Difference between revisions of "Falcon 3.0"
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|winehq = | |winehq = | ||
|license = commercial | |license = commercial | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Introduction | ||
+ | |introduction = | ||
+ | |||
+ | |release history = | ||
+ | |||
+ | |current state = | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
{{Availability| | {{Availability| | ||
− | {{Availability/row| Retail | | | + | {{Availability/row| Retail | falcon 3.0 | DRM-free | Original release is floppy only, Gold Edition is a CD-ROM release bundled with other games in the series and AOTK | | DOS }} |
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | falcon_gold | DRM-free | Gold Edition. Also available in {{Store link|GOG.com|falcon_collection|Falcon Collection}} bundled with other games in the series. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]].<br>Includes [[Falcon 4.0]]. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }} | {{Availability/row| GOG.com | falcon_gold | DRM-free | Gold Edition. Also available in {{Store link|GOG.com|falcon_collection|Falcon Collection}} bundled with other games in the series. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]].<br>Includes [[Falcon 4.0]]. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Steam | 429520 | Steam | Gold Edition | | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Steam | 429520 | Steam | Gold Edition | | Windows }} | ||
Line 407: | Line 415: | ||
===Intro and mission reports play at wrong speed=== | ===Intro and mission reports play at wrong speed=== | ||
{{--}} The game's intro video plays too slowly and the mission texts scroll too quickly when played in [[DOSBox]].<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/falcon_collection/falcon_30_mig_29_and_hornet_all_very_choppy_dosbox_tweaks|title=gog.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref> The hi-fidelity flight model also may have issues as well as SAMs.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3802957/Falcon_3_0_joystick_sensitivit|title=simhq.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/falcon_collection/falcon_30_sams|title=gog.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref> Reducing DOSBox's cycles will solve these issues but unfortunately the game will become too choppy to play when on missions. One simple solution is to switch to the "Complex" flight model which allows for correct joystick input. Changing timed=false in DOXBOX will also alleviate joystick calibration issues. | {{--}} The game's intro video plays too slowly and the mission texts scroll too quickly when played in [[DOSBox]].<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/falcon_collection/falcon_30_mig_29_and_hornet_all_very_choppy_dosbox_tweaks|title=gog.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref> The hi-fidelity flight model also may have issues as well as SAMs.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3802957/Falcon_3_0_joystick_sensitivit|title=simhq.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/falcon_collection/falcon_30_sams|title=gog.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref> Reducing DOSBox's cycles will solve these issues but unfortunately the game will become too choppy to play when on missions. One simple solution is to switch to the "Complex" flight model which allows for correct joystick input. Changing timed=false in DOXBOX will also alleviate joystick calibration issues. | ||
+ | ===Incompatibility with Windows 9x and 3x=== | ||
+ | {{--}} Falcon 3.0 Will not run on Windows 3.1 or 3.0. On Windows 9x systems, it is not recommended to run it within windowed MS-DOS mode but it can be ran through pure dos (Restart in MS-DOS Mode) assuming the user frees enough conventional memory. A Boot Disk was available for download from a Customer Support BBS at one point. | ||
==Issues fixed== | ==Issues fixed== | ||
+ | ===Insufficient Conventional Memory to Run the Game=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Edit your config.sys and autoexec.bat files to ensure you have enough base memory|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?p=857672|title=vogons.org|date=26 May 2020}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | Falcon 3.0 at the time required a substantially large amount of conventional memory to run (602-604K), making it an extremely demanding game. To alleviate this, a guide is provided within the manual on page 20, Section III. There is additionally another guide within the 'Communications Manual' booklet which explains concisely how to do this. | ||
+ | '''Note: This is a DOS-specific error and does not affect those running the game under Dosbox''' | ||
+ | #Within your config.sys files, ensure the following is included within: | ||
+ | <pre> | ||
+ | DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS | ||
+ | DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE 1024 RAM | ||
+ | BUFFERS=30,0 | ||
+ | FILES=30 | ||
+ | DOS=HIGH,UMB | ||
+ | STACKS=0,0 | ||
+ | </pre> | ||
+ | #Additionally put 'DEVICEHIGH' instead of 'DEVICE=" for any other driver lines, or don't load them at all (This includes sound card or CD-ROM TSRs) | ||
+ | If all else fails, utilize a memory manager like QEMM or the built in MS-DOS memory manager known as memmaker, and follow the onscreen instructions. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | ===Creating a Boot Disk=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Creating a Boot Disk|fix= | ||
+ | The Falcon3 directory additionally contains utilities for creating bootdisks. This is explained within the manual on Page 21 (Section III: Installation and Loading) | ||
+ | #change to your falcon 3 directory by typing cd falcon3 or cd falconcd (for gold users) | ||
+ | #type one of the following for your particular configuration and follow the onscreen instructions | ||
+ | <pre> | ||
+ | bootemm - for computers with 1MB of EMS, no mouse drivers | ||
+ | bootmice - for 1MB of EMS and a mouse driver | ||
+ | bootdspc - for computers running DoubleSpace (not to be confused with DriveSpace) | ||
+ | bootnet - for a bootdisk loaded with IPX and NET5 Networking Drivers | ||
+ | </pre> | ||
+ | Falcon Gold also has these utilities under the setup program. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
===No sound in Art of the Kill (Gold)=== | ===No sound in Art of the Kill (Gold)=== | ||
{{Fixbox|description=edit the AOTK PLAYER.CFG file|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/falcon_collection/sound_fix_for_falcon_3_golds_art_of_the_kill_videos|title=gog.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref>|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=edit the AOTK PLAYER.CFG file|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/falcon_collection/sound_fix_for_falcon_3_golds_art_of_the_kill_videos|title=gog.com|date=26 May 2023}}</ref>|fix= | ||
Line 452: | Line 492: | ||
|windows 64-bit exe = unknown | |windows 64-bit exe = unknown | ||
|windows arm app = false | |windows arm app = false | ||
− | |windows exe notes = | + | |windows exe notes = unknown |
|mac os x powerpc app = unknown | |mac os x powerpc app = unknown | ||
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown | |macos intel 32-bit app = unknown | ||
Line 469: | Line 509: | ||
==System requirements== | ==System requirements== | ||
{{System requirements | {{System requirements | ||
− | |OSfamily = | + | |OSfamily = DOS |
− | |minOS = | + | |minOS = DOS 5.0 or Later |
− | |minCPU = | + | |minCPU = 386 |
− | |minRAM = | + | |minRAM = 4MB of memory (602K of conventional memory, 2MB or more of EMS) |
− | |minHD = | + | |minHD = 11MB of HDD Space |
− | |minGPU = | + | |minGPU = VGA Compatible Graphics Card |
− | | | + | |minaudio = PC Speaker, Adlib |
− | |recOS = | + | |recOS = DOS 5.0 or Later |
− | |recCPU = | + | |recCPU = 33Mhz 486 or better, requires math co-processor for High-Fidelity Model |
− | |recRAM = | + | |recRAM = 6MB of memory (602k conventional, 4MB of EMS) |
− | |recHD = | + | |recHD = 11MB, 2x Variable CD-ROM Drive |
− | |recGPU = | + | |recGPU = 16-bit VGA Card |
− | | | + | |recaudio = SoundBlaster 16 or Roland MT-32 |
}} | }} | ||
{{References}} | {{References}} |
Latest revision as of 23:25, 10 January 2024
Developers | |
---|---|
Sphere, Inc. | |
Publishers | |
Retail (North America) | Spectrum HoloByte |
Retail (Europe), digital (2023-present) | MicroProse |
Digital (2015-2023) | Retroism |
Release dates | |
DOS | 1991 |
Windows (DOSBox) | October 23, 2015[1] |
macOS (OS X) (DOSBox) | October 23, 2015[1] |
Linux (DOSBox) | October 23, 2015[1] |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | First-person, Third-person |
Controls | Direct control |
Genres | Simulation, Vehicle combat |
Vehicles | Flight |
Themes | Contemporary |
Series | Falcon |
Falcon | |
---|---|
Falcon | 1987 |
Falcon A.T. | 1988 |
Falcon 3.0 | 1991 |
Falcon 4.0 | 1998 |
Falcon 4.0: Allied Force | 2005 |
Falcon 3.0 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person simulation and vehicle combat game in the Falcon series.
General information
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | Original release is floppy only, Gold Edition is a CD-ROM release bundled with other games in the series and AOTK | |||
GOG.com | Gold Edition. Also available in Falcon Collection bundled with other games in the series. Pre-packaged with DOSBox. Includes Falcon 4.0. |
|||
Steam | Gold Edition | |||
Green Man Gaming (unavailable) | Gold Edition |
Version differences
- The Gold version includes all the addons and is fully updated (except for unofficials). Also includes special Art of the Kill training videos.
