[kizza42]

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!

[smuzz]

Goodness me! (or words to that effect)
There's months of full-on familiarisation and evaluation in that lot mate! Wow, I dunno where to start. My old favourite is Microsoft CFS 3 ... I can't go past the WWII combat sims, or maybe as far as the 1946 hypothetical add-ons.
Well, thanks KV - that takes care of this weekend (Acemoney lite will have to wait again).

[samste]

I will give 9/10 for Kerbal space Program as i have been addicted to this for quite some Time, ever since Kieran introduce it to me about a year ago i have spent many of hours building, launching and flying some crazy Stuff.

CAUTION VERY ADDICTIVE GAME


Thanks Kieran for reminding me i have that Game on my computer, ummm its 3am and i think i need to give that game a rest now, LOL



Thanks Kieran for the Info on Other Games as well, Very Nicely Done and Timed well with the Crap weather at the Moment.



Steve

[Kedumba]

I've been playing with KSP for a while too. Great game.

Does anyone know of a decent WWI flight/combat Sim? Been looking for one for ages.

[kizza42]

Rise of Flight is where the WW1 Simming is at, its free to play with one plane and then you buy the planes you want. (You can still fight other planes you don't own)

Everybody should own a copy of Kerbal Space Program!

Here is my first space station that I lofted over several flights and assembled in orbit:
   

I got bored with that station and de-orbited it, Here is my second station during a ecclipse:
   

Supply ship on approach to the station:
   

[gbanger]

Hey Kieran
I am about to download DCS World, do I need to download the extra files on the home page and what do they mean by put them in 1 folder?

[kizza42]

Yes, you need all 4 files to install DCS World. Save them all to the same folder on your computer and run the DCS_World_release_en_1.2.2.7570_69.exe file


DCS_World_release_en_1.2.2.7570_69.exe
DCS_World_release_en_1.2.2.7570_69-1.bin
DCS_World_release_en_1.2.2.7570_69-2.bin
DCS_World_release_en_1.2.2.7570_69-3.bin

[TopGun]

I take it from all the pc gaming going on the forum that the field is in no flying condition. Is it safe to assume the field will be out of commission the entire weekend?

[kizza42]

If WWII Simulation is your up of tea, you can't go past

IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946
Cost: $10USD

This has been the benchmark WWII simulation for over 10 years now, The flight modelling is very good and there is a huuuge range of aircraft to choose from: P-51, F4U, Fw-190, Bf-109, Spitfire are all there. If it fought in WWII in any capacity, it'll be in here with multiple variants. The real gem's are a the conceptual and experimental German & Russian planes included, Rocket planes, Crazy STOL Interceptors, Mistrel Flying Bombs.
The game originally focussed on the Russian front but was expanded over the years to cover other European theatres and the Pacific. A joystick is an absolute must.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-x7OEgFJIE

There is also mods out there on the Internet that give you even more aircraft to fly! Ever wanted to pilot Enola Gay?

[secant0give]

I used to fly Warbirds online combat sim some years ago, It was great fun !!
just found this 2012 Trailer and the graphics look a lot better now

I'd love to get into it again but it takes so much time. I managed to score a 100 kill streak in one campain flying the 190 A 4 but that was a rairety and took much pacience and disipline and even more luck !!

Here's the clip I just found

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNqwmX9B0S0

---

Heres the link to warbirds wwii online combat sim

there is also a wwi sim by the same people is was called Dawn of Aces



http://www.totalsims.com/

[smuzz]

If WWII Simulation is your up of tea, you can't go past

IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946
Cost: $10USD

Yep - I've had this one for years too and it's good, but I couldn't really relate to the campaign mode for some reason.
Good fun but like Jason says, takes way too much time and sooner or later you run out of luck when trying to build up a pilot career.

@Topgun - there's no flying at our field this weekend, you can bet the sheep-station on that one. Even next weekend is questionable ... we'll have to play it by ear.

[secant0give]

IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 Looks interesting and not badly priced for only $10.00

Warbirds is free to d/load and play offline, they make their money by selling time in the online arina's
You used to be able to play just one against another with a direct link for free, perhaps you still can, but to do the multi player stuff cost a monthly fee. I can't even remember what it was, it was that long ago but I think it was in the order of $25 or $30. The flight model was very good too especially if you enableled full realism. I remember the FW190 was a little tricky to land, That was rather an easy way to to die and end a decent kill streak. You could talk to the other fliers as well either by text or running another low bandwith voice com software called roger wilco. It was simplex just like the old radio sets and even made a hisssssssclick when you released the PTT button. great fun !!

The interesting thing with the campaigns in the main arena was, that it was usually the rest of the word against the Americans. They all stuck together flying american planes and becides the virtual RAF which was about a dozen guys who flew english planes agains the americans, most of the rest of us flew german planes against the Yanks. It was good fun tho'
There were historic events in other arenas but they were allways held in the early hours of the morning to suite the american time difference.

[kizza42]

Whaaaaat!?!!? You still don't have KSP?? Well heres a new official trailer for a new version of the Demo released this week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cr67ziDgZFI#!

https://kerbalspaceprogram.com/download.php

[kizza42]

Lovely weather we're having I think this weekend I'll tour Europe!

Euro Truck Simulator 2
Cost: $39.95USD (Can be had for much less, see below)
For those of us who don't have HR Semi Rigid mega licenses, here is your chance to try a vehicle with more than 12 gears! Europe is modelled in about 20% scale but you still get the feel of driving cross country with a huge load behind you. Excellent work has been done to get the trailer physics very close to perfect and it'll take you 10 goes to reverse park your rig at a loading dock!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlTuC18xVII

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5qDNcvqFSU

I got my copy for $12USD by buying from here:
http://www.greenmangaming.com/s/au/en/pc...mulator-2/

And using this coupon code at checkout:
GMG20-P4DLK-FKYRS

[kizza42]

Just a big heads up that Kerbal Space Program is on 40% off for $13.79 USD For the next 7 or so hours!!!!
Well worth it!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/220200/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkDOOsGg-9I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUjGW2htpR4

[~KevJ~]

    on the topic of sim gaming i thought id post my latest rig at home, i made it with pvc frame using unions so i can unscrew the middle section to drop in the steering wheel , flight stick , tank controls whatever you feel like

   


for any that are motor racing fans and like to race this iracing online racing is like having a real sprt in your lounge room , no wonder real drivers around the world do it its so immersive when you run a proper rig i swear it feels like im really driving :P

check this out rev heads! :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeE1yO5fggY

[Claudius]

/drools

[secant0give]

Very Cool

That is pretty hard core !!