Crimson Skies - Devastator

[@MacsLore]

When I started doing Crimson Skies planes to better my modelling abilities, I never really went into it with the expectation of doing a video. So it's funny how these things work out. Anyway, check these out: www.crimsonski.es/ A fully working Crimson Skies fansite in the TYOOL 2024. The person who made it even went so far as to redraw many of the Nation/Gang Logos & Flags for hi-res use. Now you gotta respect that. discord.gg/tGXZTG8ffv An actually active Crimson Skies Discord. Tons of good resources, and the people there seem pretty chill. Less important links: Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=98553222 (Give me money, or dont. We're cool either way) Twitter: twitter.com/MacsLore (Feed my Social Media Influencer Ego to the point where I start thinking I can walk on water.) Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/macslore.bsky.social (Also feed my Social Media Influencer ego)

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

@@MacsLore maybe you should try collabing with @Mustard and @FoundandExplained that would be awesome.

[@donaldrawdon92]

Ditto... Spent many hours flying these planes....

[@markfergerson2145]

So, where are the build videos for these planes? You *did* build models of them, right? Right? Inquiring modelers want to know!

[@johnathan651]

I wish someone would bring back this franchise.

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

I have half a mind to start my own spiritual successor story.

[@johnathan651]

I say do it.

[@MacsLore]

When Jordan Weismann was doing the Reddit AMA thing recently to promote, someone brought up Crimson Skies and Weismann said he would love to return it, but they'd have to talk to Microsoft about it. Knowing the modern game industry, they probably forgot they even own the IP.

[@johnathan651]

I'd buy it. There's been so few good air combat games on consoles for like a decade. Everything is modern jets and seeker missiles. Game developers have forgotten the thrill of dakka!

[@Tyrannocentus]

@@johnathan651 Agreed. I want Dakka!

[@Pulmonox]

It didn't matter how many new planes I unlocked, I always came back to the Devastator. It was my mainstay throughout the campaign. The other planes just... couldn't do the job, unless it was a specialized one that required them.

[@johnathan651]

Same here. None of the others had the same charm.

[@wolfgangervin2582]

In HRTR while I generally went for the Brigand or Bulldog, there's a good reason why the Devastator is the "main" plane.

[@dlxmarks]

I could work with the stock versions of a few airframes but once I found my favorite config of the Devastator, nothing else got the job done better (other than a maxed armored Hoplite on occasion).

[@chanman819]

I liked the Fury, but you can actually create an autogyro cheese machine with .70s and thick armour after dropping the rocket hardpoints. The autogyro can yaw faster than other planes can turn, so you can just spin around killing everything in the blink of an eye. Won't get where you're going very fast though.

[@BurnerJones]

Devastator or hughes bloodhawk for me. Never played high road to revenge though, the original game on pc is still one of my absolute favorite games of all time.

[@Wicced1028]

I did a lot of design work on Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. My favorite game I ever worked on. Thank you fo much for keeping this alive.

[@MacsLore]

Thank you for your work on HRTR. There's apparently a lot more of us who love the universe then I ever thought.

[@meowsandstuff]

Hey dude, any chance I might be able to get in touch with you to ask a couple qs about HRTR's development?

[@Wicced1028]

@@meowsandstuff emailed you.

[@superstraight2667]

first xbox game, man the nostalgia

[@teryn3723]

Thank you for my childhood!

[@NewSquallor]

That shift from newsreel to full colour with the music. Oh yes. Thank you for bringing these beauties back to the forefront.

[@MacsLore]

Someone commented that I should try it that 1930s news intro in the Crimson Skies PC Intro, and it seemed like a fun idea to do.

[@L0stEngineer]

I built one of these for my aerospace engineering senior design project, and aside from a freaky dutch roll at high attitudes, it flew wonderfully. I got A's and graduated to rewarding career.

[@crazygrof]

I never thought that I would hear about Crimson Skies again... Definitely a welcome surprise. As an idea: instead of the planned videos like this one, how about you choose a fav subject, have some gameplay in the background and ramble about that subject. I think that would be fun.

[@MeowMeowMeowMeowMeowMeowMeowww]

Really now ? You would prever generic twitch streaming over a well made video ?

