Worldwide online domination is only the beginning in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation as the next-gen processing power of the Xbox 360 allows players to witness high definition, photo-realistic landscapes scream past their cockpits as they issue commands with split-second precision to land, sea and air vehicles for an all out triple-attack on the enemy in the “The Allied Support System”. In this new feature, players will be able to fight alongside fighter planes, gun ships, attack helicopters, tanks, naval fleets, heavy bombers, and electronic warfare vessels in the ultimate Ace Combat showdown.

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation takes air combat warfare to new heights as it boasts the new “Dynamic Operation System” where massive battles unfold on a “living battlefield,” as up to six independent land, sea or air conflicts can break out at any time at multiple locations as allies and enemies clash in real-time. Players can experience the realism of war when battlefields come alive with engagingly authentic audio and visual effects: thundering explosions, dense vapor trails of air to air missiles, piercing machine gun fire, booming anti-aircraft artillery fire, mid-air explosions, gigantic columns of black smoke and more.

In Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, players can prove their supremacy on a global scale as they pilot highly detailed, authentic aircraft such as the F-15 E Strike Eagle and the F-22 Raptor online via Xbox Live. For an all out worldwide battle for the sky, players can choose from a variety of different online modes including the death match and team death match style game modes. Or they can team up with friends to play in co-op, where players combine strategy and skill to work together to take on computer-controlled adversaries. Online rankings are calculated globally with high-ranking players being granted honorable titles on a global scale, adding fuel to the fires of furious competition.

Ace Combat 6 debuts the following advanced maneuvers:

• Read-Ahead Fire: Normal missile fire is done by locking on to nearby enemies and launching missiles that pursue their target. While this approach of air-to-air combat is suitable for eliminating most enemies, it requires the player to spend valuable time getting closer to their opponents. Advanced players can utilize “Read-Ahead Fire” to predict the path of their enemy and fire missiles from long-distances without needing a lock-on. This tactic requires precise flying and strong knowledge of enemy flight patterns, but can quickly devastate an opposing fleet if properly executed.
• Close-In Explosion: While “Read-Ahead Fire” provides a very precise way of dispatching aerial enemies, sometimes opponents are too fast and elusive for this tactic. If players are having a hard time hitting their enemies, they can utilize the “Close-In Explosion” feature to fire from a less than optimal position and still have their missiles damage the enemy plane. This tactic does not inflict as much damage as a direct hit, but mitigates the risk of missing due to quick turns by the enemy or a weak lock-on.
• High-G Turn: Modern combat planes are stabilized via computer control, delivering a smooth and safe flight for the pilot, but limiting the overall maneuverability of the plane in emergency situations. By temporarily overriding their flight computer (holding the left and right trigger on the Xbox 360 controller), players can execute a “High-G Turn” and make extremely tight cornering maneuvers, but risk stalling their plane if they hold this extreme flight pattern for too long.
• Mid-Flight Landing & Midair Refueling: Introducing massive battle areas with multiple combat fronts, Ace Combat 6 forces pilots to strategically manage their arsenal and the condition of their plane. Some missions will feature more enemies than players can destroy in a single load of missiles, in which case they can either take on the remaining foes with machine guns alone or attempt a challenging mid-flight landing on an aircraft carrier or occupied airfield. One mission will require the player to execute a mid-air refueling. By carefully docking with a refueling plane, players will be able to continue their mission without risking their safety by landing and taking off in the middle of a battlezone.

Whether playing with friends or against players from around the world, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation offers up a robust online experience, whether taking part in Battle Royale or Team Battle modes, just two of the several online multiplayer modes that Namco Bandai has so far unveiled.

It's every fighter for themselves in Battle Royale, which has pilots facing off in a free-for-all in the sky, all while trying to avoid deadly anti-aircraft fire that relentlessly fills the battlefield. Strategy takes on a whole new level in Team Battle, where pilots not only need to be proficient at dogfights, but also need to be able to coordinate the timing of attacks and defenses precisely as a group when faced with squadrons of opposing players. Using voice-chat with teammates and building strategies prior to and during online battles are essential tools for winning, climbing the global leaderboards, and a chance of attaining the highly coveted title of the number one Ace Combat player in the world.

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation ships exclusively for the Xbox 360 on October 23, 2007 for a suggested retail price of $59.99. Launching on the same day, the limited edition Ace Combat 6 ACE-EDGE Flightstick Bundle carries a retail price of $149.99.