This is a tech refresh article describing any changes since the original article 'Gunship 2000: Getting it (hopefully) right' was published. Since the original article the version of DOSBox Staging has changed from v0.81.0 to v0.82.0.
In addition, since the Gunship 2000 guide was the first, much of the information was subsequently split into smaller, later articles which we will refer to in this tech refresh guide.
Which version of Gunship 2000?
The original guide was written in responsive to a rather sub-optimal release of Gunship 2000 by the publisher. It recommended a cd rather than a digital release. The reasons being:
The cd release was the latest 469.085 version.
It includes the base game and Islands & Ice expansion, with the mission editor.
The copy protection GPS codes aren't required, so the in-game map 'just works'.
There is a complete high quality pdf manual with expansion and mission editor sections.
Since publishing the digital release has undergone major changes and has become the latest version with the expansion included. I don't own a digital release but I believe either the copy protection was removed or is included in the revised manuals.
Which version of DOSBox?
This guide will concentrate on the latest version of DOSBox Staging v0.82.0 which provides excellent 'out of the box' emulation settings.
Installing midi components
Installing midi components is covered in the separate DOSBox midi article.
How I set things up
This section was split into a separate, more generic article, DOSBox game management.
Setup Joystick/HOTAS Controllers
This section was split into a series of articles covering various aspect of setting up a joystick/HOTAS controller for retro sims, including:
The original article suggested the joystick to Windows mappings with a screenshot which although correct, lacked detail. The joystick axes to Windows axes mappings are shown below:
Physical axis | Windows axis |
Joystick x-axis | DX_X_AXIS |
Joystick y-axis | DX_Y_AXIS |
Throttle | DX_Z_AXIS |
Rudder pedals | DX_XROT_AXIS |
DOSBox Staging configuration
The following is the modified DOSBox Staging config for v0.82.0. The config covers differences from the default config and any settings of particular interest.
[sdl]
output = opengl
host_rate = vrr
presentation_mode = vfr
[render]
glshader = crt-auto
aspect = auto
integer_scaling = auto
viewport = fit
[cpu]
cpu_cycles = 10000
cycleup = 100
cycledown = 100
[voodoo]
voodoo = false
[mixer]
reverb = large
chorus = normal
[midi]
mididevice = mt32
[mt32]
model = auto
romdir = "D:\Midi\Versioned"
[joystick]
joysticktype = 4axis
timed = true
swap34 = true
deadzone = 0
[autoexec]
# Each line in this section is executed at startup as a DOS command.
mount c "D:\games\dos\Gunship 2000\hdd2"
imgmount d "D:\games\dos\Gunship 2000\cd\CQ-SKIES.cue" -t cdrom
c:
cd \mps\gs2000cd
gs2000.com
exitThe sdl section now uses opengl by default. The host_rate and presentation_mode are suitable for a variable refresh rate monitor. You may wish to leave them as default or omit them if you don't have a variable refresh rate monitor.
The render options are all defaults and can be omitted, they are included in case you wish to experiment and try different rendering options.
The cpu section uses a fixed 10000 cycle count and small incremental cycleup/down settings rather than percentages. Depending on your setup you may wish to change these settings but these values should provide a good starting point.
The voodoo card in the voodoo section isn't needed and can be disabled.
The mixer chorus and reverb are a personal preference, but I believe it adds to the music and audio.
The midi and mt32 sections specify an emulated MT32 device. Gunship 2000 supports the LAPC1 card based on a CM32L device which is the model chosen by default with the auto setting.
The joystick settings are specific to my setup, the 4axis type allows for joystick, throttle and rudder pedals. Timed, swap34 and deadzone work well for my setup although you may need to test and change for your own controllers.
The autoexec settings are valid for installing the game from a cd image onto a new emulated c drive as described in the previous article.
If you have a digital release you may want to use mount and imgmount commands that use your Gunship 2000 digital release installation folder and cd image.
The remaining commands go to the emaulated c: drive, then change to the Gunship 2000 installation folder, before running the game. Once the game is quit, the exit command closes DOSBox.
High Frame Rate settings are not recommended as they may result in slow downs during the non-flight portions of the game.
Existing installation advice
The existing installation advice, in the 'Installing Gunship 2000' section remains valid.
If you are using a digital release you may wish to skip the installation steps and use Gunship 2000 from the existing digital release installation folder.
Additional patches
This is a list of additional patches which have been discovered since the original article was published. All patches were taken from an archive of the MicroProse ftp site, hosted on the Internet Archive.
True Speed patch (truesped.zip)
This is a file replacement patch changing maximum helicopter speeds to match the information printed in the manual using the realistic flight model. This patch is compatible with the EGA edition. Using this patch is a personal preference.
