This Week's Most Popular Games Tagged 'shooter, sci-fi' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/week/shooter/sci-fi/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> This Week's Most Popular Games Tagged 'shooter, sci-fi' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg This Week's Most Popular Games Tagged 'shooter, sci-fi' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/week/shooter/sci-fi/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> en-us BioShock
The idealistic surroundings and grim reality are constantly at odds.

Often touted as the "Spiritual successor to System Shock 2", BioShock is a long awaited fps in development by Irrational Games, with lead designer Ken Levine promising to advance the definition of first person shooters.

As a likely 2007 release grows closer more screenshots and trailers are being released, and one thing that's apparent is a gorgeous environment, seemingly inspired in great part by the art deco period of the last century.

Game overview and features as reported at the official site
BioShock is a revolution in the shooter genre that will forever change the expectations for the FPS. Going beyond "run and gun corridors," "monster-closet AIs" and static worlds, BioShock creates a living, unique and unpredictable FPS experience. BioShock is the Shooter 2.0.

After your plane crashes into icy uncharted waters, you discover a rusted bathysphere and descend into Rapture, a city hidden beneath the sea. Constructed as an idealistic society for a hand picked group of scientists, artists and industrialists, the idealism is no more. Now the city is littered with corpses, wildly powerful guardians roam the corridors as little girls loot the dead, and genetically mutated citizens ambush you at every turn.


Features:

  • Take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, commandeering security turrets and crafting unique items critical to your very survival.
  • Upgrade your weapons with ionic gels, explosives and toxins to customize them to the enemy and environment.
  • Genetically modify your body through dozens of Plasmid Stations scattered throughout the city, empowering you with fantastic and often grotesque abilities.
  • Explore a living world powered by Ecological A.I., where the inhabitants have interesting and consequential relationships with one another that impact your gameplay experience.
  • Experience truly next generation graphics that vividly illustrate the forlorn art deco city, highlighted by the most detailed and realistic water effects ever developed in a video game.
  • Make meaningful choices and mature decisions, ultimately culminating in the grand question: do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture...or save them?

Developer: Irrational Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Released: currently targeted for August 2007 release!

System Requirements
To be announced.

In motion, the water effects are truly amazing. In fact, Irrational has someone on staff whose sole job is to handle water effects - everything from the fountains and ripples to the distortion of the fish beneath the surface.

]]> 25 Dec 2006 12:58:07 DH: Lore Invasion Decades of war have made Earth unrecognizable: nations are splintered, peace depends on uneasy alliances and coexistence between warring factions is impossible. The ultimate weapon, the Mechanized Assault Vehicle, allows soldiers to control towering weapons platforms from half a world away. This is the future of war, and the two great powers of this ruined futuristic Earth are about to clash.
]]> 27 Nov 2006 03:46:33 Torn Asunder Torn Asunder will be a top down shooting game. The player controls a mech that is at point in an invasion force.
]]> 30 Nov 2006 07:21:34 Marathon Marathon is a classic sci-fi shooter created for MacOS. It spawned two sequels - Marathon 2: Durandal and Marathon Infinity.

Bungie went on to create one of the most successful games of all time: Halo: Combat Evolved.

Developer: Bungie Software
Released: 1994
]]> 01 Dec 2006 12:15:30 Marathon 2: Durandal Marathon 2: Durandal is the second game in the classic sci-fi shooter trilogy. It continues the story started in Marathon and is followed by Marathon Infinity.

Bungie went on to create one of the most successful games of all time: Halo: Combat Evolved.

Developer: Bungie Software
Released: 1995 [Mac], 1996 [Windows]
]]> 02 Dec 2006 01:38:19 Marathon Infinity Final installment of the classic sci-fi shooter series. Follows Marathon and Marathon 2: Durandal.

Bungie went on to create one of the most successful games of all time: Halo: Combat Evolved.

Developer: Bungie Software
Released: 1996
]]> 03 Dec 2006 09:50:33 Pathogen Pathogen is an action-packed sci-fi horror game.
]]> 05 Dec 2006 07:46:39 Iron Maiden: Matter of Life and Death Iron Maiden: Matter of Life and Death is a shooter game in the style of the old 'Cabal' arcade shooter.
]]> 08 Dec 2006 06:05:04 AquaNox In the not too distant future a scarcity of resources leads to war that eventually escalates to nuclear holocaust. Nuclear winter then renders the surface of the earth uninhabitable, except for those rich enough to flee to refugee stations. Aqua is the world beneath the surface, the only remaining habitat fit for human habitation.

