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From: mholtz@sactoh0.sac.ca.us (Mark A. Holtz)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: Wing Commander
Summary: You are joking!!!!!
Keywords: sucks, not worth it
Message-ID: <1991Mar24.030507.15534@sactoh0.sac.ca.us>
Date: 24 Mar 91 03:05:07 GMT
References: <957@tau-ceti.isc-br.com>
Organization: Sacramento Public Access Unix
Lines: 72

In article <957@tau-ceti.isc-br.com>, bobk@tau-ceti.isc-br.com (Bob Kirkpatrick ) writes:
> I run a slower (8mhz) PC clone 286. On my system, I can expect to NOT be
> able to fire my guns when in close proximity to the enemy, giving them a
> great advantage. In essence, there is no winning the game. If you're a
> masochist, then this IS the game for you. But if you wish to hone skills,
> make achievements, and progress in levels, then use one of the other sim-
> ulators.

When you purchased the game, did you look at the front cover only,
or did you read the whole package? Well, in case you didn't read
the package, it says "12 Mhz or better". The documentation says
that you should really have a 386-16Mhz or better machine. The
configuration that I use for WC is:
 
* Everex 386/20MHz 
* 140 MB EDSI hard drive
* Video-7 V-RAM card
* NEC Multi-Sync 4D Monitor
* Summasketch Professional
* Sound Blaster (with C/MS included)

I've loaded the game onto the hard drive's 16-MB G: partition
utilizing the "Save Time" configuration. Obviously, this takes up
more time in the initial game copying to hard drive, but saves time
in actual game play.

Which reminds me: Are you playing this game on a hard drive or off
floppies?

(Obviously, this is a configuration for a mega-bucks system. It was
designed for use with AutoCAD at work, but I use it for
telecommunications and game playing after-hours).

After playing the game, I realized that a graphics tablet
configured as a mouse was not the ideal control device for WC.
Thus, I purchased a joystick. Lovely game.

Also, did you bother to read the documentation? Each time you fire
your lasers, it uses up blaster energy, which is slowly
replenished during play.

> I have experienced delays in ship or weapons controls of upwards of 2 1/2
> seconds. Anyone who has ever used a combat simulator can imagine what that
> means.

Yes, a need to purchase a better machine.

> The mouse control of the game is so sensitive (and no way to set it) that
> the game cannot be played with it. On the keyboard, the controls are such
> that improper keypresses in the heat of battle are common.

For an arcade game like Wing Commander, the best controls are not
the keyboard or the mouse, but a JOYSTICK!!!!!!

> Accompanied by
> the priority given to making the enemy real flashy and spiffy looking as it
> kills you, limits your ability to progress very far.

This is part of the appeal of the game. Instead of having
line-drawn ships like Elite, you get to blast solids, whole, ships.

> Origin's product eats it folks. Save your money --buy something else.e

I strongly suggest that, before you condemn an entire company's
product line based upon a single product, that you purchase one of
the Origin's "Ultima" series. This is not as demanding on your
system's as WC.
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