Feb 12, 2019

VTOL VR - Paolo

Over the last few months, a huge number of additions, changes, and fixes have been released on the public_testing branch. We've finally come to a point where it's a good time to push these changes to the default branch. If you haven't been keeping up with the test branch, you're in for a good surprise. Here's a summary of the main changes:

Custom Maps
The new Map Editor, while a work in progress, enables you to create random or heightmap generated terrains, paint cities, and place objects and roads. Like custom missions, maps can be easily shared. Custom missions built on custom maps will also automatically include those maps when shared.

F/A-26B Campaign
The first four missions of a new campaign for the fighter jet are now available. These missions are set in large desert maps built in the new map editor.

Wingmen Communications
With the help of many generous community members, there are now over 20 different voices for the AI pilots who fly with you. You'll hear them warning you of incoming threats, calling out fired missiles, and responding to your commands. With voice recognition (enabled by Windows 10) you can use your voice to command them to attack targets, get in formation, refuel, and more.

Improved Radar System
The radar system has been overhauled to be more realistic. Different factors such as the Doppler effect, ground clutter, and radar cross-section come into play when you or the enemy are trying to detect and lock targets. You'll also need to consider that your radar emissions can be detected by others much further (via RWR) than your receiver can detect returns. New Anti-Radiation weapons will allow you to target enemy radar signals to keep the sky safe from air defenses.

The full list of changes since v0.0.10p2 are below:

