MICROPROSE News! FALCON 4.0 SERIES IS BACK! 2023 

Just shows the level of quality that it is still fondly remembered 30 years on!

🥲

Flying both DCS and falcon 4.0 with the updated BMS mod to make it stand up to todays standards. Love em both, grew up with microprose sims. ❤

I think you definitely should. The Falcon 4.0 BMS mod looks outstanding, I might also revisit this series!

@@SimUKReviews I my mind Falcon never went away. Been following and playing BMS for over 15 years. BMS is amazingly immersive.

This was study level back when I was in the military…

Dude I remeber playing with my brotherona floppy disk!

@@Gunmonkey5 it was one of my first ‘good’ video game. The company put out the best programs for the time.

Happy, happy days!

I still have the book. I use it as a hammer if I can't find one.

I agree. I don't think it will be a DCS killer, just an alternative 🤔 for now......

Nothing can be DCS killer. Bring only one module like from DCS, nobody offer such precision, detaills and functions lile DCS Modules.

@@ShqipeInfo-bc3ss like F16 ?

@@Altrote100 do you mean f-16 from bms? 🤣🤣 this script is outdated. Before i found DCS, i was flying Falcon 4.0 and allied force, then BMS. BMS feels like you are on boat, in DCS it feels like e real jet, you can feel that. But i dont know which is more accurate (compare between Block xx... frolm bms and DCS). But the most accurate is the real one, right? DCS just feels good

@@ShqipeInfo-bc3ss There is Advanced Flight model in falcon bms that is more accurate than dcs.

Yes.

You're most welcome Jose!

Falcon BMS is not going away because microprose got the license back. If anything Falcon BMS is going to thrive and go the distance. Next update introduces a new terrain engine into Falcon BMS.

I think they are going to produce something really special.

Perhaps better if they did a collaboration.

"wonder if the developers know what they are getting themselves into?" I don't think so. Dynamic Campaign like Falcon4 is not commercially valide. Takes Toooooooooooo much adjustment, development, debugging and compromises ... I don't think that payed developers could ever sustain such an effort. Truculently, DCS is not able to host such a dynamic camping, tooooo many things to enhance, fix and debug before considering a DynCamp. Starting with IA behavior, and ATC ... no need to consider a DynCamp as long as they don't have a descent ATC control by AI, and flight AIs able to manage trimming and fuel more efficiently. (and I don't even talk about the real time engine that is currently impossible in DCS at this point).

@@Dee-Jay What do you mean by a "real time engine" here?

@@dial2616 Hi! Planning mission, changing flights, weapons, controlling units, connecting MP, etc ... while dome other ppl are flying and while the campaign is running.

I lost mine, much to my regret.

Falcon 4.0 you mean?

@@Marcin79W Flanker 2.0 you mean?

@@ImpendingJoker Dan said Falcon 3.0, I think Falcon 4.0 was way better. Flanker 2.0 developed into DCS if I remember well, right?

@@Marcin79W correct!

@@billpii6314 To the point even the engine has barely changed... Well, at least it did change since Flanker 1.0

The manuals were almost as good as the games!

Fear NOT! This is Microprose, they do things the right way: QUOTE: "We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work that the Benchmark Sims team has done with their BMS mod for Falcon 4.0. We recognize the passion and dedication that they have brought to the Falcon community, and we are committed to fully supporting their efforts in any way possible. With MicroProse's support, there is no end in sight for the work of the BMS Team. The future of the Falcon franchise looks bright, and we can't wait to share more with you soon!"

@@SimUKReviews Oh, thats great news indeed then. Thank you for sharing!

@@SimUKReviews "in sight"....

"no end in sight" They must have plans for them?

@@SimUKReviews That seems, well... patience, we'll see what happens, meanwhile, let's continue enjoying what we have. Greetings from Argentina

A complete pleasure, I will keep you posted.

I must admit, it does look incredible.

Lots of GREAT new stuff coming.

There are, its called Falcon BMS

I could not agree more :-)

:-)

Fantastic memories. The new era awaits!

My fingers are crossed 100%

And so ahead of their time.

Many thanks! Did you ever make a vid on VTOL VR? Didn't spot anything on your channel, unless I missed it?

@@SimUKReviews Not yet.. But never say never 😅

Computer Shop WHAT? Lol that’s a bygone era. I miss all the plethora of computer shops and all the boxed games.

I still have mine also, its in a nice three-ring notebook-type binder

This just confirms game developers used to care so much more about their products

Superb, may the next generation enjoy it as much.

I wish I had kept my manual now lol

Happy days 😃

Chappie!!!

That is a HUGE feature...no doubt that will be carried over?

Don't forget to grab BMS.

Thats fantastic. Would love to still have mine.

I wish I had kept mine.

