View Full Version : Black Shark Ka-50 (English version) is out
Hi
Helicopter simulation Black Shark Ka-50 is out. Buy and download from here!
http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=1322&scr=shop&lang=en
Reviews and previews look pretty good.
cheers Porphy
Hi
Now it's on my HDD :) Went for a spin in arcade mode. Gorgeous to watch the helicopter move around, even if things are simplified in this mode. Performance seemed good, much better than Lock On anyway. Same style of graphics, but certainly better as well.
It's a pleasure just to ride around with the helicopter. I guess I will be sweating considerably more at the controls when I turn on simulation mode... This one might turn out to be very good indeed. Now, lets see where to start in the 380 pages pdf manual. :hmm: Full printed one will be avaible as separate purchase later I hear.
Oh yes, btw it has Starforce as copy protection. Not a hitch so far.
cheers Porphy
Skybird
12-12-08, 08:24 AM
Lucky dog you are. I waited long for this - just to learn that it comes with SF, which brought immediate death to it, at least for me.
If it ever gets a non-SF treatement working reliable, I will buy a full copy and then enjoy it. If it never happens that way, I will always pass on it.
Could you compare handling of the flight model with FS, EECH and LB2? Handling in LB2 was the most user-friendly but maybe at the price of lacking realism, while EECH is simply arcadish rubber-ball-jumping up and down, and FS being unrealistic and bad to handle at the same time.
Uber Gruber
12-12-08, 08:27 AM
I've been watching this baby for quite a while and even set aside some cash to buy an FX50 for it, so you can imagine how disapointed I was when I heard it has Starforce.....oh well, i'll just wait for Storm of War instead. Shame though, would've really liked to have bought it :shifty:
Hi
Just turned of "easy flight" and went for a ride. Wow, this is how a helicopter should behave. I'm in control, sort of, but this beast can have some ugly surprises in store for the pilot who push a bit to hard, or ignore how trimming works. Needless to say, this is just first impression.
Compared to EECH, which I know quite well, this is like day and night when it comes to flight model. You can really feel (and from the outside see) the complex forces at work when maneuvering "the shark". The ballooning effect was always a problem as you say Sky, even if some mods improved the way you could adjust the response curve for cyclic and collective. Nothing like that in Black Shark, and I haven't got into adjusting response curves at all. The helicopter in EECH also had a tendency to snap itself into a mad and unrealistic spinn when rudder was applied. To lose control in Black shark will probably not be uncommon, but it seems like that is something you get when you deserve it :D
I used to have LB2, but it was long ago and I can't really remember enough to compare the two. FS helicopters have never really attracted me, and as I don't fly FS or FSX I can't really compare.
In short it feels really good, but I'm sure helicopter experts can spot problematic things in flight modelling that I can't. But from what I have read so far, most people praise how good the flight model feels, even as you try to get to grips with the trimming methodand auto-pilot.
Starforce is an ugly way to do copy protection, that is for sure. But I have had no problems so far, and as long as it works as intended with activating the software, you acctually just hit the "fly Black Shark" shortcut, and you are away. No disc check, or server check, steam log in every time e.t.c that takes time and can go wrong. The two downloaded install files and your product key are simple to burn to a dvd for back up. You also have both more activations and deactivatsion than with Lock on.
In short, I would say go for it anyway. Who knows, maybee someone have a solution for the Starforce problem shortly, at least if you are willing to install other drivers with similiar intrusive access to the depths of your computer. ;)
cheers Porphy
A short notice to any TrackIR 1 & 2 owners. It looks like these lack support for Black Shark. At least my TrackIR 2 didn't work as usual, and some quick reading about this indicates it might be a problem if you plan to use these devices with Black Shark. There might be a way to get around it, or support might be added, but I haven't seen anything definitive about this.
Natural Point dropped the ball when they decided to leave TrackIR 1 & 2 users behind when it came to driver support. Luckily there are ways to get TrackIR2 to work with XP 64 for example. Disappointing if Black Shark can't use these older devices, as TrackIR 2 works just fine in many sims.
Or, it might be time to get a TrackIR4 to enjoy 6dof capability. Isn't it Christmas soon by the way? ;)
Learning to fly again... I was really happy as I thought I had accomplished a "simulator mode" take off - landing - take off in a controlled manner. Then I went to outside view and had that distinct feeling, that something was wrong... :roll:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/Porphyr/ScreenShot_003.jpg
Don't fiddle with the stuff on the helicopter control panel if you don't know what it is. :-?
