Rob McKay Kicks Off Script Project (January 14, 2005)

[ChrisReid]

Shades has been hard at work on a massive undertaking. He is combining all the script elements that people have put online into huge storybook pdf retellings of the Wing Commander series. Wing Commander II is the first script to be complete. You can grab it here. You do need the Adobe Reader to view the file. If you have a very old version of the program, the file may render very slowly.

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Like many of you, after playing WC for the first time I’d always wanted to know the rest of the script. There are so many paths and choices that it’s pretty much impossible. Then late in 2000 Tobias Fridell came out with one of the first scripts for the first Wing Commander game.

His only had the wining path but it got me thinking that maybe I could do the same thing and flow chart the alternate paths and scripts. After several months of repeated playing and writing down I gave up. Then two years ago I was talking to LOAF about my desire to flow chart the WC Scripts and he happily sent me the ripped code containing the script.

So what have I been doing over the past two years? Working on eight WC scripts at once. Thanks to Wedge009’s help in editing, donating pictures, and his extensive web site, the first script to be completed is WCII. I hope you all enjoy it. It's been a long time coming. SO1 and SO2 are about 90% done and WCI, SM1, and SM2 are about 80% with Privateer at 50% and Righteous Fire at 30%. If you have any suggestions or corrections I’d love to hear them. Thanks and Happy New Year!

Feel free to email Shades any feedback!

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Original update published on January 14, 2005

[Shades2585]

I'd like to hear some constructive feed back folks.

What you like.
What you don’t like.
Things you think might make it better.
Mistakes in the flowchart.

This is for the WC community so I’d like to make it as good and accurate as possible.

[ChrisReid]

The graphics intensive stuff is pretty fun in the beginning. Less and less images appear as the document progresses. Even though many individual frames would be repetative, even the talking head with subtitles would be nice here and there. Individual ship graphics could be mounted around a bit more where relevant.

[Shades2585]

Additional relevant pictures…I can do that. I was planning on it actually but I scaled it back thinking it was getting too big. I’m also told that I need to add color to my hyperlinks in the winning and losing paths section because it’s difficult to see them.

Keep the ideas coming!

[Shades2585]

Does any body know of a good screen capture I can use on KS?

[TopGun]

Pretty Cool

[Wedge009]

The trouble with having several pictures is that the PDF would have to save a copy of the image everytime it occurs, regardless of whether it is the same file or not. At least, that's what I understand. If I'm wrong, then it shouldn't be a problem.

I agree with the lack of pictures thing. I didn't have many pictures in my own scripts because I was trying to minimise on disk space used. Looks like it's time for an update!

[Shades2585]

I have a few ideas but I’ll need to do quite a few screen captures to do it. I’d hate to keep asking Wedge009 to capture screens for me. He’s been very gracious so far but I’d love to do it myself.
Right now I’m using KS. Does anybody have any ideas on what programs would good for that?
Other wise I’ll have to set up DOSBox (Which I’ve never used ) and try to figure how to screen capture OR set up an old DOS machine (which I’ve been putting off for years not.) and use the DOS screen capture Wedge009 gave me.

[Death]

Originally Posted by Shades2585

I have a few ideas but I’ll need to do quite a few screen captures to do it. I’d hate to keep asking Wedge009 to capture screens for me. He’s been very gracious so far but I’d love to do it myself.
Right now I’m using KS. Does anybody have any ideas on what programs would good for that?

Salvation

[Shades2585]

Thanks Death,
The native XP screen capture didn't work nore the "screengrabber" (I think that's the name.) program it all came back with a black washed out image.
Multigrab looks interisting. I'll down load and try that when I get home.
Thanks I hope this solves the problem.

[Wedge009]

Originally Posted by Shades2585

I’d hate to keep asking Wedge009 to capture screens for me.

It was never a problem, and actually kinda fun. Since I'm taking screenshots for myself, feel free to make requests now (e-mail would be better since I check them regularly).

[Madman]

Did this script venture for all the WC games ever get any further?

[Shades2585]

Actually it did. I pretty much finished all but WcIII, Prophecy, SO, and Privateer 2. Unfortunately last year I consolidated all my stuff on one HD and right after it died!

I'm not sure how much people are interested in it so I've kind of put it on the back burner. WC1 is mostly done though.

[Max Gene]

WC2 was a fascinating one for me because of all the little things I missed. I'd love to see the completed one for WC1!

