New Matt Wagner interview at simmoders!!!

[ZaltysZ]

Does anyone know what sort of benefits can be realised by making a program 64bit? Does it mean 64bit cpus can execute more complex instructions per cycle or something?

 

64-bits let to use more address space (more memory for process) and larger CPU registers. The last one can dramatically increase the performance as calculations against values in registers are the fastest, however this is very hard to do in complex program, which is written in high level programming language, because compiler (not programmer) applies generic optimizations by itself and that "generic" are always suboptimal.

[Vesperatus]

concrete example.

 

Vista 32 bits or Xp 32 bits. The OS can only use 4 GB. But that also mean that if you have 4 GB of ram and a 1 GB graphic card, you OS only has access to 3 GB of ram.

 

Sucks doesn't it ?

[DragonRR]

concrete example.

 

Vista 32 bits or Xp 32 bits. The OS can only use 4 GB. But that also mean that if you have 4 GB of ram and a 1 GB graphic card, you OS only has access to 3 GB of ram.

 

Sucks doesn't it ?

 

Actually it's even less than that by default in XP 32bit & Vista 32bit. Generally speaking a running program usually only has access to 2gb tops. Only "large address aware" programs can access more. You also need a boot.ini switch to force the OS to allow more ram for programs AND this can make your system unstable.

[Feuerfalke]

Actually it's even less than that by default in XP 32bit & Vista 32bit. Generally speaking a running program usually only has access to 2gb tops. Only "large address aware" programs can access more. You also need a boot.ini switch to force the OS to allow more ram for programs AND this can make your system unstable.

 

Actually that switch was deactivated with XP SP1, so even if you have the switch enabled and have a program that can use more memory, it won't be able to, if you use XP SP1 or later.

 

But the difference between XP32 and Vista 32bit is the fact that Vista was built for Multicore/Multi-CPU PCs and can natively spread workload to those, which is not possible in XP.

 

 

But it's even more complicated, as this 2GB-thing is staggered. That means while one process is using the first 2GB of RAM, a second may use the next 2GB of RAM, if available.

 

So far RiseOfFlight will be the first Simulation to be released, that makes native use of multiple cores. Spreading processes over all cores gives a 4-core-CPU a performance-boost of 40-50% over a dual-core, according to recent tests. Nothing more is know as yet, but if processes are split up, it's possible their utilization of RAM will be, too, making true benefit of 64bit systems and 8GB of RAM. :)

 

@ Vesperatus:

Though this is mathematically correct, an OS can address graphics-card-memory independently from normal RAM. It will still use addressable memory, but not a full GB of RAM addresses for 1GB of video memory. This depends on the hardware/software combination, though.

Edited February 26, 2009 by Feuerfalke

[deadsmell]

yeah!! f-16 and su-27! yeah!!

 

ED rules!

 

EDIT: I just want to add, that ED has set a great example by publishing their own product. A great accomplishment, that the rest of the industry could learn alot from. As far as im concerned you guys set the standard. smooch smooch. lol.

Edited February 26, 2009 by deadsmell

[HansRoaming]

"The price will be $39.99." cmon guys we're giving you early capital for your product.

 

EDIT: while the APIs are opening up, as they should, don't forget the AI as that is my personal love in coding :)

Edited February 26, 2009 by HansRoaming

[104th_Crunch]

Can someone please post a copy of the simmod Matt Wagner interview here since the simmod site is no longer active? Thanks.

[cappac]

http://www.gozr.net/iocl/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=268

 

Another one's here:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/01/18/matt-wagner-on-black-shark/

[104th_Crunch]

Thanks cappac. Here's a copy for these forums...

 

 

We had an exlusive interview with TFC Producer Matt Wagner.

I hope You find some answers to your questions.

 

How did you first get involved with Eagle Dynamics?

 

After Electronic Arts closed the Baltimore studio that was developing Jane’s Combat Simulation titles, I got a call from my friend Carl Norman at then Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI). Having been a long time player of the Flanker series and knowing Carl, it was a good fit. After moving to the other side of the country I took on the responsibility for producing Flanker 2.5, Lock On, and IL-2 Forgotten Battles. My time producing those TFC/Eagle Dynamics products enabled me to build a close relationship with them which then later contributed to me working for them full time.

 

Have you ever flown a K-50 in real life or any other military fighter?

 

Well, certainly not the Ka-50 as it is a single seat aircraft, but I’ve flown several US military simulators: F/A-18, F-16, F-15 and F-14. Those were very enjoyable and enlightening experiences.

 

Do you fly Black Shark for fun and join Multiplayer games?

Sometimes still for fun, but most often when trying to debug a mission or functionality issue. I do at times fly online (often on the 159th server) but generally I use an alias. I’ve found that when I fly under my own name I spend more time trying to answer questions about why aircraft (fill in the blank) cannot be in the game rather than fly and have a good time.

