Official Fulqrum Publishing forum - Apache Air Assault Thread

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Does anyone know if they are giving away any free Apache: Air Assault swag with a preorder?
Last time Gaijin/505 gave me two IL*2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey T-shirts with my preorder, I'm wearing one right now.:cool:

last night at the end of a (us) football game they had a comercial for "Black Ops".... which is being released here on the 9th. impressive commercial..although i am probably not getting the game. hope they do the same for AAA...and do a media blitz.

Apache Air Assault Sim

SURE HOPE THEY INCLUDE MORE FLYABLE AIRCRAFT, SOMETHING LIKE...oh I don't know..

Eurocopter Tiger

KA-50 Alligator

Mi-28 Hokum

UH-1D Huey Gunship W/ 40mm Grenade Launcher in nose, Rockets&Miniguns (or) Quad .50's/M-60's + Rockets

MH-47D Chinook Gunship w/40mm Grenade Launcher in nose, Rockets & .50
's on either side door gunner + 40mm on drop ramp

Gazelle

MH-60C Blackhawk with ESSS wings/plyons for Rockets + 8-16 AGM-114 HELLFIRES

RAH-66 COMMANCHE

U.S. AH-1W/Z Cobra Gunship with optional 40mm grenade launcher, 8-16 AGM-114 HELLFIRE, 36 Rockets

Mi-8 Hip Gunship

Just a few, that I would like to see as DLC, that would spice up the single player Campaign, or Online Co-op.

Missions could vary from escort the transport, to rescue and recovery, or downed aircraft recovery. Or Capture the Helipad. Something to that extent.

Maybe even some downloadable weapons loadouts...

We didn't even get MiGs for BoP so I doubt DLC adding more helicopters.

depends...if the capitalist dogs think they can steal another dollar from the working class you will get a DLC. :rolleyes::grin:

Apache air assault

Additional aircraft would be good and also a few new maps, extra missions as old duke says would be a welcome addition. this sim has real potential i just hope the developers and publisher has the foresight to see this.

Stingray NGAGE.

8/10 a fair review

Quote:

PS3/X360 Review - 'Apache: Air Assault'
by Dustin Chadwell on Dec. 8, 2010 @ 2:00 a.m. PST
Apache: Air Assault is a helicopter combat game, where players control a variety of lethal Apache attack helicopters outfitted with cutting-edge military weaponry. The goal in Apache: Air Assault is to prevent terrorist attacks by raining down destruction from above in the world’s most volatile warzones.

Apache: Air Assault isn't a game that you'll want to approach lightly. It can be tough as nails, even if you're playing on the easiest setting — which I did — and if you start to bump it up to Realistic or Veteran mode, well, good luck, fine gamer. Apache isn't difficult because it's unfair; I can't even say that I suffered cheap deaths. Instead, it's such a unique console simulation title that it'll take a lot of time to wrap your head around it. I can't even remember the last time I touched a game that focused on helicopter-based missions outside of the classic EA series, Jungle Strike and the subsequent Strike games, so Apache: Air Assault certainly stands alone among other air combat titles. Most air combat games on consoles are strictly arcade affairs, so the controls aren't nearly as difficult to wrap your head and hands around, and they tend to be pretty forgiving. Apache is neither of those things; it's hard to play well, and it's even harder to finish.

The helicopter sim aspect is probably going to put off a great deal of people from even trying Apache. I struggled with the review for a while because I'd make some progress in the missions only to encounter a particular level that was unrelenting in its difficulty and precision. At that point, I'd toss the controller on the couch and switch to something else for a breather. I certainly hurled a fair share of expletives at the screen over the course of the main campaign, and I came dangerously close to cracking the TV screen a couple of times. However, once you get a handle on the controls and piloting, and you figure out which view best suits you, it can be quite fun. After all, you are taking the reins of a powerful piece of weaponry, and there's a lot of stuff you can lay waste to throughout the lengthy campaign.

