Splinter Cell Double Agent and Falcon 4.0 patches

Because work on a PC game is never really done, “technically speaking”. Patches, the benefit – or the bane – of PC gaming, depending on how you look at it. But as one of our more veteran and respected writers said, well, at least the devs are on top of it. So today we bring you, from each respective publisher, update patches for Ubisoft‘s Splinter Cell: Double Agent for the PC (you’re not going to be using this on your 360’s Marketplace, folks), and Lead Pursuit Inc.’s premier F-16 combat flight sim Falcon 4.0: Allied Force.

The SCDA patch will bring the game to v1.01. Ubisoft’s correcting a few anti-aliasing hiccups in this first update to the PC Double Agent, but mainly it’s focused on fixing multiplayer problems such as invitations, squad features, and disconnect issues. Because nothing’s more irritating to Splinter Cell multiplayers than a spy with the critical, score-counting data suddenly disappearing from the game, along with your chances of winning.

And now from the shadows to the skies, we have the 1.0.8 patch for Falcon 4.0. Anyone who’s played this game knows that it’s as close to the real-world F-16 as you can get, short of signing four years of your life to the Air Force, or entering the Academy. Still, little tweaks here and there only mean that the game gets even more real than it already is… is that even possible, even for Falcon? We have two downloads available. One is for v1.0.7 owners, the other is for owners of lower versions that need more stuff updated.

Now, since 1.0.8 tweaks even more game code than Congressmen tweaking the defense budget, we’re keeping the changelog in the full article. So read up while you hit the download link.

Download: [Falcon 4.0 v1.0.7-v1.0.8 update]
Download: [Falcon 4.0 v1.0.8 update for earlier versions]
Download: [Splinter Cell Double Agent v1.01 patch]

Falcon 4.0 changelog at the full article. And negative, Ghostrider, the pattern’s full.

Because work on a PC game is never really done, “technically speaking”. Patches, the benefit – or the bane – of PC gaming, depending on how you look at it. But as one of our more veteran and respected writers said, well, at least the devs are on top of it. So today we bring you, from each respective publisher, update patches for Ubisoft‘s Splinter Cell: Double Agent for the PC (you’re not going to be using this on your 360’s Marketplace, folks), and Lead Pursuit Inc.’s premier F-16 combat flight sim Falcon 4.0: Allied Force.

The SCDA patch will bring the game to v1.01. Ubisoft’s correcting a few anti-aliasing hiccups in this first update to the PC Double Agent, but mainly it’s focused on fixing multiplayer problems such as invitations, squad features, and disconnect issues. Because nothing’s more irritating to Splinter Cell multiplayers than a spy with the critical, score-counting data suddenly disappearing from the game, along with your chances of winning.

And now from the shadows to the skies, we have the 1.0.8 patch for Falcon 4.0. Anyone who’s played this game knows that it’s as close to the real-world F-16 as you can get, short of signing four years of your life to the Air Force, or entering the Academy. Still, little tweaks here and there only mean that the game gets even more real than it already is… is that even possible, even for Falcon? We have two downloads available. One is for v1.0.7 owners, the other is for owners of lower versions that need more stuff updated.

FALCON 4.0 VERSION 1.0.8 CHANGELOG: (from the press release)

Artificial Intelligence:

• Improved ground avoidance for low altitude flying of AI.
• Fixed AI continuing landing pattern when human lead switches from landing waypoint back to route waypoints.
  AWACS comms now continue if a package-assigned FAC is shot down.
• AI will use rockets more effectively on ground targets.
• Made AI more responsive on Weapons Free command for A-G missions – read the Addendum manual for further information about AI handling.
• Fixed issue where AI jets spawning on the runway would sometimes taxi onto the grass causing the departure queue to stall forever.
• Resolved problem where sometimes AI would sometimes chase after enemy A/C with guns instead of engaging with air to air missiles after a Weapons Free command was given.
• ATC gives more time for the player to leave the runway after landing.
• Fixed AI taxiing onto the runway without permission because they’re going too fast.
• Refueling changes (also read the Addendum manual):
  Inability of the tanker to refill external tanks fixed.
• Large warps occasionally seen in multiplayer refueling fixed.
• In realistic refueling model, the AI boom driver now applies forces to help position the thirsty aircraft.
• In realistic mode, connecting to the boom now cushions the speed of the refueling aircraft.
• In realistic mode, the player must now use the “Done” tanker radio command, the AI no longer does this on behalf of the player.
• In simplified refueling mode where the AI is providing throttle assistance, a heavily loaded player jet would struggle to catch the tanker. This has been addressed.
• Aircraft in the refueling queue will be ignored by the tanker if they fly away, land or are dead.
• Subtle vertical stabilization added as the refueling aircraft closes in on the tanker.

