You're the Brit intelligence guy, right? Well Howdy! The name's Silver, Luke Silver. The callsign's Quicksilver, get it? My CO tells me that you're here to pick up some information - well let me tell you, you've come to the right place, yes Sir. You couldn't have picked a better time, actually.

You may or may not have heard that Lockheed Martin have recently rolled out the F-22 Raptor, the USAF's newest multi-role combat aircraft. he's a beauty, uh-huh. Well, several game companies have got simulations in the pipeline that are based on the F-22, and because of this, said companies are getting a little rowdy. Novalogic (makers of the excellent Comanche 3, and due to launch a sim called, yup, F-22 Raptor, this fall) have sparked controversy by issuing a statement on the F-22 Raptor 'Trademark', following the news that Interactive Magic (Air Warrior II) are also soon to release a game called iF-22 Raptor. Here's what they said; 'NovaLogic has therefore asked Interactive Magic ("IM") not to infringe upon NovaLogic's trademark rights in its F-22 Raptor product. NovaLogic thinks IM's use of the name "iF-22 Raptor" is likely to confuse the trade and public and has asked IM to rename its product and avoid confusingly similar logos and packaging. NovaLogic believes that IM has no more right to sell a product called "iF-22 Raptor" than it does to sell "iCoca Cola".' NovaLogic has not asked IM to delay the release of its product or change it in any way.'

Now, this seems to me as though Novalogic are doing what they can to monopolise the F-22 simulation market, which strikes me as kinda unfair. After all, there have been several simulations based on the F-16 Falcon and the Apache Longbow, and at the end of the day the highest quality product becomes the champion. Are Novalogic admitting that they doubt the success of their product when competing against simulations of the same aircraft?

Staying with Novalogic for the minute, they are offering an 'upgrade' to existing owners of F22 Lightning II, that will change the shape of your F22 (and your wingman's) from the prototype YF-22 to the newly introduced shape of Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor aircraft. Your fighter will also carry the paint scheme of the first production model, christened 'The Spirit of America'. This latest upgrade will also include all of the latest fixes and features. See the Novalogic web page (http://www.novalogic.com) for details.

Naturally, Interactive Magic are more than a little hacked off about this, particularly after chairman Bill Stealey, received this letter from legal counsel for Lockheed Martin. "We are writing on behalf of our client, Lockheed Martin Corporation ("Lockheed Martin") to advise you that "F-22" and "F-22 Raptor" are trademarks of Lockheed Martin, who is in final license agreement discussions with Novalogic, Inc. for exclusive use of the "F-22" marks for interactive computer flight simulation games. Interactive Magic's use of the trade name "iF-22 Raptor" in its flight simulation game, in conjunction with images and photographs of Lockheed Martin aircraft directly infringes Lockheed Martin's rights in violation of federal and state statutes and the common law. Accordingly, Lockheed Martin must now request that Interactive Magic immediately adopt a different, non-infringing trade name for its computer games and remove all references to Lockheed Martin and all images of Lockheed Martin aircraft from any and all software Interactive Magic manufactures, sells, and/or distributes." This is a curious about turn from Lockheed Martin, since their own public relations officials have been very helpful in providing information to Interactive Magic's iF-22 Raptor design team about the real F-22 Raptor.

Interactive Magic have responded publicly; 'For the past two years, we have been working hard to create a realistic simulation of the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor. During this time, Lockheed-Martin and the U.S. Air Force have been very supportive and have provided us with detailed public information about the F-22 so that we can create a game for our customers. Last week, we were informed by letter that NovaLogic is attempting to negotiate exclusive rights for the use of the plane's name, its likeness, photographs of it, and information about it. In effect, this means that I-Magic and other game companies will not (if NovaLogic's legal maneuver succeeds) have the right to use public information about the F-22 in any future game. Conceivably, NovaLogic could altogether deny other game companies the right to make a game based on or including the F-22 Raptor, or at the very least restrict what public information they can and cannot use in developing their games. We strongly oppose NovaLogic's efforts. To our knowledge, no game company has ever tried to monopolise public information about a military aircraft designed and built with government funds. The game industry, and the simulation genre in particular, has always thrived on fair and open competition, and the free use of public information about the military and its equipment is absolutely vital to maintaining that level of competition. But NovaLogic apparently wants to change the way game companies compete, and leave it to the legal system to determine which games succeed and which don't. We believe this fight doesn't belong to the lawyers or in the courtrooms. This is a battle that should be taken to the customers, to the people who play and love flight sims. All game companies should have open access to public information about the F-22 Raptor and other military hardware. If NovaLogic's attempts succeed, then a dangerous precedent will be set. It could mean the end of free and equal competition in simulation games. We have started a forum on our web site in hopes that gamers will come and speak their minds on the subject, however they may feel. Please, if you have strong opinions about this, take a few minutes to tell us your viewpoint.'

