02-02-2013, 01:17 AM
Thought I'd post some of the "games" I play these days. I only say game because their fun but in most cases they're physics simulations or sandboxes to make your own fun in some form or another. You will need a beefy PC to run the majority of these and a joystick or game controller of some kind to get the most out of them.
Kerbal Space Program
Cost: $23USD
This is a sandbox game where you literally design and fly your own space ships and space planes. It's made by an independent studio in mexico and is stlil in development with new awesome features being added monthly.
Here are some vids of people having fun with KSP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wskEzn00ilQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6e3AgLL4I0
DCS World
Cost: Free for base module, Addon modules cost $20-40
This series is currently the ultimate in consumer combat flight simulations, The level of detail presented in the A-10 and Ka-50 modules means that if you want to fly them right, you need to know what EVERY switch in the cockpit does and how to operate their complex weapons management systems. The physics are on the same level as military simulators. Only then do you get to blow stuff up like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4S3LPZudA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIjTbqK7HMY
Here is a good overview of the series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKhhHI-wiME
X-Plane 10
Cost: $70USD
X-plane has always been the direct competitor to MS Flight Simulator and now that MSFS is no more (In consumer form) X-plane is where most consumers have gone to get their general aviation simming on. Unlike MSFS, X-planes physics have always been based on actual simulation of airfoils and air passing over them and because of this, you can actually design and fly your own planes in X-plane! I've used it in the past to test RC Model concepts that have accurately translated to the real world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p8rcpa5tQkc#!
Here is some footage I filmed in a custom (yet plausible) fighter jet design.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPlMxbgxKF4
Lockheed Martin - Prepar3D
Cost: $49.95 (Academic license)
Microsoft cancelled their consumer Flight Simulator product a few years back, They also had a professional simulator called ESP that has been licensed to Lockheed Martin and they have continued developing it, ironing out the old MS bugs and improving performance ever since. Its basically FSX on steroids. Technically its not for consumer use but that hasn't stopped alot of the simming community from picking it up for their own "academic" purposes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYQ5dP0WOFA
Project CARS
Cost: Varies
Project Community Assisted Racing Simulation was started by a team of simracing enthusiasts to make the ultimate racing game, Rather than fund via publishers who usually ruin games by demanding arcade physics and dumbing down, they turned to the Simracing community for funding. In exchange for a nominal fee, you can be involved in the development process and make suggestions and vote om features Its not due for release till later this year but there are monthly and weekly builds of the game to play with and its already very fun with a steering wheel controller. They have included the most realistic rendition of Bathurst in a racing title thus far.
These are community made trailers... It really looks this good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCtiKDRvPW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pe-48Xq81s
Rigs of Rods
Cost: Free!
Basically a Tonka trucks sandbox, you pick a truck and drive around and pick stuff up and explore, If you've ever wanted to try to drive a bendy bus or B-Double rig, here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A6OHnAD_Pc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQkWQmethEY
NoLimits - Rollercoaster Simulator
Cost: $29.95USD
Ever wanted to design and build your own rollercoaster? This is the tool to do it with! Multiple track types, Realistic car physics, Before I started flying, I could easily spend a Saturday designing a killer rollercoaster then adding scenery etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG1n6-5ce0Y
Bridge-It
Cost: $23.95USD
There are a few bridge building games out there, this one has the best graphics. The aim of them all is to build an efficient bridge with finite tools, Requires some engineering thought and lots of triangles and arches!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ0EMLCPaPA
Vehicle Simulator (Formerly Virtual Sailor)
Cost: $30USD
This game is made by a solo developer, started out as a sailing/boating simulator, its now progressed to simulating cars & planes as well as boats.
Here are some trailers I made in the version before it became vehicle simulator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2IFZBpV9M8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztbkyPkyVM
I supposed I should list my weapons of choice as well.
HOTAS Flight stick (New):
Saitek X-65f Combat Stick
This is a force sensitive stick (Like what real F16's have). It doesn't actually move but has a strain gauge measuring the forces I impart on the stick. Makes for very very accurate flying.
HOTAS Flight stick (Old):
Logitech G960
I have this stick/throttle/rudder combo up for sale to the right person at the right price, It was lightly used as I got it just before taking up flying, it gathered lots of dust. Has force feedback so you feel the forces of wind buffeting your aircraft etc. I didn't have room for it. Logitech don't make them anymore so now its a collectors item!
Driving Wheel:
Logitech Driving Force GT
A nice racing wheel that can be had for around $110 or less if you look hard enough.
Head Tracking:
NaturalPoint TrackIR
A revolutionary head tracking system; You move & turn your head slightly with 6 degrees of freedom and your view moves in game! This works on basically every title above and is very intuitive once you get used to it.
