FS2004 is going to be Gooood! (Have a look)

[Aloha717200]

So, does anyone want a preview of FS2004? :D

I was surfing the web tonight and found all of these wonderful screenshots from the soon-to be released CFS 3. Now, I know, it's not FS2004, but considering how good CFS 3 looks, it's a safe bet to assume that FS2004 will have these features plus a whole lot more! It's also safe to assume FS2004 will look something like these screenshots! All images are below 70K in size, so I'm sure loading times should be ok. Enjoy! :D :D


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b5ed27cfa8a4.jpg


THAT's a blue sky!


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b60327db67a7.jpg

In this picture you see brighter scenery textures (big improvement!) and the new fire effects!



http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b61727f9dca2.jpg


Cruising through clouds at dusk...


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b66d283b02b7.jpg


Towering cumulus effects


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b688284108ce.jpg


Another shot at dusk, you have to love these new clouds


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b6cb2870ab46.jpg

Check out that cirrus!!


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b6e6287c3fd6.jpg

More towering cumulus



http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b6fa28863fd6.jpg

In this shot you can barely see the low level ground textures, but what you can see is impressive.



http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b7112891bdf1.jpg

THIS is the ultimate screenshot, talk about realism. *drool*




http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b72828aa99fe.jpg

More cirrus action...



http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b73a28bacdfc.jpg

Look at that new sun


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b74d28c4968a.jpg

Crash and damage effects... }>


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d23b77428ef4ea2.jpg

And more of those thunderheads.





Well, what do you think? Me, I'm blown away, I can't wait to get a copy of FS2004, I'm certain that sim will break the mold for flight sumulation in the future, how about you?

All comments welcome!!


Brandon Williams, aircraft developer, flightsim.com

[pacnorwest_simware]

I can't wait for CFS3 & FS2004! :D

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d2381dc09bd97b6.jpg

[modelr]

WOW!! :-jumpy :-jumpy :-jumpy

Can't wait!! :-jumpy :-jumpy :-jumpy :-jumpy

CFS 3 is definitely on my list. Hopefully some of our G-Max aircraft will be usable there. :7 :7 :7


Don

[WingsofLondon]

:9 :9 :9 I can't wait! CRASH AND DAMAGE EFFECTS! *Drools* Argh, I wish 2004 would get here...

Cheers,
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d239d7a1ac5b1e0.jpg

[mdklatt]

Let's think about this for a minute:

FS2002: Good (what FS2000 could/should have been)
FS2000: Bad
FS98: Good (what FS95 could/should have been)
FS95: Bad
FS 5.0 Good

This isn't just an FS thing, it's a basic law of software development. You only want every other version, which is what the previous version was supposed to be before it was shoved out the door too soon. FS2004 is likely going to be an incremental improvement, but it's still going to cost $60-$70. Not to mention the hundreds (thousands?) of dollars that people are going to spend on hardware upgrades.

[eagle013]

What is the theme of CFS3? CFS was European WWII, CFS2 was Pacific WWII, CFS3 is.... Korean War?

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3cccc5644eca1379.jpg

[Aloha717200]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-04-02 AT 00:28AM (EDT)[p]The theme is European WWII. You get to fly for either the British, Luftwaffe, or USA. Incluse a P-80 shooting star, a Vampire, and an ME 109 I think!

VC's are very good too! :D

As for FS2004, I'll bet my money that it'll be very much improved from FS2002. Those clouds in CFS 3 WILL be in FS2004, rest assured. FS2002 is like an improved CFS 2, so I'm sure FS2004 will be similar to CFS 3. I hope that it's not another FS2000, but I'm sure it won't be. I think it'll be worth the money. ;-)

Brandon Williams, aircraft developer, flightsim.com

[rayN5432H]

Under certain circumstances, a CFS3 campaign could supposedly run through 1947, thus the inclusion of several jets (don't forget the Me-262). I wish they could have stretched a bit farther and included an F-84, even an F-86 for good measure ;-) . This version of CFS is definately going to be awesome! Perhaps think of it as an improved FS2002...

What I'm drooling about (besides those clouds) is being able to fly a more realistic P-51 (than that included with CFS1) with a nicer VC as well as the B-25 (a default bomber - at last! But why not a B-17? :-( ). I saw there are to be 18 flyable (?) planes in this one.

Ray - N89864
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3d17caa673366419.jpg

[wischeesehead]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-04-02 AT 01:58AM (EDT)[p]Not to be a spoilsport, but MS is using a new and different graphics engine in CFS3. Will that be ported over to 2k4 or will MS use 2 different engines? It will be interesting to see.

