View source for Software:Combat flight simulator

{{Simulation VG}}
'''Combat flight simulators''' are [[Software:Simulation video game|simulation video games]] (similar to [[Amateur flight simulation|amateur flight simulation]] software) used to simulate military aircraft and their operations. These are distinct from dedicated [[Flight simulator|flight simulators]] used for professional pilot and military flight training which consist of realistic physical recreations of the actual aircraft cockpit, often with a full-motion platform.

Combat flight simulation titles are more numerous than civilian flight simulators due to the variety of subject matter available and market demand. Many free flight simulators, such as ''[[Software:Digital Combat Simulator|Digital Combat Simulator]]'' and ''[[Software:War Thunder|War Thunder]]'', can be downloaded for free off of the Internet.

==History==
Prior to the rise of modern-day video games, [[Software:Arcade game#Electro-mechanical games|electro-mechanical games]] were produced that used [[Rear projection effect|rear]] image projection in a manner similar to the ancient [[Physics:Zoetrope|zoetrope]] to produce moving animations on a [[Engineering:Projection screen|screen]].<ref name="Cohen2">{{citation|title=Killer Shark: The Undersea Horror Arcade Game from Jaws|url=http://classicgames.about.com/od/arcadegames/p/KillerShark.htm|author=D.S. Cohen|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2011-05-03}}</ref> This technology led to the rise of [[Software:Arcade game|arcade games]], as well as the first simulation video games in the late 1960s. One such electro-mechanical game was ''Jet Rocket'', a flight simulator released by [[Company:Sega|Sega]] in 1970 that featured cockpit controls that could move the player's aircraft around a landscape displayed on a screen and shoot missiles at targets that would explode when hit.<ref>{{KLOV game|17309|Jet Rocket}}</ref> In 1975, [[Company:Taito|Taito]] released the arcade video game simulator ''Interceptor'',<ref name="Dreams2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dreams-game.com/profile/president.html|title=Tomohiro Nishikado's biography at his company's web site|publisher=Dreams, Inc.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401041713/http://www.dreams-game.com/profile/president.html|archivedate=1 April 2009|accessdate=2011-03-27}}</ref> an early first-person combat flight simulator that involved piloting a jet fighter using an eight-way [[Engineering:Joystick|joystick]] to aim and shoot at enemy aircraft.<ref>{{KLOV game|8195|Interceptor}}</ref>

The 1980s experienced a wave of more advanced simulation video games with companies such as Atari Inc. releasing their own game called ''[[Software:Red Baron (1980 video game)|Red Baron]] in 1980,'' which used QuadraScan graphics and sound effects to simulate first-person flight combat.<ref name="pearl1983062">{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1983-06/Electronic_Games_Issue_16_Vol_02_04_1983_Jun#page/n79/mode/2up|title=Closet Classics|author=Pearl, Rick|date=June 1983|work=Electronic Games|accessdate=6 January 2015|pages=82}}</ref> Other games such as the earliest version of ''[[Software:Microsoft Flight Simulator|Microsoft Flight Simulator]]'' (1982) had crude graphics, simple flight models, and a combat option with "dog fighting" in a [[Social:World War I|World War I]] [[Engineering:Sopwith Camel|Sopwith Camel]]. Shortly after ''Microsoft Flight Simulator'' was released for the [[8-bit|8-bit]] computer, [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] released ''[[Software:Jet (video game)|Jet]]'' in 1985. This simulator used simple filled wire frame graphics and a small generic battle space to allow players to fight MiGs in an F-18 or F-16. There were also titles released for the [[Engineering:Atari 2600|Atari 2600]] that simulated flight combat, two examples being Mattel's ''[[Software:Air Raiders|Air Raiders]]'' (1982) and Milton Bradley's ''Spitfire Attack'' (1983).

