Returning player, and force feedback question.

[k9cj5]

I played along time ago, maybe back in 2003.. and I was thinking about playing again and dragging along some of my friends along. I remember the community being one of the best things about this game. It seemed like people were willing to help, work as a team and were pretty friendly. Can anyone give me an idea of what may have changed since I played game play wise, if that's possible.

Does this game support Force Feedback? And if does what joystick would you guys recommend? I was looking around and it doesn't look like there's much of a selection.

Thanks again for your feedback and advise. 

[Traveler]

Welcome and the community is still great.  Do bring your friends and take advantage of the two week free period.  Also before jumping in on line do a lot of self training and experimenting in the off line arena.   Your two free week period doesn’t start until you enter the online section but once you do the clock is running.

Also take advantage of the training arena, and read , read , read .   There are lots of how to’s on the official Aces High Getting started web pages.
Once you start in on the madness , check out a Knight Squad 113th Lucky Strikes .   They fly P38’s in the attack and fighter role and are a friendly bunch of guys.   Vox 113 on any given Saturday night around 7:00PM EST.  Fly attack missions and follow wing tactics.  Check out their Squad page on AHWiki .


There are lots of sticks, at varying prices, go with what you can afford.  FF is alive and well in AH.

[Tigger29]

You may want to consider asking for this to be moved to the Hardware and Software thread, as you'll probably get more recommendations there.

There are many choices for sticks, but for the most part you'll find five brands:

1> Logitech.  They have a lot of inexpensive sticks with questionable precision and with a questionable lifespan.  They also make just about the only (new) choice available for Force Feedback - the G940 Flight System.  This system includes a stick, dual throttles, and rudder pedals.  This is what I use, but I'm not so quick to recommend it.  While the Feedback is absolutely incredible, and the build quality seems pretty decent... support is lacking, and every one ever made suffers from something knows as the "reversal bug" which really puts a bad taste in what would otherwise be an incredible stick.  Should they be able to fix this reversal bug with firmware/driver updates then I would love to start recommending it.

2> Saitek.  The most common of the bunch is probably the Saitek X52 (and X52 pro) Flight systems, which includes a stick with a twisty rudder and a throttle.  It's a good bargain for what you get, and I would gladly recommend it (I used mine for years before getting the Logitech G940 setup) but a lot of people seem to have a lot of issues with it, with calibration issues and the like.  I never experienced these issues and I'd be willing to bet that 90+% of them are due to not using a powered USB hub, but they have a bad reputation because of this.  Saitek also makes inexpensive sticks and some are actually pretty good quality from what I've heard, but I have no experience.  They also have the new X65 out which is a stick that measures how much pressure you apply to it (and the stick itself does not move).  Seems like pretty cool technology, but you pay a lot for it and very few have taken that plunge.

3> Thrustmaster.  They make a wide range of products including the T-Flight Hotas (inexpensive stick/throttle combo), the Cougar setup, and the expensive Warthog setup which is so new with such a high price tag that almost nobody has yet made that investment.  I have ZERO experience with this brand.

4> CH.  Supposedly the best quality and most precise of the bunch, but also with one of the highest price tags.  This stick, throttle, and rudder pedals are all sold separately.  People claim to have gotten years and years out of this brand with no problems and swear up and down that they bring unmatched precision.  Aside from moving the stick around a bit, I really can't comment on this brand having no experience actually using it.

5> Microsoft.  The MSFFB2 stick is supposed to be the best of the best when if comes to Force Feedback.  The problem is that it hasn't been produced in some time, so you're basically stuck searching for it on Ebay.  I had the original MSFFB years back and was just 'meh' with it, but gaming technology was quite a bit different back then.  I have to say that the FFB effects are absolutely incredible in my Logitech G940, and if it weren't for it's bugs I would recommend it over the MSFFB2, but right now I just can't do that.

[k9cj5]

Thanks for the replies.


Hey Tigger29 I just had a some questions for you if you don't mind. You've been a great help.
I looked at the Saitek X-52 after your recommendation and it looks like a very nice setup, especially for around 82 bucks. It also has the twist handle which is what I'm used to.

I also looked at the G940 Flight System, which you are using. I just had a few questions about it. How long have you had it? Since you've used both joysticks that I'm currently interested in how was the transition from the twist handle to the rudder? How do the other peripherals connect to one another? If one goes out are you screwed? Also what is the reversal bug you are talking about? Normally I wouldn't consider such an expensive option especially since of all the reviews aren't always positive but I remember I played a demo of Crimson Skies at Compusa a very long time ago. At first I dismissed it because Ive played the game before but after the second pass I thought it would go ahead and give it a try. What I didn't know was they had the Microsoft Sidewinder 2 hooked up to it with Force Feedback and it was like playing a different game. You could feel the stalls, turns and firing the guns. It was just awesome how Force Feedback could change the game. Ive always wanted a joy stick with force feedback, do you think its worth the extra money being that you have played this game with and without?