It's now the 27th century and we find that most of the life-sustaining technologies required for life in Aqua become monopolized by a single corporation, but there are plenty of rogues and pirates about. That's where we enter the fray as a mercenary who was first introduced in 1997's Archimedean Dynasty, the game that served as the foundation of the story of Aquanox. As the game progresses we find that there are other threats unleashed when ancient underwater caverns are unsealed.

Aquanox is part of a series of futuristic games based upon submarine combat simulation.

Additional Game Features:


  • Single-player campaign, along with several instant-action settings and multiplayer dogfight scenarios.

  • The player must progress through a linear series of missions, earning higher fees as they go in order to upgrade and arm.

  • GUI features an interface that displays a very detailed view of your surroundings.

  • Textures are colorful and extremely detailed, with care to many graphical touches, such as chips that flake off underwater hills hit by your projectile weapons.

  • Varied and well designed environments, allowing you to battle around underwater volcanoes and massive structures and be aided or hindered by swift currents and other environmental effects.

  • Joystick support as well as mouse/keyboard control.


Developer: Massive Development
Publisher: Fishtank Interactive
Released: November 30, 2001

System Requirements: Windows 95/98/ME/2000, 500 MHz Athlon or Pentium III processor, 128MB RAM, 16MB Direct3D compatible graphics card, DirectX 8 compatible sound card, 4X CD-ROM, 800MB HD space.
]]> 17 Dec 2006 08:57:23 The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay was released in June, 2004 for Xbox, and in December, 2004 was released for Windows as the "Developer's Cut", with the improved shading effects and higher resolution expected with the pc release, as well as added content.

Inspired by the Vin Diesel movie, the story begins with you captured by mercenaries and locked down in the toughest and bleakest prison in the galaxy. Your obvious task is to make an unprecedented jail break, and will require intelligence, sharp wits, combat skill and sometimes stealth.

Additional Game Features:

  • First person shooter, but with some third person actions, and even some RPG aspects.

  • Over 30 levels, split into checkpoints.

  • High quality musical soundtrack befitting the movie tie-in.

  • Player eventually acquires "eye shine", a vision enhancement that becomes very useful in the often dark environments.

  • Tied to the movie not only be relating to the story and atmosphere, but including movie star vocal talents such as Vin Diesel, Cole Hauser as Johns, Kirsten Lahman as Shirah, Willis Burks II as Pope Joe, and Ron Perlman as Jagger Vance.

  • Among the first games to use "normal mapping".

  • Fight with melee weapons, special moves, pistols, rifles, shotguns, and more, although by default, guards weapons are DNA coded.

  • Single Player campaign only.

Developer:Starbreeze Studios
Publisher: Sierra/Vivendi Universal Games
Released: Xbox in June, 2004 followed by Windows release in December, 2004

Minimum System Requirements, PC Version
CPU 1800MHz, 256MB RAM

ESRB Rating: Mature (17+) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
]]> 22 Dec 2006 09:51:54 Space Trader

Hey you! Space Trader is now accepting Pre-Orders! Start playing immediately after you pre-order!


Space Trader has a brand new website! Chat with other players, learn more about the game, and see videos! Check it out!


Space Trader is the game where you challenge your friends, foes, and yourself in a bid to becomes the wealthiest Trader in space! Travel between exotic destinations buying and selling commodities, while avoiding the government that's trying to tax your way of life. Hunt down criminals to collect bounty rewards, or go take jobs from crime bosses to earn money under the table. Explore locations in search of hidden bonuses and other secrets! 8 Players can compete together and have your stats tracked in our online scoreboard.

Get into the game!


For more details or to start playing immediately, go to the Space Trader website and sign up for the beta. If you're a member of The Great Games Experiment, you're approved and can get into the game right away!Space Trader is in development by HermitWorks Entertainment, and the team consists of:

Cameron Tofer - Marcia Tofer - P D - Jordan Dennis - Kjell Iversen - Scott Brooks - Phill Djonov - Chris Fraysse - Matthew Regan - Lena Gilje
]]> 27 Dec 2006 09:38:49 Blastforce - Beyond Duty

Introduction

Blastforce is a freeware top-down shooter set in the year 2917. It is being developed with the Gamemaker 6.1 (but may be changed to GM 7.0 in the future). I have been working on the idea behind it for about 10 years (the story behind it was originally written by me as a hobby). Currently, the game is being developed by myself and a friend (with another helping me with my concept artwork). We still have quite a lot to do still!

