Version 1.04 was released on February 4th, and 1.06 was released on
March 19th, each with a long list of fixes and enhancements. The high
resolution cockpit (1024x768) has not year appeared and we are waiting
to hear from Microprose on their direction on this.
Version 1.04 brought many improvements but for many players stability
remained an issue. Version 1.06 focussed primarily on stability, and
1.07 will aim primarily at game play issues. At approximately the same
time an art patch will be released that will allow users to create
their own skins, increase both detail and activity at air bases, and
add new aircraft to the simulation (like the B1-B).
Incidently, the visuals with Terrain detail at MIN and terrain texture
at MAX are still pretty good and you'll save about 10 Meg of RAM vs
Detail at MAX and Texture at MAX. This equates to faster loads, less
disk access and smoother play.
PATCH NOTES:
This updater works with either version 1.00 or 1.03 of Falcon 4.0. You
do not need to update to version 1.03 first before using the version
1.04 updater.
This updater can only be used with the U.S. or UK version of Falcon
4.0. Do not use this updater for the German version!
Download the file F4106US.EXE to your hard drive.
Double-click F4106US.EXE to start the update.
Click the "Next" button at the Welcome screen to start the update.
The updater will automatically update your copy of Falcon 4.0 to version 1.06.
If you have any
problems updating to version 1.06, first make sure that you have the
U.S. or UK version of Falcon 4.0. Right-click on the FALCON4.EXE file
and select Properties from the pop-up menu. The File Version should
read either "(US Version)" or "(UK Version)."
If you still
cannot update your copy to version 1.06, we recommend that you
uninstall Falcon 4.0 and then reinstall the game before running the
updater.
PATCH 1.04 Problem fixes in version 1.04:
The Campaign debriefing would report you as MIA (Missing in Action) even after you successfully completed a mission and landed.
In Tactical Engagement, ground units could be moved when in play mode (vs. edit mode).
In Tactical Engagement, steerpoints for ground units could not be moved when in play mode.
In Tactical Engagement, ground units did not move to their objectives.
In Tactical Engagement, you could not assign a destination to ground units.
In Tactical Engagement, you could not right-click on a package icon or open the ATO window to edit flights in the package.
More memory leaks have been fixed.
The Logbook did not report the correct number of flight hours, including in multiplayer games.
Text
in editable boxes (such as the Phone Book) is now saved when you hit
the OK button. In earlier versions, you had to first press the Enter
key.
Simulation changes in version 1.04:
The F-16's landing gear was strengthened to be more realistic.
Padlock sorting is now working correctly. You can now padlock onto missiles.
The Glance Forward function has been sped up to be more realistic and useful.
The bullseye readout is now correct.
You now get more advance warning for missiles inbound.
The tanker's director lights and calls for positioning are fixed.
In Easy Avionics mode, the HUD now displays the "SHOOT" cue for AGM-65 Mavericks.
Rudder
authority was reduced to be more realistic. You will no longer be able
to perform loops easily in the F-16 using only rudders.
You can no longer cruise above Mach 1 in Mil power at high altitude.
The
FLCS (Flight Control System) can no longer pull Gs significantly above
9Gs. Therefore, the F-16 now behaves more realistically when pulling Gs
near corner speed.
The amount of fuel onboard no longer increases at high speeds at low altitude nor at idle at high altitude.
AGM-88A HARMs now guide more accurately and thus are more effective.
When you fire the last HARM, you can now change to other weapons, the cursors work and the game no longer occasionally crashes.
You can now set your air-to-ground radar (GM, GMT or SEA) to standby (Ctrl-R) without the game crashing.
You no longer have to double-click the Cursor Zero function in air-to-ground radar.
The SMS no longer freezes if you try to ripple more bombs than you have on your F-16.
Brakes no longer work if the landing gear collapses.
Wingmen no longer add steerpoints to your HSD when they are low on fuel.
AWACS now responds appropriately to the "Declare" radio command by calling out the target under your radar cursors.
AWACS now correctly vectors players to threats and tankers.
In Tactical Engagement, the kneeboard map now displays correct information, including steerpoints.
AI changes in version 1.04:
AI pilots no longer collide when changing formations.
AI pilots now use air-to-ground weapons (including the recon camera) more effectively.
AI pilots no longer return to base right after taking off.
AI pilots behave more intelligently during dogfights, especially close-in dogfights.
AI pilots do not "wiggle" their planes as much during dogfights.
AI pilots use afterburner more appropriately (for example, they do not use afterburner as much during non-combat flight).
AI pilots now land more reliably.
Wingmen now respond appropriately when you tell them to attack.
