Getting Started with Custom Campaigns

AeroSimulations offers a robust campaign editor that allows you to build custom stories, training scenarios, or competitive challenges. Understanding the editor’s layout and tools is the first step toward creating memorable experiences. This guide walks you through planning, building, testing, and sharing your own campaigns and missions.

Accessing the Campaign Editor

Launch AeroSimulations and navigate to the main menu. Select “Campaign Editor” from the options list. The editor opens a workspace where you can create new campaigns or edit existing ones. The interface includes a map view, a timeline panel, a mission list, and a properties pane. Familiarize yourself with each panel before starting your first project.

  • Map View – Place waypoints, define zones, and set spawn points.
  • Timeline Panel – Order missions and set branching conditions.
  • Mission List – View and manage all missions in your campaign.
  • Properties Pane – Configure objective details, weather, and triggers.

Creating a New Campaign

Your campaign is the overarching structure that holds multiple missions together. Start by clicking “Create New Campaign” and providing a descriptive name and short summary. Choose a difficulty range and set an optional default aircraft for new players. A well‑organized campaign includes a logical progression of missions that tell a story or train specific skills.

  • Enter a campaign name (e.g., “Pacific Thunder”).
  • Write a summary of the campaign’s theme and objectives.
  • Set difficulty from Novice to Expert.
  • Optionally assign a default aircraft for the first mission.

After saving your campaign, you can add missions. Each mission can be independent or part of a connected storyline. For more advanced campaigns, you can create branching paths where the outcome of one mission determines which missions are available next.

Designing Missions in Detail

Missions are the core gameplay units. You can start with a blank template or modify one of the built‑in templates (e.g., Intercept, Escort, Patrol). The editor lets you define the mission area, objectives, available aircraft, and starting conditions.

Choosing a Mission Template

Templates provide a fast way to begin. Select “Create Mission” and choose from categories like Combat, Transport, Reconnaissance, or Training. Each template includes pre‑configured objectives and basic waypoints. Customize these to fit your vision.

Defining Objectives

Every mission needs clear objectives. AeroSimulations supports multiple objective types:

  • Reach Waypoint – Fly to a specified location.
  • Destroy Target – Eliminate a ground or air unit.
  • Escort – Protect an AI‑controlled aircraft to a destination.
  • Collect Intel – Scan or overfly a zone.
  • Survive – Last a set time while under attack.

You can chain objectives together. For example, require the player to first destroy a radar station, then escort a cargo plane, and finally land at a specific airport. Use the Required and Optional flags to control win‑loss conditions.

Configuring Mission Parameters

Click on the mission node to open the properties pane. Here you can adjust:

  • Weather – Clear, cloudy, storm, fog, wind speed and direction.
  • Time of Day – Dawn, day, dusk, night.
  • Aircraft Restrictions – Lock the player to a specific plane or allow any.
  • Fuel and Loadout – Set starting fuel percentage and weapon loads.
  • Enemy AI – Enable dynamic enemy patrols or scripted encounters.

Fine‑tuning these parameters creates variety and challenge. For example, a mission at night with heavy fog forces the player to rely on instruments.

Adding Waypoints and Triggers

Waypoints define the player’s flight path, and triggers make the world react. Mastering triggers is key to dynamic missions.

Placing Waypoints

In the map view, click to place a waypoint. A sequence of waypoints forms a route. You can make waypoints active (player must fly through) or inactive (shown but not required). Right‑click a waypoint to set altitude, speed, and actions (e.g., “descend to 500 ft” or “engage targets nearby”).

  • Click and drag waypoints to reposition them.
  • Use the “Add Waypoint” button to insert a new point between existing ones.
  • Label waypoints (e.g., “IP”, “Target Zone”, “Rendezvous”) for clarity.

Creating Triggers

Triggers are events that execute when the player enters a zone or completes an action. Common triggers include:

  • Zone Trigger – Causes an event when the player flies into a radius.
  • Timer Trigger – Fires after a delay.
  • Objective Trigger – Activates when a specific objective is completed.
  • Unit Death Trigger – Triggers when an ally or enemy is destroyed.

For each trigger, you can assign actions:

  • Spawn enemy aircraft or ground vehicles.
  • Show a radio message or briefing text.
  • Change weather or time acceleration.
  • Unlock the next objective.
  • Record the player’s score for branching.

Use triggers sparingly to avoid overwhelming the player. Test each trigger individually to ensure it fires correctly.

Advanced Mission Scripting

For experienced creators, AeroSimulations supports a simple scripting language (or visual logic nodes) to control mission flow. You can introduce variables, conditions, and loops.

Variables and Conditions

Store values like “playerScore”, “enemyCount”, or “fuelState”. Use conditions to check these values and branch the mission. For example:

  • If playerScore > 10, spawn a bonus objective.
  • If enemyCount < 3, trigger a retreat message.
  • If fuelState < 20%, show a warning and unlock a fuel depot waypoint.

