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I'm no game designer, but I can imagine that video games are inspired by many different things. Some are influenced by life events, dreams, or bolt-of-lightning ideas, but I'd guess few are inspired by a single song.
According to AdventurePro's Jim Shepard, that's precisely what happened with Skies of Fight, which he describes as a "homage to a killer song" from The Tiberian Sons called Mighty Wings.
Skies of Fight "exists because of the song," continues Shepard, also citing the artwork of Glen Angus and the likes of Sega's After Burner, Space Harrier, Panzer Dragoon and Wing War as other key influences on the game, which is effectively a five-minute musical trip packed with surprises.
You might assume, from the opening 30 seconds, that it's a straightforward tribute to After Burner Climax, but keep playing, and Skies of Fight not only changes tone dramatically, but also switches perspective at one point and throws in a direct reference to the aforementioned Wing War (one of Sega's lesser-known arcade titles).
"When you were a kid, you walked into an arcade and saw a flashy new game, you didn't always know what was going to happen," adds Shepard. "I wanted to try and recreate that mix of confusion, joy, and determination. You think you know what's going to happen, but then you realize you didn't, oh wait you really didn't, but when Wave 4 rolls in, you, a veteran of three minutes, are now ready to finish the fight."
It has taken Shepard a decade to realise his vision for Skies of Fight. "I'm genuinely glad to have made this game; it's been sitting in my head for so long," he concludes.
You can check out Skies of Fight here.