[@S1337theoddoneout-ip9xc]

Can you even begin to imagine what the crazy 1950's and 1960's plane designs would look like in this timeline? I'd love to see what their take on the F-101 voodoo would look like, the voodoo would fit right at home in this timeline as it is now.

[@ADogNamedStay]

Ah yes, my favorite childhood game

[@ADogNamedStay]

Also to note my favorite airplane in said favorite game

[@MacsLore]

She's a solid choice. There's a reason I chose to model the Devastator first.

[@RoballTV]

@@MacsLore For me it was the Devastator or Brigand, I could never decide between them. ^^

[@RoonMian]

I loved this game so much. Modern remake when?

[@SkinPeeleR]

Bought a sidewinder force feedback 2 for this game.. 🙂

[@firestorm165]

That takes me back I still remember my old girl "Phoenix Fire". Biggest engine I could fit in, a couple of 60's up top, a pair of 50's down below and all of two hard points for the rare occasion I needed something heavier. She carried me through the whole campaign and was begging for more. Gods I miss her

[@goaway152]

this takes me back to the 90s. thank you for this.

[@Sphynra]

This game is from the 2000s, take your dementia pills boomer.

[@richardkirstein2415]

Nice. Imagine doing a lore video on the Ace Combat Strangereal universe. That would be a hoot.

[@MacsLore]

I've been literally going back and forth on buying Ace Combat 7 on Steam for the better part of the year now. only a matter of time before I bite the bullet.

[@mill2712]

While I like the idea a lot, I do know Ace Combat is the more popular of the flying arcade games so there's definitely a lot more lore videos on it. I think Crimson Skies and lesser known flight arcade games could use a bit more love on this channel instead. But that's just me.

[@teryn3723]

Crimson skies lore!? Why the heck not! I have been missing playing crimson skies 2.... 😢

[@Irondrone4]

"And when you get to Hell, tell 'em Nathan Zachary sent you!"

[@FortuneHunters]

"And when you get to Hell, tell the devil that Nathan Zachary sent you." fify

[@TheSlowGamesMaster]

Absolutely knocked it outta the park yet again. Love hearing about the. Rims on Skies ‘verse & the work you’ve spent on modelling the airframes is much welcomed!

[@DonPandemoniac]

From style to narrative; exceptionally well done!

[@davemccoy6294]

Nice Work!! Great models. And love the cinematography! Wish we had you back in the beginning.

[@MacsLore]

Thanks Mr.McCoy!

[@syoun678]

We so need a remake of the original

[@firestorm165]

Hell I'll pay through the nose just for a remaster

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

I hope to see more Crimson Skies from you good sir. Quite a little loved series that deserves far more appreciation

[@gmradio2436]

I remember that there was a short run of Crimson Skies novellas published by Microsoft. They were an interesting look into the world and characters.

[@null6634]

The Al Gore -Rhythm brought me here. I loved this video. You did a great job with it and the animation. I haven't thought about this game in forever. It's ripe for a remake, update or better prestige TV series. I did catch your disclaimer about source of the caliber information about the guns being unreliable. But I believe it would have to be MM not Caliber for them. A 30 MM cannon on a plane makes sense. A 30 caliber gun is a hunting rifle. The A-10 has a 30MM Gatling cannon. You couldn't shoulder fire a 30 caliber Winchester if the two terms were interchangeable. I looked it up. 30MM is 1.18 inches or 118 caliber. This is very well done. You should be proud.

[@firestorm165]

I respectfully disagree and believe that the measurements are in imperial You're correct that a .30 cal is a rifle calibre but in the early to mid 30's that was in fact the standard armament for fighters with the US using the 30-06, the British using the 303, the Japanese preferring the 6.5mm and the Germans opting for 8mm. It wasn't until the late 30s that the various nations looked at mounting heavier armament to their aircraft. Given that this game is set in an alternative 1930s US an imperial 30 cal armament is very much believable

[@null6634]

@@firestorm165 Thank you for your point of view. Maybe you're right. IDK. It's not a hill I'm willing to die on. But it seems like the video is using caliber and MM interchangeably and if they are doing that, it's incorrect. Be well.