[Madman]

I would love to see this stuff come out - especially for wc1

[Shades2585]

Well if you folks are interested I can try to find it, and dust it off, and see what's left to do. As I recall the last third which I have to do requires me to play through each mission numerous time to double check every possible outcome to make sure I've flow-charted it correctly. Very time consuming. As Wedge can probability attest to. And I need to take most of the pic all over again.

I would like to see it posted but I'm not looking forward to spending another five years working on them all. (Ok ,so that was on and off but you get the idea.)

I'll work on work on finishing WC1 and see what the reaction is to it and decide whether or not to work on the rest from there.

[Max Gene]

Looking forward to it!

[Madman]

Totally, If theres anyway i can help let me know,

[Shades2585]

Well if you find or have found anything wrong with WCII please let me know so I can fix it when I get back to it.

I did find WC1 today and did work on it some.

[Shades2585]

The flow charting of WC1 is now done. Right now it is 138 pages long.
The next stage will be testing it to make sure they are all correct and taking screen shots for the book.

Does anybody know where the picture of the theater came from? (see first picture) I don't remember where I got it. I think it was on this site.

[Bandit LOAF]

The theater picture is used in the SNES port of The Secret Missions and in the Origin FX screensaver package.

[Shades2585]

Can you post a good screen shot for me LOAF? I got it from here at some point but can't find it now.

[ChrisReid]

There's a whole bunch of Origin FX screenshots at http://www.crius.net/zone/showthread...203#post348203

[Shades2585]

Nice pics. Thanks Chris. It looks however that the one I used in the WC2 script was from the SNES. Does anyone have a screen shot of that theater?

Thanks,
Shades

[AD]

Originally Posted by ChrisReid

I always though it would have been cool if the WC movie had started with shot of the band warming up and then playing into the nifty intro montage.

[Shades2585]

Yes that would have been a nice touch.

[Madman]

Have posted some snaps of the theatre from wc:secret missions for the snes in http://www.crius.net/zone/showthread.php?t=24162. Hope they're ok!

[Shades2585]

Thanks Madman. I just realized that it didn't post my reply to your posting of the screenshots last time. Don't know what happened. Can you take another one where the curtains are open like I had in the WCII script.

Ok which do you like best the SNES theater or the Origin FX theater?

The flowcharting for the WC1 script is done and I am now in the process of testing it. I just about have the first three sectors done. It's a very slow process. I have to play through each mission at leas 6 times, sometimes more then 12, just trying to find every possible way the story flows.

On the plus side I've also just finished flow charting SM1 and will try to work on that afterwords. It's a bit more difficult knowing every pilot can be dead at the start of the game. I'll have to play through WC1 twice and lose all my wingman so I can save it and transfer to SM1 to see how the script flows.

[Max Gene]

Dang, that is a LOT of effort. Rest assured it shall be well appreciated, however!

[Sharpshooter]

That reminds me that I'll have to finish my own project for Standoff's script... Once my little Kilrathi (read : kittens) calm down (if that ever happens ).

[Shades2585]

That would be an interesting read. I'd enjoy that.

Which do you prefer most the SNES theater



Or the Origin FX theater?

[Mekt-Hakkikt]

The Origin FX theater...I think...both are good...

Great project!

[Sharpshooter]

I think the Origin FX theater looks prettier, but as Mekt-Hakkikt said, both are neat.

[Madman]

I think i like the OriginFX one too, but the snes one gives more space. Yes I can get a snap of the curtains as they are opening, but it won't be til next week as i'm in france this week for an experiment.

Doesn't the "secrets of the WCU" book have all the flowcharting done? or certainly someone at the CIC must have?

[Shades2585]

Originally Posted by Madman

I think i like the OriginFX one too, but the snes one gives more space. Yes I can get a snap of the curtains as they are opening, but it won't be til next week as i'm in france this week for an experiment.

A French experiment Eh? Oh I envy you! It’s a beautiful place. I love the view from Eiffel’s Tower.

The picture size can be modified for what I’m doing. I would like it though and it will take me several weeks to finish anyway so I don’t mind waiting a few weeks.

Originally Posted by Madman

Doesn't the "secrets of the WCU" book have all the flowcharting done? or certainly someone at the CIC must have?

Flowcharting the missions, yes. Flowcharting the script? No, no one has done that like I did to my knowledge. Some people have done what Wedge007 did and compiled all the winning scripts but no one has flowcharted it like I did in WCII at the top of this thread.
I might start playing with the script for SM2 today.