Avionics / Weapons:

• Smoke marker rockets for FAC flights won’t smoke when exploding in the air anymore.
• Fix a bug that caused the RWR to continue chirping when a beam riding missile was switching sensors or lost lock.
• Revised ripple bombing: the impact point shown on the HUD now designates the center of the bomb string.
• CCIP pipper in 2D cockpit fixed.
• Display own bullseye location in the HUD when Bullseye information is turned on (ICP Misc/Bullseye page).
• Fixed the 5900lbs limit sometimes imposed on refueling.
• Fixes for Helmet Mounted Sighting (HMS) system – read the Addendum Manual for more information.
• SAM units work more effectively now. Target selection (previous fixation on the lead aircraft) is improved.
• Alignment of radar displays in A-A and A-G modes fixed.
• During ramp start do not delay engine start with the need to move throttle.

Data:

• Improved 2000lb effectiveness compared to 500lb (2000lb slight increase in footprint/damage). Also, two 2000lb GP or PEN bombs will now destroy runway sections.
• Improved default load outs against underground factories. More need for PEN type weapons.
• Adjust drag index on center rail with ECM pod or camera.
• Slight update on F-16 flight model (small leading-edge flag issue and F-16 block 40/42 weight adjusted).
• Added CBU-58/52 to center bay of B-52 (27 count).
• Fixed issue where F-117 would be tasked with no weapons on SEAD strikes.
• Fixed issue with some aircraft not being able to be destroyed (e.g. Mi-28, C-17, C-5, E-8).
• Fixed an issue where landing on an apron would destroy the aircraft (e.g. north-south airstrip).
• Fixed an issue where some aircraft would load a rocket launcher with no pylon.
• Raised canopy opening angle to 37 degrees for F-16s.

Campaign:

• Flights won’t takeoff from destroyed aircraft carrier anymore. Squadrons with flights that were airborne are being relocated to a land-based airbase and continue to operate from there.
• Battalions planned to be stationary should do so more reliably.
• Stocks of fuel tanks added to some F-14 squadrons in Balkans.
• Fixed mission tasking on strike packages so escorts can be added by the ATO.
• On the campaign map, air-to-ground strike missions will now abort less frequently when under attack.
• Improved assigning of engineers to objectives.
• Engineer units now work more effectively, while adding some dynamics to repair times.
• Improved squadron relocation among allied teams.
• Fixed squadron relocation under some conditions.
• Fixed Balkans Powderkeg reporting stalemate without ending the campaign.
• Some other campaign triggers and report strings updated.
• JSTARS added to all Korean campaigns.
• Fixed some objective settings for Balkans campaigns.
• Fixed a couple of units in Korea Rolling Fire that were wrong type for team.
• Balkans PAKs adjusted.
• Names for battalions, brigades and naval units updated.
  2005/2010 campaigns now have different reinforcement schedules to standard-timeframe campaigns.
• Adjusted some balancing for 2005/2010 campaigns.
• Addressed rare instances of the player aircraft colliding with another aircraft when the player moves from 2D to 3D when joining the flight already in the air.

Cockpit:

• Fixed wrong TACAN channels on cockpit maps.
• Glance forward in 3D cockpit will now cover the whole RWR.
• Adjust 2D cockpit light level for NVG mode.
• Outside labels are no longer showing in front of the 3D cockpit.

Graphics:

• Floating buildings fixed.
• Give CBU-103/105 proper model/textures.
• Fixed self-illuminating light sources (like airbases) being darkened by cloud shadows.
• Outside labels are now translucent and fade with distance.

Multiplayer:

• Support for Hyperlobby added. The bandwidth is now set in the RULES OF ENGAGEMENT screen for Hyperlobby users.
• Commanding AI planes to turn on/off radar won’t be automatically performed for human wingmen anymore.
  Fixed the black object textures for hosts re-entering the 3D world.
• Fix floating aircraft on the ground when several clients are connected.
• A few more fixes to the debrief.txt: show the correct aircraft type and list flight members in correct pilot slot order.
• All players can now hear ATC’s Resume Own Navigation radio calls during climb-out.
• Fix wrong ATC voices being assigned to airbases.
• Sound loops fixed.

User Interface:

• Allow assigning victory conditions on naval units by right clicking on a unit on the TE map editor.
• Added the ability to password-protect Tactical Engagements and remove OOB and ATO buttons from them.
• ACMI data processing progress now displayed on mission exit screen.
• Fix for dropped airmobile units not being controllable.
• Sometimes music would play at full volume returning to the UI after a multiplayer game, even when music volume was set to zero. This should now be fixed.
• Improved listing of rocket kills for mission debrief.

Stability:

• Several more CTD fixes.

Other:

• New command line option “-print2file” will print briefing to Briefing.txt file instead of sending it to default printer.
  TrackIR can be initialized within 3d simulation in case you forget to start it before starting Falcon. Just ALT-TAB to Desktop, load TrackIR software, get back to Falcon and press ALT-C + T.
• Correctly load pilot/patch pictures in Targa (.TGA) format.

Download: [Falcon 4.0 v1.0.7-v1.0.8 update]
Download: [Falcon 4.0 v1.0.8 update for earlier versions]
Download: [Splinter Cell Double Agent v1.01 patch]