[Magus]

<div style="width: 480px;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=51655"/><param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=51655" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object><div style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana; text-align: center; width: 480px; padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; background-color: black; height: 32px;"><div><a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com" title="GameTrailers.com">Video Games</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/game/9548.html" title="IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey">IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/player/51655.html" title="Aerial Gameplay Trailer">Aerial Gameplay Trailer</a></div><div style="padding-top: 3px;"><a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/platformlist/xb360/index.html" title="XBox 360">XBox 360</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/platformlist/ps3/index.html" title="PS3">Playstation 3</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/platformlist/wii/index.html" title="Wii">Nintendo Wii</a></div></div></div>


IL-2 Sturmovik Official Website


I am really hoping 505 manage to pull-off a sim like game on a console.

[Monkey Alan]

Looks sick.

[Fastolfe]

yeah hope it's good - PC IL2 is TOP!

[Magus]

Some hands-on Multiplayer Preview from IGN:

"IL-2 is a name that a lot of console gamers probably aren't that familiar with, but that'll likely change when IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey releases this year on PS3 and 360. The PC version was known for its hardcore simulator elements, and has been a fan favorite for enthusiasts of WW2 combat aviation. The console version retains many of these simulator elements (if you want them), but also introduces an Arcade difficulty that allows more casual players who are just looking for a fun air combat game to enter into the fray as well.

Recently I had a chance to go head-to-head with other media outlets as well as with members of the IL-2 development team in the game's four multiplayer modes, so here are my thoughts about cutting my dog fighting teeth amongst the skies of Europe.

Dogfight

This mode is easily the best in the game. The rules are simple: Kill anyone else you see flying around. Having a huge selection of planes to pick from made sure that not only were my opponents diverse-looking, but they also had planes which acted totally differently from my own. It's nice to know that even on the Arcade difficulty -- the easiest of the lot and the one we played on during our sessions -- the plane you choose is much more than just a re-skinned version of a generic fighter template. This mode was also the best because it was constant action, with little to no time going by between fights.

The action could get pretty crazy with 12 or so players shooting it out in the French countryside, but IL-2 -- in Arcade mode, at least -- makes it easy for you to keep track of your enemies thanks to the ability to lock on. It's a little hard to use at first, but it does help you follow a particular enemy amidst what would otherwise look like a swarm of planes flying around in every direction possible.

Team Battle

This is IL-2's Team Deathmatch mode, and allows up to 16 players to get together and fight for aerial superiority. I had a lot of fun with this mode because it allowed me and other players to work together, forming impromptu fighter groups in order to overwhelm an unlucky opponent who wandered too far from their teammates. And while I only had a few moments with this mode, I could easily see how this could be great for highly coordinated groups or clans, as any team with a decent level of communication could completely decimate a group of uncontrolled rogue fighters. I'd love to see videos of high-level aerial team battles after the game's been out for some time, I imagine it'd be akin to watching the recreations that are in the Discovery series "Dogfights."

Capture

Capture was probably the least fun I had during my time with IL-2. The point of this mode is for players to land on the airfield, capturing it by staying put for a certain amount of time. Capturing the field causes the opposing teams' tickets to drain, with the loser being whoever loses all their tickets or has the least after time expires. The idea isn't terrible, but since landing in the game is absurdly hard, even on Arcade mode, the battle was more just a scrolling text of "so-and-so crashes." When the airstrip was taken by a team it resulted in the opposing team turning themselves into fiery wreckage on the runway. Or, when I or someone else on my team did successfully land, we found not only that our role was boring (just having to sit there on the runway, staring off into space), but that we was defenseless and easy pickings to all the enemies who were flying overhead. Before long this mode unsurprisingly devolved into a dogfight above the airstrip, with aspirations of capture abandoned.

Strike

Given that is had the most potential of any of the modes to become my favorite, I was disappointed with how little time I got to put into Strike. The level we played placed two teams at odds with one another in an effort to see who could destroy the other team's ground targets first. It could be an incredibly fun mode, with players having to coordinate flight groups consisting of diverse groupings of fighters and bombers, but during my time with it things didn't go so well due to the lack of a full game. With only seven or eight players participating there simply weren't enough people to defend our ground targets, defend our bombers, and to go out to strike at the enemy targets. Still, with full teams and a little coordination I could see this mode being fun for a diverse group of players, encompassing those who like to dogfight as much as those who like to use bombers.