Branching Missions

Branching connects missions based on player performance. In the campaign editor, you can set conditions for which mission plays next. For instance, if the player destroyed all primary targets in Mission 3, they proceed to a harder assault mission; otherwise they get a time‑limited extraction mission.

Use the “Campaign Flow” tab to draw connections and assign conditions. This adds replay value and makes players feel their choices matter.

Using AI and Enemy Behavior

Realistic enemy behavior makes missions believable. AeroSimulations provides AI control options for both friendly and hostile units.

Setting AI Waypoint Paths

Place waypoints for AI aircraft or vehicles. Set their behavior at each waypoint: “Patrol”, “Attack”, “Follow Player”, or “Hold”. You can assign them to respond to player presence (aggressive, defensive, evasive).

  • For a convoy escort, set friendly AI to “Follow Player” at a distance.
  • For an ambush, place enemy aircraft in a trigger zone that activates when the player enters.
  • Use “Hold” for ground units that fire only when the player is in range.

Engagement Rules

Adjust AI aggressiveness per mission. Options include “Engage at will”, “Engage only if fired upon”, “Ignore player until trigger”. Also set weapon usage (cannons, missiles, bombs) and evasion tactics (dive, climb, jink).

Remember to balance AI difficulty with the mission’s intended challenge. Overwhelming enemies can frustrate players; too few can bore them.

Multiplayer Campaigns

AeroSimulations allows you to design missions that support cooperative or competitive multiplayer. In the mission properties, enable multiplayer mode and set the player capacity.

  • Co‑op – Two or more players work together to complete shared objectives.
  • Versus – Players go head‑to‑head, each with different objectives (e.g., strike vs. intercept).
  • Free‑for‑All – Every player for themselves in a last‑man‑standing scenario.

When designing multiplayer missions, test with at least two players to verify synchronization of triggers, objectives, and AI behavior. Use dedicated waypoints for each player to prevent collisions.

Testing Your Campaign

Before sharing, run each mission in test mode. AeroSimulations’ test mode places you in the cockpit with all triggers active. Fly through every waypoint, activate each trigger, and try to break the mission. Check:

  • All objectives are achievable.
  • Triggers fire when expected (no double‑fires or missed events).
  • AI behavior is correct.
  • Weather and time transitions work smoothly.
  • Loadout and fuel values are respected.

Use the built‑in debug overlay (press F11 during test) to see variable values and trigger logs. Fix any issues, then retest. For large campaigns, invite a few beta testers from the community.

Publishing and Sharing

Once your campaign is polished, you can publish it. AeroSimulations provides an export option that packages everything (missions, custom assets, briefing files) into a single file.

  • Go to the Campaign Editor main menu.
  • Select “Export Campaign”.
  • Choose a destination folder or upload directly to the AeroSimulations Workshop.

If you’re sharing via the Workshop, write a compelling description and include screenshots. Add tags (e.g., “Realism”, “Training”, “Cold War”) so players can find your work. You can also share the exported file on community forums like the official AeroSimulations Community or dedicated modding sites.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even experienced creators run into problems. Here are solutions for frequent issues:

  • Trigger Not Firing – Check that the trigger radius is large enough and the player actually passes through. Ensure the trigger isn’t disabled by a condition.
  • AI Stuck on Ground – Verify waypoint altitudes for AI aircraft. AI needs clearance to take off.
  • Mission Fails Immediately – Look for a “Mission Failed” condition that might be triggered by a default state. Reset all objectives to “Not Started”.
  • Branching Not Working – Double‑check condition logic in the campaign flow. Use numeric variables instead of boolean when possible.
  • Multiplayer Desync – Avoid using random events that can diverge between clients. Use server‑authoritative triggers.

If problems persist, consult the official documentation or ask for help in the AeroSimulations Forums.

Best Practices for Engaging Campaigns

A successful campaign keeps players immersed and challenged. Apply these guidelines:

  • Tell a Story – Even a simple training campaign should have a narrative thread. Use briefing text and radio messages to build atmosphere.
  • Vary Objectives – Mix combat with reconnaissance, escort, and landing challenges. Avoid repetitive “fly here, kill that” patterns.
  • Pacing – Start with easier missions and gradually increase difficulty. Include moments of calm (navigation) between intense battles.
  • Replayability – Add optional objectives, hidden collectibles, and branching paths. Encourage players to try different loadouts.
  • Test from a Player’s Perspective – You know your mission inside out; a newcomer doesn’t. Get fresh eyes on your work.
  • Keep Performance in Mind – Too many AI units or complex triggers can cause frame drops. Optimize where possible.

Finally, release updates based on player feedback. The best campaigns evolve over time.

Conclusion

Creating custom campaigns and missions in AeroSimulations unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and challenge. By mastering the editor — from basic waypoints to advanced branching logic — you can craft experiences that rival official content. Start small, experiment with triggers, and share your creations with the community. With practice and attention to detail, your campaigns will provide hours of engaging flight simulation for yourself and others.