Patch 0.9.5 November - Updated Airplane Dynamics & Head Tracking Support
Updates:
Dynamic Airplane Weight
Pilot, cargo, and fuel all add-up to increase the airplane weight. This will impact airplane performance and handling. As fuel is used the airplane will get lighter. This will be a factor when planning cargo missions - especially at higher elevations, where airplane performance is already diminished.
Flaps & Trim
Added new trim and flap indicators to the airplane panel, so you can now see what they are set to.
Totally changed the flap physics and added three settings (aka notches). Clicking the flap button cycles through 0-40 degrees.
Cockpit Free-look
Changed cockpit free-look button behavior so that player can toggle it on or off.
Track IR - Head Tracking Support Added head tracking support, for Natrual Point's TrackIR hardware, on the cockpit camera. Currently, it is always enabled. Don’t forget that F12 re-centers the camera.
Enter/Exit Airplane
Slight change to entering and exiting the airplane: you now need to look at the door handle for interaction. The door animation will open and then close after you’re in the airplane.
Let me know what you think. Drop your ideas and feedback in the discussions.
Patch 0.9.5 Mike - New 'Big Mountains' Map and more!
Summer is over and it's time to get back to work on Groundfall! ːsteamhappyː
My primary focus in upcoming patches will be around:
Missions - add more engaging missions that are fun and reward the player with loot, airplane mods, etc. Including more complex missions, different mission types and different mission providers (e.g. NPCs).
Airplane - flight characteristics, flaps and trim indicators, upgrades and modifications.
Maps - different terrain styles and biomes and more points of interest to explore.
Core Functionality - removing bugs and getting the existing systems working better.
==================================================== This patch includes the following (and lots of small improvements) -
Additions:
New missions: a few new missions with more on the way.
New "Big Mountains" map: Unlock this map by landing at all the runways in the Training and Groundfall National Forest maps.
Added a runways completed HUD indicator when inside the airplane. This shows the number of runways landed out of the total (e.g. 4/15).
Added new stilt-cabins located on beaches in the Big Mountains map.
Dynamic Windsocks: direction and speed effect the windsock direction and animations. Wind does not yet affect the airplane, but it will soon.
Updates:
Save system: completed landing objectives and side missions are now saved with other game data. Also, updated the UI. Note: there are still some save bugs (e.g. don't try to save while inside the airplane) that I will continue to work on.
Mission/objective UI now consistent with existing style.
Changed HUD map to remain stationary while the player/airplane marker moves.
Disabled multi-player until further notice. Several bugs had caused it to be almost un-playable.
Cabin are mostly located near the runways, but not all runways have a cabin.
Bugs Fixes:
Wrong mini-map image in Training map.
Increased player look rotation speed.
Bent prop effect when damaging propeller.
Patch 0.9.5 Lima - New Map!
Hi everyone!
Sorry for the long delay between updates! Several things took longer than expected and I was not able to work on it as much as I wanted to. However, now that I have improved the level management system, I should be able to create and release new maps more quickly!
New
Added a "Training" map with mellow terrain, longer and wider runways.
Added new runway biomes: rocky terrain, rough ground
Added windsocks to each runway (cosmetic only, but will be used with future volumetric wind)
Changed
Runway sign interaction - now requires player to click the interact button
Changed level/map management system for supporting more maps, unlocking, etc.
Bug Fixes:
Airplane upgrade bug that allowed for infinite repairs
More patches planned for this month!
Patch 0.9.5k - Wheel Friction Bug Fix
A small fix to make the wheel friction less grippy on the snow.
Patch 0.9.5k - Slippery Tires, Puddles, and More
Hi all! Added a couple fun new features and fixed some small, but significant, bugs.
The new Airplane Inspection user interface is now working for repairing and refueling the airplane. Its pretty simple right now, but it will be expanded and improved to include other consumables (e.g. oil) as well as other aircraft component modifications and upgrades (e.g. tires, belly pod, skis, etc.).
