Wing Commander I & II: Tinkering with Wing Commander

An earlier article covered running the original Wing Commander with the Wing Commander AllTinker (WCAT) mod, the optimum way to run this classic under DOSBox. The mod provided full stick, throttle and rudder support and the speed issues which had plagued the game for years were resolved.

Now we have the first v1.0 release of not one but two WCAT mods, one for the original Wing Commander and it's sequel Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi. This seems like an ideal time to take a look at running both games as optimally as possible.

Strategy

A brief analysis of the WCAT mods shows that both mods use the same DOSBox Staging config, so for this guide both Wing Commander and Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi (with optionally all expansions) will be installed onto the same DOSBox instance to create a compilation of deluxe editions.

The WCAT Overhaul Mod is distributed in 3 releases (taken from the WCAT Overhaul Mod page):

• An automated installer for Windows (bundled with DOSBox Staging) which can locate an existing Wing Commander install (e.g. GOG, EA) and copy over the data files automatically.

• A zip file version, again bundled with DOSBox Staging.

• A minimal zip intended for real DOS, or custom DOSBox setups. It includes example DOSBox configs which will be useful to refer to in the latter case.

This guide will be using the minimal install and providing a complementary DOSBox Staging config. This allows a single installed instance of DOSBox Staging to be used for this and many other DOS games.

For the rest of the guide the following abbreviations wil be used:

• WC1: Wing Commander.

• SM1: Wing Commander: The Secret Missions.

• SM2: Wing Commander: The Secret Missions 2: Crusade.

• SM1.5: Secret Missions 1.5

• WC2: Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi

• SAP: Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi: Speech Accessory Pack.

• SO1: Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi: Special Operations 1.

• SO2: Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi: Special Operations 2: Crusade.

Version & patch history

The version and patch history of WC1 and WC2 has been covered extensively in Wing Commander I & II: A primer. Once the available version is identified, the Patching strategies provide an overview of the steps required to install with the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

Preparation

This section covers tasks prior to configuring DOSBox or installing the game.

Retail media

Due to the age or the media and the drives required to read the media, it is recommended to rip floppy disks and CD-ROM media to image files, to save wear and tear on media and the mechanical drives.

The floppy disks should be ripped to a DOSBox compatible image format (.ima or .img). The CD-ROM can be ripped to a data only iso image format as there is no CD audio on the disc. The bin/cue image format is also supported by DOSBox Staging.

Game management

It is recommended to use a game management strategy or similar strategy you may have adopted. The recommended game management folders are:

• cd - for any CD-ROM images.

• fdd - for any floppy disk images.

• hdd - the folder used as the emulated DOSBox hard disk.

• conf - to store DOSBox and HOTAS configuration files.

• docs - for documents.

• patch - to store any patches.

These management folders are placed in the following game folder (as an example), and used in the rest of the guide:

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2

As both WC1 and WC2 are being installed to the same DOSBox hdd folder the following sub-folders (in the hdd folder) are recommended:

• wc1 - for the Wing Commander game with WCAT Overhaul Mod.

• wc2 - for the Wing Commander II game with WCAT Overhaul Mod.

DOSBox

This guide assumes the latest version of DOSBox Staging v0.83.0 has been installed, is fully working and has been run at least once to create a default configuration file. It is also assumed only a single copy of DOSBox Staging is installed, with each game using DOSBox having its own configuration file (with settings differing from the default configuration file).

The WCAT Overhaul Mod releases each supply a DOSBox Staging config compatible with DOSBox Staging v0.83.0. However the below config is not a competing config but a complementary one, which is only compatible DOSBox Staging  v0.83.0-RC1 (release candidate) or v0.83.0 (release).

The differences can be summarized as follows:

• The WCAT config is compatible with DOSBox Staging v0.83.0 and a wider range of earlier versions. It uses earlier conventions, true/false (still supported by v0.83.0) and explicitly specifies values which are defaults in v0.83.0 but are required for earlier versions. It is a highly compatible configuration.

• The config below is optimised for DOSBox Staging v0.83.0. It use the current convention (on/off rather than true/false). It does not specify values which are defaults in v0.83.0. This makes it a minimal configuration (based on the WCAT configuration).

EIther can be used for v0.83.0-RC1 or v0.83.0 but the WCAT config should be used for earlier versions.