[@gusty9053]

@@null6634 The gun barrels look extremely thick for machine gun barrels so 30 mm canons would be my guess as well. Plus if we go historically most nations swapped out machine gun calibers to the more destructive canons as soon at it was feasible. Even the beloved american 50 cal. was replaced by 20 mm and 30 mm canons. If the "universe" is in a state of turmoil where air combat is the main conflict arena a push for canons as early as 1930 is more than likely.

[@null6634]

@@gusty9053 And in the video they moved from.50 caliber to 30, which doesn't make sense. But I assume the error is based on the source material.

[@flutter8712]

Thanks for the nostalgia, my favourite game of all time

[@lordneo256]

There are no words to describe how much joy I felt watching and listening to this. Thank you for making this. Some tips; - Please keep up the elongated pronunciation of the radio announcement, a lot of the time you were doing such a great job. - You had a really good streak of staying with the time with the words chosen, but it is the little things that pulled me out like "x-wing" being spoken to quickly, if you say it really slowly, you can make the illusion that it is a novel design that is not used often. - Instead of devastating for the Devastator, use the synonyms true to it's name the Devastator, rains havoc, destruction and obliteration. Instead of the far-to-awere repeat of devastating. All in all I was completely blown away by the visuals, the pacing, the narration and music. Thanks again.

[@Living4Crits]

Holy crap, you just warped me back in time to 2000, playing the PC game while getting ready to paint up some minis for the miniatures game. Always loved the look of this iconic plane!

[@westernblood3732]

I was confused at first thinking this was some sort of Lore that was never released. Good work on your project, true to the aesthetic of the Crimson Skies IP, the care you put into making it period correct is entertaining.

[@houstonadama5151]

Crimson Skies is such an under appreciated property. The Devastator was iconic, and a rare example of a starter vehicle that could be used from start to finish. It's right up there with the Fury and Brigand. Would love to see those and my personal favorite the Firebrand.

[@batzotz0z409]

HERE IT IS BABY!!

[@KillerOrca]

One of FASAs more forgotten, but no less awesome, ideas. I first got into CS playing the OG Xbox game, High Road To Revenge. The Devastator saw me through so much. Nothing like hammering six machine guns into your foe. 7:38 Whos cat?

[@grimdark6556]

Thank you max the devastator is one of my favorite fighters in any setting

[@natethegreat7204]

I haven't thought about this game in over a decade, and then I heard the opening tune and I was back in my parent's home office, booting this gem of a game for the umpteenth time. Thanks for an awesome deep dive on the game's titular plane! ^^

[@MrFl0bo]

Damn...the memories. Remember getting the demo of the first game on a CD from a game magazine and playing it over and over....and than the happiness when getting the full game

[@RoballTV]

Ah Crimson skies, It worked so well as a semi-serious PC flight sim, and the wacky arcade actioner on console. :) Great pick of craft for a lore vid. ^^

[@madrabbit9007]

I played this game way back in the day and LOVED IT! The lore and methos around it was just amazing story telling that enhanced the game to another level. I may need to see if I can find it on steam after watching this.

[@phetzer504]

Please keep up the good work on this, I love this game and the setting.

[@Sparafucile-kg5hz]

Wonderful job as always, Mac!

[@markfreeman4727]

and you have introduced me to another franchise i knew nothing about but am now extremely intrested in

[@CalToxReaper]

Great work on the video! would love to see more done in the future! I think it will help get more ppl into this Farnchise.

[@vulpinemac]

Oh, how I remember this game. I Loved it!!!

[@yukikaze-117]

I like Nathan Zachary's devastator nose art is black swan from honkai star rail great video

[@AngelofCruelty]

LOVED this game as a teenager. I always loved the fact that the fighters looked like the air pirates in the cartoon Tailspin.

[@crystalrock18]

DUDE!!!!! This game went hard! I wish we had more games like Crimson Skies. I played the crap out of this game at the community center at RAF Mildenhall.

[@stangace20]

OMG I used to love this game! I know they made an xbox sequel, but the original PC game was always the best.

[@SyntheticHuman01]

I still have this on my Xbox. I love the campy music and the dialog is well done

[@903lew]

Oh man, that opening. Such a great game with fun designs and decent gameplay.

[@strelokvanesky4551]

Sheesh, I remember playing this game in my childhood. Surprised I see a lore video for it. Glad to see it.

