Q&A: Ace Combat: Squadron Leader

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[b]Q&A: Ace Combat: Squadron Leader[/b]

Why do you think the Ace Combat series has been such a big hit with gamers?

We believe that players enjoy the ability to be an ace pilot. Flying in 3D with easy to pick up controls has been the hallmark of the Ace Combat series.

A new feature of Ace Combat: Squadron Leader is the ability to command your wingmen during missions. What does this add to the gameplay?

The new feature gives gameplay more depth, but mostly we hope it helps players feel a sense of togetherness, fighting in a battlefield along with your squadron. While the game progresses, we believe that you can feel the drama more, surviving with your reliable and important wingmen in the battlefield.

Besides the wingman command options, what are the main differences between this game and its predecessors?

In every area, this title is the biggest in the series. For example, the number of missions and fighter planes in the game is about twice as much as in Ace Combat: Distant Thunder. There are also more than 26,000 lines of cockpit chatter, and we used CG movies for storytelling throughout.

How does the development team go about researching the different planes?

We researched the planes in various materials, including books and footage. However, this time we also visited Farnborough Air Show and asked for information from European aeroplane manufacturers.

Also, fighter plane manufacturers (whose planes appear in the game) provided us with some useful information.

Does the story follow on from previous Ace Combat games, or is it entirely new?

While the time setting and basic premise of the game has not changed much from previous Ace Combat titles, the story itself is entirely new. There\'s a full cast of new characters, and the addition of squadrons.

Have you ever been in a fighter jet yourself? If so, what do you remember about the experience?

I have been in a Gripen on the BAE stand at the Farnborough Air Show, but unfortunately I have never been airborne in a fighter jet. The cockpit was much smaller than I imagined, I felt completely immersed in the cramped space.

Can we expect the Ace Combat franchise to head online at any point?

We are very interested in an online feature. We can\'t say anything in detail at the moment, but if we were to develop an Ace Combat title with an online feature we promise you that it would certainly be a fascinating title.

Not giving anything away just yet then! What about the PSP? Do you think the Ace Combat franchise is suited to the new hardware?

Yes. PSP has a beautiful and large screen despite the fact that it is a portable game system. For the Ace Combat development team, it is very suitable hardware to apply our technology to. It is also very easy to play [using wireless networking], so if we do develop Ace Combat for PSP, we\'d love to include a co-op mode.

You can find out more about Ace Combat: Squadron Leader at the game\'s [url=\"http://www.acecombatgame.com/\"]official site[/url].

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