Great news. Bohemia Interactive just released a new patch called “Cougar” for Take On Helicopters with a massive upgrade to the flight model.
(See also http://takeonthegame.com/take-on-patches-cougar/#more-2838)

As allways, we’re providing two fast mirrors:

Take On Helicopters Patch 1.04 @ Tier1 #1 (fastest)
Take On Helicopters Patch 1.04 @ Tier1 #2

Patch 1.04 – codenamed Cougar – refines the experience of flying across the wide variety of helicopter gameplay by implementing a massive upgrade to the flight model. It also brings an initial introduction to Java scripting and lifts all DRM-restrictions.

First up, the flight model (RotorLib by RTDynamics) has undergone some major revisions. Project Lead Joris-Jan van ‘t Land elaborates:

“The upgrade to version 4.0 of RotorLib is significant. It brings a more authentic flight experience to our gameplay. We’ve worked together with RTDynamics to overhaul things like fuselage and wing aerodynamics, as well as improve the handling of engine power and drive train torque calculations. Translating this to gameplay, our players will be challenged to re-master the handling of some of the helicopters, meaning the cargo-drop you achieved last week might be a whole different proposition now!”

The second highlight is the inclusion of Java scripting: a welcome addition for the more advanced mission-makers of the Take On Helicopters community. The widespread, proven and robust language offers loads of documentation and tutorials, helping to streamline the process of getting custom gameplay up and running. Joris-Jan van ‘t Land:

“This patch lets mod-makers use tools such as NetBeans and Eclipse for development and debugging, Object-Oriented programming architecture and design, much higher performance script execution and access to many standard Java libraries. Although this initial integration of Java scripting into Take On Helicopters is just the first step, we’re confident it’ll help our talented community to produce more robust gameplay more quickly.”

Last but not least, the update removes all DRM-restrictions. This means that people will no longer need to activate the game’s serial key online and the DVD will not need to be in the disk drive while playing.

To implement the Cougar update, players can download the installer here. The Steam version of Take On Helicopters will be updated automatically.
Patch highlights:

Massive flight model upgrade (RotorLib 4.0)
Initial introduction of Java scripting
DRM-free for users of legitimate installations
FXAA and SMAA support added (new anti-aliasing techniques)
Time Trial functionality improvements

Today Bohemia Interactive released patch 1.03 for Take on Helicopters.

You can download the patch at Take On Helicopters Patch 1.03 @ Tier1 #1

Have fun and a merry christmas. :)

BIS gifted us a nice christmas gift today. They finally released version 1.60 for Arma2 Operation Arrowhead and updates for Arma2 and Arma2:free as well.

As allways you can download the files from our Tier1 Operations Mirrors:

ARMA2 OA/CO/RFT Patch 1.60 @ Tier1 Mirror #1
ARMA2 Patch 1.11 @ Tier1 Mirror #1
ARMA2:Free Patch 1.11 @ Tier1 Mirror #1

ARMA2 OA/CO/RFT Patch 1.60 @ Tier1 Mirror #2
ARMA2 Patch 1.11 @ Tier1 Mirror #2
ARMA2:Free Patch 1.11 @ Tier1 Mirror #2

Thank you BIS. :)

BIS just released a demo version of Take on Helicopters. If you want to have a look into how flying might be in Arma3 and how some engine improvements look like, give it a try.

The game itself features a highly modified Arma2 engine together with cool flight dynamics. If you’re into flying, we recommend to check out Take On Helicopters.

Download now @ Tier1 Mirror #1
Download now @ Tier1 Mirror #2

As we are taking so much from the community (see ACE, SixUpdater, Maps, etc) we’re glad to be able to give something back.

Today I’ve cleaned up some code and prepared a neat little tool for other communities to use.

If you are running a phpBB you can use this to generate your Squad.xml to use in Arma2 or other Bohemia Interactive Titles.
In fact we support the generation of multiple Squad.xml files to reflect groups with diffrent ranks, as we are one as well.

