Monday, May 2, 2011

Aviation Games - Flight Simulator Evolution

What exactly is it though that has made these airplane games explode in popularity, I think the first thing is the advances in know-how that have enabled your average user to buy higher specification computers so that they can run these giant file flight simulators.

Aviation games, flight simulator games have always been that tiny bit more special than other games. I think its mans fascination with flying, & the fact that most of us will never actually get in to a plane & take control ourselves so I think these virtual worlds give us a chance to recognize a dream.

The resources called on to turn these basic aviation games in to top games has also played a giant part in their jump in popularity. example is the use of Google maps & digital elevation models obtained from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Missions) to recreate a virtual representation of our own world.

Below is a list of the other significant recent developments that have propelled these virtual flying games in to the spotlight.

Some aviation games are synchronized with actual world time so if its dawn in New York it will dawn when you fly through virtual New York.
The best games even have correct placement of the moon/stars & the sun for specific time & dates.
Night flying in these games is a actual treat with ground lighting concentrated over urban areas based on google maps, you will even see automobile headlights on the busy motorways.
Actual life weather or custom-made climatic conditions to fit your preferred experience.
The ability to play games online against other simulator enthusiast - Try multi-player missions, free flying, air to air refueling or even experience being the air traffic controller for other online games
The aircraft in these aviation games have come on leaps & bounds as well, the top flight simulators will have planes that are realistically modelled with actual word gizmo behaviour. It is not all plain sailing though or ought to I say Plane Flying (sorry about that), In case you require a realistic experience then you will must deal with the realistic issues that can come with it:

Instruments that lag in actual life lag in the simulators, gyro drift is modelled correctly & the magnetic compass is subject to aircraft body forces
Correct gizmo representation for 50 - 100 planes
Equipment & technique failures are also exactly represented.
You can have a fully 3D interactive cockpit
Everything you require out of flight simulator aviation games is now at your finger tips, in case you ever wondered what it would be like to fly over the great wall of China or the Pyramids then you ought to get yourself. In case you do invest in a flight sim I recommend investing to some hardware to enhance the experience i.e.

There is something special about being able to soar through the skies piloting your own plane. Although these are simulators & you will actually be sitting at home, the advancement in graphics lets you get immersed in the experience these flight sims offer.

 last thing i ought to mention & it is important - Check that your home computer meets the technique requirements of the aviation game you select to buy. In case you download that claims to must most detailed scenery ever & your computer is not up to spec then you have wasted your funds unless you upgrade your technique.

Multi-screen - For the panoramic views to enhance the experience
Joystick
Rudder pedals
Yokes/Controls
 let me stress though that this hardware is by no means essential & you can thoroughly enjoy the game without them. This hardware may even be pricey as well in case you think about purchasing most of it. I recommend first getting yourself a flight simulator & testing it out & see in case you like it, you may then find, like i did that you require to invest in the associated hardware.

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