Developer Diary, Part 82

[BlackSix]

82

 

 

Hi Everybody!

 

I’d like to start today’s dev blog with a few quotes from Loft’s recent posts on the forum where he replies to a player who has completed the entire Campaign (MK.MrX) and shared his thoughts with us.

 

“Thank you for the information and thank you for the critics. We know about all flaws of the single player campaign and we realise all demands (about its insufficient variety and non-linearity) that you have.

 

We’ve successfully made the base for the game and completed the system in general however we haven’t had enough time to fill the universe. We have detailed and described plans for improving the campaign, and it’ll take from 6 to 12 months to make them reality. Those months have been spent on providing early access. So we hope that you, our actual and future customers will give us time to accomplish our goal.

Meanwhile we’re making missions that involve escorting and intercepting assault planes, also some existing templates are being remade. New content is being added as well: ground objects, vehicles, AA artillery, specific colors of signal rockets for different regiments are to be added soon, etc.. After that new missions will be added including aerial domination, for example. These will be followed by intercepting transport aircraft and protecting them accordingly. There’s a possibility that Ju-52 may become available in the game as a non-flyable plane in transport escort/interception raids.

 

Some time later a special page with all pilots stats will be published. You’ll be able to check your progress on the game’s web page and also see your friends stats. In the future the system of achievements may also be developed for the multiplayer as well.

 

Yes, we still have a lot to do. That’s why we’ve came up with this decision to create a solid system that could be easily expanded, saturated and upgraded.”

 

The first week with single player campaign on your PCs was rich in stormy discussions on the boards. There was quite a lot of fierce debates in our studio too if you ask. But the work is on as well the life on the forums, still constructive, positive and promising. Absolutely brilliant briefings were suggested by Feathered_IV and FlatSpinMan. Their ideas of immersion into the atmosphere of frontline routine and ruthless battles could be a great addition to the game missions. But I believe there are a lot of talented pilots on the forums who would be happy to share their creative approach with the community. That’s why I suggest you all to write and publish your creative briefing descriptions for any type of IL2BOS mission in this specific section. We’ll be checking it regularly to pick the ones that we like most and the best of them will be added to the official game build.

 

Also preparing the forum for the release we want to reorganize the subforum called Tutorials and Manuals. There you’ll be able to post your own video guides, manuals and descriptions for the in-game vehicles and discuss control set ups for your planes.

 

Traditionally the update for early access version is to be deployed in the evening (Moscow time). I’ll post the change log as soon as the update is available.

 

Full news

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[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

 Right. Good to see more variety coming to the missions and more "life". And Ju-52 as a possible plane, YES!

Edited October 10, 2014 by LLv34_Flanker

[Sim]

I suppose it's good news you are considering Ju 52 at all.. but bad news it looks like an AI only option. I would really love to fly that plane. The recent MP missions do prove transport flights are popular. I am pretty sure the transport missions could even be more popular in singleplayer (imagine a night ops mission with radio beacon navigation with a properly modeled Novikov's Air Blockade Zone).

[LLv24_Zami]

Thanks for the news! Sounds very good to me.

[oneeyeddog]

I would like to think that the addition of an AI Ju52 is precursor to a flyable Ju52.

[Trooper117]

Good news

[Zak]

I suppose it's good news you are considering Ju 52 at all.. but bad news it looks like an AI only option. I would really love to fly that plane. The recent MP missions do prove transport flights are popular. I am pretty sure the transport missions could even be more popular in singleplayer (imagine a night ops mission with radio beacon navigation with a properly modeled Novikov's Air Blockade Zone).

We're considering more transport missions as well, but in a more long term perspective. Ah, imagine flying a Ju-52 with a platoon of airborns on board and trying to drop them above a strategically important object. That'd be good I think.

I would like to think that the addition of an AI Ju52 is precursor to a flyable Ju52.

3D model is way less complicated than an FM, but anything can happen. Just in case, let's keep expectations not that high on this matter.

[I./ZG1_HeTzeR]

Changelog in 2hs moscow time? 

