New Pilots Start Here

Aces High is an online multiplayer game built primarily around a flight simulator using airplanes from World War 2. The game includes ships and tanks, but the air war is the primary focus. Because of the nature of the game, the learning curve can be pretty steep for new players. The purpose of this guide is to help you learn the basics of the game. We will show you how to choose your airplane, get into the air, and find a fight.

Most of the action takes place in the Open Melee arena, so that will be the focus of this guide. The maps used in the Melee Arena are 250 miles across, or more. There are three teams: Bishops, Knights, and Rooks. The arena map is divided among these three teams. The players on each team get together and fight the players on the other teams.

What you will need
To play the game, you need the correct hardware. Click here for recommended computer specifications. Once you are sure your computer has enough horsepower you can download and install the game from the Aces High website.

Since this is a flying game, you will need a joystick. If you don't have a joystick, you can try the game out using your mouse, but you will get best results using a joystick. Once you decide you like the game, you will need a good joystick and a headset with a microphone (so you talk to other players on the “radio”). There are several arenas you can play for free, others require a subscription. For a subscription account, the cost is $14.95 per month, charged to a credit card (Texas residents add 7.25% sales tax).

Now the joystick needs some special consideration. You need controls to duplicate the stick, the throttle, and the rudder pedals. You don’t need to buy three separate items (although some people do), there are joysticks that have all three functions built in.

A good example is the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro.

The joystick has a throttle, and the handle twists from side to side to control the rudder.

Note: We are not endorsing this joystick, just using it as an example.

On the other hand, you can start with an inexpensive joystick that doesn't have a twist handle or throttle, just use the equal sign and minus keys on the keyboard for the throttle.

OK, so that is what you will need so can play the game. These next sections will deal with how to get set up and play.
Or, if you think that's too much to read, jump to the Quick Start Guide.

Setting up the game
Hangar-Choosing Your Airplane
The Map
Taking Off and Basic Flight Stuff
Looking Around
Airplane Icons
Learning to Fly
Radio
Capturing Bases
Changing Teams

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