Rise of Flight ICE, Black Shark, A-10

[Skybird]

These are typical new-rig-questions :D :

Is RoF still coming with this terrible copy protection where you need to stay constantly connected to the internet? Or have they removed it meanwhile?

Is Black Shark still coming with Starforce?

What about A-10?

I fear I still will need to pass on each of these, or do you have happy news for me?

[Dowly]

Both DCS titles use SF.

[Skybird]

I feared so, so two names scratched from the list. Well, saves me money.

Remains my question on Rise of Flight ICE.

[Oberon]

I believe ROF ICE has an offline version now where you don't have to be connected to the net to play. One mo, I read about it in a simHQ re-review...

http://www.simhq.com/_air13/images/air_444a_025.jpg

http://www.simhq.com/_air13/air_444d.html

This is for standard ROF...I'd be very surprised if they've changed it back for ICE.
I must admit...it's tempting me too...although I think I'll need to upgrade a few components first...but it looks and sounds just beautiful, and they've now got the Sopwith Pup as flyable, so that swings it a lot in favour for me.

[Skybird]

Oh, that is some hope there - heading over to simHQ now. :DL

[Skybird]

Okay I checked the online pdf of the German manual for Iron Cross. There it is written black on white that while for activation an online connection and creating an online account is necessary, you can launch the game and run it withoiut internet connection from that time on, with access to single player, quick mission, replays, and campaign, but the progress in campaign will be saved on HD, and will not be synchronised online.

At Amazon Germany it currently costs 32 euros. I'll wait until it drops a bit more, due to the online activation scheme, and then at some later time will get it.

I wonder why the original title still costs so much more but offers fewer planes.

a 3-days free trial download is available.

[Oberon]

Oooh, might have to look at that free trial, after I've seen if it'll work on the home machine. I've been pleasantly surprised at what that machine will run of late, it took ARMA2 with little complaint on Medium settings, and OA too. However that's no guarantee...will have to investigate post-paycheck. :yep:

[Ubergeek87]

Edit: Nevermind, it's just a newer version of sf

Q: Does DCS: A-10C use copy protection?
A: Yes, it uses the new user-friendly ProActive AAA Technology.
You will no longer have a fixed number of activations, but in an effort to prevent piracy the system does limit the number of activations per month. Your DCS A-10C serial number is initially set to 8 activations and when they all are spent, 1 activation is added automatically once per 31 days (effectively "refilling" your serial number).
ProActive AAA Technology does not install any drivers on your PC. It works as an integrated part of the DCS files but has no special privileges in your system.
For more information, please refer to this forum thread: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=59002


Edit pt 2: Not sure what your opinion of Steam is, but they removed sf from blackshark for the steam release http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=55848

[Skybird]

Not sure what your opinion of Steam is

No pleasant one. :)

[Arclight]

For the record, it's not the same Starforce you're thinking off, not even close with A-10C.

It's a one-time online activation like most games nowadays. Except with limited activations, though you can request a reset for BS no problem and Warthog actually restores 1 every month automatically. So unless you do more than 1 reinstall on a different machine/new OS more than once per month it's impossible to run out.

[Skybird]

Does it install hidden drivers on the rig?

Got burned once, never will get burned again.

What about user codes created from individual hardware compositions of the hosting system?

[Arclight]

At least in case of digital download versions, no. There might be a driver installed for the disc-based versions, but I doubt it.

Not sure what you're referring to with the codes, but: the activations are tied to a system's hardware composition, basically the same system Windows uses. You'll need to re-activate if there are substantial changes. So yes to hardware code.

You get deactivations as well btw. If you know you'll need to reactivate later, for example when migrating to a new system, you can use one of those and save an activation. With 10 deactivations and 8 activations that's 18 installs on unique machines. And as said, ED can reset for BS and A-10 returns them on its own.


It's still DRM, so it sucks. But it's not the frightening Starforce that rooted at the core of your system and ate baby optical drives.

[Dowly]

The hardware thingy:

An activation will be required if the hardware/software changes exceed 12 points as rated below:

CPU ID: 13
Windows PID: 3
Computer Name: 3
Hard drive volume serial number: 3
MAC address: 6
RAM amount: 6

[Skybird]

Well.

