Coconut's server

[coconut]

Thanks @@SYN_Ricky!

Tonight a German squadron played on the server. It was coconut against the Luftwaffe  I did OK, I think. It was a lot of fun, I hope the other side had fun too, even if it was hard finding me.

[coconut]

Cute little tanks with music...

 

 

It was fantastic going forward with another human in a tank nearby assisted by our planes in the air. That was recorded Sunday evening 20.00-21.00 GMT. I hope more people will join us in tanks in the future. Getting shelled by the AI and killing the AI was fun, but it would be 10 times more exciting against humans. Tanks in expert mode without icons is a really fun experience that's worth trying out.

[CCG_bexhausted]

Epic fight !

Funny to see how artillery worked.

Nice coop great job.

[Original_Uwe]

Thanks @@SYN_Ricky!

Tonight a German squadron played on the server. It was coconut against the Luftwaffe  I did OK, I think. It was a lot of fun, I hope the other side had fun too, even if it was hard finding me.

For some reason I keep finding you in that tricky little I16 lol.

[HippyDruid]

I just had a quick go on the server. I like it! 

I wouldn't mind seeing some more people play there, the mission layout is good.

 

Thanks for hosting it.

 

Cheers.

Edited March 8, 2016 by HippyDruid

[CCG_bexhausted]

Tonight I flew the new mission with a Pe2 to pound the runway at Tinguta at low altitude (cloudy).

I dropped 4 fab 250. i don't see if i succeded because Flak was unleashed but only one engine was damaged.

It was funny to come home managing my powerless engine.

The airfield was not deactivated : probably i missed the runway.

i landed and i was surprised to see that the external view are allowed ?

If it is it's not a problem for me : i don't use this view only to take this screenshot !

Thank you for spending time to give us another funny mission. 

Next time i'll take a sturmovik : there is a lot of action near the town of XXXXXX CLASSIFIED

[coconut]

The airfield was not deactivated : probably i missed the runway.

 

 

You can check (maybe on the replay, if you recorded) whether smoke plumes appear on the runway 10s or so after the bombs explode. If so, you hit it. You have to get the whole length to disable it, I don't think you can do it with a single plane.

 

 

i landed and i was surprised to see that the external view are allowed ? If it is it's not a problem for me : i don't use this view only to take this screenshot !

 

 

Yes, I generally allow them on my missions. Sure, people could use it to spy, but I trust that on our monday missions people don't do that. I like being able to look at my plane after landing. It's also a helpful tool for me when developing the mission. For instance, when I get killed in a tank, I need to check what got me, and whether that's a problem or not. Too much dying from invisible enemies can be a serious problem when playing in tanks with AIs around.

 

And, now let me introduce the new mission I've been developing: Krasnoarmeysk, or "Krasno" for short.

 

 

Set in the autumn, with a heavy cloud cover, it follows the same recipe as Night Attack On Kalach and Novomax: Capturable tank bases separated by 2-3km with a final objective in a town. Each base has protection with AT guns, there are multiple platoons of marauding AI tanks from both sides that sometime clash. The location of Krasnoarmeysk is interesting, between the river and a hill, with a railway ending there. There are boat patrols that navigate within fire range, shooting at invading German tanks.

 

It's a tough mission to win for the Germans, but it should be fun, whether you are in the air or on the ground. For the Russians, the win should be easy if they pay attention to incoming German attacks and make sure the bridges live long enough to let reinforcements from the North reach the city and defend it.

 

Mission length will be a little longer than usual (I normally aim for 2h), maybe 2h30 or so.

Edited March 9, 2016 by coconut

[SC_Manu653]

Nice work Coconut !

[CCG_bexhausted]

 

 

I like being able to look at my plane after landing

 

i love too ! 

[CCG_bexhausted]

Sorry Coconut ! Yesterday i made a mistake on TS. Buildings at Tinguta railway station can be destroyed. In fact i destroyed one building here and 2 buildings at Zety (and not three there as i thought).

