FAQ
From FreeHost
Game World
How do I start playing on FH?
You will need to follow 3 steps:
- Create an account, choosing a FH login & password in the dialog box that shows up when clicking "go online" from the FHLauncher.exe. Just pick an unused login "7UkspKl238R" for example, and any password you want. (Write the password down so you don't forget it!)
- Choose a callsign (the "in-game name"). This must be unique, and must be 6 lower-case letters or "-". for example: "-ab-cd"
- Participate in the community of FH. Register in the FH forum. The forum is independent, so you will need to choose a new login and password. use the same as your account only if you can and wish to do so.
If you require more details on playing in FH, check this thread at the FH Forum.
How does time work in FH?
- 1 FH day = 2 real hours
- 1 FH month = 4 FH days = 8 real hours (Depends on the Parameter LASTMONTHDAY)
- 3 FH months = 1 real day
- 1 FH year = 4 real days
- A RPS starts August 1940 and ends at August 1945 (depends on Parameter LASTMONTH).
To view current arena time, type the ".time" command.
Why aren't there night periods in FH?
Night is unacceptable, since Warbirds 2D version doesn't darken the outside. Instead, it makes it all completely plain black.
What effect do factories, bridges, cities, refineries, etc. have in the game?
This feature is still being tested, and a good system is being worked out. At the moment, they affect the rebuild times of fields.
How do I create a squadron?
There must be two pilots online to create a squadron. The commands are the same as if joining a squad, with one having to invite the other. He who invites will be the squadron leader, being allowed to change squad member's permissions ( if they are allowed to invite other members, remove them, rename the squad or it's motto. ) and having access to field radar coverage on the map. To activate/deactivate this last feature, type the ".mapflags x" command. In x, type 1 to activate and 0 to deactivate.
If a problem occurs, the error message will be sent to the pilot who sent the invitation. This process may fail if one of both pilots are already in a squadron. To leave a squadron type ".withdraw". As leader, to disband your squadron, type ".disband".
How do I join a squadron?
To join an existent squadron, someone of that squad must type in the radio buffer the ".invite xxxxxx" command, where xxxxxx is your pilot's name. If no problems occur, you shall receive the invitation. To complete the process, just type the ".jsquad" command.
If a problem occurs, the error message will be sent to the pilot who sent the invitation. Possible errors:
- The squadron is at the 32 member limit
- You are already in another squadron
To leave a squadron, type ".withdraw"
How can I be someone's gunner?
This isn't supported by FH yet, since Aike doesn't have the time for it's implementation. Someday it will be one of the top priorities for the FH team.
How do I exit a human ack?
You must "bail" out. Don't worry, your pilot won't die, since you are placed into the jeep with an "invitation" like with the V-1. Nothing that happens in the jeep ack counts in your scores.
How does the radar work in FH?
Radar coverage is of 121500ft = 40500yds = 23st.mi = 37km. But they do not cover under a certain altitude. This depends on this basic formula: Undetectable Altitude = Radar Level + "RADARALT" (RADARALT = 600ft ~ 200m), where Radar Level is the specific radar's altitude above the Baltic Sea.
Why does my radar suddenly stop working when I'm in the tower?
(This bug has already been fixed) There were rumors that said there was a network protocol bug or a game play error. When a radar was destroyed the entire picture vanished.
How do I record/play a track?
To record a track you must be in flight and type the command ".record xxx" in the radio buffer. (xxx = the name you want the track to have)
Tracks are saved into your tracks subdirectory. "C:\...\FHL\tracks\" for example. Any downloaded track must be placed here to be viewed.
To view a track, start your FHLauncher (C:\games\warbirds\FHL\FHLauncher.exe for example) and select "Play Track" from the menu that pops up. Double-click the track you wish to view from the tracks list that shows up. (The track list may take a while to show up if you have too many tracks or have a slow PC)
You can use command .extview while watching the track to see external view of the plane. Use control keys can to adjust the view.
When are the Scorepages updated?
The scorepages are updated every two hours. The update-time at the bottom is the local moscow time (GMT+3 in winter and GMT+4 in summer).
I have an idea for a scenario. How can I make it?
FH Staff still has no automatics in this matter. Announce it on our forum, so other can discuss it. If the idea is very interesting, contact some of FH administrators. At least they can address you to the right man who can help you.
Game Disputes
Why doesn't FH change the icon range? They are too short/long!
FH icons are considered average. We actually have never seen anyone complain that they are too short. But if you think they are too long, FH occasionally has short/no icon scenarios.
Why doesn't FH change the terrain to that other one which is better?
FH rotates the terrains, trying to please all tastes. The current rotation is between wbmedrl2, wbmed3 and wbawt3. Please wait for your favorite terrain, since there are people who don't enjoy it and prefer the others. If you wish to play on a terrain that isn't in the current rotation, suggest it in the forum and wait for the feedback. If there is enough support, maybe FH team will add it.
The current gunnery at FH is bad/wrong!
FH team, when not originally by iEN, has done much research and experimenting until reaching the current gunnery system. In fact, Aike has created a more complex system, unlike iEN's "plane health" method, where each bullet would detract from the plane's health.. If something is clearly wrong to you, post it at the forum along with several reliable sources and detailed information.