This is a man who has just violated his own principles.

For 15 Euros - I have now ordered Black Shark.

And then Rise of Flight ICE.

And ARMA2 Gold.

And an external 2TB USB3-HD.

What use is there in a new computer if you can't make it smoke, and smell the taste of burning cable isolation ?

The nice news is all these titles come at reduced prices now, and have already received more or less patching efforts. I just worry about the AI in ARMA2. The AI always was an eyebrow-raiser in previous titles in the series.

[Arclight]

It's not that bad imho; they're perfectly capable of killing you. That's one thing it's got up on most shooter AI, but that might have something to do with gamedesign. :lol:

Just started using an AI mod for Operation Arrowhead, and it looks pretty good. Especially snipers, they just right turned into ghosts. :yep:


Doubt you will regret any of those purchases.
The hardware thingy:
You don't have to re-activate after new Windows? Wish I'd know that earlier. :haha:

[Skybird]

Does Black Shark include an option to switch the Kyrillic labels in the cockpit to English translations, or is there a mod for that?

[Raptor1]

Does Black Shark include an option to switch the Kyrillic labels in the cockpit to English translations, or is there a mod for that?

Yes. It's in Options -> Gameplay -> Cockpit Language.

[Skybird]

Good to know!

[Oberon]

Got to concur with the AI mod in ARMA2, I don't do a lot of proper footstomping, I'm usually hovering in an Apache or staring down the gunner optics on an Abrams but the AI has definitely punished us for any stupid mistakes that we have made. Flying an Apache over the town on a Hydra run for example lead to a dead gunner and a wounded me crawling out of the wreckage.

Let us know how you get on with the Black Shark and ICE. They're both titles I have an eye on, as well as A-10, but the first paycheck, after it is dissembled and consumed by reality, will probably go towards hardware upgrades and quite possibly a TrackIR...

[Skybird]

In flightsims, I consider TrackIR to be a must now.

I'll keep you updated, but while I already have three new game boxes, I still need to wait for the hardware. The shop where I bought is waiting for a delivery of revisioned boards for the type I ordered, hopefully by the end of this week. Not before then they can assemble it for me.

I am also considering A-10, but not now (3 new titles at once already is a load), and I want it to have received one or two of the inevitable patches first before I depart with my money. It's already an expensive week right now, and additional costs for wheel and 2nd HD maybe already lurk beyond the horizon.

I look forward to do a real huge air battle for the first time in BoBII-Wings of Victory, and to boost the frames in FS9+mods, with most things maxed out. The racing sims I already have, already play fluidly right now, so probably no big difference there with improved hardware. I hope I do not get haunted by compatability issues with some of my beloved classics. :up:

[Drewcifer]

Agreed, I always us my TrackirR 5. I mean with the detailed cockpits.. or like in Rise of Flight.. where there isn't much need for hitting buttons in the cockpit The trackiR is a lifesaver in dog fighters, jerking your head about and having completely situational awareness

[Oberon]

Hopefully with all the upgrades I'll still have enough to one side to grab a TIR. Would 4 with the vector work fine?

Meanwhile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRXFv0MkOD4&feature=channel_video_title

[Skybird]

It seems my first answer went amiss? :06:

Again, then:

I have Track IR 4, and I never have missed anything in it, so I think TrackIR 4 works fine for you, Oberon, if oyu can get it cheaper than TrackIR 5.

I have not forgotten your request about RoF and BS, but with all the system chnage going on, I have had little to no time to already have dealt with them in depoth. All I can say is both sims run smoothly over here.

[Oberon]

Thanks Sky, I will probably go for 4 then because IIRC it's on about 99 dollars at the moment whereas 5 is over 100.

