Manchester studio Flipbook CGI has released a live-action promotional trailer for new Codemasters video game Operation Flashpoint: Red River. Watch it here.

Flipbook was commissioned by Codemasters after presenting a creative pitch heavy on live-action to capture the "realism" of the Flashpoint warfare series.

"We went against the grain on this production," said Flipbook MD, Andrew Lord. "As much as we love full pre-rendered CGI trailers we’re also firm believers that when a creative idea is brewed it’s sometimes necessary for CGI to play more of a supportive role to help tell your story."

The teaser trailer concentrates on the game's four-man US Marine unit and the subtle character differences and emotions of each soldier before they engage the enemy in combat.

Flipbook said it was important to Codemasters to capture the professionalism, rituals, anxiety and courage of the soldiers as they prepare for another day on the job.

It collaborated on the production with fellow Manchester firms Matte Black Films, which worked on the shoot, and Barefoot VFX, which provided additional CGI support.

The internal helicopter scenes, starring actors from the north west, were shot on location in a decommissioned Super Stallion helicopter at the RAF museum in Cosford.

External shots of the helicopters and the Tajikistan terrain were created in CGI before the entire trailer was heavily graded and had further effects added in post-production.

The game is released next year and Flipbook's trailer has so far had 33,000 hits on YouTube and 55,000 on Game Trailers since going live on Friday.