Alpha v0.0.11 General - Added Map Editor - Added more communications commands in MFD - Added velocity vectors to air unit icons in MFD map - Added fuel/thrust info page to right mini MFD on both vehicles - Added 4K screenshot button to S-Cam (saved in Screenshots folder in game directory) - Added support for Oculus SDK - Added nav map icon for player-launched GPS weapons - Added mic switch to each vehicle's comms panel - Added wingman voice commands - Added illuminated elements to dials and knobs - Added map editor button to VR game menu - Added first pass at ATC communications - Added option to hide helmet in FPV for wide-FOV HMDs - Added grouped unit icons for air units in MFD map - Added "New Objective" notification to HUD - Added BGM Volume setting in game settings menu - Changed MP3 streaming library to NAudio - Changed background music - Changed reply messages for rearming request to make more sense - Modified behavior of twist knobs to appear more natural - Moved intro carrier scene position to indoors - Moved settings window to flat panel display - Optimized airbase taxi lane pathfinding - Restarting a scenario will no longer require reloading the entire map - Fade audio on transitions to prevent harsh sounds when loading into cockpit - Fixed experimental wind affecting vehicle in configuration scene - Fixed missiles' proximity detonation sometimes failing at high relative speed - Fixed joystick behavior when grabbed at odd angles - Fixed MFD map display sometimes having incorrect depth - Fixed briefing audio not playing - Fixed bug in heatseeker code that caused log spam and lag - Fixed cockpit mp3 radio not playing in stereo - Fixed hardware input bindings not loading when launching editor from intro scene - Fixed occasional issues when spawning on a carrier - Fixed: unintended launch warnings when planes drop bombs A/V-42C - Added G-limiter switch - Added MFD Brightness knob - Adjusted aerodynamics - Increased internal fuel capacity by ~14% - Tweaked engine fuel drain (increased) - Fixed hover/altitude autopilot label alignment in HUD - Fixed log error spam caused by certain text elements - Fixed overlapping in mini MFD fuel page F/A-26B - Added AIM-120 x2 mount for F/A-26B equipment - Added HUD warning for folded wings - Added MFD Brightness knob - Added conformal fuel tanks to F/A-26B equipment - Added first 4 missions to an F/A-26B campaign - Added instrument lighting switch and dimmer knob - Added larger droptank to F/A-26B equipment - Added locked target name in Radar UI - Added material emission to jet nozzles with afterburner - Increased gear suspension spring and damper values - Reversed RWR switch to match orientation of Radar switch - Switched cockpit instrument labels to lit shader - Tweaked engine fuel drain (decreased) - Wings will start folded if spawning on carrier - Fixed issues when turning off radar while targets are locked/tracked Equipment - Added "trigger uncage" mode to heat seeking missiles - Added anti-radiation weapons - Added guidance and range info to HUD for Antiship missile - Added launch zone indicator for IR missiles - Added target lead prediction to HUD CCRP cues for moving targets (bombs) - Improved accuracy and added lead prediction for rocket CCIP when TGP has target data - Increased damage of AIM-9 - Show HUD message when AGM selected and no TGP attached - TGP and laser/optically guided weapons will be affected by terrain occlusion - Fixed Antiship missile not starting path at selected GPS waypoint if preceeding path points exist - Fixed aim direction of rocket pods for F/A-26B - Fixed error when switching to AGM with no TGP attached - Fixed explosions not doing damage when they originate inside a hitbox Radar - Added directional indicator on RWR for launch warnings - Implemented advanced radar effects - Improved RWR behavior when detecting missile locks - Fixed issues with missiles magically reacquiring radar locks Wingmen - Added radio messages for several more wingman situations - Added RTB and rearm commands for wingmen - Added Radar On/Off command Units - Added ASF-30 fighter/attack jet (Enemy) - Added MK-82AIR to AI AV-42C equips - Added allied heavy bomber - Added enemy bunkers - Added enemy heavy bomber - Added exterior lights to AV-42 and FA-26 AI units - Added pilot ejection animations to AV-42 and F/A-26B AI - Added rearming stations to each spawn point on aircraft carrier - Added sea-skimming behavior to ships' anti-ship missiles - Added storage tent building as destructible target - Fixed bug where AV-42C AI wouldn't use AIM-9 x2 and x3 racks - Fixed droptank attachment point location on ASF-58 - Fixed enemy ship gun turrets aiming too low. - Fixed ground units stopping short of destination when using "Move To" event action - Fixed landing behavior of ASF-33 - Fixed missing hitboxes on enemy carrier's IR missile launchers - Fixed rocket boats still shooting a rocket after being killed - Fixed: Allied carrier was invincible - CIWS and AAA units use now radar to track targets - Disabled AI plane collisions when taxiing - Reduced the accuracy of gun turrets that do not use radar tracking AI - Added rearming/refueling behavior to AI pilots at airbases/carriers - Improved AI pilot air-to-air guns aiming - No longer jettison external tanks while evading missile - AI pilots engage enemies detected via RWR - AI pilots no longer select weapons that are too weak to damage their target - Fixed AI AGM targeting for moving targets - Fixed AI VTOLs attempting to take off vertically when spawned in hangars - Fixed bombing behavior for moving targets - Fixed bug that caused AI pilots to have difficulty firing anti-ship missiles - Fixed bug where AI pilot got stuck if you cut in to refuel right after they disconnect from boom - Fixed issue when pilot that was going to refuel was interrupted by enemy fire - Fixed: AI pilots could see enemy fire from infinite distance Mission Editor - Added "Cancel Objective" event action for objectives. - Added "Platform" static object - Added "Set Invincible" event action for AI units - Added Bases tab and "base editor" to set military base names and teams - Added MP3 support for audio resources audio - Added Radar On/Off event actions for AI pilots - Added ability to move static objects - Added ability to select units by clicking on them in the world - Added conditional mission objective type - Added conditional node editor - Added conditional trigger type - Added default behavior settings for sea units - Added distance/radius measurement tool - Added invincibility field to AI units - Added non-targets list actions for AI pilots - Added priority targets actions for AI pilots - Fixed bug where selecting units in the units tab stops responding sometimes - Fixed: Orbit Waypoint event action on single unit did not apply radius and altitude settings - Fixed: air units could be commanded to land at enemy carriers Akutan (Island map) - Added bridge and another road to airbase Environment - Added shallowness and shore effects to water shader - Added tree collisions (optional)

Nov 29, 2018

Dev Report Nov 30, 2018

VTOL VR - Paolo

First, I'd like to apologise for the lack of announcements here on the Steam page and participation in the Steam discussions forum. You can rest assured that VTOL VR development is still very active! It has been a few months since the last major update (v0.0.10), but since then, I’ve been hard at work adding new features and releasing them in small updates to the public testing branch.

Most of the work has been towards updating radar mechanics, adding wingmen voices and voice recognition, and making progress on the map editor. Along side the major changes are the usual general improvements to vehicle cockpits, additional weapons, and optimizations.

