1C Company has reminded us via press wire that they have announced new videogame projects in the console vein of gaming. IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey and Captain Blood will soon see their debut on the next generation consoles and handhelds, though one will still arrive on the PC. These games will make their way to US thanks to Atari's agreement.

Captain Blood marks the company's first true attempt in next generation console development by way of one of their internal studios. The project is planned for the Xbox 360 and PC, which is based on the series of novels by Rafael Sabatini about a famous pirate's adventures in the prime of the Caribbean.

No plot was singled out yet, but information points that treasure hunts, land and sea campaigns, plus ship boardings will populate the gameplay.

Gaijin Entertainment is responsible for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey, a direct console derivative of the popular combat flight simulator for the PC. As it will be created from the ground up for console use, the control schemes will be designed around the gamepad instead of keyboard, mouse, or flightstick.

Improving upon the previous installment, Gaijin is to implement new planes, missions, damage physics and environmental visuals.

This is all tied in to the large scale aerial dogfights the IL-2 Sturmovik series is well-known for, and players can also help shape the progress of the following World War II engagements by providing fighter and bomber support:

• The Battle of Britain (air superiority)
• Stalingrad (air support)
• Berlin (bombing raids)
• Sicily (air support)
• Korsun' (air superiority)

We hear from the official press announcement that though the game will remain a simulation in nature, arcade control schemes and game modes will be available for play. Nintendo DS and PSP versions will be underway as well by DiP Interactive and DYNAMICSYSTEMS, respectively.

More developments sure to come our way, so we'll keep an eye out for them. Stay tuned.