The official Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3 web site is now up. Here's a cut 'n paste from the features page. Yep, it will have co-operative multiplay, which alone might make it worth the price of admission.
New collection of 18 aircraft featuring
Flyable, crewable bombers – fly medium bombers and take control of the bombardier or gunner position
Stunning 3D cockpit detail
Accurate performance & damage modeling
Medium bomber operations
“Edgy” WWII state of the art aircraft, including the first jet fighters
Custom Graphics Engine
Super high detail ground attack targets
Improves scenery with enhanced 3D modeling and texturing
Cooperative multiplayer missions and free-for-all dogfights via the internet & LAN
Fly as a German, British, or American pilot.
Cooperative Multiplayer – Players will be able to play Single Missions with friends, cooperating to achieve mission goals as wingmen. Single Missions will be playable over a LAN or on the Internet.
Enhanced Campaign Play – Players will be involved in fighting tactical missions in a campaign where their success or failure can move the front line, influence the quality of equipment available, and even change the outcome of the war.
Reactive World – Areas of the campaign world will trigger events, spawn aircraft, generate flak, etc. in response to the presence of the player.
Role Playing Elements – pilots have qualities like Bombing Skill, Vision, and Health. The player also makes decisions that influence how the war is fought, where to put the pressure on the enemy, and what aircraft improvements are crucial to the war effort.
Enhanced Expandability - more cleanly supported than in previous versions.
As Real As It Gets – nothing will be outside of historical possibility.
There's another Microsoft Combat Flight Sim 3 preview up at NetWings. Nice Screenshots.
CombatSim also has a free public preview article with more details and screenies. Warning: only the first page of the article is free. You have to be a subscriber to get to part 2.
According to CombatSim, the target release date for MS CFS3 is Fall of 2002.
CFS3 at SimHQ Cage
@ 0:45
"Yes, the graphics engine is completely new for CFS3. It is truly a huge leap in technology and performance over previous offerings. You will see large medium bomber formations in the game; however, the emphasis this time is going to be on ground attack. It’s all about flying down low to the ground in high-performance aircraft and feeling the rush of speed as the trees whiz by. It’s about flying through intense enemy defenses and blowing stuff up in a spectacular way."
Oh yeah, that's the good stuff. Getting low and feeling the speed is what has been missing from most recent flight sims.
As is typical from recent Microsoft sims there will be support for user modifications and plane art. Hopefully this time we will see a quality WW I mod or expansion based on this all new engine. Keep an eye on Microsoft's Combat Flight Sim 3 page for more info.
I thought I'd give my own Christmas present to the old timers. I know the picture below brings back a lot of memories for a few of us. It's unfortunate that most of you missed out on that wonderful experience called "The Imagination Network." Here's to happy memories of the past, and best wishes to all of you in the New Year.
