Ruggbutt 45 Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) http://forums.eagle....ead.php?t=47143 THE FIGHTER COLLECTION AND EAGLE DYNAMICS TO RELEASE LOCK ON: FLAMING CLIFFS 2.0 UPGRADE DUXFORD, UK, November 17, 2009 – The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics will release Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 in early 2010. This will be an upgrade to the unofficial Lock On: Flaming Cliffs add-on. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will feature all the flyable aircraft of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs and include several fan-requested upgrades to aircraft, sensor, and weapon systems. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs combines a large stable of modern U.S. and Russian aircraft to fly over Russia and Georgia with game play for both casual and hardcore flight simulation enthusiasts. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will feature the same world environment and game functionality as the Digital Combat Simulation (DCS) series and will be online compatible with the Ka-50 attack helicopter simulation DCS: Black Shark www.digitalcombatsimulator.com. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will allow Lock On pilots and Black Shark pilots to now fly online together in both cooperative and head-to-head online play. The Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade for owners of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 1.12 will be available for sale as a download from the Eagle Dynamics Lock On web site for $14.99 USD. http://lockon.co.uk/. The upgrade will first be released in English and Russian with French, German, and Spanish versions to follow. By using the DCS environment, Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 users will have improved terrain, mission editor, AI flight models, 3D objects, artificial intelligence (AI), and multiplayer. The aircraft of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will include: • Su-25 (new 3D model) • Su-25T • A-10A • Su-27 • Su-33 • MiG-29A • MiG-29C • F-15C Flaming Cliffs 2.0 Upgrade FAQ Q: What new features does the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade add? A: The following features are added: - Runs under DirectX 9C - Improved Mission Editor with trigger system - New terrain area to include much of Georgia. This will be same map as used in DCS: Blacks Shark. As such the Crimea has been replaced with the addition of Georgia. - More detailed terrain to include more ground objects, larger forests, and higher resolution elevation data - Improved clouds - High resolution airfield textures - Improved multiplayer system with embedded game browser - More robust online cheating prevention - New and improved menu system - Numerous new, highly detailed ground units including infantry - Improved flight performance for player-controlled aircraft - Improved flight models for all artificial intelligence (AI) controlled aircraft - New, more realistic G-tolerance modeling - Limited 6 DOF cockpits that move up, down and sideways according to maneuvering - New and highly-detailed Su-25 model - Advanced ballistics are implemented for all flyable aircraft, including ricochets of AP rounds - F-15C locked target IFF indication - More realistic ranges, seeker guidance and fuzes for air-to-air missiles - More realistic electronic countermeasure operation and performance - New and improved sound engine - New radio message voice-overs Q: Will my Flaming Cliffs 1.12 missions work with Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Due to a change in the world location and mission editor, they will not. However, when installing the upgrade you have the option to create both Flaming Cliffs 1.12 and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 parallel installs. Flaming Cliffs 1.12 and the upgraded Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will not be online compatible. Q: Will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 and DCS: Black Shark be online compatible? A: Yes! You will now be able to fly head-to-head and cooperatively with players flying the Ka-50. Q: Is a player flyable Ka-50 included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: No. To fly the Ka-50 you must own DCS: Black Shark. However, AI-controlled Ka-50 helicopters are included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0. Q: What mission content will be included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Each aircraft will have several new single missions and new Su-25 and A-10A campaigns will be included. Q: Will new documents be provided? A: Yes. A new Flaming Cliffs manual will be provided as well as a new Install Guide. Q: Will 3rd party modifications created for Flaming Cliffs 1.12 work in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Yes, in most cases. However, some minor modifications made need to be made for 3rd party-created aircraft. Q: What operating systems will be supported? A: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Q: What copy protection will be used? A: StarForce online activation (only) will be used. Based on the success of DCS: Black Shark protection, we feel this provides the best compromise of user-friendliness and protection of property. Unlike the reported hardware problems reported with an earlier version of StarForce applied to the original Flaming Cliffs, no such issues have been reported with the current online activation method that does not install any drivers to the user’s computer. Q: When will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be available? A: We plan to make the upgrade available for download from the Eagle Dynamics website in January 2010. http://lockon.co.uk/ Q: How much will this upgrade cost? A: $14.99 USD Edited 11/25/09 Flaming Cliffs 2.0 Upgrade FAQ Q: What new features does the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade add? A: The following features are added: - Runs under DirectX 9C - Improved Mission Editor with trigger system - New terrain area to include much of Georgia. This will be same map as used in DCS: Blacks Shark. As such the Crimea has been replaced with the addition of Georgia. - More detailed terrain to include more ground objects, larger forests, and higher resolution elevation data - Improved clouds - High resolution airfield textures - Improved multiplayer system with embedded game browser - More robust online cheating prevention - New and improved menu system - Numerous new, highly detailed ground units including infantry - Improved flight performance for player-controlled aircraft - Improved flight models for all artificial intelligence (AI) controlled aircraft - New, more realistic G-tolerance modeling - Limited 6 DOF cockpits that move up, down and sideways according to maneuvering - New and highly-detailed Su-25 model - Advanced ballistics are implemented for all flyable aircraft, including ricochets of AP rounds - F-15C locked target IFF indication - More realistic ranges, seeker guidance and fuzes for air-to-air missiles - More realistic electronic countermeasure operation and performance - New and improved sound engine - New radio message voice-overs Q: Will my Flaming Cliffs 1.12 missions work with Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Due to a change in the world location and mission editor, they will not. However, when installing the upgrade you have the option to create both Flaming Cliffs 1.12 and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 parallel installs. Flaming Cliffs 1.12 and the upgraded Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will not be online compatible. Q: Will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 and DCS: Black Shark be online compatible? A: Yes! You will now be able to fly head-to-head and cooperatively with players flying the Ka-50. Q: Is a player flyable Ka-50 included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: No. To fly the Ka-50 you must own DCS: Black Shark. However, AI-controlled Ka-50 helicopters are included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0. Q: What mission content will be included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Each aircraft will have several new single missions and new Su-25 and A-10A campaigns will be included. Q: Will new documents be provided? A: Yes. A new Flaming Cliffs manual will be provided as well as a new Install Guide. Q: Will 3rd party modifications created for Flaming Cliffs 1.12 work in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Yes, in most cases. However, some minor modifications made need to be made for 3rd party-created aircraft. Q: What operating systems will be supported? A: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Q: What copy protection will be used? A: StarForce online activation (only) will be used. Based on the success of DCS: Black Shark protection, we feel this provides the best compromise of user-friendliness and protection of property. Unlike the reported hardware problems reported with an earlier version of StarForce applied to the original Flaming Cliffs, no such issues have been reported with the current online activation method that does not install any drivers to the user’s computer. Q: When will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be available? A: We plan to make the upgrade available for download from the Eagle Dynamics website in early 2010. http://lockon.co.uk/ Q: How much will this upgrade cost? A: $14.99 USD Q: Will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 use the same "engine" as Black Shark? A: It would be more accurate to say that both Flaming Cliffs 2.0 and Black Shark use the same generation of The Fighter Collection Simulation Engine (TFCSE). This was done not only to improve the Flaming Cliffs series in many key areas, but to also allow multi-player compatibility between the two brand series. Given this, they share many things in common, including: • Map and airbases • Multiplayer and network code (sorry, no dedicated server yet) • Log Book • Encyclopedia • AI units and AI actions • Track file system • Options • Mission Editor • Campaign Editor • Modding openness • World lighting and shadowing • TripleHead2Go support • Force feedback implementation • Monitor resolution support Q: What are the system specifications for Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: The same as for Black Shark. For most users, the game will run faster than Flaming Cliffs 1.12 due to TFCSE optimizations. Minimum system requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7; CPU P4 2 GHz; RAM 2 GB; video card 256 MB RAM, compatible with DirectX 9; 5 GB HDD space; sound card; keyboard and mouse. Recommended system requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, CPU Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD X2; RAM 3 GB; video card with 512 MB RAM (ATI Radeon HD4850+ or nVidia GF8800+), compatible with DirectX 9; 5 GB of HDD space; sound card; keyboard and mouse; and joystick. Q: If I install the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade to an existing copy of Flaming Cliffs, will I still need the original Flaming Cliffs CD to launch it and still go through activation? A: No, only the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 protection system would be used. Q: Will the upcoming DCS: A-10C Warthog be online compatible with Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: We do not know yet as DCS: A-10C Warthog is still in development. Q: Can I port Flaming Cliffs missions into Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: No, due to significant changes in the map