As you delve into Apache: Air Assault, you're given a few modes to check out. Campaign mode is divided into 17 missions, most of which take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes to complete. This might not sound like a huge amount of time, but as I mentioned, you'll end up retrying quite often, so the campaign becomes more of a time sink than you might expect. On the flip side, even if the difficulty can be brutal, the missions are short enough to make them tantalizing to try over and over again without much frustration, so you don't hesitate to jump in for another round since you haven't lost a lot of time.

Free Flight mode allows you to pick a number of options for a unique scenario setup. You can pick the arena in which the flight will take place, using a number of locales found in the campaign. Then you can choose whether there will be ground units for either side, so you'll need to watch out for friendly units or shoot indiscriminately. You can also specify the weather, which doesn't have a great impact on how you play aside from your view. Then you can pick your starting altitude, which basically means whether you want to manually lift off from the ground or begin in mid-flight. Finally, you can choose a number of AI-controlled teammates, the aircraft type, weapon loadout, skins for your craft (a number of which are unlockable), the skill of your AI partners, the enemy craft, and their weapons. There are a lot of variables tossed into this mode, so that you can really put a new aircraft through its paces, and it is a fun way to sample the gameplay without being tied down by the campaign and its plot.

Squad Operations is the next mode you'll come across, and it serves as the primary multiplayer mode in Apache. You'll choose an available mission, and then you're matched up with Xbox Live players to tackle that mission as a team. A word of warning: I didn't find a great number of people to play with online, and that's disappointing. There was a community presence from dedicated players, but it was rare to get a full group together. Also, these missions are as hard, if not harder, than a lot of the campaign missions, so in order to have some fun with this mode, you really need a group of microphone-using players who can coordinate some teamwork. It's going to be very difficult to approach this mode from a casual online standpoint, and while I'm glad it's included, I certainly wouldn't suggest starting with this mode.

That's it for the main modes, but all three offer quite a bit of playtime for anyone who picks up this title. Also worth noting is that Apache has some support for flight sticks; the game lists the Ace-Edge , Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 and Saitek AV8R-02. You could also opt to use the regular controller, which worked fine for me, and you can change options like the axis inversion, roll, pitch and yaw sensitivity.

As I mentioned earlier, the controls feel spot-on. You'll use the two analog sticks to control height and speed. Pressing up on the right analog stick raises your craft into the air, and pressing forward or back on the left stick controls your movement. Pushing both sticks forward gives you more speed, allowing to whiz along the countryside or ocean, so it won't take much time to reach faraway targets. You have an AI gunner aboard your aircraft throughout most of the game that will hunt down targets while you're busy evading missile locks, firing rockets and doing some basic piloting. However, you can take control of the gun and fly at the same time if you choose, and that's usually advisable because the gunner AI is a tad sloppy. It focuses on targets that are farther away and less of a threat, and it doesn't seem to have the ability to follow orders. Similarly, I wish I could issue basic commands to friendly AI when it accompanies me on missions, especially the escort segments, which are needlessly difficult because the AI often marches headfirst into danger.

Aside from the punishing difficulty and the admittedly niche nature of the flight sim, I can't find much worth complaining about with Apache: Air Assault. I'm not complaining about the difficulty so much as I am giving people fair warning in case they get easily discouraged. It's a well put-together title, but it's certainly not for everyone, and you should try before you buy. The game won't win any awards for graphics, but I found the mission variety offered a few different locales that were distinctive and really stood out from the crowd. The terrain has enough detail so you can pinpoint targets and enemy units. Likewise, the soundtrack doesn't stand out as being particularly grand, and I sometimes felt that it mimicked the generic military theme music that's prevalent in many first-person shooters, but it certainly wasn't anything that needed to be muted.

I applaud Apache: Air Assault for offering a unique and enjoyable experience within the sim genre of air combat games, and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to play it. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but you might be surprised by how much you enjoy this one.

