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         The Unofficial *F*requently *A*sked *Q*uestions list for
                  Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger

                   Wing Commander III FAQ, revision 1.01
                         Released August 11, 1994
            Compiled by James Hogan (j-hogan@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu)
                 Copyright (C) 1994.  All rights reserved.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Any sections which are new or have been changed since the last significant
(1.x) revision are marked with an asterisk (i.e., *7.4.*   Revision history).

1.  FAQ Introduction
    1.1.    Purpose of the FAQ
    1.2.    Trademark information
    1.3.    Disclaimer -- READ ME!
    1.4.    Spoiler warning
    1.5.    Acronyms
    1.6.    Obtaining the latest version of the FAQ

2.  Background of Wing Commander III
    2.1.    What's this whole "Wing Commander" thing about?
    2.2.    What were the previous Wing Commander products?
            2.2.1.  Wing Commander I
            2.2.2.  Wing Commander II
            2.2.3.  Privateer
            2.2.4.  Wing Commander Academy
            2.2.5.  The Wing Commander novels
    2.3.    Who's this "Bluehair" guy?
       
3.  Technical questions
    3.1.    What will the system requirements for Wing Commander III be?
            3.1.1.  How fast will my processor need to be?
            3.1.2.  What kind of video card do I need?
            3.1.3.  How much RAM do I need?
            3.1.4.  Do I need a CD-ROM drive?  How fast?
    3.2.    Will Wing Commander III take advantage of a math coprocessor?
    *3.3.*  What kind of frame rates can I expect?
    3.4.    How big (in terms of disk space) is Wing Commander III?
    *3.5.*  Will Wing Commander III support both a VGA and SVGA mode?
            At what resolutions?
    3.6.    Can WC3 support multiple digitized sound samples being played 
            simultaneously?
    3.7.    Will Wing Commander III have multiplayer modem or network
            support?
       
4.  Gameplay issues
    4.1.    What distinguishes the gameplay in Wing Commander III?
    4.2.    Will we be able to fly ground (planetside) missions as well as
            those in space?
    4.3.    What's different about the navigation system in Wing Commander
            III?
    4.4.    What new technologies are the Terrans armed with that the player
            can use?
    4.5.    Will the player have any control over what ship they fly?
            4.5.1.  How does the weapon selection work?

5.  Cinematics / storyline
    5.1.    What distinguishes the cinematics and storyline in Wing Commander
            III?
            5.1.1.  In what ways can choices made during the cinematic
                    sequences affect the storyline?
    5.2.    How is live acting being integrated into Wing Commander III?
            5.2.1.  How much live acting is contained in the cinematic 
                    sequences?
            5.2.2.  Why don't some of the actors look like their characters?
            5.2.3.  How is the acting for the Kilrathi characters accomplished?
    5.3.    Who are the characters in Wing Commander III, and who are the
            actors and actresses playing them?
            5.3.1.  Col. Christopher Blair (Mark Hamill)
                    5.3.1.1.    Do I get to pick my player's name or callsign?
            5.3.2.  James "Paladin" Taggart (John Rhys-Davies)
            5.3.3.  Todd "Maniac" Marshall (Tom Wilson)
            5.3.4.  Melek (Tim Curry)
            5.3.5.  Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn (Malcolm McDowell)
            5.3.6.  Rachel (Ginger Lynn Allen)
            5.3.7.  Flint (Jennifer MacDonald)
            5.3.8.  Col. Eisen (Jason Bernard)
            5.3.9.  Rollins (Courtney Gains)
            5.3.10. Flash (Joshua Lucas)
            5.3.11. Hobbes
            5.3.12. The Emperor and Prince Thrakhath
    5.4.    Will any other members of the Wing Commander cast (Angel, 
            Doomsday, etc.) make an appearance in Wing Commander III?
    5.5.    What is the basic plot of Wing Commander III?
    5.6.    How do the events in the Wing Commander novels fit into the
            storyline?

6.  Other miscellaneous questions
    6.1.    What is the current estimated release date?
    6.2.    Are there any screen shots available?
            6.2.1.  What do the screen shots contain?
            6.2.2.  Are those screen shots from playable sequences or
                    cinematic scenes?
            6.2.3.  Where can I find the screen shots?
    6.3.    Will a demo be released before the game comes out?
    *6.4.*  What platforms is Wing Commander III being released on?
            *6.4.1.*    How will the 3DO version differ from the PC version?
    6.5.    What will the list price of Wing Commander III be?
    6.6.    What is the budget for Wing Commander III?
    *6.7.*  Who is developing and filming Wing Commander III?
            *6.7.1.*    Who is involved with the cinematic side of the project?
            *6.7.2.*    Who is involved with the gameplay side of the project?
    6.8.    Will the soundtrack for Wing Commander III be released on CD?
    6.9.    Is WC3 the last installment of the Wing Commander series?
    6.10.   What other Wing Commander products are scheduled to be released
            in the future?
            *6.10.1.*   Wing Commander Armada
            6.10.2.     Privateer 2
            6.10.3.     Wing Commander novels
            
7.  In conclusion...
    7.1.    Credits / sources
    *7.2.*  Where to find out more
    7.3.    Contacting the FAQ author
    *7.4.*  Revision history
    7.5.    Conclusion
    
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

********************
1.  FAQ Introduction
********************    

1.1.    Purpose of the FAQ
==========================

This FAQ was created to answer some of the more commonly asked questions
about Origin Systems' upcoming release, Wing Commander III: Heart of the
Tiger, and to keep the online community informed about the latest developments
pertaining to this latest installment in the Wing Commander series.  Even if
you've been keeping up with all the magazine articles and previews on the
game, there's probably be some things in here you haven't yet heard, so read 
on!