For example the fuel shutdown valves are best left alone. But now I know where they are...
And I was a bit impressed with myself actually being able to do a kind of emergency landing without any engine power. The Shark is a bit messed up, but not too bad considering the rather grave initial pilot error. This sim is a very nice experience so far, I keep coming back for more all the time.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/Porphyr/ScreenShot_004.jpg
Ubergeek87
12-13-08, 08:03 PM
Looks great! I'm curious, what are your pc specs and how well does it run on them? I'm waiting on the boxed version before buying it.
Hi
I'm on a Intel core 2 Duo 6600. It's a bit overclocked to 3.00 Ghz. 4 GB Ram and a Gforce 8800GTS (first gen). I'm running XP 64 at the moment.
Black Shark Performs very well so far. Most graphic settings in Black Shark are on High, except visibility range. A simple training mission with resolution 1650x1080 and 4x AA gives me about 30-40 fps when in cockpit. More outside. I tend to go for a tad lower resolution though, and then fps is of course a lot better both inside and outside.
In any case the engine is much improved compared to Lock On. Sometimes, you can still see micro stutters, but even that is much better. So far mostly a very smooth experience, but I haven't put heavy stress on the simulation yet, with intense and crowded missions. If you crank up resolution, all graphic options and go into a mission with rain and full overcast skies with a lot of active units, I guess most machines will take a severe hit. But that is not really a surprise.
Everyone needs to find a good compromise between looks and fps, and the mission makers need to construct missions that doesn't burn out the players cpu. In short, a very much improved experience when it comes to performance, but don't expect miracles. It is still the Lock On engine in parts. :)
cheers Porphy
Ubergeek87
12-14-08, 10:20 AM
Fantastic! :up: I got a little antsy when I saw that my rig just barely met recommended requirements.
NeonSamurai
12-14-08, 10:35 AM
I also have to say I'll be joining the "will not buy it if it has starforce" crowd. I also further suspect that having starforce on board will cost the company far more sales then it would theoretically protect.
I'm also getting royally fed up with these ultra draconian forms of copy protection like starforce and those requiring a internet connection to play a single player game. Especially since these things do not slow the software pirates down much at all.
I'm tired of being treated by the gaming industry as a suspected criminal, and suffering poor performance and all the other woes due to copy protection, while those who steal games suffer none of the above, and don't have to pay a cent either.
It's a shame too, as I was looking forward to this one.
Fincuan
12-14-08, 10:39 AM
I also have to say I'll be joining the "will not buy it if it has starforce" crowd.
:up:
+1
Too bad BS looks very promising, same with Jutland. I'll jump onboard when they're cracked.
Some crafty person made Track IR 1 and 2 + Freetrack to work with Black Shark. Good Karma to this person. :up:
Get it here link (http://www.mediafire.com/file/oitwtyjfmi3/DCSFreeTrackEnFix.rar)
Karma loss to NP for abandoning customers with earlier models of Track IR :down:
From the install file:
DCS: Black Shark FreeTrack Fix
Description
-----------
NaturalPoint are using a new encrypted TrackIR interface in v4.1.036 of their software that is incompatible with the standard TrackIR interface used by FreeTrack and TrackIR 1/2. DCS: Black Shark is the first game to use this new interface.
This fix will make DCS: Black Shark compatible with FreeTrack as well as TrackIR 1/2.
Version
-------
Based on the English retail version of DCS: Black Shark.
Installation
------------
Backup the original NewInput.dll in (black shark directory)\bin\stable\ and replace it with the one provided.
Thanks to
---------
Eagle Dynamics for bringing the study sim back.
FreeTrack developers for making head tracking more affordable, accessible and customizable.
FreeTrack community for assistance and testing.
All Degrees of Freedom for Everyone
I know that i am late but many thanks porphy for anouncing that this sim is now available in english via download.
The last HeliSim i played was EECH years ago and i played many since Gunship on C-64 :88). I really loved Mi-24 Hind as i have a weakness for russian equipment. Without your info i would probably have missed the best modern Helisim since Longbow 2. I only flew (and crashed ;)) around a little bit and liked the feeling of flight. The fully clickable cockpit is the best i have seen so far.
