The fictional flight simulation title will hit US shelves later this month.

Microsoft has announced the completion of Crimson Skies, a pirate flight simulation title developed by Zipper Interactive, the operation behind the successful MechWarrior III.

In Crimson Skies, players pilot 12 exotic and customizable fighting planes in 24 fast-paced daredevil missions set in America's 1930s. In this fictional alternate history, the planes are faster, their engines are bigger and the guns pack a bigger punch. Based on an FASA Corporation board game, Crimson Skies features rash and reckless artificial intelligence, dramatic period music, and single player/multiplayer action on MSN Gaming Zone.

Crimson Skies is expected to hit shelves in the U.S. later this month. Titles preordered through Electronics Boutique and Babbages will come with a mini-guide and a "Pirates Gold" fictional publication respectively.

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