| Red Baron 3-D | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Dynamix |
| Publisher(s) | Sierra On-Line |
| Director(s) | Mike Jones, Tucker Hatfield |
| Producer(s) | Graeme Bayless |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| October 31, 1998 | |
| Genre(s) | Action, simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Red Baron 3-D is an upgraded expansion for Red Baron II developed by Dynamix and it was published by Sierra On-Line on October 31, 1998 for Windows. Originally released as a downloadable patch for the second game one week before,[1] Red Baron 3-D was soon sold as a retail product. The game adds support for 3D acceleration, better textures, enhanced layering effects, multiplayer, and a transparent cockpit mode. It also includes a massive multiplayer mode accessed by the Won Network.
The 3D update is only for older Voodoo graphics cards that support 3Dfx's GLIDE. Most recent graphics cards (nVidia, ATI) support the industry-standard openGL or Direct3D, making the game's improved visuals either lacking or simply unavailable.
Description
Red Baron 3-D is a World War I combat flying simulator that significantly modifies Red Baron II. The game may be played as a single-player campaign or quick mission game, or in a multiplayer dogfight mode with up to 100 opponents using online game matching services. Pick from 40 unique aircraft with 22 flyable planes and play as French, British, German, or American pilots with definable levels of difficulty for players of all skill.
Additional Features
- A virtual world controlled by it's own AI systems means no two missions are alike.
- The Dynamix Mission Builder allows players to completely customize missions.
- The Plane Paintshop allows players to customize the colors, insignias, and look of their planes.
- Fly single missions for quick action or select Campaign play for a full tour of duty.
Credits
- Executive Director: Mike Jones
- Director: Tucker Hatfield
- Producer: Graeme Bayless
- Assistant Producer: Scott Bandy
- Multiplayer Design: Doug Johnson, Brian Apgar, Eric Lanz
- Lead Software Engineer: Brian Apgar
- Software Engineers: Hugh Diedrichs, Ryan Hinke, Mike McGrath, Langdon Beeck, Dan White, Christopher K. Singleton, Bradley Heinz, Bill Krick
- Flight Data Guru: Jerome Kluth
- Art Department Manager: Jay Dee Alley
- Art Director: Douglas Brashear
- Artists: Craig Dorety, Kelle DeForrest, Ron Clayborn
- Quality Assurance Manager: Lloyd Madden
- QA Lead: Eric Lanz
- Quality Assurance: Colin Shannon, Matt Wright, Jeremy DeChaine, Mike Inman, Daryl L. Nichols Jr., Dave Peterson
- QA Technician: Sue Garner
- QA Archivist: Aaron Anderson
- Manual: Doug Johnson, James Bateman, John Bruning Sr., Neal O'Connor, Jennifer Hawthorne, Scott Rudi (How to play section), Erica Erkkila (Installation and Setup section), Jarrett Jester (Graphics), Ron Clayborn (Graphics), Raymond Rimell (Illustrations)
- Historical Manual Editing: Kevin Lamb, Wordworks Inc., Doug Johnson
- Historical Manual Design: Egil G. Gløersen
- Marketing: Phil Cowles, Jeff Hoff
- PR: Michelle Stephens
- Online Representative: Tyler Hart
- Historical Manual Production: Neil Haldar
- Historical Manual Lead: Steven Hill
- Historical Manual German Localisation: Antje Hink, Das Team
- Historical Manual German Translation: Arndt Grass, Das Team
- Historical Manual German Editing: Albrecht Schreiber, Das Team
- Special Thanks To: National Archives and Records Administration, Congressional Medal of Honor Society - National Headquarters, Oregon Air and Space Museum
Reception
Computer Gaming World's Robin G. Kim scored Red Baron 3-D 4 1/2 out of 5 stars on February 1998, calling it the game that Red Baron II should have been. Kim praised the title for adding additional enhancements along with supporting large multiplayer on Sierra’s World Opponents Network.[2] Next Generation rated the game 4 stars, concluding that, "If you've ever hankered to climb into an open cockpit and do battle with the early knights of the sky, this is your baby. All you need is a leather helmet, a pair of goggles, and a white silk scarf."[3] October 27, 1998, Craig Miller of The Adrenaline Vault gave Red Baron 3D a score of 3 1/2 stars. Miller wrote that fans of the series will be pleased by the graphical updates, and new fans will be welcomed by its various levels of play.[4]
GameSpot gave the game 90%, commending both Dynamix and Sierra for the upgrade while "capturing the atmosphere of historical air combat."[5] The game was nominated for "Simulation of the Year" at GameSpot's Best & Worst of 1998 Awards, which went to European Air War.[6]
Patches
- Red Baron 3D Update 1.0.7.8 (rb3d1078): This Red Baron 3D patch (Version 1.0.7.8) will allow you to see game servers from within the game interface if you could not see them before. This patch will only apply to the 1.0.7.7 version.
- Red Baron 3D Server UpdateRedBaron3D (rb3d_svr): This update, for advanced users, will enable a system to act as a dedicated server for Red Baron 3D multiplayer. Please review the readme file for more information.
- Red Baron 3D Update (Rb2_3d): No description available.
- Red Baron 3D Update (RB3DSoundFix): Will turn ON the sound in RB3d and to start RB3d ( single play or multi play mode)
- Red Baron 3D Update (RB3DXPFix): This utility will fix the single or mmp dat files to allow sound in RB3D while using Windows XP.
External Links
- Swordfish's Red Baron 3D Page
- Wayback Machine, Sierra, Red Baron 3-D
- Sierra Chest, Red Baron 3-D
- Moby Games, Red Baron 3-D
References
- ↑ IGN, "Sierra Fizes Plane Game", August 24, 1998
- ↑ Computer Gaming World, Issue #175, pg 200, February 1999
- ↑ Internet Archive, Next Generation, Issue #50, pg. 105, February 1999
- ↑ Wayback Machine, The Adrenaline Vault, "Red Baron 3-D review", October 27, 1998
- ↑ GameSpot, "Red Baron 3-D review", November 25, 1998
- ↑ Wayback Machine, GameSpot, "The Best & Worst of 1998 (Simulation of the Year - Nominees)", 1999