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nightsta1ker

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Posts posted by nightsta1ker

  1. Posted

    I was just watching the modelling update vid and wanted to throw an idea out there for BIS. In the scene when you are looking down at the ground and pulling pitch for takeoff, it really would add to the game if there were an animation for the skids spreading. When the skids don't move at all it just makes the whole model appear rigid and weightless. "Getting light on the skids" is an important part of feeling how a helicopter will hover before takeoff. If the skids don't squat and spread it makes it look like the aircraft just pops into the air, like they do in arma2.

    Watch the skids spread:

    +1 on this. Good call man!

  2. Posted

    As I have stated before, BIS is going to do what they are going to do. I will be buying the product regardless. I am just voicing my humble opinion (even if it doesn't read so humble sometimes). In MY opinion, there is no good reason not to have at least SOMEWHAT accurately modeled helicopters in this game. Of course, we don't know what BIS' reasoning is so it's all speculation. The fact that they have not commented on this discussion yet leads me to beleive that they are either on the fence about it, or they are rooted in cement on it and either way have no comment. If they are on the fence, I hope that my comments can help bring them around. If they are rooted in cement, they don't give a toot and will just ignore my posts anyway.

    Whichever way the cookie crumbles, I am sure we will see accurate models show up for the game post release. There are alot of talented people in this community, and if the flight dynamics and other features are worth it to the sim community, you will get a whole lot more talented people coming into the ranks.

    I think I've said my piece on the matter.

  3. Posted

    Here's my question. Anyone familiar with the Grumman/Ubisoft debacle? Grumman wanted Ubisoft to pay licensing fees for their name being used in an add on for IL-2 Sturmovich. However, I beleive that Ubisoft could have completely avoided the whole thing if they had not put "Fly the Grumman Wildcat!" on the box for the software. By using the name brand and claiming that their model was accurate to the real thing, they opened themselves up for some problems.

    Here is my issue with the models being shown in TOH.

    As I have said before, look at the MH-6 for ArmA. Then look at the hybrid MD-500/EC120 for TOH. If they are trying to avoid copyright issues with MD, why did they model the MH-6 accurately? It's made by MD Helicopters. The difference in copyright between military and civilian manufacturers is nonexistant, as the Grumman case brings to point. They can simply avoid any kind of lawsuit by not NAMING the aircraft specifically. Hell, the can call it a HUGHES 500 and avoid any kind of lawsuit there! Hughes made the 500 design for decades before selling the rights to McDonald-Douglas who then got bought out by Boeing, who sold the rights to the airframe to MD Helicopters who continue to manufacture them. Or they could just not name it at all. They could reference it as the "500" model, not specifying the manufacturer. And as for avoiding all the nitpickers out there... as was already pointed out, no two aircraft are exactly the same. Show me two helicopters where all the dials, gauges, switches, rivets, and bolts are all in exactly the same place and I will be surprised. They are built to order for whatever needs need to be filled by the buyer.

    In short, my opinion is: F**** the copyright stuff, or the name brand. Call it something else, who cares? I just want to see a somewhat accurate 500 and 212. I could really care less if they call it something different. Going so far as to make the models look different is overkill.

    Bohemia is going to do what they want. I am sure the decision has been made, and I am sure they have their reasons, but after years of seeing VERY accurate and realistic aircraft coming out for Flight Simulator, and after seeing realistic aircraft for ArmA I and II, I am a little disapointed we don't get the same treatement for TOH.

  4. Posted

    Nightsta1ker don't you want to make nice holiday to Europe, BI is going to make some focus testing, that is something for you. But I guess that you are not fall into "non hardcore gamer" category any more ;). It can be interesting to see game, but it's the same like read movie script before seen movie.

    I wish I could do some game testing. Unfortunately travelling outside the country is out of the question for me.

  5. Posted

    What about tutorials for the various mission types, such as how to put out fires, etc. etc.

    I'd love to see a list of the various mission types that will be available. That is what I am really looking forward to - just flying around can only be fun for so long!

    I hear you. I think we are all looking foreward to having something to do. I used to be a member of the USEC virtual military as a helo pilot. I loved ferrying troops in and out of combat, even though the flight models for Arma were very limited and unrealistic. Having a game with realistic flight characteristics and lots of different things to accomplish will be very refreshing.

