Locked and loaded, prepare to be dropped into the most immersive open world combat experience of the year as Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising mounts its assault on stores shelves across North America today, infiltrates PAL territories on Thursday 10th October and begins UK manoeuvres on Friday 9th October for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and PC.

A climactic launch week video, now showing at www.flashpointgame.com, reveals the full effect of warfare as US Marine Corps and PLA troops engage and the massive island of Skira Island erupts into an explosive and deadly battlefield. From the opening moment when APVs take the beach and infantry climbs the hill, the conflict escalates as tanks roll across the fields, attack helicopters rain down missiles and heavy artillery pounds enemy emplacements with devastating effect.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is modern combat in stunning detail. The game authentically recreates conflict in a 360-degree theatre of war, which enables players to approach objectives from any direction. On this realistic battlefield, where one bullet can kill, players face the fear and mortality felt by soldiers as they are challenged to survive the rapidly evolving situations of battle throughout the game's single and 4-player co-op campaign.

Whether assaulting, flanking or suppressing the enemy, or calling on fire support to rain down from the skies, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising demands players think on their feet, reacting quickly to any situation the game's advanced AI throws at them. In this theatre, every decision counts, every action has a consequence and every bullet can kill.

For the duration of hostilities, players will wage war with the most technologically advanced arsenal the USMC has ever had. In the field, players have access to customised weapons that meet the needs of the constantly evolving combat scenario. Scopes, such as the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) and Thermal Infrared Goggles (TIG), can be used to overcome adverse combat and environmental conditions. Other force multipliers, including grenade launchers, smoke and night vision devices, are also featured.

Complete with 4-player online co-op play throughout the campaign and individual multiplayer Fire Team Engagements, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising delivers the lethality, tension and adrenaline of real war like never before.