[@cowtown9437]

Now this is the content I wanted and needed.

[@4life4win]

The production and narration of this video. Such a NOSTALGIC KICK in the NUTS!!!😊😂😊

[@bartlester591]

I remember when I bought the 360 I got because of this game. I love Crimson sky is the high road to revenge. This is one of my favorite planes in that game.

[@crowgaming2137]

My guy, you really went in on the devastingly corny puns.😂 Respect for that brave choice

[@echodelta2426]

Crimson Skies, So cool. Always loved the look of the Devastator.

[@nivekkrg]

Most excellent . Fantastic story so well done I want more .

[@BurnerJones]

Crimson skies, Freespace 2, Colony wars. You know some good games man.

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

My... it's been a long time. After playing thru the game, the other planes were jokes. The Devastator was the best! Many thanx 👍👍

[@TikitheHutt]

Amazing job on the intro, and great video!

[@jonathanbaincosmologyvideo3868]

Terrific authentic creation ! reminds me of SCAR Space Chase Ace Race

[@alanhouk1427]

Seeing the Black Swan picture at 4:44 gave me a chuckle! Man, I love that franchise. It had its flaws but it was unique in lore and could do really well on a reboot- like Ace Combat did! Devastator is bae, I must admit It was always my favortite- that and the Daulphin (althought that was just because of the sheer firepower)

[@BlackOmega9]

I played the absolute hell out of High Road to Revenge back in the day. Absolutely loved that game.

[@dazhigh9208]

WoW this looks great, I got this and my 1st graphics card ( a voodoo 2 ) just to play it lol, around Xmas 2001 then a sidwinder joystick. Brill game and this upload looks really really good. i can remember seeing the sit down arcade game a few years ago as well, and was really suprised that they made it into a acrade game. 🙂 A thumbs up from me and a new Subscriber. looking forward to seeing what else has been done.

[@dazhigh9208]

Also had a great installation screen with the Radio chatter. Happy times.

[@Sgront]

after looking the video i opened a box - and there they still are: lots of screenshots from the game! i really loved the game and its humor - i even have some books from crimson skies 😁

[@jeffbird2983]

Crimson Skies is one of my favorite games. Haven't played it a while though. After watching this video I've got to find the CD and load it up.

[@mic3l]

This game was something, it came with the new PC back in the days. I loved it!

[@MedicalTape_xX]

This is so fucking sick, great video and fantastic narration

[@dcsblessedbees]

Way cool.👍 That would make a cool video game.

[@MacsLore]

Well you're in luck then...

[@paulhartley4827]

i absolutly loved this game. we need more videos like this on other crimson skies aircraft.

[@MacsLore]

I originally wanted to just make two, the Kestrel and the Devastator, but then I ended up expanding into the Bloodhawk and Raven. So...maybe sometime in the future? Especially since I got the modelling process mostly down for these. The Brigand and Firebrand are probably the two top contenders right now.

[@paulhartley4827]

@@MacsLore All of the yes! The Brigand and Raven were two of my go to aircraft. loved the games aircraft designs so much. i look forward to possible future videos.

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

If I ever become a billionaire, I want to make a functional 1:1 replica of every plane in the game.

[@Pulmonox]

I mean... I don't know how accurate the in-game designs would actually be for real-life aerodynamics. You may find this an impossible goal no matter how much money you throw at it... as far as being 'functional' goes.

[@MacsLore]

Well someone did make a RC Airplane modeled upon the Devastator so....maybe? Whether or not it'll be safe for people to fly in is an entirely different matter though.

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

@@Pulmonox yeah that's fair; but I'd still want to try, just because I love building things.

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

@@MacsLore only one way to find out. 😉

[@Tyrannocentus]

@@MacsLore Few aircraft start life as "safe to fly in" ... just saying

[@yellowprime8491]

A mad lad my friend knew managed to coordinate 4 xbox's, 16 controllers and 4 copies of Crimson Skies and an equal number of Halo CE + link cables and TV's. Best LAN party ever. Nothing like a 16 person free for all where no one exactly knows the controls.

[@SyntheticHuman01]

So close to being a radio show from back in the days

[@afterburner94]

Absolute masterpiece as usual

[@krisvires]

Yes! Once again Mac delivers the goods!