Config

Most of the settings below came from the WCAT config. Default settings in DOSBox Staging v0.83.0 have been omitted.

# This is the DOSBox Staging 0.83.0 configuration for Wing Commander 1+2 using the WCAT Overhaul mod.

[sdl]
fullscreen = on

[dosbox]
memsize = 8
vmemsize = 1

[render]
integer_scaling = off

[cpu]
cpu_cycles = 22000

[voodoo]
voodoo = off

[mouse]
mouse_capture = onstart

[mt32]
model = mt32_old
romdir = "D:\Midi\Versioned"

[midi]
mididevice = mt32

[sblaster]
sbtype = sbpro2

[joystick]
timed = off
deadzone = 0

[dos]
ems = on
ver = 6.22

[autoexec]
@echo off
mount C "D:\Games\Dos\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd"
mixer master 100 /noshow
loadfix -32
c:

This config can be found in the GitHub repository: DarkenedRoom/dosbox-staging-configs/Wing Commander 1+2/wc-staging.conf

Voodoo emulation is not required and disabled.

The [joystick] timed setting will be dependant on the hardware in use. The deadzone setting is a personal preference. The swap34 setting is omitted, as it is set by the WCAT Overhaul Mod launcher app.

The [autoexec] section has an example mount commands for an emulated hard disk. This should be changed to an appropriate setting. Additional mount commands for floppy disks or CD-ROMs are covered later.

The mixer command silently restores mixer volume to 100%. Loadfix allocates a memory block of 32KB, in lower memory, making it unavailable for use. Some earlier games like WC1 and WC2 require this.

Tools

WCAT launcher menu

A WCAT launcher menu (wcatmenu.bat) has been created to call the appropriate WCAT batch files. It will run the WCAT launchers and WC1, SM2, WC2, SO1 or SO2 using the WCAT provided batch files. This is an entirely optional tool.

It can be found in the GitHub repository: DarkenedRoom/dosbox-staging-configs/Wing Commander 1+2/wcatmenu.bat.

It can be added to the DOSBox config with:

[autoexec]
...
c:
call wcatmenu.bat

Sound

The [sblaster] sbtype is a recommended setting for the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

The MT32 model is set to mt32_old as recommended by List of MT-32-compatible computer games on the VOGONS wiki for WC1 and WC2. The romdir setting is an example and should be changed as required (see DOSBox midi).

See Configuration for further WCAT Overhaul Mod launcher sound options.

Controls

The following section covers joystick/HOTAS setup.

HOTAS config

Joystick, throttle and rudder pedals are supported with WCAT. Configuring axes may not be required if your HOTAS has 4 axes or less. When using a combination of devices totaling more than 4 axes, a virtual controller can be configured (with vendor software or Joystick Gremlin), limited to 4 axes.

For those using controllers from multiple vendors, the vJoy/Joystick Gremlin combination may be required instead of vendor specific HOTAS profile software. You may also have to use HidHide as a device firewall, to hide your real controllers, so only the vJoy virtual controllers are detected by DOSBox Staging. [6][7][8].

The physical axes to Windows axes were configured as follows:

Physical axis	Windows axis
Joystick x-axis	DX_X_AXIS
Joystick y-axis	DX_Y_AXIS
Throttle	DX_Z_AXIS
Rudder	DX_XROT_AXIS

See Configuration for further WCAT Overhaul Mod launcher control options.

Installation

The Patching strategies indicates only the game data is applied to the WCAT Overhaul Mod. The mod provides executables to run the game and expansions, so the aim of installation is to create a suitable game data folder with the base game data and expansion data added to it, not to create a working installation (although that is the result). The game data folder is named gamedat for both WC1 and WC2.

The following sections cover creating a suitable gamedat folder for various releases of both WC1 and WC2 before covering the WCAT Overhaul mod.

Wing Commander

If a release requires installation to a hard disk, it is recommended to use the default folder in DOSBox:

C:\wing

In Win10/11 this becomes (as an example):

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wing

It is recommended not to use wc1 as a folder as this will be used by the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

Floppy disk releases

Floppy disk releases should be installed to the DOSBox hard disk folder by installing the games within DOBox. Once all components are installed, a suitable gamedat folder is available to use with the WCAT Overhaul Mod. The products should be installed in order: WC1, SM1 and SM2.

