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.
