Jane's F-15, also known as simply F-15, is a combat flight simulator video game developed and released by Electronic Arts in 1998 for the PC. It models the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. EA's 2000 Jane's F/A-18 used an improved version of F-15's game engine.

Jane's F-15
Developer(s)EA Baltimore
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Director(s)Greg Kreafle
Producer(s)Greg Kreafle
Designer(s)Michael J. McDonald
Programmer(s)John Paquin
Artist(s)Max D. Remington III
Terrence Hodge
SeriesJane's Combat Simulations
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s)Combat flight simulator
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Gameplay

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A view of the 2D-cockpit.

The game has two campaigns: one based on the 1991 Gulf War and the other focusing on a fictional conflict with Iran.

The virtual cockpit was one of the first of its kind, but the game still featured a 2D cockpit which also allowed the player to switch between the pilot and the weapon systems officer seat in the back of the cockpit to monitor the different multi-functional displays.

Reception

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The game received favorable reviews. Next Generation described the game for having fast-paced and hot-and-heavy air combat and challenging AI.[8]

The game sold 126,461 units in the U.S. and earned $5 million by October 1999.[12]

Jane's F-15 was a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' inaugural "PC Simulation Game of the Year" award,[13] which ultimately went to Microsoft Flight Simulator 98.[14] The game was also a finalist for Computer Gaming World's 1998 "Best Simulation" award, CNET Gamecenter's 1998 Best Combat Flight Sim award, and IGN's "Best Simulation of the Year" award, all of which ultimately went to European Air War.[15][16][17] It was also a runner-up for Computer Games Strategy Plus' "Simulation Game of the Year" award, losing again to European Air War. The staff called the former "extremely impressive".[18] PC Gamer US also nominated the game as the best simulation of 1998, but it lost to Falcon 4.0.[19]

References

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  1. ^ Gentry, Perry (March 23, 1998). "What's in Stores This Week". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Redwood, Stephen. "Jane's F-15: The Definitive Jet Combat Simulator - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Chick, Tom (April 23, 1998). "F-15". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Hunt, James W. (April 27, 1998). "Jane's F-15". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on July 4, 2003. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Kim, Robin G. (July 1998). "The Eagle Has Landed (F-15 Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 168. Ziff Davis. pp. 160–61. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Thomas, Chet (May 4, 1998). "F-15 Review [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Jane's F-15". GameStar (in German). Webedia. May 1998.
  8. ^ a b "F-15". Next Generation. No. 43. Imagine Media. July 1998. p. 116. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  9. ^ McDonald, T. Liam (July 1998). "F-15". PC Gamer. Vol. 5, no. 7. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on January 16, 2000. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  10. ^ Lindgren, Ian (June 1998). "Jane's F-15". PC PowerPlay. No. 25. Next Media Pty Ltd. pp. 72–74. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Mathieson, Dave (June 1998). "Jane's F-15". PC Zone. No. 64. Dennis Publishing. pp. 86–87. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  12. ^ "Flight Sim Sales" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 183. Ziff Davis. October 1999. p. 45. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  13. ^ "The Award - Updates". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 15, 1998.
  14. ^ "The Award - Winners". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 15, 1998.
  15. ^ CGW staff (April 1999). "Computer Gaming World's 1999 Premier Awards (Best Simulation)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 177. Ziff Davis. p. 98. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Gamecenter staff (January 29, 1999). "The CNET Gamecenter.com Awards for 1998! (Combat Flight Sims Nominees)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  17. ^ IGN staff (January 29, 1999). "IGNPC's Best of 1998 Awards". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 27, 1999. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  18. ^ CGSP staff (February 11, 1999). "The Best of 1998 (Simulation Game of the Year)". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  19. ^ PC Gamer staff (March 1999). "The Fifth Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer. Vol. 6, no. 3. Imagine Media. pp. 64, 67, 70–73, 76–78, 84, 86–87.
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