NovaLogic Brings the Russians' Air Superiority Fighter to the PC; For the First Time Ever, MiG 29s Will Take to the Skies Against F-16s and Other Jet Combat Sims.

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1998--NovaLogic Thursday announced the release of the "MiG 29 Fulcrum" simulation game, which will entice players to go behind the Iron Curtain.

Available in stores later this month, the new jet combat simulation, based on the Russian MiG 29, initiates a new standard in massive multiplayer gaming with the product's ability to compete with other NovaLogic simulations in the same Internet arena. MiG 29 Fulcrum also features authentic avionics and a realistic flight model, making the product the most accurate MiG 29 computer flight sim to date.

Based on NovaLogic's third-generation flight sim engine, "MiG 29 Fulcrum" features 3Dfx support to provide fast frame rates and even more stunning terrain. In addition, the engine's six degrees of freedom graphics system (6DOF) gives computer pilots unprecedented views of the aircraft and gameplay action. Players will also have access to eight different camera views of their fighter for exceptional situational awareness.

Also incorporated into the new flight simulation is the ability for more than 120 players to operate multiple aircrafts in the same arenas using the company's free online gaming environment. This Integrated Battle Space (IBS) allows gamers to fly cooperatively or go head-to-head against other player-controlled planes such as an F-16 or F-22, with support for other vehicles on its way.

NovaLogic is introducing "MiG 29 Fulcrum" simultaneously with another jet combat simulation, "F-16 Multirole Fighter." This launch strategy ensures that purchasers of the products will be able to experience the IBS as soon as they open the box. "F-22 Raptor" will also be enhanced for compatibility and an upgrade will be provided to current owners in late 1998.

"`F-22 Raptor' set a new standard for smooth large-scale Internet play, and we have learned a lot since its release. We have made the servers extremely stable and upgraded the system considerably. With the introduction of `MiG 29 Fulcrum,' we are taking the next step in multiplayer gaming," said John Garcia, president and CEO of NovaLogic.

"We have created an environment that allows for a variety of different player-controlled objects to operate simultaneously. In the near future, we will be expanding the choice of vehicles that can operate in that space. This is the beginning of something very exciting."

With "MiG 29 Fulcrum," players will be able to execute the Cobra and Tailslide maneuvers, which are hallmark moves exclusive to the MiG 29. It is virtually impossible for any other jetfighter to even attempt the maneuvers without falling into a fatal spin.

The Cobra maneuver involves quickly reducing power and pulling the plane's nose up to a nearly 90 degree angle while continuing to move forward. This results in a cobra-like attack stance, which is how the move earned its name.

With the Tailslide, known as "Kolokol" in Russian, the pilot pulls the jetfighter up nearly perpendicular to the ground and kills the engines, allowing the plane to "slide" down thousands of feet, tail first, before assuming a nose-dive position. At this time, the pilot re-engages the engines and pulls out of the plunge to a safe altitude.

Once assigned to one of more than 40 stand alone single-player/cooperative missions, players are thrown into the midst of a MiG 29 combat pilot's world. In "MiG 29 Fulcrum," the player will become a Russian air force pilot on loan to different countries where the campaigns occur, including Malaysia, Nigeria and Russian territories.

The game also features two "F-16 Multirole Fighter" campaigns, enabling gamers to tackle the same missions from a completely different perspective. Adding to the gameplay variety, the first "F-16" campaign gives gamers the opportunity to be a U.S. ally and work alongside American jet fighters to complete the missions' strategic objectives.

As players strive to accomplish their assignments, they will fly over six different terrains, including barren deserts, a glacial wasteland, tropical islands and others. Gamers can also live out their own interpretation of fighting from behind the Iron Curtain with the product's mission design tool. With this feature, gamers can create their own personal missions.

To develop the most accurate MiG 29 flight simulation, NovaLogic is working closely with Yuri Prikhodko, a Russian cosmonaut and test pilot for the MiG 29, SU27 and MiG 31 jetfighter programs. Prikhodko has provided expert counsel regarding the authenticity of the game's flight model, avionics and overall performance. The former test pilot is also helping to design the product's missions by providing input on the experience of completing missions for "the other side."

Along with the aircraft's crisp, detailed appearance and realistic gameplay, the new title puts gamers in the seat of an extremely accurate MiG 29 cockpit. With the aid of the former Russian test pilot, location and functions of the dials, gauges and indicators are correctly placed and operate realistically, allowing gamers to utilize them with a click of their mouse.

Additional realism factors incorporated into the product's design are the real aircraft's responses and reactions to various conditions and circumstances in the environment. "MiG 29 Fulcrum's" game engine takes into account mach vs. airspeed; weight; fuel flow; engine efficiency based on temperature and altitude; dynamic mass; lift and drag; G-forces; wind currents; and other physical effects, and directs the simulation to respond accordingly.

With the product's 3Dfx support, gamers will fly through breathtakingly crisp terrain at resolutions up to 1024 by 768 and experience fast frame rates. For maximum performance, gamers can use SLI (Scan Line Interleaving). Featuring a full six degrees of freedom (6DOF) rendering engine, "F-16 Multirole Fighter" delivers visual effects never before seen in a PC combat flight simulator.

System Requirements for "MiG 29 Fulcrum" are Windows 95, 98 or NT; minimum CPU of a Pentium 166 (200 recommended); 16 Mb of memory; quad speed CD-ROM; and a Windows 95-compatible SVGA card.

The simulation is scheduled to hit retail store shelves by the end of the month with a suggested retail price of $49.95. Customers can also order the product through NovaLogic's online store at www.novalogic.com or by calling 800/858-1322.

Founded in 1985, NovaLogic Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for PC. NovaLogic just released "Comanche Gold," which features an enhanced version of 1997's No. 1-selling military simulation, "Comanche 3," and many new options, such as a mission design tool. The company also introduced the Lockheed Martin Fighter Series brand with the availability of "F-22 Raptor," which hit store shelves in December 1997.

NovaLogic has headquarters in Calabasas, with offices in London.

Key features in the game include: -- Authentic MiG 29 flight model and avionics; -- Highly detailed interactive cockpit; -- More than 40 stand alone single-player/cooperative missions; -- MiG 29 Fulcrum design tool to create custom scenarios; -- Eight different camera views for exceptional situational

awareness; -- Fast 3Dfx support with high-definition graphics -- up to 1024 x

768 with Voodoo2; and -- Free large-scale Internet play with more than 120 other aircraft

in one arena via NovaWorld.

Editors note: This news release, along with other product information, screen shots and demos, is available at www.novalogic.com.