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Wing Commander is a series of space combat simulation computer games from Origin Systems, Inc.. Created by Chris Roberts and first appearing in 1990, Wing Commander is most noted for its style of cinematic storytelling, which it pioneered in computer games.

Set in the 27th century, the games tell the story of humanity's war against the Kilrathi, an alien species of 7-8 foot tall feline bipeds. Humanity is organized in the Terran Confederation and the player is part of the Confederation's space forces. Launching from carrier ships, the player fulfills various missions in starfighters. The games were all notable for their storytelling through extensive cutscenes. Starting with Wing Commander III, all story scenes were done with live action filming, utilizing some major Hollywood actors, including John Rhys-Davies, Mark Hamill, and Malcolm McDowell.

In early games, the Terran Confederation is simply a generic "good guy federal republic" type government, but as the series progresses, more details are added.

Origin was acquired by Electronic Arts in 1992, and some point to this occurrence as the end of true greatness in the Wing Commander franchise.

Chris Roberts left the company and formed Digital Anvil in 1996.

In 1999, a movie based on the games was released. Directed by the game creator himself, Chris Roberts, the movie told a story set in the time period of the first Wing Commander game. As with many films based on games, it was both a critical and a financial failure.

In 2004, Origin ceased to be an independent game studio and its operations were folded into a new EA building in Redwood City, California.

=Franchise=

see Wing Commander game series

Film

see Wing Commander (feature film)

Television Series: Wing Commander Academy

Wing Commander Academy was a thirteen episode animated series which originally aired on the USA Network between September 21st and December 21st, 1996. The series is set around the events of the first game and features many familiar ships and characters, some anachronistically (such as the presence of the Longbow, a bomber which made its debut in Wing Commander III). The cast featured Mark Hamill, Tom Wilson and Malcolm McDowell reprising their Wing Commander game roles.

Novels

Several novels based on the games have been released by Baen Books. They usually closely adhere to the continuity of the games.

Freedom Flight

The novel describes the Firekka campaign of the Tiger's Claw's, featuring also the defection of Lord Ralgha (known as Hobbes in Wing Commander II).

Freedom Flight was written by Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon.

=== Wing Commander: End Run === The novel tells the story of a daring Confederation plan to weaken the Kilrathi Imperial family by attacking the planet of Vukar Tag. A strike force led by the TCS Tarawa must head to the heart of the Kilrathi Empire to divert part of the Kilrathi fleet. Set after Special Operations II and before Wing Commander III.

End Run was written by Christopher Stasheff & William R. Forstchen.

=== Wing Commander: Fleet Action === The Kilrathi have been severely weakened by the most recent Confederation attacks and their new fleet of secretly built carriers will not be finished for another year. So they try to lure the Confederation into a trap and sue for a false peace.

However, some daring Confed personnel try to prove the existence of the secret Kilrathi fleet and in the end, the fate of humanity is decided in a gigantic battle for Earth. Set after End Run and before Wing Commander III.

Fleet Action was written by William R. Forstchen.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Wing Commander (computer game) ]

Games - Wing Commander

Games

Film

Television Series: Wing Commander Academy

Novels

Freedom Flight

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