About Starforce: I bought the english download version last weekend and that one seemingly doesn't have it ...
Seeadler
12-22-08, 02:07 PM
About Starforce: I bought the english download version last weekend and that one seemingly doesn't have it ...
AFAIK, the download version use the new eCommerce StarForce solution, which means no SF drivers are installed on the PC and no DVD in drive is required but the SF protection runs when the application runs.
Yes, thats a good thing to point out Lurchi and Seeadler. I actually missed this myself when I bought Black Shark. The Starforce drivers I have on my system comes from Lock On: Flaming Cliffs, not from Black Shark.
Personally I don't think the Starforce thing should put anyone of the great Black Shark experience. So far I haven't seen any hardware problems reported in the ED forums that has, or is said to have to do with Starforce.
The activations and deactivations scheme is going to last you a very long time. But if you can't see yourself accepting this limitiation (which it of course is!) you will miss something that is very good and have the potential to be even better. I have certainly spent 50$ on many things that didn't have Starforce, but still caused me more problems and in addition was rubbish. I don't like Starforce, but in the case of Black Shark I would look beyond the bad, and go for the good anyday.
cheers Porphy
Hi
If you are inerested to know how Black Shark compares to LB2 there is a forum thread dedicated to that subject at the ED web site. Looks like LB2 and EECH got a worthy successor. :up:
Link (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=35680)
cheers Porphy
Johnson0311
01-03-09, 11:08 PM
Downloading now.. I wonder how the planned expansion thing will work?
This looks great.. Finally a HELO sim.
the game is great, i have a movie of my first mission
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-7273719924862695587:up:
Ubergeek87
01-10-09, 09:14 PM
I have good news and bad news...
The bad news: I have no will power. :damn:
The good news: Blackshark is downloading. :arrgh!:
I couldn't resist after having my CH setup completed for Christmas. I am both ashamed and giddy at the same time...it's an odd sensation.
FIREWALL
01-10-09, 09:50 PM
This game looks good. :yep: TrackIR4 supports Black Shark. :D Video is 9th down from top.
http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/02-products/product-videos.html
SUBMAN1
01-11-09, 12:01 PM
I also have to say I'll be joining the "will not buy it if it has starforce" crowd. I also further suspect that having starforce on board will cost the company far more sales then it would theoretically protect.
I'm also getting royally fed up with these ultra draconian forms of copy protection like starforce and those requiring a internet connection to play a single player game. Especially since these things do not slow the software pirates down much at all.
I'm tired of being treated by the gaming industry as a suspected criminal, and suffering poor performance and all the other woes due to copy protection, while those who steal games suffer none of the above, and don't have to pay a cent either.
It's a shame too, as I was looking forward to this one.
I will also be joining this crowd unless I can find a way around the SF garbage.
And I was looking forward to this one as well.
-S
SUBMAN1
01-11-09, 12:11 PM
In case anybody cares, this thing is already posted all over the place with Starforce cracks.
This just further proves the point that Draconian DRM is not the way to go. It stops no one.
I will not purchase or play this sim till it becomes DRM free. Maybe in due time, the publisher will get the hint.
-S
XabbaRus
01-11-09, 12:49 PM
Doubtful. It is a Russian Publisher and Starforce is a Russian company. Maybe I am being conspiratorial but I think pressure could be applied if you get my meaning.
msalama
01-11-09, 01:07 PM
The download version of DCS:BS has a DRM system called Starforce E-commerce, and unlike with the SF DVD protection there're no reports of it causing any harm whatsoever. It doesn't install any drivers or anything, but instead works as a runtime check when you start Black Shark.
Cracks and DRMs or not I bought it yesterday because I want to support folks who create quality sims, even if I'm not exactly a rotorhead and/or modern-day warfare buff. Hell, if I really wanted to _filch_ stuff I'd most likely steal something like a game an unnamed publisher has the audacity of calling a submarine SIMULATOR, and yet at the same time couldn't even give the boats independent engine control :lol: Too bad, then, that I didn't, but went and bought it instead :damn:
But really, to filch a sim that really is good and a labor of love at the same time? No effin' way...
msalama
01-11-09, 01:10 PM
OK guys, here's what:
I've got it installed, SF and everything, and if I'm not reporting any problems within a month or so you can consider it safe and buy it. How's that sound to ya?
