DCS: Black Shark, Russian Version has gone gold

DCS: Black Shark to be released in Russia on 17 October

Digital Combat Simulator: Black Shark will be released in Russia and other CIS states through 1C Company on 17 October. Although the game will be available for download from the 1C web site, it will not be available to western consumers. Details of DCS: Black Shark includes:

Digital Combat Simulator: Black Shark

• DCS: Black Shark is a simulation of the Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter and is the first simulation module of the Digital Combat Simulator series by The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics.

• DCS: Black Shark can be played as the most realistic combat helicopter simulation ever created for the PC with authentic flight dynamics and systems modeling. Black Shark may also be played as a console-style arcade game for the casual gamer.

• A detailed and accurate 330,000 sq km depiction of the western Caucasus region serves as the battlefield and includes a broad array of eastern and western air, land and sea units.

• Each air, land and sea unit is accurately modeled to include detailed models, weapon systems, movement dynamics and artificial intelligence. Each bullet, rocket, shell or bomb fired is modeled in detail for accurate performance.

• Powerful and easy to use Mission and Campaign Editors are provided to allow creation of user-created missions and campaigns. Non-linear campaigns are provided with unlimited replayability.

• Multiplayer game play is provided to include both cooperative play using the Ka-50 data link and head-to-head. Multiplayer supports up to 16 players.

• A set of detailed training missions, single missions and a campaign are included.

Ka-50 “Black Shark” Features

• A highly-detailed six degrees of freedom cockpit allows you to look anywhere in the cockpit using TrackIR®.

• An unrivalled flight physics system provides the most realistic helicopter flight experience available.

• Interface with the fully 3D cockpit using a mouse with the option for an English cockpit.

• Detailed modelling and control of engine, fuel, hydraulics, electrical, navigation, radio, fire suppression, sensor, and weapon systems (casual game play modes also available).

• Advanced weapon physics for missiles, rockets and cannon rounds to include ricochets.

• Detailed simulation of the “Shkval” optical targeting system and the “Vikhr” anti-tank guided missile system that allows attacks on both ground and air units.

• Accurate emulation of both the “ABRIS” moving map navigation system and “Skosok” night vision goggles for day and night missions.

In addition to the Russian version, a single western version (DVD and download) including support for English, French, German and Spanish is currently in development. Much localization work still remains and there will be a 90-day period between when the western version is completed and submitted to the various Age Rating Authorities as required by law (ESRB for USA, PEGI for Europe (less Germany) and USK for Germany), then presented to distributers and when the game will be available for purchase. Although the game will be completed in 2008, it may not be available for purchase until early 2009.

Between now and the release of the western version, we will be releasing free content for DCS: Black Shark to include: the PDF DCS User Manual (165 pages), the PDF Ka-50 Simulation Flight Manual (400 pages), and an English-only interactive demo.

A printed, spiral-bound, extended 550 page Ka-50 flight manual will also be available for sale.

Both the retail and digital download versions of DCS: Black Shark will be using the latest version of StarForce. The DVD version will require activation to prevent piracy. The download version will have 10 activations. This decision was made only after three years of testing using well over 100 beta testers over a wide array of hardware and installed software. During these three years of intensive testing, not a single tester encountered a StarForce-related problem. We feel StarForce provides a safe and effective means of combating software piracy.

DCS: Black Shark will be available in both boxed retail versions and internet download from http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

Sales price of the western version is to be determined.

Minimum system requirements: Windows XP, Vista; CPU P4 2GHz or AMD equivalent, RAM 2 GB; Video 256MB RAM, compatible with DirectX9; 5GB of HDD space; sound card; DVD ROM; keyboard; mouse.

Recommended system requirements: Windows XP, Vista; CPU Intel Core 2 Duo 3GHz or AMD equivalent, RAM 2 GB; Video Card with 512 MB RAM (ATI Radeon HD4850+ or nVidia GF8800+), compatible with DirectX9; 5GB of HDD space; sound card; DVD ROM; TrackIR®; keyboard, mouse, joystick.

Here is a friendly reminder: We won't tolerate any rants about the protection scheme.

A quote from the Announcement:

The DVD version will require a weekly check.