Announcing Wing Commander Pioneer (August 11, 2005)

ChrisReid · 08-10-2005, 16:00

We have an exciting brand new fan project to announce today! Wing Commander Pioneer should be making lots of headlines in the coming months, and here is the first look. It's being created by a talented team of experienced Wing Commander fans. Howard Day, Brad McKinstry and Michael Ward are responsible for the art. Eric Blondin is the team's character artist and Joel VanEenwyk is working on programming.

Quote:

It’s Privateer set in the WC1 timeframe. We’ve tried to use art references from the original WC when we created the look for the game. The game will be completely first-person (with a possibility of a few cutscenes here and there – launching, landing and the like). We’ve got the majority of the ships finished, and we need to still do environmental, base and object artwork (cargo and the like).

The Hunchback is your starter ship – it’s the Pioneer equivalent to a Tarsus. The Tarsus is also available to purchase, but it’s more of a high-range ship – equivalent to the demon from Priv. You can also take a look at the normal/spec/glow maps in action, and take a look around the Hunchback’s 360 real-time cockpit (shot 5 below).

Oh, and the reason none of those ships have guns/weapons is because all those objects are going to be interchangeable and individually destroyable. So you can blow the guns off a Jalthi. Nothing but little smoking stumps would remain.

--
Original update published on August 11, 2005

Howard Day · 08-10-2005, 17:38

We are of course open to any comments or suggestions you guys might have.

eddieb · 08-10-2005, 18:50

The models look nice. What engine are you using?

Maj.Striker · 08-10-2005, 19:38

Well, Brad knows what I think...

FREAKING AWESOME! I was wondering when it would be announced but after seeing it I'm glad you timed it with the Birthday. I wish you all the best of luck in this cause I know it's going to be fantastic. If I can help out in anyway, I'd definitely be glad to lend my assistance. Otherwise...hail to you!

spiritplumber · 08-10-2005, 20:15

I think I have been thoroughly outclassed. wow!

Howard Day · 08-10-2005, 23:30

The engine is a new one - not Vision or Vegastrike - and is much closer to being next/current gen quality. We basically want to do all the graphical effects we can get away with - lots. :P
Maj Striker, we may be looking for help soon - it depends on how much time everyone wants to spend on this.
Spiritplumber:
Now you know I'm not talking outta my ass. ;p
Anyhow, there are quite a lot more images on the temporary page...
http://www.hedfiles.net/wcpioneer/

Ijuin · 08-10-2005, 23:33

This post makes me hungry for more info! ^_^

spiritplumber · 08-11-2005, 00:25

do you guys want me to leave wcu alone and help with this?

Howard Day · 08-11-2005, 00:52

Nope - I think we've got it handled at this point. Believe me, if spots open up, we'll be sure to announce to everyone!
Thanks for the offer, though!

Derwheezie · 08-11-2005, 00:58

I looked over the screenshots and I think your ships are bar none the best in the community. Nothing against others, I think they all are of utmost quality.

If anyone looked through all the shots on their temp site, I think u all will be excited about being able to transfer "your mom" as cargo. But if it was me she would be in the cockpit with me.

Keep up the good work guys!

Howard Day · 08-11-2005, 01:00

Heh. You might ask what I'm doing shipping your mom with a bunch of aphrodisaics. Bit of an in-joke there, guys. I honestly ran out of ideas of what to make... :P
Thanks from the art team! We all worked pretty hard on these - everyone got their hands pretty dirty.

Derwheezie · 08-11-2005, 04:12

I figured it was kind of an inside joke, and Im outside :P but it was still a kick to see that in the cargo manifold. Maybe Im the first to notice

anyway Im off to play more standoff

eddieb · 08-11-2005, 05:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Day

The engine is a new one - not Vision or Vegastrike - and is much closer to being next/current gen quality. We basically want to do all the graphical effects we can get away with - lots. :P
Maj Striker, we may be looking for help soon - it depends on how much time everyone wants to spend on this.
Spiritplumber:
Now you know I'm not talking outta my ass. ;p
Anyhow, there are quite a lot more images on the temporary page...
http://www.hedfiles.net/wcpioneer/

So you guys using opengl? Is the source code going to be put up?