Features

In the game you will be able to fly a wide variety of aircraft- interceptors, bombers, space-helicopters, and even the odd go on the gun turret. There will also be a number of ground-based missions in the game. The game's graphics are (or will be) in a anime-ish, super nintendo kind of style.

Situation

The game is still in early stages, and newcomers are welcome. At the moment we need:
-Coders
-Pixel artists
-Manga artists

There are also other jobs available. Please leave me a message if you are interested.
]]> 29 Dec 2006 07:23:30 Tron 2.0 Twenty years have passed since Kevin Flynn defeated the MCP with the help of his Tron program. In doing so, he also destroyed the technology he'd used to digitize himself. He's long since left ENCOM in the hands of Alan Bradley, who is raising a family of his own.

Now ruthless global corporate powers want to send humans into the digital realm once more in order to control world finances, and only Alan knows the answer to perfecting their faulty code. Alan encrypted his secrets in time to prevent their theft, but now he's been kidnapped, and the search for the code is on.

You enter the fray as Jet Bradley, Alan's brilliant but rebellious son, who finds himself enlisted by Ma3a to fight the now viral corporate security officer within the digital realm and prevent global domination.

The Tron series of games are based upon the 1982 Walt Disney movie of the same name, beginning with a Tron arcade game and arcade sequel. Tron 2.0 is the first game of the series to be produced for the PC, and subsequently was released for Mac. A related title, "Tron 2: Killer App" was later released for the Xbox, but with significantly altered content.

Additional Game Features:

  • Single player campaign entirely in the digital realm (excepting some cutscenes) immersing you into story-driven, first-person action.

  • As Jet Bradley you will combat digital opponents using guns, rods, grenades, missiles, and the iconic TRON disc, gaining abilities and new weapons as you overcome various challenges to go deeper into the system.

  • Defrag and disinfect your inventory or live with the unpleasant consequences (You're in a computer after all!)

  • Intense action, intense and deadly battles, and the trademark high-speed light cycle races, featuring a new light cycle design by Syd Mead, who developed the cycles for the original film.

  • Musical score by Wendy Carlos, the composer of the original Tron film score.

  • Vocal performers include Bruce Boxleitner, Rebecca Romijn, Ken Boynton, Cindy Morgan and many more, and featuring Jason Cottle as the voice of Jet Bradley.

  • Multiplayer includes some campaign scenarios and light cycle mode.

  • Rendered with the Lithtech Triton engine (specially enhanced version of their Jupiter engine)

Developer: Monolith Productions
Publisher: Buena Vista Interactive
Designer: Frank Rooke
Released: August 26, 2003 for the PC, April 21, 2004 for the Mac.

Minimum System Requirements
WIndows: 500 MHz CPU, 256 MB RAM, 2.4 GB hard disk space, 32 MB GPU
Max: 700 MHz G4, Mac OS X 10.2.8, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB GPU, 2.5 GB disk space
]]> 01 Jan 2007 11:33:32 Stellar 7 With cutting edge 3D wireframe graphics, Stellar 7 puts you in the cockpit of The Raven, an advanced combat tank. The tank is equipped with an unlimited supply of bullets, and a cloaking device. On each level, you have to destroy the other tanks and machines, and then you must travel through the warplink to the next level. Battle your way through 7 different solar systems until you reach the final boss, Gir Draxon.
]]> 18 Jan 2007 05:07:20 Stellar 7 Remake In 1990, Stellar 7 was remade for the PC with improved graphics and a stronger plot. There were new powerups as well as new enemies to fight.
]]> 18 Jan 2007 05:26:12 Arcticfox In the distant future of 2005, aliens have taken over Antarctica and it is up to you to destroy them. You pilot the Slye-Hicks MX-100, Codename: Arcticfox.
]]> 18 Jan 2007 05:54:46 Metroid prime: Hunters Samus is on yet another mission. This time, to investigate strange mental transmissions coming from the Alymbic Cluster.
Along the way, Samus will do battle with 6 other dangerous hunters, who are all out to obtain the "ultimate power" for themselves.
]]> 23 Jan 2007 01:33:08 Heresy War Currently in development, Heresy War is a combat space simulator that focuses on delivering a completely immersive experience for both casual and hardcore gamers alike. The player plays a role of a space fighter pilot that gets thrown in the middle of a raging civil war. While trying to put an end to the civil war, a third ,mysterious force gets involved in the conflict and threatens to destroy everything that the humanity stands for.
]]> 23 Jan 2007 12:53:58 Wing Commander I Set in the year 2654, Wing Commander tells a tale of mankind's struggle for survival in a ferocious war between the Human Confederation and the warmongering Kilrathi Empire, a fierce bi-pedal feline race.