Please do.

Novalogic are utilising strongarm tactics in order to blitz the opposition, and it sucks. Go to http://www.interactivemagic.com and make your voice heard.

Digital Image Design (EF2000), whose upcoming title TFX3 features the F-22 Raptor, have taken a much more 'on the fence' attitude to the matter. They have issued the following statement, 'Digital Image Design Ltd. believes as a company that it should not be forgotten that flight simulations are created for the general public. Our industry has reached the current level of maturity and sophistication due to the tremendous encouragement and support from flight simulation enthusiasts around the world. It would be wrong to deny the very group of people who have helped shape our industry any future freedom of choice borne out of incomprehensible disagreement. Presently, DID has not been approached concerning this matter by any other party. DID's Managing Director, Martin Kenwright, would like to take this opportunity to invite representatives from Novalogic, Interactive Magic and Lockheed Martin to meet in an open forum of discussion in order to resolve this matter amicably. Meanwhile, work continues on TFX3-F22, the definitive F-22 Raptor simulation.'

Hmmm. Well, staying with DID and TFX 3 for now, I hear that a worldwide release date has been set for October 1997. Cool news, right? I also hear that TFX 3 allows you not only to command the one fighter, but an entire airwar! With full wingmen control, you'll never be alone in TFX 3. What's more, you can escape from the confines of your cockpit into the E3 Sentry airborne warning and command aircraft (AWACS), or step into the shoes of a base commander. With TFX 3, there are more ways to play and more ways to win. DID have enhanced their graphics technology too, as you can see from the awesome screenshots here. Advanced light-sourcing has been introduced, that adds dramatic new depth to the world with subtle, atmospheric lighting for every time of day and weather condition. Transparent cloud layers, night vision simulation, and weather modelling intensify the flying experience still further. They've also added support for 3D accelerator cards, which help transform the graphics into workstation quality on your home PC. This is something which you're going to see more of, so get 3D equipped now! To summarise then, you'll be able to; - Fly the world's most advanced plane, and control up to three wingmen via data links. - Experience combat from different perspectives. Fly the plane, or command the war via AWACS and base command. Jump seamlessly between each role. - Test yourself against our new 'real-time' War-Gen system. Continuously evolving, with over 40,000 possible start scenarios between more than six countries. - Fly against real opponents. TFX 3 incorporates a wide variety of multi-player options as standard. From serial linked gameplay to LAN vs. LAN. - Access the finest intelligence. TFX 3 comes in a full-colour, hard-bound book on modern air combat, by the world renowned World Air Power Journal.

Sounds like it's gonna be one helluva game - I can't wait! It's also nice to see company constantly supporting and upgrading its existing products. DID will shortly be releasing EF2000 V2.0 in North America, which will contain the following: - DOS version of EF2000 V2.0 (known in Europe as EF2000 Evolution) - Enhanced Windows '95 version of EF2000 V2.0 (complete with TEN compatibility) - Graphics+ upgrade for 3DFX and Rendition cards (this upgrade will take full advantage of users who have a 3DFX or Rendition chipset on their video card. It can only be used with the DOS version of the game) - A comprehensive 350-page manual - A detailed strategy guide published by Sim Tech

It seems that you guys in Europe will be able to download the Graphics+ upgrade for free, from the DID web site, at http://www.did.com. I don't know about the availability of manuals though.

Jeez, look at that! I'm meant to be in debriefing! OK, catch y'all soon, and I'll keep you posted on the F-22 debate.

Lt. Luke 'Quick' Silver for Game-Over!