During the 1990s and early 2000s, there was a transition from traditional video game platforms like arcades, to consoles such as the original [[Engineering:PlayStation|Playstation]], for their ability to be played at home. [[PC game|PC games]] remained popular during this time, as many publishers continued to produces games primarily for the [[Engineering:Personal computer|PC]] platform. Due to the limitations and the relative simplicity of the controllers available for gaming consoles at the time, flight simulators remained largely absent from consoles for years to come.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=|first=|date=January 1997|title=Letters|magazine=Next Generation|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=25|page=190}}</ref> Several rival publishers rose during this period such as [[Company:NovaLogic|NovaLogic]] with titles like the ''Comanche Series'' that simulated helicopter combat, and [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] with [[Software:Jane's WWII Fighters|Jane's ''WWII Fighters'']] which improved upon features such as detailed visible damage. Newer software in the genre include [[Software:Falcon 4.0: Allied Force|Falcon 4.0]] (2005), [[Software:Digital Combat Simulator|Digital Combat Simulator]] (2008) and Rise of Flight (2009). On consoles, [[Company:Namco|Namco]] launched ''[[Software:Air Combat|Air Combat]]'' (1995) for the original PlayStation, which later became the ''[[Software:Ace Combat|Ace Combat]]'' series.

Newer software in the genre include [[Software:Falcon 4.0: Allied Force|Falcon 4.0]] (2005), [[Software:Digital Combat Simulator|Digital Combat Simulator]] (2008) and Rise of Flight (2009).

==Types==
Combat flight simulators are classified according to their historical period, type of aircraft, and level of detail. This method of classifying means that many simulators belong to more than one category, which leads to arguments about what can be considered actual simulations instead of games. Generally, [[Simulation|simulations]] are expected to be imitations of real-world technology, while games are not; therefore, every game with flying in them does not fit into the category of "flight simulation."

Simulator realism can be classified as the following:
* [[Software:Arcade game|Arcade game]] (least realistic)
* survey simulation
* study simulation (most realistic)
The tables below define rough guidelines of what might classify as combat flight simulation games.

=== World War I ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Publisher/Developer !! Year !! Notes
|-
| ''[[Software:Knights of the Sky|Knights of the Sky]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1990) || 
|-
| ''Red Baron'' || Sierra Entertainment || (1990) || 
|-
| ''[[Software:Wings (1990 video game)|Wings]]'' || [[Company:Cinemaware|Cinemaware]] || (1990) ||
|-
| ''[[Software:Dawn Patrol (video game)|Dawn Patrol]]'' || Rowan Software || (1994) || 
|-
| ''[[Software:Wings of Glory|Wings of Glory]]'' || [[Company:Origin Systems|Origin Systems]] || (1994) || 
|-
| ''[[Software:Flying Corps|Flying Corps]]'' || [[Company:Empire Interactive|Empire Interactive]] || (1996) || 
|-
| ''[[Software:Red Baron II|Red Baron II]]'' || Sierra || (1997) || 
|-
| ''Red Baron 3D'' || Sierra || (1998) || 
|-
| ''[[Software:First Eagles: The Great War 1918|First Eagles]]'' || [[Company:Third Wire|Third Wire]] || (2007) || 
|-
|Over Flanders Fields
|OBD Software
|(2005)
|
|-
|Wings Over Flanders Fields
|OBD Software
|(2014)
|
|-
| ''Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War'' || 777 Studios || (2009) || 
|}