Please be sure to read the Disclaimer (section 1.3).
   

1.2.    Trademark information
=============================

Origin, Wing Commander, the distinctive Wing Commander logo, Secret Missions, 
Special Operations, Vengeance of the Kilrathi, Heart of the Tiger, Privateer,
Wing Commander Academy, and Wing Commander Armada are trademarks of Origin 
Systems, Inc.  Origin Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts.


1.3.    Disclaimer -- READ ME!
==============================

This FAQ is not a paid advertisement, nor is it even officially endorsed by
Origin Systems.  When reading this FAQ, please remember that Wing Commander
III is a game which is still in development.  As such, the game design (and
hence, the contents of this FAQ) are subject to change at any time -- even
those at Origin do not yet have a crystal clear picture of exactly what 
form the final product will take.  

All information in this FAQ has, unless otherwise specified, been verified
by a reliable source (e.g., a preview in a professional gaming magazine, an
official Origin representative, etc.).  Keep in mind, however, that it may
very well be outdated by the time the finished game is released.


1.4.    Spoiler warning
=======================

Some sections of this FAQ contain plot spoilers about certain Wing Commander
products (i.e., games and/or novels).  Since Wing Commander II has been 
available for several years, it is assumed that all FAQ readers have played
the first two Wing Commander games and all expansion disks; if you have not
yet done so, and wish to avoid plot spoilers on these games, then continue
reading at your own risk.

The Privateer games and the Wing Commander novels are new enough so that it
is _not_ assumed all FAQ readers have played (or read) these.  Sections of
the FAQ that contain plot spoilers for these will be marked with a "SPOILER"
label in the header.


1.5.    Acronyms
================

The following acronyms will be used throughout the FAQ, some more often than
others:

FAQ:        Frequently Asked Questions list
OSI:        Origin Systems, Inc.
WC:         Wing Commander
WC1/2/3:    Wing Commander 1, 2, or 3
SM1/2:      Secret Missions 1 or 2
SO1/2:      Special Operations 1 or 2
WCA:        Wing Commander Academy
Armada:     Wing Commander Armada (I know, it's not an acronym; so sue me)


1.6.    Obtaining the latest version of the FAQ
================================================

The FAQ has six official distribution sites, at which the latest version will
always be available for downloading:

*   The Origin BBS -- (512) 331-4446.  Modem settings are 300-14400 baud,
    no parity, eight data bits, and one stop bit.

*   America Online, in the Origin support base (keyword ORIGIN).

*   CompuServe, in the Game Publisher's Forum A (GO GAMAPUB), section 12
    (Origin Systems).

*   GEnie, at Scorpia's roundtable (type "M805;" at any "?" prompt), section
    16.

*   On the internet:  The wuarchive.wustl.edu FTP site, in the 
    /pub/msdos_uploads/game_faq directory.


************************************
2.  Background of Wing Commander III
************************************

Admittedly, if you're reading this FAQ, you've probably already played the
other Wing Commander games and know pretty much what they're about; but
there's probably some Wing Commander newbies out there, too.  Besides, even 
if you are a veteran of the Wing Commander world, a short refresher course
can never hurt... :-)


2.1.    What's this whole "Wing Commander" thing about?
=======================================================

Wing Commander, first released in 1990 by Origin Systems, is a simulation-
style action game interwoven with a cinematic storyline set in the 27th 
century.  It does not attempt to model real-world physics with a completely 
accurate simulation of space flight, but concentrates instead on providing a 
fun, intense, first-person space dogfighting experience.  Several things
distinguished it from other games upon its initial release:  the graphics,
music, and sound were all revolutionary, surpassing most (if not all) other
competing products in the industry at the time.  The storyline, of which a
short segment unraveled after each mission the player flew, had many plot
devices rarely used before in a computer game of its type:  character 
development, interpersonal conflict, ethics, and more.  To date, the series 
has sold a total of over 1.5 million units worldwide.


2.2.    What were the previous Wing Commander products?
=======================================================
    
    2.2.1.  Wing Commander I
    ------------------------
    
    Wing Commander I is the game that started it all.  In this, the player
    takes the role of a young Lieutenant who has just been assigned to the
    carrier ship Tiger's Claw, the pride of the Confederate Navy.  The main
    plot of WC1 is the Confederation's campaign to take Vega Sector from the
    Kilrathi, which eventually succeeds.

    WC1 had two add-on disks -- Secret Missions 1 and 2.  SM1 focused on a
    new Kilrathi secret weapon, and the Claw's attempts to hunt down and
    destroy it.  SM2 told the story of how the Confederation made an alliance
    with the avian Firekkan species, and also introduced two new characters:
    Doomsday and Jazz.


    2.2.2.  Wing Commander II
    -------------------------
    
    The game begins with the Tiger's Claw being destroyed by three Kilrathi
    stealth (cloaked) fighters, and you are accused of allowing the carrier
    to be destroyed because of your negligence.  Your claims about the
    stealth fighters go unbelieved, your career is ruined, and you are
    assigned to a space station in the backwaters of the known galaxy.

