Release Notes from the last few updates

v0.815.0

• AGM-88 HARM
  MFD displays
  Flight model
  
• AGM-84 Harpoon
  Flight model
  
• SA-2 Smoke effects improved
  
• TrackIR, enabled Z rotation
  
• Star rendering brightness issue fixed, constellations are now recogniseable :)
  
• Mission Editor
  Fixed parsing issue when loading a user mission
  Added Satellite Imagery view
  Pan view uses mousewheel button
  Objectives displays include vehicle or location names if relevant
  
• Cameras
  Weapon Camera (F8) updated, travels with weapon till impact
  Impact & Launch Camera modes added (Enabled in Game Settings)
  
• Added 'interaction' with road vehicles - they can be blown up :)
  
• Improved terrain loader performance
  
• Fixed an issue with eject sequence
  
• Fixed a threading issue, reduced CPU use
  
• Fixed an issue with weapon water vs land impacts
  
• Fixed an issue with land vehicles not visible in VR non-pilot cameras
  
• Several Crash bugs fixed
  

v0.814.6

• Added MFD BIT display
  
• Reduced AV-8B damage effects
  
• Fixed MouseLook issue
  
• Fixed issue when toggling menus during control mapping
  
• Fixed TER rack issues:
  LGB release points
  Selecting next pylon
  Selecting A/A or A/G mode from selected weapon
  
• Fixed CTD when restarting mission with AGM-65 payload
  
• TDC issues:
  Calibrated slew rates in HUD INS, TPOD, Radar, IRMAV
  Fixed TPOD slew orientation
  Added TDC select to lock TPOD
  
• Fixed RWR vehicle labels
  
• Fixed RWR critical threat ranges
  
• Fixed released weapon shadow issue
  
• Added EMCON display to HUD
  
• Fixed TDC Select in radar MFD display
  
• Added notifications for TDC assignment
  
• Editor:
  Improved labeling for objectives
  fixed objective related CTD when deleting locations or units
  
• Fixed issues with IRMAV operation
  

v0.814.5

• Added AV8B specific section to manual
  
• Added manual to Steam Overlay
  
• Added release notes display to main menu
  
• Added rendering Bloom toggle
  
• Added items to Realism menu for later implementation
  
• Fixed rendering artifacts when using MSAA affecting clouds, trails, cannons
  
• Fixed issue with Gamma, range is 1.0 to 3.0 with default of 2.2
  
• Fixed intermittent CTD when switching regions at mission start or end
  
• Fixed Non Display of HUD weapon displays when using payload with TER's (Triple Ejection Racks)
  

v0.814.4

• Added SpoonRest & FlatFace radar trucks
  
• SA-2 and Hawk missiles are controlled by the nearest radar
  
• Added Silkworm anti shipping missile
  
• Oculus VR native API screen mirror enabled
  
• VR Option to use headset audio device
  
• VR Saturation control
  
• Added 'User Missions' path to save & load missions from a non-game directory
  
• Added control to change atmospheric conditions mid mission ( Controls->Misc->CycleAtmosphere )
  

v0.814.3

• Added latest OSM (Open Street Map) data sets
  
• Updated Mission Editor
  
• added Carrier attach points
  
• reset on region change
  
• unit faction change
  
• Added Type 45 Destroyer
  
• Added DDG1000 Zumwalt Destroyer
  
• Added SH60 Helicopter
  
• improve terrain lights rendering
  
• Added in mission Strategic View control
  

Manual Update

• Update to atmosphere rendering
  'Multiple Scattering' and Ozone contribution added to atmospheric lookup tables
  This adds atmospheric haze, improves sunrise, sunset
  
• Mission weather options include 'Light Haze', 'Light Haze - High' & 'Strong Haze'
  
• AV8B skin updates
  Navigation lights
  
• Bug Fixes
  
  
  
  • Several minor bugs fixed including:
    fixed issue where a class of memory buffer was not set to 'canGrow' - accessing all regions in one session could lead to a crash.
    
  
  

• Mission editor - You're able to:
  
  
  
  • Select region
    
  • Select time of day, weather
    
  • Place Aircraft, ships, weapon systems
    
  • Add routes, armament, ROE
    
  • Assign mission targets
    
  • Set completion & failure criteria
    
  
  
• Mission Browser
  
  
  
  • Select from local mission files and Steam Workshop missions
    
  
  
• In-mission tactical view
  
• UI Update
  
  
  
  • Initially to facilitate mission editor, browser etc.
    
