Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    Gee, I'm surprised it's out so soon...  EA claimed it wouldn't be
    ready until the end of June.  
    
    I'll certainly pick it up this weekend... the graphics and sound on the
    demo were far superior to Jet!.  Too bad about not including two-player
    mode though; dogfighting over the phone lines is the most fun I've
    ever had with the Amiga.  I was getting pretty good at it, too.
    (Hi Roger Beauregard!)
    
    Maybe if everyone calls EA and demands two-player mode...
    
    Ed.

    I picked up Interceptor this weekend.  I have to wholeheartedly
    agree with .0 - this is the best software I've ever seen running
    on a micro.  It makes Jet! look pretty sad.
    
    The attention to detail is nothing short of remarkable.  These guys
    haven't left out a thing (except two-player mode).  As you sit on
    the deck of the carrier, the large radar booms even rotate.  When
    you raise or lower your landing gear or arrestor hook, you hear
    the whine of hydraulics.  From the outside view, the gear raise
    and lower smoothly, rather than in a single frame.  Air turbulance
    will shake your dashboard.
    
    The animation is silky smooth, and at least twice as fast as Jet.
    The simulation seems much more realistic, too, which means that
    it's damned difficult to dogfight the enemy MIGs.  Ever see Top
    Gun?  Remember how fast an enemy plane closes in when you're both
    going 800 knots?  It's all over in a few seconds.  
    
    The HUD (Heads-Up Display) is also light-years ahead of Jet!.  Not a 
    simple target circle like in Jet!, but seperate dynamic markers for 
    target ID, target select, missile lock, etc.  Just like the real thing.
    Believe me, it's pretty intense trying to track a MIG, select weapons,
    and fly all at the same time.  Real fighter pilots must get ulcers
    pretty quick.
    
    Another area that they outdid themselves in is sound.  Rather than
    a simple drone, the turbine whine depends exactly on where the observer
    is located.  As you switch from a cockpit view to a spotter plane,
    the jetwash becomes a roar.  The wheels even screech as you hit
    the runway.  By the way, if you crash, the plane crumbles into a
    few dozen chunks.  Neat.
    
    Ejecting is a real audio/visual rush.  From cockpit view, you actually
    see the plane disappear below you as you're launched upwards.  You
    hear the turbine roar fade as it's replaced by the sounds of winds
    taking you down.  If you switch to spotter view, you see youself
    wafting downwards, legs kicking.
    
    I could go on and on.  Go out right now and buy Interceptor.  
    
    Ed.
    

    Well, this is really pretty thrilling.  I can't remember getting
    this involved in a simulation.  I was up until 3:00 AM Saturday
    trying to qualify for bigger and better missions.
    
    A bit more info:
    
    The game disk itself is totally unprotected.  They use a novel twist
    on the 'look-up-the-word' approach.  The package includes a 'Flight
    Computer' which is actually three concentric disks pinned in the
    center.  The program asks you for a countersign, which you deduce
    by lining up characters on the flight computer.
    
    Also:  paid $36.00 for it at the Software Shop.
    
      //
    \X/  Ed.

    Hey Ed, analog stick support?

    Make that TWO things they left out.
    
    Actually, it's pretty realistic to fly even with digital sticks.
    They've programmed in appropraite delays between stick motion and
    plane response.  You actually feel as if you've got 23,000 lbs of
    inertia strapped to your butt.
    
      //
    \X/ Ed
    

    know what you mean baout getting caught up in it. I sometimes have
    to force myself to get up and do something else.
    
    I finally got past the third mission. I'm having trouble on the
    fourth mission dropping the rescue pod close enough to the downed
    pilot.
    
    The dog fights are really a kick. It's important not to let them
    get behind you for any period of t. I have also found that an
    aggressive style is best.
    
    This is great stuff!
    
    Chris

    Hey,
    
    Sure looks like a great game.  Too bad I am too inept to land the
    thing for qualification.
    
    	--Mike
    

    
    Hey Mike,
    
    	Don't feel too bad your not the only one one who can't land.
     I would like to see what the Carrier looks like after I total 
    the runway.  Has anybody had any success at shooting up the carrier?
    I know I know I am supposed to land there, but at least once it
    would be fun to see if you can hit (like the broad side of a barn).
    
    brad
    

    Ok, I give up.
    
    I have landed on the damn carrier at least 5 times.  Each time,
    nothing happens (I get no confirmation).
    
    I did what the manual said: I lowered the landing gear, I put down
    the arrestor hook, I land at 175 (approximately) knots, and then
    put on the breaks.   I come to a complete stop, turn off the engines,
    and just sit there.  I'd sure like select a mission, but the computer
    hates me.  It just watches me sweat...
    
    	--Mike
    

    
    It's essential that you land on the correct end of the carrier deck.
    The arrestor wires are slung at one end of the landing strip.  You
    must hit these wires first, or you won't receive any credit.
    
    For a visual cue, make sure that the carrier's superstructure is
    on your right side when landing.
    
      //
    \X/ Ed.         
    

