JimMack

If you go to Metacritic http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/dcsblackshark?q=black%20shark Look at the scores of Upcoming and Recent releases and sort by scores: Black Shark 83 HAWX: 73

Digital download. TFC and ED are part of the same company- it is distribution that sucks up the profits!

Visited Game Stores at Brent Cross and Staples Corner. Same responses. ME: I want to pre-order DCS Black Shark. Salesman: No problem, let us check the listing for April 3rd. Oh, it is not listed. ME: Well here is the full page advert in your trade journal MCV and you may keep the advert for reference. I suggest you call Head Office on Monday and get it listed or I am going to buy from PC World! Salesman: Call us on Tuesday for an update. (I bet that will be a waste of time). I resisted the temptation to buy HAWX on PC DVD to evaluate in a professional capacity - I will wait until it goes into budget! Visited PC World at Staples Corner. ME: Will you be stocking DCS: Black Shark? (Showing him the advert). Salesman: I am sure we will be (not the brightest bird in the flock!) I hate the shopping experience - but at least I bought a pair of trainers at Brent Cross which I had been meaning to do for the last 6 months, after complaints from "She who must be obeyed" about foot odour!

There is a very good "Dummies Guide" here http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2626185/STICKY_Tutorial_How_to_take_of.html#Post2626185

On Saturday I am going to visit GAME stores in North London and ask why they are not taking pre-orders for Black Shark. The message might get back to the head office!

Do these ship in Canada? http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/Produ...oduct_id=74016

Hi guys - if you like it - then post your views on Gamespot, IGN, Gamespy etc

The official date in UK is Friday 3rd April. GAME buyer still trying to make up his mind whether to buy or not! Full page advert today in UK Trade magazine MCV.

Happy Birthday!

Many thanks all - have got pms and replied

If you are from Argentina - please could you pm me. Many thanks Jim

See http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74016

A nice collection of Black Shark videos here:- http://us.gamespot.com/pc/sim/lockonblackshark/index.html?tag=result;img;1 Leave your comments!

We are making arrangements for the offer to be also available for those who bought the download version. Please wait a few days so we can finalise arrangements. I will post when Matrox is ready.

Where did you buy the copy from? Was it is the German boxed version or the English download version? There are no other versions released as of this date.

I think this is more accurate http://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_ss_eb?__mk_de_DE=%C5M%C5Z%D5%D1&url=search-alias%3Denglish-books&field-keywords=DCS%3Ablack+shark

They only contain one language.

This is a reasonably accurate report on the sequence of company events for Microprose. http://www.mobygames.com/company/sphere-inc The error in the report is that it was Nexa that merged with Spectrum Holobyte, to form the company Sphere, which then published under the name "Spectrum Holobyte. I should know, I carried out the acquisitions and mergers when CEO of Mirrorsoft, part of the Maxwell group of companies!

A brilliant series of articles

Many thanks - already in contact!

My apologies. I meant North America and not USA. There will be English and French versions in Canada.

Reason - different distribution channels/timing between countries. We will post a more definitive list of timings at the end of the week when distributors have confirmed their arrangements.

The key thing is accurate ID of target so you do not drop on own troops. Typical patter. Pilot has a map, different scale from FAC. FAC says - Do you see village Amesbury (position Lat/long or an internal military co-ord position)? Look NW 500 metes, 3 buildings by road with trees alongside. That is your target." Note, pilots have to at all times know their compass rose, ie where North is. CAS pilots must have situational awareness of ground objects and compass direction on the ground. It takes time to teach. In the Ross Kemp documentary last night, the F18 pilot had obviously got lost, even though he had GPS and rover! That was why he did a "show of strength" flyby and did not drop bombs! The pilot has an Ingress Point, about 10 miles away. He comes in and make sures he can really eyball the target as described. He might circle for 5 minutes until he has absolute clarification of ID. Apaches work in pairs, using a racetrack pattern over the target area.

See:- http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/rockwell-collins-tapped-for-british-itga-facfoo-system-03705/ Also look up ROVER on google. Also "nine liner" If manpad threat then 15,000 ft is orbit height. However in Afghanistan no manpad threat so circle at 5000 ft.

We are in discussions concening distribution of Black Shark in Turkey. I would be grateful if anyone involved in Turkish fansites for Lock On or Black Shark could send me a PM. Many thanks