    Ten years later, through a strange series of events, you end up on the 
    flagship of the Confederate fleet (imagine that), the Concordia, where you 
    meet up with some of your old pals who survived the destruction of the 
    Claw -- Angel, Spirit, Paladin, Doomsday, and Jazz.  Eventually, you defeat 
    the heir to the Kilrathi throne in a one-on-one dogfight (though he ejects 
    to survive to fight again another day), destroy the Kilrathi headquarters
    in the sector, and find proof that the stealth fighters exist, proving
    your innocence and restoring your career.

    WC2 also had two expansion disks -- Special Operations 1 and 2.  SO1
    introduced the character of Bear, the protagonist in the second two
    Wing Commander novels.  SO2 reunites you with Maniac, with whom you team
    up to destroy Ayer's Rock, an asteroid which a band of human traitors are
    using as a base.
    
    
    2.2.3.  Privateer  (SPOILER)
    ----------------------------
    
    Privateer puts you in the shoes of a different character -- a privateer.
    This game, which takes place in the Gemini sector, is essentially
    unrelated (in terms of plot) to the main Wing Commander games.  As a
    freelance trader and mercenary, you undertake various missions to earn
    yourself enough credits to upgrade your ship and advance in the plotline.
    Eventually, you discover an old alien derelict, and take a working cannon
    from it and mount it on your ship.  After this, an alien drone begins
    to chase you; in the end, you team up with Confederate ships to destroy
    the threat the drone presents to the sector.

    One expansion disk has been released for Privateer -- Righteous Fire.
    This begins with your alien gun being stolen form your ship, and
    concentrates on your attempts to retrieve it.


    2.2.4.  Wing Commander Academy
    ------------------------------

    A game with no plotline whatsoever, WCA was designed to appeal to the 
    straight-out action gamers who prefer the dogfighting over the storyline.  
    With all the ships from WC2 plus a couple of new ones and a mission builder 
    included, this product is a great way to pass time while waiting for the 
    next installment in the Wing Commander series.  :)


    2.2.5.  Wing Commander novels
    -----------------------------

    Three novels set in the Wing Commander universe have been written to date:
    _Freedom Flight_, by Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon (the head writer for
    WC2), takes place during SM2, and has Paladin and Hunter as the main 
    characters.  The novel goes into detail on the Kilrathi defectors who were 
    briefly mentioned in SM2 (and of which Hobbes from WC2 was the leader of), 
    and gives the reader a good look at Firekkan culture.

    _End Run_, by Christopher Stasheff and William R. Forstchen, features 
    Jason "Bear" Bondarevsky (SO1) as the protagonist and tells the story
    of how he is assigned to a new ship, the Tarawa, which is sent on a
    suicide mission into Kilrathi space.  Other WC figures which are major
    characters in the novel are Paladin, Hunter, Sparks, and Admiral Tolwyn.

    _Fleet Action_, written by William R. Forstchen, is a direct sequel to
    _End Run_, picking up where its predecessor left off.  The Kilrathi launch
    a major counteroffensive against the Confederation, who must come up with
    a last-ditch plan to try to avoid annihilation.


2.3.    Who's this "Bluehair" guy?
==================================

    Bluehair is the name by which Origin originally referred to the character
    the player takes the role of in the Wing Commander games... it comes from
    the fact that the character has dark blue hair (hence the name).  Since
    then, it has become a common term that gamers of the online community use 
    to refer to the main character in the first two Wing Commander games.


***********************
3.  Technical questions
***********************

3.1.    What are the estimated system requirements for Wing Commander III?
==========================================================================

    Please note that these are only ESTIMATES -- the best guesses that can be
    made at this stage in the game's development.  These specs may very well
    change upon the game's release.


    3.1.1.  How fast will my processor need to be?
    ----------------------------------------------
    
    A 486/33 will probably be the slowest processor which will run the game
    at a playable pace in VGA mode.

    
    3.1.2.  What kind of video card do I need?
    ----------------------------------------------
    
    The game should technically run on any VGA-compatible graphics card,    
    though a fast VESA or PCI local bus card will help matters greatly.  Of
    course, an SVGA card is required to play the game in SVGA mode.

    
    3.1.3.  How much RAM do I need?
    ----------------------------------------------
    
    8 megs are required; anything above that is optimal.


    3.1.4.  Do I need a CD-ROM drive?  How fast?
    ----------------------------------------------
       
    Since Wing Commander III will be a CD-ROM only release (no floppy version
    is planned, either before or after the CD-ROM release), yes, a CD-ROM
    drive is required.  It's not suggested to even try the game on a single
    speed drive; you'll want a doublespeed or higher to play it at an 
    acceptable pace.


3.2.    Will Wing Commander III take advantage of a math coprocessor?
=====================================================================

No.  If it did, then the game would not run on 486SX or SX-2 systems, which
still represent a significant market share of Origin's target audience.  The
only other option would be to write two separate versions of the game, one for
486SX systems and the other for 486DX systems; unfortunately, this would add
too much time to the development cycle.


*3.3.*  What kind of frame rates can I expect?
==============================================

To give you a general idea, on a top-of-the-line system (Pentium-90 with 16
megs of RAM, 256KB write-back cache, and a very fast local bus SVGA card with
1+MB of VRAM), the game will run at 20-24 frames per second during spaceflight
in SVGA mode.  In normal VGA mode, the frame rate would be a constant 24.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, on a 486-25 with 8MB of RAM and a dog-slow
video card, you'll get an average of 15 frames per second during spaceflight
in VGA mode.  That figure could probably drop down to about 12-13 fps during
a big dogfight (8+ ships).  You don't even want to try SVGA mode on a system
like this.

