Falcon 4.0

Falcon 4.0 is a combat simulator that accurately models the U.S. Air Force's F-16C Block 50 "Falcon" fighter aircraft. The F-16 is one of the most versatile combat planes in the world--the perfect blend of superb air-to-air combat maneuverability with precision air-to-ground strike capability. The jewel of the U.S., NATO and Allied air arsenals, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is deployed throughout the world.

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FALCON 4.0

Falcon.4.0. Only the makers of the acclaimed Falcon 3.0 could launch a new era of flight simulators. Falcon 4.0 breaks the sight-and-sound barrier with its cutting-edge graphics, dynamic campaigns and multiplayer gameplay. Only MicroProse could push the envelope to offer accurate topographical terrain, detailed radar and weapons simulation, hyper realistic flight models and stunning visuals. Jump into Instant Action to blow the enemy away or go head-to-head with your buddies in Dogfight. Every time you strap on the F-16, you're in for a new and challenging experience.

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MicroProse 1998-99 Product Catalog

**FALCON® 4.0 F-16 PC GAME FROM MICROPROSE PREPARES FOR FINAL APPROACH

Fourth Generation of Award-Winning Flight Sim Series Thrusts Gamers Into an Ultra-Realistic Modern Combat Experience**

ALAMEDA, CA, February 23, 1998 -- PC gamer pilots are called to duty to zip up their flight suits, fuel their tanks and accelerate to Mach 1 for the launch of Falcon® 4.0, from leading simulation game publisher MicroProse, Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS:MPRS). The Windows® 95 CD-ROM game continues the legacy of the MicroProse Falcon series, which to date has sold more than one million units, earning its stripes as the all-time, best-selling air combat flight simulator game for computers. While Falcon 3.0 set the standard for modern flight sims, Falcon 4.0 is set to break the sight and sound barriers with its cutting-edge graphics, realism, multiplayer action and dynamic campaigns.

"Flight sim gamers have come to expect the ultimate flight adventure with the Falcon brand, and MicroProse plans to exceed their gaming expectations with Falcon 4.0," said Joe Scirica, Vice President of Development at MicroProse. "The game brings the flight simulation experience closer to real military flight training and air combat maneuvers than ever thought possible."

Contributing to the authenticity of Falcon 4.0 and the entire series, MicroProse recruited the expertise of Pete Bonanni, an F-16C pilot in the Air National Guard, graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School and author of several books on flight simulation. Bonanni has flown numerous combat missions for the U.S. Air Force, including in the "no fly" zone over northern Iraq and over Bosnia.

Gameplay: Falcon 4.0 is an air combat simulation set in the Korean peninsula, with a real-time, full-scale war in progress. Players take on the role of a pilot in an F-16 jet fighter and face a variety of tactical land and air missions. Providing the most authentic F-16C flight modeling to date, the game includes highly detailed models of avionics systems, weapons systems, threat environments and artificial intelligence. The simulated terrain, planes, air bases, weapons and other objects are rendered with detailed 3-D texture-mapped graphics using digitized aerial photography, creating a highly realistic visual experience for the player. For an ultra-realistic combat experience, Falcon 4.0 features thousands of tanks, aircraft, ships and military personnel attempting to carry out orders from all levels within the military's organizational system. A complex Campaign Manager’ creates a living, evolving land/air/sea battle environment in which the F-16 pilots fly their missions. Gamers choose their missions based on the context of the ongoing battle that allows them to personally make a difference in the Campaign.

Game Modes:

Instant Action - For instant gratification, a PC fighter pilot can jump directly into the madness of multiple air and ground threats with unlimited weapons and fuel. The player's mission is to shoot down as many aircraft and blow up as many ground targets as possible before getting killed. This mode is ideal for novices, as they can utilize Falcon 4.0's simplified avionics and flight models.

Dogfight - Up to four teams of unlimited planes, each with their own distinct paint schemes, can compete in Dogfight mode. Players can also choose to fly against the computer's AI pilots or go head-to-head with other aircraft in the battle area. In the Dogfight, players can compete in "Furball" or "Match Play" mode. "Furball" is a test of individual skills that allows players to reenter the game immediately after being shot down. "Match Play" allows players to control the fight's starting parameters for tournament play. The host pilot sets the number of kills or matches from one to 100 and the battles continue until the chosen number is met. The Dogfight mode scenarios can be saved for easy recall later.

Tactical Engagement - Tactical Engagement is the ultimate free-form mission builder that gives players complete environmental control and the ability to create small campaigns with multiple missions. To help gamers become familiar with their F-16s, Falcon 4.0 includes training missions in Tactical Engagement to bring gamers up to speed on every aspect of flying and fighting. Once individuals have practiced specific tactics and maneuvers and are ready for battle, they can trade and download additional missions with friends from the Internet.

Campaign - The Falcon 4.0 Campaign is a highly complex real-time simulation engine that wages a major war with many battles being fought at the same time. Gamers can choose from dozens of different mission types, ranging from fighter sweeps to close air support to interdiction strikes. Before heading off to combat players need to study the mission situation, plan flight schedules, arm the aircraft and design contingencies, including choosing alternate landing fields.

Additional features include a Logbook where gamers can keep track of flight hours, missions flown, number of kills and other key statistics; a Tactical Reference showing players every aircraft, weapon, ground and naval unit that will be encountered in Falcon 4.0; and ACMI (Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation), which records everything that happens during a mission whether in Instant Action, Dogfight, Tactical Engagement or Campaign modes.

Category: Simulation

Format: Windows® 95 CD-ROM

Minimum Requirements: Minimum system of 133MHz Pentium compatible or faster with a 3-D graphics accelerator, Windows 95, 32MB RAM, quad-speed CD-ROM drive, SVGA graphics, DirectX-compatible video card and joystick.

MicroProse, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for use on CD-ROM-based personal computers. The company is also developing software for the use on next generation 32/64-bit console machines, the Internet and online gaming services. The company has five development studios located in Alameda, California; Hunt Valley, Maryland; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Austin, Texas and Chipping Sodbury, England. Products are available nationally and internationally and are sold through major distributors, retailers and mass merchants. Products and company information are available for download from the MicroProse Web site at www.microprose.com.

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Press Release

FALCON’ 4.0

DAS NEUE REFERENZ-PRODUKT UNTER DEN FLUG-SIMULATIONEN

FALCON 4.0 setzt neue Maßstäbe, von F-16 Entwicklern umgesetzt und von Kampfpiloten auf Realitätsnähe getestet. Die F-16C in der Version Block 50/52 ist das wohl vielseitigste Jagdflugzeug, unübertroffen im Kampf gegen Luft- und Bodenziele! Lernen Sie die Falcon in zahlreichen Trainingsmissionen kennen, meistern Sie Luftkämpfe im Soforteinsatz und zeigen Sie Ihr ganzes Können in dynamischen Echtzeit-Kampagnen über der koreanischen Halbinsel.

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Advertisement in PC Games, May 1999 (German)