Aerofly 2 Released; Beta; Steam Games

[Heretic]

And that's where Aerofly will have to prove itself, but ideally I think, with a program still under active development, it should hopefully be a cooperative project between the developers and 3rd parties.

If they want to survive in the long run, they have no other choice but to embrace outside generated content. It's an unwritten rule for modern games. Case in point: Kerbal Space Program would have long gone under if it wasn't for its incredible moddability.

 

[HiFlyer]

I notice a lot of people making YouTube videos seem very uncertain of the control settings, so as a public service.......

Aerofly FS 2 manual: http://www.ikarus.net/en/manual-aeroflyfs2/

 

[HiFlyer]

Also: Interview with the Aerofly FS 2 Developers. https://www.helisimmer.com/interview/interview-aerofly-fs2-developer-tosten-hans/

 

[lionheart]

Whats a shame though is that these "experienced" reviewers struggle a bit not to put this early access program and its default planes squarely in competition with 30+ years of Microsoft and third party development, and years of 3rd party airplanes that often cost nearly as much as this entire program.

Yep. I agree. FSX is 30 years into it. Aerofly is not even offically launched as finished. Its still open beta.

When looking at programs like this, Microsoft Flight, Outerra etc, I've always tended to focus not on precisely where a program is at that precise moment, but on where the technology on display could allow it to go with further development.

Me too. I look at Outerra and I see what it 'could' become. I fly in Aerofly and I see how it has already passed boundries that FSX has had issues with for ages (photo scenery terrain, extreme detail poly models, fast start, etc).

I see lots of promise here if the community offers its support, and not so much if the community turns up its nose because its not FSX.

We shall see!

I think some people cannot see well as to the 'possibilities' of something. They can only see 'now'. 'No sdk???' 'No multiplayer???' 'No ATC???' Its still Beta, its brand new, its like a car that hasnt left the factory. Its still in its assembly line. Imagine it 2 years from now, or 4 or 5 years from now... Thats the journey, and that is probably how long it might take for a first class sim with ATC, SDK's, multi-player, addon planes, world scenery in better detail, etc, etc. Its the future we should be thinking about. Right now, here is a sim that runs photo scenery like glass, runs extreme detail planes with high rez poly structures, like glass... Now to start fitting it with some other features, and pray they do not bog down the smooth running code to where it becomes a FPS monster like FSX.


These Germans have showed the Sim world what 'can' be done. I am impressed.

 

[Paul Domingue]

I think some people cannot see well as to the 'possibilities' of something. They can only see 'now'. 'No sdk???' 'No multiplayer???' 'No ATC???' Its still Beta, its brand new, its like a car that hasnt left the factory. Its still in its assembly line. Imagine it 2 years from now, or 4 or 5 years from now... Thats the journey, and that is probably how long it might take for a first class sim with ATC, SDK's, multi-player, addon planes, world scenery in better detail, etc, etc. Its the future we should be thinking about. Right now, here is a sim that runs photo scenery like glass, runs extreme detail planes with high rez poly structures, like glass... Now to start fitting it with some other features, and pray they do not bog down the smooth running code to where it becomes a FPS monster like FSX.

Bill, you are so right on the money. When subLOGIC came out with FS, soon to be under the MS logo, no one had ever seen anything like it and everyone raved. Now the general enthusiasts are all jaded. They have their noses so deep into what they have that they can't envision the future. They want it all now, now, now. And then they have the nerve to ask grandpa 'Why are you still using a flip phone?'

For those it pertains to, Happy Father's Day!

 

[Gman]

And then they have the nerve to ask grandpa 'Why are you still using a flip phone?'

I tell them my flip phone cost $32, it makes phone calls, I can send texts, it fits in my pocket along with my car keys, and it has lasted me about ten years so far. Pardon the pun but, on the flip side, I tell them don't bother sending large photos and videos to my phone, because they won't work. Not a problem though, they can simply email them to me where I can enjoy them on my computer (without a magnifying glass).

Happy Father's Day (for those it pertains to)
Gman

 

[Heretic]

Me too. I look at Outerra and I see what it 'could' become. I fly in Aerofly and I see how it has already passed boundries that FSX has had issues with for ages (photo scenery terrain, extreme detail poly models, fast start, etc).

Photoscenery works in FSX, polycount isn't much of an issue in FSX except for the 65k material limit and the sim does start awfully fast if you run it as barebones as Aerofly 2!

Come on Bill, you're really disappointing me here!

I think some people cannot see well as to the 'possibilities' of something. They can only see 'now'. 'No sdk???' 'No multiplayer???' 'No ATC???' Its still Beta, its brand new, its like a car that hasnt left the factory. Its still in its assembly line. Imagine it 2 years from now, or 4 or 5 years from now... Thats the journey, and that is probably how long it might take for a first class sim with ATC, SDK's, multi-player, addon planes, world scenery in better detail, etc, etc. Its the future we should be thinking about. Right now, here is a sim that runs photo scenery like glass, runs extreme detail planes with high rez poly structures, like glass... Now to start fitting it with some other features, and pray they do not bog down the smooth running code to where it becomes a FPS monster like FSX.

