The eternal debate about PC vs Console can definitely be argued regarding flight sim games.

Which is better? Which one should you spend your money on?

We are HiTech Creations, the makers of Aces High flight simulator, and since we’ve been doing this for twenty-four years, we thought we would toss our hat into the ring and give our opinion. Mind you, our game is a PC game, but we will try to be impartial as we look at the strengths, and weaknesses, of both modes of gaming.

What is PC gaming?

The basic answer to this question is this: PC gaming is playing games on your personal computer. There is nothing unique about PC gaming; it’s been around almost as long as PCs have been on the scene. However, the degree to which you can play a game efficiently on a PC depends upon the computer you own and how much hardware is installed in that PC.

What is Console gaming?

From Wikipedia we borrow this definition of console gaming: :"A video game console is a specialized computer system designed for interactive video gameplay and display. A video game console functions like a PC and is built with the same essential components, including a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU) and random-access memory (RAM). To offset costs, most video game console manufacturers use older CPU versions."

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of PC vs console have been debated since the mid-90’s, and likely will be debated long after we have moved on to another level of existence.

Generally speaking, the console is easier to operate, most likely less expensive ($400-$700 for a console), and offers exclusive membership options for many of the more popular games. However, they have lower graphics quality, fewer upgrade options, and the most expensive games.

PC games have better graphics, more online support, more input and screen options, and less expensive games. However, they also require more technical skills and much more expensive hardware (you can easily spend $2000 for a very good gaming PC)

Which leads us right back to the original question, namely which is better? And you most likely will not like our answer: it is personal preference and up to each player to decide. We will say this so that it does not appear like we are ducking the question: if money is an issue, the gaming consoles are probably the route you will want to take. If money is no issue, and outstanding graphics are your thing, then nothing beats the best gaming computers on the market.

A final word about Aces High.

Yes, Aces High is an online PC flight sim game, designed back in 1999, first introduced in 2000, so our opinion could be discounted, but we truly tried, in this article, to give an unbiased opinion. Most gamers will tell you that, if money is not an issue, there really is no comparison, that the PC route is much better. However, the console games offer great gaming as well, for a fraction of the cost, and we can certainly understand why gamers would opt for that choice.

Strap on your helmet and fly the skies with Aces High, our combat simulator with an attitude. We invite you to try our free two-week download of Aces High. For two full weeks you will have full access to our game, our forums, our instruction videos, and our articles. If, at the end of those two weeks, you decide our combat flight simulator is not what you are looking for, then no harm, no foul, and we will wish you the best in gaming.

If you are new to Aces High, the combat simulator with attitude, we would like to tell you about the special events you can expect to see in 2024.

April 2024 special event

This is what’s happening in April, 2024, on our flight simulator game:

Friday Squad Ops: "Channelfront Nuisance 1942" - Fridays: April 5th, 12th, 19th at 11PM EST in SEA1.

On the Channelfront, the RAF and Luftwaffe traded blows in what are referred to as the "Nuisance Raids". These attacks were meant to divert attention and resources elsewhere, while the raids themselves tended to attack targets of opporunity. This FSO aims to re-create the back-and-forth that occured throughout the year, but more specifically in the latter half of 1942, when the RAF started to receive Typhoons and upgraded Spitfires to contend with the large amounts of Fw 190s and Bf 109s that the Luftwaffe had to offer.

What other special events are there?

Here is a list of the special events happening on Aces High flight sim. Not all happen each month, but you can expect, during the year, to see the following:

Scenarios are large-scale battles that run a few times a year. Sometimes they are based on actual WWII battles, such as the Battle of Britain. Sometimes they are based on hypothetical battles that might have been. A scenario typically involves two sides. Each side has particular aircraft, mission objectives, squadron assignments, bases, and resources. A scenario typically runs over the course of a month, with one battle per week, each battle lasting 3-4 hours. If you ever wanted to be a real WWII pilot, this is about as close as you can get.

King of the Hill is the airplane equivalent of a cage match. A group of players, all in the same planes, all in the same area, fight it out until only one is left. The winner picks the next plane, and all is repeated until someone wins three rounds. It is the mother of all furballs, where no one is your friend. Of course, no one is anyone else's friend, either, so there is balance. It is a wild, frenetic event that will get your pulse pounding and put a grin on your face -- unless you are the first one shot down, then it's grudge time! Did you ever play king of the hill as a kid on a mound of snow, wrestling around to see who could be the last one on top? This is the same thing -- in airplanes.

Friday Squad Operations (FSO) are like Scenarios but run more frequently. They appeal to the same group of players: those who like more realism. These events have realistic aircraft matchups, mission objectives, and command structures. FSO is for registered Aces High squads and involves the Commanding Officer of each side coming up with mission orders and flight assignments prior to each mission. FSO runs a battle for three weeks, once per week, takes a week off, and then starts on the next battle. 

