud to accept it. ;)
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