The new radar system takes into account the radar cross section (RCS) of each aircraft at all view angles, physical effects such as Doppler and ground clutter, and simulates the effects of chaff more realistically. These changes allow you to employ more advanced radar missile/detection and avoidance techniques and make for a more dynamic and engaging combat environment. This feature can be enabled in the game settings menu of the public_testing branch.

With the help of many generous volunteers, each wingman can now have one of over 20 unique voices when calling out enemy contacts, missile shots, etc. Voices can be assigned to a specific wingman in the mission editor, or left to be randomly shuffled. On compatible systems (Windows 10), you can also enable voice recognition by switching on the mic on the cockpit’s comms panel. You’ll be able to command wingmen to attack targets, set formations, refuel, etc, with more commands to come. With the new voices and the addition of voice recognition, the battlefield feels much more alive.

I bet you’re all getting tired of the standard island map. The map editor will be a crucial tool for creating unique locations to fly different missions and campaigns. You will be able to import heightmaps, modify the terrain using simple tools, easily generate cities, place military bases and other static objects, and place roads, bridges, and highways. You can create maps from as small as 24km by 24km to as large as 196km by 196km, in different biomes such as boreal, arctic, or desert. Like the mission editor, you’ll be able to zip up the generated map files and share them with other players.

If you want to try and give feedback on the latest features, you can opt-in to the public testing branch by going into the Betas tab in the game’s properties windows on Steam.
Join the discussion and view a complete list of changes in the #public_testing channel on discord: https://discord.gg/u7X72wc

Jun 28, 2018

Update v0.0.10

VTOL VR - Paolo

Hello! It's time for an update to the main branch of VTOL VR.

Most of the changes in this update are small fixes and improvements for issues brought up in the public_testing branch. There are also several new units and weapons available in existing missions and the mission editor.

The map editor isn't ready for general use yet, so it will remain available only on the opt-in public_testing branch, however I've included one of the test maps which can be flown in a custom mission for the AV-42C. You can also create custom missions of your own in this map using either vehicle in the mission editor.

While my main targets for the update haven't been reached yet, I wanted to push a main branch update so at least everyone will benefit from the numerous fixes and improvements.

Here are the highlights:

The Island mission 7
Trees and updated terrain/environment textures
MK-82 AIR (high drag) bombs for both vehicles
Rockets for the F/A-26B
Rocket salvo options (fire multiple rockets at the same time)
Enemy units: Aircraft carrier, stationary AAA turrets, MANPADS, rocket-launcher droneships
Allied units: Main battle tanks, MANPADS
AV-42C HUD declutter switch
Visor and NVG buttons to help WMR users

The full list of changes:

