| MiG Alley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Rowan Software |
| Publisher(s) | Empire Interactive |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Combat flight simulation game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
MiG Alley is a combat flight simulation game, developed by Rowan Software for PCs with Windows, and was published by Empire Interactive in 1999.
MiG Alley is a historical simulation which focuses on early jet fighter combat in the Korean War – specifically, the so-called MiG Alley in northwestern North Korea, for which the game is named. One of the interesting aspects of the game is the closeness in overall performance between the main combat fighter aircraft – the MiG-15 and the F-86 Sabre. Another is that the game was one of the earliest in the genre to incorporate a "dynamic" campaign, in which the player's missions are influenced by in-game events rather than being presented in a predetermined order. [1]
MiG Alley was developed by Rowan Software and published by Empire Interactive in 1999. In 2001, when Rowan was shut down by Empire Interactive, the developers released the source code to allow the community to continue the game's support on their own. [2] The release happened with permission from Empire Interactive under the "Empire Interactive License", and didn't include the textures and landscape detailing.
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 86% [3] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |   [4] |
| CNET Gamecenter | 9/10 [5] |
| Computer Games Strategy Plus |  [6] |
| Computer Gaming World | [7] |
| EP Daily | 9/10 [8] |
| GameSpot | 9.2/10 [1] |
| GameSpy | 84% [9] |
| GameZone | 8/10 [10] |
| IGN | 9/10 [11] |
| Next Generation | [12] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 90% [13] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Computer Gaming World | Simulation of the Year [14] |
| PC Gamer US | Best Simulation [15] |
| Computer Games Strategy Plus | Simulation of the Year [16] |
| Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | Computer Simulation Game of the Year (finalist) [17] |
The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [3] Christian A. O'Brien of NextGen called it "A fine sim with terrific graphics and a great sense of campaign flow. There's something here for just about everyone." [12] Steve Baxter of GamePro called it "a serious historical simulation; it is also serious fun. Mastering original jet fighter technology is a challenge and learning about one of the hottest battles of the Cold War makes it a simulation worth flying." [18] [lower-alpha 1] The Electric Playground gave it universal acclaim over a year-and-a-half after its release date. [8]
The game sold 4,171 units in the U.S. during 1999, after its release on November 30 of that year. [19] Jason Ocampo of CNET Gamecenter wrote that it "tanked at retail". [20]
The game was a finalist for the "Computer Simulation Game of the Year" award at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which ultimately went to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 . [17] However, it was named the best simulation of 1999 by Computer Gaming World , [14] PC Gamer US , [15] CNET Gamecenter, [21] Computer Games Strategy Plus and GameSpot . [16] [22] PC Gamer US highlighted the game's "outstanding flight modeling, butter-smooth graphics, and rich dynamic campaign structure". [15]
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Bob Mitchell: What has prompted you to release the source code for MiG Alley and Battle of Britain? Dave Whiteside: Because we are no longer doing flight sims [after Empire took us over at the end of 2001], and we would not be able to publish any patches that were required [no money was allocated to this], rather than let MiG die and all the code sit doing nothing it was considered a good idea, a swan song, if you like, for Rowan [after 13 years in the flight sim market].