by Steve "Digga" Belcher January 3rd, 2000

  How do you make the best WW2 prop simulation better? By listening to your paying fans, and by dedicated fans spending quality time enhancing this already awesome simulation.

There have now been several patches, each increasing the playability, fun and challenge. If you're still playing without the latest patched version then you're not doing the game, or yourself, any justice.

The latest patch V1.2 fixes up a lot of irritating things like computer opponents immediately going into a split S when fired on, adding little logos by your wingman's I.D, etc. But the majority of the fixes and enhancements are aimed at multiplayer. Lags and warping have been addressed, albeit when online in the "Zone" or HtH you will sometimes explode for no apparent reason when you respawn. To date I know of no real reason for this.

Your Friendly INI File

Also available are some neat little tweaks, which require you to open your eaw.ini in notepad and change a few settings. EAW has one of the best INI settings filed around. If you mess it up just delete it and EAW will give you a brand new one when you restart!

One of these new options is to start your online missions on the ground all lined up waiting your turn to takeoff. One of my personal favorites is the extra squads!

ExtraSquads=3. Add this under the [EAW] section to create extra-large battles in most missions. The value can range from 0 (normal amount), to 5. The best values to try are probably 2 or 3 for a maximum number of planes in the air but still relatively balanced on both sides.

StartOnGround=1 Put this under the [Network Options] section to have everybody in a multiplayer coop session start on the ground. While sitting on the ground, all of the enemy plane icons will show up on the map, but once you lift off they will disappear and you will have to rely on ground control or your own reckoning to find them.

Click to continue

You've read all those books about being totally outnumbered and barely managing to scrape a couple of kills? Turn on the extra squads to 3 or 4 and just look at all those extra bombers you will have to protect or shoot down!

This screenshot shows you only a fraction of how many bombers are in the air. This setting also influences the number of escorting fighters. Furball heaven, so go easy on the trigger.

Higher Resolution

One tweak that is definitely worth investigating is the higher resolution option. Once again go the EAW.INI and type in the resolution you want. I recommend 800x600, but many players are running 1024x768 as well. You lose the fixed f1 view for a much better, virtual cockpit where (in the spit) you can see all the main dials as well as a wider field of view.

Just like a non widescreen TV, these two bad guys would have been hidden in virtual cockpit.

The version 1.2 patch even adjusted the size and detail of small aircraft. When you run at higher resolution you will be able to tell the type of aircraft from further away than when running at standard 640x480.

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