Yes agreed. Isn't there a mod that can do this though?? Sure I saw something similar once before...but that was a while back.

@@SimUKReviews Not sure. I stopped playing DCS for a while. Gonna get back into it soon though.

Maybe you should take another look? I think I might try the BMS mod

@@SimUKReviews I ended up with a more powerful rig and loved Falcon 3.0. Then when Falcon 4.0 came out it was heaven. I got back into Falcon 4 BMS with 4.32 & loving it. Also love Falcon 4 Allied Force also.

Ahhh. The 386. Memories.

I so wish I had kept mine.

Fair play!

You're selling the manual?

You did what!?? You know you're not allowed to voice your own opinion these days 😆

100%

What a fantastic time I had with the mighty 8th, can hardly wait for their new B17 game to release.

I'm already on it!

Agreed!

That's fantastic. Commercial or military?

I don't know if it will for certain, but I suspect that it will.

Fantastic mementos

😆

Happy memories :-)

No, I don't think I did. "There is also a mod available". I never associated it with MicroProse; however Microprose have hinted at a collaboration....so it might well transpire.

@SimUKReviews no prob, all I heard was microprose but saw a lot of BMS footage. Good if MP updates all the graphical engine because the gameplay is already better than DCS (I love DCS TOO) 😀

I'm going to check out BMS, it looks incredible.

I doubt Microprose could top what Falcon BMS is.

I recall waiting for *ages* for Falcon 4.0 to come out. Still have my heavy spiral bound manual for it, and am excited even though happy with DCS at the moment. It's just good to get more players in the field!

Unlikely....but maybe a little? Both BMS and whatever MP release next is going to be vastly different.

So cool! I only have the re-issued boxed version with just a smaller paper manual. I bought the book by Prima; "Falcon 4.0 - Advanced F-16 Tactics". Far from having the real binder though... I guess the original 4.0 can be a challenge to run on modern hardware...

@@TheMack Maybe if I can install it there will be an update to download.

Competition is healthy

No confirmation of that.....but watch this space

Yeah, I hope it will

MicroProse have always been ahead of the times in regards to dynamic missions and simulated experiences (on top of simulation physics and systems). Long and short, immersion personified.

The f-16 is more detailed in BMS than in DCS..more realistically simulated and also has failures so checklists are worth checking

I have heard this.

A Geoff Crammond relaunch? I would LOVE to see that....only time will tell.

Thank you. I meant to say the Release date on Steam is as such.

That's awesome! I'm really tempted to jump on Falcon 4 BMS....should I do you think?

@Sim UK Reviews be prepared for a serious learning curve, but yes, sir, i definitely think you should. It's awesome. I have watched streams of multi-player and I wish I had friends that did flight Sims, 🤣🤣

4.37 is on its second update, and brings even more awesomeness. With recent announcements 4.38 new terrain engine and other gfx goodies seems to be secured. No need to wait, just enjoy what Falcon has to offer today and tomorrow a seen in quoted BMS 4.37 trailer.

@@6XENO9 Holy crap, I am still getting used to 36, lmao.

@@bulletstop100 Luckily most of the knowledge is trasferrable, with exception of ECM which got major overhaul. Also 4.37 supports VR if someone is interested ....

They issued a statement saying they would support them....

Hi! This Weapon bubble issue doesn't exist anymore since long time. Weapon and/or weapon sensor deagg its target by its own regardless aircraft/own-ship location. Regards.

Healthy competition

No, BMS will continue & be supported by MP and falcon 5 (i guess) will follow.

@@SimUKReviews Never happen, but we'll see.

It is amazing

@@SimUKReviews Anyting cockpit related, I play exclusively in VR and I've come to the following conclusion regarding BMS, DCS, IL2 GB and X-plane 4: BMS is (at the moment - let's see what microprose brings to the table) the most complete F-16 simulator. It exceeds DCS in the gameplay department. Better AI, the ATC is barebones in DCS compared to BMS. The systems are study level material. In short; BMS is superior to DCS as a platform. Before DCS world was a thing, the first stand alone full fidelity module that came out by Eagle Dynamics was the A-10C, and thereafter the Ka-50. Those are avionics and systems wise comparable to BMS. The depth of the other modules (not taking into account the warbirds of ww2) are not BMS material. IL-2 Is a great experience. It's not as hard core as DCS, but it comes close. It offers a level of immersion that DCS hasn't managed to replicate. For example, German voice overs for the Axis forces are non existent in DCS. IL-2 Yankees speak yank, Germans speak Kraut, Russians speak Russki and the Brits are as tally-ho and jolly-good-show-chaps as can be. X-plane 4 scratches my non military itch and besides being very modular and moddable, Microsoft gets my boycott. Regardless of how beautiful or good their product is. Gates (or affiliated) doesn't get a cent from me. Since you're on the sim train... have you had a look at the recent 'Simulator' update of Derail Valley? Something that blows cash grab developer Dovetail and its worthless 'Train Simulator' out of the water.

