Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

It's E3 week, so that means the news has been full of gaming announcements. There's lots of new AAA games and cutting edge hardware that grab the most headlines, but a minor note in the Microsoft lineup caught our attention. The

latest batch

of Xbox/Xbox 360

backwards compatibility

updates for Xbox One will be the last. This means that Wing Commander

Arena

won't be making the jump to the current generation of consoles. It was always a long shot, but with more than 600 games ported over in the past several years, there were some really awesome

obscure

titles included that gave us some hope. There would have been some nice advantages such as enhanced team/party chat, built-in screenshot/video capture and just an overall commitment to sustained longevity on the platform. As it is, it's already quite impressive that the game is still fully supported on Xbox Live after nearly

twelve years

. In fact, it

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Cpl Hades reports that the Xenia emulator continues to make improvements in how it handles Wing Commander Arena. When we last reported on this progress, we noted that players could start the game and go through menus, but actual gameplay would cause a crash. Hades is now able to get the single player modes going, although multiplayer support is still not present. We 1000% recommend everyone buy the game for $9.99, but as a two-generations-old console game that depends on special Microsoft servers to operate, it very much seems like a time will come when the game will not be regularly playable. It's great to see that when that unfortunate day arrives, alternatives should exist to keep the game running!

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

There's some unfortunate news concerning the Xbox 360 and Wing Commander Arena. Microsoft has announced that the console's digital storefront will be closing in July 2024. This means some 220 games, including Arena, will no longer be available for sale in any form. Wing Commander's debut on the Xbox was part of a new digital-standalone push dubbed Xbox Live Arcade. The results were quite impressive given a variety of constraints such as a 50 megabyte download cap and $10 asking price. Arena was the platform's first 16-player game and made heavy use of features like matchmaking and online leaderboards. Although Arena never received a proper physical release, the "demo" of the game was included on the cover disc of the November 2007 issue of the Official Xbox Magazine. These demos could be "unlocked" into the full game, but that function will presumably be removed as well.

Since the game was

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

Ensign Sylvia Tilly is the heart and soul of Star Trek: Discovery. Even in the darkest days of the Federation, or in the most twisted versions of the Star Trek Universe, she’s a bright spot of light that’s always ready to warm the room with a smile. We here at Star Trek Online feel like that’s the very essence of Star Trek – being a light in the darkness. That’s why we’re #Silly4Tilly, and that’s why we want to reward the Tilly in your life. For the next week, until October 9th with the launch of Age of Discovery, we want you to nominate a Tilly in your life. What makes them your shining light that brings out hope in the world? This could be a family member, a friend, a fleetmate, or anyone else who makes your life brighter by being a bouncing ball of joy. Post a short video nominating your friend and describing why they should win to social media with the hashtags #Silly4Tilly and #AgeofDiscovery,

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots Federation ALERT*
An initiative by the Kumo Crew syndicate to construct new starports for increasing trade has ended successfully.
Pilots delivered large quantities of ceramic composites, semiconductors, polymers and water purifiers to Gabriel Enterprise in the Harma system. Bounty vouchers were also offered to protect the shipments during transit.
The Kumo Council has announced that rewards for both traders and bounty hunters are now available from Gabriel Enterprise via its loyal intermediaries, The Razor Whips.
Kavanagh Spaceframes Ltd will now fulfil its contract and construct new Orbis starports. These will be in place on the 29th of April 3307 at the following locations:
Pegasi sector PN-T C3-14, near the Harma system
HIP 18390, near the California Nebula
HIP 10792, near the Sothis system
HIP 62154, in the Coalsack Nebula
Eol Prou PC-K c9-91, in the Colonia region
A statement

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots' Federation ALERT*
The Kumo Crew syndicate has engaged in open warfare on the pirate insurrectionists gathered in the HIP 10792 system.
A recent coup attempt led by Arch-Corsair Vidar Trask, formerly one of the senior members of the Kumo Council, has failed. His forces were unable to eliminate Delaine and take control of the criminal organisation.
The rebels' vessels have concentrated in HIP 10792. Trask is commanding a coalition of loyalists, independent pirate gangs and as-yet unidentified mercenaries, collectively calling themselves the Trask Death Corsairs.
Despite suffering from some visible wounds as a result of the assassination attempt, Archon Delaine broadcast this message:
"Trask has betrayed all of us, and for that I want him crushed! I will pay well to wipe out every single traitor who fights in his name."
The Kumo Council faction will reward all independent pilots

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots Federation ALERT*
The Kumo Council has declared war on the Haithis Purple Dynamic Group for the latter's role in supporting Neomedical Industries.
The pharmaceutical corporation's recent campaign in the Haithis system enabled the mass production of onionhead gamma strain, scheduled to be available as a medicinal product from Alliance and independent markets. The drug is currently distributed in a handful of anarchy systems by the Kumo Crew syndicate.
As hostilities erupted in the Haithis system, Archon Delaine broadcast a message for Neomedical Industries:
"Did you truly believe you could steal from us and survive unscathed? Now your allies will pay for your greed with their blood."
In response, CEO Olwyn Kendrick broadcast a call for help:
"This terrifying attack by the galaxy's most vicious pirates may pressure investors to withdraw, causing the entire project to collapse. If so, the

