ViperOne: A realistic F-16 combat flight simulator (alpha)

[momob]

Hello guys,

Here a little bit more info about the upcoming ViperOne flight simulator for Palm and Treo devices.

ViperOne is a F-16 flight combat simulator. The game is still in alpha but I will shortly be able to release it as a beta for people to check out.

Here a quick description of the game:

ViperOne simulate a F-16 in a night combat situation. The goal of the game are:

1- Train to flight the jet fighter. Learn to take-off, land and even land without an engine (could happen during combat missions!)

2- Train in Air to Ground strikes. First without having to worry about enemy defenses. Once you are good at hitting targets then you will learn to confront enemy surface to air Missiles! (SAM)

3- The final goal is to actually do combat missions against a range of enemy targets like bridge, factory and even nuclear sites. Of course the more important the target is the more SAM sites you will need to evade!

The game also keep tack of your bombing results and flight hours over time. This allows to get you promoted during your flight career. You start a the bottom (2nd Lt) and then progress up to **** General. You will even be reward medals for good missions!

The game has many difficulties added (of course you can disable them) like cross wind and F-16 sub-systems failures. Current failures include, fuel leak, dead engine, instruments display malfunction and so on.

Here a quick video to see what it looks like to flight this thing. Please note that this is an old version but it gives you the flavor of the game (be gentle about my voice-over ability!!). I am working on better videos:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmWV1fhNSmY&feature=player_embedded

For some of you who are familiar with my past simulators like Lunar Lander, you can of course expect ViperOne to be an hyper realistic flight simulator. For instance ViperOne has:

*A realistic 6 degrees of freedom (6-DOF) flight simulation from a NASA flight model of the actual F-16 (hundreds of data parameters..)

* Alpha angle of attack and Beta sideslip calculation (a alpha is displayed on the HUD display)

* Black out effect when flying over + 9 G or -3 G (vision loss!)

* Actual PID controller (flight computer) to help you flight the thing (without this FCS and like the real thing, your jet is not flyable)

* Realistic HUD (head Up Display)

* Multi-function display (system info, radar, threat warning system)

* Realistic bombing mode (CCRP for those in the know)

* Multiple system failures possible during mission

* Currently 6 missions to choose from. More to come later

* Full Air-Force career management including medals!

* Realistic sounds effects like gear up/down, open/close air brakes and so on

Once again I finishing up the beta version. When I am done I will call on some of you (if you want to) to help test this thing!

I am still working on the Air Force career part (where you get promoted depending on your flight hours and missions accomplishments) as well the medals awarding part.  I have also started to write the flight manual.  Finally I am hoping to record some training videos using the most recent game version.

A lot of work as you can see but it is also a lot of fun!  I cannot wait to release this game for your guys to enjoy.

Stay tune.

Mo.

Ps: Hello Robin, In few days, I am hoping to sending you the latest alpha version of ViperOne.  I hope you will like it 

[chckhbrt]

Hey mo......

I can't wait for this flight sim. I love flight simulators on a pc, but I don't bring a pc type lappy on the road anymore.

I was hoping someone would develope a flight sim for Palm OS or WinMo........

BTW, I watched the video, hurry please, I am drooling on the phone. and thank you for this....

Chuck

[momob]

Hello Chuck!

Thank you so much  for the kind words.  As you can imagine, there is still a lot to do but I am hoping to release a beta version soon.  I will make sure I will annonce it here.

Stay tune!

Mo.

[Robin24k]

Is the latest version still 1.2a? Haven't heard from you in a while...good to hear that you're still working on it.

[momob]

Hello Robin.

I am at 1.6(alpha) but it was mostly small improvement until now.   Still a lot of work left and thank you for the help during this alpha period.   I am getting ready to send you 1.6a in few minutes.

Stay tune.

Mo.

[Robin24k]

Cool! Are you planning on releasing Windows Mobile versions of your programs? I got a Treo 800w and love Windows Mobile and the hardware...only issue is the battery and Verizon being whiny about activating it.

[momob]

Hi Robin.

Do you still a Palm OS device to test the game?  If yes, could you PM me your hotsyncID?