With some tweaking, you’ll be able to mange your members, their ranks etc. trough the phpBB (as you might allready do) and let the Squad.xml be autogenerated.

We’ve decided to provide this code under the Creative Commons by-nc-sa 3.0 Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/deed.en).

However if you have any valid input, please let us know here, so we can improve the script even more.
You might also fork the project on github, then sending pull-requests.

You can get the code at https://github.com/zeidlos/Auto-Squad-XML/zipball/master.

You can also join the discussion for feedback and troubleshooting at http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=127223

Thanks to Bossman from Tier1 who started this job. Awsome!
Thanks to TomNedry for his squad.xsl

The new Ranking and ribbon system is now live!
http://tier1ops.eu/roster/ribbons

Tier1ops proudly presents the new training and ranking system. After countless hours of testing, and designing, we finally are able to enable our new training, ribbon and ranking system.

As many of you already know this system provides a unique set of individual and group training elements with tests, that greatly boost gameplay abilities. As a member progresses through the ranks he will unlock new training opportunities and new ribbons.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this possible and good luck to all of you who are welcome to take the challenge and taste the experience.

The admin team

Tier 1 is proud to announce the full version of the Tier 1 & ISR joint session.

We thank our friends at ISR for playing together with us on this great session.

Last week we gave you the chance of seeing Tier1 Operations in action during the “Hell of Zargabad”.
This week we are proud to release the mission for the public to enjoy.
At the end of this post is a download link available, make sure to read the readme before you start playing.

Hell of Zargabad is a COOP hostage rescue mission.
Detailed ingame briefing available.
This mission is build in the 2D editor and merged with MCC, this allows players to tweak and adjust the mission “on the fly”, however it is not necessary to do so.
Thx to Shayman and Spirit for creating the MCC, see link in readme for more info.

Available slots:
Infantry
3 SF teams each consisting of:

• Leader
• Automatic rifleman
• Radioman
• Saboteur
• Corpsman

1 Sniperteam (Spotter + Sniper)

4 pilots

To complete the mission you need at least 2 full SF teams and 2 pilots.
The number of players ranges from 12 to 22.

Readme file (included in rar file):

=======================================================================================
===========> ATTENTION !!! <===========

Before you start playing, make sure to at least designate a respawn location first.
If you don't do this players will respawn in the same location where they died.
The reason for this is because MCC was added to allow you to dynamically add/remove enemies and lots of other fancy stuff.

=======================================================================================

Hell of Zargabad
----------------
1. Required mods
2. Installation
3. How to designate a respawn location
4. How to disable respawn
5. MCC information and manual

1. Required mods
-------------
@ACE
@CBA
@ACRE

2. Installation
------------
Simply extract the pbo file to your ..\Arma2\MPmissions folder.

3. How to designate a respawn location
-----------------------------------
This is done by use of MCC and should only be done (once) by 1 player.

* Wait until you see "synchronizing done" in the upper right corner of your screen.
* Select "> Mission generator” in your action menu
* A dialog will open, at the bottom click on “Create Zone”
* Click anywhere on the map of the dialog (this simply logs you into MCC, and considers you to be the mission maker)
* Click “Start West” (button left of the mini-map)
* Click on the mini-map where you want all players to respawn
* Press Escape or click “Close”

Now everytime a player respawns, he will respawn at that location.

4. How to disable respawn
———————-
This is done by use of MCC and should only be done (once) by the “mission maker” (see previous chapter).

ATTENTION: You can not disable respawn until you have designated a respawn location, see previous chapter on how to do that.

* Click “Disable respawn” in the MCC dialog
* Hit Escape or click “Close” and start playing

Players will now go into spectator mode when they die.

5. MCC manual
———-
BIS thread: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=112854
You can find a manual for MCC in the second post of that thread.

Download:
Hell of Zargabad

After last week’s trailer for “Hell of Zargabad”, it is now time for the full mission video.

Recording: Shock’n Awe
Editing : Freefire
Commentary: Freefire & Shock’n Awe

Next video release: upcoming Wednesday