  6. Posted

    I agree with nightsta1ker all the way. It is still the only thing we know about game that makes me think if it is really going to be a good sim. BTW was it mentioned in any of the interviews so far? If not maybe developers could elaborate on it?

    Sam

    I have not read or heard anything about it.

  7. Posted · Edited by nightsta1ker

    BI said somethign about tuning your Helicopters in game by spendign virtuel money...A lot of Aircraft are refitted with after market parts and look quite abit apart from factory models after it. I don't see where the problem is. In civil aviation rarely to aircraft look the same after a few years...the may have different Wheels, Fairings, Coolings, propellers, stabilizers, additional "Belly cargo pods" etc.

    That might explain the differences from catalogue models.

    As a 10 year veteran pilot and mechanic, I can tell you I know that no 2 aircraft are alike. This aside, I can look at an aircraft, even if it is heavily modified, and tell you what it is. None of the aircraft seen in the previews for TOH are even close to reality. They look like deliberate hybrids of several different models. The "light" helicopter variant looks like a combo between an EC 120 Colibri and an MD 500. The "medium" helicopter looks like a combo between a AW139 and a B212. I have not seen enough pictures of the "heavy" model to tell you what two aircraft they merged, but one of them appears to be a Merlin. There are enough significant differences to say that they are NOT any particular aircraft, however heavily modified. If you change the shape of the cabin on an MD 500 and put the T tail horizontal stabilizer somewhere on the tailboom instead then it's not a 500 anymore. It's something else.

    Needless to say, there are a few people who are turned off by this lack of realism, especially after seeing how accurate other models have been in ArmA. I am quite sure there must be a reason they are doing this. Whatever their reason, I am not happy that realistic visual models will not be included and I know I'm not the only one.

  8. Posted

    I wish for SeaKing to be included...

    Sam

    Don't wish too hard, it will turn out to be a half Seaking half something else...

    ---------- Post added at 11:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 PM ----------

    And on that topic I STILL do not understand how they could model real aircraft for ArmA but not for their new game ABOUT helicopters?

  9. Posted

    Whew! I must say I was a little worried, but thanks for the reassurances. I guess I don't blame you fdor using auto trim and auto hover. Heck, there are pilots out there that can't fly without it! But I need that left pedal input if I am going be interersted at all in this game. No dynamics, no customer. The fact that you guys are using real pilots as advisors to the development gives me a warm fuzzy, though. Keep up the good work, looking foreward to more! Once again, sorry for the criticism, I just had to address the issues I saw. I have a lot of interest in how this game turns out.

  10. Posted

    Please tell me the video was made flying on the "easy" setting. I did not see any left pedal or left cyclic on takeoff (counter-torque and adjusting for translating tendency). Also, that low frequency "whoosh whoosh whoosh" sound from the over-water scene is not accurate. I hope those were "movie trailer" sounds and not in-game audio.

    It's hard to appreciate the cool visuals when some of the basics alot of us have been so much looking foreward to are not represented.

    I know it's an early build, so please forgive the criticism.

  13. Posted

    Considering that BIS's maps for ArmA have been fictional, and at least one of the maps for TOH is going to be fictional, I began to wonder what to expect from the Seattle area map. I live in Olympia and fly out of KBFI (Boeing Field) in Seattle as well as KS50 (Auburn Muni) just south of Seattle and know the area well. I presume the downtown skyline will be accurate, but what about the surronding environs and airports? I am curious, will KBFI, KSEA, KS50, KRNT all be there in full glory? Is there any comment yet on where the fictional base will be located for the game? Will it be at one of these hubs, or will it be stand alone somewhere else? I guess what I am asking is, what amount of liberty is being taken on the Seattle portion of the game? As a local, I will be sensitive to innacuracies of the area. Any comment from the Devs?

  14. Posted

    BIS should check out Falcon 4

    One of the most hardcore flight sims ever yet it has a very scalable difficulty.

    And yep - it has a full start up sequence which either can be completed or skipped if the player wishes so.

    BIS should do the same

    You should read the latest article regarding the game. Seems to me it's already implemented.

  17. Posted

    This is looking very promising. BIS is accomplishing things the flight simulator community has not been able to due to limitations of the platform. This clean slate approach may be the best thing that has ever happened for the helicopter sim community. Also, depending on the level of success, a follow on full blown simulator might not just be possible, but plausible and marketable as well. One thing is certain, if BIS can accurately model helicopter flight physics, fixed wing will be easy. And the dynamic world of the ArmA series (which is obviously being carried over to TOH to some extent) gives all of this endless potential.

  19. Posted

    The most recent press release available on the forum clearly covers what BIS's intentions are to solve this problem. There will be a simple startup of 10 or so switches, which is realistic for a light-medium lift helicopter, and there will also be a beginner mode where you can just press a button and spin up. Flight model will be scalable as well. Seems they have it covered for both hardcore simmers and arcade gamers alike. Time will tell how well it pleases either side. Let's just wait for some more development to happen. It's clear that BIS is listening and is doing their best to give us all what we want.

  21. Posted

    I am completely certain that the devs will include good tutorials.

    I am sure they already have something implemented, and it may well be a damn sight better than my suggestion. I'm just filling the time spent waiting by making suggestions. ;)

  22. Posted

    I hate checkrides.

    Me too :eek: I have my CFI ride looming on the not too distant horizon. They say every pilot will fail at least ONE checkride in their career. For most pilots that checkride is the CFI. Luckily for me, I failed my PPFW oral back in 2001, so I already got my ONE out of the way!

  24. Posted

    I have been pondering the complexities of helicopter flying and wondering how BIS might get players up to speed with what's what. If I were designing the game, this is how I would do it:

    In ArmA, there is a series of missions that teach you how to manipulate the ArmA world. It has been put into a mission type format, with objectives and repercussions to actions. In the end, a standard is usually needed to be met in order for the player to accomplish that mission.

    Here is my layout for training missions in TOH:

    Lesson 1: Beginning with an "intro flight". The instructor, who is with you for the duration, will start the ship and depart, describing basic systems along the way and giving you a chance to manipulate them before moving on to the next portion of the flight. It should cover preflight, startup, hovering, transition to foreward flight, foreward flight with climbs descents, turns, approach to landing, termination of approach to a hover, cool down/shut down. Very basic stuff, a quick mission just to get the player familiar with basics and some quick rules of thumb.

    Lesson 2:Basic manuevers need to be covered in the next flight. A higher standard needs to be upheld. Altitudes and airspeeds maintained +-100 ft and 20 knots, etc. The player will operate the aircraft for the entire flight with verbal instruction only from the instructor. Flight will cover all of the above manuevers in more detail.

    Lesson 3: Advanced manuevers like steep approaches, run on take offs and landings, confined area ops, pinnacle and ridgeline ops, and emergency procedures like autorotations both from altitude and from a hover, stuck pedal, low rotor RPM recovery. A higher standard of precision will be enforced (+- 50 ft, 10 knots).

    Lesson 4: Radio communications (if featured in the game) and navigation should be covered in this lesson. A point to point "cross country" flight where the student has to navigate and communicate with ATC (if featured). All ATC directions must be followed and standards of precision enforced. Also, assuming complexity of the game, weight,fuel and power management should be covered as well.

    Lesson 5: Commercial applications like sling loads, ag turns, and different mission systems will be covered in detail.

    Lesson 6: Checkride will be conducted. Player will be held to advanced manuevers standard of +-50 Ft ,10 Knots. Player will be asked to perfrom 2-3 manuevers from each mission to standard in order to pass and earn his wings.

    Each manuever should have it's own save point after completing so that players do not need to re-do the entire lesson should they fail or crash. That is basically how I would cover it. Anyone who already can fly a helicopter simulator should be able to skip these lessons if they wish and jump right into missions, but for those that are interested but don't have a clue, this would provide a fun and comprehensive way of learning the ropes. An interactive instructor that is able to provide basic feedback might be difficult to accomplish, but I would imagine a verbal warning if airspeed/altitude is busted or if the pilot does something wrong or out of sequence should be possible.

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