YS Flight Simulation System 2000

Infobox VG
title = YS Flight


caption = A squadron of Mitsubishi T-2s
developer = Soji Yamakawa
publisher =
distributor =
designer = Soji Yamakawa
license = Freeware
series =
engine =
version = 20080220
released = 1999
genre = Flight Simulator
modes = Single Player, Multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = Windows, Linux
media =
requirements = Windows 95/98/Me/NT4.0/2000/XP/Windows Vista, and Linux operating systems, Intel Pentium 200MHz or faster CPU, 64MB RAM, 6MB Hard disk space, DirectX 3.0 or later
input = Keyboard, Joystick, Mouse
footnotes =

YS Flight is a freeware flight simulation programmed by Soji Yamakawa, a staff member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University. [ [http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/shimada/cad06/ Carnegie Mellon staff information page] Retrieved on 7 May, 2007] The simulation is popularly referred to as "YS", and was originally called "YS Flight Simulation System 2000", until a name change by the author in 2008 to simply "YS Flight". It is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows.

The simulation includes a broad selection of types of aircraft, which is greatly expanded by unofficial vehicle add-ons. Planes range from historic models, through to small, modern fighter jets and full size passenger jets. This range is greatly expanded by mods, which are relatively easy to produce since the program was also designed "for... 3D graphics programmers". [ [http://www.acid-play.com/download/ys-flight-sim-2000/ Acid-play.com listing] Retrieved on 9 May, 2007]

As of the latest version (20080220, released on 23 March 2008), the main package of YS Flight includes 3 different versions, each utilizing a different graphics API for rendering the 3D graphics: non-OpenGL, OpenGL, and DirectX.

Game play

YS Flight can be played as either solo play on a single computer, or as online play connecting to a server (a computer running YS Flight in server mode) either through a LAN or the Internet.

There are various different game modes, either based on standard flight simulation, or involving combat. The non-combat sections of the game involve open ended play with no fixed objective. The user may also to choose to fly accompanied by computer controlled wingmen or other players via a network. In this mode, players can mimic aerobatic stunt teams by flying in advanced formations. It is possible to fly an aerobatic routine, save this flight, and then choose a different plane and fly in formation with your (earlier recorded) aircraft. Another mode requires the player to successfully perform a landing in variable weather conditions.

Combat in the game is usually based around more specific objectives. These include defending airbases and surviving waves of enemy aircraft. Less structured combat modes involve one-on-one dogfights, and fights between several combatants. These modes can also be played with human opponents and allies via a network.

Before each flight the user has the option to change the weapons load of the aircraft. Unlike more realistic combat flight simulators (such as Falcon 4.0), YS Flight uses generic weapon types (e.g. air to air missiles, iron bombs) and does not differentiate between different models of the same type of weapons, both from a visual and performance perspective.

Certain aircraft also feature gun turrets that are either user or computer controlled.

The scenery which the user flies in may also include SAM sites or
anti-aircraft guns that attack the user's aircraft.

The program can also be used in a network environment, whereas one user setup the program to run as a server while other users of the program can then connect to it as a client via a LAN connection or through the Internet. This way user can fly in the presence of other human users instead of AI controlled aircraft.

Aircraft

::NOTE: This is a partial list of aircraft that come with the original game. There are many more available for free download from freeware developers.

*A-4 Skyhawk
*A-6 Intruder
*A-10 Thunderbolt
*AH-1 Cobra
*AH-64 Apache
*Airbus A300
*Airbus A320
*Alphajet
*AMX
*AV-8B Harrier
*B-2 Spirit
*B-29 Superfortress
*B-52 Stratofortress
*Boeing 737
*Boeing 747
*Boeing 767
*Boeing 777

Criticism

Lack of realism

YS Flight is often criticized for limited realism, or unrealistic default plane appearances.fact|date=January 2008 The default game models are often blocky, and have intentionally less demanding texture mapping than other flight simulators, ensuring YS Flight runs on slower PCs. However, more aesthetically pleasing aircraft are available to download, as modders create much more detailed planes. Newly created aircraft are much more detailed than the default models, usually containing moving parts and user controlled lighting.

The simulator is unusual amongst others in the flight genre, in that it uses very few textures, choosing instead to focus on the control and physical flight realism aspect.

YS Flight effectively occupies the middle-ground between arcade-like titles such as the Ace Combat series and more realistic flight simulators such as Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane. For a more realistic flight simulator experience (albeit with greater hardware requirements) FlightGear, X-Plane or Microsoft Flight Simulator are available. The difference is that most of this additional software has to be purchased and licensed before use.

ee also

*FlightGear
*Microsoft Flight Simulator
*X-Plane

References

External links

* [http://www.ysflight.com Official Site]

Reviews

* [http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/review/ysflite.htm Review of YS Flight on flightsim.com]
* [http://www.uziana.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=1 YS Flight review on uziana.com]