This Academy Review Is More Than Ok Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Geraldo Rivera Rivera sent in this snippet of a wonderful OK PC magazine review for Wing Commander Academy. There's a lot to like in this article. First off, it's a Spanish magazine, so we get a slightly different take on early '90s Wing Commander compared to the standard fare. We got a peek at this version of Academy via DROSoft translation earlier this year. Secondly, it's a full four-page spread dedicated just to Academy. Without context, people today might blow WCA off as a simple mission builder, but at the time, this was a revolutionary way for fans to create their own missions. It was something fans were clamoring for and absolutely warranted being a standalone boxed product that people would run out and buy. At twelve years old, I put a lot of hours into mission building and loved the flexibility to pick ships and wingmen at will. Finally, from a magazine layout point of view, I like what they did by splicing up the interface into panels that highlight the customizable objects. The emphasize on the the Wraith and Jrathek is also awesome!

Feel Like You’re Back at the Office With Latest Tiger’s Claw Vid Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Part 3 of Scribbler's ambiance video series is here! This one, unsurprisingly, comes from the briefing room aboard the Tiger's Claw. While the bar has a bright fun tone and the barracks is calm and relaxing, this sequence is a bit more technically oriented. You can hear computers chirping, people typing, doors opening and occasional scribbling on a white board. It's not quite the aggressive stance that we're used to in this place, but that's not quite the intent - these are full of background white noise to help you pass the time with fewer distractions. I wouldn't mind an option to hear the original music though!
In this file we stay in the ambiance of the TCS Tigers Claw Briefing Room. Intended for radio plays or play in the background while working or falling asleep or even barbecue party. Where you want to let your imagination run wild.

Time to work Early in the morning and off to the briefing room. The Colonel is already waiting. Sit down quickly. The computer is operated and we see star charts and detailed enlargements of the targets. Uh really now...? The comrades are already whispering whether this isn't going to be too heavy.

Wing Commander Unboxing & Retrospectiv Vid Presented in Both English & Tagalog Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Today we've got a unique Wing Commander YouTube video. Pinoy Video Gamer titles this one as a WC3 unboxing, but it goes into much more. His copy of The Heart of the Tiger is obviously well loved, and he takes time to go through its contents. There's also a good discussion about the other major Wing Commander games as well. Even Wing Commander Arena gets a brief segment!

I like to occasionally highlight videos like this from other languages to share what WC appreciation is like around the world, but I've never personally run across one in Filipino Tagalog before. Even more, this one is narrated in a hybrid of both English and Tagalog so that speakers of either should be able to easily follow along. I would struggle to make this in just one language, so it's very impressive to see something like this presented bilingually!

I unbox my old copy of Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger. And I talk about other Wing Commander games.

Missing Fuel Truck Was Right Under Your Nose All Along Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

So we all know the story of the little fuel truck that was cut from the Oxford landing screen in Privateer…

… but now look at this two-page UK advertisement. What’s that there in the New Constantinople screenshot…
IT’S THE TRUCK!
Also having now noticed the truck there you will immediately see it… on the back of the box! The box has TWO MISSING TRUCKS!
All hail the truck.
author avatar
LOAF

Custom Emulated Cabinet Depicts Arcade Wing Commander Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Here's an unusual oddity. AD found an emulation cabinet that purports to play the Sega CD version of Wing Commander. Upon further investigation, it's not really clear if Wing Commander is actually included. Due to the dubious legality of these types of setups, the mix of games is always a little questionable. Nevertheless, the visual of WC in an arcade type box is pretty cool. The variable title header that displays the Wing Commander name is also a wonderful touch!

You can find the product listing here. At $1400, it may be cheaper (and more legit) to build you own! AD looked up the base cabinet hardware here and digital display upgrade here.

Go to Sleep, You Pilots Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Today we've got Scribbler's second ambiance video. This one takes place in the Tiger's Claw's barracks. As such, it's a little more peaceful than the bar scene. There's a more calming engine hum and an occasional water bucket drip. What do you think? You can help provide feedback at the CIC Forums and influence Scribbler's future projects here.
In this file we enjoy the ambiance of the TCS Tiger's Claw bunkroom.

A long flight? Rest yourselves. It's not a five-star hotel. A water pipe has been dripping for ages, and announcements from the bridge can still be heard in the corridors. Don't be disturbed that a comrade has just come out of the bar and is now going to bed. After all, you are on a carrier ship that has seen its best days and has no single berths. Enjoy your sleep.

New 3D Prints Highlight Sleek Morningstar Design Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Today we've got some new 3D print examples from L.I.F.. He's moved on from the Excalibur and is now testing out a Morningstar. There's some plastic scuzz that needs to be shaved down, but the spaceframe is one of Klavs' gorgeous designs. Here it is presented next to the universal unit of scale, a Nintendo Switch (non-OLED):
Still some issues getting the Rapier to work in the slicer, but in the meantime, here's a print of Klavs' gorgeous Morningstar (although nowhere even close from LYP's print of it), with a Switch for scale.

Script Exploration Reveals Early Longbow Name Update ID Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

I made two fun discoveries mucking about in Wing Commander III documentation! The first is that the Longbow bomber was originally named the IMPERATOR! This scan is actually from the published shooting script... which is fine, since the name never appears in any dialogue!
I also found some extracts from an earlier draft of the script attached to storyboards. This one from the intro has a very different set of names for the star systems Admiral Tolwyn mentions! They ended up being Gardel, Morpheus and Orsini in the final draft. Anyway I suspect someone was trying to impress their girlfriends Layla, Veronica and possibly Olympus.
On consideration: there are only four fighter types mentioned in the full motion video segments. The Excalibur (throughout), the Hellcat V ("prepped, primed..."), the Thunderbolt ("he took out a Thunderbolt and just kept going") and the Bloodfang (in a news segment).
ALSO: I think Wing Commander III only passes the Bechdel test if you fail or choose not to rescue Flint when she goes rogue at Locanda?
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LOAF

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