"You're a starfighter pilot, the best of the best, but nothing in your training prepared you for action this hot. Deep space dogfights against Kilrathi aces are deadly, and the future of humanity is on the line each time you fly!


Wing Commander puts you in the middle of the most intense starship action you've ever experienced outside of a movie theatre. But in Wing Commander, you're the star!"





The majority of the game takes place within the cockpit of various space fighters. Depending on how well one performs while in action, the player may find themselves on the winning or losing path thus altering the plot accordingly. Medals and the respect of your wingmen are gained if performance is exemplary, in turn leading to a more effective attack wing. In between space-flight missions the player is free to roam the legendary carrier "TCS Tiger's Claw" and have conversations with their fellow crew mates, learning more about the horrors and triumphs of the bloody war that is now being fought.


When Wing Commander was released in 1990, the in-game graphics and space-combat engine were a step above all other products during that period. The game was even one of the first to use the new Sound Blaster for PC's, adding to the already cinematic feel of the game.


The strong script and characters which has been a staple through out the series are the primary reason why the Wing Commander has gained such a strong following over the years. That combined with movie-like presentation and strong gameplay has made the venerable Wing Commander a classic among gamers and critics.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 11 Feb 2007 07:47:45 Panzer Dragoon Saga Panzer Dragoon Saga (titled Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG in Japan) is a role-playing game released in 1998 exclusively for the Sega Saturn. It is the third game in the Panzer Dragoon and the only one which is not a rail shooter. The game centers around the plight of Edge, a young boy thrown into an ancient conspiracy.

Category: Turn-based role-playing game

Release date: April 30, 1998 (US)

Developer: Team Andromeda
]]> 26 Mar 2007 11:27:38 Tabula Rasa Tabula Rasaâ„¢ is a massively multiplayer online action game that takes you into the heat of battle at the frontlines of an epic war between a xenophobic alien race bent on galactic conquest and the coalition of rebel soldiers who've traveled across the galaxy to stop them.

Combining fast-paced action with the immersion of a role-playing game, Tabula Rasa takes the player on an intergalactic adventure where the individual has an opportunity to significantly impact the pace of battle on a global scale. Players enter the game as rebel soldiers wielding a variety of futuristic weapons, potent demolitions and the mystical power of “Logos.â€
]]> 09 Feb 2007 10:54:31 Band of Thieves 2190. Man has created two space colonies and a third is on its way. Man hasn’t gotten into any conflicts between other species. Earth has [mostly] gotten over its civil warfare. Because of new technology, man is no longer destroying his environment. In fact, he’s doing the exact opposite. New cars emit gases that are repairing the centuries of abuse the atmosphere had to undergo when fossil fuels were still used in cars and other “necessitiesâ€
]]> 15 Feb 2007 11:44:41 Wing Commander II Released in 1991, Wing Commander 2 is a sci-fi space simulation that is a continuation of the storyline that was told in the original Wing Commander.






"Ten years ago, you were the Hero of Vega Sector, idol of millions - the starfighter pilot who single-handedly turned the tide of a major Kilrathi invasion. Then something went wrong.


You were disgraced, court-martialed and transferred to a backwater outpost. For years, your lightning-quick reflexes and instinctive dogfighting tactics went to waste while the Kilrathi killed your closest friends on the front lines.


But Mankind still needs a hero, now more than ever before. And you're still the best pilot in the Galaxy. You've got just one chance to prove yourself, just one chance to keep the Terran homeworlds from falling to the massed armada of the Empire of Kilrah."



Think you can handle it, flyboy?"





Again most of the game is spent flying missions in space for the Confederation in the continuing war effort against the fearsome Kilrathi Empire. When not flying missions, the player is also able to explore the "TCS Concordia" and talk to fellow crew-mates. A greater emphasis has been placed on storytelling, which gives the player a greater scope on the people fighting this war. The mood is darker than the original, mainly due to the fact that the Humans are in fact losing the war.


Wing Commander 2 bettered the original in every regard, from the updated graphics engine to the detailed script. It is considered an all-time classic within the gaming world.








Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 18 Feb 2007 11:05:29 Wing Commander III Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger is the second sequel in the Sci-Fi Space Simulation series created by Chris Roberts.







"Professionally scripted and filmed in Hollywood, ORIGIN's multi-million dollar production combines the entertainment of film-making with the interactivity of computer gaming. The result is a spectacular spaceflight adventure.


Adrenaline, romance, danger -- Wing Commander III has all this and more. This sequel completes the turbulent chronicles of the Terran-Kilrathi war. The final showdown takes place on one of the homeworlds -- Earth or Kilrah. But only you can write the ending..."









Released in 1994, Wing Commander III was the first game to be marketed as a true "Interactive Movie". It was received with much critical-acclaim due to its high playability, state-of-the-art in-game graphics engine plus well scripted, produced and acted FMV sequences, all of which contributed to the games deep and absorbing atmosphere.


Wing Commander III was the first game in the series to use Full Motion Video as the primary story-telling device and is considered to be one of the best and successful examples of FMV use in a video game. The interactive element takes form during conversation cut-scenes where the player is asked to make a choice on how to proceed. This is done by either by giving a positive or negative response when prompted and this in turn affects the mood of the characters involved, altering theyre behaviour during missions and future conversations.


This was the final game in the Wing Commander series to deal with the Terran-Kilrathi conflict. As with the previous games, it is possible to play a winning or losing path, depending on the players performance during space-combat. The destruction of Earth or the Kilrathi's home planet of "Kilrah" is at the end of one of these two paths. However the series does continue with Wing Commander IV and Wing Commander: Prophecy.






Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 19 Feb 2007 09:11:53 Wing Commander: Arena Wing Commander: Arena is a multiplayer shooter currently in development for Xbox Live ARCADE.



Wing Commander is back with an all-new game for Xbox Live Arcade. Its the year 2701. Head to the fringes of the former Frontier to join or destroy whats left of the Kilrathi Empire. Form a squad and destroy enemy armadas as you climb the leaderboards. Featuring four modes of gameplay, eight maps, and the first 16-player action on Xbox Live Arcade, Wing Commander Arena is the perfect mix of classic arcade fun and modern multiplayer chaos.



Wing Commander Arena is a fast-paced space combat game where players can team up to attack other teams of ships. The game introduces the classic franchise to an arcade-style experience that allows up to 16 players online in battle at once. Players can propel their customized ship through space, fire torpedoes and unleash deadly gravity bombs as they try to climb the leader board. Online players will compete for Frag count, high score and dueling stats.



"We're really excited to deliver unparalleled multi-player arcade action," said Chip Lange, EA Vice President
"The design for Wing Commander will appeal to both long-time fans of the franchise and immediately engage anyone who wants the melee style action of an arcade shooter."



Wing Commander Arena will feature four styles of play: single player, multi-team, multi-player free for all and multi-player duel. Within the game there are eight game maps that include team maps, free for all maps and dueling maps, so Wing Commander Arena offers a gameplay experience for every Arcade gamer, whether they want a quick ten minutes of action or a longer more immersive game.






Fans of the series are celebrating the immenent release over @ WCnews.com - news posted daily.
Want to know more about Wing Commander? Visit Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 22 Feb 2007 06:16:04 Wing Commander I: The Secret Missions Wing Commander I: The Secret missions is the first mission add-on pack for the hugely succesful Wing Commander I.





"Wing Commander: The Secret Missions is another thrilling chapter in the continuing saga of the TCS Tiger's Claw. A human colony has been obliterated by the Kilrathi. Now they challenge the defenders of humanity to a deadly game of hide and go seek. You must cross into enemy space in pursuit of the Kilrathi strike fleet, only to face their latest secret weapon....a weapon capable of destroying an entire world."





With the incredible success of Wing Commander, Origin pioneered the concept of game expansions with the Secret Missions add-on disk. Fans of the first title in the series were treated to an intense campaign where the pilots of the Tiger's Claw were tasked with an important covert operation. A new Kilrathi superweapon was being tested aboard the Sivar Dreadnought. Although the Claw hurried in response to its distress call, the populous Goddard Colony was annihilated before help could arrive. The Claw was the only ship in position to penetrate deep behind enemy lines, pick apart the fleet that attacked Goddard and ultimately destroy the Kilrathi secret weapon.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 27 May 2007 09:26:37 Wing Commander I: The Secret Missions 2: Crusade Wing Commander I: The Secret Missions 2: Crusade is the second mission add-on pack for Wing Commander I.





