Technosaurs: Locked and Loaded (July 20, 2008)

Bandit LOAF · 07-19-2008, 17:00

Ready for action! Our equipment is packed for a short trip to the Origin Museum tonight - and then on to Mythic Entertainment tomorrow morning, where it will be used to archive a large collection of Origin and Wing Commander artifacts. What's on the manifest? A desktop, eight laptops, four tape drives, two SyQuest drives, five SCSI adapters, two VHS-to-DVD decks, a scanner, camera equipment, a CD resurfacer, computer tools, a DVD-ROM drive, hard drive enclosures, roughly five terabytes of storage, enough A/V, SCSI and power cables to strangle a Kilrathi and more! I took less stuff with me when I went away to college! We will do our best to keep you up-to-date as to our status as the week progresses. Wish us luck!

--
Original update published on July 20, 2008

Iceblade · 07-20-2008, 18:51

Strangle?...heck you could probably mummify a Kilrathi with all the power cords...

Seriously, awesome how locked and loaded you all are. (wait I just used the title there, weird)

Best of Luck guys...the community is all behind you

Black_Lightning · 07-20-2008, 20:20

note upper right hand corner of picture. I guess those would count as the human tools.

Vinman · 07-20-2008, 21:29

Godspeed, heroes!

NinjaLA · 07-20-2008, 21:59

they stuck up a youtube space for important discoveries over their Mythic journey. Do what I did, and bookmark this site for the duration, or subscribe if you have a youtube account.

http://www.youtube.com/WingCommanderCIC

Iceblade · 07-20-2008, 22:21

Wow, I was the first viewer of their test thing. Just a note, though, try to use the camera from a stable stationary position when ya'll record at Mythic. The blur is a little annoying. Volume was excellent and should be perfect for the size of room you will probably be in.

I eagerly await the first videos...btw are ya'll going to upload these throughout the day or only at night? Also will these be short progress-report style videos or longer stretches of recording while ya'll work?

Lorien · 07-21-2008, 00:04

Why are you taking a Privateer guide?

Mekt-Hakkikt · 07-21-2008, 01:31

Best of luck to you guys and have fun!

Chris Knudsen · 07-21-2008, 03:00

Oh, man. You guys are going to war! Can't wait to see what you discover!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorien

Why are you taking a Privateer guide?

It's like a towel. You should always carry one with you...

ChrisReid · 07-21-2008, 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceblade

Wow, I was the first viewer of their test thing. Just a note, though, try to use the camera from a stable stationary position when ya'll record at Mythic. The blur is a little annoying. Volume was excellent and should be perfect for the size of room you will probably be in.

I eagerly await the first videos...btw are ya'll going to upload these throughout the day or only at night? Also will these be short progress-report style videos or longer stretches of recording while ya'll work?

The blur was a combination of it being a cell phone in a fairly dark room. It should be much better in the daylight at Mythic. The reason we're using a cell phone is so that we can do these updates and automagically infoburst them straight to the internet throughout the day. We'll also be taking separate high definition videos of the event to archive/upload later.

Heading out in a couple minutes...

NoRemorse · 07-21-2008, 06:30

Good luck guys, bring us some nice stuff !

ELTEE · 07-21-2008, 07:31

I hope that case of Stolichnaya is compatible with Linux...or LOAF!

Red Heartagram · 07-21-2008, 08:01

Good luck guys! Can't wait to see what you find in there!

JasonRocZ · 07-21-2008, 08:13

I am definately eager to see what the finds are and hope to help in anyway possible. Those Youtube videos are cool....Keep up the great work

BrynS · 07-21-2008, 10:24

The best of British luck to y'all and good hunting!

Jumpstart · 07-21-2008, 12:01

That's awesome, guys! So forgive me noobness or missing of the proper posts, but what were you doing at EA Mythic (well, actually just called Mythic, now) again? Getting a sneek peek of Warhammer Online?

Dundradal · 07-21-2008, 12:34

Going through the remains of the Origin digital archives....finding treasures that may not have seen the light of day if not for the CIC command staff.

Can you say Privateer 3?

Lorien · 07-21-2008, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dundradal

Can you say Privateer 3?

