Flight Control (video game)
| Flight Control | |
|---|---|
| File:Flight control app icon.jpg Flight Control App Store Icon | |
| Developer(s) | Firemint |
| Publisher(s) | Firemint |
| Platform(s) | iOS, DSiWare, WiiWare, PlayStation Network, Windows Phone 7 |
| Release | iOS March 5, 2009 DSiWare WiiWare 2010 PlayStation Network |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Co-operative Multiplayer (PSN Only) |
Flight Control is a game for the iOS, DSiWare[1], WiiWare, Windows Phone 7[2] developed by Firemint and first released for iOS on March 5, 2009. The app was #1 on the App Store in 19 countries simultaneously on April 6, 2009[3] and has over 2 million sales.[4] The development and publishing of Flight Control on non-Apple mobile phones is being done by Namco, under license.[5]
A HD version of the game called, Flight Control HD was released for the iPad in March 2010.[6] and Playstation 3 on the PlayStation Network supporting the PlayStation Move controller on September 15, 2010,[7] with various additional features including a stereoscopic 3D mode, 1080p resolution, four player co-operative multiplayer as well as an exclusive new map, Metropolis, which features a day and night cycle.[8]
Development
Flight Control started out as an individual personal project by the CEO of Firemint Robert Murray over his Christmas break. It was soon followed up by other Firemint employees Jesse West (art) and Alexandra Peters (cabin crew).
Gameplay
Players take control of an air traffic controller for an airport. The airport features a runway for large red jets, a runway for small yellow planes and a helipad for blue helicopters. Players draw paths along the touchscreen to point each air vehicle to its designated landing zone. Each landed aircraft scores the player one point and as the player's score increases, more aircraft appear on the screen at once, increasing the game's difficulty. The game ends when two or more aircraft collide. Players get a high score for the most planes landed and there are online leaderboards using Firemint's cloudcell technology, and in Game Center in iOS. The 1.2 version update included 4 more types of aircraft and 2 new stages (a beach and an aircraft carrier.[9] The 1.3 version update includes the use of Bluetooth to have another player be a controller for your other planes. The 1.5 update included a new Australian Outback map which includes airplanes from the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, which cannot be redirected.
The latest update which was released on the 11th of May, 2010 and brings the release to version 1.7 completely overhauls Flight Control's graphical engine to add higher quality graphics and more vibrant detail to the game. For fans of the Flight Control theme song, the 1.7 update extends the length of the catch titlescreen melody. A new fast forward feature called 'Safe Fast Forward' has also been implemented. Safe Fast Forward will slow the game down to normal speed when a crash between planes is imminent, allowing the player more time to recover a safer flightpath. 'Windy Airfield' is a new airfield which only allows the player to land planes on runways that face into the wind. Runways that face the same direction as windflow will be closed until the wind changes. A windsock indicates which direction the wind is coming from. The latest update now brings the playable runway total to 5.
Sales
Flight control has reached the number 1 downloaded paid application in over 20 countries. It has sold over 2 million units worldwide.[10]
Reception
Flight Control has received generally positive reviews. IGN gave the game 8 out of 10 praising on its long lasting gameplay.[11] Pocket Gamer also gave the game 8 out of 10 complimenting the game that 'if you could put Flight Control in a needle, it'd be considered a Class A drug. That's how simple and addictive it is.'[12] It has an average star rating of 4.99/5 according to moopf.com (as of May 2009)[13].
References
- ^ http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/QUMNc0a65i2OV7JUjDdZUqMq2IBWNpEA
- ^ "Flight Control is coming to Windows Phone 7". 1800PocketPC. 14 September 2010.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ [1]
- ^ flight control two million sales
- ^ Firemint partners with Namco for Flight Control Mobile
- ^ Flight Control On App List
- ^ Chris K (July 23, 2010). "First Details: Flight Control HD". PSNStores.com. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
- ^ Alex C [nofi] (August 16, 2010). "Flight Control PS3 Detailed, Dated". TheSixthAxis. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
- ^ Coastal or Carrier: Flight Control 1.2 Update
- ^ http://firemint.com/?p=707
- ^ IGN Review
- ^ Pocket Gamer Review
- ^ http://www.moopf.com/appstorereviews/appstore.php?appid=&urlappid=http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware%3Fid%3D306220440%26mt%3D8&submit=Get+Reviews moop reviews