For WM,  I am not sure yet.  It depends on the dev tool I am using.  They seems to plan a WM version...

Thanks.

Mo.

[Robin24k]

Yes, still using my 755p because Verizon won't activate the 800w. HSID is still the same...Robin.

[momob]

@Robin...SENT!

[momob]

Hello guys,

Here a second video about ViperOne.  This time, it shows how to land the F-16 using the ILS or Instrument Landing System.  It is meant as a video tutorial for the upcoming ViperOne flight combat simulator.  Please note that this is an older version of the game.  I am hoping to re-do these videos when I get a chance (using the new cockpit)

You can check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yb6PgHzTN0

In term of the progress, I am currently working on the score and ranking/promotion system. As I see it, my plans are as follow in term of the promotion scheme:

1- Up to Captain (2nd Lt, 1st Lt and then Captain):
all your flight hours (training and combat) , target destroyed.. are counted toward your promotion as is.  Of course you get extra points for game level or if you enable cross-wind or sub-systems failures (fuel leak, engine failure, radar...)

2- Captain to Colonel (Major, Lt Col,Colonel):
All flight hours and targets destroyed  count but training flights are heavily discounted.  For instance 10 hours of training flight maybe will be valued as 1-2 hours.  You can still train (to get better at landing for instance) but combat hours will count much more toward your promotion to the rank of Colonel.

3- Colonel to 4 stars General (Brigadier Gen, Major Gen, Lt Gen, **** General):
a) training flights/target destroyed in training would not count anymore toward a higher promotion.
b- You will need to flight combat missions with all difficulties set to high (game level= hard, wind=yes, failures=yes..)
c) It also take much more hours to change rank at this level.

At least that's my thinking at this time.  I just want to make it easier at the beginning to get promoted but as the game evolve it is harder and harder to get to the top (hey, not everybody has what it takes to be a **** General )

You also be able to get different medals (Airman,Bronze Star, Silver Star and the Air Force Cross) but I have to admit I did not start working on that yet and that feature probably won't  make it to the beta version.  I am focus and releasing a beta version as soon as I can.

That's it for now.  Enjoy the video and please do not hesitated to comment on the promotion scheme I am proposing.  I am always on the lookout for ideas/comments.

Cheers.

Mo

[momob]

Hello guys,

I am sorry for the long radio silence.  I am happy to report that I sent my great alpha testers version 1.8a yesterday.  Version 1.8a includes the "sub-systems failures" module.  It also includes the "scoring" module.  The scoring works like seen as below.

It is a slow going as you can see but I feel I am close to a public beta (of course I said that before...

I will call on beta testers once i get some feedback from the alpha testers on 1.8a.

Thank you all for your patience.

Mo.

------------------- ViperOne Scoring -------------------

ViperOne keeps tracks your points as well as your flight history.  You get points for training and combat BUT only combat missions are counted in your LogBook and count toward your promotion and medals (not yet implemented)  This rule may change in the future (what do you think?)  You will get points for landing/bombing training missions but those points are just way for you to judge if you are making progress. The combat missions points will be added to your "total score" and can be seen in your LogBook window.  The "score" button will show you your last mission score.  The amount of points awarded (either during training or combat) will depend on your mission settings.  You will get "bonus" points if for instance, you checked "enable wind", "enable failures" or unchecked "skip landing"

Here a quick review of the missions currently available in ViperOne and the end game for each:

- Take-off:  This mission never end.  Simply eject once you are in the air.

- Landing and "flame-out landing":The mission will automatically end when you land and your speed is zero.  You cannot land outside the runway (automatic jet crash and not points)

- AG strike (with and w/o SAM's):  The mission end when you destoy the ONE enemy target (status<50%) or your are out of bombs.

- Combat strike: This is the real thing.  You will need to destroy ALL enemy targets (status<50%) AND land/take-off as many time is neccesary to finish the mission.

I strongly recommend to check the box "skip landing" at the beginning.  If you crash during a landing, the mission is over.

[momob]

Hi again.

Also here a description of the sub-systems failure model...

