Combat Air Patrol 2 News

v813.4 & 5 were uploaded to the BETA and VR BETA channels recently. Work was focused on A/G weaponry. Updates included:

The next couple couple of minor updates (v813.6/7) will continue with A/G work. These will include:

After the final A/G weapons/Avionics updates are released we'll move on to the v814 series updates which will add the in-mission tactical display. After that we're on to single missions.

Here are some screenshots of v813.4/5

Miscellaneous shots from v813.5 build:

v813.0 has been published to the BETA channel. This update has the full day/night sequence implemented. This is needed for the upcoming campaign mode as that runs minute by minute throughout the full 24 hour day. You'll be flying missions at various TOD and through transitions from light to darkness.

Accurate sky rendering due to atmosphere modelling

Moon Display

Stars

Sun Display;

Terrain/Objects

You can dynamically change the TOD during free flight & training missions so give that a go to see the update in action.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here are ~15,000 words!:

v812.1 is available now. We are enabling some more artistic camera modes and grabbing some new eye candy over the next few days which we will add to this article so check back regularly. There's some campaign news towards the end of this article so be sure to scroll down if that's what interests you :)

As well as hundreds of bug fixes and any previously reported crash fixes, here's the bulk of the feature improvements we've made:

• Animated cockpit controls
  
• Full control of interior & exterior lighting
  
• Ability to set Bingo fuel level, select displayed fuel value
  
• HUD reject level switch implemented to declutter HUD displays
  
• HUD brightness rotary
  
• Upfront Display brightness rotary
  
• RWR Volume rotary
  
• Seat adjust switch (left side of cockpit) actually moves the seat forwards & backwards, adjusting your cockpit viewpoint
  
• Autopilot switches work as per AV8B manual. There are now three modes: off, AFC on & AFC with altitude hold. If the autopilot is engaged with the aircraft outside of ~5deg of pitch or roll it is held at that pitch or roll, otherwise it'll settle at wings or nose level
  
• As per the AV8B manual there are now four HUD modes, VSTOL, NAV, AG & AA. Select by clicking the Master Mode buttons to the left of the main panel. For inflight refueling click the AAR switch on the lower left panel to extend the probe and trigger refueling help
  
• Updates to targeting pod displays and operation
  
• LGB's added and functioning
  
• Internal updates to weapon collision code
  
• Added targets to Chocolate Mountain Range
  
• Updated Harrier cockpit and fuselage
  
• Added V-22 Osprey and P-3 Orion
  
• Added static deck crew
  
• Depth of Field option added to renderer

VR updates include:

• Updates to latest API versions
  
• VR specific gamma control
  
• VR specific optimisations
  
• Mirror screen improvements (OpenVR only)
  
• MSAA changes applied immediately (OpenVR & standard renderer)
  
• Mission planner drawn in VR (renderer is not yet optimised, may show hourglass in VR)

The next few small updates will include:

• Re-enable Gulf civilian traffic
  
• Re-enable Fleet defenses
  
• Updates to HUD & radar display as per AV8B references. These include updates to Gun and sidewinder displays, auto acquisition modes, boresight, AIM9 SEAM modes etc.
  
• Enable 'Single Missions' in the Gulf
  
• Display 'In Mission' tactical view
  
• Updates to aircraft AI

Campaign News

After those updates it's time to work on the campaign mode. There'll be multiple campaigns. First to be implemented will be smaller campaigns/operations with objectives such as neutralizing Island bases and threats. Think this: Operation Praying Mantis[en.wikipedia.org]. The wider scale campaigns will follow.

From a technical standpoint the campaigns are simulated minute by minute with acceleration as required for times such as lulls in combat. You'll set which events will disable acceleration such as new radar contacts, enemy proximity to assets, distress calls etc.

From the main campaign screen you'll be able to switch to a 3D view of any of your assets (carrier/aircraft/ships/drones) at any time. During flight you'll be able to switch to the Tactical view & your AC will enable autopilot with Alt hold till you return. You'll have a limited no. of airframes; return to the ship with damage and that airframe will be unavailable for a length of time based on damage level.

We've had (and answered) some interesting questions on the campaign since releasing this news. This is great and its helping shape the game, you can get involved here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/347170/discussions/0/154642447927175939/?ctp=33

Development is changing to more gameplay based elements now, heck we might even start publicizing it soon!

Stay tuned ːsteamhappyː