=== World War II ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Publisher/Developer !! Year !! Notes
|-
|''[[Software:Ace of Aces (video game)|Ace of Aces]]''|| Accolade || (1986) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Battlehawks 1942|Battlehawks 1942]]'' || [[Company:LucasArts|LucasFilm Games]] || (1988) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Their Finest Hour (video game)|Their Finest Hour]]'' || [[Company:LucasArts|LucasFilm Games]] || (1989) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Chuck Yeager's Air Combat|Chuck Yeager's Air Combat]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe|Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe]]'' || [[Company:LucasArts|LucasFilm Games]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Aces of the Pacific|Aces of the Pacific]]'' || [[Company:Dynamix|Dynamix]] Sierra || (1992) ||
|-
|''[[Software:B-17 Flying Fortress (video game)|B-17 Flying Fortress]]'' || [[Company:Vektor Grafix|Vektor Grafix]] || (1992) ||
|-
|''Aces Over Europe'' || Sierra || (1993) ||
|-
|''[[Software:1942: The Pacific Air War|1942: The Pacific Air War]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1994) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Overlord (1994 video game)|Overlord]]'' || Rowan Software || (1994) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Air Warrior|Air Warrior]]'' || Kesmai || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Fighter Duel|Fighter Duel]]'' || Jaeger Software || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Fighter Ace (video game)|Fighter Ace]]'' || VR-1 Russia/BST Soft || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Air Warrior II|Air Warrior II]]'' || Kesmai || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Air Warrior III|Air Warrior III]]'' || Kesmai || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:European Air War|European Air War]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]]|| (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator|Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator]]'' || [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] Games Studio || (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Luftwaffe Commander|Luftwaffe Commander]]'' || Strategic Simulations, Inc. || (1999) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Fighter Squadron: The Screamin' Demons Over Europe|Fighter Squadron]]'' || Parsoft/Activision || (1999) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Jane's WWII Fighters|Jane's WWII Fighters]]'' || [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulations]] || (1999) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Aces High (video game)|Aces High]]'' || HiTech Creations || (2000) ||
|-
|''[[Software:B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th|B-17 Flying Fortress]]'' || Wayward Design || (2000) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Combat Flight Simulator 2|Combat Flight Simulator 2]]'' || [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] Games Studio || (2000) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Rowan's Battle of Britain|Rowan's Battle of Britain]]'' || [[Company:Empire Interactive|Empire Interactive]] || (2000) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik (video game)|IL-2 Sturmovik]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C:Maddox Games]] || (2001) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe|Combat Flight Simulator 3]]'' || [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] Games Studio || (2002) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Pacific Fighters|Pacific Fighters]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C:Maddox Games]] || (2004) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Battle of Britain II: Wings of Victory|Battle of Britain II]]'' || [[Company:A2A Simulations|A2A Simulations]] || (2005) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Heroes of the Pacific|Heroes of the Pacific]]'' || [[Company:Transmission Games|Transmission Games]] || (2005) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946|IL-2 Sturmovik]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C:Maddox Games]] || (2006) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Attack on Pearl Harbor (video game)|Attack on Pearl Harbor]]'' || Legendo Entertainment || (2007) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Dogfights: The Game|Dogfights]]'' || [[Company:Kuma Reality Games|Kuma Reality Games]] || (2007) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey|IL-2 Sturmovik]]'' || [[Company:Gaijin Entertainment|Gaijin Entertainment]] || (2009) || ''Wings of Prey'' on PC
|-
|''Heroes over Europe'' || [[Company:Transmission Games|Transmission Games]] || (2009) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover|IL-2 Sturmovik]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C:Maddox Games]] || (2011) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Birds of Steel|Birds of Steel]]'' || [[Company:Gaijin Entertainment|Gaijin Entertainment]] || (2012) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad|IL-2 Sturmovik]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C Game Studios]] || (2013) ||
|-
|''[[Software:World of Warplanes|World of Warplanes]]'' || Wargaming || (2013) ||
|-
|''[[Software:War Thunder|War Thunder]]'' || [[Company:Gaijin Entertainment|Gaijin Entertainment]] || (2013) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad|IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Moscow]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C Game Studios]] || (2016) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad|IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Kuban]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C Game Studios]] || (2017) ||
|-
|''[[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad|IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Bodenplatte]]'' || [[Company:1C Company|1C Game Studios]] || (planned 2018) || (in development)
|}

=== Korean War ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Publisher/Developer !! Year !! Notes
|-
|''[[Software:Chuck Yeager's Air Combat|Chuck Yeager's Air Combat]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:MiG Alley (video game)|MiG Alley]]'' || Rowan Software || (1999) ||
|-
|''[[Software:War Thunder|War Thunder]]'' || [[Company:Gaijin Entertainment|Gaijin Entertainment]] || (2013) ||
|}

