The long-standing bug in the Linux kernel for the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 has been fixed as part of this release. This will fix the driver for this joystick for all games, not just X-Plane and XPForce. Until the bugfix is included in the standard kernel, SWFF2 owners will need to patch their kernel themselves. If there's demand for it, I may a (possibly paid-for) custom build service to avoid all the complexities of kernel patching.

This aside, the plugin is looking good and offers all the same forces that the existing Windows version does. Check the website for details of the eventual release date!

• Add ability to retain forces with XPlane in the background
• Rescan the window list every time the joystick is lost - possible fix for crash on task switch
• Double the range of the "Gear Bumpiness" slider
• Make re-acquiring joystick control faster in foreground-only mode
• Make aerodynamic forces sensitive to airspeed with multi-engine aircraft
• Support for multi-engine propwash
• Support for forces generated by autopilot servos
• Fix occasional crash when the active window is changed to one outside of X-Plane
• Fix strong force effect on initial load
• Fix possible juddering on some processors
• Fix landing gear bumps
• Fix display problems with drop-down lists
• Fix crash on shutdown for certain processor types
• Add optional automatic update checks
• Improve landing gear bumpiness to deal with larger aircraft better
• Fix a crash on joysticks providing three force-enabled axes
• Speedbrake turbulence strength setting was not being saved

XPForce solves both these problems at once by adding the necessary hardware support on Windows, and providing a realistic simulation of forces even for aircraft which are not force-feedback capable!

Compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit X-Plane 9.20 or higher (yes, including X-Plane 10), this is simple to install and simple to use. Download a demo today!