Falcon 7x Simulator

[Natalie Omahony]

TheFalcon line of computer games is a series of simulations of the F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft. The games, mostly published by Spectrum HoloByte, were noted for their high level of realism unseen in contemporary simulation games.

F-16 Fighting Falcon was developed by Nexa Corporation (later merged to Spectrum Holobyte) and published by ASCII Corporation in 1984 for the MSX. Designed by Gilman Louie and Les Watts, it used bitmapped 3D MiG-21s as adversaries, several years before Origin's Wing Commander used a similar graphics engine. Sega's Yuji Naka ported the game to the Master System.

Falcon is the first official entry in the series. Originally developed by Sphere for Macintosh and MS-DOS in 1987 and ported to several platforms between 1988 and 1992, the game earned commercial success and critical acclaim.

Falcon A.T. (MS-DOS 1988), also known as Falcon 2, was one of the first flight sims to use EGA graphics as well as one of the earliest commercially released games to require a 286 or better PC. In comparison to the older game, this version allows external viewing of the player aircraft, enables a "head-to-head" multiplayer mode, and includes the MiG-29 as an adversary.

ACE wrote: "If you really want the terror, exhiliration and sheer everything-happens-at-once confusion of combat flying, this game delivers. The graphics help too, of course!"[2] Computer Gaming World gave the game 3 stars out of 5 in their June 1992 issue.[3]

Further games in the range were expected - rumours abounded of a simulator for the AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship, and even one or more tank simulators. The only one the company actually admitted to working on was a flight simulator of the A-10 Thunderbolt, but was never released.

Computer Gaming World in November 1993 criticized MiG-29's new redout/blackout model as unrealistic, and lack of fixes to existing bugs, but approved of the improved modem play and its "new set of challenges designed to broaden Falcon's appeal".[4] In a January 1994 survey of wargames the magazine gave the title four stars out of five, stating that the game was "mandatory" for serious players but not for "the casual weekend flyer".[5]

Computer Gaming World in April 1994 approved of Hornet's "Excellent enemy AI" and "intense" air-to-ground combat. While citing "some irritating bugs", the magazine concluded that as "basically Falcon 3 with new scenarios and a different flight model", it "will make a very welcome addition to the hard-core pilot's collection".[6]

Falcon 4.0 was published in 1998 for Windows as the fourth official main entry in the series. The Falcon 4.0 series is one of the longest running game series in PC history to have used the same code base. The history of Falcon 4.0 spans over two decades due to derivatives like Falcon 4.0: Allied Force,[7] the BMS derivative from 2012,[8] and other variants.

Introducing the highly anticipated Sim In A Box Ace Package, featuring the revolutionary Foresight Falcon overhead launch monitor. This package offers unmatched value and performance in a compact, all-in-one overhead system.

Experience the power of the all-new Foresight Falcon, combining professional-grade performance with an affordable price. With its sleek overhead-mounted design, the Falcon brings cutting-edge simulation capabilities in a smaller, lighter form. Built on photometric technology from the renowned GCHawk, the Falcon delivers superior accuracy and precision. In fact, it provides over a dozen points of ball and club performance data with each shot, surpassing any other overhead-mounted launch monitor except for the GCHawk.

Falcon Launch Monitor: Introducing the Foresight Falcon Launch Monitor, the latest overhead launch monitor technology advancement from Foresight Sports. With Quadrascopic technology taken from the award-winning GCQuad, the Falcon offers the one of the highest levels of performance and accuracy ever seen in an overhead launch monitor. It also includes the Club Analysis Add-on for enhanced analysis capabilities.

Full Simulator Setup: Create your own golf simulator with our complete simulator setup. This comprehensive package includes a frame, impact screen, premium projector, turf strip, Fiberbuilt hitting mat, and computer cart. You get everything you need to bring the world of golf into your home.

Optional Net Extension: For added protection and a seamless mounting experience, consider adding our high-quality Net Extension to your purchase. With the Net Extension, you can enjoy a deeper enclosure and enhanced safety during your golf simulations. Without the Net Extension, the Falcon should be mounted 9.5'-10.5' above the hitting mat.

