PFunk

It's still more approachable than DCS in some respects. Does a better job of modeling a semi-dynamic battlespace, anyway.

Yeah, trying to break radar/missile lock in this game seems to be a largely hit or miss affair. After multiple attempts, I can never get replicable results.

I've got the X56. If you ever used the X36 or the X45, it'll be a snap to use. I had the X45 for about six years before it finally bit the dust, and I eventually migrated back to the X56. Windows 10 will work with the X52 Pro with next to no compatibility issues. After Logitech bought the designs from Mad Catz, there have been steady improvements in QA. A lot of people complained about the quality of the X56 when I first came out, I have one of the latest builds of it and Logitech has done some solid work in making them much more reliable. I would buy an X52 with no reservations. I just had my Thrustmaster T16000M FCS die on me and I was not going back to that. TM's quality doesn't feel nearly as solid as Logitech's to me.

How is this possible? These are literally designs from the 50s and 60s.

I know that if you do not merge SF2:NA with the rest of your installs, you do away with some of the idiosyncrasies of the campaign, like the enemy focus on sinking naval battle groups and focusing strikes on land targets. Are there any other advantages to running without North Atlantic? I know the user misses out on the F-14 Avionics.dll, but are there other trade offs that make the game better?

Sure. Why would you want to? The SAM systems available now for download are already insanely difficult to counter. The engine isn't really to model next-gen SAM systems. This is a sim built for systems no newer than about 1985.

Well, that's interesting. After years of radio silence, TK does something interesting. I would doubt a single bug has been fixed; this is likely a simple repackaging. However, is he planning on working on a few bugs to finish the product? Who knows? I know the mobile gaming market is largely driven by quick, simple to play games. I've never played any of TK's mobile games because that's not what I use my iPhone to do. I also doubt that TK is planning new PC development. He has already expressed how he feels about the PC gaming environment, and I begrudge him nothing. His mobile gaming enterprise seems to be keeping him in the black, so more power to him. I may reinstall the SF2 series, I'm getting tired of waiting on DCS to finish Modern Air Combat and I think Ed Scio has pretty much waved the white flag on Combat Air Patrol 2.

Okay, thank you for confirming that works. I haven't reinstalled anything yet, but I'm glad that someone could clarify for me that this works. The lack of night missions in campaigns is unacceptable. I think the thing I would probably miss the most from running SF2NA is the carrier battle groups.

I would like to request permission to update Operation Darius to the latest SF2NA-standards, using Menrva’s newer, HD Iran-Iraq terrain. If someone is already on the case, cool. I’ll step aside. If not, I’d like permission to move forward on the project. Thanks, PFunk

I'm working on the Operation Darius reboot (a little at a time) and I'm noticing I'm getting a LOT of CTDs, but usually only well into the mission and with a lot of activity going on. Is it graphics settings? It is the number of air units I have? What's the right number of air units to have in play at any one given time? Thanks.

That might work.

Thanks. I’ve come to the conclusion that modern warfare simply just doesn’t work well in the SF2 environment; you go past about 1993, you’re just playing whack-a-mole with the limits of the engine. I’m looking at the existing terrains to see what we have.

I literally just dumped the whole thing and I'm starting over from scratch.

Found the error. It's definitely something wrong with the terrain engine. Faulting application name: StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe, version: 13.7.5.35, time stamp: 0x51d221e5 Faulting module name: TerrainEngine.dll, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x51d21fa0 Exception code: 0xc0000005 Fault offset: 0x0000baa4 Faulting process id: 0x28f8 Faulting application start time: 0x01d3ebbff683301d Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\ThirdWire\Strike Fighters 2\StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe Faulting module path: C:\Program Files (x86)\ThirdWire\Strike Fighters 2\Core\TerrainEngine.dll Report Id: 7305208f-1043-40c9-96f1-e925a6194652 Faulting package full name: Faulting package-relative application ID: Does this mean I need to uninstall SF2 and reinstall it?

It's like trying to find an electrical short in a classic car that you're in the middle of restoring. I get about 20 minutes into a mission in campaign mode and BAM.

No, no. That helps outline some possible culprits.

Getting discouraged on this project and may have to shelve it for a while. SF2 does not lend itself well to modern combat systems, even if visual quality and flight models of the aircraft are nothing less than stellar.

As I’m sure you’re all aware, the SF2 game engine has some limitations in how it sets forces against one another that don’t lend itself well to modern combat. I’ve been working on basic campaign play and there is no scenario in which the Iranian Air Force get does not get pounded like cheap veal. The greatest threat you as a player face is from SAM emplacements. I’m trying to figure out a way to even the playing field, or if I even need to (i.e., the IRIAF is largely using antiques, why wouldn’t they get annihilated)? Suggestions are appreciated.

List of Freeware Assets Needed for Operation Darius 2 for Strike Fighters 2 Series Titles This is a current list of all assets needed to complete the full reboot of Operation Darius. Since its release, many – if not all – of the air assets included in the original release by Eric ‘eburger’ Howes have since been rendered obsolete by newer and better examples. I would like to include these newer examples in the re-release. Some of these creators are signatories under the Freeware Agreement, most are not. I’m covering my bases here because the last thing I want to do is make someone mad. “Seeking forgiveness is easier than asking permission” might work when you’re talking to your boss, but around here, it’s a good way to end up out on your ass. Here’s the list of CA Freeware files I am asking permission to use. Original OPDarius Infrastructure - @eburger68 New Iraq/Iran Terrain (2003-2018) - @Menrva A-10C Pack - @Spectre8750 F-22, F-15 Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagles Packs - @viper63a F-35C and Saequeh - @FastCargo Tornado GR1/GR4 & F/A-18A/C Hornet Beta - @Dave EF-2000 Beta Pack - @ace888 Marine Rafale F3/F4 - @JAT81500 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Package - @EricJ Desert Falcons (F-16E/F Block 60) - @Spudknocker JH-7A Flounder - @NeverEnough JSTARS & E-3A Sentry Packs - @daddyairplanes Su-25SM - @dtmdragon VFA-102 & VFA-195 Skins for Super Hornets - @SidDogg P-3C - @Florian P-3F Skin - @strahi This is not a complete list of assets I will need. This is just what I need to begin play-testing. There will almost certainly be additional files I may need, but I consider these among the most important. I appreciate any consideration these creators are willing to give because without these files, the project is pretty much a non-starter.

God makes them pretty when they're in their 20s. It's a trap.

Finally got a Hulu subscription.

HARD difficulty simply gives the AI an almost UFO-like ability in the game, I've noticed. The AI aircraft are capable of speeds and maneuvering that the player simply cannot replicate. It's not harder enemies, its just enemies with capability you don't have.

I've noticed that seesaw effect in the settings of game behavior for this series. Normal difficulty seems to offer the most consistent results.

I'm almost certain the advantage is not in the missile data files, but a hardcoded behavior within the architecture of the game. I removed 16 friendly air units yesterday and I may remove more. The workhorse of the air campaign is still the F-16. The F-22 is still in, but the JSF is gone. On the weapons, all air-to-air missiles have a maximum accuracy of 90%, nothing over that. I used the RSSM files as a benchmark for data entry values. I have not decided if I am going to force all AI flights to use SAHM missiles for BVR combat. I'm going to play-test what I have so far.

Truth. Just trying to make it challenging enough to be close to reality without completely removing the element of fun.