Frame rate estimates for other scenarios -- ground missions, capital ship
attack runs, etc. -- are not yet available.


3.4.    How big (in terms of disk space) is Wing Commander III?
===============================================================

The game is currently slated to ship on two CDs, so probably somewhere between
700 megs and 1.2 gigs.  At the very most, ten megs or so will need to be
installed on the hard drive... probably much less.


*3.5.*  Will Wing Commander III support both a VGA and SVGA mode?  At what
        resolutions?
==========================================================================

Yes.  WC3 is being made, first and foremost, as a VGA game, which will run
at standard 320x200x256 resolution.  A 640x480x256 SVGA mode is an optional 
feature that you'll need a Pentium or higher to run.

The user has the option of running the cinematic sequences at either
640x240x256 or 320x200x256, depending on which is best suited for their
system.  No one should have any real problems here, though -- even on a
486-25 with a slow video card, the 320x200 mode runs just fine.

It should also be noted that if the system can't keep up with the video at
the resolution the user has set, playback is not slowed down -- frames are 
skipped so that the audio and video stay synchronized.  In other words, it
will get choppier, but not slower.


3.6.    Can WC3 support multiple digitized sound samples being played 
        simultaneously?
=====================================================================

OSI's latest release, Pacific Strike, could not play more than one digitized
sound at once, which led to some disorienting effects during gameplay (such as
the engine sound cutting out when the player fired his/her guns).  A fix for
this problem has been made, which will first appear in Wing Commander Armada.

Wing Commander III will be able to play 32 different digitized sound samples
simultaneously.


3.7.    Will Wing Commander III have multiplayer modem or network support?
==========================================================================

No.  If you want multiplayer Wing Commander, then give Wing Commander
Armada a try (see section 6.10.1.).
       

*******************
4.  Gameplay issues
*******************    
    
4.1     What distinguishes the gameplay in Wing Commander III?
==============================================================

The most obvious difference is the use of SuperVGA graphics during flight,
providing video that is much more crisp and detailed than any Wing Commander
game to date.  In addition, the WC3 engine uses polygon graphics to make the 
objects (ships and such) more defined and precise -- you can, for example, 
spot tiny pinpoints of light from windows on the hull of a Kilrathi battleship 
as you swing around and fly through the interior of the vessel.


4.2.    Will we be able to fly ground (planetside) missions as well as those
        in space?
============================================================================

Yes.  Parts of the WC3 engine will be based on the Strike Commander engine
to incorporate planetside missions... these will include attacking ground
targets, atmosphere dogfighting, etc.


4.3.    What's different about the navigation system in Wing Commander III?
===========================================================================

The first two WC games used a two-dimensional navigation map to show the
area surrounding the player.  The obvious failing of this system is that it
could not show Z coordinates; the map could show the player's ship directly
on top of a jump point, when in reality he/she was a hundred thousand clicks
_above_ his destination.

WC3 employs an actual three-dimensional nav map to give the player a better
idea of his/her surroundings.  The map can be rotated on all three axes and 
zoomed in and out so that the environment may be viewed from any angle and any
distance.


4.4.    What new technologies are the Terrans armed with that the player can 
        use?
============================================================================

The Confederation has five new types of fighters in WC3 that the player will
have a chance to fly, in addition to most of the old ships from WC2.  They've
also discovered the secret of cloaking technology, so you'll be able to fly
stealth ships as well in this one.


4.5.    Does the player have any control over what ship they fly?
=================================================================

Being the squadron commander, you have plenty of control.  You can choose not
only what ship you fly, but who flies with you on your wing, and your weapons 
loadout as well.


    4.5.1.  How does the weapon selection work?
    -------------------------------------------

    Unlike the weapon selection in Strike Commander, you have an unlimited
    supply of missiles to use, and a heavy payload probably won't affect your
    flight dynamics, either.  This doesn't, however, mean that you'll want to 
    load up your ship with as many Friend-or-Foe missiles as you can each time 
    you fly a mission.  
    
    A cloaking device, for example, takes up a missile slot -- you may want to
    sacrifice a few missiles if you think stealth flying will be to your
    advantage on a particular sortie.  Heat-seeking and image recognition
    missiles are also _better_ than Friend-or-Foe missiles in certain 
    situations; you might damage a Kilrathi's cloaking device so that it no
    longer masks the heat from his engines, enabling you to lock on to him
    with a missile while you can't see him on your radar; or maybe your
    wingman's communication systems are damaged, and you opt to use an image
    recognition on your enemy to avoid hitting your partner.  Choosing the
    appropriate weapon loadout for the task at hand may make a significant
    difference in your performance in battle.


**************************
5.  Cinematics / storyline
**************************

5.1.    What distinguishes the cinematics and storyline in Wing Commander III?
==============================================================================

There are two fundamental differences between the cinematics in WC3 and those
in WC1 and 2.  First, the live acting; all of the cinematic sequences are
played out in full motion video by live actors, rather than being hand- and
computer-drawn as in the first two games.  This has led to several new
filming techniques being used, as well:  A wider variety of camera angles is
present, rather than the frontal face shots that were used nearly exclusively
in WC1 and 2, plus pans, zooms, etc.