Mace · 08-11-2005, 06:46

if you choose to go on as a mercenary or a pirate, can you also fly fighters?
any tie-ins to known events in the timeline?
and what system specs are you aiming for?

Chevieblazer · 08-11-2005, 06:51

hmm, since my mod is aiming for a similar timeframe, i have a few questions about the ships you use, especially the valiant, granius and falcon caught my eye there. are they original, or canon? and what class are they? looks like the val is a destroyer or cruiser to me... the graanius could be a corvette and the falcon...a frigate, maybe?
and the minotaur...loks like the predecessor of the broadsword...

apart from that, i can only agree with striker: this looks friggin awesome!!!

Bandit LOAF · 08-11-2005, 07:07

They're actual ships. The Granicus-class Medium Corvette, Valiant-class Destroyer and Falcon-class Light Corvette appear in Fleet Action. THe Minotaur-class Fighter appears in Action Stations.

Tarquinn · 08-11-2005, 08:08

Oh. My. God....

That looks absolutely awesome! Wow!

BradMick · 08-11-2005, 08:16

oops. i forgot about there already being a minotaur. heheh, that is supposed to be a straight civilian craft, its the orion of this game. Looks like we'll have to change the name.

The reason for all of the pre-war vintage stuff is that this is set in the Landreich. Wildcats, Hurricanes, Granicus's, Valiants, Falcons, etc...is what you'll mainly run across in so far as military forces go.

If you go mercenary, you can buy the Fighter (civvie ship, our equivalent to the Centurion) Merchants can nab the Hauler, everyone starts with the Hunchback (our Tarsus) Mercenarys can also pick up a Minotaur (which will be named something else soon) as well, and then for whoever wants it...the Tarsus will be available too. That's all there will be for player flyable ships.

As far as I know the engine is using OpenGL, i can't remember what Joel said he was going to use. But yes, it is a completely 100%, from the ground up new engine. We decided that for our project aims, that was the best way to go. It's been an absolute blast working on this project. Thank you all for your kind compliments!

forgot to mention this too, eddie you asked about the source code being put up. the plan is to pretty much keep things closed. We've discussed a little bit about maybe opening up, but overall the plan gravitates more towards keeping everything in house right now, and possible permanently. Nothings definate there, but right now there are no plans for releasing any of the work.

Chevieblazer · 08-11-2005, 09:07

i suppose the viking is a kilrathi corvette, then...

BradMick · 08-11-2005, 09:13

Yup. A Raider Corvette to be more specific. Its always paired up with Vralthis (raider fighters). Cheap, expendable, dangerous only in large numbers, that sort of the thing. The Viking is, i guess, our Kamekh. It'll be no push over, thats for sure.

Chevieblazer · 08-11-2005, 09:19

i suppose the viking is a kilrathi corvette, then...

BradMick · 08-11-2005, 09:22

yup. its what i said.

Speradon · 08-11-2005, 09:28

Very very cool.

::crosses fingers in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, he can fly a Raptor again::

Howard Day · 08-11-2005, 09:28

I thnik we've got some double-or-triple posting going on now. forum wonkieness

Sylvester · 08-11-2005, 11:59

Any possibility of purchasing other WC1 era fighters such as the Raptor?

BradMick · 08-11-2005, 12:25

Nope. Only the Hunchback, Tarsus, Hauler, Minotaur (to be renamed), and Fighter. Actually, the Hunchback isn't purchasable.

Howard Day · 08-11-2005, 12:30

Yeah, we're pretty much set against doing any player-purchasable Milspec stuff. The idea itself is a bit too.....fanboyish. We're not ruling out having the Raptor/Rapier as ships that you see. They just don't fit in the confed forces in the area you'll be operating in.

