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Flight Control (video game)
Encyclopedia
Flight Control is a game for the iOS, WiiWare
, DSiWare, Android and Windows Phone 7
developed by Firemint
and first released for iOS on March 5, 2009. The app was a number one bestseller on the App Store in 19 countries simultaneously on April 6, 2009 and has sold over two million copies. The development and publishing of Flight Control on non-Apple mobile phones is being handled by Namco
under license.
A HD version of the game called Flight Control HD was released for the iPad
in March 2010 and for the PlayStation 3
on the PlayStation Network (supporting the PlayStation Move controller) on September 15, 2010. The PlayStation 3
version supports exclusive 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. Flight Control HD was also ported to the Windows and Mac OS X
operating systems and made available through Steam. These releases are similar to the iPad version aside from the addition of a new airfield. The Mac version was released via the Mac App Store on July 21, 2011.
. The 1.2 version update includes four additional types of aircraft and two new stages (a beach and an aircraft carrier). The 1.3 version update includes the use of Bluetooth
to enable multiplayer via a second device. The 1.5 update includes a new Australian Outback
map which includes airplanes from the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
that cannot be redirected.
The latest update (1.7), released on May 11, 2010, completely overhauls the graphical engine to add higher quality animations and more vibrant detail to the game. For fans of the Flight Control theme song, the 1.7 update extends the length of the title screen melody. A new fast forward feature called 'Safe Fast Forward' has also been included. Safe Fast Forward slows the game down to normal speed when a plane crash is imminent, allowing the player more time to prevent it. 'Windy Airfield' is a newly added airfield which only allows the player to land planes on runways that face into the wind. Runways that face the same direction as the wind are closed until the wind changes. A windsock indicates which direction the wind is coming from. The latest update brings the playable runway total to five.
gave the game 8 out of 10, praising its long lasting gameplay. Pocket Gamer
also gave the game 8 out of 10, complimenting, "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." As of May 2009, Flight Control has an average star rating of 4.99/5 on moopf.com.
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
, DSiWare, Android and Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform, although incompatible with it. Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market...
developed by Firemint
Firemint
Founded in 1999 by CEO Robert Murray, Firemint is a developer and publisher of video games based in Melbourne, Australia. Originally an independent company, in May 2011, Electronic Arts announced the acquisition of Firemint Pty Ltd for an undisclosed sum, making it an in-house studio for EA...
and first released for iOS on March 5, 2009. The app was a number one bestseller on the App Store in 19 countries simultaneously on April 6, 2009 and has sold over two million copies. The development and publishing of Flight Control on non-Apple mobile phones is being handled by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
under license.
A HD version of the game called Flight Control HD was released for the iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
in March 2010 and for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
on the PlayStation Network (supporting the PlayStation Move controller) on September 15, 2010. The PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version supports exclusive additional features including a stereoscopic 3D
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
mode, 1080p
1080p
1080p is the shorthand identification for a set of HDTV high-definition video modes that are characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of resolution and progressive scan, meaning the image is not interlaced as is the case with the 1080i display standard....
resolution, four player co-operative multiplayer, as well as an exclusive new map, Metropolis, which features a day and night cycle. Flight Control HD was also ported to the Windows and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
operating systems and made available through Steam. These releases are similar to the iPad version aside from the addition of a new airfield. The Mac version was released via the Mac App Store on July 21, 2011.
Development
Flight Control started out as an individual, personal project by Firemint CEO Robert Murray over his Christmas break. Later contributions were made by fellow Firemint employees Jesse West (art) and Alexandra Peters (cabin crew).Gameplay
Players assume the role of an air traffic controller at 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 field to direct each aircraft to its designated landing zone. Each successfully landed aircraft scores the player one point, and as the player's score increases, so does the number of aircraft that will appear on the screen simultaneously. The game ends when two or more aircraft collide. Players receive a high score for the most planes landed, which can be uploaded to online leaderboards using Firemint's cloudcell technology as well as to those in the iOS Game CenterGame Center
Game Center is an online multiplayer social gaming network released by Apple. It allows users to invite friends to play a game, start a multiplayer game through matchmaking, track their achievements, and compare their high scores on a leader board.-History:...
. The 1.2 version update includes four additional types of aircraft and two new stages (a beach and an aircraft carrier). The 1.3 version update includes the use of Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
to enable multiplayer via a second device. The 1.5 update includes a new Australian Outback
Outback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
map which includes airplanes from the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is an emergency and primary health care service for those living in rural, remote and regional areas of Australia...
that cannot be redirected.
The latest update (1.7), released on May 11, 2010, completely overhauls the graphical engine to add higher quality animations and more vibrant detail to the game. For fans of the Flight Control theme song, the 1.7 update extends the length of the title screen melody. A new fast forward feature called 'Safe Fast Forward' has also been included. Safe Fast Forward slows the game down to normal speed when a plane crash is imminent, allowing the player more time to prevent it. 'Windy Airfield' is a newly added airfield which only allows the player to land planes on runways that face into the wind. Runways that face the same direction as the wind are closed until the wind changes. A windsock indicates which direction the wind is coming from. The latest update brings the playable runway total to five.
Sales
Flight Control has been the number one downloaded paid application in over 20 countries. It has sold over two million units worldwide.Reception
Flight Control has received generally positive reviews. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the game 8 out of 10, praising its long lasting gameplay. Pocket Gamer
Pocket Gamer
Pocket Gamer is a website and video game magazine that focuses on handheld video games. It was launched in 2005 and is published by Steel Media. The publication covers all major portable and mobile gaming formats, including iPhone, Android, PSP and the various versions of the Nintendo DS and was...
also gave the game 8 out of 10, complimenting, "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." As of May 2009, Flight Control has an average star rating of 4.99/5 on moopf.com.