I just found this on simhq and I had to post it:

from -- http://riseofflight.com/Blogs/post/2011/03/04/Some-details-about-the-new-d0a1areer-Mode.aspx (http://riseofflight.com/Blogs/post/2011/03/04/Some-details-about-the-new-d0a1areer-Mode.aspx)



Covers 700 days of the Great War. More days may be added if we build planes from even earlier in the war.
Continued promotion through the ranks.
Changing Weather with Seasonal Textures (Summer, Autumn and Winter).
New Titles and Awards.
More than 15 different types of missions.
New types of gameplay, such as adjusting artillery fire or photo reconnaissance, with new interactive elements and equipment such a wireless radio and/or camera added to your plane. You can also watch real-time changes in the world based on the results of your actions such as corrected artillery fire.
A higher level of interactivity and randomness during missions, for example, flying close to an enemy's airfield could trigger enemy fighters to intercept you.
Combines your personal statistics, events and achievements with real history.
Interactive map of hostilities with information about current operations at the front and the location of various units and squadrons.
Historically correct squadron’s location and re-locations.
Historically correct automatic mission completion by A.I. pilots in missions not involving the player using a new technique we developed.
Historically correct awards and conditions for awards.
Realistic calendar of European Weather
Virtual "Newspaper", depicting timely events at the front, new inventions in science and technology, and list of important aces published on a regular basis.
All virtual A.I. squadron mates have their own names, grow in rank and abilities, go the hospital if needed and receive awards for their actions.
Ability to meet historic allied or enemy aces in combat situations. If you kill a famous enemy ace he will not re-appear and his kill total will stop in the press.
Ability to be transferred to another squadron with promotion in rank.
Realistic attrition of personnel and material in your squadron.
Repair of damaged aircraft and hospitalization of wounded pilots.
Ability to use a custom paintjob after 5 kills.
Opportunity to become a squadron commander and plan missions.
Planning includes the selection of pilots and aircrafts, which will participate in your flight.
Editing a route: choice of range, move waypoints, a height indicator, buildings types, speeds and altitudes.
Many new villages, town and industrial areas added to the map along with windsocks at airfields.



:o:rock:

[Raptor1]

That sounds well and truly awesome. In fact, a lot of these features make me wonder if they're basing the concept of it on the RB3D campaign, which would definitely be a good idea.

Might get me to finally buy the game...

[Skybird]

Thanks Sky, I will probably go for 4 then because IIRC it's on about 99 dollars at the moment whereas 5 is over 100.

AFAIK the main difference is that the TrackIR 5 has a higher resolution. But I never found TrackIR 4 having insufficient resolution, so I would say if you can save money, do it. But be aware, both 4 and 5 are offered with and without Vector gear.

[Skybird]

I can't believe what my new rig is doing with FS9 - it's killing it byte by byte! :D Plenty of mods installed, busy airport scenery and AI traffic, all sliders maxed out - and the frames race down the screen at 60.

RoF and BS also run perfectly and with totally fluid frames - again with everything maxed out.

:woot:

[Schroeder]

@Obi

I have a Track IR 3 with vector expansion and it leaves nothing to be desired. But as Sky said, go for the vector stuff, Track IR is a PITA without it (you might remember me becoming frequently loud on TS when I still hadn't had the vector expansion).

[Skybird]

Let us know how you get on with the Black Shark and ICE. They're both titles I have an eye on, as well as A-10, but the first paycheck, after it is dissembled and consumed by reality, will probably go towards hardware upgrades and quite possibly a TrackIR...

Well, first feedback from me on Rise of Flight. It looks brilliant in graphics, and flying the planes is a challenge. So is dogfighting - I find it incredibly tough to land a well-aimed shot here. So on this aspect, thumbs up from me.

But:

It has the IL-2 disease, like I mwentioned it somewhere else. Indeed it is like IL-2 in another era, with better looks and other planes. It is optimized for pure dogfighting action - and nothing else. There is no atmosphere - or as much as you know from IL-2. There is no feeling to be there - or as much as you know from IL-2. In principle, whatever you liked and hated about IL-2, you likely will experience again here, just looking that much better (flying at sunset or dawn is fantastic, so are the clouds).

