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The Baron Is Back!

by R. Lee "Banger" Sullivan

Article Type: How-To
Article Date: February 05, 2003

Product Info

Product Name: Red Baron 3D
Category: WWI Air Combat
Developer: Dynamix
Publisher: Sierra
Release Date: 1998
Sys. Spec: Click Here
Files & Links: Click Here

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The Baron Is Back!

Remember Red Baron II, the stillborn WWI sim that morphed into Red Baron 3D (RB3D)? Nobody knew it at the time, but the title’s December 1997 release was a precursor of things to come for flight sims -- an eagerly awaited sequel released in a half-finished state, slammed by enthusiasts, then perfected through a tortured series of patches and user mods.

Five years later, RB3D user development is still thriving. Three major packages have appeared the past four months alone. Recent mods approach 2003 standards for graphics, flight modeling and accuracy. In certain respects, RB3D even exceeds present-day expectations -- gameplay remains superior to many new releases, and there isn’t another WWI sim on the horizon. If you haven’t tried the Baron lately, you owe it to yourself to dust off a copy and patch up.

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Unfinished Masterpiece
Many players never made it to RB3D, the "super patch" that finally completed Red Baron II in October 1998, adding Glide graphics support for Voodoo cards. Dynamix’s sequel to the ground-breaking Red Baron I was a major disappointment that effectively spelled the end of a storied software developer.

As patch after patch failed to meet expectations, message boards simmered with resentment that erupted into outrage. (You can relive some of the angst at Cage’s World, which archives much of Dynamix’s contemporary correspondence with the community.)

Apathy replaced anger when the super patch appeared nearly a year later—most gamers had already given up on RB3D. Those who stuck around were treated to one of the most immersive campaigns in flight-sim history, a deep, dynamic portrayal of the Western Front that boasted robust graphics, believable flight models and addictively difficult gameplay.

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Classic Campaign
Difficult is an understatement—very few simmers have taken an RB3D campaign from January 1916 through November 1918. There are just too many ways to die. Each mission places you in the midst of a Western Front alive with roving bands of aggressive adversaries. Unexpected encounters are the norm in this dynamic environment: head-to-head confrontations, bounces from behind, single-plane duels, full-on furballs. Every sortie offers something memorable.

The degree of challenge, however, is remarkably consistent. Flight models are authentic and unforgiving—landings take concentration, though crashes aren’t always fatal. Gunnery is demanding, often frustrating. The AI is relentless. Ground fire is fiendishly accurate. Personal wounds are common. Kills are anything but routine—it’s common to fly several missions in a row without scoring. Simple survival is often reward enough.

RB3D’s career is intensely personal. You can begin as flying fodder, an anonymous replacement. Success brings decorations and promotion that might lead to command of a flight or an entire squadron. Missions range from patrols to trench strafing to balloon busting. Along the way, aces have the option of rejecting assigned sorties for lone-wolf stalking, personalizing their aircraft, even requesting transfers to more prestigious outfits. No flight sim before or since has presented a more historically immersive campaign. RB3D engulfs the player in a monumental conflict.

No Parachutes: Lanoe Hawker could have used one in this D.H.2.

Play It Again
All you need to jump back into RB3D is a copy of the disk, available online or in bargain bins for less than US$15. (Amazon and eBay are good places to hunt, but be advised: the version offered at Sold Out Software won't work with Windows XP.) RB3D is one of the best investments in flight sims—almost every upgrade is free, and the choices are extensive.

Operating system: Although RB3D was designed for Windows 98, you can definitely run the sim under Windows 2000 or Windows XP. There is one catch—RB3D doesn’t like USB joysticks, and will disable sound if one is present. For a workaround, unplug your joystick before running RB3D, then plug it in again after starting the game; alternately, you can disable game preferences at each startup. Details about compatibility issues are available on the newbie page at RB3D portal Wings of Valor.

Hardware: Hardware can be an issue with RB3D. Pentium IV processors run the sim fine, but since the graphics engine was designed for Glide, an old Voodoo card helps. It’s not essential, though. A recent wrapper, OpenGlide, allows NVIDIA cards to emulate Glide. While the wrapper isn’t flawless, it’s so close you probably won’t notice most lapses. Some graphics mods are demanding enough to make modern hardware preferable, especially if you're not running a venerable Voodoo—OpenGlide can be a tad sluggish. Of course, you can always sacrifice 3D graphics and use Direct Draw.

