**************************************************************************** * * * VERSION 3.0a PATCH FOR FALCON 3.0 - 01/10/92 * * * * For use with: Release version 3.0 Date: 12-02-91 Time: 8:11 am * * * **************************************************************************** This patch will update all owners of FALCON 3.0 version 3.0 to version 3.0a. Use the following procedure to patch your FALCON 3.0 program on your hard disk: 1. First, type "DIR FALCON3.EXE" where FALCON 3.0 is stored on your hard disk. You should see the following: FALCON3 EXE 1206158 12-02-91 8:11a 2. Next, copy FALCON3.EXE from your hard disk to a blank floppy disk and keep it in a safe place. The reason for this is the patch will overwrite the original FALCON3.EXE file. In the future, there may be patches which will update FALCON 3.0 even further. Future patches will only work with the original FALCON3.EXE, so be sure you have the original stored away safely or you will have to reinstall the entire game again. 3. After your spare copy of FALCON3.EXE is stored away safely, copy these three files from the update disk into the directory where FALCON 3.0 is stored on your hard disk: GOPATCH.EXE PATCH.RTP PATCH.BAT 4. Now from the directory where FALCON 3.0 is stored, type "PATCH" at the DOS prompt. This will execute the patch program and make the necessary modifications to FALCON3.EXE. 5. When the patch is complete, type "DIR FALCON3.EXE" again and you should see the following: FALCON3 EXE 1225284 01-10-92 9:45p 6. Finally, run the game by typing "FALCON3" and you will be running version 3.0a. FALCON 3.0 has now been successfully patched. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ************************** * * * FALCON 3.0 * * version 3.0a * * * * 01-10-92 * * * ************************** Following is a list of the changes for version 3.0a: - In the bottom right-hand side of the title screen, you will see "V3.0A" which indicates that you are running version 3.0a. - The problem with the keyboard not responding on certain systems has been fixed. - The joystick calibration has been rewritten. Users of joysticks with a throttle now have the option of turning off the joystick's throttle control wheel and using the "+" and "-" keys on the keyboard instead. If you are going to use the throttle wheel for throttle control, you must first advance the throttle several clicks, then press the "+" key on the keyboard to start the engine. You will then be able to control the throttle with the throttle wheel on the joystick. - All the Realism Values on the Difficulty Levels area in the Configuration screen now add up correctly. - All Communications modes (direct connect, modem and Novell network) work more reliably. Multi-player mode is not supported in this version. - Sound glitches, including the missing IFF squawk, have been corrected. - ECM pod, chaff and flares have greater effectiveness. - The Threat Warning Indicator reliablity has been corrected. - The artificial intelligence has been improved to allow for autopilot bombing and landing (however, if you are damaged, there are no guarantees). Enemy pilot logic has also been improved -- enemy aircraft are now more aggressive at higher logic levels. - Glare caused by the sun now occurs at the appropriate climb and heading. - In the Red Flag training mission LESSON 4, the F-16 now faces the correct direction at the beginning of the lesson. - The appropriate pilot skills will now increase upon completion of a successful Red Flag mission. - External fuel tanks added by the user are now loaded correctly. - Anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) effectiveness is now greatly increased. The amount and type of damage depends on factors such as airspeed, altitude and distance from the artillery. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER NOTES: - Systems with only 1MB of total RAM need to set Sound and Music to PC Speaker in the Configuration screen. This will allow you to hear guns, lock-on tones, enemy lock and launch warnings, stall warnings and a caution tone. Digitized voices are not supported on machines without expanded memory (EMS). - .VCR files created using the ACMI feature are not compatible between release version 3.0 and 3.0a. - .VCR files created in High Fidelity flight mode can be viewed only on machines that are equipped a math co-processor. - When playing FALCON 3.0 in Communications mode, be certain that all the players are running version 3.0a and not version 3.0. In Duel mode turn off all SAMS/AAA. Even though the Master has an ECM pod, it is not effective in Duel Communications mode. - If the connection is broken in head-to-head mode, there is a possibility that squadron data will get corrupted. For best results, create a brand new squadron when entering head-to-head mode. This will provide the most reliable results in head-to-head mode, as well as protect existing squadrons that are involved in a single player campaign. - If you are using QEMM and a Logitech mouse, you may experience some problems with moving the pointer. The pointer may move sluggishly and draw multiple images of itself on the screen. If that is the case, this can be corrected by entering your CMOS setup and turning off the BIOS Shadow RAM. Consult the manual for your computer to see how to shut off BIOS Shadow RAM. - FALCON 3.0 works with STACKER, but STACKER must be loaded into high memory. If you are using EMM386 as your DOS 5.0 high memory manager, replace the DEVICE command that loads STACKER with DEVICEHIGH in your CONFIG.SYS file. On the line that loads STACKER, simply add the four letters HIGH after the word DEVICE. If you are using another memory manager, read the manual to learn how to load device drivers high.