Monetization
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Operation: Fighting Tiger | ||
MiG-29: Deadly Adversary of Falcon 3.0 | Playable as a standalone addon, though works best when integrated into Falcon 3.0 | |
Hornet: Naval Strike Fighter | Playable as a standalone addon, though works best when integrated into Falcon 3.0 | |
Strategic Falcon | Unofficial commercial expansion for Falcon 3.0 that adds a greater degree of customization and planning to the game. Even capable of importing custom planes made with Falcon Test Pilot model editor. Formerly available here, not available digitally. |
Essential improvements
Patches
Patch 3.05 for the base game and Operation: Fighting Tiger, updating it to be on par with the Gold version, is available here. Separate versions for MiG-29 (1.04) and Hornet (1.02) are available here and here respectably. An unofficial one for networking issues of version 3.05 some user experience is available here (might be irrelevant to DOSBox users). All Gold versions (including digital) are fully updated except for the unofficial patch.
Addon Launcher
- Falcon 3.0 has MiG-29 and Hornet as their own executables, making it annoying to configure if you have the retail version. Luckily you can save the following as a .bat file and run it in DOSBox to get around this annoyance.
- If used with Gold, you may have to replace the
falcon3
command in the script withfalconcd
.
- Addon Launcher
@echo off :start @echo off CLS echo ══════════ echo Falcon 3.0 echo ══════════ echo. echo ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ echo │ [1] Falcon + Operation: Fighting Tiger │ echo │ [2] MIG-29: Deadly Adversary of Falcon │ echo │ [3] Hornet: Naval Strike Fighter │ echo. ├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ echo │ [4] Reset Falcon Squadrons │ echo │ [5] Reset MIG-29 Squadrons │ echo │ [6] Reset Hornet Squadrons │ echo │ [7] Reset Falcon High Scores │ echo │ [8] Reset MIG-29 High Scores │ echo │ [9] Reset Hornet High Scores │ echo. ├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ echo │ [S] Reset Settings │ echo │ [D] Load Stick Driver │ echo │ [C] Save Allied Campaign │ echo │ [V] Version Info │ echo │ [Q] Quit! │ echo ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── echo. :choice choice/c:123456789sdcvq/n Choose Number: if errorlevel 14 goto exit if errorlevel 13 goto version if errorlevel 12 goto save if errorlevel 11 goto drive if errorlevel 10 goto set if errorlevel 9 goto rehighh if errorlevel 8 goto rehighm if errorlevel 7 goto rehighf if errorlevel 6 goto rehor if errorlevel 5 goto remig if errorlevel 4 goto refal if errorlevel 3 goto hor if errorlevel 2 goto mig if errorlevel 1 goto fal if errorlevel 0 goto exit :fal CLS falcon3 goto start :mig CLS mig29 goto start :hor CLS hornet goto start :refal CLS f30reset pause goto start :remig CLS migreset pause goto start :rehor CLS f18reset pause goto start :rehighf CLS echo Resetting Falcon and Fighting Tiger High Scores... del topten pause goto start :rehighm CLS echo Resetting MiG-29 High Scores... del topmig pause goto start :rehighh CLS echo Resetting Hornet High Scores... del topten.dan pause goto start :save CLS call savecamp pause goto start :set CLS echo Resetting Settings... del falcon3.def del mig29.def del hornet.def pause goto start :drive CLS TM-STICK pause goto start :version CLS CHECKVER pause goto start :exit CLS
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
DOS | <path-to-game>\falcon3.def <path-to-game>\mig29.def <path-to-game>\hornet.def |
Windows | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1] |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1] |
Linux | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1] |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/429520/pfx/[Note 2] |
-
falcon3.def
is for the base game and Fighting Tiger expansion,mig29.def
is for the MIG-29 expansion andhornet.def
is for the Hornet expansion.
- It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
DOS | <path-to-game>\squad*.* |
Windows | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1] |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1] |
Linux | <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1] |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/429520/pfx/[Note 2] |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
GOG Galaxy | ||
Steam Cloud |
Video
Graphics feature | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | |||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | For DOSBox toggle with Alt+↵ Enter (see the glossary page for other workarounds). | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | |||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | |||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | |||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS |
Force high detail friendly and enemy planes
Use LOADHIGH parameter[2] |
---|
Copy OBJECTS over SOBJECTS[2] |
---|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | ||
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support | For DOSBox use the DOSBox Mapper (see the glossary page for other workarounds). |
Controller types |
---|
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | For DOSBox change the priority background value in the DOSBox configuration file. |
|
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English |
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local play | ||||
LAN play | 6 | Co-op, Versus |
||
Online play | 2 | Co-op, Versus Modem only. Can be extended to 6 players if using DOSBox tunneling or other forms of IPX tunneling. |
- Co-op is referred to as Allied and versus is referred to as duel in game.
Issues unresolved
Intro and mission reports play at wrong speed
- The game's intro video plays too slowly and the mission texts scroll too quickly when played in DOSBox.[3] The hi-fidelity flight model also may have issues as well as SAMs.[4][5] Reducing DOSBox's cycles will solve these issues but unfortunately the game will become too choppy to play when on missions. One simple solution is to switch to the "Complex" flight model which allows for correct joystick input. Changing timed=false in DOXBOX will also alleviate joystick calibration issues.
Incompatibility with Windows 9x and 3x
- Falcon 3.0 Will not run on Windows 3.1 or 3.0. On Windows 9x systems, it is not recommended to run it within windowed MS-DOS mode but it can be ran through pure dos (Restart in MS-DOS Mode) assuming the user frees enough conventional memory. A Boot Disk was available for download from a Customer Support BBS at one point.
Issues fixed
Insufficient Conventional Memory to Run the Game
Edit your config.sys and autoexec.bat files to ensure you have enough base memory[6] |
---|
Falcon 3.0 at the time required a substantially large amount of conventional memory to run (602-604K), making it an extremely demanding game. To alleviate this, a guide is provided within the manual on page 20, Section III. There is additionally another guide within the 'Communications Manual' booklet which explains concisely how to do this. Note: This is a DOS-specific error and does not affect those running the game under Dosbox
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE 1024 RAM BUFFERS=30,0 FILES=30 DOS=HIGH,UMB STACKS=0,0
If all else fails, utilize a memory manager like QEMM or the built in MS-DOS memory manager known as memmaker, and follow the onscreen instructions. |
Creating a Boot Disk
Creating a Boot Disk |
---|
The Falcon3 directory additionally contains utilities for creating bootdisks. This is explained within the manual on Page 21 (Section III: Installation and Loading)
bootemm - for computers with 1MB of EMS, no mouse drivers bootmice - for 1MB of EMS and a mouse driver bootdspc - for computers running DoubleSpace (not to be confused with DriveSpace) bootnet - for a bootdisk loaded with IPX and NET5 Networking Drivers Falcon Gold also has these utilities under the setup program. |
No sound in Art of the Kill (Gold)
edit the AOTK PLAYER.CFG file[7] |
---|
AUDTYPE = 2 ;SOUNDBLASTER AUDDMA = 1 ;DMA AUDIRQ = 7 ;IRQ AUDBSIO = 220 ;BASEIO VIDTYPE = 0 ;AUTO DETECT VIDMODE = 110 ;640x480x32K COLORS DBITDEPTH = 15 ;BIT DEPTH CDROMDR = D |
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
DOS video modes | VGA |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows | unknown |
Mods
Mods and utilities for Falcon 3.0 can be found here. Warning some files are version specific and/or don't work on the latest version of the game. Additional mods could also be found by digging in cd.textfiles.com though this archive is far less organized.
System requirements
DOS | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | DOS 5.0 or Later | DOS 5.0 or Later |
Processor (CPU) | 386 | 33Mhz 486 or better, requires math co-processor for High-Fidelity Model |
System memory (RAM) | 4MB of memory (602K of conventional memory, 2MB or more of EMS) | 6MB of memory (602k conventional, 4MB of EMS) |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 11MB of HDD Space | 11MB, 2x Variable CD-ROM Drive |
Video card (GPU) | VGA Compatible Graphics Card | 16-bit VGA Card |
Sound (audio device) | PC Speaker, Adlib | SoundBlaster 16 or Roland MT-32 |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 File/folder structure within the installation folder reflects the path(s) listed for DOS game data. For the GOG.com release, file changes in DOSBox are redirected to
<path-to-game>/cloud_saves/
even if GOG Galaxy is not used (this folder contains all redirected files, so some files in thecloud_saves
folder might be temporary files or other files that do not contain saves or settings). - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (429520) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Release: Falcon Collection - GOG.com
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.gamers.org/pub/archives/cactus/falcon3/faq
- ↑ gog.com - last accessed on 26 May 2023
- ↑ simhq.com - last accessed on 26 May 2023
- ↑ gog.com - last accessed on 26 May 2023
- ↑ vogons.org - last accessed on 26 May 2020
- ↑ gog.com - last accessed on 26 May 2023