bbosen - 2022-04-27

I just released new versions 8.66 and 8.67 for beta testing. You can download them here:

https://askmisterwizard.com/2019/LinuxAirCombat/Installers/index.htm

Both of these new versions have identical functions. According to the recent pattern for all odd-numbered versions of LAC, V8.67 installs in the global /usr filesystem. According to the recent pattern for all even-numbered releases, version 8.66 installs in the user's home filesystem.

Three Primary Changes in these new versions:

1 of 3: "BLAKE'S MISSION" has been rewritten and is now stable. Accordingly, the menus no longer advertise it as "BETA TEST". This is now our simplest mission, taking place in a new rocky grassland terrain, and limited to pure fighter versus fighter dogfighting with no ground gunners or tail gunners. Bombers (and other aircraft with tail gunners) are not allowed.

2 of 3: Flight Model enhanced with increased realism. The flight model has been improved for all aircraft due to better modeling of compressibility effects at high speeds, and control fade at low speeds. Ailerons and Elevators feel gradually heavier as airspeed builds up, and at extremely low speeds, their effect diminishes. Some aircraft suffer more than others at these extreme speeds, according to the best available official and anecdotal data from the World War II era. This increased flight realism is an option that can be enabled or disabled through the main menu's "SETUP OPTIONS" -> "GAME" -> "DIFFICULTY" buttons. The value of "DIFFICULTY" can now be cycled between "2" and "4" as follows:

  • DIFFICULTY = "2": LAC's classic flight mathematics, as in all of our published versions since 7.92
  • DIFFICULTY = "3": Activates torque-induced roll
  • DIFFICULTY = "4": Enhanced compressibility effects at high speeds, control fade at low speeds, AND torque-induced roll.

3 of 3: More realistic gun lethality. When configured for maximum realism, aircraft machine guns and cannons are more lethal, making them more realistic. In our online missions, this helps to balance everything out: Some players, flying with relaxed realism, will be able to maneuver better, while other players, flying with maximum realism, will be more restricted when they maneuver at extremely high or extremely low speeds, but their more lethal, more realistic gunnery compensates to keep everything more fair!

 

Last edit: bbosen 2022-06-02