November 8^th, 2005 (7:09pm) - Codemasters announced today that Operation Flashpoint: Elite is launching onto store shelves across the country. Operation Flashpoint: Elite carries a suggested retail price of $39.99 and is exclusively for the Xbox.

Developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio and specifically adapted for Xbox from the PC original, Operation Flashpoint: Elite allows console gamers to experience this revered award winning military simulator on a whole new level. With the Cold War conflict between the NATO coalition forces and a renegade Soviet Red army faction initiated, players must join U.S. forces and make their mark in the most realistic modern warfare simulation on any console.

Operation Flashpoint: Elite transports players to 1985, in the midst of the Cold War, where Gorbachev has just been elected to power. It is up to the player to dictate how the U.S. forces will tackle the Soviet faction. With two riveting military campaigns plus 15 solo missions over 4 sprawling 100+ km2 battle zones, the options for gameplay are endless.

Adapted and improved from the PC original, Operation Flashpoint: Elite allows players to think, act and move, as troops would in a similar real life operation. For the first time in a military simulator, players take control and command their soldiers by utilizing the game’s bevy of authentic land, sea and air vehicles that bring freedom to one’s gameplay like never before. Plus with over 30 authentic weapons, complete with true-to-life models and physics, gamers will experience war on a whole new level.

As well as the hugely expansive mission editor, an additional 15-mission campaign, named ’Resistance’, can also be unlocked in the game. Be thrown into the role of local resistance leader Viktor Troska, as the storyline prequels that of the main Cold War campaign.

Fully Xbox Live enabled, Operation Flashpoint: Elite gives players the opportunity to take on real-life opponents to the tune of 14 players on Xbox Live and with some multiplayer missions allowing more than 25 players on a dedicated host. With over 50 missions, including co-op and team based play, players can use genuine military tactics or just plain bravado to take down the enemy; the choice is yours.