Academy's Announcement Annniversary Fondly Remembered

1up.com has pointed out an interesting milestone. May 14 reflects the anniversary of the date that Wing Commander Academy was announced, and this press release was the vehicle that notified the world. It's an interesting read 18 years later. The thirteen episodes are referred to as the "initial" installments, which is as tantalizing a tease as you can get! It's also nice to hear EA's CEO talk so glowingly about the series, since such official pronouncements are few and far between these days.

This Day in History: Wing Commander Gets Animated
May 14, 1996: Electronic Arts announces the animated series Wing Commander Academy.

On this day in 1996, Universal Cartoon Studios and Electronic Arts announced Wing Commander Academy, an animated series based on Origin's series of computer games.

Thirteen half-hour episodes were ordered at Universal Cartoon Studios for a Fall premiere, with several members of the Wing Commander III and Wing Commander IV cast reprising their roles for the show.

"We have long believed that the best-selling Wing Commander franchise was the perfect vehicle to move our compelling interactive content to a broader entertainment medium," said EA CEO Larry Probst. "Partnering with Universal Cartoon Studios has been a superb match, combining our characters and stories with their considerable linear production experience."

The cartoon is mostly forgotten these days, though it lives on via a Wing Commander fan site, Wing Commander Combat Information Center.

Adds Electronic Arts Chairman and CEO Larry Probst, "We have long believed the best-selling Wing Commander franchise was the perfect vehicle to move our compelling interactive content to a broader entertainment medium. Partnering with Universal Cartoon Studios has been a superb match, combining our characters and stories with their considerable linear production experience."