Values in Wing Commander

TheFraix

TheFraix

Vice Admiral
Guys, I've decided to bring up something new to our community. It is about values (not monetary).

We know that Wing Commander has long been a game (or novel or film) about war and conflicts, either big or small. But killing Kilrathi or bugs or bad humans isn't what Wing Commander all about.
Neither paying $49.95 for the first Wing Commander or $450 for Kilrathi Saga is.

What life values have we learned through playing Wing Commander?

(Again, please feel free to express your opinions about values)
 
Well, as they are just games, I tried to ignore any moral judgments that were tried to enforce upon by me, because I just wanted to enjoy the games.
WC1 got that Paladin problem: The Kilrathi kill without mercy and if Confed does not destroy them entirely there will be never peace. But then how are they different to the Kilrathi.
In WC2 you had to cope with prejudices, in WC3 you had to be nice to everyone and in WC4 you ought to do it the way Panther wants it: Never kill innocents, test your loyalties, don't use bioweapons, don't wipe out a whole lot of humans only because of their genes. WCP had the "Hawk" problem: Don't let your lust for revenge lead you to kill weaker ones. The WCM had the prejudices again, this time against the Pilgrim breed.
Of course these are all important and wise suggestions.
 
Didnt really pick up on any "values" issues to the WC games except to fight the good fight, be on the side of truth and honor.

RFB
 
Well, I'm sure there are some that I never really picked up on. I just had fun with them.

One good thing was in WC3 if you were to try to kill your freinds. "Traitors never win"

Of course, that contradicts WC4...BUT, that's a totally different thread...
 
Originally posted by TheFraix

What life values have we learned through playing Wing Commander?

(Again, please feel free to express your opinions about values)
Click to expand...
Why... we learnt that "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance..." :)

But to be serious, WC IV is the game whose story could make a potentially great movie!! Values of the kind you describe TheFraix, are clearly depicted in that episode...
 
Let me think why you've chosen WC IV...ah! There were no Kilrathi, whose costumes could look like Muppet-Show...except one time. But that could they let out. I was certainly shocked as I saw that. I read the movie- critics...one came from Bandit, but there I would agree: Please no men in cheap unreal Kilrathi-costumes...
The story of WC4 was also very good, but no K. could also be a reason....
 
Nein... I chose WC IV because it simply has the best script!! Whether there are or aren't Kilrathi in it, it does not make a difference...
In addition, it turns out that there are Kilrathi in the episode (cf Melek)...
For me, WC IV was the culmination and apogee of the interactive movie style that Chris Roberts wanted to implement in the WC series... :)
That must be one of the many reasons lots of fans consider it as the best episode of the series...
 
I was also referring to the one scene with Melek on the bridge´of the Intrepid. So far did I actually come...but still thanks one more ime! Yesterday I also made the trick with the MIP for the first time (you were the one whom explained it so, that I understood...). But I still don't like tractor beams.
With the best story of all WC, I don't know...I know it's good, but I don't own so much to compare like you do...:)
But you have to say, the costume was...let me think 'unrealistic'...oh I don't know how to say. I only thought...that is a Kilrathi???Oh...****
 
I must state that the "Price of freedom is eternal vigilance" quote is quoting Thomas Jefferson the 3rd US president
 
Originally posted by Napoleon
I must state that the "Price of freedom is eternal vigilance" quote is quoting Thomas Jefferson the 3rd US president
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Well since I did not study US history in my French high schoool ( :p ), I can safely say that WC IV taught me that first... :)
 
I like history...

My homeland has a very rich and interestingly country.

Can you believe a country which has these first words in their constitution: Actually freedom is the right of every human being and for that repression must be eliminated... exists from not a simple third world nation, but a nation which comprise of hundreds, if not thousands of ethnic backgrounds.

Despite so, we achieved our own independence in 1945 and had their independence admitted by the Dutch. But now, things have got out of hand... people killing each other in the name of religion, using only political moves... old powers want to be restored... and new problem being created in a daily basis so the real ones are missed.

To me, my country is a Confederation... far more complex than the Terran Confederation because our lack of a goal... or a common enemy. Most people in my country do not know who or what their common enemy is.. and end up by killing each other.

That's why I'm hoping for you guys to understand the values of WC... because for me, it's a reality which must be lived with.
 
Wing Commander 101

By playing Wing Commander, I learned that a computer game has the power to completely change a person's life forever.
 
For a sixteen year old, Napoleon has a frightnening familiarity with American history. It seems he knows the US as well as LOAF knows WC.

Im must also say that as far as im concerned, that is a very good thing.
 
Originally posted by Napoleon
I must state that the "Price of freedom is eternal vigilance" quote is quoting Thomas Jefferson the 3rd US president
Click to expand...

Hey! I knew that TOO! :) And let's not forget Jefferson also said "I have seen enough of one war to never wish another". Wait. Or did he say "A great country can have no such thing as a little war?" Er...

ANyway, I prefered WCIV, hands down, for it's storyline. In WCIII, we were fighting an Eevhal enemy. Inspiring, sure, but not exactly complex...even if the characters were. Roberts and crew say they put more thought into WCIV, and it shows. There's an epic storyline that throws you into a confrontation with Evil, while leaving doubt in your mind as to what Evil is, and posing the question: Can we remain Human without losing our Humanity?

Okay, I'm getting waaay too phisopholy here. :) But I still like WCIV, for its truly awe-inspiring storyline. I still wonder at it to this day. And let's not forget the musical score, that lent a proper feel to the game and the plot. It was...well, I can't really describe it in words (or I'm too lazy ^_^). But you get the idea.


'"We did it, Colonal." His smile faded as they both looked to where Tolwyn had been led away.
"But at what cost?" Blair asked. "But at what cost?"'
 
Originally posted by mpanty
Why... we learnt that "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance..." :)

But to be serious, WC IV is the game whose story could make a potentially great movie!! Values of the kind you describe TheFraix, are clearly depicted in that episode...
Click to expand...

Personally, I learnt that peace is always achieved through superior firepower. :D

For me, WC III had as much or even more moral ambiguity than WC IV did. Wiping out a planet full of civilians, bringing an ancient civilisation to its knees and killing a being who had been my friend were all gut wrenching decisons for me, even though I knew it was the only way to save humanity. On the other hand, stopping a bunch of genocidal thugs from wiping out most of humanity and turning Confed into a Nazi state was an act I could not only live with, but was downright proud of.

Best, Raptor
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Meson
All the values that one can get from Wing Commander would fill a text book.
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Of course, if a few more schools used WC games instead of textbooks to teach values... :D

Best, Raptor
 
Originally posted by Manjana
(...)
But you have to say, the costume was...let me think 'unrealistic'...oh I don't know how to say. I only thought...that is a Kilrathi???Oh...****
Click to expand...

That was what I thought when I saw the Kilrathi in WC3. They were really not very frightening. The best KIlrathi IMO were in WC2.
 
I had never seen one before that in WC IV....it was shocking...that cheap costume. I immidiately saw there's a human under the mask...wouldn't they have been able to generate a computer one in 1996??? This would have been little more expensive, but more realistic...
 
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