Early Wing Commander II Footage (July 14, 2017)

[Bandit LOAF]

The University of Texas at Austin's Briscoe Center for American History has digitized several VHS tapes donated by famed Origin producer Warren Spector including a VERY interesting tape previewing Origin's 1991 lineup. The tape, likely created for a trade show or as a preview for distributors, walks through all of Origin's current releases. It includes a lengthy trailer of the already-released Wing Commander I, The Secret Missions and The Secret Missions 2: Crusade… and then a VERY exciting preview of Wing Commander II.

Why is it so exciting? Because it shows an early build of the game that includes a number of different graphics, features and cutscenes! Pay special attention to the more complex turret interface, the 'profile' view of Blair in the comm room and a whole host of landing and takeoff scenes which do not appear in the final game… even a sequence showing the player landing their Epee on the TCS Agincourt! This is a video that's not to be missed.

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Original update published on July 14, 2017

 

[FekLeyrTarg]

This is a really awesome find. I'm always interested in seeing classic games in an earlier pre-release state.

Also, the track starting at 10:55 was used during Jazz's trial at the beginning of "Special Operations 2", but I don't think it was used before.
I wasn't aware of the fact that this one was composed during the production of the main game.

 

[Wedge009]

Yes, it wasn't used till SM2.

Another thing that wasn't used till SM2 - the animation of the Concordia shooting the Fralthra with its BFG, I mean the PTC. Interesting that it was ready before release of WC2 but wasn't used till SM2. I suppose they didn't find a fit for that particular animation till the last expansion.

Edit: Seems the voice samples were only 'placeholders', though I suppose use of voice during this era was a pretty impressive thing anyway. Also interesting that the VDU screens were misaligned in the Broadsword cockpit.

 

[Mekt-Hakkikt]

Very exciting indeed. I am constantly amazed that that after all th4ese years there are still such treasures to uncover! Very cool animations, the improved sound effects...and a Broadsword with afterburners!