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Daily News
By Gail Helmer

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Friday, December 8, 2000


SSI News: Matt Wagner Joins Flanker Team!
This just in from the Official Flanker 2 Forum:
Two pieces of news for this week.
1. First, 2.5 is now in test.
2. I want to welcome Matt Wagner to SSI. Matt comes from Jane's Origin, and is the newest member of the Flanker team. I hope everyone gives him the same warm greeting I received a couple of months ago.

Tim Goodlett
Executive Producer
Novato Studio
Entertainment Division

USS Kitty Hawk on High Alert After Russian Flyover!
A pair of Russian warplanes that made at least three high-speed passes over a U.S. aircraft carrier stationed in the Sea of Japan in October constituted a much more serious threat than the Pentagon has admitted and were easily in a position to destroy the ship if the planes had had hostile intentions, say Navy personnel. According to reports, a Russian air force Su-24 "Fencer" accompanied by an Su-27 "Flanker" made unopposed passes over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) on Oct. 9, as the carrier was being refueled.

"The Flanker was all over his a--. He was screaming for help when finally a [F/A-18] Hornet from our sister squadron got off the deck and made the intercept. It was too late." -- A sailor aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, commenting on the ship's response to a Russian flyover.

Read the following stories for more details: Aviation Now & WorldNet Daily

Independence War 2 Site Launches!
Infogrames has launched the official website for Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos. The space-combat simulation game takes place in the 24th century, after human civilization has been forced to expand into space because of resource shortages on Earth. Players assume the role of renegade pilot and escaped convict Cal Johnston. Johnston is accompanied on his quest for revenge by a group of fellow prison escapees. The game combines traditional space-combat simulation elements with adventure and resource management. Independence War 2 is scheduled for release April 2001. For more info click here: Edge of Chaos

Website Update for A.C.E.S!
Our good friend Mike Pohl of A.C.E.S in St Louis Park, MN has launched a new site. A.C.E.S. is Air Combat Entertainment Simulations, where you can pilot a full-motion F/A-18 Hornet flight simulator. You can land on an aircraft carrier, dogfight your friends, or anything else the real aircraft can do in our simulators. Check it out at:. FlyAces


Wednesday, December 6, 2000


X-Plane Now Available in Retail Stores!
Xicat Interactive has announced that the most advanced PC flight sim ever, X-Plane, hits store shelves. As many of you may know X-Plane was developed by Austin Meyer several years ago to answer a growing need for realistic flight simulators. The original price of X-Plane was $200 US, you can now buy it for $39.99. X-Plane features the most thorough flight model outside of an actual FAA approved training facility. With over 40 planes from the get-go, 30,000 + airports and NAVAIDS, and unlimited customization potential. X-Plane for Windows 95/95/ME and Mac. For more info go to: X-Plane

Infogrames Entertainment To Acquire Hasbro Interactive And Games.Com!
Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext 5257) and Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) jointly announced today that they have entered into a strategic agreement, creating one of the foremost powerhouses in the mass market digital interactive entertainment world. The agreement is comprised of three main elements, including the Infogrames acquisition of Hasbro Interactive; a long-term licensing agreement giving Infogrames exclusive rights to develop and publish digital interactive games based on current and future Hasbro properties on all existing and future digital interactive formats; and the acquisition of Games.com.

Infogrames will purchase 100% of the common stock of Hasbro Interactive and Games.com for $100 million - comprised of $95 million in Infogrames Entertainment SA securities (approximately 4.5 million common shares) and $5 million in cash. In addition, Hasbro will receive an annual guarantee from Infogrames based on sales generated from the licensing agreement. The agreements are subject to the approval of the shareholders of Infogrames, regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. The companies expect the deal to close early in the first calendar quarter of 2001.

North American B-17 II Ships in Time for Christmas!
COMBATSIM.COM has just confirmed, from Hasbro Interactive, that B-17 II will ship to North American stores by December 15. This pre-Christmas release is earlier than the original release date of February 2001.

X-32A Completes Low-Speed Carrier Variant Tests!
Flying as many as five flights daily, the Boeing X-32A Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator successfully completed low-speed approach aircraft carrier variant tests -- one of the government's three main program objectives for the JSF program.



The Boeing X-32A Joint Strike Fighter completes a touch-and-go at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to demonstrate flying and handling qualities during a low-speed aircraft carrier approach using a simulated carrier deck outlined on the base runway. A Fresnel lens on the ground provides pilot cues during the approach. A landing signal officer provides a trained eye to help evaluate the landing, a procedure that is done with all shipboard landings. (Courtesy photo) Full story at: Air Force News

Anniversary of Pearl Harbor:December 7!
It was a day of unforeseeable tragedy. A day of countless broken dreams and needless broken hearts. "A day that will live in infamy." On a bright Sunday morning on Dec. 7, 1941, no one suspected anything out of the ordinary. Yet, when the Japanese made a surprise attack on island of Oahu, now known as the attack on Pearl Harbor, in less than a few hours more than 2,000 American lives were lost and just as many were injured and wounded. Survivor, historian recount events of Pearl Harbor attack, read the full story at: Air Force News


Monday, December 4, 2000


COMBATSIM.COM December Calender!
Just in case you missed this when we posted these on December 1.
December 2000 Desktop Wallpaper (1024x768)
December 2000 Desktop Wallpaper (800x600)

Battle of Britain Demo Available!
Just in case you missed the news on November 29th, Empire Interactive has released the Battle of Britain demo. This is a 46mb file and can be downloaded from the Supply Depot at: Battle of Britain

Ground Control Free Expansion Pack!
Ground Control: Dark Conspiracy, the official Ground Control expansion pack, is now available free of charge to owners of Ground Control. Dark Conspiracy builds on Ground Control's award winning gameplay and technology, adding new missions, environments, units and multiplayer modes. For more information about the game and this free offer, visit the: Ground Control: Dark Conspiracy website

Jagged Alliance 2 Ships!
Interplay has announced that Jagged Alliance 2: Unfinished Business has shipped to stores. The stand-alone expansion features new maps, new characters, and new weapons, but it uses the same turn-based tactical combat system as the original Jagged Alliance 2. Read our preview at: COMBATSIM.COM JA2 Preview
Or, visit the: Jagged Alliance 2 Website

Naval Warfare Simulations Update!
Warship Database Project Beta V10.97 for Fleet Command has been posted. This latest update includes the Virginia CGN and California CGN classes and over 1000 edits that completely recalibrate all surface and land mounted guns for better realism! For more info go to: Naval-Warfare

PC Data's Top Ten PC Games!
PC Data's top ten list for the week of November 12-18.

1. MP Roller Coaster Tycoon Hasbro Interactive
2. Barbie Pet Rescue Mattel Interactive
3. The Sims Electronic Arts
4. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 Electronic Arts
5. The Sims Livin Large Expansion Pack Electronic Arts
6. Loopy Landscapes Expansion Pack Hasbro
7. Delta Force Land Warrior Nova Logic
8. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire 2nd Edition Disney
9. Half-Life Counter Strike Expansion Pack Havas Interactive
10. Hoyle Casino 2001 Havas Interactive



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