Technically, this sim is brilliant. Physically, it seems to be correct. Atmospheric - it is a looser like Flanker, Lock On, IL-2 and the many clones of it. Somehow these Eastern studios simply do not know how to get a good package together, they excel in the technical aspect, but the package they form from that feels lifeless and sterile. No match for the drama and nerve-wrecking hectic, the mounting tension and excitement of doing battle in Steel Beasts, or flying in the campaign world of Falcon 4, or the sense of doing something epic when meeting huge formations like in BoBII and EAW with hundreds of planes.

I also run into quite some bugs, mostly invisible planes of which I only be aware because of their labels chasing around in the sky - without the plane they are being attached to.

I do not doom this title, it is too well-done visually and technically. If I have to rate it like in old score system for figure skating, I would give it a very high 5.8 or 5.9 in the technical A note for difficulty, and in the B-note a high 3.x or a low 4.x score for the artistic impression - I know that I will not play this as enthusiastically as I played Longbow 2, European Air War, Falcon, not to mention Steel Beasts. It feels too sterile to really pull me into it's world, and have me immersed in it for long ongoing story-telling.

These Eastern studios for simulations really need to learn how to perform better in this regard. Technically they are beyond doubt, but the design of the package is always showing the same kind of lacking imagination - since ten years now.

For the sake of flying it - get it. But know what it is that you are getting: ^this, and not more, but also nothing less.

I had my first two test sessions in the Black Shark cockpit also. No flying, just looking. The cockpit is brilliant. And it easily offers the most realistically looking HUD I have seen so far. I will be happy to just learn to fly and discover the world with it. Once I haver learned how to unlock the collective, that is. :) It indeed reminds me of the complex cockpit modules for FS - there the major pleasure is to read and to study and to learn them. It feels the same with Black Shark. From what I read, it seems to be the same with A-10 (670 pages manual).

[msalama]

Both DCS sims are works of art. I personally consider them the best sims ever made for ANY genre whatsoever :yep:

[Skybird]

After having commented on RoF, I still owe Oberon my set of thoughts about Black Shark.

My interest in RoF has fallen very rapidly. Despite the looks, there is not much that keeps me interested. And some of the flight models are - well, terrible to fly. Maybe realistic or not (they have debates about that in their forums, some seem to be simply buggy), but dogfighting in this sim is something I do not enjoy at all. And beside dogfighting - there is nothing in this package. It's Il2 with different planes that move like a bronco on hot coals, and with better looks - not more than this RoF is.

Test before you buy, I only recommend.

Black Shark now has gotten me to invest quite some time into it now. That is due to the very high complexity of the cockpit functions. It reminds me much of a complex module for FS9 or FSX. Seen that way, I like it, I also like the challenging but managable flight characteristics. It feels good to sit in this cockpit with TrackIR and trying to stay in command of what is going on.

The package as a whole is very sterile, however, and ergonomic interfaces is nothing they will ever learn to do right, I think. There is no campagin atmosphere and no immersion on an emotional, personalised level. The AI is weak, simply that. You need at least a good AI to compensate weaklnesses in mission desiogns or lacking campaigns, or you need to have a good camoaign mode in order to attract you despite weak AI. If both things are weak, than thius is not good. They were too focussed on the helicpoter exclusively, I think. That leaves you with a formidably modelled flight-and-hover war machine - and with little argument to use it and get it started. "Same procedure as every year", one may quote the movie, when considering their record of titles from Flanker over Flanker 2 and 2.5 to LOMAC and now BS. They all suffer from the same disease: sterility, lacking atmosphere. For this simple reason I will think twice and three times before buying A10 now. By their record, I expect great flying-the-machine - and not much more. And that is not enough for a good sim.

So Msalama has it right and wrong, I think. The helicpoter itself seems to be simulated quite realistically, and complex, and so far that is a great sim. But simulation also includes the environment and interaction with it, the drama of being part of a mission, feeling as part of a team with an enemy going after me. But here, once again they do not deliver at all. Seen this way, this is a weak simulation. It does not compare in these regards to SBP, F4, or SH3.

I fly Black Shark to become better in flying the helicopter, it is the same motivation I have for flying a complex airliner in FS. But I see my interest ending in that.