"The Secret Missions 2: Crusade, another exciting chapter in the saga of the Tiger's Claw! In this campaign, a huge Kilrathi fleet maneuvers toward a planet of peaceful, primitive natives. After a Kilrathi renegade defects with the crew of a small destroyer, you'll fly one of their fighterships in undercover missions.


In these new secret missions, you must discover the truth behind the Kilrathi "holy war" before the Warriors of Kilrah can destroy you and the Tiger's Claw!"





Wing Commander I was a huge success and Wing Commander II was in development during 1991. Origin used their experience with The Secret Missions to craft a second expansion pack, The Secret Missions 2: Crusade. WC2 was shaping up to be a huge story driven adventure, so the developers took this opportunity to establish a backstory with SM2. Characters such as Tolwyn, Thrakhath, Hobbes, Jazz and Doomsday were introduced. The TCS Austin appeared as a method for characters such as Angel to survive the impending doom facing the Tiger's Claw in the WC2 intro. In each Wing Commander game the character must face the potential death of wingmates, but in SM2 the first major scripted loss occurred when Bossman died. The tension and emotions were ratcheted up another level for this expansion, and the game created a great environment for Wing Commander II to launch into.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 27 May 2007 10:15:10 Wing Commander II: Special Operations Wing Commander II: Special Operations is a continuation from the storyline told in Wing Commander II.

"If you thought you could snatch a few Zs after that victory at K'tithrak Mang, you'd better look for another line of work!


The cats are restless and rebellion is brewing throughout Kilrathi slave worlds. As a show of force, the Emperor plans a brutal assault on the rebel populations. Millions of lives are in jeopardy until you and the Special Operations team can blunt the attack."





Having had great success with the Secret Missions distribution model, two expansion packs were planned out for Wing Commander II. Blair, Paladin and Hobbes were engaged in covert operations when they became entangled in the mutiny aboard the TCS Gettysburg. They meet up with ace pilot Jason Bondarevsky and begin to learn about the rival factions that have developed among the mutineers. To make matters worse, the Gettysburg was testing an experimental new bomber. The special ops team must defeat ruthless Kilrath and bring the rogue members of the Gettysburg crew to justice. Bondarevsky later goes on to become one of the main characters in several Wing Commander novels.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 27 May 2007 11:36:29 Wing Commander II: Special Operations 2 Wing Commander: Special Operations 2 is the second mission add-on pack for Wing Commander II."The Confederation's electronic grapevine is running amok with rumors that vital intelligence has been withheld from the High Command. Luckily, Special Operations has its own sources of information, and they say the waiting game just won't cut it any longer. Someone has to lead the way, and you're getting the call!"

Special Operations 2 brought Blair into contact with Maniac's Wild Eagles Squadron and their prototype Morningstar fighters. The special ops team had to also contend with mounting pressure from the traitorous Society of the Mandarins seeking to sell out the Confederation to the Kilrathi. Secrets were revealed and Blair engaged in a final showdown with Jazz Colson.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 27 May 2007 11:52:56 Wing Commander: Academy Wing Commander: Acadamy is a mission builder based on the Wing Commander II engine. No major storyline was part of the game - it's a pure blast-fest.



"As a student at the TCSN Academy, you custom-design and fly unique combat, rescue, and search and retrieval missions from the CyberSchool's holographic simulator. In the Wing Commander tradition, the game features a dynamic musical score, improved bit-mapped graphics, and a dazzling array of customizing options. But Wing Commander Academy is not another cinematic extravaganza -- it's an intense dogfight marathon."





Wing Commander Academy was a mission simulator built on the Wing Commander II engine. Before there was a world wide web where modders created and shared tools to manipulate their favorite games, Academy let Wing Commander fans easily play around and create custom scenarios on their own. The game had an addictive high score gauntlet mode and introduced the fastest Confed fighter to date, the Wraith. Academy also gave people their first look at the insides of the Kilrathi cockpit since the Dralthi II in Secret Missions 2. Oddly enough, the Dralthi VIIs pictured on the box cover were not featured in this simulation or any of the games based upon the WC2 engine.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 28 May 2007 12:14:55 Wing Commander - Armada Wing Commander: Armada is a multiplayer action-strategy game set in the Wing Commander universe.





