Wing Commander remasters and Ultima classics hit Steam and GOG

Wing Commander remasters and nearly the entire Ultima series have been released on Steam and GOG as part of a 25-game classic collection from Electronic Arts. These updated titles include 30th and 35th anniversary editions of several flagship franchises. The collection features enhanced full-motion video (FMV), 60 frames-per-second gameplay, and new technical tweaks. Existing owners of previous versions on GOG or the EA storefront can access these remasters for free, with individual titles priced at $5 or less. This massive digital bundle aims to preserve these legendary RPG and flight sim titles for modern hardware.

The scope of the EA classic game collection

Electronic Arts has released 25 classic titles that have undergone light remastering and updates to ensure compatibility with modern platforms. The release spans several of the company's most iconic 1990s franchises, most notably the Wing Commander space combat series and the Ultima role-playing saga. These games are now available for purchase on both Steam and GOG, targeting players interested in retro gaming and historical preservation.

Included titles in the remaster collection

The collection is divided between high-profile anniversary editions and comprehensive series re-releases. The following table outlines the primary titles included in this digital rollout:

The archival discovery behind the Wing Commander remasters

The restoration of the Wing Commander series was driven by the discovery of a massive, unorganized physical media archive at EA’s Redwood Shores campus. Jim Vessella, a senior producer at EA, noted in a recent blog post that he began cataloging this archive after his work on the 2019 Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection. The archive contained poorly labeled or sorted media that held the keys to several high-quality restorations.

Among the most significant finds were the original masters for the full-motion video (FMV) cutscenes of Wing Commander III and Wing Commander IV. To process these assets, a small team of contractors was assembled to work 17-hour shifts. This intensive labor was required to label and digitize the footage, ensuring that the cinematic elements of the games could be presented in higher quality than previously possible through community patches or older digital versions.

Technical enhancements and community collaboration

While the FMV quality serves as the flagship improvement, the remasters incorporate several other technical updates to modernize the gameplay experience. These include:

• Frame Rate: Gameplay has been updated to run at 60 frames-per-second.
• Configuration: A wide array of new .INI file tweaks are available for user customization.
• Input Support: Partial controller support has been implemented, though some users on Steam forums have reported difficulties with this feature.

The project also relied heavily on community expertise. Vessella highlighted the collaboration with community members, specifically mentioning Matt Wells, who has a history of developing enhancement patches for the Wing Commander series. This partnership helped bridge the gap between raw archival footage and a playable, polished product.

The search for Privateer 2 and Road Rash assets

The restoration process faced significant hurdles when the team was unable to locate high-quality masters for certain titles, such as Privateer 2: The Darkening. In these instances, the production team had to look beyond the internal EA archives to find original source material. For Privateer 2, this meant contacting the game's original cinematics director, Steve Hilliker.

Hilliker provided the original tapes from his personal collection, which had been stored in his attic. This allowed for a new color-grading pass and a full remastering and upscaling of all cutscenes. Similar efforts were applied to Wing Commander Prophecy to ensure consistency across the series. For the Road Rash 30th Anniversary Edition, EA successfully re-licensed the entire original soundtrack to facilitate the re-release.

GOG's role in the restoration project

GOG played a specific role in the preservation and remastering efforts for certain titles within the collection. The platform was involved in the restoration of Wing Commander Prophecy and Road Rash. This collaborative effort ensures that these specific titles are not only available but are presented in a state that respects their original intent while meeting modern technical standards.

Pricing and availability for existing players

The collection is currently available for purchase on both Steam and GOG, with a pricing strategy designed to be accessible to a wide audience. No single game in the collection is priced higher than $5. This low entry point is intended to encourage both new players and longtime fans to explore the catalog.

Electronic Arts has also implemented a policy to reward long-term customers. Players who previously owned the older versions of these games on either GOG or the EA storefront are eligible to receive these new remasters for free. This move acknowledges the existing user base while providing a pathway for the community to access the improved FMV and technical updates without additional cost.

Summary of the release details

The release represents a significant moment for game preservation, even if it comes from a publisher that has faced criticism in other areas. The project demonstrates how dedicated individuals can leverage archival resources to restore digital history. Key details of the rollout include:

• Platforms: Steam and GOG.
• Price Point: Maximum of $5 per title.
• Legacy Access: Free upgrades for previous owners on GOG and EA storefront.
• Primary Improvements: High-quality FMV, 60 FPS gameplay, and updated technical configurations.