Now that the Tornado assembly code is available to the Coders within the development team, it is time to think inside and outside of the box. What do we do with the code? Short of a total re-write of the code to run on today's PCs and graphics cards, in this post, I am listing a few features for Tornado using the existing 16-bit code, which I think can ... might ... possibly be done.
I could be wrong though. A lot depends on the existing people (Kevin, Heinz-Bernd, etc,) who may or may not have the time to involved in the re-design and coding process. These are just off my head, and without losing sight of bigger things for the Tornado project (like up-to-date graphics and higher screen resolution, and making airsick gamers).
Okay, here goes my 'realistic wishlist' as of 22nd May 2016:-
(1) Increase the density of trees...even if it is just an additional one or two trees in a copse (group of trees).
Artist's impression of more trees per copse (cluster).
Better if more trees could be added of course.Technically speaking, maybe by using a DOS extender or something that can overcome the 640Kb limitation.
(2) Edit the existing cockpit designs. Technically speaking, this can only come true if one knows how to encrypt a LBM file into PT2 file. Without this knowledge, then this idea is ... kaput. If Kevin can shed some light on this then there is a chance to mod the screens or Tornado cockpit.
Using the ancient Electronic Arts' Deluxe Paint to edit a raw Tornado LBM graphic file.
Or if Heinz-Bernd can reply and give us an idea how he converted PT2 into PCX file format, then we might have a clearer idea how to convert LBM into PT2. But again, even with such knowledge, the re-designed screens would still be limited to the 'awful 1980s and 1990s' 320x200 pixel-screens. There is only so much one can make that type of image look like the real-thing.
(3) Introduce more shudder, jitter and vibration into the simulation, especially during flight. Perhaps as a user setting that he can choose to have or not when playing the game. Or make the whole air-frame and forward view more jarring when hit by Triple-A or SAM strike. Right now the Tornado flies too smoothly at 200 feet, as though skating a friction-free surface or ice. No airplane I know flies without some rise or fall along the vertical axis. If you watch the videos of Tornados flying over the Iraqi desert, the plane bops up and down above the terrain.
Actual in-game vibration special effects. Running re-heat with the brakes on, going full throttle on the runaway without lifting off.
This effect is absent when flying level over terrain. The air-frame will buffet and shudder if hit by AAA or due to catostrophic failure.
However, the game has zero-buffeting when flying normally. Me thinks that some in-flight buffeting would be nice to have.
As it is, in Tornado, when the plane is on the runaway, the cockpit and view of the outside will ALREADY realistically shudder and vibrate when I hit the Shift-Plus key to activate full afterburners (reheat as the Brits will say). So I think it should be possible to introduce some vibration effects in-flight, whether at 200' or 20,000' above ground. That would give not you the throw-up inducing effects that you want in a flight sim that makes the gamer reach for a barf bag, but at least it's a start.
(4) Have a forward looking view that only has the HUD. Currently, if you toggle/hit the '6' key, the cockpit's left and right iron-frames will disappear and reappear. So my idea is that if the
whole cockpit were be toggled on and off instead, then the gamer will see more of what is in front of him. Not realistic of course, but from the game point of view, it would be fun to have. Below is a glimpse of what could be.
Artist's impression only. Front HUD-only view with cockpit and controls toggled off. Plane is sitting pretty on the runaway.
In my humble opinion, with the emphasis of the game being mud-moving and ground-pounding missions, having the default forward view being able to toggle the entire cockpit on and off might be interesting. What do you think of this HUD-only view? Does it enhance gameplay? Does it detract from reality? Please share your thoughts.
SO, if any one of the above (1) to (4) could be implemented (and I am sure I can think of a few more visual improvements), I would be a one-very-happy-clam. If none can be implemented, I am still happy, though not like a clam. This is because, hey, I finally got the source code and I can dream about modding it. Haha.
What's your wishlist? Realistic, optimistic, pessimistic, outlandish, anything. Your say.Working with what we now have, to make something nice. Yet planning, thinking and looking out-of-the-box to achieve something even GREATER." (Frankie Kam)
For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate. (Margaret Heffernan)
The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas; it's to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they're valued. (Ken Robinson)