IL-2's multiplayer has potential, but after my time with it I feel like a lot of the fun you're going to have with it will be directly linked to how many players are in the battles, and especially if you're playing the Strike mode. However, if you're looking for a WW2 aerial combat sim to play online with a few hardcore friends, or even a game that'll allow you to fly in some quick and rewarding dogfights, I don't think you'll find a better option on any console."

[Floor Tom]

Never heard of it before but it sounds very good. Any idea on a release date?

[Magus]

Originally Posted by Floor Tom

Never heard of it before but it sounds very good. Any idea on a release date?

505 Games have stated that it will be released on 04/09/2009

PRESS RELEASE LINK

Milton Keynes, 21st July 2009 – 505 Games in collaboration with 1C Company have confirmed that the highly anticipated World War II flight combat title IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey will make its console debut on September 4th in the UK with pre-orders now being taken across many online retailers.

Developed by Gaijin Entertainment for Xbox 360 and PS3, DiP Interactive for Nintendo DS and SME Dynamic Systems Limited for PSP and features the greatest aerial battles of the Second World War, and boasts the most realistic landscapes and aircraft seen in any flight game.

Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of daring and action packed missions. There are 6 theatres of war in which to engage – The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe. Unlock over 40 planes, all faithfully recreated in amazing detail, and pilot them in breath taking air battles and daring bombing runs spread over 50 campaign missions and multiplayer modes.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey will be published by 505 Games in collaboration with 1C Company. Visit the official website at www.il2game.com for all the latest information

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Mark Allen

505 Games Ltd.

mallen@505games.co.uk

+44 (0)1908 607772

About 505 Games

505 Games, headquartered in Milton Keynes is dedicated to the publishing and international distribution of full price, mid-range and budget computer and videogames in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) markets and Australia. The current portfolio includes the best selling games Cooking Mama, ArmA: Armed Assault, Bust-a-Move and Armored Core and covers all gaming platforms, including next generation consoles like Sony PlayStation® 3, Nintendo Wii™ and Microsoft Xbox 360™. For More information on 505 Games and its products please visit www.505games.co.uk

About 1C Company

1C Company specializes in distribution, publishing and development of business, entertainment and educational software. Founded in 1991, 1C has become the largest publisher and distributor of computer and video games in Eastern and Central Europe. 1C Company is widely acknowledged as a game developer and has several internal studios. Internal developments of 1C include IL-2 Sturmovik series and Theatre of War. 1C Company works as a publisher and producer with over 30 independent development studios and has produced over 100 projects for PC and consoles including titles like Space Rangers, Soldiers: Heroes of World War II, Men of War, Perimeter, Fantasy Wars, Elven Legacy, Death to Spies, King’s Bounty: The Legend. For more information, please visit www.1cpublishing.com

About Gaijin Entertainment

Gaijin Entertainment specializes in creation of games for various platforms (PC/PS3/Xbox 360) and also gives much attention to technology-related research work which provides attraction and applicability to the company's solutions in changeable IT market conditions. At the moment Gaijin team is represented by six departments and over sixty highly qualified employees. The company's projects have received a range of mass media and game industry awards including a few Russian Game developers conference «Best simulator», «Best game for next-gen consoles» (IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey / PS3, X-box 360), «Best technologies» for Dagor Engine™ , «Best sound» and many more.

[Floor Tom]

I'll keep my eye open for this one, thanks

[travlinmatt]

Eurogamer preview here:

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Hands On - Page 1 // None /// Eurogamer - Games Reviews, News and More

It is looking the balls.

[Sinzer]

This game is rock hard on the PC, it takes about 1 hour of play just to learn to take off properly. I only played it a little bit, and mostly in the already flying scenarios. It is a sim beard players dream though.

[Magus]

Yeah used to play this back in the day. The taking off wasn't too bad, it was the landing that was problematic. By the sounds of things the landing in the console version is still tricky too. Looking forward to this though.

