Damon Slye to build new Red Baron

Red Baron creator Damon Slye has told Eurogamer he wants to build "a new version [of the game] with a modern engine", now that he has re-acquired the licence from Activision Blizzard.

"I have a lot of ideas for the design," said Slye. "There is a lot of value in the name Red Baron. It's one of a kind."

"Red Baron is a special game for me. We were passionate about making the greatest game ever!"

Slye built the iconic flight simulator Red Baron for PC a mere 29 years ago (1990) [An F for maths, Robert -Ed]. Having gained fame and glory he left the industry soon after and trained to become a real pilot. He also travelled and read learning-books. Slye, therefore, watched from the sidelines as sequel Red Baron II (1997) and Red Baron 3D (1998) were released.

Now he has the rights, Slye and his Mad Otter Games studio have offered the Red Baron series to retro digital distributor Good Old Games. There, all three of the games are bundled for $9.99.

"The strange thing is that I was not looking to acquire them - it just fell into our lap," admitted Slye.

"We built a great game back in 1989, and launched it into the world, never expecting to see it again.  The whole experience feels like some strange boomerang blown by the winds of fate unerringly back to its source."

It took only seven people make Red Baron all those years ago, revealed Slye, whose similar-sized Mad Otter Games studio makes arcade plane-fighter Ace of Aces. Despite the obvious similarities, Slye hinted that a Red Baron remake would veer towards simulation over quick-thrills.

He's also keen to put "the emphasis on the human player", unlike most modern games, although he conceded that those are "impressive and very well done".

What exactly we'll see from Slye and Mad Otter Games remains a mystery. For the time being, a 19-year-old PC flight simulator will have to do.