Getting started with Falcon 4.0 in 2011

[Crescendo]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking to get back into playing Falcon 4.0. My problem is that I have not played since 2002, and I have not kept up to date with all the different versions and patches and third-party mods. I have also never played Allied Force.

 

Basically what I'm looking for is an "idiots's guide" to getting a typical Falcon 4.0 installation (whatever counts as typical in 2011) up and running on a modern OS. I am using Windows 7 64-bit Professional.

 

I have looked around, but I can't seem to find a clear, concise post that outlines exactly what a new pilot needs to know in 2011. Do I need to buy Falcon 4.0 again? Do I need to buy Falcon 4.0: Allied force too, or is it a standalone game? What patches, if any, do I need to download? What the hell are OpenFalcon, FreeFalcon, RedViper and what relation do they bear to Falcon 4.0 and Falcon: Allied Force — should I install them instead? What is "hitiles", what is with all the cockpit modifications, and so on and so on etc. etc.

 

I would be very grateful if someone who has "been there, done that" could write a short how-to. Perhaps something like the following:

 

Step 1: Buy X and Y

Step 2: Install X, then Y

Step 3: Download and install Z patch

Step 4: Download and install mod A because it's generally agreed that it makes the game look 10X better

Step 5: Download and install mod B because it improves this aspect of the game that I think is important

 

Thank you for reading. :P

[theOden]

Step 1: Buy Falcon 4.0 Allied Force

Step 2: Install patch 1.0.13

Step 3: Download and install GunnySoundPack2.2.zip

 

Avoid FreeFalcon and OpenFalcon.

If you try FF5 anyway fly the AJS37 Viggen in 2D pit and tell me you love it (I made it) :)

[Presidio]

Or i f you want to play a more harcore Falcon. Play "Open Falcon 4.7"

install original Falcon 4.0 (1998)

donwload and install Open Falcon 4.5 - Found this file "One click installer OF 4.5"

then download and install OF4.7

 

This is the last version of this sim and the more realistic of all version.

 

If you are interesting send my a PM.

 

Best regards

[Crescendo]

Step 1: Buy Falcon 4.0 Allied Force

Step 2: Install patch 1.0.13

Step 3: Download and install GunnySoundPack2.2.zip

 

Avoid FreeFalcon and OpenFalcon.

If you try FF5 anyway fly the AJS37 Viggen in 2D pit and tell me you love it (I made it)

 

That looks pretty simple, thanks. So Allied Force is the way to go? That's fine, I don't mind spending money for quality.

 

However, a few things are concerning me. First, the Lead Pursuit website (the Allied Force programmers) has not been updated since January 2009. From a newbie's perspective this doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Second, the checkout page for Allied Force on the Graphsim store says "***NOTE: Not compatible with Windows 7". Do you have experience with the software working normally on Windows 7 64-bit Pro?

[Crescendo]

Or i f you want to play a more harcore Falcon. Play "Open Falcon 4.7"

install original Falcon 4.0 (1998)

donwload and install Open Falcon 4.5 - Found this file "One click installer OF 4.5"

then download and install OF4.7

 

This is the last version of this sim and the more realistic of all version.

 

If you are interesting send my a PM.

 

Best regards

 

Thanks for the reply. I will also look at your suggestion. What exactly makes Open Falcon 4.0 a "a more hardcore Falcon"?

 

It seems like there are many options when it comes to playing Falcon in 2011. So, is there such a thing as a Falcon community generally accepted 'best practice' regarding which products to install? For example, do roughly 75% of people play Allied Force, and the remaining 25% play the other versions? Or is the community more evenly split and there is truly no 'best choice' or 'majority choice'. :helpsmilie:

[HiJack]

Problem with all the Falcon sims is the totally lack of 3D cockpit that really works.

 

Why not stick to Flaming Cliffs 2? A lot more fun :D

[theOden]

I run F4AF under win7 x64 so it should work.

Also, suggestion from MATT is really good - gets Odans seal of approval :)

 

OpenFalcon is the deeper simulated of the three with Data Cartridge and stuff, becomes alot key pushing according to some. Though FF have some neat HARM pages in the avionics but is mostly popular for allowing to fly more planetypes with dedicated pits (2D and 3D).

 

I'm sure SUBS or Mower can describe OF in more detail for you if you ask them.

 

I think most old falconeers fly OF and AF or FF and AF - some F4 talibans try all three with registry update icons ready on the desktop (I used to) but I think most are either FF or OF (always nagging eachothers) but also have AF installed.

 

Personally I've streamlined myself to only AF nowadays as ArmA2 takes insanely much of my spare time.

[Crescendo]

(installation guide)

 

Thank you very much. I'll give this a try too, and maybe mix-and-match with the soundpack that theOden suggested.

