Echelon is a 3-D science fiction flight simulator video game designed by Russian developers MADIA. It involves flying futuristic fighters in combat scenarios. The game can be played locally or on a local area network with up to 32 players. The Russian version of the game is called "Шторм" ("Storm"). The plot of the first-person shooter game Operation: Matriarchy (also developed by MADIA) takes place in the same general universe as Echelon. Echelon was nominated as "Sci-Fi Simulation Game of the Year" by GameSpot, 2001. In 2002 a sequel, Echelon: Wind Warriors, was released.