LOFT → 22. March 2011 14:58
Dear pilots,
Today we have prepared some good news for you. The first bit of news is about the release of Version 18 which will include the German DFW C.V. aircraft. The final preparations have begun and pretty soon you'll be able to take her into the air. The DFW as you might imagine has some predictable and good performance characteristics. It’s stable both in air and in the run-up with a pretty comfortable landing. It does not spin that easily, but its corkscrew characteristics are very interesting. Depending on the altitude and direction of rotation it will require different methods of recovery. Some spins are more difficult to recover from than others. This plane was a workhorse of the German air force in WWI so you will get a lot of practice on this plane.
Looking ahead to the next update which will be Version 19 we see another large milestone ahead. The main part of this version will be the newly re-designed game mode called "Career" that you have been expecting. We think this will cause you to look at ROF from a completely different angle. As we have mentioned before, this new Career Mode is technically challenging and ambitious and no doubt will have some teething issues upon release, but it is in testing and we are continuing to make solid progress. But before we discuss the Career mode any further I would like to highlight some other new in-game features that are in the shadow of this rising star.
So, for the implementation of Photo Reconnaissance flights or missions involving the Correction of Artillery you'll need some new equipment. This means a Camera and an Airborne Telegraph. As it often happens, it’s the little details that set ROF apart and we know you could not live without them so we have decided to work hard on these new elements. As always, we decided to try and not deviate from the principles of high detail and maximum accuracy in the reproduction of these new missions, so the camera and the telegraph became full-fledged 3D models and consequently, new equipment which you can outfit your plane with before flight. The camera and telegraph will make their debut in Version 19 on the DFW C.V. and the upcoming Breguet 14B. The camera was also mounted on SPAD aircraft. So the SPAD will get it as well. The in-game mechanics and interfaces of these new interactive mission types are still being worked on, but so far in testing they have proven to be great fun and add even more immersion to ROF. More on this as we move closer to Version 19 release.
In Version 19 a new flyable aircraft, the Breguet 14B, will rise into the ROF sky. In addition to the intelligence gathering functions, it can also act as a medium bomber with a range of different bombing options. The B14 was a very interesting plane to build and for the Team, it is one of the most beloved aircraft we have ever built for all of ROF. I am pleased to present to you a few pictures. You can now pre-order the Breguet 14B in our Store for just $8.99 prior to version 1.019 release. Your pre-orders help fuel our development plans so please consider pre-ordering this beautiful bird!
You may have spotted something else new in the images above? We have added a new graphical element to our engine – misty morning fog that evaporates! Its existence and appearance depends on the position of the sun and the seasons. As the sun rises it burns off and as the temperature drops it appears. We think this new ground hugging animated fog may be another combat flight simulation first. Please correct us if we are wrong. The inclusion of misty morning fog will make mornings and afternoons in Western France even more realistic and will add a nice sensation to departures.
Many thanks to all those who have stayed with us! We all know there is another sim out there who is vying for your attention and we know it can be distracting, but the current development status of ROF is at a crucial juncture and we need your support now more than ever! As always, we try to ensure that your support is transformed into new elements in the project and always with the highest quality of work and often for the first time in the genre. We still have some new innovative ideas we want to implement and more content to create for you.
Good luck in your flights and please wait for further news!