=== Vietnam War ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Publisher/Developer !! Year !! Notes
|-
|''[[Software:Chuck Yeager's Air Combat|Chuck Yeager's Air Combat]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Flight of the Intruder (video game)|Flight of the Intruder]]'' || Spectrum Holobyte || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Wings Over Vietnam|Wings Over Vietnam]]'' || [[Company:Third Wire|Third Wire]] || (2004) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam|Strike Fighters 2]]'' || [[Company:Third Wire|Third Wire]] || (2009) ||
|-
|''Mach Storm'' || [[Company:Namco|Namco]] || (2013) ||
|}

===Modern===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Publisher/Developer !! Year !! Notes
|-
|''[[Software:F-15 Strike Eagle (video game)|F-15 Strike Eagle]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1985) ||
|-
|''Falcon'' || [[Company:Spectrum HoloByte|Spectrum HoloByte]] || (1987) ||
|-
|''F/A-18 Interceptor'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1988) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-19 Stealth Fighter|F-19 Stealth Fighter]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1988) || 
|-
|''[[Software:F-15 Strike Eagle II|F-15 Strike Eagle II]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1989) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Fighter Bomber (video game)|Fighter Bomber]]'' || [[Company:Vektor Grafix|Vektor Grafix]] || (1989) || released as ''Strike Aces'' in the USA
|-
|''[[Software:F29 Retaliator|F29 Retaliator]]'' || DID || (1989) || a fictional plane simulation
|-
|''[[Software:Apache Strike|Apache Strike]]'' || [[Company:Activision|Activision]] || (1989) ||
|-
|''[[Software:A-10 Tank Killer|A-10 Tank Killer]]'' || [[Company:Dynamix|Dynamix]] || (1990) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Chocks Away|Chocks Away]]'' || The Fourth Dimension || (1990) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-22 Interceptor|F-22 Interceptor]]'' || Ingram Entertainment || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0|F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0]]'' || Microprose || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:LHX Attack Chopper|LHX]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Top Gun: Danger Zone|Top Gun]]'' || [[Company:Konami|Konami]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Birds of Prey (video game)|Birds of Prey]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Chuck Yeager's Air Combat|Chuck Yeager's Air Combat]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1991) ||
|-
|''[[Software:AV-8B Harrier Assault|AV-8B Harrier Assault]]'' || Domark || (1992) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Combat Air Patrol (video game)|Combat Air Patrol]] || [[Company:Psygnosis|Psygnosis]] || (1993) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-15 Strike Eagle III|F-15 Strike Eagle III]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1993) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Tornado (1993 video game)|Tornado]]'' || Digital Integration || (1993) ||
|-
|''[[Software:TFX (video game)|TFX]]'' || DID || (1993) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Dogfight (video game)|Dogfight]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1993) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Fleet Defender|Fleet Defender]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1994) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Strike Commander|Strike Commander]]'' || [[Company:Origin Systems|Origin Systems]] || (1994) ||
|-
|''Comanche'' || Novalogic || (1994) ||
|-
|''[[Software:EF2000 (video game)|EF2000]]'' || DID || (1995) ||
|-
|''Apache Longbow'' || Digital Integration || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Su-27 Flanker (video game)|Su-27 Flanker]]'' || [[Company:Eagle Dynamics|Eagle Dynamics]] || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:A-10 Attack!|A-10 Attack!]]'' || Parsoft Interactive || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Air Combat|Air Combat]]'' || [[Company:Namco|Namco]] || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Coala|Coala]]'' || [[Company:Empire Interactive|Empire Interactive]] || (1995) ||
|-
|''Comanche'' || Novalogic || (1995) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-22 Lightning II|F-22 Lightning II]]'' || Novalogic || (1996) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Jane's AH-64D Longbow|Jane's AH-64D Longbow]]'' || [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulations]] || (1996) ||
