State of the Code

[GreyBadger]

Hi All

 

For years I have been waiting for the chance to buy a PC capable of running "Lock On Gold" with all of its bells and whistles in play. So that day is finally here (Or will be later this week :thumbup:) and......well, a funny thing happened on the way to the aerodrome. In the time it took me to get the right PC, "LOMAC" became the wrong flight sim. :lol:

 

A new shiny and sexy sim has caught my eye and it's name is "A-10C Warthog".

 

Admittedly the complexity of the thing looks pretty daunting to a country Badger like myself and there's certainly a danger that it'll become another "Falcon 4", which saw re-installation more times than any other sim I ever owned (Even "IL2 1946"!) only to be taken back off again once it made me feel sufficiently stupid! To get yet another re-installation every time we sat down to watch "Top Gun"! Damn you Maverick & Goose!!!

 

Despite this I feel the need to rise to the challenge of the Warty one and am poised on the verge of clicking "Add to Trolley" at Amazon. Except............ Well I saw this video yesterday when I was surfing around to whet my appetite some more and I've been trying to find it again this morning in order to show it to you all, but I can't seem to see the bugger!

 

The long and short of it though, was that it was a video showing a group of chaps messing about with carrier landings in multi-player and what I saw, well I have to admit it put me off slightly.

 

A-10's were sinking into the deck as they landed. (Is the term "clipping"?) Other landings seemed to me to not quite be touching the deck and to add insult to injury, as more of the players came in to land, the A-10's of their friends who had already landed, were levitating! Floating up and down on the spot!

 

Now don't get me wrong, I've no objection to the having of fun, these lads certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves and more power to them. But I have to ask you, were they doing something screwy with the sim for a laugh? Or is that the actual state of the multi-player (and God forbid the single player) code.

 

All the best

Badger

[SmokeyTheLung]

This video?

 

The issue you describe a "clipping" is because the host/client (the host made the video in this case) sync is a little off. The carrier pitches up and down, and the host see's all clients as static, hence the clipping. For those of us flying as clients, only the host appeared to clip IIRC.

I think the video, I'm the dude with the blue smoke BTW, shows just how wonderful and fun the sim can be! Plenty of room for "simulating" and plenty more for just having fun! :)

 

But don't worry, the a10 has no place on a carrier deck, or any other ship for that matter and AFAIK this is the only area where this syncing issue is apparent... You won't see this on the ground.

 

Buy it!

[SmokeyTheLung]

were they doing something screwy with the sim for a laugh?

 

I'm initially tempted to say "of course not! how dare you sir!":D

 

...but on second thought, I suppose landing an a10 on a carrier while using the gun as a speed brake is pretty screwy. :doh:

[GreyBadger]

Hello Smokey, thank you for such a quick reply.

 

I think the video, I'm the dude with the blue smoke BTW, shows just how wonderful and fun the sim can be! Plenty of room for "simulating" and plenty more for just having fun! :)

Ahhhhhhh... I did wonder how you found the right video so quickly until I read this bit. :lol:

 

It does look like you were having loads of fun there and I was chuckling watching it.

 

I was concerned for the code only because in this day and age with so many games being released in an unfinished state and enthusiasts seemingly happy to lap them up with a spoon rather than send developers the message that as a buying public we actually should be sending them, you just can't be too careful.

 

Glad to hear all is well though and I think I'm almost certainly going to click on the "Add to Trolley" button. My only moments pause now is the complexity of the thing. I'm not generally scared of a program like this. I'll have fun I know. I'll nibble at it until I get as far as I get, having long since accepted the limitations of my butterfly mind syndrome. But times they are a changing and looking at it I wonder how much of a disadvantage I'm going to be at with no HOTAS thingie and no ..erm...what's that thing called you stick on your hat and very little possibility in investing in such. Just me and my trusty Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. :lol:

 

Then there's the pdf manual. (I'm assuming) 700 odd pages of techno drooliness in a format I hate to use to read. And here's me just persuaded my better half to print off the 500 page "Dangerous Waters" manual for me on the printer at work. (Ours at home he went boom!) Talk about bad timing! :)

 

Forgive me sounding like Badger the Luddite. I still badly missed the times when "A-10 Warthog" would have come with a manual you could use as a doorstop! I had games which included manuals for which the sacrifice of a small tree was required. Hell my games shelf probably meant the death of a forest somewhere and I said.. "keep on cutting em down boys! Never mind the whole "lungs of the world" thing, I want a manual I can beat a Camel to death with!"

 

Okay I might have spent a little too much time sniffing the pages (wait.. did I say that or just think it) but so what, it's not done me any harm I can still finish a sentence and that's the main thi...

 

 

The issue you describe a "clipping"

Oh ok, well my technospeak is extremely limited Smokey. what is it actually called then?

 

Badger

Edited May 15, 2012 by GreyBadger

[SmokeyTheLung]

 

Oh ok, well my technospeak is extremely limited Smokey. what is it actually called then?

 

Badger

 

Good question. Not a clue I'm afraid... My technospeak is weak.

