WarBirds

{{Short description|Series of video games}}

{{Distinguish|Warbirds (video game)}}

{{About||the military aircraft|warbird|other uses|Warbirds (disambiguation){{!}}Warbirds}}

{{update|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox video game series

|title = WarBirds

|image = WarBirds 1995 cover.jpg

|caption = Cover art of the first game

|alt =

|genre = Combat flight simulation

|developer = Interactive Creations of Grapevine

|publisher = iEntertainment Network

|first release version = WarBirds

|first release date = December 1995

|latest release version = WarBirds: Dogfights 2016

|latest release date = 2016

}}

WarBirds is a series of massively multiplayer online and offline World War II combat flight simulation video games originally developed by Interactive Creations of Grapevine and published by iEntertainment Network in 1995.{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213182258/https://www.combatsim.com/memb123/archive/htm/htm_arc5/wb2.htm | url=https://www.combatsim.com/memb123/archive/htm/htm_arc5/wb2.htm | title=Warbirds 2.0 (COMBATSIM.COM's review) | author=David "Cap'n Trips" Finkelstein | date=September 8, 1997 | work=COMBATSIM.COM | archivedate=February 13, 2011 | url-status=live}} The game includes an air combat flight simulator as well as a simulator for tanks and other ground vehicles and inspired a fan cult and conventions, and a book titled WarBirds: The Story So Far.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1999/08/21421|title=WarBirds: The Book|last=Slayton|first=Joyce|date=25 August 1999|magazine=Wired|accessdate=2009-11-14}}

Following 1999's WarBirds II, WarBirds III was released for Mac and PC in 2002.{{cite news|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-games/warbirds-iii-pc/1707-9696_7-30966342.html|title=WarBirds III (PC)|date=17 May 2002|work=CNet Reviews|accessdate=2009-11-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/warbirds-3-pc-review/|title=Warbirds III PC review|last=Horowitz|first=Josh|date=18 June 2002|work=Adrenaline Vault|accessdate=2009-11-14}}{{cite news|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/5956/fly-wwii-bombers-at-home/G|title=Fly WWII Bombers At Home|date=24 November 2000|work=Game Pro|accessdate=2009-11-14|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607150357/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/5956/fly-wwii-bombers-at-home/G|archivedate=2011-06-07}} WarBirds III was a runner-up for GameSpot{{'}}s annual "Best Simulation on PC" award, which went to Flanker 2.5.{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=GameSpot{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=GameSpot Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archivedate=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead}} WarBirds: The Mighty Eight was released in 2007. A more recent version, WarBirds 2008, includes tanks, trucks, halftracks, new aircraft, and new graphics.{{cite news|url=http://www.macobserver.com/article/2005/06/01.8.shtml|title=Mac Gaming News - WarBirds: The Mighty Eighth Coming in 2007; Tiger Woods 2005 Hits Beta|date=1 June 2005|work=Mac Observer|accessdate=2009-11-14}} WarBirds: Dogfights was released in 2010.{{cite web |title=WarBirds' Dogfights - Gaming laptop to be won by defeating "Wild Bill" Stealey in online combat. |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/warbirds-dogfights-gaming-laptop-to-be-won-by-defeating-wild-bill-stealey-in-online-combat |website=Gameindustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=22 January 2023 |date=10 March 2010}}

In 1999, some of the original development team, including John "Killer" MacQueen, Rodney "Hatch" Hodge, and Chris "Mo" Sherland, went on to form Cornered Rat Software where they developed WWII Online. Others followed Dale "HiTech" Addink to form HiTech Creations and develop Aces High.