This is the tip of the ice berg really of my physic sim games that I play, if people are interested I'll list more!
Kerbal Space Program
Cost: $23USD
This is a sandbox game where you literally design and fly your own space ships and space planes. It's made by an independent studio in mexico and is stlil in development with new awesome features being added monthly.
Here are some vids of people having fun with KSP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wskEzn00ilQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6e3AgLL4I0
DCS World
Cost: Free for base module, Addon modules cost $20-40
This series is currently the ultimate in consumer combat flight simulations, The level of detail presented in the A-10 and Ka-50 modules means that if you want to fly them right, you need to know what EVERY switch in the cockpit does and how to operate their complex weapons management systems. The physics are on the same level as military simulators. Only then do you get to blow stuff up like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4S3LPZudA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIjTbqK7HMY
Here is a good overview of the series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKhhHI-wiME
X-Plane 10
Cost: $70USD
X-plane has always been the direct competitor to MS Flight Simulator and now that MSFS is no more (In consumer form) X-plane is where most consumers have gone to get their general aviation simming on. Unlike MSFS, X-planes physics have always been based on actual simulation of airfoils and air passing over them and because of this, you can actually design and fly your own planes in X-plane! I've used it in the past to test RC Model concepts that have accurately translated to the real world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p8rcpa5tQkc#!
Here is some footage I filmed in a custom (yet plausible) fighter jet design.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPlMxbgxKF4
Lockheed Martin - Prepar3D
Cost: $49.95 (Academic license)
Microsoft cancelled their consumer Flight Simulator product a few years back, They also had a professional simulator called ESP that has been licensed to Lockheed Martin and they have continued developing it, ironing out the old MS bugs and improving performance ever since. Its basically FSX on steroids. Technically its not for consumer use but that hasn't stopped alot of the simming community from picking it up for their own "academic" purposes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYQ5dP0WOFA
Project CARS
Cost: Varies
Project Community Assisted Racing Simulation was started by a team of simracing enthusiasts to make the ultimate racing game, Rather than fund via publishers who usually ruin games by demanding arcade physics and dumbing down, they turned to the Simracing community for funding. In exchange for a nominal fee, you can be involved in the development process and make suggestions and vote om features Its not due for release till later this year but there are monthly and weekly builds of the game to play with and its already very fun with a steering wheel controller. They have included the most realistic rendition of Bathurst in a racing title thus far.
These are community made trailers... It really looks this good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCtiKDRvPW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pe-48Xq81s
Rigs of Rods
Cost: Free!
Basically a Tonka trucks sandbox, you pick a truck and drive around and pick stuff up and explore, If you've ever wanted to try to drive a bendy bus or B-Double rig, here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A6OHnAD_Pc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQkWQmethEY
NoLimits - Rollercoaster Simulator
Cost: $29.95USD
Ever wanted to design and build your own rollercoaster? This is the tool to do it with! Multiple track types, Realistic car physics, Before I started flying, I could easily spend a Saturday designing a killer rollercoaster then adding scenery etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG1n6-5ce0Y
Bridge-It
Cost: $23.95USD
There are a few bridge building games out there, this one has the best graphics. The aim of them all is to build an efficient bridge with finite tools, Requires some engineering thought and lots of triangles and arches!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ0EMLCPaPA
Vehicle Simulator (Formerly Virtual Sailor)
Cost: $30USD
This game is made by a solo developer, started out as a sailing/boating simulator, its now progressed to simulating cars & planes as well as boats.
Here are some trailers I made in the version before it became vehicle simulator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2IFZBpV9M8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztbkyPkyVM
I supposed I should list my weapons of choice as well.
HOTAS Flight stick (New):
Saitek X-65f Combat Stick
This is a force sensitive stick (Like what real F16's have). It doesn't actually move but has a strain gauge measuring the forces I impart on the stick. Makes for very very accurate flying.
HOTAS Flight stick (Old):
Logitech G960
I have this stick/throttle/rudder combo up for sale to the right person at the right price, It was lightly used as I got it just before taking up flying, it gathered lots of dust. Has force feedback so you feel the forces of wind buffeting your aircraft etc. I didn't have room for it. Logitech don't make them anymore so now its a collectors item!
Driving Wheel:
Logitech Driving Force GT
A nice racing wheel that can be had for around $110 or less if you look hard enough.
Head Tracking:
NaturalPoint TrackIR
A revolutionary head tracking system; You move & turn your head slightly with 6 degrees of freedom and your view moves in game! This works on basically every title above and is very intuitive once you get used to it.
This is the tip of the ice berg really of my physic sim games that I play, if people are interested I'll list more!