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Pirate warlord Archon Delaine has unexpectedly appeared at the diplomatic conference and demanded to participate as a political delegate.
Delaine is the leader of the Kumo Crew, a notorious crime syndicate that controls dozens of systems. Their arrival at Patterson Enterprise station initially caused many delegations' security teams to begin evacuations.
However, representatives of the Sirius Corporation called for calm and delivered this message:
"We have vouchsafed Archon Delaine's presence and extended full diplomatic immunity to his retinue. As with all attendees, they are expected to abide by our rules and etiquettes."
This reassurance did not prevent several ambassadors from walking out in protest. Some accused Sirius Corporation of striking a deal with Delaine to prevent even more pirate vessels from swarming through the Sirius system.
Mainstream newsfeeds also covered the impact of

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

A power struggle is raging within the Kumo Crew following a coordinated effort to overthrow the syndicate's leader, Archon Delaine.
The Pegasi Sentinel newsfeed delivered this exclusive report:
"What at first seemed to be merely another attempt to assassinate Delaine turned out to be a far greater threat. Simultaneous attacks across the organisation revealed that this was actually the first strike in a full-blown coup."
"The rebellion is being led by Arch-Corsair Vidar Trask, a senior member of the Kumo Council. He has declared that the syndicate is stagnating under Delaine's 'tired brand of barbarism', and that new leadership will bring greater glories and riches."
"Fierce combat has ignited in the Kumo Crew's key areas as both sides battle for resources. Trask's loyalists are being aided by a motley collection of pirate gangs as well as thousands of unidentified fighters, suggesting that he

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Archon Delaine has rejected Prime Minister Mahon's warning over an alleged attempt to gain control of systems in the California Nebula.
"Wake up, Old Man Mahon!" Delaine said in a public broadcast. "The Kumo Crew migrated into the nebula with help from some mutual friends of ours… people you now consider allies. You like to portray us as criminals lusting for power and influence, but the real crooks are much closer to home. Rather than watching us, you should try looking over your shoulder."
Independent journalist Flint 'Firemaker' Lafosse published his observations via the Rewired network:
"Watching two of Sirius Corporation's business partners openly fight like this must be making Li Yong Rui cringe as much as his poker face allows. What's that? You never heard of the most powerful megacorp in history dealing with pirates? Surely not!"
"Delaine is clearly referring to 3307, when he somehow

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots Federation ALERT*
The Kumo Crew syndicate has launched an initiative to construct up to five starports to stimulate galactic trade.
Kavanagh Spaceframes Ltd, an independent construction company, has been privately contracted by the Kumo Council to build fully operational Orbis stations. These will be located in uninhabited systems close to key trading regions and areas of commercial interest.
The Pegasi Sentinel newsfeed featured this statement from Archon Delaine:
"As sovereign ruler of the Kumo nation, it's my responsibility to increase prosperity for the systems under my protection. My new starports will extend our reach and boost trading of all kinds… legitimate and otherwise."
"I have also placed bounties on the heads of anyone who dares to interfere with my plans. The one thing we never trade in is mercy."
The Razor Whips, one of Delaine's loyal factions, is organising the

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Vice President Jerome Archer has discussed the recent Federal presidential election and other topics during an interview with The Federal Times.
On the victory of President-elect Felicia Winters:
"Winters fought a clean campaign based on issues, as I did, so one cannot fault her for that. But I think the harsh realities of governance will quickly overwhelm her liberal idealism. Hudson, whatever his critics may think of him, was never afraid to take decisive action. We'll see if Winters can do the same."
On Archer's electoral policies:
"I maintain that a security-first approach is the correct one, given the many threats facing the Federation. The Thargoids are not the only enemy of our people. Dismantling the Proactive Detection Bureau, as Winters has threatened to do, will be an act of self-sabotage for our entire society."
On his relationship with outgoing President Zachary Hudson:
"It's been

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

The Republican Party has nominated Vice President Jerome Archer as its candidate in the upcoming Federal election.
Jerome Archer was formerly the secretary of security in President Zachary Hudson's cabinet. He was promoted to vice president when his predecessor died during the Nine Martyrs attacks in 3307. He immediately proposed the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act, which authorised the Proactive Detection Bureau to monitor all civilian communications in the Federation to detect future terrorist activity.
Vice President Archer began his election campaign at a political rally on Nanomam 2, where he announced:
"Throughout my career, my priority has always been the same: keeping people safe. From my days as a cop on the streets of Nueva Vista to director of the Federal Intelligence Agency, I have worked hard to increase security for all citizens. I pledge to work even harder and achieve far more

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

AD has stumbled upon a fantastic interview by Arcade Attack. They have a fun and extensive conversation with the talented Origin programer Ken Demarest. He played a big part in programming Wing Commander, The Secret Missions, Super Wing Commander, Ultima VII, Bioforge and more. Ken is credited with the anecdote about coding the "Thank you for playing Wing Commander" message as way to cover up a memory error. He's got plenty of other stories about the good old days at Origin as well, so check out the full interview here.