"The life of a seasoned starfighter pilot isn't all glory and adventure. After years of following orders and losing ships and friends, you are now the sole commander, responsible for heading up a momentous strike against your enemy's homeland - either the Empire of Kilrah or the heart of the Confederation. This war requires real strategy, not just hotshot piloting, and you have to determine where to fight, how to fight, and what ships to build to get the job done. In Wing Commander Armada, you have the freedom to construct your own universe, your own missions and your own campaign."









Wing Commander Armada was at least half a decade ahead of its time. In the summer of 1994 it incorporated turn based strategy with 3D fighter combat. Armada was the testbed for the WC3 engine and therefore the first WC game to deploy fully three dimension ship models in flight. The strategic mode had eleven elaborate sectors to conquer, and the game could randomly generate sectors for unlimited gameplay options. Players mined ore, built shipyards and reinforced strategic systems. When clashes occured, the game could compute the possible results or pilots could pilot the fighters firsthand. All of this could be done over a modem or network with fellow fans. Hot seat and split screen options were also available. Players could even record taunts, send them to opponents and have their own voices key in during combat. The game had a fifteen mission storyline describing the TCS Lexington's desperate mission to circumvent the Kilrathi borders and destroy the Kilrathi homeworld. On top of all this, players could turn it around and play as the Kilrathi from start to finish. The narrated manual that was included describes the war from the Kilrathi perspective in some depth. Because of the immature state of the internet when it was released, Armada's multiplayer options don't yet live up to their full potential, but efforts are under way to discover ways to play online.




Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 28 May 2007 07:26:58 Wing Commander Privateer: Righteous Fire Wing Commander Privateer: Righteous Fire is an add-on pack for the original release of Privateer.







"So you think you're a hotshot pilot. A clever entrepreneur. A notorious pirate. You've destroyed the Steltek Drone, secured the alien artifact, and outfought and outsmarted everyone in your way. Now, you're taking a well-deserved break on one of Gemini's pleasure worlds. But relaxation will soon be the last thing on your mind...


In Rightous Fire, you're once again transported to the seamy side of the universe, where you discover a fiendish plot that threatens the order and prosperity of Gemini Sector. Whether you're a merchant, pirate or mercenary, plenty of action awaits if you're willing to risk all you earned in Privateer."







Wing Commander Privateer: Righteous Fire continued with the protagonist Burrows on vacation. While away from his craft, cultists steal his prized Steltek gun to study and replicate it. The Church of Man cult used these replicas aboard ships supplied by the Kilrathi to mount a campaign against technology in the Gemini Sector. The player must make the rounds, check with all his various contacts and discover clues in order to bring the Retro plot down.







Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 28 May 2007 08:19:38 Super Wing Commander Super Wing Commander was released exclusively for the Macintosh and 3DO. It featured drastically overhauled graphics and even added extra missions in between the included Secret Missions add-ons.





"Climbing into your cockpit, you smell the familiar scents of battle - the fresh rush of pure oxygen, the stench of sweat, the coppery tang of Durasteel. Your palms moisten as a rush of adrenaline quickens your pulse. You take what might be your last deep breath. Listen to the canopy hum overheading, you reach for the Engage Throttle button and brace yourself for launch.


You're the Terran Confederation's best pilot. If you can't outsmart the Kilrathi cats, no one can! You've been summoned to defend the TCS Tiger's Claw - can you survive and continue the bloody battle against the Empire?


Wing Commander set the benchmark in computer gaming. Now Super Wing Commander introduces the epic Kilrathi war to the Macintosh with even more missions and cinematic than the PC version - plus full speech and awesome graphics."





Although Super Wing Commander could be grouped in with the platform/console ports, it is a drastic new look at the events of the original Wing Commander game and deserves its own listing. The graphics were brought up to par with modern games in 1994 and full speech was added throughout the game. It actually preceded Wing Commander III with its CD-ROM drive requirement. The game included the events from The Secret Missions as well. A special third campaign was also created between SM1 and SM2. This SM1.5 mission lead the Tiger's Claw on an adventure to track down and destroy the shipyards responsible for creating the Sivar Dreadnought. Additional rumors about stealth fighters and Admiral Tolwyn were added to support the lead-in to Wing Commander II.





Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 28 May 2007 08:54:00 The Kilrathi Saga The Kilrathi Saga is a compilation that contains the first three Wing Commander games in a package that is playable in Windows. It is extremely rare and valuable...The Kilrathi Saga was a grand compilation of the initial Wing Commander trilogy and its four expansion packs. Dropaway cockpits, remastered audio and improved joystick options were among the list of improvements. The biggest selling point was native speed-limited support for Windows. Initial sales were low because many fans still readily had computers running DOS to play older Wing Commander games.




