To: devnull@hitech.k9.com (Hitech Simulation Mailing list) From: devnull@hitech.k9.com (Hitech Simulation Mailing list) Reply-To: devnull@hitech.k9.com (Hitech Simulation Mailing list) Sender: devnull@hitech.k9.com (Hitech Simulation Mailing list) Return-Path: devnull@hitech.k9.com (Hitech Simulation Mailing list) Errors-To: postmaster@hitech.k9.com Precedence: bulk Bcc: hitech-sim-out Subject: Hitech Simulation Digest V2 : I47 Hitech Simulation Digest Volume 2 : Issue 47 Wed Jul 13 23:02:51 PDT 1994 Compilation copyright (C) 1994 Jeff Beadles Send submissions to "hitech-sim@hitech.k9.com" Send add/drop requests to "majordomo@hitech.k9.com" Archives are available via ftp from ftp.k9.com [199.2.109.18] Today's Topics: Re: Some more Fleet Defender though opus@ihlpf.att.com new product ghost@checksix.com (Ghost) Re: some more FD thoughts Chera Bekker ------------------------------------------------------------ From: opus@ihlpf.att.com Subject: Re: Some more Fleet Defender thoughts cisko@d0tokensun.fnal.gov (Greg Cisko) writes: >> From: opus@ihlpf.att.com >> >> Chera Bekker writes: >> >When the modem (network?) patch comes out this could make for some >> >very exciting network play. >> >> ...this will never happen. MPS listens to the pleas and even demands for >> the addition of modem play, but I think it's become pretty clear that they >> will NEVER do it. > >The thing that I find most astonishing is F15seIII. It has frontseat/ >rearseat comms. Designed in from the very beginning. >This is essentially what we are asking for in FD. As a retrofit. And notice how much more goes in in FD than in F15III and how much smarter the AI is. With a finite amount of development resources and time, you can only put so much into a game. >I personaly find FD's fully authentic RIO mode a joke. As Dave Masten said before, they used the word "authentic" to mean "more difficult." >In authentic mode >I would like to fly the plane & let the RIO do the targeting ect... The RIO AI is not very good in FD, and I agree it could be much better. However, I personally like doing both jobs myself. It adds variety and keeps things interesting. >If this >were incorperated into comms, it would be great! So... F15seIII does this, >but FD doesn't ? Correct! >Who EXACTLY, is in charge of this? You'll have to get Microprose to tell you this one. My guess is the lead designer or marketing or both. >In fact I found the rear seat so boring, that I gave up FD for a while. If you had a computer AI RIO that did everything right, flying missions as a pilot in FD would be pretty boring if you use proper tactics and engage BVR whenever possible. Once you get into a good firing position, what's so bad about hopping into the pack seat to pickle off your AIM-54s? >There didn't seem to be any real way to target & shoot Pheonix missles >from the front seat. You can if you use PDSTT, which is a waste. >And the automatic RIO seemed lacking... He just locks up the closest target. >So now I >use mostly sidewinders, sparrows or guns. As I have started playing it >again, I tried to fly inverted (something PAW doesn't model). I could >sort of, but was VERY prone to redout (just like PAW). I think I may have seen this too, but it didn't make a big impression at the time. Rob opus@ihlpf.att.com ------------------------------- From: ghost@checksix.com (Ghost) Subject: new product Attention PC joystick owners: Lead Pursuit, Inc., is releasing a new product called the Joyswitch(tm). It's a multiport switch box that is specifically designed for use with PC joysticks. The Joyswitch allows you to connect up to four joysticks and two sets of foot controllers (rudder or gas/brake pedals) to a computer. Reconfiguring your system is now as simple as turning a switch. An important feature is the Joyswitch's capability of independent switching of both joysticks and foot controllers. For example, you might use an FCS/RCS combination in sims like Air Warrior or Falcon 3.0, and a yoke/RCS combination for sims like MS FS 5.0 or ATP. The Joyswitch lets you effortlessly route either the FCS or the yoke through the RCS. Likewise, if you own a ThrustMaster Formula T1 Steering Wheel and pedals, you can instantly switch between your FCS/RCS setup and the T1/Gas/Brake setup. Another important aspect about the Joyswitch is the special WCSII input. Since the WCSII draws power from the game port (and supplies power to your keyboard), it and your keyboard will go dead if the connection is broken. The Joyswitch solves this problem by supplying continuous current to the WCSII, regardless of whether it is selected for use or not. Most PC-compatible joysticks/controllers on the market work with the Joyswitch including products from ThrustMaster, CH, Kraft, Gravis, Maxx, and many more. For pricing information and a GIF (UUENCODED) of the product, send an email to joyswitch@checksix.com and a text file will be automatically sent to you. Lead Pursuit also manufactures high quality joystick extension cables and Y-cables. The connectors on each cable have thumbs screws so that they STAY connected to the game card or joystick, unlike most other cables on the market. The Joyswitch is not yet available in stores, but it should start appearing in retail chains by October-November. For now, the product can be ordered directly from Lead Pursuit at (714)362-8698 or on Check Six BBS at (714)362-8299 -- after login type JOYSWITCH at a command prompt. Check six, Pat "Ghost" Gost lead.pursuit@checksix.com or ghost@checksix.com ------------------------------- From: Chera Bekker Subject: Re: some more FD thoughts First Rob then Greg wrote: > > > > ...this will never happen. MPS listens to the pleas and even demands for > > the addition of modem play, but I think it's become pretty clear that they > > will NEVER do it. > > The thing that I find most astonishing is F15seIII. It has frontseat/ > rearseat comms. This is essentially what we are asking for in FD. I > personaly find FD's fully authentic RIO mode a joke. In authentic mode > I would like to fly the plane & let the RIO do the targeting ect... > Or play backseater & let the autopilot do the "TOP GUN" stuff. If this > were incorperated into comms, it would be great! So... F15seIII does this, > but FD doesn't ? Who EXACTLY, is in charge of this? > Greg, we are absolutely on the same wavelength here. Why is MPS dropping the ball on FD?? FD has so much more potential than PAW. O.k. I admit that I might be biased because I don't give shit for pre-Vietnam flightsims. It is just that in FD the concept is very good. For me it has captured the air aspect of modern naval combat very well. I would just hate to see it all go awaste because some at MPS decided that flying around the pacific, dropping some old iron on carriers and using popguns to tickle your opponents, is more fun than kicking Qadaffi's ass or sending an AIM-9 up somebodies tailpipe. Having said that I should perhaps make an exception (with respect to the pre-vietnam flight sims) for Overlord. I just checked out the demo and I really liked it. The plane felt very smooth and the scenery was very nice (better than PAW). In the mission in the demo you have to strafe a number of E-boats and I almost ducked behind my screen when they opened up on me. The sight of the tracers going left and right your cockpit is really great. Overlord is programmed by ROWAN, the same outfit which gave us Flight of the Intruder (they did the job for SH), still one of my all time favourites. They also promise that with a 486DX2 and a local bus card you run the game in SVGA. They supplied a test program with the demo to check out your VGA card. They support the ET4000 and Trident in native mode and they supply two types of VESA drivers which (they claim) should be able to handle most VESA LB cards. Chera - -- H.G. Bekker bekker@tn.utwente.nl Voice: +3153893107 Applied Physics Fax: +3153354003 University of Twente PGP public key - finger: Si vis pacem The Netherlands bekker@slater.tn.utwente.nl Para Bellum ------------------------------- [[ End of digest Volume 2 : Issue 47 ]]