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

I think we all saw the Ju-52 coming and eventually flyable. Nice to see it is probable but not promised yet (bold/italics/underline/capslock). I'd be further surprised if it wasn't flyable as well down the road. I am patient though. Let's have a relatively bug free successful launch, breathe, and then get on with the new content.

[=LD=Hethwill]

Create the underlying working system, and then add the possible content on top. Good words.

 

IIRC that's what granpa IL-2 was, in a different time, in a different way.

 

Glad I have more spare time this weekend.

 

S!

[Zak]

Changelog in 2hs moscow time? 

..or so. We're preparing an important version (from the technical point of view) so it may take long this time. I still hope it'll be earlier than 2 am

[LizLemon]

Thanks for unlocking the ability to write briefings

[startrekmike]

This is exactly the developer blog that we need right now, I glad to that things are not so set in stone as some believed.

[dragon76]

..or so. We're preparing an important version (from the technical point of view) so it may take long this time. I still hope it'll be earlier than 2 am

Custom graphics options?

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

We're considering more transport missions as well, but in a more long term perspective. Ah, imagine flying a Ju-52 with a platoon of airborns on board and trying to drop them above a strategically important object. That'd be good I think.

3D model is way less complicated than an FM, but anything can happen. (( Just in case, let's keep expectations not that high on this matter. ))

Bringt die Tante Ju an die Front!

 

Looking forward to seing it ingame! Also looking forward to see "anything" happen

[Beazil]

So is there a new patch today or are we continuing to roll out fixes as they come (as has happened over the past week)?

As a further comment - I've really been enjoying the latest campaign rollout. Found myself in a battle vs 6 pe2's and three or four lag 3's between 5 and 4k. The sensation of flight was really helped by the sounds and the 3d effect I'm able to get with Nvidia 3d vision ( needs work that will come with time I'm sure). I honestly cannot wait to read more about occulus rift experiences from the debs. I'm also still not running triple resolutions as my 3rd monitor is still in for repairs, but I'm very impressed with what I see. The game has really started to come together and I look forward to reading these updates each week. Thank you guys for all the hard work.

[kestrel79]

Great update guys. We are still behind you!

 

Looks like I'll hold off on the campaign until things are more finalized and fleshed out.

 

Really looking forward to the Ju-52. I hope it does become flyable at some point. For people looking for new gameplay options in flight sims transport seems a great way to go. I think you will be suprised how popular it will be.

[6high]

Good news...i hope this will make a few of us relax and patient, while the dev`s continue to do their work.

 

S!

 

6

[Trinkof]

Good news ... as always (almost  )

Good luck to tonight's work 

[ST_ami7b5]

Good news...i hope this will make a few of us relax and patient, while the dev`s continue to do their work.

 

S!

 

6

Sry, what news?

Haven't seen any so far...

[Urra]

Smelling the roses now. Good news.

[Pizzicato]

Excellent and very mature, professional response from 777. It's great to hear that the various criticisms have been heard, acknowledged and discussed.
 

Optimism definitely rising.

[SimFreak]

Flying transport in a combat sim is a rather...dull. But I will enjoy shooting it down :D So yes please.

[SOLIDKREATE]

Getting my virtual pencil ready to write a briefing!

[zippyPerrserker]

As a single player flight sim fan, I'm really happy to read today's dev diary and hear that there is hope for a better/different campaign system coming in the future. 

 

Seeing this great simulator you've built put into this incongruous shell of unlocks and XP has been pretty disheartening, it's good to know you are aware how many single player fans out there are interested in something else. 

 

 

We have detailed and described plans for improving the campaign, and it’ll take from 6 to 12 months to make them reality.

 

Please, please keep people updated about these plans, even if they change; just getting an update and knowing that you guys are working on it will I'm sure allieviate a lot of disappoinmtent people felt and get more positive discussions going.

 

 

Also, great news about possibly more AI aircraft, it really helps add to the feeling of a 'living war' seeing different aircraft going about their buisness.

