Of course, it might surprise some of you to learn that several of the old Jane’s Combat Simulations games were developed by none other than our much-beloved Origin Systems. I know I was unaware until I actually read up on the man behind several of them, Andy Hollis (whose name was familiar for a very good reason):

In 1993, Hollis joined Origin Systems, where he was responsible for creating games for Electronic Arts’ Jane’s Combat Simulations brand. Among the simulations created at Origin are AH-64D Longbow, Longbow 2 and Jane’s F-15. When Origin changed its focus to online games, he moved around within Electronic Arts and was working on NASCAR games and a Harry Potter online game.

He returned to Origin in 2003 after two years of retirement, where he oversaw the development of Ultima X, which was cancelled before release in 2004.

Anyhow, the Wing Commander CIC is carrying news that a new developer — Evolved Games — is working on a brand new Jane’s game, apparently entitled Jane’s Advanced Strike Fighter. And from the CIC’s report, it looks like they might actually do justice to the series, which I have to admit was pretty great. Especially F-15; that game rocked.

You all probably thought I meant Strike Commander, didn’t you?