This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:46 pm
Nothing can convincingly simulate the feel of riding the wind in a sim, but a variety of things can help give you a decent feeling of immersion, and when they are cleverly combined, the gaming experience can become far more visceral.
One is surround sound with good bass. Another is a robust set of controls with strong springs that offer significant resistance, coupled with a game with good flight dynamics. (Some sims offer excellent visual and aural clues, too...like the wind buffet sound near a stall or sinking into the seat perspective under g load in Il-2) I think CH products make the best HOTAS controls for the money, and the more physical controls you have, the more you feel like you're in the cockpit. TrackIR is a sort of webcam that tracks your head movement and pans the onscreen view appropriately, and can be very immersive. A very wide screen that works its way into your peripheral vision can be effective, too.
I've generally found force feedback controls to be disappointing, but technology keeps marching on in this arena, and there are now chairs and vests that offer tactile response (normally via sound). There are even 2 and 3 axis motion rigs that you can build or buy that probably produce more motion sickness than anything, but then you are entering the preserve of the "pitbuilder", and at that point you may simply be better off buying a kit plane.
Like most experiences, it's what you make it.
Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:04 pm
I'm just wondering if Mudge made a decision on a sim and hardware....he's had 5 years since he started this thread!!!!!!!!
Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:52 am
jaybird wrote:I'm just wondering if Mudge made a decision on a sim and hardware....he's had 5 years since he started this thread!!!!!!!!

lol, I just noticed what you meant. Good job aseanaero on the zombie thread revival.