    With the brakes applied, you can land and come to a stop on the
    carrier deck *without* catching the arrestor cables, but you only
    get "credit" if you successfully engaged a cable.
    
    My most successful technique so far:
    
    Start your approach at about 8000 feet and 8 miles out.  This gives
    you a good view of the runway and enough time to ge lined up.
    
    Concentrate on getting yourself in line with the runway while you
    descend about 1000 feet per mile.
    
    Once lined up, aim for the stern of (or slightly *behind*) the carrier,
    not at the cables. You want to pull up as you get down level with
    the deck (i.e. just peeking over the edge) and a couple hundred feet
    behind.  Then just "hop" up over the threshold and onto the deck.
    
    I missed the cables all the time until I realized my only sucessful
    landings came after I'd come in "too low" and made *panic* recovery
    into a couple of nearly perfect landings...
    
    		- Bruce - 

I'm baffled. On the sub-carrier mission, I've tried all manner of tacts in
a vain effort at destroying the carrier and counting credit.

I'm making one fundamental assumption: the funny shaped carrier at 38N, 123W
is in fact the sub-carrier. So far, I've zorched the MIGs which seem to
emanate from the carrier-in-question, alternately sneak up on the carrier
and try to AAMRAM, SideWinder and even Cannon fire it, and have even
LANDED on the fargin snickey bastige where the crews generously re-armed
and re-fuelled me!

Is there another carrier?

    
    bugs...Well, has anybody experienced flying through debris or a
    part of a bridge, not crashing but rather having garbage intermittenly
    (perhaps because of the screen interrupt refresh code??) displayed
    on the screen and yet still be able to fly or go back to the menu
    and still have this garbage on the screen?
    
    	I have been able to do this twice (but it is not easy) by flying
    through a MIG that I shot down.
    
    brad

    
    *  As an aside, I went back and watched 'Top Gun' this evening.  I'm
       now more impressed than ever with Interceptor.  The HUD and target
       ID/Missile lock markers are as good as the real thing.
    
       I also think they really got the perspective down perfectly.
       The Interceptor MiGs approach at about the same speed as they did
       in Top Gun.
       
    *  I read a note on Usenet about a visit by Moses Ma (co-programmer
       of Interceptor) to a major Amiga user's group.  Apparently, if
       you fly to San Mateo, you can actually buzz the Electronic Arts
       building.  Moses jokingly claimed that if you could blow up EA,
       the game would un-copy protect itself.
                                                                   
    *  So far, I've completed four missions.  I'm dying to get to this
       famous 'submerged carrier' scenario.
    
    This is great fun.
    
      //
    \X/ Ed
    
    
    

    Gads!  I never thought of myself as someone who would enjoy "commie"
    killing, but this game is a kick.
    
    I've finished #2 but only by the skin of my teeth.  It took me an
    inordinate amount of time to shoot those buggers down.  Can someone
    give me some tips on getting them in my sights.  It seems that when
    I do get them lined up, it takes a handful of shots to get them
    out of the sky.  I usually end up with no missiles left.  I can't
    imagine having to land to get ammo, right in the middle of a battle.
    Any suggestions, other than "practice, practice, practice?"
    
    Good stuff.  Hope there are scenery/scenario disks on the way.
    
    Gary

Gary,

		I usually come at them head on and if I'm going full tilt
	boogie there is very little time to launch a missile when the HUD
	says they're in range and not overshoot on the first shot.  It works
	much better if you hit the brakes shortly before the target gets
	in range then launch as soon as is indicated.

							JimBo

    
    I usually come at them on a parallel course with an offset of a few
    miles.  I then bank hard and try to get on their tail.  It seems
    much easier to get a quick, solid missile lock tone when you're
    behind 'em.
    
    Anyone keeping track of their kill rates for the AMRAAMS and
    SideWinders?  My SideWinders are much more accurate.
    
    By the way, Interceptor is Jay Miner's favorite piece of Amiga
    software.
    
      //
    \X/  Ed.

    From InfoWorld, June 20, 1988, Page 102...
    
    "TOP GUN TRIPS UP.  Bringing new levels of realism to computer games,
    some folks with nothing better to do have pointed out to me some
    interesting things you can do with a game from Electronic Arts called
    Interceptor, which runs on the Amiga.
    
    Starting at San Francisco International Airport, gamesters can fuel
    and arm their jet fighter, then _taxi_ down U.S. 101, hang a right
    at Highway 92, pull up to the Electronic Arts headquarters, and
    blow the place to bits.  And these were people who _liked_ the game."
    
    - quoted without permission.
    
    Well guys, have you tried this?                    ....Tim 8^)

    
    Ok, anybody manage to sink the sub carrier? Just like someone else
    I've tried everything and no good.
    
    Help!
    
    -Ray
    

    re: .19 and others
    
    I've fired missiles into the two buildings in San Mateo, both will
    send up smoke from the roof.  Nice, but I'd like to see them explode!
    