The following is an example mount command to mount the installation disk images (images are assumed to be in an img format, although ima is also supported):

mount A "D:\Games\Dos\Wing Commander 1+2\fdd\*.img" -t floppy

All disks can be mounted using the * wildcard, disks can be swapped with <CTRL> F4.

The following installers are used for the game and expansions:

A:\> install.exe		# WC1 and SM1
A:\> install2.exe		# SM2

The installation steps are shown below, they are the same for WC1, SM1 and SM2.

• 

  Selecting an installation disk (C:) and default folder (WING).

• 

  Select Save Time to unpack files.

• 

  Selecting a graphics options.

• 

  Selecting a music/sound option, MT32 is recommended.

• 

  Confirming installation choices.

• 

  Copying files from each disk.

• 

  File copying complete.

• 

  Unpacking graphics files to save time.

• 

  Unpacking complete.

• 

  Installation successful.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Special CD-ROM Edition release

This deluxe edition release should be installed to the DOSBox hard disk folder by installing the games within DOBox. Once all components are installed, a suitable gamedat folder is available to use with the WCAT Overhaul Mod. The products should be installed in order: WC1, SM1 and SM2.

The following is an example mount command to mount the installation CD-ROM image (images are assumed to be in an iso format, although bin/cue is also supported):

mount D "D:\Games\Dos\Wing Commander 1+2\cd\WC Special Edition.iso" -t cdrom

The following installers are used for the game and expansions:

D:\> make_wc.bat		# WC1
D:\> make_sm1.bat		# SM1
D:\> make_sm2.bat		# SM2

The installation steps are identical to floppy releases (see gallery above).

CD-ROM Deluxe Edition releases

No installation is necessary for CD-ROM Deluxe Edition releases as a suitable gamedat folder, with base game and expansion data, already exists on the CD-ROM and can be used with the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

gog.com digital release

The gog.com digital release should be installed using the Galaxy client or offline installer package. Once installation is complete a suitable gamedat folder, with base game and expansion data, is available to use with the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi

If a release requires installation to a hard disk, it is recommended to use the following folder in DOSBox:

C:\wing2

In Win10/11 this becomes (as an example):

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wing2

It is recommended not to use wc2 as a folder as this will be used by the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

Floppy disk releases

Floppy disk releases should be installed to the DOSBox hard disk folder by installing the games within DOBox. Once all components are installed, a suitable gamedat folder is available to use with the WCAT Overhaul Mod. The products should be installed in order: WC2, SAP, SO1 and SO2.

The following is an example mount command to mount the installation disk images (images are assumed to be in an img format, although ima is also supported):

mount A "D:\Games\Dos\Wing Commander 1+2\fdd\*.img" -t floppy

All disks can be mounted using the * wildcard, disks can be swapped with <CTRL> F4.

The following installers are used for the game and expansions:

A:\> install.exe		# WC2
A:\> speech.exe		# SAP
A:\> install1.exe		# SO1
A:\> install2.exe		# SO2

The installation steps are shown below, they are the same for WC2 and SO1. The SAP will only ask for the installation disk and folder before beginning installation. SO2 has an additional step, asking for a DMA setting before confirming the configuration.

• 

  Selecting a destination disk and folder.

• 

  Select Save Time to unpack files.

• 

  Select the VGA graphics option.

• 

  Select the music option, MT32 is recommended.

• 

  Select Yes to enable digitized speech.

• 

  SO2 only: Select the default DMA channel (1).

• 

  Confirming the settings.

• 

  File copying begins.

• 

  Unpacking the graphics files to save time.

• 

  Installation complete.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

EA Top Ten Pak release

This release should be installed to the DOSBox hard disk folder by installing the games within DOBox. Once all components are installed, a suitable gamedat folder is available to use with the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

The following is an example mount command to mount the installation CD-ROM image (images are assumed to be in an iso format, although bin/cue is also supported):

mount D "D:\Games\Dos\Wing Commander 1+2\cd\10pack.iso" -t cdrom

The following installers are used:

D:\> install.exe

The installation steps are shown below.

• 

  Select Install Games to begin.

• 

  Select Wing Commander II

• 

  Select the speech pack and both expansions.

• 

  Select Yes to continue.