Gaming Computer: Optimize your gaming experience with our gaming-optimized desktop computer. Designed specifically for golf simulation, this high-powered gaming PC ensures the smoothest and most realistic gameplay possible. It comes pre-loaded with FSX 2020, FSX Pro, and Fairgrounds, so you can start enjoying virtual golf right away.

FSX 2020: Take your golf simulation to the next level with FSX 2020, our true-to-life golf simulation software. Play full rounds of golf at world-class courses, practice specific holes or ranges, compete with other users globally, and save your session data to the cloud for later analysis.

Awesome Golf Lifetime Membership: Discover endless fun with Awesome Golf - Lifetime Membership. This iPad-designed game is also available for PC, offering a variety of activities such as club distance practice, longest drive competitions, and playing on included courses.

Foresight Fairgrounds: Complete your virtual golf experience with Fairgrounds, our all-ages game suite. Featuring classic games like skee ball, bowling, and darts, Fairgrounds is re-imagined with a golf twist, allowing players of all skill levels to enjoy the fun.

Building on the success of the GCHawk, which was launched in 2019, the Falcon utilizes the same quadrascopic technology that has made both the GCHawk and GCQuad mainstays in the golf simulator industry.

The Falcon features a reinforced aluminum framework that is 10 pounds lighter and 45 inches shorter than its predecessor. Thanks to its compact design and lightning-fast processor, installation and calibration are super easy. Additionally, it provides rubberized impact protection and three connection options (Ethernet, USB-C, Wifi), along with an integrated power supply.

Foresight Sports stands behind the Falcon by offering a two-year warranty.

The Foresight Falcon has a power button on the back of the unit that should be reachable by an adolescent or adult with a golf club, preferably the grip end. Use this power button to turn the unit on and off.

When you install FSX Play or FSX Pro, the Foresight Calibration App automatically tags along, ready to roll on your computer. Access it seamlessly from the menu within FSX gameplay. Just make sure your Falcon is linked to your network router or PC via the trusty Ethernet cable, and of course, the Falcon itself is powered up.

Take note of the serial number, distinctly underlined in blue on settings > devices tab. Identify your device using this serial number and proceed to engage the connect button. You should now be connected to the software. In the event that your device fails to register, check your connection and click the refresh button to try again.

We decide to create a campaign set in the Balkans. The computer runs this in real-time, and the war plays out over weeks. Our job is to fly missions. We are a small part of the war effort, and there is no hero gameplay. The war is not about you. Me and three buddies take a mission. We are tasked with taking out a bridge. First order of business is understanding our mission, then equipping our F-16s with proper ordinance. One F-16 had a jammer while the others had a mix of various bombs (laser guided) targeting pods, etc. We had to plan our load-outs as a team. We recon the target using the latest satellite images, but there is fog of war so we cannot be sure of its condition or defenses.

We anticipate running into serious SAM threats as we approach the target, so we turn on terrain following systems, hugging the ground. As we get closer to the target we jettison our external fuel tanks, which changes the flight dynamics of our F-16s. There is very little quiet time in the Falcon. The first two F-16s line up the bridge and drop their bombs. I do a reconnaissance run to confirm whether the bridge is out, and it was only partially out. We line up another bombing run when we are jumped by Migs and SUs. At this point we dump our bombs and go air to air combat. While lining up a shot i take damage from a Mig, and i have to break off the battle. My buddy takes out another Mig and the other two are shot down.

Limping home and low on fuel we look for alternate air bases we can land at. Looking up the frequency we get within range of one and try to get clearance to land. I am given priority due to my damage, and I land pretty good all considered. My buddy is directed into a holding pattern by ATC as other high priority aircraft are cued to land. He eventually signals he is extremely low on fuel and he lands on his belly skidding off the runway. We review our performance and get decent marks, and prepare for the next mission. A few days later we notice the bridge is operational again, and our efforts did little more than slow down the enemy.

Yeah, Falcon was, and possibly still, unmatched in some regards. I just tossed out my three manuals and the original falcon book that came with the CD's. However, I thought this was all eclipsed by Digital Combat? I also own this but only started it up once or twice.

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