File:A-10 Attack, mission map for Retaliation.png

An example of A-10 Attack's in-game mission map and planning system.
One of the key features of A-10 Attack was this interactive realtime tactical map system. The player could flip between the cockpit of their aircraft and the map at any time. The map used "chits", small square icons, to indicate the position of various objects in the game. In this example the mission has just started, and only the chits for known friendly units are on the map. As the mission progresses, additional chits will appear as the in-game units see them. The chits can be acted on by clicking on the small triangle in the upper right corner, which produces a pop-up menu with a series of commands which change depending on the closeness and side the object belongs to. For instance, an enemy SAM unit would first appear in grey as it was not well identified, but eventually turn red as they are identified as enemy, and eventually present a menu item allowing you to move to that location to see what the object was doing. Some objects in each mission were directly controllable, starting with the player's own aircraft and others of the same flight. In this case there were additional menu items allowing you to take control of the aircraft, as well as set it's map waypoints and mission objectives. The system was extremely flexible and widely lauded in contemporary reviews.

Steve Russillo (Hawg Heaven)

A-10 Attack!

about 70% of the mission planning window

no

To illustrate a key element of the A-10 game engine

non-replaceable