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Remember A10 Cuba from Activision? I know, some of you not only REMEMBER it, you are still playing it! A-10 Cuba is one of the most unique and amazing flight sims ever made. With somewhat stark graphics but EXCELLENT flight modelling and avionics and ground breaking physics modelling, Activision showed us how its done.

So get ready for more! This time A10 will be celebrated by iMagic, running under version two of their DEMON graphics engine. The essential feature of this engine is that it maps real world elevation data and satellite images to give near photo realism to the virtual environment.

However, while this looks really great from 12,000 feet or more, the engine is not as well adapted to low level flight. I've had a final gold of imf22 in hand for a week now and I can confirm that this engine is designed for flight, NOT for ground traffic and mud moving. Knowing this limitation, iA-10 Warthog will utilize DEMON two which is adapted for low level flight with greatly enhanced elevation data. Interesting, isn't it? Leads one to suspect that this engine will also be used for some other undercover projects like a new tank sim maybe?

In any case, judging from these screen shots this will be one to watch. The dynamic campaign will integrate a ground war involving tanks, SAMS, AAA and attack helicopters. As with imf22, iMagic will design an interactive cockpit and some fun multiplayer features. Who knows, maybe this will be iMagics move toward the virtual battlefield, with a later connection to a tank sim or chopper sim. Wherever it goes, im-A10 Warthog will likely beat the other A10 sim in the works for release in Q2 1998.

Publisher's Note (2005-02-23): iA-10 Warthog was cancelled and never released due to the difficulty of modeling low-level terrain. If you want to read an interesting story about one of iA-10 Warthog's programmers, Kyle Wilson, click here.