 

(explanations)

 

Thanks for the confirmation that AF works in Windows 7, and for the version explanations. The extra information makes my choice easier — I think for now I'll just use a vanilla AF install and experiment with the mods and addons that have been suggested. If I want to get 'deeper' into it I'll check out OF and FF.

 

Thanks again all. :thumbup:

Edited August 23, 2011 by Crescendo

[SUBS17]

Hi dude you can get Open Falcon from here:

 

http://www.f4support.com/forums/downloads.php?do=cat&id=1

 

It requires the original Falcon 4 but is more in depth than F4AF in areas such as Data cardridge, data link, radar modes etc. For more information just ask on the forums on the above link and you'll find all your answers also if you wish to find a copy of the original F4 cd just ask there they'll tell you where to find it. (comparable to DCS A-10C in some areas)

 

For now though enjoy F4AF I'm a bit of a DCS A-10C addict but I'll still fly F4AF so you are welcome to join SVN if you wish.

 

http://www.seawolves.org/

 

Or just pop into our teamspeak server.:thumbup:

 

cheers

 

Subs

[SUBS17]

Problem with all the Falcon sims is the totally lack of 3D cockpit that really works.

 

Why not stick to Flaming Cliffs 2? A lot more fun :D

 

Not as fun as DCS A-10C, that is the best.:thumbup:

[snakebreath]

Step 1: Buy Falcon 4.0 Allied Force

Step 2: Install patch 1.0.13

Step 3: Download and install GunnySoundPack2.2.zip

 

Avoid FreeFalcon and OpenFalcon.

If you try FF5 anyway fly the AJS37 Viggen in 2D pit and tell me you love it (I made it) :)

 

Step 1: Download Falcon BMS 4.32

Step 2: Profit:thumbup:

[Bearitall]

Step 1: Download Falcon BMS 4.32

Step 2: Profit:thumbup:

 

 

Falcon BMS 4.32 runs off of MicroProse Falcon 4 not Lead Pursuit Falcon 4AF..:music_whistling:

[159th_Viper]

Falcon BMS 4.32 runs off of MicroProse Falcon 4..:music_whistling:

 

And attendant £25 price-tag if you're new to the genre/want to dabble.........:music_whistling:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00004UBQF/sr=8-1/qid=1315296486/ref=olp_tab_all?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1315296486&sr=8-1&seller=&colid=

[snakebreath]

And attendant £25 price-tag if you're new to the genre/want to dabble.........:music_whistling:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00004UBQF/sr=8-1/qid=1315296486/ref=olp_tab_all?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1315296486&sr=8-1&seller=&colid=

 

 

I know.... :megalol:

[snakebreath]

And attendant £25 price-tag if you're new to the genre/want to dabble.........:music_whistling:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00004UBQF/sr=8-1/qid=1315296486/ref=olp_tab_all?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1315296486&sr=8-1&seller=&colid=

 

 

Not new, been playing flight sims since 85. Not to mention over 28 years avionics exp on real acft...Btw, I paid $35 bucks for my falcon 4.0 cd back in 98.. :pilotfly:

[snakebreath]

Falcon BMS 4.32 runs off of MicroProse Falcon 4 not Lead Pursuit Falcon 4AF..:music_whistling:

 

 

I didnt say it ran off of Falcon Af..:cry:

[Presidio]

Allied Force is more stable to on line fly. But now BMS 5 kick all the asss!!!!

[Impact]

I got F4.0 for 5 euro. Why do americans call europe expensive?

[Ghanja]

I keep reading that it is the best to switch from Falcon 4 AF to BMS. I still own the org. Falcon 4 including the manual (those were the good days when you actually got a nice manual with the game *g*). Does it do any good to read that manual and then switch over to BMS or are the changes too big?

[WynnTTr]

BMS is the new king of F4 MP. It's as stable as AF. Alot of official VFW's have transitioned over to BMS. The only thing AF has going for it now is the campaigns but work has already been done in that department.

 

Switch to BMS you won't regret it and as far as knowing the game Krause has created a whole set of tutorials that cover everything you need to know.

[Ghanja]

I know that BMS is good but my question was if it is ok to read the org. Falcon 4 manual (which I have) and then switch over to BMS OR buy Falcon AF, read that manual and then switch to BMS.

[SUBS17]

The stuff you learn in the Falcon4 manual is good for BMS, you read that and then read the BMS DASH34. BMS comes with its own manuals as well.

[WynnTTr]

OR you can look at those vids I linked to. They have everything you need to know to get up and flying. Best to start off with those then go to the manual for actual technical data. Unless you actually like to learn solely from manuals.