And that's why I do not forsee this to become a lontime love affair of mine, like other simulations out there. If you like this kind of study sims, get it, it is great. If you look for a good combat and interactive warfare simulation with longtime appeal, look somewhere else.

Some Wetsern studios can learn from these Eastern one regarding simulation precision of the technical models. But the Eastern ones need tol learn from their Western counterparts regarding immersion, longterm motivation, atmosphere. They are simply too sterile - since so many years now.

I wouldn't buy RoF again (also because of their business model which I do not like one bit). BS I would buy again, but never for full price, only for smile price packages.

My personal benchmarks for simulation immersion and atmosphere are SBP, F4 and SH3. RoF snd BS in no way play in that league. In technical accuratesse, they are on par indeed, with RoF really mlooking fantastic. But technciual accuracy alone is not all what makes a great simulation package.

My great hope for the old Longbow2-kind of mission feeling is Combat Helo (http://combathelo.blogspot.com/) whose progress I follow since months now.

All my comments on both sims from SP perspective.

[Skybird]

BTW, about A10, DCS writes on it'S website:

THE ADMINISTRATOR RIGHTS FOR INSTALLATION AND GAME RUN, LAN AND INTERNET PLAY REQUIRE INTERNET CONNECTION

Does this mean people need constant internet connection for running it in singleplayer/offline mode, like the UBI-disease in SH5, and the early RoF ?

[Raptor1]

No, it's just like Black Shark...

[Oberon]

Thanks for the reviews Sky. My primary hope with ROF is the new developing team they have behind it, and the 'Career Mode' which they aim to bring to it. I think that might help with some of what you express about it. Here is a list of what they hope to include, admittedly I know the word hope is certainly not a definitive, but it shows that their heart is in the right place:

Covers 700 days of the Great War. More days may be added if we build planes from even earlier in the war.
Continued promotion through the ranks.
Changing Weather with Seasonal Textures (Summer, Autumn and Winter).
New Titles and Awards.
More than 15 different types of missions.
New types of gameplay, such as adjusting artillery fire or photo reconnaissance, with new interactive elements and equipment such a wireless radio and/or camera added to your plane. You can also watch real-time changes in the world based on the results of your actions such as corrected artillery fire.
A higher level of interactivity and randomness during missions, for example, flying close to an enemy's airfield could trigger enemy fighters to intercept you.
Combines your personal statistics, events and achievements with real history.
Interactive map of hostilities with information about current operations at the front and the location of various units and squadrons.
Historically correct squadron’s location and re-locations.
Historically correct automatic mission completion by A.I. pilots in missions not involving the player using a new technique we developed.
Historically correct awards and conditions for awards.
Realistic calendar of European Weather
Virtual "Newspaper", depicting timely events at the front, new inventions in science and technology, and list of important aces published on a regular basis.
All virtual A.I. squadron mates have their own names, grow in rank and abilities, go the hospital if needed and receive awards for their actions.
Ability to meet historic allied or enemy aces in combat situations. If you kill a famous enemy ace he will not re-appear and his kill total will stop in the press.
Ability to be transferred to another squadron with promotion in rank.
Realistic attrition of personnel and material in your squadron.
Repair of damaged aircraft and hospitalization of wounded pilots.
Ability to use a custom paintjob after 5 kills.
Opportunity to become a squadron commander and plan missions.
Planning includes the selection of pilots and aircrafts, which will participate in your flight.
Editing a route: choice of range, move waypoints, a height indicator, buildings types, speeds and altitudes.
Many new villages, town and industrial areas added to the map along with windsocks at airfields.