Terrain: Some of RB3D’s most impressive mods address scenery. That’s understandable, since terrain is the default engine’s biggest weakness. RB3D’s 3D modeling wasn’t even state-of-the-art for 1998, but new mods come startlingly close to modern sims. Popular packages include Rabu’s On the Edge and the Promised Land, which last fall released a stunning photorealistic version. These terrain mods tax older systems, occasionally even choking a high-end rig. Some compatibility tweaking might be necessary for newer machines, but it's well worth the effort.

Aircraft models: This is the other area where default RB3D really shows its age, but current offerings update the inventory nicely. A legion of talented artists have modeled new aircraft and effects for RB3D, introducing details like wing wires and animated rotary engines. Some of the latest and most exacting are included in Baron von Helton’s Revenge of the Jastas II package, updated last fall. Again, it’s resource intensive, and worth every megabyte. High-quality skins are plentiful as well.

Flight models: RB3D veterans will remember the flight-model arguments that raged around the original game. Mods appeared early on from groups like the Fairy Godmothers of Flight, and continue to be developed. The latest efforts by modders like Panama Red, Capt. Royce and Uhlan further refine flight characteristics and damage effects. Most are available from the Society of WWI Sim Artisans (SWWISA).

Campaign patches: Even after the Dynamix super patch, RB3D suffered some glaring historical gaffes, ranging from incorrect unit insignia to the exclusion of famous fighter aces. User patches soon appeared to correct errors and complete gaps. The granddaddy of all RB3D campaign patches is Beery’s Super Patch, still available at Cage’s World. The latest is Otto von Stachel’s brand-new Hell’s Angels Super Patch, released in January 2003. Hell’s Angels incorporates elements from several of RB3D’s finest mods, including Rabu’s terrain and Promised Land objects.


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Patching Up
Can’t wait to give the new RB3D a try? Before you do anything, download the Dynamix super patch, still available at Sierra’s website. There are two patches: 1.0.7.7 adds 3D graphics, and 1.0.7.8 enables multiplayer functionality. If you own Red Baron II, you’ll need 1.0.7.7 to upgrade to RB3D; if you own the 1998 retail release of RB3D, all you’ll need is 1.0.7.8. NVIDIA users should download OpenGlide and install it in their Red Baron folder.

The very first time you fire up RB3D, you’re going to get curious about upgrades—default graphics are a little rough for simmers who’ve grown accustomed to IL-2 Sturmovik’s detail. The ideal way to get your feet wet with RB3D mods is Hell’s Angels. Installation instructions are reasonably clear, and support is ongoing. One reminder: make sure you enable Glide from the in-game graphic preferences menu, otherwise you'll be stuck with primitive Direct Draw.

Beyond that, mods are available to suit every taste. There’s plenty to explore, and a friendly community that’s eager to assist. The RB3D crowd is dedicated, mature and helpful—newbies are welcomed with open arms.

Tri-Power: Fokker Dr.I savages a B.E.2.

Getting the Goods
Here are some of the RB3D community’s hubs:
  • Wings of Valor:
    Follows in the footsteps of RB3D’s long-time portal, Wings of Honor; good place for newbies to start.


  • Society of WWI Sim Artisans Forum:
    Descendent of the original Delphi Red Baron forum, and still a great best place to keep current; links to the SWWISA website and other RB3D forums.


  • Cage’s World:
    Cage has been covering RB3D since the start, and his site is one of the finest archives on the Web.


  • Flybert’s Chateau:
    Deep inventory of aircraft, skins and utilities from one of the community’s stalwarts.


  • The Promised Land:
    RB3D’s most extensive terrain package; updated in October 2002.


  • On the Edge:
    Rabu’s popular terrain package.


  • Western Front Patch:
    Huge campaign patch that doubles the number of aircraft in RB3D; updated in September 2002.


  • Von Helton’s Castle:
    Baron von Helton’s massive package, Revenge of the Jastas II; updated in October 2002.


  • Hell’s Angels:
    Otto von Stachel’s comprehensive campaign-mod compilation, released in January 2003 (and used for all screenshots in this article).


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