Flaming Cliffs 2.0 Upgrade FAQ
Q: What new features does the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade add?
A: The following features are added:
- Runs under DirectX 9C
- Improved Mission Editor with trigger system
- New terrain area to include much of Georgia. This will be same map as used in DCS: Blacks Shark. As such the Crimea has been replaced with the addition of Georgia.
- More detailed terrain to include more ground objects, larger forests, and higher resolution elevation data
- Improved clouds
- High resolution airfield textures
- Improved multiplayer system with embedded game browser
- More robust online cheating prevention
- New and improved menu system
- Numerous new, highly detailed ground units including infantry
- Improved flight performance for player-controlled aircraft
- Improved flight models for all artificial intelligence (AI) controlled aircraft
- New, more realistic G-tolerance modeling
- Limited 6 DOF cockpits that move up, down and sideways according to maneuvering
- New and highly-detailed Su-25 model
- Advanced ballistics are implemented for all flyable aircraft, including ricochets of AP rounds
- F-15C locked target IFF indication
- More realistic ranges, seeker guidance and fuzes for air-to-air missiles
- More realistic electronic countermeasure operation and performance
- New and improved sound engine
- New radio message voice-overs
- Random AI look-down clutter notch variable according to skill level
- Adjusted chaff rejection
- Can start inside aircraft shelters now
- New turbulence model for all player-controlled aircraft that automatically generates turbulence effects at three wind band altitudes accounting for wind speed and direction
- New wind ground surface effects for player-controlled aircraft with the "Advanced Flight Model" (Su-25 and Su-25T) that reduces wind speeds near the ground surface
Q: Will my Flaming Cliffs 1.12 missions work with Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Due to a change in the world location and mission editor, they will not. However, when installing the upgrade you have the option to create both Flaming Cliffs 1.12 and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 parallel installs. Flaming Cliffs 1.12 and the upgraded Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will not be online compatible.
Q: Will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 and DCS: Black Shark be online compatible?
A: Yes! You will now be able to fly head-to-head and cooperatively with players flying the Ka-50.
Q: Is a player flyable Ka-50 included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: No. To fly the Ka-50 you must own DCS: Black Shark. However, AI-controlled Ka-50 helicopters are included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0.
Q: What mission content will be included in Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Each aircraft will have several new single missions and four new campaigns will be included, two for the Su-25 and one for the A-10A and F-15C.
Q: Will new documents be provided?
A: Yes. A new Flaming Cliffs manual will be provided as well as a new Install Guide.
Q: Will 3rd party modifications created for Flaming Cliffs 1.12 work in Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Yes, in most cases. However, some minor modifications made need to be made for 3rd party-created aircraft.
Q: What operating systems will be supported?
A: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Q: What copy protection will be used?
A: StarForce online activation (only) will be used. Based on the success of DCS: Black Shark protection, we feel this provides the best compromise of user-friendliness and protection of property. Unlike the reported hardware problems reported with an earlier version of StarForce applied to the original Flaming Cliffs, no such issues have been reported with the current online activation method that does not install any drivers to the user’s computer.
Q: When will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be available?
A: We plan to make the upgrade available for download from the Eagle Dynamics website in early 2010.
http://lockon.co.uk/
Q: How much will this upgrade cost?
A: $29.99 USD
Q: Will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 use the same "engine" as Black Shark?
A: It would be more accurate to say that both Flaming Cliffs 2.0 and Black Shark use the same generation of The Fighter Collection Simulation Engine (TFCSE). This was done not only to improve the Flaming Cliffs series in many key areas, but to also allow multi-player compatibility between the two brand series. Given this, they share many things in common, including:
• Map and airbases
• Multiplayer and network code (sorry, no dedicated server yet)
• Log Book
• Encyclopedia
• AI units and AI actions
• Track file system
• Options
• Mission Editor
• Campaign Editor
• Modding openness
• World lighting and shadowing
• TripleHead2Go support
• Force feedback implementation
• Monitor resolution support
Q: What are the system specifications for Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: The same as for Black Shark. For most users, the game will run faster than Flaming Cliffs 1.12 due to TFCSE optimizations.
Minimum system requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7; CPU P4 2 GHz; RAM 2 GB; video card 256 MB RAM, compatible with DirectX 9; 5 GB HDD space; sound card; keyboard and mouse.
Recommended system requirements: Windows XP, Vista or 7, CPU Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD X2; RAM 3 GB; video card with 512 MB RAM (ATI Radeon HD4850+ or nVidia GF8800+), compatible with DirectX 9; 5 GB of HDD space; sound card; keyboard and mouse; and joystick.
Q: If I install the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade to an existing copy of Flaming Cliffs, will I still need the original Flaming Cliffs CD to launch it and still go through activation?
A: No, only the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 protection system would be used.
Q: Will the upcoming DCS: A-10C Warthog be online compatible with Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: We do not know yet as DCS: A-10C Warthog is still in development.
Q: Can I port Flaming Cliffs missions into Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: No, due to significant changes in the map and Mission Editor.