Alpha v0.0.10 AV-42C - Added HUD declutter switch - Adjusted sizes and positions of HUD elements - Switched fonts to non-dynamic (improve performance) - Fixed HUD brake indicator overlapping HUD messages - Changed "Labels" light switches to "INST" (instrument) - Fixed instrument light switch tooltip - Added mission 7 to The Island campaign F/A-26B - Updated gun audio and visual effects - Fixed wing fold audio issues - Fixed weapon launch indicator light not attached to canopy frame - Replaced old quick-flight missions with custom quick-flight campaign Mission Editor - Fixed: tutorial objects were visible in static objects selector - Fixed: Flight scene sometimes failed to load after reverting to editor then testing again - Fixed launching mission with custom map and 'optional environment' enabled - Added forced fuel setting when equipment is not configurable - Prevent duplicating player spawn - Raised default mission budget - Added event action to send a GPS target to the player - Added event action to send a GPS path to the player - Added select 'all' button in unit multi-selector window - Added command for landing AI VTOLs at a waypoint - Switched toolbar fonts to non-dynamic to fix occasional jumbled text/improve performance - Fixed error when attempting to save with a path that has no points - Fixed units sometimes displaying out of order in unit lists Units - Fixed: Enemy artillery could still move and shoot after being destroyed - Fixed ASF-58 equipment configuration - Added static enemy AAA turret (Z20x2) - Added static enemy long range detection/acquisition radar - Added standard bombs for GAV-25 Bullshark - Added MK-82AIR to F/A-26B AI equipment - Fixed issue preventing AWACS and tanker from using countermeasures - Added enemy aircraft carrier - Set up enemy ASF-33 for carrier operations - Added allied and enemy MANPADS units - Added allied main battle tank unit - Fixed broken machine gun turrets on tanks - Fixed broken rail path behavior for ground units - Added death animations to infantry soldiers - Added rocket launcher variant of enemy drone gunboat unit - Added LOD for allied carrier unit Equipment - Fixed errors when activating an AGM when no TGP is attached - Added Hydra-70 launchers to F/A-26B - Adjusted Hydra-70 rockets and launchers to be correct diameter and length - Added MK-82AIR high drag bombs - Added Hydra-70 x19 pod for AV-42C - Added Mk-83 1000lb bomb for F/A-26B player and AI - Added bomb release safety: bombs won't release with negative G's - Fixed CCRP Auto issue with CBU-97 - Added salvo option for rocket launchers AI - Allied AI planes will (optionally) automatically find a tanker to refuel when low on fuel - Fixed: AI pilot using rockets didn't lead moving targets - Fixed: AI pilot sometimes launched AGM from outside max range - Allowed AI pilot to release multiple bombs when targets are clustered together - Improved and added variation to AI pilot bombing - Improved AI pilot collision avoidance with terrain - Improved AI take-off traffic management on carriers - Fixed VTOL AI issues when landing while yawing - Fixed IR SAM launchers leading target incorrectly General - Added trees - Adjusted island terrain colors/textures - Fixed cockpit button and pilot position issues when spawning far from the center of a map - Fixed bullet tracer width sometimes glitching on first frame - Fixed refuel tanker guidelights error when target is destroyed - Added heat to missiles so they can be targeted by IR based counter-missile systems - Fixed performance issues caused by ship wakes - Fixed performance issue caused by city blocks - Added jet wash effects when over water - Added visor and NVG toggle buttons for both vehicles - Fixed errors when launching game with multiple custom missions with same ID - Custom missions with duplicate IDs will be renamed on launch - Custom missions installed incorrectly (incorrect filepath) will be repaired - Updated environments - Fixed lighting glitches on ship wakes - Fixed death caused by body physics shaking when framerate is low - Minor optimizations to scripts Akutan (island map) - Lowered city seawalls - Fixed city LOD - Fixed graphical glitches when rearming at airbase

PS: I've hidden a secret 4th of July mission that you'll be able to find starting on that date and will be available for a week. Enjoy!

May 10, 2018

Public Test Branch v0.0.10p1

VTOL VR - Paolo

Hi everyone. Currently, I release public updates about once a month, and try to minimize the number of bugs in each update. There is a small group of volunteers who help test new features and track down bugs between public updates, but since the game is becoming more complex with the mission editor and upcoming map editor, a few hard to find but crucial issues still slip by. I would like to maintain or improve the quality of each update, but I would also like to get builds out into the public more often. So...

I've decided to open a public test branch, where I will be pushing development builds much more frequently. For those who wish to opt in and get more involved in the development process, you'll have access to the latest build and be able to try out new features, make suggestions, and find and report bugs.

These development builds may not be entirely stable or polished since I will
most likely be pushing updates as soon as something new to try is available. Also, not all experimental features in the test builds may make it to the final, stable update.

If you would like to opt-in to the public test branch, right click the game in Steam, go to properties, then Betas, then select public_testing. I also highly recommend that you join the public_testing discussion on discord: https://discord.gg/u7X72wc

The first public test build is available now. It includes the initial stage of the map editor. You can access the map editor from a button on your 2D monitor when you launch the game. You will be able to generate a new procedural map, place airbases in the map, save, and load. You will also be able to access the map when creating a new mission from the mission editor.

The main focus for testing is performance when flying missions in a custom-generated map. The generated maps are much larger than the original island (196km x 196km) In order to reduce loading time and memory usage, there's a few processes that carry on in the first minute or so of flight (generating/baking the terrain colliders), and some processes that continue throughout the flight (such as generating trees in the area around the player). The status for these processes are displayed in text on your monitor, if you're curious. I'd like to know how these affect performance on your computer's specs, so please leave a message on the discord chat. Thanks everyone!

v0.0.10p1 Map Editor - Added initial stage of map generator/editor Mission Editor - Fixed: tutorial objects were visible in static objects selector Units - Fixed: Enemy artillery could still move and shoot after being destroyed Equipment - Fixed errors when activating an AGM when no TGP is attached General - Added trees - Adjusted island terrain colors/textures - Fixed cockpit button and pilot position issues when spawning far from the center of a map

Apr 17, 2018

Update v0.0.9

VTOL VR - Paolo

Hey everyone! I've been recreating the original "Island" campaign using the built-in editor, playing some of your custom missions and campaigns, and fixing all the bugs I found in doing so (there were quite a few!). So this update is focused on bug fixes, but there some other small changes I think you'll enjoy such as the new pilot model and color customization, and updated explosion effects.