We hope that you give all of these events a try. Each is a blast in its own way. Also, the regulars are very happy to have new players join the events and share in the camaraderie. Come join your pals and join the fun!

Why participate in special events?

The most important reason we can give you for participating in special events is the sense of community you will feel when you form friendships while playing special events. Sure, you will improve as a player, but far and away the most common benefit mentioned is the sense of camaraderie.

A final word about Aces High.

Aces High has been mentioned as one of the best flight simulator games since its inception in 2000.   For twenty-four years we have set the standard for excellence. Try our free two-week download of Aces High and see for yourself just how good we are.

It’s one thing to purchase a combat flight simulator game, or to subscribe to one monthly, but it is an entirely different thing to actually become a good flight sim player.

This article will help you to achieve that goal, and who better to learn from than HiTech Creations, the makers of Aces High, the combat  simulator with some serious cred. We’ve been leading the way in flight simulator games for twenty-four years now, so it is safe to say we have some valuable information to share with you. Read on!

Practice makes perfect in gaming . . . not quite!

Perfection in unattainable, but you can become a darned good player by simply diving in and playing against competition. Please note, if you are a person who loves succeeding, this can be a “painful” way to learn, but it will yield results and you WILL get better. It just takes time.

Perfection unattainable? The people who work on our game, the actual designers, are still improving after all of these years of producing this game so yes, it is true, we do not believe it is possible to become the perfect player . . . but you can become so good that others will take notice and improve their game simply by playing against you.

More help than you will know what to do with.

At Aces High, we have spent years forming a community of gamers, and that community is here to help you. Why the insistence on helping other gamers? Because the better they become, the better competition they will give to other gamers, and everyone benefits from that competition.

We have forums on every topic you can imagine in Aces High. Just hop on the forum, find a topic related to your question, and ask the question. The answer will arrive very quickly.

We have hundreds of videos on every topic imaginable. Trust us when we tell you that after twenty-four years of production, we have heard every possible question, and we’ve made a video to address that question.

We have, literally, thousands of articles to choose from if you learn by reading. Simply type on the search engine and the answer will appear in article form.

And, finally, we can arrange for you to receive one-on-one instruction/tutoring from one of our staff.

All the help you can need!

Above all, have fun.

Having said all that, the most important factor is to have fun. Become an active member of our community, interact, and enjoy yourself.

The Aces High way.

Here’s an idea: try our free two-week download of Aces High. It won’t cost you a penny, we don’t even ask for credit card information, and you have total access to our game for a full fourteen days. That way you can learn the basics, ask your questions, and dive into the game without spending any money. If, at the end of that time, you are not enjoying yourself, we will bid you a fond farewell.

But we are betting you will stick with us.

Strap on your flight helmet and fly the skies with Aces High.

We take you back in time, back to World War II, for the best combat experience you will find online. We are HiTech Creations, the makers of Aces High, the combat flight simulator which has been atop the charts for twenty-four years. We make World War Two come alive, drop you right in the middle of it, and give you a chance to experience it from the safety of your gaming room.

What is a combat flight simulator?

A combat flight simulator is a type of vehicle simulation game that allows players to experience the thrill of piloting military aircraft. These simulators aim to replicate the intricacies of flying combat planes, including their operations, physics, and combat scenarios. 

What our World War 2 flight simulator does for you.

Aces High does not stop at flying combat planes. We also include ships and ground vehicles and give you the opportunity to strategize during the heat of battle in our MMO game. From the moment you log on, you will be choosing aircraft to fly for your mission, reading up on the mission, understanding your part in that mission, and carrying out your mission against some of the best flight simulator gamers in the world. The action never stops when you log on to Aces High.

Are we the best? You decide.

Are we the best flight sim game? It’s a fair question to be sure. Here, then, is our argument for us being the best.

We have been fine-tuning and upgrading our flight sim game for twenty-four years. Our game is literally older than many of our players and, in the gaming industry, longevity speaks volumes. We are not some new game finding our way. We are not some old game which fell of the board due to poor graphics of disinterest by the gaming population. We have stood the test of time, continued to improve our game, refusing to stand on our reputation, and we believe that says it all.

But don’t take our word for it. We are so confident that you will enjoy Aces High that we offer to the general public a free two-week download of Aces High, no credit card required. For a full two weeks you will have full access to our game. If, at the end of the two week period, you decide Aces High does not meet the standards of excellence, you can simply stop playing and we big you farewell.

But, we are betting against it, and that is called supreme confidence.

If you stay with us, our subscription rate is $14.95 per month, the same rate we have charged for over a decade.

Great game, great price, proven track record, and free for two weeks . . . how can you go wrong?

A final word about Aces High.

Back in1999 a couple World War Two nerds sat down and decided to make a World War II combat simulator. Their goal was to make one game, and one game only, and to make that game the best of its class.

Twenty-four years later, Aces High remains loyal to that mission statement.

Strap on your flight helmet and fly the skies with Aces High.