[Madman]

Ah, I see, I guess the ability to lose wingmen can affect the story a lot, especially if you lose one of the two at the table in shotglass' bar i imagine the conversation changes a bit!

Experiment is actually in Orsay (just south of paris) in the national nuclear lab there, tis relatively dull though since theres about 10 of us and only really 1 person has something to do at any one time - the rest of us are just wasting time, in my case, playing privateer Ironically, I've never been up the eifell tower, the queues are simply too annoying and being british (and speaking french) I've always considered it something I'll get round to in the future!

[Shades2585]

It's not just whether people are alive to say anything but also but what they say because of your performance. The structures, especially debriefings, are very interesting and complex.

Queues? Really? I don't remember much in the way of queues. I think one time we practically went right up and the other time we waited only ten minutes. Maybe we were just lucky. I hope you have time to get out and see things though.

[Madman]

after a hectic couple of weeks on getting back home I have finally had a chance to sort out the image for you:

http://www.crius.net/zone/showpost.p...86&postcount=2

Hope that helps.
Didn't get to go back into paris after all which was annoying but no major loss.

[Shades2585]

Very Cool! Thank you Madman! They are now saved.

As for an update: Things are progressing slowly. Of the 13 systems in WC1 I have 7 completed with 6 to go. (Hopefully less by the end of the day.

On the Plus side. I have now finished flow-charting the text for SM1, SM2, and I'm pretty much done with SO1. (All still need to be tested, pics added and so forth.) SO2 will of course fallow. After that... maybe WC4 (It's pretty easy.) and then there's Privateer.

I'm also in the process of reworking my SO Guide. (90% Complete.) I had to do it from scratch as I lost it all with the rest of my WC stuff. Thanks for the missile pics Capt. Johnny! They are now added! :-) I'm really looking forward to the new stuff Capt. Johnny is releasing to see if/how I can use it for the updated SO guide.

I'll probably update my SO ICIS manual as well with some new pics after I buy a font to match the original.

ummm... That's about everything.

[Madman]

I'm currently going through playing the segacd version of wc1, theres the odd snippet of different text here and there - im recording the conversations as i reach them, if you want i can transcribe them when i'm done?

[Shades2585]

I didn't know Sega CD was that different. Sounds interesting. I'd love to read it but you might want to wait to see what I have to see how they differ. Then there wont be so much to transcribe.

[Madman]

Since I've just struggled through McAuliffe 1 about 5 times and still failed to "win" the mission (damn mines keep getting me) I'm not sure how well I can actually do on it! - Seems to me that cheats would be helpful for this kind of thing!

[Madman]

Of course, to win mcauliffe one, you don't need to kill anything

anyway heres a comparison of the 2 videos i made of the enyo 2 mission in the pc and the segacd versions - theres interest here for all, especially loaf i think!

Ok, firstly the bar:
Shotglass' conversation is the same

Spirit:
The PC version ends at:
"i assure you i speak what is in my heart"

but the segacd version, identical to there, continues:
"We both survive to challenge our enemies another day
no mission from which you return is a total failure
remember that
our race needs live pilots far more than it needs dead heros"

Hunter:
the segacd version sounds more like:
"thats the way, innit mate?"
rather than the pc's
" 'At's the way, isn't it, mate? "
but i guess thats more a personal thing!

Heres an intersting curiosity, I played enyo 1 identically in both versions, getting 5 kills of 5 in each - but the killboard reads a curious story

The pc board reads SegaCD board reads
Casey 29 43 Casey 30 46
Chen 37 41 Chen 38 37
St John 27 35 Taggart 44 35
Taggart 42 34 St John 27 35
Khumalo 20 26 Khumalo 20 27
Devereaux 24 25 Deveraux 25 20
Tanaka 11 14 Tanaka 12 14
Marshall 6 9 Marshall 8 10
Hotshot 1 5 Hotshot 1 5

Casey and chen have flown one more mission in the segacd, but strangely while casey got 3 kills, chen lost 4!
taggart has flow 2 more missions in the segacd and gained a kill, meaning he swaps places on the board with:
st john who has the same numbers
Khumalo has an extra kill from nowhere, while angel has flown another mission and lost 5 kills
Spirit's flown another mission but killed nothing
finally, marshall has flown 2 more missions and gained 1 kill!

Figure that lot out!