Secondly, the cinematic sequences are no longer completely passive.  The
player can now choose how he/she responds in certain situations be selecting
one of several choices from a list of possible dialogue responses.  This, in 
turn, alters the way the story unfolds -- so two people who play the game with 
different dialogue choices may experience quite a different plotline.  (A 
normal movie script is about 120 pages; the script for WC3 was 300 pages long 
so that all of the different outcomes and dialogue choices were covered.)


    5.1.1.  In what ways can choices made during the cinematic sequences alter
            the storyline?
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First and foremost, it can affect your relationships with your shipmates,
    and being the squadron commander, this can affect morale on board ship.
    Telling a pilot "That flying was horrible -- whose side are you fighting
    for?" obviously will be perceived more negatively than "Well, kid, it was
    a tough mission.  Let's hope we can do better next time."  (Of course, in
    some cases, maybe the pilot _deserves_ to be chewed out; it's a judgment
    call you'll have to make.)  You also get to choose a love interest for the 
    game, which will obviously have a major impact on the plotline.  

    In the end, your flying skills and storyline decisions will combine to
    finish the story in one of three different ways -- one grand, victorious
    ending, one mediocre, and one not-so-grand.


5.2.    How is live acting being integrated into the cinematic sequences?
=========================================================================
    
All acting is done in advance in front of a green screen -- which is, as
the name suggests, a cloth backdrop spray painted green.  The backgrounds
are rendered on a Silicon Graphics workstation (the same ones used in the
making of Jurassic Park).  After the acting is done and the backgrounds have
been generated, they backgrounds are overlaid over the green backdrop in the
film footage.  The result is a video sequence with live actors in front of a 
very realistic-looking computer-generated setting.

    
    5.2.1.  How much live acting is contained in the cinematic sequences?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    About two hours of footage was filmed for the game.  Of course, you won't
    see all of this playing the game through just once, since it has a
    branching storyline.


    5.2.2.  Why don't some of the actors look like their characters?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    During the casting for Wing Commander III, the primary concern was finding
    actors who could accurately portray the Wing Commander characters'
    personalities; physical appearance was secondary.  While it was certainly
    nice to find an actor or actress who not only was able to play the role
    well but looked like the character in mind, this wasn't always possible,
    as in the case of the actor taking the role of Paladin (John Rhys-Davies).


    5.2.3.  How is the acting for the Kilrathi characters accomplished?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Think "Darth Vader", and you'll have a pretty good idea.  An actor wears 
    an elaborate set of costumes and makeup (made by the same group who did the
    masks for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, by the way), and acts
    out the motions and lip movements for his character.  Voices are dubbed
    over later by a separate voice actor.
                                         

5.3.    Who are the characters in Wing Commander III, and who are the actors 
        and actresses playing their roles?
============================================================================

    5.3.1.  Col. Christopher Blair (Mark Hamill)
    --------------------------------------------
        
    In Wing Commander III, the player takes the role of Colonel Christopher
    Blair, a veteran Confederate pilot who commands the fighter squadron on  
    his ship.  Throughout the course of the game, you not only fly dozens of 
    missions against the Kilrathi, but deal with intercharacter relationships 
    with your shipmates as well -- you even get to choose your own love 
    interest.
    
    Blair is portrayed by Mark Hamill, best known for his starring role as Luke
    Skywalker in the "Star Wars" movie trilogy.  He has also been seen in "The
    Guyver," "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," "Britannia Hospital",
    and others.  Voice acting work includes playing The Joker in the Batman 
    animated television series and "Mask of the Phantasm" motion picture, and 
    a role in Sierra's interactive adventure game, "Gabriel Knight."
    

        5.3.1.1.    Do I get to pick my player's name or callsign?
        ----------------------------------------------------------
        
        Your name (Christopher Blair) is assigned to you and cannot be
        changed.  You will be able to pick a callsign for yourself, though
        it will not be used during the cinematic sequences, since the spoken 
        dialogue cannot change to reflect the callsign you choose.  The  
        callsign will instead be used in places such as the flight roster 
        posted on the ship, while during the cinematics you are referred to 
        by your "real" name (Blair).

            
    5.3.2.  James "Paladin" Taggart (John Rhys-Davies)
    --------------------------------------------------
        
    Veterans of the first two Wing Commander games will certainly remember
    Paladin, the Scottish officer who has been serving in the Navy for several
    decades.  Taking this role is John Rhys-Davies, who has appeared in
    "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "The Living 
    Daylights," "Firewalker," and others.  He is currently starring in "The 
    Untouchables" TV series and is the host of the Discovery Channel's 
    "Archaeology."


    5.3.3.  Todd "Maniac" Marshall (Tom Wilson)
    -------------------------------------------
        
    Another character from the earlier WC games, Maniac is a brash,
    unpredictable pilot who has a stubborn "to-hell-with-the-rules" attitude
    that has put himself and his shipmates in danger countless times.  He is,
    however, a highly skilled flier whose talents are desperately needed in
    the war against the Kilrathi.

    Maniac is portrayed by Tom Wilson, who you've probably seen as Biff in the
    "Back to the Future" trilogy.  Wilson has also been in "Blood In... Blood
    Out," "Action Jackson," "April Fool's Day," and others.  
    
    
    5.3.4.  Melek (Tim Curry)
    -------------------------
        
    Melek is a Kilrathi warrior, and the right-hand man of Prince Thrakhath.