The game received a second printing in 1998, but many fans were still hesitant to rebuy games they already owned. By the turn of the century however, a huge shift from DOS to Windows had occurred and everyone was scrambling to get a copy. Although the July 2000 edition of PC Gamer included the Kilrathi Saga version of Wing Commander I on its cover disc, auction prices on eBay soared to well over $300 for the full set. Wing Commander fans struggled to find copies until 2005 and the improvement DOS emulation. Although Kilrathi Saga has exciting extras, minor glitches and the solid performance of the original Wing Commander games in DOSBox has relieved the intense price pressure on the game.



]]> 28 May 2007 09:26:51 Wing Commander Privateer 2: The Darkening Privateer 2: The Darkening is the sequel to the original Privateer. However it does not coninue from the original story. Privateer 2 is set in an all new and unseen part of the Wing Commander universe - The Tri-Systems.



"You regain consciousness, and the unfamiliar faces around you inform you that you've lost your ship in an accident. You're new to this cutthroat world of Tri-System privateers, and now your only order of business is survival. You've got just enough credits to afford a new ship, but it's going to need upgrades if you expect to live for long. The sector is full of people willing to do business, but who can be trusted? Legal or not, it's time to trade, travel and battle your way through a place where high risk means high yield and those with the brass reap the rewards. "







Wing Commander Privateer 2 was created in the wake of Wing Commander III as the cinematic video step up for the Privateer subseries. Erin Roberts developed the game with a more modest budget in the UK. The main character, Ser Lev Arris, was played by Clive Owen. He was supported by Christopher Walken, David Warner, Jurgen Prochnow, Mathilda May and John Hurt. The game took place about 120 years after Wing Commander IV in an isolated pocket of space known as the Tri-System. Planet Anhur was been home to humans for some two thousand years, and the locals independently developed faster-than-light drives from the Confederation. The futuristic setting lets players utilize advanced jump gates, short-range time travel devices and massive cargo haulers. In addition to the traditional build-up phase and story portions of the game, Privateer 2 peppers the experience with random cinematic mini plot missions. Certain upgrades are only available once these subplots have been completed, and entire character arcs are explored with recorded video cutscenes separate from the main story.










Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 28 May 2007 09:59:46 Wing Commander: Secret Ops Wing Commander: Secret Ops was the first game to be distrubted in episodic form over the internet. It is a continuation from the storyline told in Wing Commander: Prophecy.











"Intense Battle Scenarios: Multi-stage capital strike missions create larger, more intense battles.
New Weapon Technology: Command the galaxy with new rapid fire weapons such as the Dust Cannon, Cloud Burst and Mosquito Missiles.


Powerful New Starships: Introducing Cerberus, Confed's first "Quick-Strike" Carrier, new Cruiser, Destroyers and civilian cruiseliners.


More Intense Story: Continuing where Prophecy left off, join the Confederation Intelligence Services and fight for mankind's very survival."











Wing Commander Secret Ops was a bold experiment in episodic internet distribution. Beginning in August 1998, one episode was released each week for eight weeks. New fiction and backstory was released on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and a corresponding mission pack came out on Thursday. Depending on their perfomance, players were given a password which would influence the fiction they read the following week. After the experiment was concluded, Secret Ops was bundled and sold in the Prophecy Gold collection. The story put Lance Casey and his squadron aboard the TCS Cerberus Quick Strike Cruiser. They fought the alien Nephilim menance once again, but this time the point of incursion was in the inner core of the Confederation. Along the way new revelations about the insectoid race were uncovered and Confed appeared resolved to take the fight to enemy in the near future.











Want to learn more about Wing Commander? Visit WCnews.com or Wing Commander Universe.
]]> 28 May 2007 10:39:06 Earth Under Fire Earth Under Fire is single player space shooter game.
Originally created as entry for PGD Big Boss Competition 2006
It ended up on the third place. Since then it has been upgraded.

Current version is 0.80 Beta 2 from 19th June 2007. Game campaign
consists of 9 missions connected by story.
It is still beta so I would appreciate any comments or bug reports.

More information about the game is in the Doc directory of the downloadable game archive and on in-game help screens.
]]> 19 Jun 2007 12:24:54 Insecticide
]]> 04 Aug 2008 12:06:01