[Bussard_x]

The first week with single player campaign on your PCs was rich in stormy discussions on the boards. There was quite a lot of fierce debates in our studio too if you ask. But the work is on as well the life on the forums, still constructive, positive and promising. Absolutely brilliant briefings were suggested by Feathered_IV

Feathered is KING, he absolutely understands where campaigns are all about. Really hope this will be picked up. He even tells the whole story until 2003. Really immersive!!!!

 

This type of story line with briefing, debriefing, pilot roster from your flight, a logbook, promotions and medals.

Freedom to choose squadron. And not able to pick type of mission airfield and plane. You fly the plane and use the airfield(s) from your squadron. Put in cool missions like chase POW taking off in one of squadron's planes. Pick up a crashlanded pilot with Ju 87, this is realistic as well!

Put in element of surprise, like alarm take off, other flights in the mission.

[FZG_Merlin]

Some time later a special page with all pilots stats will be published

 

 

hope it includes online stats

 

 

good news about the MP xp future possibiliy.

 

thanks for listening to opinions

Edited October 10, 2014 by FZG_Immel

[6high]

Sry, what news?

Haven't seen any so far...

Well m8, i guess you'll see it if you look closely.

[flyingjulez]

No word about unlocks...

 

You guys are sitting this one out?

[Sparrer]

S!

Thank you devs. You made a right decision imo!


Still the release date november?

 

 

I trust you!!!

[PsychoticShroom]

 

 

We’ve successfully made the base for the game

This is the only section that worries me!

 

 

There was quite a lot of fierce debates in our studio too if you ask

Sounds healthy!

[Sparrer]

S!

 

My opinion for a good campaign: Take a look at Falcon 4 system or Rowan's Battle of Britain, those were great

But if you want to bring some innovation, take a look how virtual online wars for il2 worked: http://war.by-airforce.com/manual.html

Maybe it bring some new ideas to adapt them for offline, or even online somehow. Those were awesome!

[HagarTheHorrible]

Before anyone gets too excited, when Zak talks about the Ju 52 being put into the game, (maybe), it is, from my understanding of how RoF /BoS works, only going to be a static object and won't fly in any way, A.I or otherwise.

[LeLv8_Otto]

No XP MP = No play for me and my squad

 

Sorry, I will do the XP "must" only once and fly MP exclusively after that

[AndyJWest]

Before anyone gets too excited, when Zak talks about the Ju 52 being put into the game, (maybe), it is, from my understanding of how RoF /BoS works, only going to be a static object and won't fly in any way, A.I or otherwise.

 

Sorry, but that isn't what Zak wrote:

 

 

There’s a possibility that Ju-52 may become available in the game as a non-flyable plane in transport escort/interception raids. 

 

Regardless of what RoF does, that doesn't sound like a static object to me - how can you escort or intercept a static object?

[SCG_Neun]

Sounds great to me.....thanks for the update.  Each week it just progressively gets better.

[mbv]

All sounds quite positive for the campaign then in the long run. I'll probably take a break from BoS after the current campaign is completed and let it fill out with content over the next 6-12 months...then come back for some real fun !

[HagarTheHorrible]

Sorry, but that isn't what Zak wrote:

 

 

Regardless of what RoF does, that doesn't sound like a static object to me - how can you escort or intercept a static object?

I know and I agree, but given how RoF and from earlier talk, BoS, works I just wonder if it is what he meant or how we have, quite understandably, read it.

[EAF19_Charlie]

Well done Devs and also well done to everyone who posted how they felt either good or bad towards the game in this weeks rather topsy-turvy forum. If anyone ever needed an explanation to " a problem aired is a problem shared"  then DD81 is the place to go.

 

I now feel that we are back on track again.

 

Many thanks.

Edited October 10, 2014 by EAF19_Charlie

[Blitzen]

I'm in for the long haul- it looks promising & i know you guys are really trying...but honestly a lot ( for me & others ) depends on controlibilty problems:

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/11523-new-joystick-controlibility-problems-continue/

 

please watch:

p.s. Ju-52's will be cool...and we all know there were quite a few trying to get in & out of Stalingrad at this time....but what targets they'll make!