BlogLearn historical details about development

In this section of the Wing Commander Saga webpage, you can find historical details about development of Wing Commander Saga.

Cloaking

FROM: Commodore Starman, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.01.08

In todays update we have some exciting news to report. Thanks to modifications done in the SCP-Engine (some older and some newer ones) we are now finally able to make a full-blown cloacking effect like in the original WC games. The technical side requires the usage of a few simple scripts for each cloaking ship, but those are easy to create and the effect for the player will be just like what we are used to in WC gameplay. Even better than that, the final animation will be very close to what we saw in the original CGI movie sequences of Wing Commander 4.

To celebrate this new development, we would like to share a few rendered pictures of our version of the infamous Strakha. Through centuries of conflict, the Kilrathi have gained an obsessive appreciation for strength. Many Kilrathi fighter designs, such as the Jalthi or Vaktoth, give expression to the Kat's sadistic infatuation with sheer brute force. However, the Kilrathi also have an appreciation for the more subtle forms of strength, such as stealth and cunning. The Strakha is the techological culmination of this facet of Kilrathi philosophy. Capitalizing on the element of surprise, the Strakha strikes from the shadows without warning. Although relatively lightly armed, its ability to move undetected provides it a tactical advantage that the Kat's capitalize on without mercy. As such, the Strakha is a veritable tactical nightmare for Confederation pilots.

   

While you sleep, they'll be waiting...

- Starman

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Bloodfang

FROM: Captain Sphynx, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.15.07

The Kilrathi are a warrior race in every sense. Born on an inhospitable and harsh planet and decended from primative and ferocious predators, killing is second nature to the Kats. In their psychology and in their religion, battle is the way of life and the path to glory. The Bloodfang represents one of the the deadliest creations of Kilrathi science, a deadly weapon to be wielded by a noble warrior who has proven himself in combat against the enemy. It's presence spells doom to those who oppose it. Scooby Doo of the Wing Commander Saga team has recently completed his rendition of the Bloodfang, which will be featured in WC Saga and which we share with you today.

 

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- Sphynx

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An article featuring Wing Commander Saga

FROM: Rear Admiral Tolwyn, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.27.06

Gamestar, the largest German Computer Games magazine, has published an article featuring Wing Commander Saga. The article can be found on the August 2006 issue (available June 28th) on page 153. We have included a scanned version of the article in PNG format here, and have also provided an English translation.

Some pilots get cool callsigns like "Maverick," Ace," or "Duke," but "Sandman?" "Sandman?!" While it may not be the greatest callsign, it really doesn't matter, because some people would gladly call themselves "Buttercup" just to be able to pilot a starfighter and fight the Kilrathi! Very soon they will get their wish, because Wing Commander will be back as a mod for Freespace 2. You will be David "Sandman" Markham, a young fighter pilot who has to prove himself against the Kilrathi. The story of Wing Commander Saga takes place during the Wing Commander 3 era. Through 35 missions you will encounter old friends and new enemies, all with updated graphics. In addition, a multiplayer mode for Wing Commander Saga is also in progress. Best of all, Wing Commander Saga will run without having to own a retail copy of Freespace 2. To that we say, "Enter Sandman!"

- Tolwyn

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Soundtrack

FROM: Captain Sphynx, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.09.06

Wing Commander Saga seeks to continue the WC tradition by recreating music from the original games and adding new compositions which remain true to the spirit of the originals.

For today’s update, we have included a conceptual sample of some of the new music that will be featured in WC Saga. Our composer, Ed, gives the following explanation:

“The ‘Unused Ideas’ track is essentially three different tracks stitched together. None of these will feature in either the Prologue or the full campaign. I made them to try and get a feel for how I wanted the music to go. I felt the first section started sounding more Freelancer than Wing Commander, the second section was too ‘happy’ sounding to me, and more like WC4 than WC3 which is what I wanted, and I thought the last section sounded too much like a Star Trek score!

The Prologue originally was going to have original in-flight music, but I decided it was best to wait for the main release as it’s not just a big job to write all those different cues but you also have to make sure they all fit together musically and make sense in the game. The "in-flight" track is another example of me experimenting to see how I would approach this. While the main campaign’s music will likely sound quite different than it, it’s probably the most Wing Commander sounding! Anyway, I thought some of you might find the ‘outtakes’ interesting. So, thanks for listening!"

Download

-Sphynx
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Pre-rendered cut scenes

FROM: Rear Admiral Tolwyn, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.20.05

Wing Commander Saga will feature pre-rendered cut scenes. Currently, the intro for the Prologue campaign is finished, and is just getting some final cosmetic touches such as lighting, animated maps, and so forth. This picture features a scene from the intro as a wing of Hellcat's escorts a small shuttle convoy. This particular scene is a test render, and does not yet feature all of the visual effects that will be included in the final.

Also, to insure fast and problem-free access to our upcoming release, we have moved to a new server. You will be able to access our website through our new domain www.wcsaga.com.

- Tolwyn

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Assault shuttle upgrade

FROM: Rear Admiral Tolwyn, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.28.04

For today's update we would like to showcase our final version of the Confederation assault shuttle. This beautiful ship has been modelled and textured by our new team member, Scooby Doo, who joined us a few weeks ago and has been working at full speed ever since. You can expect to see more of his great work in future updates (and of course in-game, once Saga is released).

 

Regarding the model, WC Saga aims to provide a wide variety of mission types, and among the sorties that the player will fly will be escort and close support missions for Confederation Marines operating out of this sturdy combat transport spacecraft.

- Tolwyn

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Progress report

FROM: Rear Admiral Tolwyn, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.12.03

Here’s a brief summary of some of our major work over the last month. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but it touches on some of the major points of focus in our work:

  • We’ve completed a simulator mission that will be released as part of the prologue release package, and a great deal of work has been done on another simulator mission.
  • The full-campaign script has been undergoing some major fine-tuning, with work being done on issues of continuity and canonicity. This is time-intensive and detail-focused work, but it has been proceeding at a good pace.
  • We have also been hard at work finishing up the video sequences that will be part of the prologue release.
  • In addition, Lars has released another wallpaper featuring some of the ships from WC Saga. Check out the "New Wallpaper: They Strike from the Shadows" thread to pick it up!

- Tolwyn 

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They strike from the shadows

FROM: Rear Admiral Tolwyn, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.09.03

The Wing Commander Saga team is proud to present a new wallpaper by gevatter Lars! Kilrathi starships are designed to acheive both lethal functionality and demoralizing psychological impact. This new scene displays the intimidating might of the claw-like Kilrathi capital ships while it simultaneously evokes the pathos of the mysterious and deadly Strahka fighter, whose stealthy ferocity is laid out in stark contrast to the ethereal beauty of deep space.

-Tolwyn

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Thanks for voting for us for the WC Fan Site of the Year!

FROM: Rear Admiral Tolwyn, CINCWEAPONSDIVISION
DATE: 2006.01.02

The Wing Commander Saga team wishes to extend our thanks to all of you who voted for our website this year! There were some other very strong contenders for the award, but your enthusiasm and your faith in our project led us to be recognized as the Wing Commander Fan Site of the Year for 2005! We appreciate this recognition for all of the hard work that we are doing to bring you WC Saga, and we promise to keep burning the midnight oil to bring you the best game we can as soon as possible.

- Tolwyn

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