The graphics are awesome. I do hope 2k4 comes close to or even better.

Question: Not being very knowledgable about wwll a/c, what was the American pusher prop? Never saw it before.

:-wave Ron from behind the Cheddar Curtain. :-wave

[populousste]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! :o
WOW!!!!!!!!!! :o

...................................What can I say, WOW.

[piano]

Brandon, first let me thank you for the wonderful work you and other FS addon developers do. I am just a user of the sim and enjoy it very much after a stressful day. The addons make the sim unique and personalized.

Those clouds are fantastic! Does CFS3 use the autogen feature?
If so, how does that compare? Don't know if I would spend another $70 just for better clouds. Additional aircraft (including popular prop favorites), refined ATC, additional
map and GPS features would probably rope me in though.

Al

[Barryward12345]

SO!!! --- basically , it is what we have now -- but with better clouds!!!!!! Big deal!! Certainly an incremental improvement -- but spare me all the WOWS!!!!

Barry

[tmw]

Sorry, you a version missing there.

Let's take that from the start:-

FS1 Good
FS2 Bad
FS3 Good
FS4 Bad
FS5 Good
FS5.1 Bad (The missing release)
FSW95 Good
FS98 Bad
FS2K Good
FS2K2 Bad
FS2K4 Good

But this is obviously not correct as we all know that FS2K2 is definitely better than FS2K. And FS98 is better than FSW95.

Sorry to disagree.

TMW

[maxter]

Wow, those images look awesome. I wonder if my PC will cope??

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Chris Porter
Perth, Western Australia

http://www.fsd-international.com/images/FSD_beta_tester.jpg
FSD Aircraft "Around the world" flight.
Now at CYFB (Iqaluit) Canada

Intel Pentium IV 2.26GHz(533)512K L2 Cache
Intel D850EMV2-LAN P4 (533MHz FSB)
Kingston/Samsung 256MB PC-800 RAMBUS x 2 (512Mb)
MSI-8872 GeForce4 Titanium 4600 128MB DDR
Pioneer 16x DVD , 40x CD-ROM
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Panasonic CD Burner
Windows XP Home Edition
CH Virtual Pilot Pro
CH Pro Pedals
FS Meteo
FS Navigator
MSFS2002 Pro Full install at 1280x1024x32

[Aloha717200]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-04-02 AT 09:21AM (EDT)[p]
Good morning. :)


Here is a list of the new features that CFS 3 has that I know about:

1. A completely new graphics engine from FS2002. This new graphics engine gives more attention to ground texturing and detail than in FS2002. The main reason for this is that the Flight Simulator 2002 engine is optimized for high altitude flight while World War II air combat took place relatively close to the ground.

2. Autogen from FS2002 is also going to be used, but with many mondifications and improvements! It allows not just trees and buildings to be rendered, but also key low-altitude features such as telegraph poles and power lines, plus the all-important hedgerows - hiding places for Germany's Panzers. Talk about a new level of realism!


3. The setting is 1943-1945 and follows the turning tide of war as the allies build up for D-Day and then beyond, into the Reich itself. The front-end presentation has changed, the flight modelling has changed, and so has terrain generation - allowing low-level strafing to look more realistic than ever before. Good job too since there are some tasty aircraft here - including the Hawker Typhoon and P-47 Thunderbolt, just itching to be flown above the hedgerows. More good news is the inclusion of a comprehensive multiplayer system that could well see CFS3 become the first choice for online WWII combat tournaments in the future.


4. Players can now fly all of the 18 aircraft in the game, and the selection includes medium bombers such as the British Mosquito as well as propeller and jet fighter aircraft. When controlling one of the bombers, players can man the gun turrets or take the pilot's seat and have the AI fire at the enemy. Of course, you'll also be able to look through the bombardier's sight and drop your payload.


5. Another big change is the tactical map where gamers can turn the tide of war by defeating the enemy and gaining control of squares on the map grid. On the flipside to managing the war effort on a large scale, Combat Flight Sim 3 also adds some micromanagment. The game mixes in some role playing elements by having players manage pilot attributes like health, eyesight, and G-force tolerance against blackouts and redouts.


6. Another graphical update in CFS3 sees the realisation of a true 3D virtual cockpit. You can look around it with ease and all of the dials are clear and in working order - no more 2D panels. All panels have excellent real-time reflections, and the interior of the cockpit visible on the canopy as you look up. You can also open your canopy while in flight.

http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen002.jpg

http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen003.jpg

http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen011.jpg


7. The new multiplayer support will be welcomed by many CFS fans, with dedicated servers planned, plus evolving campaign scenarios. The role-playing elements which centre around how you choose to upgrade your aircraft should prove popular online too. And yes, if you choose to fly each side's level bomber, some of your mates can man the gun emplacements - or you can let the computer fly the plane and man them yourself.