08-10-2005, 18:50	#3
eddieb Flight Commander Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 835	The models look nice. What engine are you using? __________________ Flight Commander : A space combat simulator programmed by Ed Benowitz.

08-10-2005, 19:38	#4
Maj.Striker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Des Moines Posts: 2,067	Well, Brad knows what I think... FREAKING AWESOME! I was wondering when it would be announced but after seeing it I'm glad you timed it with the Birthday. I wish you all the best of luck in this cause I know it's going to be fantastic. If I can help out in anyway, I'd definitely be glad to lend my assistance. Otherwise...hail to you! __________________ http://www.wcplanet.com

08-10-2005, 20:15	#5
spiritplumber Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 913	I think I have been thoroughly outclassed. wow! __________________ WCU development forum: http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net/fo...forum.php?f=12

08-10-2005, 23:33	#7
Ijuin Lieutenant General Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 1,545	This post makes me hungry for more info! ^_^ __________________ Those who live by the sword...get shot by those who live by the gun.

08-11-2005, 00:25	#8
spiritplumber Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 913	do you guys want me to leave wcu alone and help with this? __________________ WCU development forum: http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net/fo...forum.php?f=12

08-10-2005, 17:38	#2
Howard Day Pioneer Art Monkey Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Eugene, OR, USA Posts: 687	We are of course open to any comments or suggestions you guys might have.

08-10-2005, 23:30	#6
Howard Day Pioneer Art Monkey Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Eugene, OR, USA Posts: 687	The engine is a new one - not Vision or Vegastrike - and is much closer to being next/current gen quality. We basically want to do all the graphical effects we can get away with - lots. :P Maj Striker, we may be looking for help soon - it depends on how much time everyone wants to spend on this. Spiritplumber: Now you know I'm not talking outta my ass. ;p Anyhow, there are quite a lot more images on the temporary page... http://www.hedfiles.net/wcpioneer/

08-11-2005, 00:52	#9
Howard Day Pioneer Art Monkey Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Eugene, OR, USA Posts: 687	Nope - I think we've got it handled at this point. Believe me, if spots open up, we'll be sure to announce to everyone! Thanks for the offer, though!

08-11-2005, 00:58	#10
Derwheezie Cadet Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California Posts: 43	Nice Mod I looked over the screenshots and I think your ships are bar none the best in the community. Nothing against others, I think they all are of utmost quality. If anyone looked through all the shots on their temp site, I think u all will be excited about being able to transfer "your mom" as cargo. But if it was me she would be in the cockpit with me. Keep up the good work guys!

08-11-2005, 01:00	#11
Howard Day Pioneer Art Monkey Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Eugene, OR, USA Posts: 687	Heh. You might ask what I'm doing shipping your mom with a bunch of aphrodisaics. Bit of an in-joke there, guys. I honestly ran out of ideas of what to make... :P Thanks from the art team! We all worked pretty hard on these - everyone got their hands pretty dirty.

08-11-2005, 04:12	#12
Derwheezie Cadet Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California Posts: 43	I figured it was kind of an inside joke, and Im outside :P but it was still a kick to see that in the cargo manifold. Maybe Im the first to notice anyway Im off to play more standoff

08-11-2005, 06:46	#14
Mace Captain Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Netherlands Posts: 461	if you choose to go on as a mercenary or a pirate, can you also fly fighters? any tie-ins to known events in the timeline? and what system specs are you aiming for?

08-11-2005, 06:51	#15
Chevieblazer Captain Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 431	hmm, since my mod is aiming for a similar timeframe, i have a few questions about the ships you use, especially the valiant, granius and falcon caught my eye there. are they original, or canon? and what class are they? looks like the val is a destroyer or cruiser to me... the graanius could be a corvette and the falcon...a frigate, maybe? and the minotaur...loks like the predecessor of the broadsword... apart from that, i can only agree with striker: this looks friggin awesome!!!

