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{{italic title}}{{Use dmy dates|date = November 2022}}{{Use Indian English|date = November 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = File:IAF andriod mobile game snip.PNG
| developer = Threye Interactice Pvt Ltd (Threye: Military Games)
| publisher = [[Indian Air Force]]
| released = 31 July 2019
| platforms = [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| genre = [[Combat flight simulation game|Combat flight simulator]]
| modes = [[Singleplayer]], [[Multiplayer]]
| italic title = Indian Air Force: A Cut Above
}}

'''''Indian Air Force: A Cut Above''''' is the official free air combat mobile gaming application of the [[Indian Air Force]] first released on 31 May 2019.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wing-commander-abhinandan-rafale-aircraft-and-more-in-iafs-video-game-a-cut-above/article29557083.ece|title=Wing Commander Abhinandan, Rafale aircraft and more in IAF's video game, A Cut Above|last=Mehta|first=Archit|date=2019-09-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-11-20|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123070453/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wing-commander-abhinandan-rafale-aircraft-and-more-in-iafs-video-game-a-cut-above/article29557083.ece|archive-date=23 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pib.gov.in">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1591085|title=Vice Chief of the Air Staff Launches Phase 2 (Multi Player Version) of 'Indian air Force: a Cut Above'|date=8 November 2019|website=Press Information Bureau|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> It was officially launched on 31 July 2019 by the Air Chief Marshal [[Birender Singh Dhanoa|B. S. Dhanoa]] for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/indian-air-forces-video-game-goes-up-against-call-of-duty-and-angry-birds-in-googles-competition/articleshow/72122285.cms|title=Indian Air Force's video game goes up against Call of Duty and Angry Birds in Google's competition|date=19 November 2019|website=Business Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126010511/https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/indian-air-forces-video-game-goes-up-against-call-of-duty-and-angry-birds-in-googles-competition/articleshow/72122285.cms|archive-date=26 November 2019|access-date=2019-11-20|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2019 [[Google]] picked the game to be part of the Best Game 2019 awards (in the 'Users Choice Game' category).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/google-picks-air-forces-video-game-indian-air-force-a-cut-above-to-compete-for-best-game-2019-2134807|title=Google Picks Air Force's Video Game To Compete For 'Best Game 2019'|date=19 November 2019|website=NDTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120150431/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/google-picks-air-forces-video-game-indian-air-force-a-cut-above-to-compete-for-best-game-2019-2134807|archive-date=20 November 2019|access-date=2019-11-20|url-status=live}}</ref> The Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal [[Harjit Singh Arora]] released the multiplayer version of the game.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/iaf-launches-multiplayer-version-of-mobile-game-indian-air-force-a-cut-above-119110801657_1.html|title=IAF releases multiplayer version of 'Indian Air Force - A Cut Above' game|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2019-11-08|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109183413/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/iaf-launches-multiplayer-version-of-mobile-game-indian-air-force-a-cut-above-119110801657_1.html|archive-date=9 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pib.gov.in"/>

The game has three training levels where the user is taught the various intricacies of the game such as taking off, landing gear operations, air-control, target hitting and various other things.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/indian-air-force-a-cut-above-review-iaf-game-is-rather-impressive-2256347.html|title=Indian Air Force - A Cut Above Brief Review: IAF Game is Rather Impressive|website=News18|access-date=2019-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803122902/https://www.news18.com/news/tech/indian-air-force-a-cut-above-review-iaf-game-is-rather-impressive-2256347.html|archive-date=3 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The game features a character similar to [[Abhinandan Varthaman|Abhinandan Varthaman's]] featuring his gunslinger mustache, however customization is possible.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> The game has three difficulty levels.<ref name=":0" /> The game allows the user to control a variety of the IAFs arsenal including the MI-17 V5 helicopter, the [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]] and four other aircraft as well as the [[Dassault Rafale|Rafale]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> The controls however have been described as "clunky" and gameplay has been compared to the "arcade style of simulation found in games like [[Ace Combat]] and [[Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X|Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X]].".<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.digit.in/features/gaming/hands-on-with-indian-air-force-a-cut-above-49484.html|title=Hands-on with Indian Air Force: A Cut Above|last=Pacheco|first=Shrey|date=1 August 2019|website=www.digit.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801183616/https://www.digit.in/features/gaming/hands-on-with-indian-air-force-a-cut-above-49484.html|archive-date=1 August 2019|access-date=2019-11-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game, as explained in the information section of [[Google Play Store]], "allows IAF aspirants to experience first hand the roles of an air warrior, as well as means to apply and appear for recruitment from the comfort of a mobile phone".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threye.iaf.aca&hl=en_IN|title=Indian Air Force: A Cut Above [DISHA - IAF HQ] – Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807001114/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threye.iaf.aca&hl=en_IN|archive-date=7 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/iaf-launches-multiplayer-version-of-mobile-game-indian-air-force--a-cut-above/1658473|title=IAF launches multiplayer version of mobile game ''Indian Air Force - A Cut Above''|date=8 November 2019|website=Outlook India|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moneylife.in/article/indian-air-force-gaming-app-a-cut-above/57859.html|title=Indian Air Force Gaming App: A Cut Above|last=Tantra|first=Yazdi|date=7 August 2019|website=Moneylife|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807113807/https://www.moneylife.in/article/indian-air-force-gaming-app-a-cut-above/57859.html|archive-date=7 August 2019|access-date=2019-11-20|url-status=live}}</ref> An IAF spokesperson reiterated this saying that "the primary aim of this game is to get youth attracted to the profession of military aviation, while providing information about career options in the Indian Air Force."<ref name=":5" />

''A Cut Above'' is a follow-up to the 2014 game called ''[[Guardians of the Skies]]'' which was also produced by the IAF.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-launches-mobile-game-indian-air-force-a-cut-above/articleshow/70467452.cms?from=mdr|title=IAF chief launches 3D mobile video game themed on missions, combat scenarios|date=1 August 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> ''Guardians of the Skies'' had won various awards such as "Best mobile application (game) in 2014 from [[Microsoft India]]" and was also awarded by [[Unity3D]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.threye.com/1/post/2017/01/how-the-indian-air-force-got-its-game.html|title=How the IAF got its game|website=Threye|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509050750/http://www.threye.com/blog/how-the-indian-air-force-got-its-game|archive-date=9 May 2019|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/iaf-launches-sequel-award-winning-guardians-skies-mobile-game-3660173.html|title=IAF launches sequel to award-winning 'Guardians of the Skies' mobile game|date=12 December 2014|website=Tech2 - Firstpost|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> ''Threye'', a Delhi-based game development studio, won the contract from the Air Force from a bid of over 120 participants in 2013.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threye.iaf.aca&hl=en_IN Indian Air Force - A Cut Above] on [[Google Play]]
* [https://apps.apple.com/in/app/indian-air-force-a-cut-above/id1451450072 Indian Air Force - A Cut Above] on [[App Store (iOS)]]
* [http://www.threye.com/blog/how-the-indian-air-force-got-its-game How the Indian Air Force got its game] - ''Guardian of the Skies'' - Threye

[[Category:2019 video games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Combat flight simulators]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force]]
[[Category:Video games developed in India]]

Indian Air Force: A Cut Above - Revision history

Bot at 05:27, 7 December 2022