Thanks for your Great comment. I do keep meaning to check out derail Valley again, but always very impressed with their ethics.

I hope you're right

Love regiments.

Answer: Carefully.

No

They are supporting BMS and appear to be working with....waiting on exact details for that....but a new version is likely to be on the cards.

@@SimUKReviews BMS Dev Team member here - I can assure you they will not be picking up the BMS mod as a basis for any future addition of the Falcon lineage.

Thanks so much for the confirmation. Can you elaborate any collaboration you might be expecting? And I am just about to fire up and test out BMS, but I am EXTREMELY impressed with what I have seen already...you guys are incredible.

I think we're safe from Arcade shit 😃

Your skepticism is well founded, there aren't many reputable reliable and honest developers left....however, I hope and believe MicroProse are the real deal. I guess this is an opportunity for them to convert you to their cause & let us hope that they receive the support needed to continue along this path.

I've spoken the the new CEO, who has the backing and support/guidance of one of the original owners....so whilst there is a new man at the helm, I have actually spoken to him and I can assure you he is (like me) a childhood fan, who holds the same passion and ethos MP did back in the day. Furthermore: having review nearly every game they have released; I think they have smashed out some extremely quality titles, much better IMHO than much of the tripe we get fed these days. In short; I completely disagree with you there 😃

@@SimUKReviews I agree that they are doing good work, some of the new titles are certainly decent, I just haven't seen anything from them yet that has persuaded me to pack my Amiga away for good.

😆 If I still had mine, I wouldn't either.

They appear to be looking to work with them....awaiting official details on where and how.

defo!

They are supporting them

They are officially supporting them and working with them it seems....very exciting; sure BMS will confirm in due course.

You can increase the font size of the UI in DCS from the options/settings menu on the main launch screen. I had a similar issue when I purchased my new pc a couple months ago, but all is fine now.

Fingers crossed for me too. I'm going to try BMS myself, thanks for the heads up.

@@VonDrinkoften thanks! If I’d thought about it, I suppose I should have looked for an option like that. I might have another quick look, it’s still installed. And it’s not as I made a grand decision to not play it, just that I never have the enthusiasm to learn a less than intuitive interface when I sit down to ‘fly’. I don’t want you to think I’m completely down on BMS. The dynamic campaign sounds so good, it’s after reading about it that I bought the app and downloaded BMS. Which is another thing, with Falcon 4 at about 5£/$, it was practically an impulse buy. It’s amazing that so much is offered for so little and I hope the new arrangement gives the BMS guys, who I believe have mostly done their work as a hobby, a chance to get some reward other than the appreciation of the players. IIRC, Microprose were the creators of M1 Tank Platoon in the early 90s (?). I loved that game. It was the first game I’d bought for PC, I believe, about the time when it became possible to play even a CGA level graphics game on a PC. So Microprose is a name to conjure with, to me anyway! EDIT - crap, I didn’t realise you were talking about the DCS screen fonts, I assumed you meant Falcon BMS. I guess I wasn’t clear in my overwordy post. Yes, I have expanded the DCS menus to 150%, I can read them fine. My objections in DCS are to the very average usability of the menus and structure of the sim outside the game. Love the planes, though. I have almost all of the modules and all of the maps.

How exactly you bought something that is Free? BMS is a free add on for Falcon 4.0. You only need the original Falcon 4.0 in order to be able to install Falcon BMS witch actually is a separate installation!

I don't think so no, at least not right now. BMS can be downloaded from their website: www.falcon-bms.com/

@@SimUKReviews thanks Mike :)

Always a pleasure.

Oh memories 😃

Waiting for official news, but seems like MicroProse are looking to work with BMS to some degree.

Unlikely.

Unreal Engine is not made (optimized) for flight simulation. It would be a huge waste of performance and some required features would not be possible.

Still waiting for 100% clarity, but MP are supporting BMS and appear to have something lined up with/for them??

🤣 I'm thinking about grabbing the BMS mod, looks incredible

Then try Falcon BMS, it fixed almost all of the original Falcon 4.0 bugs and added so much more good things...

Let me correct myself....on steam the release date is stated as such.

Thank you. To correct myself: that is the release date on steam page.

@@SimUKReviews I see , makes sense now buddy thank you.

Have you tried the BMS mod?

No BMS on mac… And then SU27 Flanker on PC…

@@G_de_Coligny Wine/Crossover is your friend here ;)

Oh no, windows emulator?

@@SimUKReviews in 1999 using a windows emulator for a flight sim was a brilliant experience in frustration… When I switched simming to PC i went the Flanker way…