AI pilots now give their correct fuel states when you radio them.
Ground traffic at airbases should no longer get cluttered (that is, fewer traffic jams on the taxiways).
Mission Builder.
Radio changes in version 1.04:
Callsigns more accurately reflect the actual pilot now.
ATC (Air Traffic Control) issues proper landing and takeoff clearances.
AI pilots no longer repeat the same call as much.
ATC now handles emergency landing requests more effectively.
Multiplayer changes in version 1.04:
You will no longer enter the plane with the autopilot already engaged.
In
Dogfight and Campaign, you will now always see the ROE (Rules of
Engagement) screen if your settings do not match the host's
requirements.
In Dogfight, you now correctly lose a single point if you eject or crash into the ground without being damaged.
In a Dogfight game over the LAN, scoring should be correct.
In Dogfight, all players should now see each other.
Over a LAN, reentry issues within the Dogfight setup are fixed.
In a Match Play game, the Sierra Hotel screen always comes up now when the match ends.
In a Match Play game over a LAN, both players and AI aircraft now respawn correctly.
In
the Dogfight debriefing, ejecting without being damaged is now listed
correctly in the Events list (rather than "Killed by debris").
The Chat window now automatically scrolls.
Chatting
within the simulation (Shift-T) now works correctly. Remember, that if
you want to talk to everyone (friendlies and enemies), you need to set
your radio to the Broadcast channel (channel 6).
Enhancements added to version 1.04:
If you want to set your throttle's
afterburner position to something other than the default, you can now
do so for one game session. First, set your throttle to wherever you
would like the afterburner detent to be. Then click the "Set AB" button
at the Controllers setup screen. The AB position is marked with a green
line on the Throttle readout.
Some joysticks report to Windows that they have rudders
even though none are connected. If you wish to disable any rudder input
(regardless of whether you actually have rudder pedals or not), you can
use the command line parameter of "-norudder." First, "Run" from the
Start menu. Then, type "C:\MicroProse\Falcon4\falcon4.exe -norudder" in
the Run dialog box.
You can delete files from within the game by
right-clicking on the filename in the Load dialog box and choosing
"Delete." This means that you can now delete ACMI files from within
Falcon 4.0.
PATCH 1.06 Problems fixed in version 1.06:
In Dogfight, changing your starting location on the map works correctly.
In Dogfight, the USA plane labels no longer change color.
In
Campaign and Tactical Engagement, the Debriefings now correctly list
the player in the appropriate flight (for example, escort vs. strike).
In Campaign, the Squadron History window now has the correct information for missions and ratings.
In Campaign, the scroll bar for the Campaign Saved list now works.
In Tactical Engagement, the clock now works correctly (it will now go past Day 1).
In Tactical Engagement, the flameout and refueling training missions now start with the correct amount of fuel onboard.
In Logbook, Ace Factor now works correctly (it can be a value other than "1.0").
In Setup, the sliders in the Graphics setup screen now correctly reflect the settings.
In
Setup, you can now choose from different joysticks in the Controllers
screen. (This allows you to use a joystick other than the one set for
ID 1.)
In Setup, the Set AB setting is now saved from one game
session to the next. The Set AB line, however, will revert to its
default to show you the original afterburner setting.
Simulation changes in version 1.06:
Your
throttle (if you have one) is checked when you enter the simulation.
Therefore, instead of starting on the runway with your throttle already
set to its current stick position, the simulation now requires you to
move the throttle first.
Your F-16 will no longer pitch its nose up while landing if you engaged the autopilot prior to landing.
The instruments on the Situational Awareness bar no longer disappear in Dogfight once you respawn.
If you padlock something behind you and then glance forward, the Target Designator box no longer appears in the forward view.
Runways are now appropriately damaged.
The game will no longer exit a Tactical Engagement landing mission if you request takeoff clearance when you touch the ground.
The following AI changes have been made in version 1.06:
The Combat autopilot should now take photos on BDA and recon missions.
You can now tell AI-controlled aircraft to attack HARM targets by using the HTS to designate those targets.
AI-controlled aircraft will no longer take off from destroyed runways.
The Combat autopilot and AI wingmen should no longer taxi down runways in the wrong direction.
AI wingman #4 should now attack ground targets.
The AI wingmen should now use their HARMs.
AI-controlled aircraft are less likely to clutter up the runways.
AI-controlled aircraft no longer chase helicopters.
The following radio changes have been made in version 1.06:
ATC (Air Traffic Control) will no longer scold you if you bounce your F-16 while landing.
In multiplayer games, ATC should no longer scold you for landing when you enter the simulation on the runway.
