Update v0.0.3 is now live.
tldr: You need to enable HMCS power and lower the helmet visor to use the head-mounted targeting display, and you must enable SOI (top right button) on the TGT or NAV display to control them with your thumbstick. Night time flying is available in quick-flight. More details below.
The main focus of this update was to set up systems that will support future features, improve performance, and fix some of the issues reported since the last update.
There's a new helmet with improved functionality such as a projected targeting display (no more one-eye display), a simplified HUD that's projected to the visor when the cockpit HUD is not in view, and a nightvision mode. The HMCS power switch, located under the HUD power switch, must be turned on to access the in-helmet display features.
Another system that will support future features is the MFD Sensor of Interest, or SOI. On MFD screens that support hand-on-stick inputs, there will be an SOI button that lets you designate it to be controlled by your thumbstick or touchpad. For now, these include the TGT screen, which has the same controls as before, and the NAV screen, which will now allow you to scroll around the map. In the future, the NAV screen will allow you to set up custom waypoints and GPS targets for weapons.
The beginnings of the night-time environment are available to try out in the Quick Flight missions. There are still a number of things that need to be implemented to fully support night-time flying such as adjustble HUD brightness, switchable dashboard label illumination, the effects of reduced visibility to AI, etc.
There are no new missions or tutorials yet since those that are planned will rely on features that are still being implemented or changed.
Part of the performance issues in the last update were caused by changes in the HUD, and those have been addressed. There are also a few optimizations in other areas which should help too. Mission 4, while better than last time, continues to have some performance issues, but I'll keep hunting down the causes and will solve them in time.
Thanks again to everyone who joined the VTOL VR community for early access!
Please continue to report issues and make suggestions on the Steam discussion page and discord server. Your input is invaluable!
Here is a full list of changes in v0.0.3:
Improvements
- Added persistent throttle position adjustment
- New helmet
- New in-helmet HUD (HMCS)
- New in-helmet targeting view
- Added HMCS power switch to toggle in-helmet displays
- Improved targeting camera visibility
- Added ability to switch MFD Sensor of Interest (SOI) for joystick thumb control
- Added SOI button to TGT and NAV pages
- Added ability to set/reload countermeasures
- Added Reload All button to re-arming panel
- Fixed hand pose on left and right panel of vehicle configurator
- Added higher capacity IRIS-T launchers
- Added calibration sequence to gauges
- Added weapon count/capacity label in re-arming screen
- Added navigation, strobe, landing, interior lights and switches to AV-42C
- Added environment option to quick-flight missions (morning,day,night)
- Added experimental night-vision mode (pull trigger on forehead)
- Added proper tooltips to map MFD page
- Added experimental Body Physics option
- Updated intro scene
Changes
- Carrier catapult will not launch until throttled up
- Reorganized weapon config screen to fit future features
- Doubled countermeasure capacity for AV-42c
Fixes
- Fixed AI pilot behavior when aborting a landing
- Fixed engine tilt bouncing to 89 when releasing Oculus Touch thumbstick
- Fixed tree shading in targeting camera
- Fixed MP3 streamer unable to open read-only files
- Fixed unable to fire GAU-8 after re-arming it
- Fixed performance issues with HUD
- Fixed scraping audio loop getting stuck after some collisions
- Fixed incorrect behavior when switching weapons using left/right buttons in configurator
- Fixed errors caused by crashed VTOL in Mission 1
- Fixed aircraft spawning above elevator when re-arming while elevator moving
- Fixed ATC roof collider