    I haven't been able to sink the sub carrier.  I did get smoke to
    to come out of it by hitting the it's control tower from behind
    with missiles.  Didn't get any smoke when I dive bombed it, firing
    all my missiles into the deck.
    
    One possibility is that mysterious square in front of the control
    tower, maybe you need to hit that?  The mission info says you should
    attack from under 100 ft, to avoid detection.
    
    -Dave
    

    
    re .19 and .20	What Usenet has to say about the Sub-Carrier..
    
A Spoiler of Sort follows:
     

        
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Path: decwrl!ucbvax!pasteur!ames!ncar!boulder!sunybcs!bingvaxu!leah!itsgw!steinmetz!ge-dab!peora!rtmvax!scot
Subject: F-18 Interceptor (or how to sink a sub, maybe)
Posted: 25 Jun 88 02:59:47 GMT
Organization: RTmVax Public Unix System, Orlando FL
 
I have read many inquires about how to sing the sub in interceptor.
Well I have succefully completed that mission several times now and 
have never sunk the sub.  All you need to do is shoot down all the planes
and cruise missles that are thrown at you.  Usually this involves about
5 enemy planes and possibly a cruise missle.  I have straffed and hit
the sub many times (great smoke effects) also I have actually landed 
on the sub and been rearmed.  May be the one weak point in interceptor is
this final scenerio.
 
 
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------         
   Scot L. Harris    _      !hoptoad!peora!rtmvax!scot or amigash!scot
            ///     / \     !{mtune,moss}!codas!rtmvax!scot or amigash!scot 
           ///     /___\          _ _ ____     _   
       \\\///     /     \   /\/\   |  |  ___  /_\           
        \XX/     /       \ /    \ _|_ |___|  /   \     
 [Of course I uupc from my Amiga! Doesn't everyone????]                 
  ______________________________________________________________________        
 
========================================================================
Received: by decwrl.dec.com (5.54.4/4.7.34)
	id AA15194; Sat, 25 Jun 88 03:15:15 PDT
    

    SO:  I am angry because I can't get the last mission.
    
    After several weeks of flying though, I thought I'd be good enough
    to follow the trainer plane.  I selected "4." for practive manuevers
    and followed the other pilot up into the sky.  Did the first roll
    with him, but almost lost him on the second.  So,  I got right behind
    him and inched up till the nose of my plane was right behind his
    wing.  Then, I did a roll into his plane:
    
    It blew up.   My flight computer flashed "Minor Structure Damage"
    happily for a few seconds.  I put the nose of my plane towards the
    ground to watch the trail of smoke from the other plane.

    As I got real close to the other plane, I could see the pilot, a
    tiny white bubble, inside the cockpit.  His landing gear was still
    down.
    
    	--Mike
                                   
    

re: .22
> I got right behind him and inched up till the nose of my plane was right 
> behind his wing.

Mike,

What's your technique for "inching up"? With throttle increments of 10%
that change your speed by 50 knots or so, and the somewhat unpredicatable
behavior of the speed brake, I have a heck of a time getting close, even
if the plane is not trying to avoid me.

Thanks,
John O.

    I used the rudder controls to make sure I was going the same direction
    as the other pilot.  I also made sure I was at the same altitude.
    
    I was able to get close to him by very quickly alternating between
    90% and 80% throttle.  You can also change your throttle by single
    percentage units with the = and - keys although I havn't tried them
    yet.
    
    	--Mike
    

    Interest seems to have dropped on Interceptor in the last few weeks.
    Anyone besides me still playing it, or have all aspects been explored?
    

    I'm still playing it, just not as often.  Once you get thru the
    six missions the play gets nastier, but not different.  That element
    of something new is gone.  I've been trying variations on the
    scenarios, even tried dogfighting over the carrier, watching the
    battle from the carrier, fun to watch the missles tracking the
    target.
    
    At the Computer Show & Fleamarket in Boxboro last Saturday, the
    folks from Comp-U-Save were asked if they had F-18.  The answer
    was that they can't keep it in stock, it disappears as fast as
    they get it.  Looks like EA finally got a big winner in the Amiga
    market.  I wonder how the numbers compare to Defender of the Crown
    sales.
    
    -Dave
    

    I'm still playing Interceptor...... the last mission?????
                                       
    
    I have heard rumors that if you fire a complete set of both missiles
    at the control tower the carrier-sub will explode.  Leave those
    MIG's for another day and save the missiles for the carrier...
    
    I haven't actually achieved the above paragraph, lanuching the missiles
    to hit the control tower is tricky stuff.... 

        (my experiences)
    	Position the control tower in the centre of the display, using
    	magnify to improve the judgement.  The type of missile is selected
    	and I prepare for my attack run on the carrier.  A last check on 
    	altitude and speed, both okay.  Hold back on firing those missiles,
    	they all need to be a direct hit. Closer. Closer still.  Just a few 
        seconds more.  Fire!

        A hit, but in your excitment you leave it just to late to pull-up.
    	Yet another explosion, only trouble is it was YOU!!! Back to
        the carrier, try again...
    
    
    Can anyone help???
    
    
    =-> Herbie.