|-
|''[[Software:A-10 Cuba!|A-10 Cuba!]]'' || [[Company:Activision|Activision]] || (1996) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Bogey Dead 6|Bogey Dead 6]]'' || SCEE || (1996) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Jane's Fighters Anthology|Jane's Fighters Anthology]]'' || [[Company:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Joint Strike Fighter (video game)|JSF]]'' || Eidos || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Hind (video game)|Hind]]'' || Digital Integration || (1997) ||
|-
|''F/A-18 Korea'' || Graphic Simulations Corporation|| (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-22 Raptor (video game)|F-22 Raptor]]'' || [[Company:NovaLogic|NovaLogic]] || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-22: Air Dominance Fighter|F-22]]'' || DID || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Jane's Longbow 2|Jane's Longbow 2]]'' || [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulations]] || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Falcon 3.0|Falcon 3.0]]'' || Spectrum Holobyte || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Comanche 3|Comanche 3]]'' || Novalogic || (1997) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Jane's F-15|Jane's F-15]]'' || [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulations]] || (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Falcon 4.0|Falcon 4.0]]'' || [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] || (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Enemy Engaged: Apache vs Havoc|Enemy Engaged]]'' || Razorworks || (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Aero Fighters Assault|Aero Fighters Assault]]'' || [[Company:Paradigm Entertainment|Paradigm Entertainment]] || (1998) ||
|-
|''Comanche Gold'' || Novalogic || (1998) ||
|-
|''Hell-Copter'' || [[Company:Ubisoft|Ubisoft]] || (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:MiG-29 Fulcrum (1998 video game)|Mig-29 Fulcrum]]'' || Novalogic || (1998) ||
|-
|''[[Software:F-22 Lightning 3|F-22 Lightning 3]]'' || [[Company:NovaLogic|NovaLogic]] || (1999) ||
|-
|''Jane's F/A-18'' || [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulations]] || (1999) ||
|-
|''[[Software:AeroWings 2: Airstrike|AeroWings 2]]'' || [[Company:Crave Entertainment|Crave Entertainment]] and [[Company:CRI Middleware|CRI]] || (2000) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Airforce Delta|Airforce Delta]]'' || [[Company:Konami|Konami]] || (2000) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Eurofighter Typhoon (video game)|Eurofighter Typhoon]]'' || DID || (2001) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Comanche 4|Comanche 4]]'' || Novalogic || (2001) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Flanker 2.5|Flanker 2.5]]'' || [[Company:Eagle Dynamics|Eagle Dynamics]] || (2002) ||
|-
|''Aces of the Air'' || Highwaystar || (2002) ||
|-
|''[[Software:AirForce Delta Storm|AirForce Delta Storm]]'' || [[Company:Konami|Konami]] || (2002) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Lock On: Modern Air Combat|Lock On]]'' || [[Company:Eagle Dynamics|Eagle Dynamics]] || (2003) ||
|-
|''F/A-18 Operation Iraqi Freedom'' || Graphsim Entertainment|| (2003) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Airforce Delta Strike|Airforce Delta Strike]]'' || [[Company:Konami|Konami]] || (2004) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Falcon 4.0: Allied Force|Falcon 4.0]]'' || Lead Pursuit || (2005) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Red Jets|Red Jets]]'' || Graffiti Entertainment || (2006) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Wings Over Europe|Wings Over Europe]]'' || Third Wire Productions || (2006) ||
|-
|''[[Software:Strike Fighters 2|Strike Fighters 2]]'' || Third Wire Productions || (2008) || 
|-
|''[[Software:Digital Combat Simulator|Digital Combat Simulator]]'' || [[Company:Eagle Dynamics|Eagle Dynamics]] || (2008) || Modules from WW2 aircraft up to modern aircraft.
|-
|''[[Software:Apache: Air Assault|Apache]]'' || [[Company:Gaijin Entertainment|Gaijin Entertainment]] || (2010) ||
|-
|''Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic'' || Third Wire Productions || (2012) || 
|-
|''Take on Helicopters'' || [[Company:Bohemia Interactive|Bohemia Interactive]] || (2012) || 
|-
|''Combat Air Patrol 2'' || Sim155 Limited || || (in development)
|-
|''Seven G'' || || || (F-18 survey flight simulator in development)
|-
|}