Unfortunately, your progress on the Island campaign will be reset, but it's not very long anyway so please let me know if you run into any problems playing through it, since it was rebuilt from scratch.

Now that most of the problems are out of the way, it's time for me to start creating new missions for the campaign, start working on the fighter campaign, and adding fun new features!

Here's the full list of changes:

Alpha v0.0.9 AV-42C - Recreated The Island campaign using VTEditor - Created new QuickFlight campaign to replace old one - Enabled brake lock when starting landed, flight-ready, to prevent rolling off carrier - Improved control using Hover Autopilot F/A-26B - Added some interior engine audio - Added HUD reticle for boresight mode - Radar now remains in boresight mode when unlocking a target previously acquired via boresight - Joystick button now unlocks target acquired in boresight mode and returns to boresight mode - Allowed weapons to be attached on fuel tank pylons - Fuel tank pylons are now displayed in EQUIP MFD page - Fixed: Soft-locks remained when switching radar to boresight mode - Fixed: Joystick button still TWS locked targets when in boresight mode Editor - Added loading scenes - Added invincibility option when testing a scenario from the editor - Added mission availability mode option to campaign editor (Sequential or all available) - Added event action for setting whether air unit or air group should do radio comms - Added "Attack Target" and "Cancel Attack Target" event actions for air units and air groups - Added confirmation dialogue when deleting a trigger event - Added static objects - Added tooltips in the Scenario Info window - Fixed black screen issues when launching custom campaign mission from editor - Fixed incorrect team showing when selecting a formation leader for an air unit group event action - Fixed: Objectives showed incomplete status even though a required unit was selected - Fixed error when deleting a scenario from the Open menu before opening any scenario - Fixed: Enabling a previously disabled trigger event through an event action did not actually enable it - Fixed drop-off objectives on the hospital helipad not working - Fixed trigger event not working if the waypoint is a unit that was not spawned immediately - Fixed mission breaking error caused by having a Fly To objective with no waypoint set - Fixed error when an air group is commanded to take off or land, but one of the pilots is dead - Fixed: Unable to save when an event action targets an objective that has been deleted - Fixed error when loading a scenario that had a reference to a waypoint that was deleted - Fixed: Editing scenario info of campaign training mission set it to non-training - Fixed: Forcing equips that the player hasn't unlocked caused black screen in vehicle config hangar - Set all equips enabled by default on a new campaign Units - Reduced attack rate of DMS Cruiser - Added vapor effects to enemy fighters - Fixed: Refuel tanker was radio messaging the player when an AI FA-26 was refueling - Fixed render layers of ASF-58 and GAV-25 low-poly LODs - Fixed RWR symbol of drones launched from drone carrier ship - Fixed Manta UCAV ignoring default values set in editor AI - Fixed issue when assigning a target to wingman who is already in combat - Fixed: Enemy fighters won't evade or engage when far away from their orbit waypoint or wing leader - Fixed issue where ships assigned to a looped path sometimes start in the wrong direction Weapons - Increased AIM-9 and IRIS-T resistance to countermeasures - Increased AMRAAM turning capability at higher speeds - Gun director sight will use radar or TGP target data if available General - Updated explosion particle effects - Updated pilot body and hands models - Added dark background to MFD labels to improve readability - Added some hand gestures - Added pilot color customization - Added different overlay unit icon for allied units so team can be identified in nightvision - Spectator camera settings are now persistent - Increased NVG illumination - Radars no longer detect aircraft that are landed - Fixed: Launching a campaign mission with no vehicle configuration switched to the editor instead - Fixed incorrect custom campaign mission being launched with zero budget under certain circumstances - Fixed rearming panel weapon display on moving carrier