Ken: My first pro game was Wing Commander 1. The very first thing I did was make a one-pixel water droplet fall from the ceiling in the barracks into a bucket. Then a heartbeat monitor on the bunks. By the end I wrote the AI engine, asteroid fields, navigation and waypoints, and a bunch of other stuff.

Arcade Attack: You mentioned it there, we’re are huge Wing Commander fans here

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Arcade Attack has conducted an extensive interview with Wing Commander composer and video game music legend George Sanger (The Fat Man). They initially reached out for a text Q&A, but George replied in a full hourlong video. As we've seen time and again, he loves to talk about his nearly-forty years in game audio and he's a very engaging speaker. At one point he talks about his sci-fi inspirations and working with Chris Roberts (at the 13:00 point) - with plenty of credit to Dave Govett. You may have heard aspects of the story before, but it's still fun to hear about what went into development during the Wild West days of game development!

I asked the VGM legend George Sanger for a text interview for Arcade Attack. George went above and beyond and recorded his answers in video form. George is a really funny guy and gave some great answers! Enjoy.

George Sanger is an American musician who has

Quote from Star Trek Online News

This Thursday, March 29th from 7am - 10am PT we will be performing maintenance on Arc servers that will affect some of our games and services. During this time, our engineers will be performing upgrades that will impact each service separately. Read the details below to find out how your favorite games will be affected: These games will be unavailable during maintenance: Forsaken World - Shylia Forsaken World - Dyos Forsaken World - lllyfue Forsaken World - Nyos Forsaken World - Tytan Jade Dynasty - Shura Jade Dynasty - Archia Perfect World International - Dawn Glory Swordsman - Xia Swordsman - Han Neverwinter - Russia These services may experience intermittent issues, but we do not expect any major downtime: All other Arc games Game logins Game websites Purchasing systems Arc > console account linking When will maintenance begin in my timezone? Our goal is to provide

Quote from Star Trek Online News

The launch of Arc Quests in 2016 was met with great acclaim as players were given more opportunities to discover games and be rewarded for playing them. Completing quests through this feature allows players to increase their Arc Quests levels and Arc Points, which can be redeemed for in-game currency or Zen. Over the last two years Arc Quests has been active, we've gathered a ton of great feedback and suggestions from the community on some ways that it can be improved. In order to make continued upgrades to the Arc Quests system, we have temporarily disabled it on PC. Our team is working on rolling out a new, enhanced version that will function better for all of our Arc titles. As we get closer to its return on PC, we will share some of the exciting new features that will be available in the next iteration. Arc Points and Arc Levels will remain on your account, and you may still redeem any Points on

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Aranbarahun Purple Creative, an independent organisation based in the Aranbarahun system, has announced plans to build a massive cargo ship to transport goods out of the booming system.

In support of this goal, Aranbarahun Purple Creative has placed an open order for various commodities, and has promised to reward pilots who deliver these commodities to Barnes Terminal in the Aranbarahun system. The organisation has also placed a kill order on all ships on its wanted list, to ensure that those contributing commodities to the campaign can do so safely.

The campaign begins on the 2nd of August 3304 and will run for one week. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

A spokesperson for Aranbarahun Purple Creative has announced that its campaign to build a cargo ship has been enthusiastically received by the galactic community. Scores of pilots supported the campaign by delivering commodities to Barnes Terminal and by eliminating agitators in Aranbarahun, thereby ensuring the safety of traders.

Pilots who contributed to the initiative can now collect their rewards from Barnes Terminal in the Aranbarahun system.

Quote from Star Citizen News-Bot

April 2949 Subscriber Flair

Subscribers

http://

Centurions will receive the RSI Venture Rust Society Leg Armor. RSI’s Venture is a lightweight armor set built for the unknown. This EVA-rated protection system features an undersuit built from a durable polymer weave that’s designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions and features component armor pieces to protect you against impacts and particulates. The Rust Society edition adds a red and tan color scheme so you look good while working hard.

Imperator Subscribers
http://

Imperator-level subscribers get the RSI MacFlex Rust Society Leg Armor. Whether you’re planetside or in vacuum, RSI’s MacFlex industrial armor set has your back. Reinforced plating keeps you safe from environmental hazards while the array of pouches keep your tools accessible. The Rust Society edition celebrates blue-collar workers with an exclusive red and tan