WarBirds 2016 Update Hits Steam

Following with its trend of yearly major updates, WarBirds 2015 has now become WarBirds 2016, a free upgrade for all owners of the game. The latest update to the "ultra-realistic WWII flight simulation" brings with it new geographical terrains, planes, online modes, and flight models. These new flight models were worked on by "veteran fighter pilots and engineers."

The new locations are for air-to-air combat only. They include Pearl Harbor, Greece, Korea, and the Solomon Islands, among others. The six new aircraft in the update are the "P36, MC200, P-38G, Japanese N1K1-J fighter, Nakajima L2d Troop Transport, and British Spitfire 9b."

The new online modes appear to be aiming for more variety. There's now an "Advanced Fighter Arena," pitting players in fighters against each other in combat. "Thursday Night Fight Nights" will be a new event where the team livestreams the Arena on Twitch. "Fighter Pilot Ladders" are now available, as well, for 1v1 and 2v2 combat in the arena. Combined Arms Events with AI wingmen that the player can jump to at any time and "KILL BILL" events where players try to take down "Wild Bill" Stealey for free t-shirts and subscription time have also been added.

You can get the game now on Steam. After the first month, you either have to pay a subscription or be locked into a base set of planes, much like WWII Online's free trial.