Score: 8.0/10

http://worthplaying.com/article/2010...reviews/78709/

UH-1D Huey Gunship W/ 40mm Grenade Launcher in nose, Rockets&Miniguns (or) Quad .50's/M-60's + Rockets

MH-60C Blackhawk with ESSS wings/plyons for Rockets + 8-16 AGM-114 HELLFIRES

These get my votes. Maybe an AH-1 as well, but these we need for SURE! PLEASE!

still would love an a-10 but would settle for a cobra.

guys it is APACHE: Air Assault, you cant be surprised thats there's only 3 ac types available. lets aim realistically.

i'd settle for MP Co-pilot gunner.

meh, still want a huey

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Goalie_94 (Post 203559)

meh, still want a huey

Here Here

Ya, I think a Huey would be amazing. NOt many games have the option to fly ones, and the ones that do are on PC and are not out yet (BFBC2 Vietnam Mod) or are very very old. Mind you both of those are arcade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Goalie_94 (Post 204118)

It'll be good to fly one in the new BC expansion pack, cant wait. Though.... it HAS to have the big thumping engine noise it makes. THATS a huey!! It'll be good fun flying it around with friends sat in the back with mounted M60's going crazy.

Also...

I enjoy flying them at will in mercenaries 2. Was good fun while it lasted.

Hey, I finally got the game yesterday and have compeleted the tutorial so here is to some fun to be had!

Update for Apache

Hello everybody,

Information for all who want an update/patch for Apache Air Assault released:

http://forum.yuplay.com/index.php?sh...=0&#entry23475

MAC

i had this game the day it came out traded it in the next i thought is was a complete waste of time and money

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavrickandgoose (Post 215858)

i had this game the day it came out traded it in the next i thought is was a complete waste of time and money

I don't agree. While my heart is with the WWII warbirds, it's a good game, and it's interesting to fly a whirlybirds once in a while.

Anyway, all who like it, please ask Activision to release the update.

MAC

For the Activision Support Thread on yuplay, click HERE.

Novaworldgaming Apache Air Assault Community

Hi all,

There's a great community website which offers a home for all platforms (PC, PS3, XBOX360) of Apache:Air Assault, and it's free.

Check out here: http://www.novaworldgaming.com/news.php

See you whirlybird flyers there!

MAC

Cheers for the update MAC, ive been frequenting the yuplay forum for a long time but have since given up.

Gaijen are a disgrace, they just go off the radar and keep quiet and keep throwing us between different support personnel over at activision. I'd understand if anton or the other guy posted on yuplay to inform us of the latest, but they are just keeping their distance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOZ_1983 (Post 217006)

Sounds like another smash and grab then run away. Not like them at all!!!

Sorry Foz and Gilly,

I have to say a word here in Gaijin's defense. I think I can because I got to know them better - they're sponsoring our tournament.

I know that the XBOX guys got burned with BOP and the scars run deep. I also wished you would have at least received a patch, which you didn't. Now we have another title out which has a few problems, on all platforms, and it remains to be seen if it will ever be patched.

The problem in both cases seems to be in the nature of the contracts between Gaijin and the publishers. These contracts don't seem to give them any say, right or whatever to release updates and/or patches themselves, or get the publisher to do so. It's all at the sole discretion of the publishers. So, Gaijin can have a 10 patches, updates or game expansions ready for publication, but if the publisher isn't interested releasing them they'll never see the light of day.

Now why is Gaijin running into the same problem with Apache as they were having with another publisher for BOP? Because in this industry, a game isn't developed overnight, but a project takes a long time to mature. So, before the problems with the first title became evident, contracts for the second one had already been signed.

They have learned their lesson and it will show in their next title. They absolutely don't like to let their customers down and would love to supply them with DLCs, updates and so on. You will see.

I hope this makes sense and we'll see each other on the next title, which will be a WWII flightsim in case you haven't heard yet.