===Survey===
A survey simulation is a classification of simulator that includes a variety (or survey) of aircraft from the period in question. This type of classification applies to many historical combat simulators, and typically includes aircraft from all nations participating in the conflict. Early simulators suffered from flight models and instrument panels that differed little between aircraft. As the technology got better, so did the diversity of aircraft, which forced the virtual pilot to learn the carefully modelled strengths and weaknesses of the various types of aircraft (e.g. the different fighting and flying styles of a [[Engineering:Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] versus a [[Engineering:Messerschmitt Bf 109|Messerschmitt 109]] in [[Software:IL-2 Sturmovik (video game)|IL-2 Sturmovik]] or a Mitsubishi Zero versus a US Navy F4F Wildcat in [[Software:Combat Flight Simulator 2|Combat Flight Simulator 2]]).

Modern jet survey simulators have been developed as well, such as ''[[Software:Jane's US Navy Fighters 97|US Navy Fighters]] (USNF)'' and ''[[Software:Jane's USAF|Jane's USAF]]'' by Jane's/Electronic Arts, typically with simplified and generic modelling of radar, navigation, and weapons. The turn of the century saw advancements in technology that increased the capabilities of these simulators, simplifying and improving their weapon handling and flight models, as well as updated visuals. Titles featuring these improvements include [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulations]], a line of flight simulations originally developed by Electronic Arts and later continued by the company Third Wire, as well as the series [[Software:Strike Fighters: Project 1|Strike Fighters]] and [[Software:Wings Over Europe|Wings over Europe]].

===Study===
The "study sim" is a genre of simulation games that focuses on modelling an aircraft's systems as accurately as possible. Advancing computer technology made this possible, with the development of highly detailed models that improved upon the fidelity of avionics, weapons systems, physics, flight models, graphics, etc. and allowed for fully interactive cockpits where virtually every control was mapped and functional. This was important as modern jet combat aircraft and helicopters have a variety of complex electronic and weapon systems that are specific to a particular aircraft.

Early iterations of simulators in this genre include the release of EF2000 by Digital Image Design (DiD) which quickly garnered a dedicated following, including a user group that produced a detailed online manual of weapons and tactics, as well as the popular ''[[Software:Falcon 4.0|Falcon 4.0]],'' a detailed simulation of the USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon. Official development of Falcon 4.0 stopped after a few updates and is now in development by the community, which is still highly active as of 2011. Other development of these simulators includes a collaborative and specialized effort between Electronic Arts and [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's]] in the 1990s, with titles such as ''[[Software:Jane's AH-64D Longbow|Jane's Longbow]]'', ''[[Software:Jane's Longbow 2|Jane's Longbow 2]]'', ''[[Software:Jane's F-15|Jane's F-15]]'' and ''Jane's F/A-18''.

Helicopter simulations began in 1986 with the title ''[[Software:Gunship (video game)|Gunship]]'' by [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]]. Nine years later, in 1995, Digital Integration released ''Apache Longbow,'' the most sophisticated helicopter simulation of the time. In 1996 it was exceeded by ''[[Software:Jane's AH-64D Longbow|Jane's AH-64D Longbow]],'' a game created by [[Company:Origin Systems|Origin Systems]] and released by Electronic Arts as part of the [[Company:Jane's Combat Simulations|Jane's Combat Simulator]] series. The sequel, ''[[Software:Jane's Longbow 2|Jane's Longbow 2]]'' (1997), was one of the earliest simulations to take advantage of hardware accelerated graphics, including advanced lighting. 1998 saw the release of [[Software:Enemy Engaged: Apache vs Havoc|Enemy Engaged]] by [[Company:Empire Interactive|Empire Interactive]], which allowed players to choose to fly for either the US or Russia.