I might hold off getting RoF until this upgrade, or I might take the plunge...a lot of it depends on how much I get paid and how much gets eaten by various needs before I can allocate it towards presents for myself.
I will probably pass on Black Shark though, unless, as you say, I come across it on offer. I have often found myself overwhelmed in a modern war sim with the detail of Black Shark due to the sheer amount of buttons required to designate and fire a weapon at a target which is shooting back at you at the same time, or in the case of a fast mover, which is passing by you at about 500mph. Either way I value your input and thank you for taking the time to write up a review on both. :up:

[Skybird]

Your list on RoF seems to be the contenbt of the latest update. Which I ran yesterday and gave me quite some troubles, because of their server instability. You need to understand that you must synchronise your copy/installation with the online profile of yours even if you want to play offline. The update was loaded and installed, but the final step did not happen due to their server being down - leaviong me unable to even lanch the offline version. I waited for the afternoon to pass, then finally they got their stuff working, the synchronisation was finished and my copy was freeded of its chains. But even when you play offlione, or want tpo, the copy checks fopr updates, and if it finds there is one, it does not let you play offline as long as you have not updated - seen that way, the talking of that now you can play offline even without constant internet connection, must be relativised. And yes, obviously whenever you launch an offline session it obviously nevertheless connects to their server - maybe not constantly, but somehoiw it must get the info that there is an update, right? I first tried to play offline, it did not let me.

I HATE THIS KIND OF BUSINESS MODEL. First and last time I ever accepted it. Hope it will get stuck in the throats of all studios using this .

The update content does not seem to effect offline play, only online play.

Testplay it, if you can. Some of the flight models are bitches. And I used many different setups for the axis response curves... Great looks, but for me: much frustration and anger.

If you want a good dogfighter, try Battle of Britain II, the old one I mean with patch 2.11. It'S the best dogfighter I know. They even modelled the "freezing stick" when the planes becomes too fast and you cannot move the damn thing anymore. And the plane itself is a bit more understanding about pointing the gun at where you want it to point at. The bopping noses in RoF were not what entertained me. BoBII leaves all IL-2 dogfighting in the dust, really. Even the AI is much better, and more competent.

Again, I see it from SP perspective only.

P.S. Black Shark is smile price now, I got it for I think 15 Euros: sealed, CD, small booklet, the first regular release. And flying that thing is enjoyable, I really do admit that. It's no chopper on invisible rails, if you know what I mean, it is not as tame and lazy as Longbow 2's flight model, but it also is not suffering the hysteric collective syndrome I complain about inEnemy Engaged. This part of their sim they got perfectly right. I'm trying artistic flying with it - difficult, but can be done. And the cockpit is a marvel to look at - even more with the available HighRes mod I am using - making it crispy-clear. But parts of the avionics is a science. If just wanting to fly, you do not need all that stuff, however.

[Skybird]

No, it's just like Black Shark...
Thanks, but what do they mean then when saying that you require internet connection when running the game as administrator?

[HunterICX]

No, you require to run as Admin to play the game and an Internet connection if you want to play multiplayer.

just to point you out that line is probally mistranslated....since when do you need a Internet Connection to play via LAN?

HunterICX

[Raptor1]

Just checked, and apparently you do need to be connected to their master server to play through LAN, which is rather odd. Though single player works just fine without an internet connection.

[Skybird]

No, you require to run as Admin to play the game and an Internet connection if you want to play multiplayer.

just to point you out that line is probally mistranslated....since when do you need a Internet Connection to play via LAN?

HunterICX
No, it is no translation by me, but the pasted/copied original text.

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=1322&scr=shop&lang=en
First text box at the top.

[Arclight]

You log in when you go to MP, much like games like Men of War where you log in to Gamespy (?). Just in this case you log in to ED server, rather than something third-party (and therefore by definition crap :O:).

[msalama]

So Msalama has it right and wrong, I think.

No, I meant "the best" as in comprehensively simulating the machines they model, because solely by that criteria that is indeed what they are. But when it comes to the syntethic world where those simulated machines fly and fight... well, I agree, not so much :hmmm:

Bah, y'all jes' gotta be a nerd like myself. :lol:

[Skybird]

No, I meant "the best" as in comprehensively simulating the machines they model, because solely by that criteria that is indeed what they are. But when it comes to the syntethic world where those simulated machines fly and fight... well, I agree, not so much :hmmm:

Yes, I am aware of what you mean. That'S why I differed between the simulation aspect of the helicopter, and the whole package they sell. The simulation ofnthe machine if great, the package is sub-standard. I blindly believe that it is also a great sim for A-10's aircraft, their forum shows people celebrating already when they manage to do a takeoff after a dark&cold condition at startup. But I expect, after Flanker 1+2, LOMAC and BS, that the complete package, the world, feels as sterile and lifeless as always - even during combat.