    Tim Curry, probably most easily remembered as the transvestite in "The
    Rocky Horror Picture Show," is doing the voice acting for Melek in WC3.
    Curry also did voice acting in Sierra's "Gabriel Knight," along with WC3
    co-star Mark Hamill.


    5.3.5.  Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn (Malcolm McDowell)
    --------------------------------------------------
        
    Those who only played WC2 probably remember Tolwyn as a hard-nosed, strict
    commander who never really seemed to care about much besides making the 
    player's life difficult.  Those who read the WC novels should have a
    more positive impression of him; that of a just, honorable officer who
    places morality and ethics above authority and discipline.  (Yeah, it 
    sounds cliched, but true.)

    Whatever picture you have of Tolwyn, he'll be present in WC3, played by
    Malcolm McDowell.  McDowell has been in movies such as "A Clockwork
    Orange," "Time After Time," "Cat People" (too bad he's not playing a
    Kilrathi...) ;), "Britannia Hospital" (with WC3 co-star Mark Hamill), and
    others.  He is also playing the role of the villain Soran in the upcoming
    "Star Trek: Generations" motion picture.


    5.3.6.  Rachel (Ginger Lynn Allen)
    ----------------------------------
        
    Rachel is a tech officer on the ship on which Blair serves, and is one
    of the two potential love interests for the player.  The actress who
    plays her, Ginger Lynn Allen, has starred in "Young Guns II," "Skin Deep,"
    "Leather Jackets", and other "adult" films.  TV credits include "Silk
    Stalkings," "Sunset Beat," and a current recurring role on "NYPD Blue."

    
    5.3.7.  Flint (Jennifer MacDonald)
    ----------------------------------
        
    The other possible love interest for the player, Flint is a member of  
    Blair's flight squadron whose dynamic character is hidden underneath a 
    cool, calm exterior.  Flint is played by Jennifer MacDonald, who has been
    seen in "Terminal Force," "The Collector," "Shades of Black," "Dream On,"
    "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.," and others.


    5.3.8.  Col. Eisen (Jason Bernard)
    ----------------------------------
 
    Eisen is another newcomer to the Wing Commander saga, played by Jason
    Bernard (currently starring in the TV series "Herman's Head.")  Bernard
    has also appeared on "The Cosby Show," "St. Elsewhere," "Knot's Landing,"
    "Night Court," "The Flash," and others.  Film credits include, but are
    not limited to, "War Games," "Paint It Black," and "Blue Thunder" (with WC3 
    co-star Malcolm McDowell).


    5.3.9.  Rollins (Courtney Gains)
    --------------------------------
        
    Courtney Gains takes on the role of Rollins in WC3.  Gains has been seen
    in "Memphis Belle," "The 'Burbs," "Colors," "Can't Buy Me Love," and "Back 
    to the Future," among others.  TV credits include "Seinfeld," "Tales From 
    the Crypt," and "In the Heat of the Night," and more.


    5.3.10. Flash (Joshua Lucas)
    ----------------------------
        
    Joshua Lucas, the actor playing Flash, is a regular on "The Man From Snowy
    River".  On the big screen, he has been seen in "Alive" and "Class of '61."


    5.3.11. Hobbes
    --------------
    
    Originally assigned to be a bridge officer on your ship, you pull some
    strings to get him placed on your fighter squadron, where he again takes
    the role of one of your fellow wingmen.
    
    
    5.3.12. The Emperor and Prince Thrakhath
    ----------------------------------------

    Yup, it's been confirmed that they're both back for the grand finale.
    That, however, is all that's been confirmed.  :)


5.4.    Will any other members of the Wing Commander cast (Angel, Doomsday,
        etc.) make an appearance in Wing Commander III?
=========================================================================

Since nothing has been announced, probably not.  They may be mentioned in the 
dialogue, but an actual appearance is unlikely.

        
5.5.    What is the basic plot of Wing Commander III?
=====================================================

The year is 2654 (two years after the end of SO2), and the Kilrathi again have 
gained the upper hand in the Galactic War.  Your old carrier, the TCS 
Concordia, has been recently destroyed, and you are reassigned to the decrepit 
TCS Victory.  It is here that your adventure begins.

The Terrans have developed a weapon of terrifyingly destructive power called 
the Behemoth, which they are hoping can tip the scales back in their favor -- 
but before they can use it, a human traitor hands the plans for the weapon over 
to the Kilrathi.  The scientist who designed the weapon is taken to a Kilrathi
prison, and you, of course, have to rescue him.  As the war draws closer to its 
climactic finish, you volunteer for a final, desperate suicide mission which 
is guaranteed to end the war one way or the other.


5.6.    How do the events in the Wing Commander novels fit into the storyline?
        (SPOILER)
==============================================================================

First off, let it be said that the novels _are_ considered "official"
material -- that is, the events that transpired in them are assumed to have
happened in the "real" (i.e., computer game) WC universe.  Among these are the
death of Hunter, the adventures of the Tarawa, and the Kilrathi fleet's attack
on the core Confederate worlds, including Earth.

The second and third novels took place in the two-year gap between WC2 and WC3.


*********************************
6.  Other miscellaneous questions
*********************************    
    
6.1.    What is the current estimated release date?
===================================================

Thanksgiving 1994.  This is (obviously) subject to change.  Filming was
completed several months ago, so all that's left now is on the technical end.
Current projections estimate the game at 70% completion.


