[360] Wing Commander Arena (where's LeHah when you need him)

WING COMMANDER ARENA

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.

Wing Commander Arena features 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.

-Gamespy

Credits

Developer - Gaia Industries

Publisher - Electronic Arts

Genre - Flight, Action

Platform - Xbox 360

Origin - US

Release Date - Summer 2007

ESRB - Rating Pending



Screen shots!

Courtesy of The Magic Box

Well guys, if Project Slypheed doesn’t pull through to North American shores anytime soon, at least I’ll be able to get a space themed shoot-em-up to keep me busy during the summer (when I *and I SWEAR*, get my self a Xbox 360 for keep sakes). As this seems more of a space frag than a full fledged story driven space opera, I think it will be a nice change of pace from the generally interesting stories by Origin and the creator, Chris Roberts. I’m not too well aware of Gaia Industries, although more likely than not, I’ve already tried out their games before. But Wing Commander is a series that’s been swept under the rugs for some time since Wing Commander Prophecy since 1997 – pretty much a decade ago.

Now I’ve much more motivation to get an Xbox Live Gold account from the get-go once I’ve got a new TV and a 360, again.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'd actually like to hear what LeHah thinks about this game, as of now. One of Wing Commander's strongest points throughout the franchise was the generally well put together and cohesive story.

I also do share mixed feelings, as this could just end up being an X-Wing vs TIE Fighter, - a pretty much multi player driven game with very little plot to hold it together, unlike the previous excellent X-Wing and TIE Fighter games.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

Weird choice of developer, they've only ever made totally exciting mobile phone games like the 2006 GOTY Sex and the City and sliding block puzzle games. =o

That makes me sad...

I thought Gaia was one of those more "Everquest-Ultima-Omega-Peanutbetter-Roll-Praying-Gems" that made like a bajillion RPGs and Mahjong games, only to find out they've pumped out 1 game for the 360 =/.

ALL HYPE HAS DIED (hype meter from 1 point to negative 10)

I really do feel like closing this now.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Believe it not, I did enjoy playing X Wing Vs Tie Fighter's plot modes for both the Rebellion and the Empire, along with the expansion set: The Balance of Power (sup Super Star Destroyer). Unreal Tournament obviously boasted at what it would do the most: a giant gore frag fest, and most would already get the sense of that.

Being a dumb 12 year old kid at the time, yeah I did expect it to be basically X Wing / TIE Fighter 2 - rather than a more multiplayered game. Shows how much reading I did before getting the game. O 28k internet u.

As for the WCA game, I am looking forward to it, unfortunately I guess I took Infernal's post the wrong way and closed it prematurely, thinking I tumbleweeded myself into Microsoft's Window.

:tumbleweed:

Most amazing jew boots

Cooking some copying and pasta to the thread; thanks Parn for the link.

It's more reassuring that they are consulting a more WC orientated group, rather than just a general group of gamers whose interests maybe anywhere but WC at heart. I'm not looking so much for a Wing Commander VI, or what have you after Prophecy, but at least a game that does indeed do justice to the WC universe, rather than stick the name to the game just to create hype.

And just incase the link doesn't work sometime in the future:

Originally Posted by Wing Commander CIC - Interview with Sean Penney

Q. Have you had previous experience with Wing Commander, either as a developer or as a gamer?
A. My previous experiences with Wing Commander were as a player and fan. Being part of the Star Wars generation (aren't we all, really?) I couldn't get enough sci-fi and the WC franchise was a long time companion. I played them and went through more than a few joysticks.
Q. How will Arena appeal to existing Wing Commander fans?
A. This was a question we asked ourselves a lot during development as we wanted to ensure we did the IP justice. We balanced that with a desire to introduce the WC universe to new players. We were careful in our selection of ships and queried the WC community on our choices. The ships we used are favorites from across the series, and they are true to the IP in more than just form - function and balance were important considerations. Our goal was to offer a fast-paced fun arcade space combat game to WC fans that would also have broad appeal. And being able to fly Kilrathi ships has me excited as a fan too. It's an Arcade title - so think of Wing Commander Arena as a slice of the Wing Commander experience.

Q. Will the game include any familiar Wing Commander elements -- ships, history or the like?
A. Oh yes of course - we've advanced the history in a minor way, and the ships are drawn from across the WC universe, and will be familiar to WC fans. We've updated some to fit in with the frontier-like atmosphere of Arena. For Example:

The A-17 Broadsword Executioner: The Broadsword was first constructed for planetary bombing raids during the Pilgrim War, and was soon adapted to carry torpedoes. Lightly armored but sporting heavy weapons and good missiles as well as a deployable turret and a tractor beam, this bomber is perfect for taking on small, quick fighters.

And

The Dralthi IX Rhino: By far the heaviest Dralthi ever constructed, the Rhino is the equal of the Vaktoth or the Hhriss. Heavily armored and armed, with moderate speed and maneuverability, the Rhino hits hard and keeps on hitting.

Q. When and where in the Wing Commander universe is the game set?
A. The Epsilon Sector, 2701. The Terran Confederation and the Kilrathi Assembly of Clans have beaten back the Nephilim hordes, but at a terrible cost. As the shattered governments focus on rebuilding the core worlds, the frontier has descended into lawlessness. Regional governors hold power through force of arms, as humans and Kilrathi alike fight amongst themselves using the weapons of the last war. Privateers, outlaws and worse take advantage of the situation, eager to make a quick credit in the galaxy's most volatile arena...

Q. Can we expect to see any promotional tie-ins with Arena... web presence, Gamer Pics, XBox themes, etc.?
A. All good ideas

-Sauce: http://www.wcnews.com/

Quote:

This game has nothing to do with Wing Commander at all.

Well, hopefully let's pray it doesn't turn out that way. You did mention "trailers" later on; would you care to provide links for those please?

:3

I was speaking idiomatically.

Quote:

I guess I won't be going in expecting the world from it.

Indeed. Yes I'm looking forward to it, but in all honesty, there's more games for Skills and I to get a good Mecha fixing on - namely Project Sylpheed and Armored Core 4. Having this game in the "inventory" for enjoyment would be a plus (should it really turn out good), but I'm not going to cry over spilled milk if it this game does indeed turn sour.

In honesty, I was doubting what type of reception this game would get, seeing as there is always a certain degree of skeptism, especially for sequels, or games that "follow" a particular gaming franchise in story or in pure game play. So let's just be on the look out in Summer 2007 and then see what the reviews will yield. :3

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?