The developer does not lack in technical competence, they seem to have plenty and lots and lots of it. What they lack is a sense for ergonomic package handling, and general package design.

They have great storylines to tell - but they are lousy narrators. And they do not learn to improve on that - since many years.

[Dowly]

I just fly the Black Shark for the sake of flying. So much fun it is. :yep:

[msalama]

I just fly the Black Shark for the sake of flying. So much fun it is. :yep:

Tää miäs tajuaa :lol:

(translation: +1)

No, what Dowly says, the flight modelling is indeed so great - and the systems management so comprehensive - that you'll enjoy just flying the beast from A to B if that's your preferred form of cup of whatever...

[Dowly]

Two awesome videos of the real Ka-50, watch them and you just want to go and have a fly. :O:

(Love that music :oops:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykI7-vG7Nos

(That side-skid is just oh so awesome :D)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNdKfDNwf5Q

Oh and of course there's that one video ON MY CHANNEL with in cockpit camera from the Ka-50. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq1kkvxAsd0

[AVGWarhawk]

This thread inspired me to see if my original TrackIR will work on Vista64. The folks at Natural Point have created drivers and program. The original works! I know there are drivers for my Saiteck X52 sticks. I can get that going. Looks like I will purchase RoF or possibly CoD:hmmm:

[Mud]

I´m trying to give ROF a whirl but is their website down?

http://www.riseofflight.com

Anyone else have problems?

edit: it´s back online

[karamazovnew]

Skybird, if you haven't yet, definitely buy the A-10. You don't require internet to play (only to activate once, then no need to activate again unless you format pc). The "internet required" statement only referred to multiplayer. And as flightsims go, this one has to be the best yet. Even with starforce, I still recommend buying from the devs site, not steam, as updates will take time to reach steam. A DVD version should be available soon.

I tried Rise of Flight last night (demo). Not for me... The A-10 has definitely spoiled me. I've loved the A-10 plane since I first saw a picture of it, I think it's the best looking plane in history. But I never knew it was such a splendid air to ground platform. I mean ok, I knew from TV, but it's a complete shock when you actually fly it. And the main part of the game is Close Air Support, which is done completely different than in any other sim so far. It's impossible to describe just how fun it is to do patrols. :woot: But be prepared to spend a week going through the manual and training missions.

[Skybird]

I am currently 33:66 against buying it, but if I change my mind, I will not get it before July when the boxed DVD version is announced for the German market and the basic patching can be expected to have been finished. I would expect a splendid study sim and system simulation, no doubt, and a great cockpit feeling. However, as I already explained, I have problems with the extremely sterile feeling of Eagle Dynamic'S simulations. I also hope that maybe there will be a German manual too. Italian version there already is.

Beside that, I still struggle with really mastering the Black Shark. Challenging, interesting, fascinating: all that. But again: a very sterile package. The immersion of F4 and the pucker factor of SBP battles I look in vein for. It is more theoretical interest and the joy of just flying the machine that keeps me staying with it. As a sim: great. As a package: mediocre.

I wonder why Eagle Dynamics does not learn from this, they could make themselves more customers if finally listening to criticism that is with them since the first Flanker was published.

[Arclight]

They are working on it, the "package" actually came a long way with A-10C, though no where near what you want from it. I think something complicating things is that the engine at it's core is, well, ancient.

That said, there are really good individual missions and a lot of terrain to play. Playing with some friends has boosted my enjoyment of the game immensely as well; AI, no matter how good it is, always leaves something to be desired.

[Egan]

I've just finished installing ROF:ICE. From the five minutes I've spent playing a quick mission so far I think I have to say this one is a keeper. It's the most beautiful looking sim I've played. Everything about it looks quality. The sounds, the engine management, the flight models - wow.

This looks to be the WW1 flight sim I've been looking for. I always liked OFF, and there are elements of that sim I'll always love but this is something else.