*NEW Official Squadron Combat Simulator*

Attention All X-Squadron Members

This a bit of reading but this is very important.


Background

Mostly due to the constant inactivity for the past few months I have come believe that squadrons as a whole are, the way I look at it anyways, beginning to loose their apparent purpose to some of the members. It isn't just us, all of ACS seem to be experiencing a general lull in activity. What if there was a way to bring some of that activity back and get members interested in Ace Combat once again?

This was an idea I originally got off of Hellbirds squadron FEAF, kind of ironic that something good actually came of that whole ordeal... As most of you know Hellbirds FEAF was an Ace Combat squadron that actually had an online game to compete in with, Hero's of the Pacific. Now, the idea was good but I saw two problems... First, Hero's of the Pacific is based with WWII era aircraft which are far earlier than any of the aircraft in Ace Combat, so many people would not be interested in it. And second, members would also need a copy of Hero's of the Pacific as well as Ace Combat.

So, that got me to thinking, what if there was a flight simulator that we could use to play similarly to Ace Combat but would not require members to buy any software... then it hit me...



The Game

As a few of you already know,
YS Flight Simulator is a completely free program that anyone can download off the internet. It is simple enough to run on almost any computer, yet has the power to run some fairly decent graphics, it isn't Microsoft FSX by any means but what do you expect from a free game?
Anyways, the two things that stood out the most to me about this sim was the ability for online multiplayer through user created servers (though a bit tricky to set up) and the games expandability allowing the addition of nearly limitless user created planes, maps, and accessories!

We could actually fly in Ace Combat maps using Ace Combat planes in a Computer based online compatible simulator that is ABSOLUTELY FREE!


Graphics

Now many of you may initially think "Wow the graphics are too horrible"... well the trick to graphics is to use Open GL mode (if your computer supports it) and cranking up the graphics in the options, it's still not the best thing on earth, but there is a major visible improvement, and it still only takes minimal system resources. There is also a Direct X mode in development, currently in Beta phase, it is rumored to allow for amazing graphics when it is done.

The other major key to graphics is finding a well modeled map and aircraft, most of the default ones are mediocre however many of the user made ones you can get are drastic improvements from the default ones! Most graphics development is for the aircraft but there are several high quality maps as well.

I encourage you, DO NOT judge the game graphics on ANY of the default options!

Observe, here are some screenshots of some high end user made aircraft and maps:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/2392/tbir...ntation1ax7.jpg
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/1338/tbir...ntation2hb8.jpg
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3236/tbir...ntation3cb7.jpg


Controls

One of the best parts is you don't even need a joystick! You can use a mouse or keyboard keys (the control setup is 100% customizable). It's like flying aircraft of a 1st person shooter (at least on ones I've played) only better! Heck, you could configure the controls to operate almost exactly like the Ace Combat games!


Downloadable Aircraft

In addition to the planes that come with YS Flight, there are thousands more user made planes (many even better than the default ones) available for download and installation (collections of user made planes are usually called "Packs"). There are a few somewhat tricky steps in order to add them but don't worry, there is a very helpful step-by-step instructions on how to do it (I'll show it to you later), after you install a few you'll know it by heart!


Combat

This is the best part right here, the game comes equipped with combat flight capabilities with pre-made missions or you can just create your own! Fly with wingmen, set the skill level and blow stuff up! Both Dogfighting and Ground attack are supported. Use missiles, guns, bombs, and rockets to destroy everything in sight!


Online Play

This is what we've been waiting for, the most exciting thing about YS Flight is it comes with a built in Online play mode! Not nearly as advanced as some games seeing as only user created servers exist, however there are several dedicated and reliable servers available for use almost 24/7! All one needs to do is enter the IP address of the server they want and if it's on it will take you to a menu that will give you everything you need to get ready and fly! Dogfight with your friends or bomb your opponents bases, it doesn't matter what you do cause all the options of Single player are available online! (Note, the aircraft you have available to you in online mode are dependent on what aircraft the server has loaded on to it; if another user flys a plane you don't have, it will appear as whatever the first plane on your aircraft list is but will still perform like the plane it actually is)





Official Declaration

As of now YS Flight Simulator 2000 is the official flight simulator of our squadron (next to Ace Combat of course) and request all members that are able to download it so we can actually play and have competitions with each other online!

There will be additional steps taken to establish YS specific areas and possibly devisions (though I think we can use the standard existing ones we have now) to aid in the implementation of this declaration and to assist anyone having trouble.




For more info on YS flight simulator see it's Wikipedia article HERE.


Downloading

The downloads may be hard to find so I'll post them below, there is the main program and a patch (or update, whatever you want to call it). Once you install the main program you need to activate the updater and point it to your YS flight folder, it will then update it to the current version and will be compatible with all current packs (also called add ons or user made accessories) as well as just about any YS flight server.


Here are the direct download links:

YS Flight Main program
YS Flight Update



If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.


May we all fly together soon!


YS Flight links page now up! Click HERE for all the links you could possibly ever need for YS Flight Simulator!

Also...

Before you play online, visit the following link: http://z9.invisionfree.com/X_Squadron_Foru...p?showtopic=600

Oh... and one more thing.... reply when you've seen this so I know it's not being completely ignored please.

seen it and ready to take to the sky any time.

Sounds good to me mate! I've been playing YS for a while now, I was going to suggest it soon. So we going to get some planes made specially for our squad's divisions? Like a Blood Eagle Su-35 or something? Cause that would be awesome.

Eventually that is my goal, yes. Though at the moment I'm looking for some software with some decent instructions so I can figure out how to...


Worse comes to worse, I'll just ask someone who already does YS planes to do some for me.


But for now, we do have this:







Notice the "X" on the Tailfins

I'll try and find someone who can do it if ya like!

Oh, I know people who can do it (www.YSPilots.com has many aircraft modelers), the trick is finding one willing to actually do it for me.

ZOMG!!! NICE FALKEN!!!! WHERE AND HOW DO I DOWNLOAD IT?!

Wow.

This thing's pretty impressive.

YF-15DJ+...ftw.

I will be giving you all a LOT of download links in a few days, right now I'm just waiting for everyone to get the news and maybe even get a little acquainted with the program.

I'll also be making a new folder on this forum just for YS stuff.

the game is ok but it is hard to control.

ZOMG WOOT!!

cbale, you rock.

Going to my dad's in a min. but I'm gonna download and kick @$$ with this ASAP!

Acknowledged and downloading.


Justin
§

Haha, AA, that's exactly what I thought. ZOMG!! w00t!

Cool, I'll download it ASAP.