Some time ago we spoke with James Baker, the Project Manager
for DIs coming simulation, Super Hornet. As a follow up to
F16 its a natural, and will be competing directly with
iMagics coming iF18E Carrier Strike Fighter.
Recently we've had an update from Digital Integration,
noting that they have added new features in accord with
developments in the actual FA 18E program itself.
Unfortunately, this has delayed the project and release is
now set for Q1, 1999.
Super Hornet Cockpit
However, the delay has also meant addition enhancements to
the Super Hornet engine itself. Here are excerpts from the
press release:
Micro-textures give a new level of detail to the landscape
and terrain to make low level flying more realistic than
ever before! Now would-be top guns can actually feel like
they're flying at 200ft above the ground at speeds of over
Mach 1 - just like the test pilots at Patuxent River Naval
Test Centre in Maryland.
Another addition to Super Hornet is the all new 'beefed up'
arsenal, that pilots will be tooled up with.
Lock-on and take out enemy outposts over 60 miles away (!!)
as you steer by remote control the latest SLAM weapons
right through their front door. This is just one example of
the cutting edge weaponry DI's Super Hornet will now be
carrying.
The new cockpit of the Super Hornet is like no other
fighter in service. Super Hornet will be the first game to
feature an accurate and wholly mouse click-able F/A-18E
cockpit.
Unlike all the other flight sims around, Super Hornet will
not be limited to just one or two mouse operated switches
or DDI's - every switch in the cock-pit which would be
operated manually by the pilot is now completely mouse
click-able, for that total gaming experience.
'Intelligent persistent damage modeling' means that any
terrain, buildings, vehicles and aircraft damaged during
the course of a mission will stay damaged (or as wreckage)
in the war-zone through subsequent missions, until the
enemy have had enough time to repair it or tow it away.
F18 DDI
As a pilot you'll now be able to re-visit sites and see the
damage from previous raids. If you bomb a runway
successfully it will be out of action for at least as long
as it would take to repair the real thing.
The improved damage AI also means more realistic effects;
Pilots will now get the satisfaction of seeing damaged trucks
in a convoy careering off the roads, whilst the remaining
trucks drive around the carnage (if they can) - allowing real
pro's to take out a convoy one truck at a time.
If you destroy an enemy supply column you can rest assured
that it will have an effect on the outcome of the enemy's
ability to wage war - so, if you take out a supply route to
the enemy's front line their lack of ammo, food etc. will
mean that your ground troops will have the upper hand,
forcing the enemy to retreat - that's if they even get the
chance!
Super Hornet Carrier
To make flying at high altitude as realistic as low level
flying, Super Hornet also features a completely new cloud
system - a multi-layered, paralax, domed cloudscape. So now
you really can reach for the skies.