6.2.    Are there any screen shots available?
=============================================
    
Yes; a set of screen shots was uploaded onto several major online services.    
Unfortunately, these have since been removed by Origin, who felt that the
screen shots were from scenes so early in the game's development that they did
not provide an accurate representation of what the final product would be
like.  (The screen shots were uploaded by someone who should not have had
them in the first place.)

    
    6.2.1.  What do the screen shots contain?
    -----------------------------------------
    
    Some external views of an Arrow (a light Confederate fighter) flying by a
    Kilrathi capital ship are present.  Other screen shots are from some
    live acting scenes; one picture is of Blair and Paladin, one of Blair and
    Eisen, another of the Emperor, and another one of Hobbes.  All of these
    screen shots have appeared in various magazine articles by now, so you
    probably aren't missing much.  The best shot of the bunch is from a
    finished cinematic sequence, complete with computer-generated background
    and all; it shows Blair and Paladin standing on a desolate planet
    overlooking the half-sunk wreckage of the Concordia.
    
    
    6.2.2.  Are those screen shots from playable sequences or cinematic
            scenes?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
        
    Yes, the external shots of the Arrow flying by the Kilrathi capital ship
    are from the playable portion of the game.  Note that the art for the
    capital ship in these screen shots is not the art which will be in the
    final release of WC3.
    

    6.2.3.  Where can I find the screen shots?
    ------------------------------------------

    You can't.  At least, not officially; and since Origin has requested to
    stop distribution of them, the location won't be given out here.  Sorry.


6.3.    Will a demo be released before the game comes out?
==========================================================

Yup, and what a demo it will be.  Fully playable -- the first mission will
probably be included, so players can take a look at the new engine, see how
it runs on their system, and shoot some cats as much as they like.  Some
short cinematic sequences will be thrown in to show what the live-action
video is like.  

The demo is going to be distributed on CD-ROM, and will be included free with
several computer gaming magazines.  Depending on the size, it may also be
uploaded to CompuServe, America Online, and GEnie.


*6.4.*  What platforms is Wing Commander III being released on?
===============================================================
        
Both an IBM and a 3DO version are planned, with the PC version preceding the
3DO version.  The PC version should run reliably on OS/2 systems with 16 or
more megs of RAM.

There will also be a limited special edition of WC3 available; 10,000 units of 
this will be made, available from Electronic Arts Direct on a first-come, 
first-serve basis.  It's unknown exactly what this special edition will
contain, but collectors and die-hard WC3 fans should love it.
        
                                                                       
    *6.4.1.*    How will the 3DO version differ from the PC version?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    The 3DO version will be optimized to take advantage of the 3DO's better
    graphics and sound capabilities -- this includes true 16-bit color, a full
    stereo soundtrack throughout the game, and Dolby Surround sound effects.
    There will be no installation program required (obviously), so you should
    be able to just jump in and start playing.  CD delays should be shorter,
    as well.

    Ideally, the 3DO and PC versions will ship as close to simultaneously as
    possible.


6.5.    What will the list price of Wing Commander III be?
==========================================================

No list price is available yet.  Wait and see...


6.6.    What is the budget for Wing Commander III?
==================================================

No official figures have been released, but estimates are in the area of three
million dollars ($3,000,000) -- the largest budget ever for a computer game.


*6.7.*  Who is developing and filming Wing Commander III?
=========================================================
    
    
    *6.7.1.*    Who is involved with the cinematic side of the project?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Over 50 professional filmmakers are on the WC3 team to help bring together
    the cinematic portion of the game.  Here is a partial list:

    Director/Executive Producer        Chris Roberts
    Producer                           Donna Burkons
    Screenwriters                      Terry Borst
                                       Frank DePalma
    Cinematographer                    Virgil Harper
    Art Director                       Chris Douglas
    Music                              George Oldizey
   

    *6.7.2.*    Who is involved with the gameplay side of the project?
    ------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following is a list of the programmers working on the PC version of
    the game:
    
    Project Director : Frank Savage
        o Spaceflight engine conversion
        o New technologies (ie Capital ships)

    Programmer       : Frank Roan
        o Spaceflight object system and weapon systems 
        o Artificial Intelligence
        o Mission system

    Programmer       : Anthony Morone
        o Cockpit/HUD displays and interface
        o 3D Navigation Map
        o Communication system and sound effects programming

    Programmer       : Chris Todd
        o Gameflow programming
        o Cinematics integration

    Programmer       : Jason Yenawine
        o Full-motion video compressor and player
        o Memory management

    
    There is a second team of programmers in charge of the 3DO version:

    Programmer       : Peter Shelus
        o 3D spaceflight and object systems
        o Artificial Intelligence

    Programmer       : Brent Thale
        o 3DO conversion of video compressor and player

            
6.8.    Will the soundtrack for Wing Commander III be released on CD?
=====================================================================

Sort of.  :)  While a separate WC3 soundtrack may not be released, several
tracks of the game's music will be included on the next Origin soundtrack
(volume 3) along with selections from other OSI releases.


6.9.    Is WC3 the last installment of the Wing Commander series?
=================================================================

Unknown.  There will certainly be other games set in the Wing Commander
universe (see section 6.7).  Whether there will be a direct continuation of 
WC3 (WC4, in other words), however, remains to be seen.  Chris Roberts 
originally envisioned the Wing Commander series as a trilogy, and it sounds
as if the story in WC3 will see the end of the Terran-Kilrathi war.  If the
series continues, WC4 may just be the beginning of a second WC trilogy, rather
than a direct continuation of WC3.  (Note that this is pure speculation on
the author's part, not based on any official word from Origin.)