Q: Will a combined package of Lock On and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be released?
A: This is possible and something that is under investigation with Ubisoft (owners of intellectual property rights of Lock On).
Q: Will it be possible to build missions in both Black Shark and Flaming Cliffs FC 2.0 and use them interchangeably?
A: For the most part yes, but some mission modification would probably be needed due to a different set of flyable aircraft.
Q: Will all Flaming Cliffs 2.0 flyable aircraft now have the Advance Flight Model (AFM) system?
A: The Su-25 and Su-25T most certainly will and will have some performance tweaks. The other aircraft will have the Standard Flight Model (SFM) but will see more realistic performance in regards to such items as climb rates, acceleration, and top speeds.
Q: What if I do not have a copy of Flaming Cliffs to upgrade to Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Likely in the Spring of 2010 we will release Flaming Cliffs 2.0 of DVD. This version will be a complete Flaming Cliffs 2.0 install but will still require Lock On to be first installed. You can purchase Lock On at:
http://www.kengray.co.uk/lockonbuy.htm
Q: What about including 3rd party models, textures, etc.?
A: While 3rd party developers are certainly free to add these to Flaming Cliffs 2.0 after release, they will not be integrated due to past issues attempting to use 3rd party content and legal issues.
Q: Will the released terrain tools be compatible with Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Yes.
Q: Will Black Shark and Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be run from the same executable?
A: No, they are two separate programs. They only link together in regards to online compatibility.
Q: Has the AIM-120B/C performance been improved?
A: Yes in regards to range, speed, fuze ranges, and counter-counter measure effectiveness. Other missiles have also been improved. In a related manner, ECM burn-through ranges have been moved significantly out (based on aircraft type) and a 15 second ECM warm-up time has been added to address ECM blinking online.
Q: What are the payment options for Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Most major credit cards will be accepted through:
http://lockon.co.uk/index.php?end_po...g=en&cat_sid=0
Q: Will the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 aircraft receive the same level of detail regarding navigation systems, lights, and radios as the Ka-50 in DCS: Black Shark?
A: No, that level of detail is reserved for the DCS series. Except for when indicted in this FAQ, Flaming Cliffs 2.0 aircraft will be as they are in Flaming Cliffs.
Q: Why are the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 limited 6 DOF and not full 6 DOF?
A: Unlike the Ka-50 cockpit in DCS: Black Shark, the Flaming Cliffs 2.0 cockpits are not full 3D in every aspect that allows unlimited 6 DOF movement around the cockpit. Yaw, pitch, and Z-axis are as they were in Flaming Cliffs, but X, Y, and roll are limited.
Q: Will the training tracks be updated?
A: Yes.
Q: Where will the boxed version of Flaming Cliffs 2.0 be available?
A: Outside of TFC website (
http://www.kengray.co.uk/lockonbuy.htm), that has yet to be determined.
Q: If there are future Black Shark patches, will Flaming Cliffs 2.0 still be online compatible?
A: We will make every effort to retain this compatibility.
Q: What will be the activation limits for Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: 8 activations and 10 deactivations. Note that just reinstalling the game does NOT use an activation! An activation or deactivation is only used when there is a significant hardware or OS change. Even if the user has exhausted all of their activations and deactivations, more are provided with proof of purchase. If in the unfortunate circumstance Eagle Dynamics were to go out of business, our intent would be to release a final patch to remove copy protection.
Q: What would be the Flaming Cliffs 2 upgrade paths?
A: FC2 can be installed over any installation of Lock On, with or without Flaming Cliffs. FC2 is a separate install and does not overwrite your previous game(s). So, your options are either Lock On + Flaming Cliffs unofficial add-on (you would not have to activate) + Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade or simply Lock On + Flaming Cliffs 2.0.
In some cases, it may be a good idea to fully uninstall your previous game (back up whatever you need first), reboot the PC and perform a clean installation of Lock On prior to installing FC2.
Q: Is it true that bird ingestion has been added?
A: Yes, but it can be set on or off with .LUA setting.
Q: Will multi-player aerial refueling be supported in Flaming Cliffs 2.0?
A: Yes, but with some limitations.
1) Player being the host of a multi-player mission and won't have any problem refueling from the tanker. Also, the player will be able to see the positioning lights (KC-10A), baskets (IL-78 ) and will be able to hear radio communication with the tanker.
2) Player connecting to a server will be able to air refuel with a few differences.
-KC-10A limitation: No radio communication, no positioning lights
-IL-78M limitation: No radio communication
3) Important note for air refueling with the F-15C, A-10A and "weather" options.
Missions creator, if you're planning to add a tanker (KC-10A) to your multi-player missions, you will need to take in consideration the wind settings (Ground, 2000m, 8000m) under the "weather" tab options. Adding wind will prevent the client aircraft from connecting normally to the tanker as the autopilot will overcompensate for the wind and will make the air refueling impossible. You need to have wind set at 0 m/s at the altitude you're placing the tanker unit.
4) External tanks won't be refueled, only the internal tanks will be.