getting in the air quickly

museum install · #1 03-19-2009, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the quick replies!
I should have mentioned we're not going to have a keyboard set up in the kiosk. If we need to we'll have a track pad for mouse functions. What we're really trying to do is set up a macro or something to do the set up steps automatically in order to get the game going quickly without much input from the player.

I'll try to put up a photo of some of the stuff we're doing for the museum.

BTW, the museum is the actual USS Lexington. She's been retired to Corpus Christi, Texas where she is a museum.

http://www.usslexington.com/

KG26_Alpha · #2 03-19-2009, 02:57 PM

I know some one in the area that could come and set that up for you.

SlipBall · #3 03-19-2009, 05:11 PM

Wow the Lexington!...IL-2 on the Blue Ghost

vanderstok · #4 03-20-2009, 07:46 AM

You might want to use something like this. I have a similiar device and it's enough to (re)start IL2 Pacific Fighters with:

When running the dogfight multiplayer game as described above the user would only have to use the "esc" key to enter the menu and then use the trackball to select "refly" and off you go.

When buying such a numeric keypad, make sure it has the "esc" key, not all of those devices have them...

If you don't want a keypad at all.... I'm not sure how to get out of the game/restart? Would have to investgate further...

Thunderbolt56 · #5 03-20-2009, 01:57 PM

This is going to sound blasphemous to most (hell, it does to me to a degree as well), but in a public area like that that will recieve the entire gamut of patron from simple museum viewer to true miltary/aviation enthusiast and every age possible, it may be wiser to wait and see if there will be a possibility of using some iteration of Warbirds of Prey for console...

I know, I know, but still. If I think about my own setup at home, I get agitated if one of my family members even sits at my pc. I'm fortunate that they all have their own pc's so I can justify the obsessive compulsive possession, but just getting everything setup, running smoothly and keeping it so, while second nature to me, could be a daunting task if I'm following behind a few dozen different users each day with differing levels of respect for pc components, controllers etc,.

I admire your desire and would love to see something like that at the different museums I frequent annually too. Either way, good luck with it.

TB

vanderstok · #6 03-20-2009, 02:14 PM

What if you used a dogfight server that rapidly changes missions, ie every few minutes? There would be no need to hit "escape". If someone crashes he/she will have to wait for the server to restart the game. The mouse wil be needed to select an aircraft and hit "fly", but ppl would not be able to go to the main menu and change things (or exit the game completely).

How about start in the air next to an aircraft carrier and see if one can land? (difficulty settings set to easy). You do need some control so a joystick with a number of buttons and integrated throttle would be necessary. Bolt it to a desk, together with a legenda for the buttons (gear down/up, aresting hook up/down etc.).

museum install · #7 03-20-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanderstok

What if you used a dogfight server that rapidly changes missions, ie every few minutes? There would be no need to hit "escape". If someone crashes he/she will have to wait for the server to restart the game. The mouse wil be needed to select an aircraft and hit "fly", but ppl would not be able to go to the main menu and change things (or exit the game completely).

How about start in the air next to an aircraft carrier and see if one can land? (difficulty settings set to easy). You do need some control so a joystick with a number of buttons and integrated throttle would be necessary. Bolt it to a desk, together with a legenda for the buttons (gear down/up, aresting hook up/down etc.).

We can program buttons on the joystick or include an extra button on the console that is set for "escape", that's actually pretty easy. Our biggest challenge is getting the player to a scenario without going through all the set up, choosing a mission and base, choosing planes, etc.

We have another kiosk that is dedicated to carrier landing. We call it "Landing". We are using MS Flight Sim to land an F/18. MS Flight Sim has a "kiosk mode" that allows a good amount of customization. The game starts with you in the cockpit on approach to a carrier. We've customized the joystick buttons for gear, brakes and tail hook. It works really well. Too bad MS must not believe in guns because there is no shooting in their sims.

vanderstok · #8 03-20-2009, 03:03 PM

Okay, so the controls are not the problem.

What kind of scenario do you want to offer the visitors?

Let's assume a dogfight over Midway Islands. If you use a simple dogfight server with only two types of aircraft: zero and the Wildcat, the users would only have to do this:

1. In the Briefing screen, pick an airfield. There wil be two airfields (actually spawn points in the air) very close together, right over the Midway islands. One PC must always be blue, the other red (this has to be explained in an instruction, or mark the stations clearly as blue and red).
2. Pick an aircraft, either the Zero or the Wildcat, form that airbase
3. Hit "fly" to start in the air. Both players will start in the air, some distance away from each other...have fun!
4. Hit escape and then "refly" after you have been destroyed (or have landed) or if there is a dedicated server: wait until the game reloads automatically...

SlipBall · #9 03-20-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by museum install

The game starts with you in the cockpit on approach to a carrier. We've customized the joystick buttons for gear, brakes and tail hook.

This can be done easily in Pacific Fighters as well. With the full mission builder, the mission would be made, and you could have a incoming aircraft perfectly lined up with the flight deck, (you could have the USS Lexington CV2) distance out, altitude, speed all configured. I think that landing a nice old prop aircraft would give your visitor's a real treat...and she has guns!

(quote)
Our biggest challenge is getting the player to a scenario without going through all the set up, choosing a mission and base, choosing planes, etc

The player would start the game in the air, in the cockpit, and at the controls as you have done with MS...could also be done for your station's 1&2 as well. Where the 2 player's are only seconds away from eye contact, after they first begin to play.

museum install · #10 03-20-2009, 08:38 PM

These are all really useful ideas. I'm going to have my electrician/computer guy start trying some of them out.

Thanks!