What is Billion Soft's role in BMS releases?
-
Correct.
-
So if I read you correctly, Billion Soft does not touch the BMS code?
Whoever is in charge of the community development, can they confirm that?FTR, Falcon 4 doesn’t even run – and BMS doesn’t use any code from that program installation/folder… BMS merely checks that this software is installed for license purposes, and Falcon 4 is VERY old school software that’s not been revised in ages. Once it installs, it never needs to be run, and if you are concerned everything it installs can easily be reviewed directly afterwards. It’s not sneaking anything malicious under the radar just because the IP is owned by a company in China (actually, Hong Kong iirc).
-
…and it’s actually refreshing that an IP holder allows for open development of Falcon. Previous IP holders in the past are much more overbearing and negative towards development, hence our underground past…
-
Thanks everyone for responding to my question.
I’ve just installed BMS and - WOW! What an amazing experience! Great work.
I’ve assigned some basic joystick controls, but have a long way to go.
Is there a quick start guide/doc? -
Not really any “quick” way into BMS. Study manuals and steep learning curve. Off the top of my head is some great videos of Stevie running through the training missions https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjlHzet_-E-_e1xWixhgS5NfUpcpR-QJE there is a plethora of knowledge to be found here in the forums. Also, check out the Falcon Lounge on Discord for another beginning friendly community to help you get going.
-
…wow…there’s TWO Stevies, and this one isn’t ME, so I’ll take no credit! But Quasi_Stellar is absolutely right, and progressing through the TEs is actually the best way to start.
I’ll also add to not lock yourself into just flying them “by the book” and or as scripted. There are a number of things you can do in each of them, on your own recog, for your own learning purposes - like with the Takeoff mission, you can place yourself dash 2, takeoff and fly the course backwards from Lead…in which case you will eventually meet your Lead head-on and use him as a semi-cooperative target (don’t actually shoot him!). Where you meet him will depend on how fast you fly, and it’s better to burn off some fuel in advance of the coming landing. Once you pass each other, you can rejoin and do the section approach to land…which also isn’t strictly in the script. You will be heavy on landing (quite heavy), and get assigned the shorter runway - which a is tough ask, but the landing can be done successfully…once you learn how to do it…and you can also use the ILS, which isn’t strictly in the script either. So be creative with the TEs where you can!
You can also place yourself as dash 2 and then fly formation around the whole route - which is an option that is only partially described, as I recall.
-
This post is deleted! -
…wow…there’s TWO Stevies, and this one isn’t ME, so I’ll take no credit! But Quasi_Stellar is absolutely right, and progressing through the TEs is actually the best way to start.
I’ll also add to not lock yourself into just flying them “by the book” and or as scripted. There are a number of things you can do in each of them, on your own recog, for your own learning purposes - like with the Takeoff mission, you can place yourself dash 2, takeoff and fly the course backwards from Lead…in which case you will eventually meet your Lead head-on and use him as a semi-cooperative target (don’t actually shoot him!). Where you meet him will depend on how fast you fly, and it’s better to burn off some fuel in advance of the coming landing. Once you pass each other, you can rejoin and do the section approach to land…which also isn’t strictly in the script. You will be heavy on landing (quite heavy), and get assigned the shorter runway - which a is tough ask, but the landing can be done successfully…once you learn how to do it…and you can also use the ILS, which isn’t strictly in the script either. So be creative with the TEs where you can!
You can also place yourself as dash 2 and then fly formation around the whole route - which is an option that is only partially described, as I recall.
Yes, I have some experience with flight sims, most recently the IL-2 Battles franchise.
The BMS experience is realistic on a different level. For example, I can’t even fire a gun, even though I had my joystick trigger wired for it.
I probably have to flip a safety lock somewhere (haven’t discovered that yet).It’s not in any way a criticism of BMS, rather a reflection of my inexperience with such level of realism.
-
Heh…you will spend a great deal of time also learning the BMS key callbacks and settings as well - to start, to fire the gun you need to: 1) set Master Arm hot; and 2) assign Trigger Detent 2 to your Trigger. The Trigger has two Detents (and a Cougar or Warthog stick has a dual position trigger like the real jet) Detent 1 is a flag, and Detent 2 is the actual weapons activation…in the end game - there are a couple more hoops to jump through as well with your DOGFIGHT switch and Strafe selections depending on if you are in A/A or A/G with the gun. You’ll get familiar as you go.
The good thing is that once you get your setup configured, you’ll know how to do it the next time…and there will be a “next time”!
-
I think the GOG and Steam release was back when the IP was in the hand of the previous owner. There wasn’t any updates after the change of hand, so I don’t think you have to worry about the old Falcon 4 at all.
-
without bms, falcon 4 wouldnt sell anymore