8. New night lighing effects, new sunset/sunrise transition effects. A realistic, radiant sun, and improved weathering effects.

9. For one thing Combat Flight Simulator 3 is not merely the latest graphical improvement of the existing Flight Simulator product, but rather a fully original engine. Thus you can expect strikingly improved visuals, graphics that surpass virtually any flight game to date and some of the most realistic flight dynamics and physics ever! This does mean that planes from previous Combat Flight Simulator titles, or even the current Flight Simulator line, are not compatible and cannot be imported into this new game.


Theme of CFS 3: European WWII, 1943-1945


More on aircraft:


Fans of WWII combat aircraft will be spoilt for choice with one level bomber and several models of fighter available for each of the three nations represented in the game - Britain, Germany and the USA. On the British side, fighter aircraft include the Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest and Mosquito, while tactical level bombing is taken care of by the B-25 Mitchell, in British livery of course. The game's campaign structure, both solo and multiplayer, will allow you to choose an aircraft type and progressively modify it following mission successes - upgrading engines and armament and generally boosting performance. As the war progressed new variants of each aircraft became available and this too is reflected in CFS3, although a certain role-playing element comes into play here. As mentioned earlier you can upgrade your existing aircraft using points gained in a mission - but you can also save them to requisition a brand, spanking new version altogether. The Spitfire, for instance, was produced in more that 40 variants during the war and several of these will be available here - including the clipped-wing low-altitude Mk IX LF, with the Merlin 66 engine.


http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen001.jpg

http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen007.jpg

http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen004.jpg

http://images.gamespot.co.uk/images/pc/2001/cfsi3/gal_cfsi3_1_screen010.jpg


There you have it, that's pretty much all I know for now. I got my information from the sites below, please take a look at them and read the CFS 3 reviews, just click the link and it'll take you right to the reiew page, I'm sure you'll love them:

Gamespot UK: (NOTE: Copy this full path into your address bar, it seems that just clicking on it won't work.)

http://www.gamespot.co.uk/stories/previews/0,2160,2107400,00.html


Sim HQ:

http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/interviews/cfs3/


Gamers.com (source of images):

http://www.gamers.com/game/1098418/previews


Gamespy:

http://www.gamespy.com/e32002/pc/cfs3/


Enjoy! :D




Brandon Williams, Aircraft developer, flightsim.com

[Aloha717200]

>SO!!! --- basically , it is
>what we have now --
>but with better clouds!!!!!!
>Big deal!! Certainly an
>incremental improvement -- but spare
>me all the WOWS!!!!
>
>Barry


Barry, it's a very big improvement from what we have now, very big. Not only is it the clouds, but also the ground scenery, highly detailed autogen, new aircraft flight models and new flight dynamics, new day/nighttime effects, etc. Please click some of the links in my above post to see the many reviews for CFS 3, it's more that what you might think.


Brandon Williams, Aircraft developer, flightsim.com

[piano]

Thanks Brandon,

IMO, if a developer gets excited about a new sim version, that's a good sign. :D

Al :-wave

[piano]

;-)

Yeah, if I had a system like that I'd be worried too! :7

Al :-wave

[Stonec0ld]

I can't speak for 1-3, but I know this:

FS4 Good
FS5 Bad
FS5.1 Good
FS95 Bad
FS98 Good
FS2000 Bad
FS2002 Good

Let's just hope that FS2004 breaks this pattern! :)

[tmw]

If you'd have seen FS3, you would know that 4 was not really worth the effort......

TMW

[flyinggriffin]

Here we go again, all the development work into eyecandy. Next version of FS2004 will probably still feature aircraft models that only approximate how the real airplanes fly.

It does make for a nice looking box cover. Then after everyone buys the thing and screams about ATC, lousy aircraft models, and how much it is gonna cost to upgrade their hardware, the moderators can just take all the comments posted after FS2002 came out and just insert a 4 for the 2 and save everbody the trouble of posting messages.

[alastairmonk]

Can anyone identify the US "pusher-puller" twin-prop plane in shots 4, 5 & 11 ? I don't recognise it, and can't help feeling its one of those fictional concept planes like the "Luftwaffe 1946" experimental/projected models that never actually got built.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3bae67d85138992a.jpg

[IWAZI]

The aircraft you refer to is the Curtis XP-55 Ascender. Never used in Combat.

