Home Return of historic war game B-17 and publisher Microprose after decades away from the keyboard

Return of historic war game B-17 and publisher Microprose after decades away from the keyboard

If you have been around computer gaming since the days of the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga, or even earlier you are duty-bound to have heard of MicroProse.The simulation kings of the 1990s brought in-depth thinking simulations to computers in the days when they could barely handle them. If you wonder how NASA managed to get to the moon in the 20th Century but can’t now, well the same theory applies here.

Going back two or so years plans emerged for MicroProse to reappear after a 20-year hiatus, and even better news, it planned to remake some of its old classic games, as well as create a new series of IPs.

Well, the first of those classics B-17 Flying Fortress – The Bloody 100th is set to hit Steam in Early Access at the end of the week and we even have a new trailer to celebrate.

Taking place in the skies high over France and Germany you take control of the crew and the whole mission of a B-17 Bomber, and that includes dodging the flak. So while in the air, this isn’t wholely a flight simulator such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, which is eagerly on the wish list of many virtual pilots.

In the words of the game’s blurb, you will need to, “Manage and take control of the 10-man crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress as they attempt to complete 25 harrowing missions inspired by the real-life battles of The Bloody 100th Bomber group.”

To do so you will go through the entire process that the brave flyers would have done during World War II including attending briefings and even walking to your aircraft with the rest of your crew. Bombing runs are unique in that you need to both get there, hit your targets, and get back in one piece, and if you have ever seen the movie Memphis Belle, well it’s not that easy.

We are really hoping MicroProse can pull this off. The gaming space is very different these days and there will be no dog’s speedrunning this one.

More when we see the game for real.

Featured Image: MicroProse

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Paul McNally
Gaming Editor

Paul McNally has been around consoles and computers since his parents bought him a Mattel Intellivision in 1980. He has been a prominent games journalist since the 1990s, spending over a decade as editor of popular print-based video games and computer magazines, including a market-leading PlayStation title published by IDG Media. Having spent time as Head of Communications at a professional sports club and working for high-profile charities such as the National Literacy Trust, he returned as Managing Editor in charge of large US-based technology websites in 2020. Paul has written high-end gaming content for GamePro, Official Australian PlayStation Magazine,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.