6.10.   What other Wing Commander products are planned for the future?
======================================================================    
                    
    *6.10.1.*   Wing Commander Armada
    ---------------------------------
    
    Wing Commander Armada, due out this Fall, should be an interesting mix
    of WC action with new strategy elements incorporated into the game. 
    There's no storyline in this one, but plenty of other features to make
    up for it -- the graphics engine has been revamped, giving us the best
    graphics yet in a WC game.  A new strategy mode pits your brains against
    an opponent's as you try to conquer star systems and use their resources 
    to build your battle fleet, resolving combat by jumping into the cockpit 
    and fighting the dogfights yourself.  The big claim to fame of Armada is 
    the multiplayer support; two players can play on one computer using a 
    split screen, over a modem or serial cable, or over a network.

    Other innovative features continue to improve over earlier WC games:  you
    can take the role of the Kilrathi, if you like, as well as the noble
    Confederation.  The keyboard commands are completely configurable, so users
    can customize them to their needs.  If players have a sound card, 
    microphone, and recording software, they can record their own taunts (in 
    .WAV format) to use during the game (and yes, in multiplayer mode, your 
    opponent _will_ hear your digitized taunts over his speakers...)  There's 
    more, but too much to list here.
                                                       
    A CD-ROM release of Armada is planned soon after the floppy release
    featuring an enhanced intro, extra cinematics, and six-player network
    support.  Approximately 700K of hard drive space will be needed for the 
    CD-ROM version.

    
    6.10.2. Privateer 2
    -------------------        

    "Privateer 2:  Darkside" will be the next installment in the Privateer
    series.  The project, headed by Erin Roberts (Chris Roberts' brother), is
    currently in the initial planning stages.  It will not be available until 
    late next year at the earliest.


    6.10.3. Wing Commander novels
    -----------------------------

    Three new Wing Commander novels are in the works, one of which will be a
    novelization of the events in WC3.  The "plot path" that the WC3 novel
    takes (remember, the game has a branching storyline) will most likely
    involve most of the harder missions from the game, and end with the
    victorious finish.
    

********************
7.  In conclusion...
********************

7.1.    Credits / sources
=========================

The Wing Commander III FAQ was complied and written by James Hogan.  

Sources include the following magazines...

Computer Gaming World, June 1994, page 14
Computer Games Strategy Plus, August 1994, pages 20-23
PC Gamer, August 1994, pages 8-11
Interactive Entertainment, Episode 3

Additional thanks to Wayne Baker at Origin for helping to answer all of my
seemingly endless questions.  :)


*7.2.*  Where to find out more
==============================

There have already been several magazines and other periodicals that have
had information on WC3 in them.  If you'd like to check any of them out for
yourself, here's a list:

    AP Newswire                     June 23, 1994
    Austin American Statesman       June 20, 1994
    Computer Game Review            July, 1994
    Computer Games Strategy Plus    August, 1994
    Computer Gaming World           May 1994, June 1994
    Daily Variety Magazine
    Electronic Entertainment        April 1994, June 1994
    The Hollywood Reporter          May 17, 1994
    Interactive Entertainment       Episode 3
    Los Angeles Daily News          June 28, 1994
    PC Gamer                        July 1994, August 1994
    PC Format (United Kingdom)      July, 1994
    PC World (New Zealand)          June, 1994

Have more questions about WC3 that aren't in the FAQ, or just want to find
something out straight from the source?  Ask Origin directly:

    CompuServe: 71333,136
    America Online: OSI
    GEnie: origin.mkt
    Internet: osi@aol.com


7.3.    Contacting the FAQ author
=================================

Did you find out another bit of information you'd like to see added?  Did I 
screw something up?  Have any questions you'd like answered in the next
revision of the FAQ?

If, for these or any other reasons, you'd like to contact me, I can be reached
in the following ways:

Internet e-mail:  j-hogan@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu  (checked several times daily)
America Online:   Sabre9                    (checked twice per week)
CompuServe:       70524,1343                (checked once per week)

If you contact me about additional information to include in the FAQ, please
tell me your source.  I'd like to verify all new info to keep the FAQ as
accurate as possible.


*7.4.*  Revision history
========================

Version 1.0:    Initial release.
(8/5/94)

Version 1.01:   More detailed information on the OS/2 support and 3DO port
(8/11/94)       included.

                Frame rate estimates added.
                
                Wing Commander Armada summary revised slightly.

                A list of the members of the programming team and their
                respective tasks added to the game credits section.
                
                Complete WC3 periodical reference list included.

                Section 7.4 (revision history) added.


7.5.    Conclusion
==================

Well, that's it for this release of the WC3 FAQ.  Please write and let me know 
what you thought; was it useful?  Had you already heard all of the information?  
Was it well-written?  Even if you don't have any comments to speak of, please 
just drop me a line and let me know if you read through it.  I enjoyed writing 
this, and would like to continue to keep it up-to-date, but I probably won't 
do so if no one's reading it.  :)  So let me know!  Assuming there's enough 
interest, expect a version 1.1 of the FAQ to follow within a week or two.  
Announcements will be posted on AOL, CIS, comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, and 
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim.

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