At some point I unknowingly broke a couple key features - airplane repairs and tire surface friction! Both are now fixed so you can slip on wet ground, bend your airplane, repair the damage, and do it all again! ːsteamthumbsupː
New - Airplane Inspection UI - used for repairing and re-fueling the airplane. Modifications using this same system are currently in development. To use: move your player to the front of the airplane and look nose/engine for the inspection prompt. and allow your open the menu.
New Terrain Surface - water puddles that can be slippery, making it difficult to slow/stop airplane.
Fixed - some big rocks were culling too soon, causing them to vanish from the edge of the screen
Fixed - load game from main menu not working
Fixed - airplane wheel friction for different terrain surfaces
Fixed - repairing aircraft not restoring flight dynamics correctly
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
-Snow Creature
Patch 0.9.5j - Big Rocks Quick Fix
Fixed the color/lighting issue that was causing distance rocks to appear darker.
Patch 0.9.5j - Big Rocks
Hi all! This patch has some fun new features and improvements:
New: Airstrip Missions Manager - read signs to get current and next airstrip objective information and fly-over previews. POI objectives in development.
New: Big Rocks - big rock biome for some airstrips. More biomes in development (e.g. stumps, logs, small rocks, puddles, etc.
New: game mechanic that uses Morse code emergency locator radio signal for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. As you fly closer to a transmitter, the SOS signal becomes clearer and louder.
Changed: decreased default input sensitivity for mouse and joysticks. ATTENTION: Requires users to reset their player preferences.
Changed: decreased the re-spawn timer
Improved: made the rain FX and raindrop splashes more visible
Improved: the volumetric cloud lighting color is now set to match the sun light color.
...more good stuff on the way!
Note: I just noticed some color popping on the big rocks...researching problem and possible fix.
ATTENTION: I recently learned that that you have to clear your player preferences to see the controller changes I've been making. I'll have more information on this soon.
Patch 0.9.5g - Reduced Excessive Nose-Up Pitching
Made some changes to the core flight physics to further minimize excessive nose-up pitching. These changes are more fundamental and hopefully more effective than what I tried in the past. The airplane now stays in a more neutral attitude at all speeds.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Patch 0.9.5h - Volumetric Clouds
This is the first update of 2023 and now that the holiday chaos is behind me, I will return to a more frequent schedule for releasing patches.
This is a small patch, but it contains a big new feature in volumetric clouds that you can fly through. This adds a new level of visual immersion to the game and makes flying more of a challenge when the weather gets bad. More weather related challenges and effects are planned for upcoming release.
Enjoy!
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Added: - Build Outpost mission - player builds a runway at specified outpost location for a Steam Achievement - Volumetric Clouds - can create additional visibility challenge when flying in bad weather. Water/rain effect on windshield when flying through clouds. - New lightning strike effect during storms.
Fixed: - Player death from survival status while inside airplane, not re-spawning correctly
GroundFall - Patch 0.9.5g
This patch contains some significant changes to airplane handling - both on the ground and in the air.
Fixed: - Airplane Brakes: made some changes to the airplane's center of gravity (CG) and adjusted the brake torque. The airplane is significantly less prone to nose-over when braking hard. -Load Saved Game: eliminated duplicate airplane when loading saved game. -Throttle: throttle-down input was instantly jumping to zero instead of incrementally decreasing. -Airplane Tachometer Gauge (RPMs): wasn't working correctly...fixed and replaced instrument model.
Added: - Pilot model for non-cockpit camera views. Only visible when using external camera modes.
Changed: - Airplane Ignition/Start Time: reduced the amount of cranking time required to start engine. - Airplane Tailwheel Suspension: decreased springiness to reduce tail bounce - Decreased sensitivity range for mouse and joystick inputs. - Re-worked the mouse input setup to improve flying with mouse... should be smoother. - Shadows: smoother shadows that don't jitter as much. - Flap Effect: moved lifting position aft
