Wing Commander and Ultima Classics Now Available on Steam and GOG

The recent revival of past gaming classics has brought a notable enhancement in quality, particularly with the release of high-definition full-motion video sequences that have never before been available. These remasters include other impressive features such as 60 frames-per-second gameplay, an array of newly accessible .INI tweaks, and comprehensive controller support. However, some users have reported issues related to controller compatibility as discussed in the Steam forums.

This is the vault of physical media that led to the restorations.

The blog post includes this comparison between the old and new FMV footage.

In the case of Privateer 2, a sequel to the lesser-known Wing Commander: Privateer, the restoration team faced challenges in locating the original high-quality FMV scenes. They eventually connected with the original cinematics director, Steve Hilliker, who had preserved the tapes in his attic. Hilliker, eager to apply a new color grading technique, succeeded in remastering and upscaling the game’s cutscenes.

Updates have also been implemented for Wing Commander Prophecy. According to the blog post, GOG played a significant role in the restoration process for both Prophecy and Road Rash, with EA licensing the entire original soundtrack for the latter’s re-release.

The newly enhanced collection is currently available on both GOG and Steam. Existing purchasers of the earlier game versions on these platforms can access these remastered editions free of charge, and none of the games are priced above $5 each.

While a positive development like this doesn’t negate previous controversies surrounding EA, it illustrates how dedicated individuals can achieve remarkable feats in video game preservation. Some of this work took place on a volunteer basis and outside of normal work hours, though EA did allocate resources for the restoration as the project progressed.

Although the remasters are not flawless, they present a refreshing narrative in the gaming industry, and the entire restoration story offers insights into the complexities involved in such a process. Readers are encouraged to explore the full journey in the blog post.