It’s hard to believe, but this website is turning one today! It was officially launched one year ago on 5th July 2010. Many things changed since that first post (graphical layout, wordpress updates, database upgrades, third-party plugins, twitter integration) and many more will change in the future!

There is always room for improvement and I am committed to make this website even better and more accessible. Thanks for your e-mails, links, comments and suggestions. The simulation genre is not dead. Here are some stats to prove that.

37,483 = Visitors since launch

4,619 = Blocked spam

441 = Comments

114 = Blog posts

16 = Plugins

When the AI aircraft is on complex mode, the aircraft is actually being flown. By this I mean that the AI moves the aircraft’s throttle, stick and rudder: it has the same interface to the flight model as the player. In these situations it is possible for the stick to be pulled too just much and a spin/start could be initiated. A different part of the AI recognises this and overrides. In this way, in complex mode, the AI pilot flies on the edge. The higher the skill of the AI pilot the closer he will try to get to the edge. When on simple mode, the AI aircraft is moved more directly and so spins etc are unlikely.

(Rod Hyde – Game Designer – Rowan Software Circa 1999)

Morale controls the tendency for the aircraft to take certain risks. A high morale, but low skill pilot will tend to attempt difficult manoeuvres and then screw up. Obviously a low moral Veteran may well be capable of brilliant manoeuvres, but be too timid to attempt them. Fear the happy hero pilot!

(Jim Taylor – Lead Programmer – Rowan Software Circa 1999)

Yes, it’s been a long time since I posted here. I’ve been very busy with my job (I’m working as Lead Creature TD on an upcoming feature animation) and I don’t have much free time for other things. When I’m not working I need to recharge my energies by spending time with my wife and my two kids. And in a few months someone else will join our family!

But let’s get to the point, I know what you really want to know. Is project F.L.A.R.E dead? Absolutely not! This is a long term commitment for me so I will complete it and release it. There will be ups and downs along the way but I won’t abandon it.

Happy April Fools Day guys! As you may have already guessed my previous post was a joke. There was no fire and I didn’t lose FLARE at all! I’m working on it everyday and it’s coming along very nicely, I will post new screenshots soon. Thank you for your support, I really felt horrible when some of you took me seriously and offered me to contribuite for a professional data recovery!

I’m sorry for the cruel joke, I just couldn’t resist… I apologize and I promise that, starting from tomorrow, will be serious again. Cheers everyone!