That would explain the guide

Royal_Marine · 07-21-2008, 17:19

Have fun, and Loaf, can you do a Homer Simpson impression because you sound kinda similar... ;-)

JasonRocZ · 07-21-2008, 19:08

I like the Good morning video!!! pretty cool!!!

Taser8 · 07-21-2008, 20:08

I am really intrigued to see what you guys come up with, especially in the WCIV - WCSO range...

Iceblade · 07-21-2008, 22:18

So no mobile recordings, but what about the higher quality ones mentioned...also a no go I imagine?

AD · 07-21-2008, 22:57

There's an end-of-the-day report up now. Sounds like they can't really report from within the office but sounds like they found some great stuff.

Bandit LOAF · 07-22-2008, 02:54

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words. We're just getting up and getting ready to head out for Day Two right now.

We do have higher quality recordings and plenty of pictures of the process (Chris is here, after all), but we have to have them all approved by EA before we post them. There isn't actually anything classified going on, but it's their policy and we're more than happy to do it. Since we're trying to work as quickly as possible, that approval process will have to wait...

We happened to find the Privateer guide in a local computer junk shop the day before we left -- seemed like a reasonable good luck charm.

Here's where we are right now:

- We restored all of the SyQuest disks yesterday. It looks like they're mostly Wing Commander IV artwork (and some general artwork).

- We're about 30% done the CD-ROMs, which means we've done about 200 of them. Everything under the sun in here, including material from unreleased projects like Technosaur, Prowler and Privateer 3. I can't wait to actually start exploring the ISOs -- there will be something for everyone.

- We found more 3.5" disks than expected and have recovered some fun beta versions of things -- earlier releases of Ultima VIII, Pacific Strike, etc. We're about 25% of the way through that.

- Tapes aren't going as well, the Ultima stuff is proving difficult. We did recover a tape of Wing Commander textures successfully and have high hopes for the rest. There's another type of tape (DAT) which we don't have a reader for - but we will rectify that very soon.

- Chris is running a photography studio for all the artwork - he took so many pictures yesterday that his camera actually crashed. Really amazing and varied stuff there, everything from original sketches and cut-and-pastes laying out the 'Wingleader' box to the latest Ultima Online manual layouts.

- We found a mess of slides and luckily had a slide scanner... and then went out and bought a second one today. A lot of on set pictures from Wing Commander III and also the slides from things like employee awards presentations (Firefighter of the Year - Jorg Neumann).

- VHS tapes! Lots of footage from WC3, WC4, Prophecy and Privateer 2 as well as various errata (3D graphics presentations, Ultima commercials, store loops for things, etc.). We're about 40% through those now, thanks to a bank of three machines that turn VHSes into DVDs. Some of the footage is different than the finished game - we watched through an alternate cut of the WCIV intro earlier.

Death Angel · 07-22-2008, 03:11

That sounds really amazing!

Forget about Indiana Jones and Lara Croft - this is true archeology!!!

Goliath · 07-22-2008, 03:26

That is absolutely awesome LOAF! Thanks to the whole team for putting so much effort into this. Can't wait to see what else you guys find. Good luck!

gevatter Lars · 07-22-2008, 03:31

Can't wait to see the artwork and scetches you found.

07-19-2008, 17:00	#1
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: 23,925	Technosaurs: Locked and Loaded (July 20, 2008) Ready for action! Our equipment is packed for a short trip to the Origin Museum tonight - and then on to Mythic Entertainment tomorrow morning, where it will be used to archive a large collection of Origin and Wing Commander artifacts. What's on the manifest? A desktop, eight laptops, four tape drives, two SyQuest drives, five SCSI adapters, two VHS-to-DVD decks, a scanner, camera equipment, a CD resurfacer, computer tools, a DVD-ROM drive, hard drive enclosures, roughly five terabytes of storage, enough A/V, SCSI and power cables to strangle a Kilrathi and more! I took less stuff with me when I went away to college! We will do our best to keep you up-to-date as to our status as the week progresses. Wish us luck! -- Original update published on July 20, 2008