Why is this plane so unreal? It's realistic performances were different!
New FH planes: iEN's Warbirds already came with all aircraft under-modeled to achieve game balance. Every new aircraft created by FH also had to be under-modeled to keep the proportions correct.
Original iEN planes: As mentioned above, they were under-modeled. Correcting all plane's performances to match historic ones requires monstrous amounts of work and historical data, not to mention some things cannot be performed correctly in the WB flight engine. However, one may report some obvious faults or suggest some updates (backing up with reliable sources of that information). FH staff will take them into consideration but without any promises,
Is that guy a cheater?
Maybe yes, maybe no. Report it at the forum without swearing or abusing please. The team will analyze your case.
I'm seeing red planes on gold side and/or vice-versa! What's going on?
Sometimes something happens on the route, so the ghosts of ancient times appear. For example, La-5 is made from Ki-84 model, so it may happen that you see a Ki-84 when the opponent is actually flying a Lavochkin. The same happens with Zeros instead of I-16, or Ju-87 instead of IL-2, or Me-110 instead of Pe-2, etc.
I don't know how, but this bug disappears without fixing in some time.
Network
What's the difference between MS-DOS, FHLauncher and .pingtest pings to FH?
- MS-DOS pings work on the TCP/IP protocol, only showing you the time necessary for packets to reach the target and come back.
- FHLauncher pings were handmade by aike and farid and measure "game lag", being more precise for the game's purposes.
- .pingtest pings the server with iEN unknown logics, usually giving results larger than our FHLauncher.
Why is the connection to FreeHost so bad?
Internet traffic is paid from FH staff's pocket. They pay as much as they can. You can help them by installing a FH proxy server in your city onto a fast internet channel and then publish it's address to your friends, squad, or even the entire community.
My connection to FH was good yesterday but today it's worse. Why?
There are several possibilities. To list some:
- There are troubles in the connection from you to your ISP
- There are troubles in the connection from your ISP to your country's internet back bone.
- There are troubles in the connection from the back bone to FH.
- FH may be going through maintenance or experiencing troubles.
I would like to set up a proxy to FH. How can I get the software?
You may get it with any FH proxy owner. It's completely freeware, and versions for many platforms are available. Finally, you may ask administrators of FreeHost.
Development
What features and aircraft should we expect in the next version of FH?
Check the FH forum often for recent updates. But the current plane projects that are now at work are: (unknown). These are planned to be released in the next FH update.
I wish to help with the development of FH. How may I join the team?
FH isn't ready for the joining of volunteers yet. Show them your offer so they may analyze it. Contact them through the email addresses at the FH site.
What is the FH policy concerning bad names and words?
FH doesn't plan to introduce a chat filter for the bad words, but they plan to remove the nasty nicknames and squadron names.
The FH team is ignoring my suggestions/complaints! Why?
FH is a hobby of the team and they get no commercial profit from it. They even spend money to keep the servers up and running. Moreover, they all have their own lives to live, not being always available to attend the demanding FH community.
They may ignore your suggestions for one of these two reasons:
- Your form of expression
- Your idea would harm the game balance or the fun of others.
But your suggestions may be implemented soon if they are good.
How can I create personal skins/nose-art for my planes?
That's impossible, since personal skins and nose-art aren't supported by Warbirds itself.
I have found a bug! How do I report it?
Send an email to any of the FH team (their email addresses are at FH's site) or/and report it at the forum. Fix will come as soon as possible.
This certain aircraft must be included here in FH! When will it be in?
Are you sure? Then provide the team with the sufficient information. To see the complete list of what is needed, check the bottom of the New Airplanes section.
What happened to that FH page with all the technical data on plane's?
There was a table with some digits related to FH planes. But those digits were extracted from misc.bin file and are SEED parameters for flight model. This means that parameters like "engine power", "maximal speed" ARE NOT engine power and maximal speed. This page was removed to eliminate the source of senseless flames and to not confuse users.
Did a certain plane's performance or ordinances change?
Have you installed a new version of client software? (FHLauncher.exe) If yes, search for the changes at the FH Forum. If no, it's only your impression. It is impossible for admins and developers to change plane performances and plane ordinances without changing the files on your computer.
Around Freehost
Is Warbirds 3, Aces High or Dawn of Aces going to be hosted by FH too?
In general: no. Here is why:
- WB3: WB3 won't be hosted because it has too few new features over WB2 for the work needed to create the host and the game requires too much hardware, excluding a very large contingent of the FH players.
- AH: WB2 was hosted because of IEN's stagnation. HiTech Creations is working good and actively with it's Aces High and deserves gaining all the money they earn. Secondly, Aike personally promised not to host AcesHigh to Dale "HiTech" Addink.
- DoA: Unlikely. Although iEN is stagnated with it, FH team has very few information on this game. Besides, WWI is out of the community's interests.
Is FH legal? Does it have anything to do with -ITMO-'s SUN-JAVA based server for WB v2.70?
Discussion about the legality.
