Ace Combat Goes Free-to-Play

[compl3x]

It looks like another big franchise will dip its toe into the free-to-play waters on Sony's PlayStation Network. Namco Bandai Games announced today that the newest game in its ultra popular Ace Combat series is Ace Combat Infinity for PS3. Scheduled for release in late 2013 exclusively as a download on PSN, Ace Combat Infinity promises a brand new story campaign and team co-op multiplayer in a free-to-play setting.

 

"The Ace Combat franchise has set the gold standard in both graphics and dog-fighting dynamics for flight combat video games throughout its long running history," said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. "The Project Aces team has crafted a Free-to-Play experience within Ace Combat Infinity that will allow gamers to enjoy high flying aerial warfare like never before."

 

The game will offer air combat in a near future world setting using super-weapons, realistic visuals, a Story Campaign mode offering solo missions, and an online multiplayer mode where two teams of up to four players can tackle a common enemy together.

 

Namco Bandai did not detail what free-to-play elements might be in the game like additional content that can be purchased. We will have more on this game as further details are released.

 

More details on the game and the first video are available on Namco Bandai's Facebook page.

 

 

 

http://gamepolitics.com/2013/08/02/ace-combat-goes-free-play#.Uf4EupKnoWc

 

[Aergan]

After what a success Tekken Revolution has become (in terms of players at least, no idea what revenue they are making) I'm not surprised.

 

Hopefully Ridge Racer goes down this route as each instalment has been disappointing after Type 4.

[HawkMan]

 

"The Ace Combat franchise has set the gold standard in both graphics and dog-fighting dynamics for flight combat video games throughout its long running history," 

 

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

 

oh god, I'm choking...

 

I mean it's a good fun game. but the fact they actually believe that themselves.... If I wanted a sim game, the last good one was ADF and F18, they're not even in the same league, heck compared to even the simpler Jane's games they're not the same league. 

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Nice :D I have a feeling Yoshi Ono will take SF into the F2P market with a spin off. It's still too much of a risk for a full numbered title but if Namco are pushing a second IP then there must be something to gain.

 

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

 

oh god, I'm choking...

 

I mean it's a good fun game. but the fact they actually believe that themselves.... If I wanted a sim game, the last good one was ADF and F18, they're not even in the same league, heck compared to even the simpler Jane's games they're not the same league.

 

He didn't say it was a sim game? :huh:

[HawkMan]

but he said they had the best flight dynamics. 

 

lets face it though, the only reason they are going free to play is because of World of Warplanes, which I personally find more fun to play. though I hope they expand into the modern jet era like AC in the future. I prefer modern jet fighters, but World of Warplanes is much smoother to play MP than AC. 

[compl3x]

Flight dynamics doesn't necessarily translate into simulation. I didn't read it that way. But this is in the Sony forum so it is clear why you had to come in and be sarcastic.

[HawkMan]

Flight dynamics doesn't necessarily translate into simulation. I didn't read it that way. But this is in the Sony forum so it is clear why you had to come in and be sarcastic.

 

Actually this has nothing to do about Sony, and all to do about AC. which is a great game, I expect them to announce the free to play version for the One later anyway, and I'll probably try it. but unless their flight dynamics have improved massively it's not a game you stick with . their flight dynamics are horrible, the only good thing about AC has been that they've been the only modern air combat game in the last many may years. 

[Aergan]

Actually this has nothing to do about Sony, and all to do about AC. which is a great game, I expect them to announce the free to play version for the One later anyway, and I'll probably try it. but unless their flight dynamics have improved massively it's not a game you stick with . their flight dynamics are horrible, the only good thing about AC has been that they've been the only modern air combat game in the last many may years. 

 

 

Scheduled for release in late 2013 exclusively as a download on PSN

[HawkMan]

 

and that says permanently where ?

[Aergan]

and that says permanently where ?

 

Cool, if we're going to re-interpret the statement of fact to non-fact then I'm sure they'll release it on the Wii-U and then every other console where Namco have had a lot of support and success.

[HawkMan]

Knowing the history of the Ace Combat devs, it would be extremely surprising if this was only on PS3, so surprising it's next to impossible. Mostly it's exclusive for now since MS hasn't revealed much about the F2P plans yet and they're all under NDA. 

[xreyuk]

Even though I used to be a regular flight simmer, I used to really enjoy sitting down and playing this as it was something nice and easy to pass the time. Will probably grab a copy!

[_neutrino Veteran]

i used to love Ace Combat for back in the day, i have not played one since so this would be cool when it releases.