Desert Fighters Interview by Jim "Twitch" Tittle
	Q. Are the keyboard and controller commands re-programmable by the user, since many of us develop favorite preferences from other sims? A: Yes, they are completely configurable, with some minor limitations (mouse cannot be reassigned). Additionally, the user will be able to create command "macros" that can be then assigned to any key or button they like. The most common use for this will be creating comm macros for use in multiplayer, but enterprising users will be able to make macros for things like post-take-off clean-up (up with the gear, up with the flaps, arm all guns, etc.) Q.Will Desert Fighter feature mouse-activated cockpit controls? No, but there is a "mouse-look" feature that allows you to move the pilot's head with the mouse. Q. Everyone always wishes to be able to modify armament. What does Desert Fighters give us in this area and how will you prevent cheating in online play? Each aircraft type has a number of configurations that can be selected, some of which include different gun pods as well as ordnance and external fuel options. Beyond that, however, there is no custom configuration of armament in the game, except to allow for unlimited ammo, of course. To help prevent cheating in multiplayer, we do a check on the game files to ensure they are unmodified. Q. Is your team consulting with any Luftwaffe and Allied pilots to model characteristics for more realistic scalable flight models for the sim "experten?" Not yet. We have created a partnership with the American Fighter Aces Association in which we will tap into their membership base for this assistance. Click to continue		Ju 88A-4 Q. Sound, and now, sensor seats and cushions are a big factor for many simulator pilots. We've all found certain great sounds and tactile feels in certain sims. One will have excellent weapon sounds but poor engine sounds, where another will feature good sounds until ordnance strikes the crate and it sounds cheesy. What have you done to create balanced realism in this area? Well, it all comes down to judging for ourselves whether something sounds "right" or not. Of course, this is based on our experience with these sounds, from movies, TV, and other games. I guess it all comes down to making a judgement call. Q. Will you support surround sound, and if so which APIs will be supported? I don't know the technical capabilities of the sound system yet. Q. European Air War has many excellent patches, as did your RB, AOTP & AOE. As always, they were done by hit and miss experimentation. We understand Dynamix is going to assist folks that want to hack files by posting info on the web site and allowing files made by them to be uploaded for all to use! Why this change of attitude to help? I think the huge response to user created files for Red Baron II/3D showed folks here that there was a big need for that kind of support. Some of us have always been in favor of allowing user mods, so long as it didn't impede development. Go to Part VIII
Copyright © 1997 - 2000 COMBATSIM.COM, INC. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated August 18th, 1999