[Schumi 01]

Just came across this the other day, this game that is, it sure does look rather good. About time they made a good old fashioned dog fight sim.
Will definitely buy this.

Chocks Away and Tally Ho.

[Floor Tom]

Someone told me there is going to be an XBox 360 demo today, anyone know if its coming to the PS3 too?

[Magus]

Originally Posted by Floor Tom

Someone told me there is going to be an XBox 360 demo today, anyone know if its coming to the PS3 too?

Yep, it was made available on Live yesterday & been reading some positive stuff. I was hoping it would be part of the PSN update later today, but doesn't appear to be listed. May pop up in the US store BUT won't know till later.

Regardless found the cheapest price online for this game £29.85 @ Shopto.net

[krlock3]

i have a 360 and a ps3. played the 360 demo last night, its very sweet.

the realistic settings are awfully tricky though, and thats coming from someone who WANTS realistic settings. going into a stall or spin is very easy indeed. and i havent even had a go on the most realistic settings. phew.

i will pick it up on ps3 because i simply cant take the fan noise of my 360 anymore.

im really looking forward to a bit of multiplayer on this one i can tell you.

[Monkey Alan]

Whens the ******* demo out? And why does the ****box get everything first.

[PygoShlee]

Originally Posted by krlock3

i have a 360 and a ps3. played the 360 demo last night, its very sweet.

the realistic settings are awfully tricky though, and thats coming from someone who WANTS realistic settings. going into a stall or spin is very easy indeed. and i havent even had a go on the most realistic settings. phew.

i will pick it up on ps3 because i simply cant take the fan noise of my 360 anymore.

im really looking forward to a bit of multiplayer on this one i can tell you.

Surely the noise from the fan of the 360 would even make the game sound even more realistic

Ash

[Floor Tom]

Still no PS3 demo, at this rate we'll have the game before the demo

[timus]

Originally Posted by Floor Tom

Still no PS3 demo, at this rate we'll have the game before the demo

Yeah knowing what Sony are like. I'm really looking forward to this it looks great. Looks a whole lot better than the last sim i bought Blazing Angels. Anybody recommend a PS3 compatible joystick?

http://www.il2game.com/

[TheShatter59]

any previews out for this yet ? worried about the low price point for this, usually a bad sign when a game comes out at £30

[timus]

Originally Posted by Cardboard_Robot

any previews out for this yet ? worried about the low price point for this, usually a bad sign when a game comes out at £30

This video preview sounds pretty positive:

http://www.incgamers.com/Videos/828/...-video-preview

[CAS FAN]

Interesting! Used to love IL-2 on the PC and played it loads.

This is looking great on the visual front so will have to give it a bash to see how it plays.

Didn't know there was a demo on the 360, will have to dabble if I get time.

[timus]

I wish the demo was on the store, i really want to try this one out.

[ajh1979]

Demo will be out on the 20th August

Just announced on the Ustream live demo.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey - Live Demo on USTREAM: Live game demo of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey. Xbox

[Adcook]

looks really good this, about time we had a decent flight game on a console.

[Floor Tom]

Originally Posted by Monkey Alan

Whens the ******* demo out? And why does the ****box get everything first.

Its out next thursday. Not too long to wait.

[timus]

I think its been Sony's fault, charging developers to put stuff on the store. I'm looking forward to finally playing this.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Monkey Alan

Whens the ******* demo out? And why does the ****box get everything first.

Not everything. The Batman AA Demo came out on the PS3 first for example.

[Sinzer]

Cool, really looking forward to the demo. I think I will get myself one of those Thrustmaster Flightsticks, I saw one for 22 euros in my local store, or possibly get the profi one with the Throttle.....

I had a quick go on one in the store and it seemed pretty good, the buttons a little plasticky/clicky but felt fairly robust. PLus it will work in my PC which is a bonus.

I get the feeling joystick is a must for this game.

[Dean00]

Ordered BoP from Zavvi - £27.95 including delivery.

zavvi.co.uk - IL2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey PS3

[timus]

Originally Posted by Dean00

Ordered BoP from Zavvi - £27.95 including delivery.

zavvi.co.uk - IL2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey PS3

yeah thats where i've ordered mine from its a bargain