 

I was concerned for the code only because in this day and age with so many games being released in an unfinished state and enthusiasts seemingly happy to lap them up with a spoon rather than send developers the message that as a buying public we actually should be sending them, you just can't be too careful.

Badger

As with most things in life, you will be able to find things to complain about if you're so inclined... I for one think that life is too short for such wasted energy:thumbup: plus, DCS a10c is about as cool as software gets.

 

My only moments pause now is the complexity of the thing

Badger

 

No avoiding that. I think most folks around here would agree that the learning process is very rewarding. *cue old hippie inflection* "It's like, about the journey...man";)

[roob]

I was concerned for the code only because in this day and age with so many games being released in an unfinished state and enthusiasts seemingly happy to lap them up with a spoon rather than send developers the message that as a buying public we actually should be sending them, you just can't be too careful.

 

So by watching a simple fun and highly unrealistic clip (of A-10's on a carrier?) you thought this might not be the good simulator you expect it to be? :p

 

Now, this might scare you a little... You can't collide with trees in this sim. :music_whistling:

 

In all seriousness though, this is one the best simulators you can get :)

[Wrecking Crew]

I've been flying DCS A-10C since Beta and DCS is improving it with each release. Exciting times ahead with the integrated pieces coming.

 

That said, in multiplayer I do see odd skipping and clipping when a Client has a high ping, usually seen on the ground during taxi. I can be in a MP session and have folks from *all* around the world join in, and if a pilots connection is a bit slow then they will bounce by as they taxi to takeoff.

 

Usually things are fine in the air.

 

I'm on a DSL, too, and that does not help. But I can serve a session even on my DSL and the flying is OK with 4-6 Clients.

 

This sim is impressive and will only get better.

 

WC

[joey45]

It is easier to buy and download direct from ED.

 

And welcome..

[Sarge55]

Welcome to DCS it's a great sim and a challenge. You mentioned you were getting a new PC to play LockOn. The DCS sims are pretty hard on a computer especially the CPU. You may wish to pop into the hardware thread and check out some of the recommended specs

http://forums.eagle.ru/forumdisplay.php?f=46

Just make sure you're getting a setup that will work for you. It would be pretty disappointing if the sim didn't perform well.

[GreyBadger]

So by watching a simple fun and highly unrealistic clip (of A-10's on a carrier?) you thought this might not be the good simulator you expect it to be? :p

Nah, I watched a simple fun and highly unrealistic clip (of A-10's on a carrier) and checked with the experts (ie you blokes) to make sure that the clipping and hovering on show did not represent the state of the code while playing the actual game. Try to keep up there fella. :lol: ( I can't ram the trees though you say?? D'oh!!)

 

 

You mentioned you were getting a new PC to play LockOn. The DCS sims are pretty hard on a computer especially the CPU.

Hey sarge. No, that was how things started out. With my saving up for a PC capable or running "LOMAC" in bells and whistles mode. But in the age it's taken me to do so, "LOMAC" is no longer my aim. As my new PC is capable of so much more than my original plan, so my target game has changed to "A-10C Warthog." (Well...between you and me.. my target game is actually "Arma 3" But I'll enjoy the Warthog in the meantime.) Thanks for the heads up though mate.

 

Thanks all for your replies, they've been helpful and interesting and I've just ordered my "A-10C"

 

See you up there

 

Badger

[Jona33]

Thanks all for your replies, they've been helpful and interesting and I've just ordered my "A-10C"

 

See you up there

 

Badger

 

Excellent. Prepare to get confused. :D

[GregP]

Despite this I feel the need to rise to the challenge of the Warty one and am poised on the verge of clicking "Add to Trolley" at Amazon. Except............ Well I saw this video yesterday when I was surfing around to whet my appetite some more and I've been trying to find it again this morning in order to show it to you all, but I can't seem to see the bugger!

 

 

I'm presuming you're English? So, wow, Amazon says "Add to Trolley" for you guys? That gave me a laugh ... all these little English/American differences are endlessly amusing to me.

 

Anyway, welcome to DCS: A-10C and you can be assured that the code is very stable at this point. I'm sure there must be bugs left, but I've yet to come across any showstoppers as of the 1.1.1.1 patch. This is without a doubt a study sim, though, with Falcon 4.0, as you mentioned, being the closest thing to it in terms of serious combat flight sims to date. But if you're looking forward to Arma3, I imagine you're the type who can handle it.

 

You might want to check out this recent thread from a guy who was just about to give MP a try for the first time and was looking for advice -- could be useful for a beginner.

 

My #1 advice would be: do NOT try to tackle the manual all at once in the beginning. It's just way too dense. A better path is to focus on one particular area at a time (the actual flying; ILS/TACAN; TGP; Mavericks; etc.) and read as much as you can on this forum, on the Wiki, and watch a bunch of YouTube videos about it, before moving on to the next topic. Eventually, you'll have mastered everything. And then at some point after that, after endlessly referring to it, the manual will seem fairly straightforward to you.

