Quick update: gameplay icons and other code assets

Latest developments: a waypoints system for the missions, a terrain tool editor enabling artists to position ground objects (buildings, rock outcrops, vegetation) and plot the road networks, a scoring system enabling pilot ratings for the training missions, and a icons system aimed to the more relaxed realism settings (which will be adjustable, enabling to switch on/off these visual cues, view padlock and other settings):

Another quick update: Shorelines

Progress is steady, this time showing an important eye-candy effect: 'foamy' shorelines, covering the whole coast due to the rough seas down South:

Quick update showing JT engine's Atmospheric and Weather effects

Afternoon and haze:


Stratus clouds and sun glare:

6 Degrees Of Freedom, Interview and Armored Vehicles

We've been testing the A-4Q cockpit as full 3D and 6 Degrees Of Freedom enabled, and through maximum effort it is possible to check the Skyhawk wings despite the very tight cockpit, and also the refuel probe in the nose; check the video by clicking in the left-hand picture below. We've also been interviewed by the virtual squadron Escuadrón 69 (Spain), click in the center picture below to read it (spanish and english languages available). And lastly, more art assets are being created, this time some armor (right-hand picture below).

We've been testing new highly accurate terrain textures covering the archipelago and Patagonia region, still some improvements to be done (like better detailed shoreline effects) but clicking in the left picture below will show preview pictures from a forum thread, showing terrain textures from 3 different altitudes. Also, our highly committed artists Ariel Cancio and Marcelo Silva finished another important class of ships: RFA Sir Galahad/Sir Tristam (click in the center picture below). And finally, some tests with aerial refueling in the right picture below.

Free flight over East Falkland (Isla Soledad) in an Armada Argentina's A-4Q Skyhawk. Known issues: undesirable clouds 'popup' here and there...and the AOA lights on Skyhawk cockpit must switch off when landing gear is raised. We're working on these issues. Click on image below to watch video: (hosted by Youtube)

Meanwhile, Gaël Elégoët from France, will be contributing with new hires 3D models for the Mirage series, check some images in his website. And Ariel Cancio is working in the"Round Table" class of Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.

 

1080p (1920x1080 resolution) allow us to use a widescreen 16:9 display - the wider display means more terrain speeding by the cockpit sides and so, more sense of speed and flight in general. Check trailer in this link or clicking in the image below:



Meanwhile, our artists are working in Canberra and Fearless vessels, so we'll have a Bomb Alley scene in-game soon. Programmers are integrating and perfecting the rigid-body physics so we have debris cartwheeling on the ground and better precision in the overall simulation.

Important update

First of all , thanks very much for the overwhelming number of emails that we're receiving lately, this indicates that interest in our project is huge; unfortunately we can't reply each one of these emails individually, they are so many and from all over the world, but basically the majority of the emails want to know: a) when the game will be released - b) where can I buy this game - We can't predict with certainty when the game will be ready for release (technically we're somewhere around alpha or pre-alpha stage) but for sure it will be sold through this website or there will be links here to websites selling it online. We aim to publish the conventional boxed release through the largest number of countries as possible, as well as to offer online sales.

We're also glad that we have been featured in Argentinean television news program (Teleocho Noticias ) where Ariel Cancio, Thunderwork's 3D artist team member from Córdoba, Argentina, have been interviewed by the TV news crew - click in the image below to watch the short interview:

Jet Thunder interview in Argentinean TV - spanish with english subtitles

And finally, great new AI models from of our untiring artists Marcelo Silva and Ariel Cancio:

Short 'promo' video or teaser

We did a 30 seconds teaser video, click on the image below to watch it (hosted by YouTube):

Some shots are 'anim' and some are in-game, but all use original Jet Thunder flight sim models and its textures
- it's just a matter of time for our 3d engine to do all this for real - even the Exocet shot with lighting and all.

New textures for clouds and weather effects

Testing better resolution in cloud textures (particle system), based in digital photos of cumulus type clouds:

Avro Vulcan "Black Buck" raids trial

For these trials, we spawned the bomber in mid-air over ocean a few miles northeast of Port Stanley.
Victor tankers and Ascension island aren't ready yet, but for final product the mission profile will probably be historical (with several in-flight refuellings over the Atlantic).

Still very rough, but here is the video of the mighty Avro Vulcan dropping bombs over the runway, hosted
by YouTube: click here to watch)

Improved high altitude haze effects and more content added

We've been working in improving the haze effects, with good results, now JT engine looks good from 3 feet
height up to 45 000 feet altitude:


Some content already in place have been improved (Dagger, Stanley City and a hi-quality Super Etendard)

As well as the Exocet missile, and the Amazon and Leander class of british frigates:


And finally, a video showing the loadout programming (Sea Harrier launching 3x 750lb GP bombs,
hosted by YouTube: click here to watch)

Carrier operations: "25 de Mayo" argentinean navy Colossus class aircraft carrier

To sum up latest updates which forum members may already find familiar, a few screenshots of conventional carrier operations featuring arrestor hook/cables and steam catapult:


And some extra screenshots of the argentinean navy A-4Q Skyhawk flying around the isles: