New Things & Updates In 4.33
This is a monster update, so I’ll try to be brief here. Each major feature could be an article in itself. The primary source for this changelist is the excellent updated documentation included within the /docs Falcon BMS 4.33 release install.
Platform Update. BMS now comes as a 64-bit executable. The recommendation is now to move to 64-bit as it allows access to more of your PC’s resources. Note: you’ll need to multiplayer with people on the same platform as yourself, e.g. x64 with x64. Multiplayer also has a new installation check anti-cheat provision.
Due to the platform change, existing mods and missions may need to be redone. There are some new tools to help with conversion out.
Graphics Update. Many of the 3D models and skins have been updated, and new features include wing flex, wing vapours and additional weather effects such as rain and snow. F4 is an old title, and its renderer does show its age a little, but not enough to distract from the depth of play.
Terrain Update. Falcon BMS 4.33 comes pre-installed with a hi-def Korean tile set (Korean TvT). Modern PC hardware can handle it easily and frames-per-second are very healthy. Down low the mesh is a little simple but new things like the autogen trees do help out.
Weather Modelling. Dynamic weather has been improved, with very detailed capabilities via new tools to simulate real-world conditions. The depth here really adds to the feel of the missions and the randomness gives things a fresh look.
Avionics. F-16 avionics are now configurable per-block, with a Avionics Editor supplied to individually tweak each block/variant configuration and set-up. The latest blocks have improved RWR and are EGI equipped. There’s also some new toys to play with:
- Targeting Pod includes use of laser codes and IR and Laser Spot buddy FAC ops.
- Updated Sensor Point of Interest (SPI) realism.
- Terrain Following Radar (TFR) and Forward Looking Infra-red (FLIR) when the LANTIRN is fitted.
- Player bubble updates for longer range attacks.
- Harpoon, SPICE, Main-in-the-loop, Inertial Aided Munitions have been added/updated.
- Phew!
Multiplayer. Reduced stutter in game, as well as some nice features for network sharing things like pilot head position, flight surfaces and the like.
AI and ATC. AI has now been improved in terms of climb profiles and energy management. The AI ATC has been drastically improved, included a new added ‘Autonomous Approach’ option for when you want to quiet the tower.
New Tools and Configuration. Extensive new mission, weather and export tooling. Here’s an extract from the manual with links to all the new tools (an article in itself!):
The Mission Commander is useful for its ability to convert TE files to Falcon BMS 4.33.
Documentation. The docs have been extensively updated and provide enough material that if printed you could swing a mean weapon. There’s all sorts of checklists, airfield diagrams and ops manuals to work through. The BMS docs team have done a great job and I’ve got a lot of reading to do.
Flyable Aircraft
Primarily Falcon BMS 4.33 is about the Falcon, and over 20 variants are modelled. Other aircraft have 3D pits and complex models, but the F-16 is the ‘parent’ of the flight modelling and avionics. Here’s a quick list of the flyables in-game:
- F-16
- F/A 18 Hornet (with Naval Ops including Carrier)
- Mirage 2000
- A-10A/C
- AV-8A/B Harrier
- F-15 Eagle
- Tornado
- JAS-37 Viggen
There are also some simpler flyable versions of the following aircraft that aren’t quite as complete as the above set, but still incorporate 3D models and basic flight models:
- F-4 Phantom
- F-14 Tomcat
- MiG-29
So congratulations to BMS on the release!
