Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Warning for game developers: PCGamingWiki staff members will only ever reach out to you using the official press@pcgamingwiki.com mail address.
Be aware of scammers claiming to be representatives or affiliates of PCGamingWiki who promise a PCGW page for a game key.

Difference between revisions of "Falcon 4.0"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Not much *to* clean up here)
m
(14 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
{{Infobox game/row/porter|Westlake Interactive|Mac OS}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/porter|Westlake Interactive|Mac OS}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MicroProse}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MicroProse|Retail}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Hasbro Interactive}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Hasbro Interactive|Retail}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MacSoft|Mac OS}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MacSoft|Mac OS}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Retroism|Steam}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Retroism|Digital (2015-2023)}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MicroProse|Digital (2023-present)}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
Line 30: Line 31:
 
|gogcom id    = 1443160514
 
|gogcom id    = 1443160514
 
|gogcom id side = 1443160711
 
|gogcom id side = 1443160711
 +
|hltb        = 31243
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|strategywiki =  
−
|mobygames    = falcon-40
+
|mobygames    = 1670
 
|wikipedia    = Falcon 4.0
 
|wikipedia    = Falcon 4.0
 
|winehq      =  
 
|winehq      =  
Line 37: Line 39:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{ii}} The source code was leaked in 2000.
+
|introduction      =
−
{{ii}} It is highly recommended to play the game with a joystick
+
 
−
{{ii}} The manual is required to fully understand the underlying game mechanics
+
|release history  = The game's source code was leaked in 2000. One of the community projects which made use of it is the [[#BMS mod|BMS mod]], which is the community's preferred way to play the game. On May 4, 2023, the rebooted [[Company:MicroProse|MicroProse]] announced upon claiming the franchise rights that they would officially support the BMS mod.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/microprose/announcements/detail/3680047495733505345|title=MicroProse is back on the Falcon series|date=2023-05-06}}</ref>
−
{{ii}} Most of the community has switched over to Falcon BMS, a heavily upgraded fork of F4's source code.
+
 
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
Line 51: Line 55:
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc}} | | Windows, Mac OS }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc}} | | Windows, Mac OS }}
−
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | falcon_collection | DRM-free | Bundled with [[Falcon]], [[Falcon A.T.]], and [[Falcon 3.0]] under bonus content.<ref>[https://www.gog.com/news/release_falcon_collection Release: Falcon Collection - GOG.com]</ref> | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | falcon_collection | DRM-free | Available in {{Store link|GOG.com|falcon_collection|Falcon Collection}} bundled with [[Falcon]], [[Falcon A.T.]], and [[Falcon Gold]] under bonus content for the latter.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/news/release_falcon_collection|title=Release: Falcon Collection - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref><br>Also available alongside [[Falcon Gold]]'s {{Store link|GOG.com|falcon_gold|separate store entry}} as an extra. | | Windows }}
−
{{Availability/row| GMG | falcon-collection | Steam | Bundled with [[Falcon]], [[Falcon A.T.]], and [[Falcon Gold]]. | | Windows }}
 
−
{{Availability/row| Humble | falcon-collection | Steam | Bundled with [[Falcon]], [[Falcon A.T.]], and [[Falcon Gold]]. | | Windows }}
 
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 429530 | Steam |  | | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 429530 | Steam |  | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| GMG | falcon-collection | Steam | Bundled with [[Falcon]], [[Falcon A.T.]], and [[Falcon Gold]]. | | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Humble | falcon-collection | Steam | Bundled with [[Falcon]], [[Falcon A.T.]], and [[Falcon Gold]]. | | Windows | unavailable }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
−
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS Audio.png|In-game audio settings (BMS Mod)}}
 
−
 
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
 
{{ii}} The official [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/814-falcon-40-patch/ v1.08 patch] provides bug fixes.
 
{{ii}} The official [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/814-falcon-40-patch/ v1.08 patch] provides bug fixes.
  
 
===BMS mod===
 
===BMS mod===
−
{{mm}} [https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/content.php BenchMarkSims webpage]
+
{{mm}} [https://www.falcon-bms.com/ BenchMarkSims webpage]
−
{{++}} Includes compatibility fixes for modern operating systems and graphics cards
+
{{ii}} Not compatible with [[Falcon 4.0: Allied Force]].
−
{{++}} Implements bug fixes, visual enhancements (including DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0 support), and additional content
+
{{++}} Includes compatibility fixes for modern operating systems and graphics cards, as well as bug fixes, visual enhancements (including DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0 support), and additional content
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
−
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS General.png|In-game general settings (BMS Mod)}}
 
−
 
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/config|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\config}}
 
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 102: Line 102:
  
 
==Video==
 
==Video==
−
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS Graphics.png|In-game graphics settings (BMS Mod)}}
+
{{Image|Falcon 4.0 graphics settings.png|Graphics settings (retail)}}
 +
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS Graphics.png|Graphics settings (BMS Mod)}}
 
{{Video
 
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
Line 119: Line 120:
 
|fov                        = true
 
|fov                        = true
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
−
|windowed                  = true
+
|windowed                  = hackable
−
|windowed notes            = For Allied Force, see [[#Windowed mode for Allied Force|Windowed mode for Allied Force]].
+
|windowed notes            = Run the game with the {{code|-window}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]. Requires [[Windows Compatibility Mode|16-bit color mode]].
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
Line 142: Line 143:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Windowed mode for Allied Force===
+
<gallery>
−
{{Fixbox|description=Follow the procedure|ref={{cn|September 2022}}|fix=
+
Falcon 4.0 simulation settings.png|Simulation settings (retail)
−
Use the software qres and create a <code>.bat</code> file with these lines (c=32 for 32 bits):
+
Falcon 4 BMS General.png|Simulation settings (BMS Mod)
−
<pre>CD C:\Program Files\Lead Pursuit\Battlefield Operations
+
</gallery>
−
 
 
−
qres.exe c=16
 
−
 
 
−
FalconAF.exe -window
 
−
 
 
−
CD C:\Program Files\Lead Pursuit\Battlefield Operations
 
−
 
 
−
qres.exe c=32
 
−
 
 
−
EXIT</pre>
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==Input==
 
==Input==
−
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS Controls .png|In-game control settings (BMS Mod)}}
+
{{Image|Falcon 4.0 control settings.png|Control settings (retail)}}
 +
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS Controls .png|Control settings (BMS Mod)}}
 
{{Input
 
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
Line 224: Line 215:
  
 
==Audio==
 
==Audio==
 +
{{Image|Falcon 4.0 sound settings.png|Sound settings (retail)}}
 +
{{Image|Falcon 4 BMS Audio.png|Sound settings (BMS Mod)}}
 
{{Audio
 
{{Audio
−
|separate volume          = unknown
+
|separate volume          = true
−
|separate volume notes    =  
+
|separate volume notes    = Master, interface, music, engine, Sidewinder, RWR, cockpit, flight and other comms, sound effects
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|subtitles                = unknown
 
|subtitles                = unknown
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
−
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
 
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
Line 237: Line 230:
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
−
|royalty free audio        = unknown
+
|royalty free audio        = true
 
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 244: Line 237:
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Traditional Chinese
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |subtitles = unknown
 
  |subtitles = unknown
−
  |notes    =  
+
  |notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = hackable
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    = Retail only. Localized voiceovers were a [https://web.archive.org/web/19990501065028/http://www.microprose.com/corporatedesign/techsupport/f4update.htm separate download].
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    = Retail only.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 262: Line 295:
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = unknown
+
|online play          = false
 
|online play players  =  
 
|online play players  =  
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
Line 269: Line 302:
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
}}{{Network/Connections
 
}}{{Network/Connections
−
|matchmaking        =  
+
|matchmaking        = false
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
−
|p2p                =  
+
|p2p                = true
 
|p2p notes          =  
 
|p2p notes          =  
−
|dedicated          =  
+
|dedicated          = false
 
|dedicated notes    =  
 
|dedicated notes    =  
−
|self-hosting      =  
+
|self-hosting      = true
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|self-hosting notes =  
−
|direct ip          =  
+
|direct ip          = true
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
|direct ip notes    =  
 
}}{{Network/Ports
 
}}{{Network/Ports
Line 287: Line 320:
 
==Issues unresolved==
 
==Issues unresolved==
 
===Graphical glitches===
 
===Graphical glitches===
−
Graphical bugs are experienced during gameplay while running in Windows 7. Some textures will show bright purple sections with and without the patch and with the patch, text is unreadable while using hardware rendering. Switching to software rendering solves this but the game slows to a crawl while the cockpit is in view. Sometimes the menu screens will bug, certain elements not disappearing when changing menu - running in Windows 95 compatibility mode could fix this (most prominent on Allied Force re-release).
+
Graphical bugs are experienced during gameplay while running in Windows 7. Some textures will show bright purple sections with and without the patch and with the patch, text is unreadable while using hardware rendering. Switching to software rendering solves this but the game slows to a crawl while the cockpit is in view. Sometimes the menu screens will bug, certain elements not disappearing when changing menu - running in Windows 95 compatibility mode could fix this (most prominent on Allied Force re-release).{{cn|April 2023}}
  
 
==VR support==
 
==VR support==
Line 342: Line 375:
 
|glide versions        = 2.54
 
|glide versions        = 2.54
 
|glide notes            =  
 
|glide notes            =  
−
|software mode          =  
+
|software mode          = true
 
|software mode notes    =  
 
|software mode notes    =  
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support        =  
Line 358: Line 391:
 
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
Line 366: Line 400:
 
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = unknown
 +
|mac os 68k app        = unknown
 +
|mac os executable notes=
 
}}
 
}}
  

Revision as of 18:14, 16 August 2023

Falcon 4.0
Falcon 4.0 cover
Developers
MicroProse
Mac OS (Classic) Westlake Interactive
Publishers
Retail MicroProse
Retail Hasbro Interactive
Mac OS MacSoft
Digital (2015-2023) Retroism
Digital (2023-present) MicroProse
Release dates
Windows December 11, 1998
Mac OS (Classic) June 1, 1999
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
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Falcon 4.0 on HowLongToBeat
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Falcon 4.0 on MobyGames
Falcon 4.0 on Wikipedia
Falcon
Falcon 1987
Falcon A.T. 1988
Falcon 3.0 1991
Falcon 4.0 1998
Falcon 4.0: Allied Force 2005

Falcon 4.0 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person simulation and vehicle combat game in the Falcon series.

The game's source code was leaked in 2000. One of the community projects which made use of it is the BMS mod, which is the community's preferred way to play the game. On May 4, 2023, the rebooted MicroProse announced upon claiming the franchise rights that they would officially support the BMS mod.[1]

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions
Falconpedia - A wiki dedicated to Falcon 4.0

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 SafeDisc DRM[Note 1]
Windows
Mac OS
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Available in Falcon Collection bundled with Falcon, Falcon A.T., and Falcon Gold under bonus content for the latter.[4]
Also available alongside Falcon Gold's separate store entry as an extra.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Green Man Gaming (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
 Bundled with Falcon, Falcon A.T., and Falcon Gold.
Windows
Humble Store (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
 Bundled with Falcon, Falcon A.T., and Falcon Gold.
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).

Essential improvements

Patches

The official v1.08 patch provides bug fixes.

BMS mod

BenchMarkSims webpage
Not compatible with Falcon 4.0: Allied Force.
Includes compatibility fixes for modern operating systems and graphics cards, as well as bug fixes, visual enhancements (including DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0 support), and additional content

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\config[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/429530/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\campaign\SAVE[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/429530/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Graphics settings (retail)
Graphics settings (retail)
Graphics settings (BMS Mod)
Graphics settings (BMS Mod)

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
See BMS mod
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Run the game with the -window command line argument. Requires 16-bit color mode.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See BMS mod
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See BMS mod
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See BMS mod
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See BMS mod

  • Simulation settings (retail)

  • Simulation settings (BMS Mod)

Input

Control settings (retail)
Control settings (retail)
Control settings (BMS Mod)
Control settings (BMS Mod)

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
See BMS mod.
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Sound settings (retail)
Sound settings (retail)
Sound settings (BMS Mod)
Sound settings (BMS Mod)

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Master, interface, music, engine, Sidewinder, RWR, cockpit, flight and other comms, sound effects
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Traditional Chinese
Retail only.
French
Retail only.
German
Retail only. Localized voiceovers were a separate download.
Italian
Retail only.
Spanish
Retail only.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
16
Online play

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Issues unresolved

Graphical glitches

Graphical bugs are experienced during gameplay while running in Windows 7. Some textures will show bright purple sections with and without the patch and with the patch, text is unreadable while using hardware rendering. Switching to software rendering solves this but the game slows to a crawl while the cockpit is in view. Sometimes the menu screens will bug, certain elements not disappearing when changing menu - running in Windows 95 compatibility mode could fix this (most prominent on Allied Force re-release).[citation needed]

VR support

Devices State Notes
TrackIR
Supports: Yaw, Pitch.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 5
Glide 2.54
Software renderer
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Mac OS (Classic)

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 166 MHz Intel Pentium II 450 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB 128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 175 MB 600 MB
Video card (GPU) High Colour graphics card 8 MB of VRAM

Notes

  1. ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References