08-11-2005, 07:07	#16
Bandit LOAF It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Ashton, MD, USA Posts: 23,676	They're actual ships. The Granicus-class Medium Corvette, Valiant-class Destroyer and Falcon-class Light Corvette appear in Fleet Action. THe Minotaur-class Fighter appears in Action Stations. __________________ Long live the Confederation, Ben "Bandit" Lesnick, LMG. "You go, Loaf! Get some!" -JPG

08-11-2005, 08:08	#17
Tarquinn Cadet Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 73	Oh. My. God.... That looks absolutely awesome! Wow!

08-11-2005, 08:16	#18
BradMick Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fort Rucker, AL Posts: 964	oops. i forgot about there already being a minotaur. heheh, that is supposed to be a straight civilian craft, its the orion of this game. Looks like we'll have to change the name. The reason for all of the pre-war vintage stuff is that this is set in the Landreich. Wildcats, Hurricanes, Granicus's, Valiants, Falcons, etc...is what you'll mainly run across in so far as military forces go. If you go mercenary, you can buy the Fighter (civvie ship, our equivalent to the Centurion) Merchants can nab the Hauler, everyone starts with the Hunchback (our Tarsus) Mercenarys can also pick up a Minotaur (which will be named something else soon) as well, and then for whoever wants it...the Tarsus will be available too. That's all there will be for player flyable ships. As far as I know the engine is using OpenGL, i can't remember what Joel said he was going to use. But yes, it is a completely 100%, from the ground up new engine. We decided that for our project aims, that was the best way to go. It's been an absolute blast working on this project. Thank you all for your kind compliments! forgot to mention this too, eddie you asked about the source code being put up. the plan is to pretty much keep things closed. We've discussed a little bit about maybe opening up, but overall the plan gravitates more towards keeping everything in house right now, and possible permanently. Nothings definate there, but right now there are no plans for releasing any of the work. Last edited by BradMick; 08-11-2005 at 08:21.

08-11-2005, 09:07	#19
Chevieblazer Captain Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 431	i suppose the viking is a kilrathi corvette, then...

08-11-2005, 09:13	#20
BradMick Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fort Rucker, AL Posts: 964	Yup. A Raider Corvette to be more specific. Its always paired up with Vralthis (raider fighters). Cheap, expendable, dangerous only in large numbers, that sort of the thing. The Viking is, i guess, our Kamekh. It'll be no push over, thats for sure.

08-11-2005, 09:19	#21
Chevieblazer Captain Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 431	i suppose the viking is a kilrathi corvette, then...

08-11-2005, 09:22	#22
BradMick Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fort Rucker, AL Posts: 964	yup. its what i said.

08-11-2005, 09:28	#23
Speradon 1st Lieutenant Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 154	Very very cool. ::crosses fingers in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, he can fly a Raptor again::

08-11-2005, 11:59	#25
Sylvester Colonel Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sol Sector, Earth, Edgewater, NJ Posts: 1,204	Any possibility of purchasing other WC1 era fighters such as the Raptor? __________________ Admiral Joshua Dworkin, Wing Commander: Against All Odds Lead Writer/Storyline Developer, Wing Commander Pioneer

08-11-2005, 12:25	#26
BradMick Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fort Rucker, AL Posts: 964	Nope. Only the Hunchback, Tarsus, Hauler, Minotaur (to be renamed), and Fighter. Actually, the Hunchback isn't purchasable.

08-11-2005, 12:30	#27
Howard Day Pioneer Art Monkey Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Eugene, OR, USA Posts: 687	Yeah, we're pretty much set against doing any player-purchasable Milspec stuff. The idea itself is a bit too.....fanboyish. We're not ruling out having the Raptor/Rapier as ships that you see. They just don't fit in the confed forces in the area you'll be operating in.

08-11-2005, 13:15	#28
Bob McDob Mola mola Join Date: Dec 1969</