 

What equipment do you use? HOTAS, pedals, TIR, TH2G?

 

I generally use a modded CH Pro Throttle “Franken Potato”, a modded TM Cougar “Even Strain” stick, TrackIR 4 (I prefer to use the hat), and standard mouse and keyboard. For rudder control, I use the X-axis on the throttle mini-stick; I do not use pedals.

 

What is your personal favorite aircraft?

 

That would probably be the Hornet given its broad array of missions, weapons, carrier operations, and use by so many countries. Now just because it is my personal favorite aircraft does not mean a Hornet in DCS is around the corner. It is possible someday, but there are several other aircraft that would come well before then.

 

Can you describe the relationship between The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics?

 

Based at Duxford Airfield in the United Kingdom, The Fighter Collection (TFC) is a private company that operates, rebuilds and maintains Europe’s largest collection of airworthy World War II fighters. Run by a professional team of engineers and pilots for both air show and film work, the aircraft fly all over Europe during the summer months to attend air shows from Scandinavia to Italy. TFC organizes the “Flying Legends” Air Show at Duxford, UK, Europe’s premier classic aircraft event.

TFC has a wide variety of participations and investments in high technology, equipment manufacturing and software development, which also includes the Eagle Dynamics (ED) software development studio. Based in Moscow, Russia, ED was established in 1991.

Eagle Dynamic’s staff is made up of 55 full-time employees, most of who have graduated in applied math and physics. Among them are five doctors of science. The staff includes experienced engineers, managers and artists who have worked in the military, software development and aerospace industries.

ED is involved in a variety of software products and services which include combat simulation for the commercial entertainment market which are based upon a line of combat aircraft products the company has developed over the past 15 years.

 

When will the DCS: Black Shark boxed version be available on store shelves?

 

March 2009 world-wide in English, French, German and Spanish. The price will be $39.99.

 

What are the next steps of DCS?

 

The two steps we are working on right now is a large patch/update for Black Shark that we hope to release in February or March (depending on how testing goes) and much of the team is now hard at work on DCS: A-10C Warthog.

 

We know that the A-10C is next and the Apache after that; what is the 4th step. Any fixed winged supersonics?

 

Actually, we have not said that the Apache would come after the A-10C; we only listed that as one of several aircraft that will come later in the DCS module line up. At this time it is too early to know for sure which aircraft will come after the A-10C as it could well change due to unforeseen events. At some point there certainly will be fixed-wing supersonic aircraft and in fact the Su-27, F-16 and Su-25 will all probably be featured in DCS at later dates.

 

Who decides which chopper or fixed-wing will be in the DCS and how?

 

Generally it is the owners of TFC and Eagle Dynamics that make the final determination… not me! The choice of aircraft though is most often narrowed down to existing military projects and what we have DETAILED, open-source information for.

 

Any multi-core and DX10 plan along the way?

 

Multi-core support will likely be available in DCS at a later point, but right now our bigger focus is on providing full 64-bit support. 32-bit is currently limiting some of our options. As for DX10, we see no persuasive reason to add it at this time.

 

Is Black Shark the first sim ED and TFC published and distributed on their own?

 

Indeed it is and it has been a valuable learning experience for us at the same time. All in all though, it has been a very positive step for us and has allowed us to create a base to work forward from.

 

How did you decide to add the 3rd party modding groups to the production? How is it working so far?

 

Eagle Dynamics is not a large team in comparison to other developers and the team is also pulled thin and in many directions at once. As such, we often want to add new features but simply do not have the resources to do so. Talented 3rd party groups have become a valuable resource to allow us to take on those additional tasks. A good example of that are the many outstanding ground units that were created for Black Shark by 3rd party. With the development of the Nevada terrain by SimMod, we hope to expand the level of cooperation with 3rd party. Working with 3rd party so far has been hit or miss. While on one hand we’ve had some high-quality, timely work; we’ve also had some disappoints where projects started strong but 3rd party lost interest or had other pressing matters to attend to.

 

It seems like you are opening every aspect (External models, terrain, flight model, Cockpit, GUI, terrain) of the DCS to modders. Why and can everyone will be able to mod every aspect of the sim?

 

Gradually we will be releasing these tools and the first one is the terrain tool kit that will be available to everyone. Once that is done, we’ll move on to the next tool set. We hope this will expand the feature set of DCS and allow 3rd party to use their own creativity to add to the product.

 

I know it’s early but what is the estimated release time of A-10?

 

We hope (not promise) to release DCS: A-10C Warthog nine months after Black Shark goes into world-wide retail.

 

Thank you for your time Matt ..

[leafer]

So they turned me into a rotor head then they tell me the Apache is not set in stone? Matt, you are sooo dead! DED! :D