The sophistication and intricacy of these simulators continued to grow, and in 2008 the ''Digital Combat Simulator (DCS)'' released ''DCS: Black Shark,'' the first of a series of simulations that featured a complete and detailed cockpit with all the relevant switches accurately modelled and functional, and mapped over 500 key-commands. DCS also supported a variety of input devices aside from the traditional joystick, throttle, and pedals, featuring built-in support for [[Engineering:TrackIR|TrackIR]] with 6 [[Physics:Degrees of freedom (mechanics)|degrees of freedom]] which, in conjunction with the interactive [[3D computer graphics|3D]]-cockpit, created a very realistic experience.

===Modern jet===
Modern jet simulators are usually classified by their historical context or level of details (''study'' versus ''survey''). There have been many modern jet sims that concentrate on existing fighters (several AV-8 Harrier II sims, and others such as ''[[Software:Fleet Defender|Fleet Defender]]'' by MicroProse, and ''F22 lightning 3 and [[Software:F-22 Raptor (video game)|F-22 Raptor]] by NovaLogic)'', whereas others concentrate on future fighters (e.g., ''[[Software:F-22 Total Air War|F-22 Total Air War]]'' by Digital Image Design in 1998). While many simulators either classify as a study sim or a survey sim, ''[[Software:Lock On: Modern Air Combat|Lock On]]'' is an example of a game that attempts to bridge the study/survey gap with highly detailed models of several US and Russian aircraft.

===Multi-player===
Before multiplayer games becoming popular, many simulators could only be played by a single player. This continued to be the standard until the late 1990s when most titles included some sort of multi-player/network capability. In single-player combat simulators, every entity other than the players' own aircraft are controlled by the program's "AI" ([[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]]), and modern video games create very sophisticated and intelligent AI with independent behaviour for adversaries and allies. Multiplayer games, which usually also contain AI, allow players to oppose one or many human players. After the growth of the internet, many simulators were created that exist only or primarily as internet multiplayer versions (e.g., ''[[Software:Air Warrior|Air Warrior]]'', the massively multiplayer ''[[Software:Fighter Ace (video game)|Fighter Ace]]'', ''[[Software:WarBirds|WarBirds]]'', ''[[Software:Aces High (video game)|Aces High]]'', ''[[Software:World War II Online|World War II Online]]'', ''[[Software:Ace Online|Ace Online]]'', ''[[Software:War Thunder|War Thunder]]'', ''Fighter Wing 2'' and others).

==Gameplay==

===Missions, campaigns, mission builders===
Many players of both video games and simulators seek games for their [[Software:Replay value|replay value]]. Simulators enhance the replay value by offering a variety of single missions consisting of short, randomly generated missions as well as longer campaigns consisting of several smaller mission or objectives. Most campaigns are "dynamic flowing," which means they change according to the results of each successive mission (e.g. if the player destroys a "target of opportunity" which turns out to be a truck carrying an enemy leader, then the campaign starts to take a different path). Some campaign models have been developed which are fully dynamic, and where successive missions take place in an environment which is persistent (if a building is destroyed in one mission, it remains destroyed in the next and will only be rebuilt in view of limited resources, realistic time and strategic priorities, etc.). A notable pioneer in this area was Andy Hollis, producer of the ''Jane's Longbow'' series. Digital Image Design, with their release of ''[[Software:F-22 Total Air War|F-22 Total Air War]]'' in 1998, allowed for a transparency into the larger strategic battlefield by use of multiple screens and a "God's eye view." Many simulators also include "mission builders" which allow the player to create their own missions.

===Controls and other hardware===
Combat flight simulators are among the most computer and graphics demanding applications at any given time, as they are real-time applications with multiple processes happening at once. This leads many simulation fans to constantly upgrade their hardware, including the most advanced graphics cards. These sims have also given rise to a variety of hardware add-ons such as "[[Engineering:HOTAS|HOTAS]]" (hands on throttle and stick) controllers that allow full control of most functions without touching the keyboard. Voice control and head-tracking view control systems are also available for home flight sim enthusiasts.

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==

* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223700/http://www.index.migman.com/ MiGMan's Flight Sim Museum]'', video game flight simulators from the 1970s to the present day

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[[Category:Combat flight simulators| ]]

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