[@Bartholomeow141]

I loved this game back in the day.. was part of a awesome in game clan

[@martinevans9757]

Great stuff! I still have my copy of the original FASA boardgame. This will provoke me to get it out again, and make aeroplane noises!

[@ChamplainDivision]

The most vivid imagination I have seen in some time!

[@haydentravis3348]

This never leaves my computer.

[@kelvinh8327]

Geez, you wouldn't want to bail out of the Devastator while its prop was turning.😊

[@ThunderCrashed]

loved this game back in the days, would love a remake of it.

[@richardkolarik4820]

MORE CRIMSON SKIES LORE PLEASE. this is great

[@dr.mangopolios3428]

This was a surprise, but a welcome one.

[@SolarMoth]

insane production value

[@Myuutsuu85]

Oh my gosh, I remember this game and plane very well, and I still think it was amazing. Also, I always thought this game could alternatively take place in the Tailspin universe-you know, the one with Baloo as a pilot.

[@dustybunny6716]

I miss this game

[@SergeyPRKL]

This is the first game i ever really, really loved a lot,

[@sigmar2331]

11:23 Wait that pinup is that Memokeeper from Honkai Star Rail

[@shanedoesyoutube8001]

And another one at 11:35 If it wasn't for that shine, I swear I see what looks like navia from genshin

[@OmegablueWolf]

Love Crimson skies so much and the Devastator is the coolest plane, the Ravenscroft Coyote a close second.

[@cnkclark]

I had a soft spot for the Desert Fox in High Road To Revenge, but in the first game I always came back to the Devastator as the "I can do everything well" plane.

[@ahmedjouhari8122]

Absolutely wonderful

[@tntengineer2330]

Looks more like a Babylon 5 Thunderbolt than an X-wing TBH. Good video all around.

[@KamiRecca]

Damn You! Now i want to play Crimson Skies again.

[@nullanonsonemmenoiocosascr6676]

Amazing video!!!

[@ThePandoraGuy]

Tally Ho lads, it's time to dust off your old X-Boxes and retired PCs and play some tribute to the Devastator.

[@nitrokid]

I love this game! We don't have enough dieselpunk games as of lately. We should bring them back 😂

[@viewer8888]

Now, do the Hughes Bloodhawk and the Hughes Firebrand. I still love those designs and still have the figures from the miniature game at my office.

[@gawlhysm]

I always remember flying a Focke with a BIG rear gun as a trap in the city map at street level 😈

[@BeachTypeZaku]

You want to talk about a great game with some great lore! I can't believe it hasn't returned with all of the love for steampunk and diesel punk you find these days. The devastator is a based on the very late war, and never produced, Japanese Shinden fighter and the X-Wing. The guns just aren't in the wing tips; a configuration that doesn't sit right with me given how you'd have to taper the guns to hit a target reliably.

[@Guru_Swami]

Crimson Skies is an untapped gold mine. Really wish someone would pick up the license and bring it back to mainstream!

[@mr.lonewolf8199]

this is what we waiting for ... lets goooo

[@Dies1r4e]

I'd cut my arm off with a blunt rock for another game in this setting, this was one of my favorite games of all time, I played it until the disk gave out.

[@knight5846]

I miss this game, I’d love to see this remastered with current graphics, and this plane was a true workhorse for me, the only time I wouldn’t use this bird were the times I did the racing challenges the desert fox interceptor was faster and agile enough to make near unbeatable times

[@captainspire9094]

It's like the Jalthi of the skies!

[@MacsLore]

In the Wing Commander Universe, the Kilrathi saw the transmissions about Crimson Skies, saw the Devastator and said to themselves "Hey, these old designs the Apes had for their planes weren't half bad", and did a "Spiritual Reimagination" with the Jalthi.

[@nateharder2286]

My only critique is that the guns should be mounted in the nose centerline to increase accuracy, and because its a pusher prop you wouldn't need a synchronizer gear.

[@AllisterCaine]

And its barrels look like it has quad 37 or 40mm autocannons...

[@NobodyQuiteLikeMe]

This freaking game was so so so so good

[@forzafan92]

crimson skies needs to be rebooted, i loved playing the demo when i was a kid but could never find the game itself.