  
  
• Steam Workshop Browser
  
  
  
  • Initially for mission files, later for AC skins
    
  
  

v813.4 & 5 were uploaded to the BETA and VR BETA channels recently. Work was focused on A/G weaponry. Updates included:

The next couple couple of minor updates (v813.6/7) will continue with A/G work. These will include:

After the final A/G weapons/Avionics updates are released we'll move on to the v814 series updates which will add the in-mission tactical display. After that we're on to single missions.

Here are some screenshots of v813.4/5

Miscellaneous shots from v813.5 build:

v813.0 has been published to the BETA channel. This update has the full day/night sequence implemented. This is needed for the upcoming campaign mode as that runs minute by minute throughout the full 24 hour day. You'll be flying missions at various TOD and through transitions from light to darkness.

Accurate sky rendering due to atmosphere modelling

Moon Display

• Accurate rendering
  
• Atmospheric fx during 'moon rise' & 'moon set' (red tinge)
  
• Moon phases
  
• Accurate orbital motion, speed

Stars

• Accurate rendering through atmosphere
  
• Accurate motion

Sun Display;

• Atmospheric attenuation

Terrain/Objects

• Generally improved environmental lighting from Sky rendering
  
• Improved aerial perspective (eg distant terrain and objects lighting,
• Attenuation and in-scatter)

You can dynamically change the TOD during free flight & training missions so give that a go to see the update in action.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here are ~15,000 words!:

v812.1 is available now. We are enabling some more artistic camera modes and grabbing some new eye candy over the next few days which we will add to this article so check back regularly. There's some campaign news towards the end of this article so be sure to scroll down if that's what interests you :)

As well as hundreds of bug fixes and any previously reported crash fixes, here's the bulk of the feature improvements we've made:

• Animated cockpit controls
  
• Full control of interior & exterior lighting
  
• Ability to set Bingo fuel level, select displayed fuel value
  
• HUD reject level switch implemented to declutter HUD displays
  
• HUD brightness rotary
  
• Upfront Display brightness rotary
  
• RWR Volume rotary
  
• Seat adjust switch (left side of cockpit) actually moves the seat forwards & backwards, adjusting your cockpit viewpoint
  
• Autopilot switches work as per AV8B manual. There are now three modes: off, AFC on & AFC with altitude hold. If the autopilot is engaged with the aircraft outside of ~5deg of pitch or roll it is held at that pitch or roll, otherwise it'll settle at wings or nose level
  
• As per the AV8B manual there are now four HUD modes, VSTOL, NAV, AG & AA. Select by clicking the Master Mode buttons to the left of the main panel. For inflight refueling click the AAR switch on the lower left panel to extend the probe and trigger refueling help
  
• Updates to targeting pod displays and operation
  
• LGB's added and functioning
  
• Internal updates to weapon collision code
  
• Added targets to Chocolate Mountain Range
  
• Updated Harrier cockpit and fuselage
  
• Added V-22 Osprey and P-3 Orion
  
• Added static deck crew
  
• Depth of Field option added to renderer

VR updates include:

• Updates to latest API versions
  
• VR specific gamma control
  
• VR specific optimisations
  
• Mirror screen improvements (OpenVR only)
  
• MSAA changes applied immediately (OpenVR & standard renderer)
  
• Mission planner drawn in VR (renderer is not yet optimised, may show hourglass in VR)

The next few small updates will include:

• Re-enable Gulf civilian traffic
  
• Re-enable Fleet defenses
  
• Updates to HUD & radar display as per AV8B references. These include updates to Gun and sidewinder displays, auto acquisition modes, boresight, AIM9 SEAM modes etc.
  
• Enable 'Single Missions' in the Gulf
  
• Display 'In Mission' tactical view
  
• Updates to aircraft AI

Campaign News

After those updates it's time to work on the campaign mode. There'll be multiple campaigns. First to be implemented will be smaller campaigns/operations with objectives such as neutralizing Island bases and threats. Think this: Operation Praying Mantis[en.wikipedia.org]. The wider scale campaigns will follow.

From a technical standpoint the campaigns are simulated minute by minute with acceleration as required for times such as lulls in combat. You'll set which events will disable acceleration such as new radar contacts, enemy proximity to assets, distress calls etc.

From the main campaign screen you'll be able to switch to a 3D view of any of your assets (carrier/aircraft/ships/drones) at any time. During flight you'll be able to switch to the Tactical view & your AC will enable autopilot with Alt hold till you return. You'll have a limited no. of airframes; return to the ship with damage and that airframe will be unavailable for a length of time based on damage level.

We've had (and answered) some interesting questions on the campaign since releasing this news. This is great and its helping shape the game, you can get involved here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/347170/discussions/0/154642447927175939/?ctp=33

Development is changing to more gameplay based elements now, heck we might even start publicizing it soon!

Stay tuned ːsteamhappyː