MAC

I hear what you're saying Mac. I've got to admit the devs communication early on with BoP was second to none but I'd have hoped that the mistakes learned then wouldn't translate into a 2nd title which it appears to gave done with apache- it was one if the reasons I didn't go and buy it initially as I suspected there would be issues and would rather save the money until it was right. It looks like to a degree i was correct.
As for a BoP sequel, bring it on- and I do live with the hope that they will learn from these mistakes although the nagging doubt is out of the two so far both have been flawed and sadly not corrected fully. I note that BlackOps has been reported to the Office of Fair Trading here in the UK on the basis that the current game is not fit for purpose. It'll be interesting to see what transpires as this could then force publishers to ensure games are up to scratch. Sadly as gamers I think the industry bigwigs ride roughshot over us far to often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACADEMIC (Post 217169)

I understand what your saying and i have alot of time for gaijen, at least the communicate in some capacity with their followers. It just annoys me that these things happen and they dont see them in testing. Do they even do testing?? Lets be honest... probably not as much as they could or should. Going away from AAA and back to IL2..

Their was a huge sticker on the box saying that "works superbly with the saitek AV8R"

We all know of the issue with no landing brakes. Its not an in depth thing to find and a major glitch or bug that rarely happens. Its something as simple as landing!! It just makes me think that they want their money ASAP and wont spend the extra few quid making sure the game is 100% up to par.

Its a little title, not cost effective to patch, Gaijen and Activision both know this and did from the start. Anyone complains.. they just pawn them off to different support people. The next game prob wont be published by activision so they are not bothered.

I've rambled on enough and lost track and made myself go cross eyed now :(

I hope im wrong i really really do because bugs aside, Gaijen make SUPERB games, amongst the best i've played on my xbox 360 without a shadow of a doubt.

Now...

Next game a WW2 flight sim?

Do tell me some more.

Hi Guys,

I think we all agree that Gaijin is capable of bringing out superb games - that's the only reason why emotions are running so high. We'd like these bugs killed, and we want more of the good stuff!

About the testing and the slipping through of some quite obvious bugs, I can only assume. Assume that the time pressures in this industry are enourmous, and again, that the publisher has final word as to when a title will be released, ready or not. A huge proportion of annual sales happens in the runup for Christmas, too tempting for publishers to forego for the sake of fixing (possibly known) bugs. Because consumer rights presently don't include software to function as to be expected, publishers get away with it. And like I earlier said, unless a game developer has negotiated a right to release updates/patches, they have no way of getting those fixes to the customers even if they have them.

About Activision, I read about the complaint filed with the Fair Trading Commision in the UK. I read Black Ops is suffering from significant bugs on the PS3 and PC (seems to work fine on XBox this time). It's going to be interesting what comes out of it, but will only have significance for the UK, which has such a commission. In the EU or US, software is excluded from consumer rights, although in the EU some vague initiatives are under way.

About Apache, I don't think that the bugs it has can be compared with Black Ops. I have the game both on PC and on PS3, but play it more on PC which allows for customizing my PS3 controller the way I like. It's a really nice game and I don't regret the investment. For the many hours I've played it I'd say it was a bargain (BOP would have been a steal).

But still not giving up on the faint hope that Activision will release the updates they're sitting on.

Cheers guys,

MAC

I hope BOP gets a sequel but also that Anton comes on the forum and simply asks the enthusiasts what features (other than a new theatre of operations, a/c, etc) would make it a console succes. Yes, there would be all sorts of request and not all could make it into the game. For me, a wider margin between Sim and the other Difficulty levels with ac having very similar FM to IL1946 (which Gaigin have access to), a cockpit only option in the MP set up menu but with the abilty to change field of view in cockpit view, and lastly, a co-op MP feature..............I can dream....:grin:

Despite losing many of the original players to newer release titles I am pleasantly suprised that BOP (on Xbox) still attracts new players and the game is still popular with flying enthusiasts. You only have to look at the threads and interest in the forthcoming IL2 PC sequel 'CoD' to see that good WW2 flight Sims do have a market (allbeit a niche one!) and many peeps rely on their consoles for entertainment rather than a high spec PC.

the fact is they need BETA testing. they cant be using this or these kinks would have been spotted and worked out well BEFORE even going to a publisher. maybe we ought to talk to anton and run a contest or figure out a way to supply him with honest feedback and eliminate most of their headaches. had they done this with A:AA ( or BoP) they would have known about the problems beforehand and had a chance to correct....hence no need to patch! the demo did not bring these out..it was only when players went through the game that they surfaced. its pretty dang easy to do this too. it would benefit them to give a copy to a few choice people on different platforms to run for a week or so....of course there would be contracts and gag orders...BUT you would get a better game overall.