From the ftp archive description:
A patch file of sorts, contains upgrades for the various helos used in Gunship 2000. Contains six "patchs" that when copied into the GS2000 subdirectory over-write the existing files. When they do, each helo will then fly at the speed listed in the manual. Example; the apache will usually only fly at about 126 kph fully loaded in real flight, with the patch, it will fly at 147 to 152 kph fully loaded and approx. 159-163 kph empty of weapons. Have tried this file personally and can attest that it does work, beautifully. Missions that used to take upwards of 35 minutes can now be completed in under 25. To use, simply copy the six "patches" into your GS2000 sub-directory and fly as normal.
Easier Enemy Troops patch (gseasy.zip)
Using this patch is a personal preference. From the ftp archive description:
This patch for Gunship 2000 Islands and Ice Scenario provides for easier enemy troops. To implement the patch unzip the file to the GS2000 Directory and re-run SETUP.
Additional utilities
This is a list of additional utilities which have been discovered since the original article was published. Use of these utilities is a personal preference. All utilities were taken from an archive of the MicroProse ftp site, hosted on the Internet Archive.
Pilots Workbench (pwb200.zip)
From the ftp archive description:
Pilots WorkBench v2.00 for Gunship 2000. This is a great editor with Full mouse support. Compatible with both GS 2000 and GS 2000 Islands & Ice add on. This is the second Series of the PWB from SilverSoftware.
Roster Editor (gs2Ked.zip)
From the ftp archive description:
This is a second party Roster Editor for GS2000 that will allow a number changes to your and your crews parameters. NOTE : This Editor is not a product of MicroProse and the User assumes all responsibility for its use.
Roster Editor (gs2krev2.exe)
From the ftp archive description:
This is a new version of GS2kRE. It can edit some more things and has some fixes and added features. Just put this file in your GS2000 directory and type in 'GS2KREV2'. The file will uncompress and then you just type GS2KRE to run the editor.
The original remains available in the archive (gs2krev1.exe) with the description:
This is a self extracting file for a Gunship 2000 roster editor. The editor allows you to edit your pilot and wingmen as well as print a record of your squadron to printer or disk. You can also import and export wingmen to disk.
Existing setup advice
The existing Gunship 2000 setup advice in the 'Setup Gunship 2000' section remains valid as does the later joystick/HOTAS/controller setup advice in the 'Setup Gunship 2000 again!' section.
This setup advice should still be followed for a digital release as often the settings are not optimal and you will want to setup Gunship 2000 using the facilities provided by DOSBox Staging.
EGA edition
The EGA edition of Gunship 2000 has been found by PixelWings so a huge thank you there! A couple of YouTube videos have been created by PixelWings, 'Gunship 2000 EGA - The LOST release!' and 'Merry Christmas to Everyone!' well worth checking out.
If you wish to try it out, the following info may be helpful. In this example I used the zip archive with the latest 02 update applied so it was version 1469.02.
DOSBox Staging configuration changes
These are changes to the above earlier DOSBox Staging configuration to run this EGA release.
[dosbox]
machine = ega
[render]
glshader = crt-auto-machine
[cpu]
core = normal
cputype = 386_prefetch
cpu_cycles = 8000
cpu_cycles_protected = auto
[autoexec]
mount c "D:\games\dos\Gunship 2000\hdd-ega"
c:
cd gs2000
gs2000.com
exitNote: As this is based on the earlier DOSBox configuration in this post, variable refresh rates and high frame rate settings are still being used.
The machine unsurprising should be changed to an EGA machine for the EGA release.
The render setting chooses an appropriate CRT setting based on the EGA machine type.
The CPU settings were suggested by PixelWings and worked when I tested them, I was able to start and fly around in mission, so another thank you to PixelWings for these settings. The cpu_cycles_protected setting will just use the same cycle count as cpu_cycles.
Setting the core to normal allows the 386_prefetch cputype to be used. The default setting of auto will use a normal core, so this setting could be omitted, but for clarity this has been specified in the config.
I used a different folder for the EGA edition and the autoexec mount command reflects that.
Setup
There is a setup.exe configuration utility included in this release. It can be used to set audio, music and controller options. It also allows controllers to be calibrated.
Documentation
The copy protection mechanism is still intact in this release, so you'll need a manual with the appropriate GPS Authenticator codes present.
Controller configuration
You can continue to use the 2 joysticks, Joystick and collective and Joystick and rudder options, present in the VGA edition. However the proportional collective option which makes using the throttle as a collective far easier, is not present in this EGA edition.
This means the centre point of the throttle is static collective, increasing throttle increases collective until returned to centre, however the altitude will continue to increase due to the higher collective setting. Reducing throttle and collective works the same way. It's tricky to describe and easier to understand if you try it out.
Without the proportional collective option it may be easier to use the keyboard for collective control.
Good hunting!
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