Digital Integration's

HIND

Version 1.2

Patch release: 6 February 1997
Win95 version

Enhancements offered:

  • New WSO operation modes
  • Audible undercarriage
  • Optional 'wimp mode' landing cushion
  • Description of crash-land cause
  • Provision of R-60's for two-player flights

    Bugs fixed:

  • Disabling of rudder while panning corrected
  • Debug Fatal removed from 3D Visual code
  • Problem causing occasional crashes at the final Afghanistan campaign animation fixed
  • Bug causing occasional crashes after clicking 'Okay' button on situation screen removed
  • All models of Thrustmaster sticks now technically supported

    Enhancement details:

    New WSO operation modes

    There has been much debate over the Hind's Silicon Gunner, the WSO, ranging from topics such as his method of prioritising to whether he actually functions 'properly' at all.

    The WSO has been tested extensively and has been found to work consistently, within the original design specifications. The WSO is not intended to be an equivalent to an Apache's targeting computer - it is a human officer selecting targets by sight and through knowledge of their offensive capabilities.

    However, thanks mainly to the efforts of American gamers, several areas have been highlighted where the WSO could be improved without detriment to the realism of the simulation.

    The WSO now functions as follows:

    Activation and de-activation remains the same. The 'S' key toggles the WSO on and off, as described in your manual.

    An addition key now takes effect. Press key 'W' to toggle through three modes of WSO operation: "Automatic Selection"; "Free Fire", and "Mission Objectives", which are described just below. Note that toggling WSO mode does not automatically activate the gunner, and that, if de- activated, the current mode of operation will remain in effect when the WSO is brought back into play.

    Automatic Selection
    This the default mode of operation in which the WSO starts each mission. 'Automatic Selection' mode is the equivalent of the standard method of targeting as in the original Hind release version.

    This mode is denoted in your cockpit display by the message:

      WSO MODE AUTO

    In this mode, the Silicon Gunner will assign highest priority to waypoint and mission objects, *if any are present in his field of view*. If he sees no waypoint or mission objectives, he will fall back to targeting enemies of highest priority.

    Not that an objective is not as specific in the WSO's eyes as you might think. If an objective is to bomb a building, then when within range of the objective the WSO will begin to highlight buildings. If you know that his target is not relevant, zero-in on one which is and instruct the WSO to re-lock (BACKSPACE key).

    Free Fire
    The first of the two new modes takes its methodology from one half of Automatic Selection.

    "Free Fire" mode is denoted in your cockpit display by the message:

      WSO MODE FREE

    Use this mode to instruct the WSO to concentrate targeting on enemies of highest priority, whether there are primary objectives nearby or not. Using 'Free Fire' will not stop the WSO targeting an objective if a) it is the last remaining target in sight, and thus b) it is of higher priority than other remaining targets.

    Mission Objectives
    The second of the two new modes takes the role of the remaining half of Automatic Selection.

    "Mission Objectives" mode is denoted in your cockpit display by the message:

      WSO MODE MISSION

    Use this mode to instruct the WSO to concentrate targeting only on targets corresponding to the type of waypoint or mission objective of which the Hind is currently in range. In this mode, the WSO will disregard targets normally of a higher priority in favour of those necessary to complete the mission, even when instructed to re-scan.

    Audible undercarriage

    An audible sound effect has been added to the game, which is triggered when the landing gear is raised or lowered. The effect will be heard as a reasonably soft 'whirr', terminating in a solid 'clunk'. As a check, you should hear the effect as your helicopter is set up when you begin a mission, just before the rotors start.

    The landing gear itself still functions the same way, ie, it changes state when you press 'U', not when the sound effect terminates.

    Optional 'wimp mode' landing cushion

    It has been reported that some users find the crash-land tolerance of the Hind to be too low for them. Help has been provided for those whose landings fall outside the release version's acceptable limits.

    A 'landing cushion' can be activated by holding down the LEFT SHIFT key on the keyboard as the Hind touches down.

    The landing cushion effectively doubles the crash-land tolerance. You will still almost certainly crash if your pitch or roll are too wild, but excesses of forward, lateral and vertical speed are forgiven more.

    Description of crash-land cause

    In previous versions, crash-landing the Hind resulted in a simple message stating the fact. This has been augmented to display a short sentence describing the factors contributing to your crash.

    Viewed simply, there are five factors that are cumulatively polled to determine whether a crash has occurred: forward speed; lateral speed; vertical speed; pitch; and roll.

    Allowances are made in each of these factors, but if any are in excess they are now reported in the debrief.

    Provision of R-60's for two-player flights

    A simple update; R-60's are now provided on the Hind wingtips when flying two-player games.

    Patch Usage

    Copy the executable Hind95 file over the one currently installed; that's all there is to it.


    The latest patches for Hind, and our other games are always available at our website. The main URL is:

    http://www.digint.co.uk

    Thanks for supporting us, and for your patience in allowing us to support you.

    Raz, for Digital Integration Ltd., 1997