To stick to your analogy, Aerofly has a bare bones car right now. Once they fit it with air conditioning, electronics, better soudn insulation, sophisticated automatic transmission and heated leather seats, it WILL inevitably get slower.

These Germans have showed the Sim world what 'can' be done. I am impressed.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT A GODFORSAKEN BARE BONES CAR WITH GREAT MILEAGE PER GALLON HERE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COME WITH ANY AMENITIES, BUILT ON A PLATFORM THAT CAN BE ADAPTED FOR OTHER PURPOSES AND NOT THE FRIGGIN HOLY GRAIL FOR F'S SAKE! HOW F'N HARD IS THIS TO UNDERSTAND!?

 

[HiFlyer]

To stick to your analogy, Aerofly has a bare bones car right now. Once they fit it with air conditioning, electronics, better soudn insulation, sophisticated automatic transmission and heated leather seats, it WILL inevitably get slower.

I suspect "Slow" for a 2016 Nissan is not necessarily the same thing as slow for a (metaphorical) Model T.

Aerofly hasn't been tested yet, so we have no idea how slow it might become. Its all conjecture (as far as I know). We do know that the base Aerofly engine put out acceptable performance on tablets and phones, and its hard to imagine the circumstances where that would be true, even of a severely stripped down FSX/FS9 if they were to be squeezed into a tablet: the tech is just too different.

We also know that X-plane was able to shoehorn itself and some significant systems functionality onto those same devices with good results, and that Infinite Flight was/is even more detailed, to the point of close parity with FS9 except for the eye candy, which can probably be much more than made up for in the transition to PC.

The bottom line is that I think we are all in new territory, and will have to wait and see what happens, watching carefully with open minds.

ATC with multiplayer on a lowly tablet. How many resources?

YOU'RE LOOKING AT A GODFORSAKEN BARE BONES CAR WITH GREAT MILEAGE PER GALLON HERE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COME WITH ANY AMENITIES, BUILT ON A PLATFORM THAT CAN BE ADAPTED FOR OTHER PURPOSES AND NOT THE FRIGGIN HOLY GRAIL FOR F'S SAKE! HOW F'N HARD IS THIS TO UNDERSTAND!?

Why all the caps?

 

[Gerli]

These Germans have showed the Sim world what 'can' be done. I am impressed.

Agree, the german team from Star Citizen are making wonders with their engine too.
This MASSIVE THING FLY

 

[lionheart]

Last night, I flew over land North of Phoenix. I had seen it while driving home from the mountains yesterday, coming back into Phoenix and thought, 'I have to see what that valley range looks like in AF2.' I couldnt believe it. We have this mid range set of cliffs (around Black Canyon City) that is an old 'shelf' of land. It looks like it was cut by glaciers in some area's, but entire land zones were sliced and one side raised up like 1200 to 2500 feet high. The land is straight, prairie style land, and then drops off with a cliff down to the lower desert area.

The Mogillon Rim is like this, but much higher, like half a Grand Canyon. It goes up to about 5000 or 6000 feet. I remember, going along the 300 road along the Mogillon Rim and stopped up there. I found white beach sand and sea shells and cactus. This is in a forest area with pine trees, mountain land, and it was recently desert and still has cactus and sea shells.

Some radical land in Phoenix. So cool just exploring in AF2.

 

[Paul Domingue]

YOU'RE LOOKING AT A GODFORSAKEN BARE BONES CAR WITH GREAT MILEAGE PER GALLON HERE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COME WITH ANY AMENITIES, BUILT ON A PLATFORM THAT CAN BE ADAPTED FOR OTHER PURPOSES AND NOT THE FRIGGIN HOLY GRAIL FOR F'S SAKE! HOW F'N HARD IS THIS TO UNDERSTAND!?

Oh my ears, Bjoern, your usually the first one to chastise others for the same behavior. I know you're better than that.

 

[lionheart]

Agree, the german team from Star Citizen are making wonders with their engine too.
This MASSIVE THING FLY

I may have to check that game out. A lot of good reviews are coming up about that game.

 

[Heretic]

I suspect "Slow" for a 2016 Nissan is not necessarily the same thing as slow for a (metaphorical) Model T.

Aerofly hasn't been tested yet, so we have no idea how slow it might become. Its all conjecture (as far as I know). We do know that the base Aerofly engine put out acceptable performance on tablets and phones, and its hard to imagine the circumstances where that would be true, even of a severely stripped down FSX/FS9 if they were to be squeezed into a tablet: the tech is just too different.

If you can't compare it on a tablet, compare it on a PC.

The bottom line is that I think we are all in new territory, and will have to wait and see what happens, watching carefully with open minds.

Wait and see - yes. New territory - no. Carefully with open minds - bollocks.

ATC with multiplayer on a lowly tablet. How many resources?

How little autogen and scenery?

Why all the caps?

Because I was mad. Really mad. That world famous scene from "Downfall" mad.