and Mission Editor. Q: Will a combined package of Lock On and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be released? A: This is possible and something that is under investigation with Ubisoft (owners of intellectual property rights of Lock On). Q: Will it be possible to build missions in both Black Shark and Flaming Cliffs FC 2.0 and use them interchangeably? A: For the most part yes, but some mission modification would probably be needed due to a different set of flyable aircraft. Q: Will all Flaming Cliffs 2.0 flyable aircraft now have the Advance Flight Model (AFM) system? A: The Su-25 and Su-25T most certainly will and will have some performance tweaks. The other aircraft will have the Standard Flight Model (SFM) but will see more realistic performance in regards to such items as climb rates, acceleration, and top speeds. Q: What if I do not have a copy of Flaming Cliffs to upgrade to Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Likely in the Spring of 2010 we will release Flaming Cliffs 2.0 of DVD. This version will be a complete Flaming Cliffs 2.0 install but will still require Lock On to be first installed. You can purchase Lock On at: http://www.kengray.co.uk/lockonbuy.htm Q: What about including 3rd party models, textures, etc.? A: While 3rd party developers are certainly free to add these to Flaming Cliffs 2.0 after release, they will not be integrated due to past issues attempting to use 3rd party content and legal issues. Q: Will the released terrain tools be compatible with Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Yes. Q: Will Black Shark and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be run from the same executable? A: No, they are two separate programs. They only link together in regards to online compatibility. Q: Has the AIM-120B/C performance been improved? A: Yes in regards to range, speed, fuze ranges, and counter-counter measure effectiveness. Other missiles have also been improved. In a related manner, ECM burn-through ranges have been moved significantly out (based on aircraft type) and a 15 second ECM warm-up time has been added to address ECM blinking online. Q: What are the payment options for Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: Most major credit cards will be accepted through: http://lockon.co.uk/index.php?end_po...g=en&cat_sid=0 Q: Will the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 aircraft receive the same level of detail regarding navigation systems, lights, and radios as the Ka-50 in DCS: Black Shark? A: No, that level of detail is reserved for the DCS series. Except for when indicted in this FAQ, Flaming Cliffs 2.0 aircraft will be as they are in Flaming Cliffs. Q: Will multi-player aerial refueling be supported in Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: As in Flaming Cliffs 1.12, the answer is no. Q: Why are the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 limited 6 DOF and not full 6 DOF? A: Unlike the Ka-50 cockpit in DCS: Black Shark, the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 cockpits are not full 3D in every aspect that allows unlimited 6 DOF movement around the cockpit. Yaw, pitch, and Z-axis are as they were in Flaming Cliffs, but X, Y, and roll are limited. Q: Will the training tracks be updated? A: Yes. Q: Where will the boxed version of Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be available? A: Outside of TFC website (http://www.kengray.co.uk/lockonbuy.htm), that has yet to be determined. Q: If there are future Black Shark patches, will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 still be online compatible? A: We will make every effort to retain this compatibility. Q: What will be the activation limits for Flaming Cliffs 2.0? A: 8 activations and 10 deactivations. Note that just reinstalling the game does NOT use an activation! An activation or deactivation is only used when there is a significant hardware or OS change. Even if the user has exhausted all of their activations and deactivations, more are provided with proof of purchase. If in the unfortunate circumstance Eagle Dynamics were to go out of business, our intent would be to release a final patch to remove copy protection. Q: What would be the Flaming Cliffs upgrade paths be? A: Either Lock On + Flaming Cliffs unofficial add-on (you would not have to activate) + Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade or Lock On + Flaming Cliffs 2.0 DVD. Q: Is it true that bird injection has been added? A: Yes, but it can be set on or off with .LUA setting. FaQ update Edited November 25, 2009 by Ruggbutt More info added Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted November 18, 2009 Well, I didn't see this coming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Soulfreak 6,395 Posted November 18, 2009 Sounds very interesting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodiak 27 Posted November 20, 2009 Will 2.0 be available on CD?? I would like to know that. Best regards, Kodiak. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted November 20, 2009 It doesn't look like it, at least not at first. Later on their plans might change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ruggbutt 45 Posted November 20, 2009 2.0 will be available on disc sometime this spring. It will include Flaming Cliffs 1.0. It's twice the price of the download version (because of content). It's $30. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverbolt 104 Posted November 20, 2009 (edited) so, who don't have lock on need to pay something for the game +30 for flaming cliffs and upgrade? wich probably at the end will cost 50$ ? oh well ED won't bring new costumers to their products. i'll still left my Lock-on disc collecting dust for a while so, who don't have lock on need to pay something for the game +30 for flaming cliffs and upgrade? wich probably at the end will cost 50$ ? oh well ED won't bring new costumers to their products. i'll still left my Loc-on disc collecting dust for a while i'll save my money for anything else... and btw, that F-15 , A-10 and Su-27 3d models looks prety out of date, why don't pay any modder for a decent 3d model? i used to like an F-15 mod, but than i realized no matter wich damage i took, it had the same 3d model, noseless and lost half wing. Edited November 20, 2009 by Silverbolt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted November 20, 2009 The next DCS module is the A-10, so it hardly makes sense for them to have an updated 3D model for it in LOMAC 2.0. Perhaps the other 2 planes are also planned at some point down the road. The Su-25T I don't think is, so this is a defacto DCS: Su-25T as well as Su-25 now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ruggbutt 45 Posted November 20, 2009 (edited) so, who don't have lock on need to pay something for the game +30 for flaming cliffs and upgrade? wich probably at the end will cost 50$ ? Which is what the cost of any new game is. Look at MW2, it's at least $50 and I've seen it for $60 if you get the console version. Would you expect to play IL2 Forgotten Battles without IL2, Aces and Pacific Fighters? Of course not. And to buy all of those would cost you about $50. i'll still left my Lock-on disc collecting dust for a while If you have Lockon it's going to cost you $30. Why are you complaining about $50? and btw, that F-15 , A-10 and Su-27 3d models looks prety out of date, why don't pay any modder for a decent 3d model? There are community mods with a new F-15, A-10 and Su-27 model. They're free. Anything else you wanna complain about? What sims are you flying? Edited November 20, 2009 by Ruggbutt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squid 21 Posted November 20, 2009 interesting development ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cali 6 Posted November 21, 2009 $50 bucks for hours of fun and enjoy is well worht the small price tag. How much did you spend on your computer/video card/CPU/PSU. And why did you buy all those things.........to play games! I'll be getting it as soon as it comes out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Dave 2,319 Posted November 21, 2009 100% agree with Rugg and Cali. You will spend more in beer in a month than what you would to get all of this at one time. So Silverbolt your argument holds no water. I have LOMAC and FC 1.0 and I will get 2.0. I need something else than the 3rd wire series to fly. Rug and Cali keep us posted on this great development. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverbolt 104 Posted November 21, 2009 True, i conccur that my argue is not that good , but i'm not really convinced in buying updates, specially in a world i got them for free. but well, 50 bucks here are not the same as in US specially if its 1/4 of i won per month . anyway, i'm flying right now IL-2 wich i paid 10 bucks at gog, with upgrades 4 free, both have about the same age....in better times i got most of TW sims(SF2V and SF2E, the newers), now i'm tighting the belt. i also got Falcon 4.0 and Falcon 4.0 AF in a best buy or circuit city store in US for 30 both and with updates they really look pretty updated. the update looks really good, but i don't really want expend at now 30 bucks (nor 50 in MW2) on it, if it was only the price of 1.12 i would really got it asap, but i'll have to wait for the moment. just don't take my argue serious, i'm on a completely different situation now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squiffy 1 Posted November 23, 2009 I'm in. Any improvements to "mod-flyable" cockpits? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cali 6 Posted November 24, 2009 Silverbolt, Falcon and IL2 compared to lock on looks like crap. Even with the upgrades it still looks like crap. You still haven't answered me about how much you spent on your computer? I'd gladly pay twice as much for this patch without even blinking. Dave, once I hear something, I'll post it in here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted November 24, 2009 Falcon is 1998 and Il-2 is 2001 while LOMAC was 2003. DCS:BS is newer but still looks a few years old. Birds of Prey took the Il-2 engine to the next level and looks great, while Storm of War should blow everything out there away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ruggbutt 45 Posted November 25, 2009 Bump, more FAQ added to first post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cali 6 Posted November 25, 2009 The 15 second ECM start up is freaking great!!! No more people blinking their jammer so you can't lock them, no more marcos that turn ECM on and off 15 times a second. Also the bird strike is another awesome add-on, this will stop people from flying 20 feet and no being hit by your radar or semi-active missiles. Can't wait til it comes out!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverbolt 104 Posted November 26, 2009 @Cali:Sorry, i was a little bit lazy these days don't know exactly, maybe 500 USD in last six months, that's because i've sold some stuff to put on it.... anyway.....you can't compare Falcon avionics, clickable cockpit and IL-2 phisics, damage modeling and online party to Lock On, both with all updates avaible beat lock on wich passed some years without any official update...last tim i've updated my lock on was 1.11a IIRC 2 or years ago wich was using DX8 IIRC. while IL-2 had 2 updates in that time, one paid and one free....btw, was patch 4.09m released yet? Falcon had 2 different mod versions wich both were awesome, even if OF was never finished. but you're right, that's our hobby, we've spend money on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites