Version 0.9.0 Release


This update includes 29 commits and over 100 significant additions/fixes. Big thanks to all who helped test and gave feedback! There are some bugs still present, but I'm exhausted from this push and will address them in a hotfix soon.

FEATURE UPDATES

  • Full Campaign: Story is now complete! Play 30 missions that include transit, search and rescue, cargo delivery, construction assistance, and disaster response. Includes a ending cutscene with credits :)
  • Aerodynamic Changes: Significant changes to the simulation model, which primarily updates the collective behaviors and adds engine torque; while in advanced mode, you will have to manage your rotor's RPM and apply collective carefully to not lose power or get into trouble. The simple flight model has additional safeguards as well, such as engine shutoff protection while you're in the air (you're welcome Bob). Overall, both flight models are much more mature and offer a large difference in playstyles (check the Pilot Manual for a detailed description of how to manage this). You are going to need a gamepad for the advanced mode.
  • Helicopter branding removed: In an effort to stay fictional, helicopters are generic.

GENERAL AND VISUAL UPDATES

  • Each mission now has an assigned helicopter so I can better tailor the experience
  • Added an automatic reset after a mission is completed to remove down time between missions. If you want to explore, you have the option of free flight
  • Time limit for cargo missions has been extended
  • Menus have been visually updated to be more descriptive and transitions have been added
  • Added campaign progress bars to the main menu and hanger menu
  • Updated Pilot's Manual to be more detailed and explain gameplay more thoroughly
  • Map is now HD
  • Ships have wakes
  • Added wind to rainy weather
  • Wind now only blows your helicopter around when you are airborne
  • Cargo drop-off zones look cooler
  • Graphics settings have been enhanced: each optional setting makes a more significant improvement, and the lowest setting (classic) has been adjusted to make it look more like an old school game
  • Added a subtle scan line effect to the screen that adds to the retro effect and helps with aliasing

BUG FIXES

  • Collisions have been fixed on helicopters and they will no longer clip into the ground
  • Several world objects had messed up LODs and collisions, they are now fixed
  • World state updates should be consistent and follow the campaign progress
  • You can no longer pick up the same person twice by grabbing them too fast
  • You can no longer pick up more than one cargo box at a time
  • Gantry mode cannot be toggled quicker than the animation anymore
  • Gantry mode for light and heavy helicopters have been fixed and work as expected
  • Building fire is scaled correctly and doesn't look psychotic from a distance
  • Fixed timing on various text boxes 
  • Menu buttons have explicit neighbors now, so the menus are much easier to navigate with a controller
  • Music persists when the game is paused
  • Various text spelling errors were fixed

**Over 80 other (minor) bug fixes were also completed in this release**

KNOWN ISSUES

  • Cargo boxes clip into the ground when carried
  • Some smoke emitters randomly start and then stop when you start a mission that isn't a smoke related one
  • Passenger pickup sound (when not using rescue hoist) is inconsistent
  • Rotor impact sparks are not consistent when colliding
  • Some menu options don't have sounds

Files

RotorSim 0.9.0.zip 668 MB
27 days ago
RotorSim 0.9.0 Linux.zip 663 MB
27 days ago

Get RotorSim: Helicopter Simulator