[Jona33]

I'm presuming you're English? So, wow, Amazon says "Add to Trolley" for you guys? That gave me a laugh ... all these little English/American differences are endlessly amusing to me.

 

What's it say for you?

[EtherealN]

I'd suspect "add to cart" :)

 

Though when I go to co.uk I get "add to basket".

[GreyBadger]

I'm presuming you're English? So, wow, Amazon says "Add to Trolley" for you guys? That gave me a laugh ... all these little English/American differences are endlessly amusing to me.

 

Actually... now I check it says "Add to Basket", sorry to disappoint. Part artistic licence, part addled brain. Oh dear.. this doesn't bode too well for remembering WartHog controls if I can't even remember the phrase Amazon used to sell it to me! :lol:

 

Badger

[GregP]

Yep, "Add to Cart" over here. And when I order something on Amazon and have it shipped to my office, I then put it in the trunk of my car, drive through a number of traffic circles, perhaps get stuck behind a big slow truck, and then finally get home and park in the parking lot before taking the elevator up to my apartment -- where I can finally open up that package. :)

[Jona33]

Yep, "Add to Cart" over here. And when I order something on Amazon and have it shipped to my office, I then put it in the trunk of my car, drive through a number of traffic circles, perhaps get stuck behind a big slow truck, and then finally get home and park in the parking lot before taking the elevator up to my apartment -- where I can finally open up that package. :)

 

Yep, "Add to Basket" over here. And when I order something on Amazon I have it shipped to my office, then put it in the boot of my car, drive through a number of ? You mean roundabouts?, perhaps get stuck behind a big slow lorry, and then finally get home and park in the car park before taking the lift up to my flat -- where I can finally open up that package. :D Sorry of the off topic. Just had to.

[GregP]

Hehe...yup, you got it, nice job. :)

 

Apologies for thread hijack. Back on topic now.

[zipdigital]

It took me a few days to properly start up the plane, take off and then circle around for a landing. As simple a procedure sounds, it was still quite fun. And when you begin to do things correctly the satisfaction only gets better.

 

As I became braver with the controls I eventually tried combat. A few more days of play I actually survived more often than not. Even with holes in my aircraft.

 

Everything in the game is a learning experience and gets better with practice. It may seem daunting at first but the more you do things the more it becomes habit. Falcon4 was daunting as well, but I find A-10C to be much more rewarding. (Edit: The in-game tutorials are great to get you started. When you become more advanced there are also many tutorials on Youtube.)

 

Keep at it and don't get discouraged if things go haywire. You might want to see a man about a few dogs as you play. (How's that for a phrase form the UK?) Intoxication only adds to the immersion...even if it may not help you fly. :)

 

My play sessions only lasted about 2 or 3 hours at night due to time constraints, so your mileage may vary of course.

Edited May 17, 2012 by zipdigital

[GreyBadger]

Thankyou again for the replies all. It's nice to know that this is such a friendly community. Particularly since I have no doubt I'll be a Badger with many questions as time goes on. :)

 

New PC has arrived, in fact I'm using it to write this. So all I need to do now is wait for a thud on my doormat. though I'm not holding my breath just yet as I've yet to have a dispatch email for it, even though I already got one for another item I ordered at the same time and both were "in stock".

 

Anyway.. thanks again and now it's back to play testing this beastie. :)

 

Badger

[Rusty_M]

I'd recommend downloading the latest torrent and installing it while you wait. Then all you need to do is enter the key from your game box when it arrives. That will save any patching issues and allow you to tweak some controls or other options before the mail is even delivered.

[GregP]

Excellent advice -- definitely do that, GreyBadger. If you waited for the retail box you'd have to download the 1.1.1.1 patch anyway, so you might as well just install the entire latest game package and then type in your key when the box arrives.

[Rusty_M]

My advice looks less good now.

[GreyBadger]

Thanks for the advice Rusty & Greg. I've never really had anything to do with "torrents" and if I'm honest I'm not really sure I know exactly what they are about. Something to do with an alternative way of downloading large files.... but for some reason a niggling feeling in the back of my mind is telling me that they are either dodgy, or used for dodgy purposes. Praps I've got it all wrong. :)

 

At any rate "Warthog" arrived today so I don't need to look in that direction. I'd have installed it already except that I'm determined to have at least an evening of trying out this new machine properly! The last two days I have shot myself in the foot by installing games I wanted to see, which turned out to have huge installations and even bigger patch/updates! :lol:

 

Tomorrow though I have a date with a Hog! (Well it won't be the first time I guess. :lol: )

 

Thanks again all

 

Badger

[Rusty_M]

The disc version wont be up to date.

 

Torrents are often used for the illegal distribution of copyrighted material. For this reason they are almost synonymous with piracy.

 

I'd still suggest torrenting 1.1.1.1 or 1.1.2.1. I'd just go with a full version as patching sometimes causes issues.

 

My first use of torrents was for DCS. This is a perfectly safe & legal torrent available from the DCS website. Get a client like I torrent or BitTorrent and the torrent file from DCS and away you go.