As in the real jet, any of your multiple systems can fail at anytime!  ViperOne simulate a number of possible failures.  Each failure has its own probability of happening during a flight. For instance a “fuel leak” failure would have tendency to happen much more often than let say a total loss of  ailerons controls.  The failure rate also depend on your game level setting (easy, normal or hard)

The effect on your mission will depend on the type of failure and its duration.  Some failures will last only few seconds but other can linger long enough to force to either eject or scrap the mission and return to base.  Once you return to base and land (or come 10 NM from it if you checked the “skip landing” box) the ground crew would “fix” your jet and refill it so you can go back and finish your mission.

Here the list of the possible failures (more maybe added it later):

- FUL: fuel leak.  The fuel will be spent at much higher rate. Reduce your engine throotle until the fuel leak stops.  If it last too long, I will suggest your turn around and get it fix at your air-base.

- ENG: The engine has quit!  This is a show stopper if you are in the middle of a mission.  If the fault last too long then your only action is to return to base and either come 10 NM from the base (if you check the box "skip landing" in the options window) or attempt landing as it's call "flame-out" landing (ie: dead engine) Of course you DID train on this right?  If not, you better come back to the training mission called "flame-out landing"!!!


- A/B: You lost your ability to use your after burner.  Can be critical if you are running away from a SAM missile!

- BRK:  This is one is bad only during landing when you need to slow your jet a lot.  You can pitch up your jet to compensate (so you can slow further) Still it is much better to land with the air-brakes open so you have much better control of your descent. This fault won't stop you from continuing your mission.


- HUD:  Loss of most critical info on the Heads-Up Display like speed, alt and so on.  It could be very bad if you are in the process of landing or you if are already low.  At least you will not lose the artificial horizon display (your attitude) In the real jet, a loss of HUD is not super critical since they still have the analog instruments to land if need be.  Of course doing a bombing run without HUD is almost impossible.

- TWS: You no longer can see where SAM missiles are coming from!  The only good news is that closest missile distance is still display in red on the right of the cockpit. You will still be alerted if any new missiles are sent your way by the enemy. But it won't know where they comes from.


- RAD:  Now your lost your radar. You won't know where the enemy is.  The HUD (if you did not lose it also!) will still display the distance to targets as well as the approximate time to reach them at your current speed.

- FCS: The Flight Control System has mostly quit.  The jet will be hard to control.  Hopefully this is extremely rare and may not last long.  If it does then "eject" is the only action to take.

- AIL, ELV,RUD:  ailerons, elevator or rudders surfaces are stuck at zero position.  This is of course means that you can control the jet attitude any longer (BAD) For instance if the elevator is stuck, you will no long be able to pitch up or down. Hopefully this is also extremely rare and may not last long. Just keep your cool until the fault goes away (if you lucky!)

- WPS:  Weapon System failure.  You are no longer able to drop bombs!  The blue bomb fall line will go away.  If the failure last too long, there is no choice but fly back home to fix the problem.

You can also finally encounter a "FALSE ALERT", just check your SYS display and see that none of the warning lights are flashing red.  If this the case then it is only a false alert. Disregard!


IMPORTANT: The fact now that any of your jet sub-system can fail at any time, it is CRITICAL for you to always keep situation awareness while fying. This means that you need to keep track in your mind about the last general locations of targets, SAM's, altitude, speed, heading and so on.

[momob]

Hello guys,

Sooooooooooo sorry for the long delay! I was hoping to finish completely the app before asking for beta testers. I now find this strategy completely stupid on my part (it took me a while to figure that out. I guess I was afraid of your reaction toward a none finished game...)

Anyway, Here it is: I would like to solicit your help on finishing/improving the F-16 flight combat simulator known as "ViperOne"

If at all interested, please PM your email address and Hotsync ID and I will send you the game and a small in-progress "flight manual" I will send a copy to all here who already ask for it in the past. If I forgot you, please PM me.

IMPORTANT:

1- It will be good if you volunteer, to like this kind of simulator! This is not an easy game to try if not particular interested about (realistic) flight simulation.

2- Please, please backup your device before trying this (or any beta software for that matter) I Did not lose any data but of course anything can happen. Try at your own risk!

I will announce here when I have enough beta testers.

Thank you guys and I really apologize for the long delay.

Take care all.

Mo.