Here is a question that some may know because I do not.

If they were to release a beta it would have to be downloadable on the psn or marketplace right? And in order for that to happen Gaijin would have to convince the publisher that this is the best thing for the game during development because the publisher would have to pay for it right?

Just looking in the past not many games get this treatment and if they do they are usually huge in scope so if flight sims are niche than I don't see that happening unless the publisher can see return on investment and that is what stinks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trk29 (Post 218709)

Yup it would need to be downloadable on the PSN or XBL marketplace. It will be called a BETA, which only a select few would have access to via code. If they deploy a BETA to the PSN or XBL marketplace then they would surely already have proffesional BETA testers behind the scenes.

IF the publishers saw it as a big title then perhaps it would get a "BETA" much like COD:WaW did (many months prior to release), but with smaller title that has a niche audience then a BETA probably wouldnt happen. Though a demo could, much like the demo for IL2 :D

the only reason i could see the need for it to be downloadable would be for testing online play. even though they are the developer they could still have the availability to make beta discs one could use for a single player to run through the campaigns and missions. those could be shipped directly to the testers and then shipped back when when the testing is complete. even though the game is smaller or niche a small cadre of beta testers could still be used. hell i would do it for free ( or for a free copy of the game when released) as i am sure a lot of others would as well. i just think the cost would be minimal but the benefits would be well worth it. i doubt it will happen but it would be nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOZ_1983 (Post 218713)

Yeah I believe it is very costly for a publisher to release a beta onto the console networks. Only the biggest games can afford to do this.

Any updates on this? Apache is out across all systems, PC, PS3 and Xbox.

Must say I prefer playing on the PC, purely because of the joystick control. Still awesome on the console but the Xbox controller can get a little unruly in a dog fight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicster (Post 231891)

I'm not sure about updates, but I know how awesome this game is. I loved playing it with my T Flight Hotas, but lack of analog control over TADS/FLIR & zoom forced me back to the Dualshock 3. An update with control customization (like BOP on PS3) would be most welcome, but I won't hold my breath.

StiC

Quote:

Anton
Hello guys.
I want to clarify situation with updates/DLCs.
We've done our best (unfortunately, I can't tell details) to make update available for all and any of platforms.
But we don't have any power or leverage to make updates/DLCs happen - it is completely up to Activision.
As all of you (or probably even more than most of you) I would like to see DLCs/updates live.
However, we really literally can't do anything - we can't technically release updates/DLCs ourselves as well as we don't have any rights to do it.

We will do our best to make sure that this situation will not happen with our next flightsim title - but now all I can suggest is to contact Activision, our publisher.

Don't hold your breath! BS

Taken from Yuplay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StiC (Post 232035)

Stic I love this game and yes have same problem with T-Hotas . Will mouse work I wonder like BOP ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOED70 (Post 233100)

Stic I love this game and yes have same problem with T-Hotas . Will mouse work I wonder like BOP ?

I don't know, as soon as I get it back I'll be sure to try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robotic Pope (Post 218817)

Yeah I believe it is very costly for a publisher to release a beta onto the console networks. Only the biggest games can afford to do this.

pope, i agree to your, "ON THE NETWORKS" comment. however, by that time you are in the marketing and promotion phase. all development and testing should have been long competed. now you should have a polished and FINAL product ready to release. what i am addressing is the of the end of the development phase and the final editing prior to publishing. so as thus, i am not talking about a mass media release on xbox, ps3, or pc of a beta but sent to a select group of testers. THIS, is financially feasible for even the smallest of developers. they could direct mail ( fed-ex, ups, etc) a cd of the beta to predetermined testers ( 6, 12, 20 testers from EACH platform)...who could run through as many missions as possible in the allotted time frame ( 7 to ??? days) and report any glitches or concerns. the testers would be required return the cd in a prepaid mailer. if a developer cant afford burn off 60 or so CDs and ship them they have no absolutely no business being in the business. all legal and copyright concerns can be safe guarded by a strict contract and hidden tracking number on each beta CD. additionally, strict conditions ( OPSEC) for the testers handling the Beta would be included in the prearrangement along with the repercussions for "leaking" a copy to the populous . i am telling you all of this could be accomplished for less then $1-2000USD (5k if you get into deep background checks on the testers) and give or take a few $$ depending upon how much the lawyer gouges you for his fees, of course....

This is looking promising. I love the old school sim textures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S23R85_cM0E

Here is a link for U.S. and Canada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hVwT2ozNIA

It was the lack of performance in the helicopter. Nothing Force Black Hawk and Apache helicopters can not do better.All Russia's something really is uncomfertable. But it works, it works fine.

Apache Air Assault video, cockpit view, full sensitivity ;)
(PC version).

MAC

P.S.: PS3 DualShock Controller, Custom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI4rxnLP_T0

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACADEMIC (Post 254977)

Apache Air Assault video, cockpit view, full sensitivity ;)
(PC version).

MAC

P.S.: PS3 DualShock Controller, Custom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI4rxnLP_T0

That's great! I wish we could do this with the PS3. Did you use Free Track or Track IR?

StiC

Quote:

Originally Posted by StiC (Post 255473)

That's great! I wish we could do this with the PS3. Did you use Free Track or Track IR?

StiC

Thanks StiC,

Yes it's a pity Apache on PS3/XBOX doesn't feature a custom layout option. As far as I know this was Activision's decision :( Reason why I prefer to play this on PC. I'm using the PS3 DualShock controller with custom layout, right stick for free view and machine gun aim. No TrackIR or Free Track, although I heard they also work well.

MAC

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkwookie (Post 248425)

This is looking promising. I love the old school sim textures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S23R85_cM0E

This was released to the App store today. Just downloaded and had a quick go. Arcade and Sim options. Sim has touch screen control for collective and rotation with tilt for main stick control. Three views to choose from, tail plane, cockpit and flir. Graphics are nice. They are retina resolution on my iPhone 4 and very smooth. As you can see in the vid its very early 2000s pc graphic style but I like that. Reminds me of gunship.
Anyway its £1.79, less than price of a pint you can't go wrong

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkwookie (Post 255590)

super cool! by coincidence, I am currently developing some real time application to for iphone and ipad too ( will soon be available in the appstore ;) ), che company where i work for bought me a mac, iphone and licence to develop... the SDK and all the apple developement framework it's absolutely amazing!!! I do love Xcode 4.0... amazing piece of software as well as the hardware. :)

Sorry for the OT, talking about apache, i need to finish a mission called "anti surveillance" on multiplayer... but it's very hard... the one you fly a hind and have to protect a base from incomings drones and infantry.. anyone dare to help? :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdomini (Post 255618)

Sorry for the OT, talking about apache, i need to finish a mission called "anti surveillance" on multiplayer... but it's very hard... the one you fly a hind and have to protect a base from incomings drones and infantry.. anyone dare to help? :)

What platform? If PS3 I'll be glad to help ,although it may take a day or two to get my copy back.

StiC

Quote:

Originally Posted by StiC (Post 255691)

What platform? If PS3 I'll be glad to help ,although it may take a day or two to get my copy back.

StiC

Oh, beg your pardon, i have a playstation :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOED70 (Post 233100)

Stic I love this game and yes have same problem with T-Hotas . Will mouse work I wonder like BOP ?

I just checked and there is no mouse look as far as I could tell. Too bad.

StiC

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdomini (Post 255618)

I have my copy back add me on PSN and we'll knock that mission off for you.

StiC