• 

  File copying begins.

• 

  Back to the main menu once complete. The installer can be quit.

• 

  Quit to return to DOSBox.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

CD-ROM Deluxe Edition releases

No installation is necessary for CD-ROM Deluxe Edition releases as a suitable gamedat folder, with base game and expansion data, already exists on the CD-ROM and can be used with the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

gog.com digital release

The gog.com digital release should be installed using the Galaxy client or offline installer package. Once installation is complete a suitable gamedat folder, with base game and expansion data, is available to use with the WCAT Overhaul Mod.

Patching

Once a suitable game data (gamedat) folder is available, the next step is to install the WCAT Overhaul Mod. There are versions of the mod for WC1 and WC2, they can both be obtained from:

• itch.io, Wing Commander AllTinker (WCAT) Overhaul Mod.

These steps are for both WC1 and WC2, if only one of the games is installed, omit the steps for the other game:

• Obtain the WCAT Overhaul Mod (for Wing Commander) and the WCAT Overhaul Mod (for WIng Commander II).

• In WIn10/11 create a wc1 and wc2 folder in the hdd folder, e.g.

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wc1
D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wc2

• In WIn10/11 extract the contents of the WCAT Overhaul Mod (for Wing Commander) zip file into the \hdd\wc1 folder.

• In WIn10/11 extract the contents of the WCAT Overhaul Mod (for Wing Commander II) zip file into the \hdd\wc2 folder.

Applying the game data

This step can be done in Win10/11 outside of DOSBox. All that remains is to copy the contents of the installed Wing Commander and Wing Commander II gamedat folders into the gamedat folder created by the WCAT Overhaul Mods. These can be found:

For WIng Commander:

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wc1\gamedat

For WIng Commander II:

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wc2\gamedat

For releases installed to the DOSBox hard disk (hdd) folder, the gamedat folder will be inside the chosen installation folder, e.g.

D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wing\gamedat
D:\Games\DOS\Wing Commander 1+2\hdd\wing2\gamedat

For Deluxe Edition CD releases the gamedat folder will be found on the CD-ROM (or CD-ROM image). Images in an iso format can be opened in Win10. Images in bin/cue format can be opened with third party utilities, e.g. Daemon Tools Lite or WinCDEmu.

As an alternative DOSBox can be used to get this folder by mounting the CD-ROM/image in DOSBox and using DOS commands to copy the gamedat folder onto the DOSBox C: drive.

For digital releases, it will depend on the Galaxy client installation folder or the installation folder chosen when running the gog.com offline installer, e.g.

D:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Wing Commander\gamedat

Configuration

This following section covers configuration of the WCAT Overhaul mod.

Initial run

When the WCAT mod is run for the first time, it will verify the files in the gamedat folder to ensure WC1 (and expansions) or WC2 (and expansions) data files are present and then update any files as required (see gallery).

Graphics and sound

Graphics options are limited to the space environment colour and left to personal preference. It is recommended the sound options remain defaulted to the MT32 option, unless you wish to experience the Sound Blaster audio (see gallery).

Controls

Control options will be determined by the available controllers and personal preferences.

• Deadzone is left to personal preference.

• When using HOTAS controllers the 4 button 4 axis mode should be selected.

• Inverted spaceflight pitch and inverted axis is left to personal preference, it may also depend on the controller in use.

• Axes 3/4, rudder roll or yaw is left to personal preference. When using a dedicated throttle the linear throttle (0-100%) should be selected. When using a second joystick as throttle, the relative throttle (forward, increase/middle, static/backward, decrease) should be chosen.

• Swap Axis 3/4 will depend on the controllers in use.

• 

  Verifying and updating files.

• 

  Graphics and sound options.

• 

  Control options.

Clean up

This step is entirely optional. Once Wing Commander I and II are confirmed to be working with the WCAT Overhaul Mod, any copies of the game originally installed using DOSBox in the wing, wing1, wing2 or any other chosen folder can be deleted.

It is recommended to leave any digital releases in their installation folders.

Example video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tXl5NTtKjg

Wing Commander 1 & 2 with WCAT Overhaul Mod.

Finally...

Credit and thanks go to AllTInker for all the hard work in creating the WCAT Overhaul Mods for WIng Commander and WIng Commander II.

Good hunting!