Check out these websites:

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/p55.htm

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p55.html

http://sfstation.members.easyspace.com/xp55.htm

http://www.airzoo.org/xp55.htm

[Aloha717200]

Every sim has its growing pains. FS2002 is the best simulator since FS98, but it still has its problems.

FS98 had only problems at first which were corrected by the patch, after that time I think FS98 was wone of the most flaw-free flightsims the Microsoft ever did, and FS5.1 was great was well.

FS2002 almost hits that mark, it has its flaw, but they are nowhere near the flaws the FS2000 had. In fact, I onyl had FS2000 for three months before I took it back, because the darn thing stuttered so much that I couldn't even fly anymore. It wasn't worth keeping.

FS2004 could become like that, but I doubt it. The reason is that MS is going to want to make a profit off this sim, and they won't make agreat profit if people return it shortly after they buy it, as was the case with FS2000. Considering how much more detailed the skies are in FS2004, MS probaly knows they've got a sure-fire hit. It's be a crying shame for FS2004 to flop because of software issues, don't you think? So, if I was MS, I'd be workign hard to make sure little to no errors were present (nearly impossible). I'd be using FS98 as an example, and the next time they achieve the level that FS98 reached in terms of nearly flaw free performance, will be the time that MS hits its peak in simluator design.

OK that probably made no sense. :-lol


One of the strongest selling points for FS2004 is that all along we have enjoyed the eye candy on the ground, but have always wished the skies were more detailed, more accurate, more real, haven't we? I think the biggest wish and want of every flightsim enthusiast is for clouds that actually look and feel real, clouds the swallow your plane when you fly into them, clouds that turn the skies into another world. Haven't we all wished for the longest time that was could fly into a thunderhead, and feel like we're getting tosses around, literally in danger of falling from the skies? Why would we wish this? Because it's real, its an adventure, and if you took a cessna into a thunderstorm in real life, you can be your adrenaline would be pumping too. THIS is what we want as flightsimmers, a degree of realism in the place that we spend 90& of our time...in the sky.

That's why I think MS will try hard to make FS2004 flaw free, it's going to have that oen thing we've always wished for, they won't want to blow it. Me, I'm looking forward to having to fight my way through a raging storm in the middle of the pacific, having my aircraft struck by lighting and damaged by the weather, encountering system fauilures, decalring an emergemcy, and having to fight my way back to Hawaii in order to land safely.

That is the realism that we all hope for, and that is the realism that FS2004 is supposed to deliver.

I think she'll succeed. :D :D :D

Brandon Williams, aircraft developer, flightsim.com

[Aloha717200]

bump

[doering1]

Well, well !!
From these screen shots you can definitely see improvements to the a/c and effects to the a/c. The clouds and sun have definitely improved also. I don't see much of a change in the landscape texturing, but then again not too much to go by in these screen shots (maybe for a reason). I have a feeling that the a/c are going to stay leaps and bounds above the scenery once again in terms of realism. I'm not knocking anything though. I think it is all great. Just wish the landscape, rivers and roads etc. would catch up with the planes.
Laurie

[doering1]

Just had to have another look.
That first pic could double as a real photo. The sky is amazing.
Laurie

[Paul_W]

> Just wish the landscape, rivers and roads etc. would catch up with the planes.

I think the limited terrain you're seeing in those screenshots was used in lieu of their new terrain which apparently was unavailable at the time. To this point, so far as I know, MS has still not issued screenshots of what's supposed to be the highly detailed new terrain in CFS3. Some of the restless fans on the Netwings forum have asked for more visuals, but there's a bit of an odd silence coming from MS at the moment (quite in contrast to the LOMAC development crew). All I've seen of the new terrain is from a couple of rather fuzzy pictures taken of the CFS3 demo screen by a visitor to the recent E3 expo in Los Angeles.

Brandon, thanks for starting this thread. For me, there's nothing quite like a preview of the future when it comes to simulation, but apparently a lot of people are not aware of what's in store when CFS3 is released just over three months from now. And like you, I'm really looking forward to flying around in those clouds. They're a big improvement, and point to some potentially huge advances for FS 2004. Right now my main concern about them is what appears to be a lack of focus on the detail; for example, the cumulus above the plane's right wing in the last screenshot appears to be out of focus and lacking the surface definition of a typical compact column of cumulus to me (and I think at that altitude it should also be a brighter white). Perhaps it's a design limitation based on current hardware, but as many often point out, these shots are pre-alpha, and pre-beta, and there's still time for improvement, etc. I sure hope so, because there's nothing quite like flying alongside a great cumulus cloud.

[Aloha717200]

one last bump