Oh my ears, Bjoern, your usually the first one to chastise others for the same behavior. I know you're better than that.

No, apparently I'm not. At least not when continuous, stupid labradoodling over nothing is involved.

 

[lionheart]

Just did some touch and goes in the Sopwith Camel, then traded out to the crazed Short sport plane.

The Camel is interesting. Top speed is over 80 knots. 65 is going into the yellow. No brakes, no steering tail wheel. Flies like a kite and you can feel the gyro effect when you are pitching around.

The Short is very difficult. If you want to wear yourself out, try doing 6 touch and goes in a close pattern, and each time you land, come to a stop, and start over, taking off from the middle of the runway. The objective is not to ground loop it when slowing to a stop, or accellerating from a stop. The hardest part of flying it. The second hardest part is near landing. You have to move up your seat as high as possible, then use the sides of the runway to keep your center as the nose hides the runway as you land. One difficult plane on the ground. FUN in the air though....

I found an odd crater in Flagstaff near the airport, flew over to it. I know the Germans didnt do this, heh.. But... What did? Cant be a volcanic crater. Could it be another meteor hit and they arent telling people about it? Its too shallow to be a volcanic crater. To shallow, too wide. Note its slightly open on one end, like the meteor hit at an angle that was shallow.

 

[HiFlyer]

If you can't compare it on a tablet, compare it on a PC.

We don't have the necessary information yet. How efficient is the Aerofly engine? The only way to compare would be in a 1:1 comparison, which isn't possible yet. We do know that the lighting engine appears excellent. That it handles high resolution textures and lots of polygons well. Mathjis, over on the Aerosoft Forum mentioned that he had never seen their A320 looking better. We know that with everything turned up on my modest system I average about 120FPS with heavy clouds over downtown on ultra, and I expect to do much better when my 1080gtx arrives. We know that's its the only sim we have that was designed from the ground up to be 64Bit and not retrofitted. (and those high FPS are going to be a natural fit for VR)

There's room for optimism! (and eagerness to put the sim through its paces with additional DLC and systems, etc)

Wait and see - yes. New territory - no. Carefully with open minds - bollocks.

How many other flight sims have made the transition from tablet resources to 64bit PC?

How little autogen and scenery?

The point was that this was all being done within the resources of a lowly phone/or tablet, which means by necessity that the code had to be ultra compact and efficient to run within the available resources with all the other things going on like the ATC on display (I think better than X-Planes) live multiplayer, tracking of all other players, display of photo-scenery, weather (yes there is weather) etc.

On a tablet!

How much faster would code of that type be when released into the larger memory, clock speeds and graphics headroom provided by the latest computer and GPU hardware. Again, cause for some excitement and for watching with an open mind.

Because I was mad. Really mad. That world famous scene from "Downfall" mad.

Alright.

 

[Gman]

I found an odd crater in Flagstaff near the airport, flew over to it. I know the Germans didnt do this, heh.. But... What did? Cant be a volcanic crater. Could it be another meteor hit and they arent telling people about it? Its too shallow to be a volcanic crater. To shallow, too wide. Note its slightly open on one end, like the meteor hit at an angle that was shallow.

I've spent some time in and around Flagstaff, and since he has me blocked, someone might pass along to Lionheart that what he saw near Flagstaff is indeed a collapsed volcanic cinder cone which is part of the San Francisco Volcano Field surrounding Flagstaff. That area is chock full of young volcanoes, the best known of which is probably the Sunset Crater.

It is beautiful country, and a good place to find fresh pine nuts at small groceries and gas stations.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.164126&lon=-111.719284&z=13&m=b&search=flagstaff

Cheers
Gman

 

[Paul Domingue]

I found an odd crater in Flagstaff near the airport

You sure you weren't near Winslow, AZ where the Barringer crator is.

Because I was mad. Really mad. That world famous scene from "Downfall" mad.

Der Untergang! Excellent movie. I like Bruno Ganz. I enjoyed him in "The Badder Mienhof Complex" another excellent movie.

 

[HiFlyer]

My handphone (Galaxy Note 4 - two years old) has 64GByte.

There's a difference in most tablets and phones (android) between ram which is fairly small and on which the OS and multiple Apps/Programs actually run, and storage, which can be quite large.

 

[chris]

There's a difference in most tablets and phones (android) between ram which is fairly small and on which the OS and multiple Apps/Programs actually run, and storage, which can be quite large.

Yes, sorry about that. Storage is 64GB, memory is 3GB. Still, not too long ago I was running FSX under XP with 4GB (3GB maximum memory for XP and 1GB for the graphics adapter). So I still think shoehorning and squeezing is a bit of excessive wordage.

 

[AerobaticsFS]

The second hardest part is near landing. You have to move up your seat as high as possible, then use the sides of the runway to keep your center as the nose hides the runway as you land.

Try to fly your final in the aerobatic plane in a knife-edge flight. You see the runway much better
At least it is the way they do it in reality, and with FSX is goes quite alright (altough I don't know how the plane in AeroflyFS flies)