07-20-2008, 18:51	#2
Iceblade Brigadier General Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mobile, AL, USA Posts: 1,377	Strangle?...heck you could probably mummify a Kilrathi with all the power cords... Seriously, awesome how locked and loaded you all are. (wait I just used the title there, weird) Best of Luck guys...the community is all behind you __________________ Current Ranger's Glory Development team Lead. Ranger's Glory Website Ranger's Glory Forums On lookout for new Project Manager: http://www.crius.net/zone/showthread.php?t=23739 First Flight Commander Mission Contest has ended; vote for your favorite submission here

07-20-2008, 21:59	#5
NinjaLA Drowned Kilrathi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seward, AK Posts: 727	they stuck up a youtube space for important discoveries over their Mythic journey. Do what I did, and bookmark this site for the duration, or subscribe if you have a youtube account. http://www.youtube.com/WingCommanderCIC __________________ WC webcomic and art galleries

07-20-2008, 22:21	#6
Iceblade Brigadier General Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mobile, AL, USA Posts: 1,377	Wow, I was the first viewer of their test thing. Just a note, though, try to use the camera from a stable stationary position when ya'll record at Mythic. The blur is a little annoying. Volume was excellent and should be perfect for the size of room you will probably be in. I eagerly await the first videos...btw are ya'll going to upload these throughout the day or only at night? Also will these be short progress-report style videos or longer stretches of recording while ya'll work? __________________ Current Ranger's Glory Development team Lead. Ranger's Glory Website Ranger's Glory Forums On lookout for new Project Manager: http://www.crius.net/zone/showthread.php?t=23739 First Flight Commander Mission Contest has ended; vote for your favorite submission here

07-21-2008, 00:04	#7
Lorien 2nd Lieutenant Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 134	Why are you taking a Privateer guide? __________________ I'd stop listenening to the voices in my head if they stopped making sense.

07-20-2008, 20:20	#3
Black_Lightning Cadet Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: On your six Posts: 31	note upper right hand corner of picture. I guess those would count as the human tools.

07-20-2008, 21:29	#4
Vinman Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 897	Godspeed, heroes!

07-21-2008, 01:31	#8
Mekt-Hakkikt Mpanty's bane Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wiesbaden, Germany Posts: 4,615	Best of luck to you guys and have fun! __________________ "Khasra! I have heard enough of Khasra!" For the Glory of Sivar!

07-21-2008, 06:30	#11
NoRemorse Major Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 524	Good luck guys, bring us some nice stuff ! __________________ -- NoRemorse "War does not determine who's right, but who's left." "Only the fallen have seen the end of the war" - Plato

07-21-2008, 07:31	#12
ELTEE Major Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Waltham, MA Posts: 615	I hope that case of Stolichnaya is compatible with Linux...or LOAF! __________________ To be a good soldier, you must love the Army. To be a good officer, you must be willing to sacrifice that which you love...Killer Angels

07-21-2008, 08:01	#13
Red Heartagram 2nd Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 101	Good luck guys! Can't wait to see what you find in there!

07-21-2008, 08:13	#14
JasonRocZ Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Albany NY Posts: 825	I am definately eager to see what the finds are and hope to help in anyway possible. Those Youtube videos are cool....Keep up the great work

07-21-2008, 10:24	#15
BrynS Mr Kat says... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: TCS Victory Posts: 481	The best of British luck to y'all and good hunting! __________________ "Your work is both good and original. Unfortunately the part that is good is not original and the part that is original is not good." - Samuel Johnson

07-21-2008, 12:01	#16
Jumpstart Cadet Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: FL, USA Posts: 39	That's awesome, guys! So forgive me noobness or missing of the proper posts, but what were you doing at EA Mythic (well, actually just called Mythic, now) again? Getting a sneek peek of Warhammer Online?

07-21-2008, 12:34	#17
Dundradal TCS Tarawa (CVE-8) "Plank Owner" Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Confederate Archives, Confed HQ, Sol System Posts: 3,723	Going through the remains of the Origin digital archives....finding treasures that may not have seen the light of day if not for the CIC command staff. Can you say Privateer 3? __________________ "To you, we are deeply grateful, and release what little hold we might, as Durandal, have had on your soul. Go." - Final Terminal Message Marathon Infinity

07-21-2008, 17:19	#19
Royal_Marine 2nd Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 78	Have fun, and Loaf, can you do a Homer Simpson impression because you sound kinda similar... ;-) __________________ "Phoenix" - Wing Commander: Rebel Assault

07-21-2008, 19:08	#20
JasonRocZ Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Albany NY Posts: 825	I like the Good morning video!!! pretty cool!!!