So, the briefing!
Caption in PC is
"Mission Briefing,
Enyo System, 00:42 hours, 2654.110.
Forty minutes into the briefing..."

while the segacd Captionreads
"Mission Briefing,
Enyo System, 06:00 hours, 2654.111"

and then (when the caption goes) speaks
"forty minutes into the briefing"

So the date is different, and the time is different (this gets wierder)
(of note here is that wedges script reads 06:40 hours)

pc reads "... and on to Nav 2, where it will initiate jump sequence"
segacd reads "... and on to Nav 2 where it'll initiate jump sequence"

Fly the mission, sadly not identical this time (4 in the pc, 1 to spirit, 3 in the segacd, 1 to spirit - so i won't assess the differences in kill debrief (i think theyre the same though)

Debriefing!
pc reads "Mission debriefing. 01:01 hours,2654.110"
segacd reads "mission debriefing,14:50 hours,2654.111"
The rest of the debrief reads the same

So in the pc, the mission lasts a mere 19 minutes! while in the segacd it lasts 8 hours and 50 minutes (note this is from the mission briefing times, which we assume are already 40 minutes into the briefing!) - clearly neither of these can be realistic - a 19 minute mission is insane (especially when you include takeoff, the briefing conversation itself and landing!) but a nearly 9 hour mission, even knocking off an hour for when you aren't flying seems outrageous!

So, to the Office
PC Colonel Halcyon's Office.
16:50 hours,2654.110
segacd Colonel Halcyon's Office.
16:50 hours,2654.111

the segacd doesnt say the player name before "come in, i need to speak with you"

Now i didnt get promoted in the pc version, so this is compared to wedges script
segacd says "congratulations first lieutentant" and misses the name (despite hotshot being used as your 'name' in the game later)
after:
"thankyou sir i'll do my best"
"glad to hear it"
the segacd then runs
"now another thing i need to speak to you about"
before
"we'll be leaving enyo soon"
(this might be a result of wedges script forming - he too might not have had both promotion and medal together)

Phew just the medals to go!
PC - Hangar deck.
17:00 hours, 2654.110
segacd - Hangar deck.
17:00 hours, 2654.111

pc "in the enyo system, on or about 2654.110"
segacd "in the enyo system"
here is a case where the segacd game uses hotshot as a name (proud to present the bronze star to 1st lieutenant Hotshot.)

Final curiosity, wedges script uses his own times (i think - though he still has the mission lasting nearly 8 hours) and the date as .111 - see http://wedge009.net/wc/wc1/enyo.php

[Mekt-Hakkikt]

That's indeed interesting. Though I always had the impression that the killboard kills for the other characters are rather random.

[Shades2585]

The date and clock issue has been known for awhile. It’s not consistent which is why we’ve never used it for cannon. As for the kill board it has always been crazy too. I’ve had pilot’s dies on me that I wasn’t even flying with.

There are various things in the game like:
Victory points, medal points and rank points. All directly related to your kills and flying ability. Without you having both the Sega and PC’s kills the same it’s really hard to compare. Those levels may also be different in the Sega and PC.

As for Spirits scrip, I have that one already. I think that comes from not getting all the victory points. But good catch.

[Madman]

hmm, didnt realise the games control of the killboard was so random!

the conversation with spirit should be identical though, as i did complete enyo 1 identically (i think) (maybe i missed getting a nav correctly, though i definitely got the victory music played when i debriefed)

Secrets of the WCU states that the rank points are somewhat randomised - but helpfully fails to give even a rough guide - any idea where one might be?

[Shades2585]

Ya it's crazy.

I don't know what the rank points are.

But the WCU does give more understanding on the workings of the game then any other guide does.

[Wedge009]

Originally Posted by Madman

Final curiosity, wedges script uses his own times...

All arbitrary, as I recall. As I said in the brief introduction, I based the dates on LOAF's timeline and tried to balance out the times between those.

Originally Posted by Shades2585

I’ve had pilot’s dies on me that I wasn’t even flying with.

On the PC? As I recall, there was a nasty "Series Overflow" bug in the Secret Missions where pilots would be flagged as KIA for no apparent reason.

[Shades2585]

Yes it was the PC version. It could have been SM but I was thinking it was WC1. Spirit was the one that died as I recall.

[ChrisReid]

It shouldn't do it in WC1. We do have a patch/editor in the files section that lets you fix it and bring them back.