Unless I'm mistaken the crack for Black Shark is for the russian dvd version, which do install SF drivers permenantly on your computer (as with Lock On Flaming Cliffs). In order get around that you will have to install Anti-starforce drivers of pretty dubious origin, and they will have access do the depths of your computer, just as the criticised SF drivers. But yes, nothing really stops the "free" versions floating around. DRM is just a hassle for the honest customer.
Today I installed the english version of BS under windows 7 and applied the affinity trick, forcing BS to run on two cpu cores. Wow, it's smooth as silk now! Don't miss out on this sim, when you try to tame the shark flying any thoughts of SF will be far away... :up:
Ubergeek87
01-11-09, 03:42 PM
After numerous viewings of the tutorial, I just did my first completely unassisted start-up. Feels good man. Next step: that whole "leaving the ground" thing.
I am having problems with un-caging the standby ADI. Is there some trick to getting the knob to turn?
(no SF issues to report here)
Unless I'm mistaken the crack for Black Shark is for the russian dvd version, which do install SF drivers permenantly on your computer (as with Lock On Flaming Cliffs). In order get around that you will have to install Anti-starforce drivers of pretty dubious origin, and they will have access do the depths of your computer, just as the criticised SF drivers. But yes, nothing really stops the "free" versions floating around. DRM is just a hassle for the honest customer.
Today I installed the english version of BS under windows 7 and applied the affinity trick, forcing BS to run on two cpu cores. Wow, it's smooth as silk now! Don't miss out on this sim, when you try to tame the shark flying any thoughts of SF will be far away... :up:
How do you make it run on 2 cpu cores ?
Hi
Running on 2 cores will only work properly with Vista (or Windows 7 beta). I tried it with XP, but got no performance gain. Now with Windows 7 and 2 cpu running BS I have about 60 fps in cockpit :p
You can use this very handy tool to launch BS and get the affinity set for running on 2 cores Link (http://code.google.com/p/dcsbsaffinitytool/) Instruction on the download site.
cheers porphy
:up:
+1
Too bad BS looks very promising, same with Jutland. I'll jump onboard when they're cracked.
...and another 1
SF :down: never again... :nope: and I'm the type who buys two or three versions of a game if I like it.
Arclight
04-18-09, 05:16 PM
Boxed version popped up in stores around here last week, totally unanounced too. Was holding out in the hope they would revise the DRM scheme for that version, and they did... boxed version performs weekly online check. :nope:
DRM strikes again, and guess who the only victims are?
Shiplord
04-18-09, 06:22 PM
... boxed version performs weekly online check. :nope:
The German boxed version does not do that and does not install Starforce drivers but requires an online activation. After that you can put the DVD back in the box and on the shelve.
My BS is running on since the release on a PC which is not online or in a network and I never used again the DVD in the drive.
Arclight
04-18-09, 08:49 PM
Still leaves the limited number of uninstalls I'm afraid; you can install 8x and uninstall 10x. I'm on Win7 beta now; it's not unrealistic to foresee 2 or 3, perhaps even 4 reinstalls in the near future. That would be half my allowed installs to hell in a few months. Suddenly the possibility of running out of installs somewhere in the coming years seems very likely...
I won't buy anything that limits my installs without the possibility to revoke them, or anything that calls home on a regular basis. Single online activation at install or disk checks; fine. Installing invasive drivers; reaaally pushing it.
Far too many peoples systems got thrashed by Starforce drivers in the past. We as consumers have to draw the line somewhere, or it's just going to get worse. I'm sorry to say it, but I'm quite annoyed with anyone who bought this (and other) game. I'm happy it hasn't given you crap (yet), but you just became part of the problem. :nope:
Konovalov
04-20-09, 08:04 AM
Received my hard copy via Amazon GB last week yet haven't had a chance to install and look at yet. Anyway my hard drive is playing up (possible failure on horizon) so am waiting on my new hard drive before installing BS. Besde plenty of time to pour over the manual and training videos.
I never had any problem that I was aware of with Starforce in Lockon Flaming Cliffs. It's a real shame that so many people here are going to miss out on a real survey flt sim. They are a dime a dozen these days.
GlobalExplorer
04-21-09, 01:56 PM
BS has limited installations, right?
Arclight
04-21-09, 02:56 PM
IIRC 8 installs and 10 uninstalls. :yep:
*ps:http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=33527
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