07-21-2008, 20:08	#21
Taser8 Cadet Join Date: May 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 60	I am really intrigued to see what you guys come up with, especially in the WCIV - WCSO range...

07-21-2008, 22:18	#22
Iceblade Brigadier General Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mobile, AL, USA Posts: 1,377	So no mobile recordings, but what about the higher quality ones mentioned...also a no go I imagine? __________________ Current Ranger's Glory Development team Lead. Ranger's Glory Website Ranger's Glory Forums On lookout for new Project Manager: http://www.crius.net/zone/showthread.php?t=23739 First Flight Commander Mission Contest has ended; vote for your favorite submission here

07-21-2008, 22:57	#23
AD Finder of things, Doer of stuff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 3,000	There's an end-of-the-day report up now. Sounds like they can't really report from within the office but sounds like they found some great stuff. __________________ "I saw a monster come with speed, Its face of grimmliest green, On human beings used to feed, Most dreadful to be seen." - Excerpt from Horrors, Lewis Carroll, 1850

07-22-2008, 02:54	#24
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: 23,925	Hey guys, thanks for the kind words. We're just getting up and getting ready to head out for Day Two right now. We do have higher quality recordings and plenty of pictures of the process (Chris is here, after all), but we have to have them all approved by EA before we post them. There isn't actually anything classified going on, but it's their policy and we're more than happy to do it. Since we're trying to work as quickly as possible, that approval process will have to wait... We happened to find the Privateer guide in a local computer junk shop the day before we left -- seemed like a reasonable good luck charm. Here's where we are right now: - We restored all of the SyQuest disks yesterday. It looks like they're mostly Wing Commander IV artwork (and some general artwork). - We're about 30% done the CD-ROMs, which means we've done about 200 of them. Everything under the sun in here, including material from unreleased projects like Technosaur, Prowler and Privateer 3. I can't wait to actually start exploring the ISOs -- there will be something for everyone. - We found more 3.5" disks than expected and have recovered some fun beta versions of things -- earlier releases of Ultima VIII, Pacific Strike, etc. We're about 25% of the way through that. - Tapes aren't going as well, the Ultima stuff is proving difficult. We did recover a tape of Wing Commander textures successfully and have high hopes for the rest. There's another type of tape (DAT) which we don't have a reader for - but we will rectify that very soon. - Chris is running a photography studio for all the artwork - he took so many pictures yesterday that his camera actually crashed. Really amazing and varied stuff there, everything from original sketches and cut-and-pastes laying out the 'Wingleader' box to the latest Ultima Online manual layouts. - We found a mess of slides and luckily had a slide scanner... and then went out and bought a second one today. A lot of on set pictures from Wing Commander III and also the slides from things like employee awards presentations (Firefighter of the Year - Jorg Neumann). - VHS tapes! Lots of footage from WC3, WC4, Prophecy and Privateer 2 as well as various errata (3D graphics presentations, Ultima commercials, store loops for things, etc.). We're about 40% through those now, thanks to a bank of three machines that turn VHSes into DVDs. Some of the footage is different than the finished game - we watched through an alternate cut of the WCIV intro earlier. __________________ Long live the Confederation, Ben "Bandit" Lesnick, LMG. "You go, Loaf! Get some!" -JPG

07-22-2008, 03:11	#25
Death Angel Cadet Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Graz, Austria Posts: 40	That sounds really amazing! Forget about Indiana Jones and Lara Croft - this is true archeology!!!

07-22-2008, 03:26	#26
Goliath Cadet Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	That is absolutely awesome LOAF! Thanks to the whole team for putting so much effort into this. Can't wait to see what else you guys find. Good luck!

07-22-2008, 03:31	#27
gevatter Lars Colonel Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Hamburg Germany Posts: 1,137	Can't wait to see the artwork and scetches you found. __________________ I give suggar in my coffee, and the coffee just gets totaly depressed, because I can't accept him, as he is.