The proof :

 

See you soon 

Bex

[SC_Manu653]

Thank you for you server and your help ! Your server is perfect for training in team and it's a good balance of activity for the newcomer on multiplayer or some lover of the offline missions.

I suggest to everyone to give it a try. Even if you are alone you will get action from the AI !

[coconut]

The server is currently running a BOM mission. 109F4 and Ju87 from BOS are present in the mission. In small numbers for the F4, for balancing reasons. Same receipe as usual, ground attack, tanks and a few flying AIs here and there.

 

 

Here is an early version of a mission pack that shows the kind of flights Germans might want to set up: AttackonMozhaisk(2).pdf

 

I will expand it with similar mission suggestions for the Russian side.

 

Current settings are with icons (for testing), but I'll probably switch to expert no icons and no GPS tomorrow or this evening.

 

If there is interest to fly this mission with icons (but with still CEM and start engines off on the parking area), I can set it up that way on some agreed time.

Edited April 10, 2016 by coconut

[coconut]

Server is now back to no-icons no-GPS. Enjoy!

[Brano]

Nice flying with you coconut this evening in our Kitties I like the idea of AI planes. It makes for target rich environment even if not many humans are present. Also focusing on one mission goal is the way I prefer. Rather then having many objectives all around the map. And tanks,of course! See you there next time.

[SC_Manu653]

Nice map of Moscow, love the music at the end ! Congrats

[6./ZG26_Emil]

I need to get back to fly on your mission, I loved the VL one. Custard and myself had a great time on there when the P-40 was released

[VBF-12_Snake9]

Stick and I flew a few missions tonight and it was a great time.  I like the ai also.  Gives us american time zone guys something to shoot at when numbers are low.  

[coconut]

New mission on the Moscow map, in the north-west part: The Capture of Redkino.

 

 

Navigation is a lot easier than in the Mozhaisk area. The idea is the same as for the Attack of Mozhaisk mission: first phase is bombing objectives that secure positions for the ground battle in the second phase.

 

A new addition to both Moscow map missions is the addition of a smarter AI that patrols ground objectives. If you come as a bomber, they will make your travel over enemy territory a tad more exciting. The AI is no longer the easy target it once was, now it has teeth. It is advisable to send a fighter sweep ahead of the boimbers to clear out AI patrols. Once destroyed, they won't respawn for another 30 minutes.

 

[coconut]

Added AI patrols on the Stalingrad maps. A rotation of Novomax, Krasno and Kalach is currently running. Moscow will be back once the game is out, and occasionally for testing.

Edited April 19, 2016 by coconut

[coconut]

Server is now running what I would call a "casual difficulty setting": it has object and navigation markers, with a catch: attack planes, bombers and tanks do not have icons. Spawn on the runway with engines on, or in the air.

 

Targets include convoys, trains, airfields and tanks. There are AIs that scramble on the target airfields. All set on the Velikie-Luki map, with BOS+BOM planesets. Loadouts are restricted to remove the 1800kg bombs (and the 1000kg bombs too, I missed those on the Stuka).

 

I know that's not what most people who have been playing on my server in the past are after, but I think there is already a pretty good offering on expert/no gps servers out there, so I'm targetting a new public and testing new waters. The custom expert settings will no doubt be back with new missions, maybe in parallel with the casual one.

 

If you try it, let me know what you think.

[coconut]

A couple of screenshots from my first test.

 

 

Convoys are easy to find, thanks to icons:

 

But they are hard to hit:

 

And a video showing how convoys scatter when an enemy plane attacks:

 

[coconut]

Latest change: I've moved the air spawns closer to the action. In my next move I think I'll remove most of flak38/61k. They probably don't belong on a server for casual play.

 

Here is how the map looks like now:

 

 

[Cathaoir]

Hi Coconut

 

Tried to logon to your server but I get the error msg:    #10016 Unable to save file to disk.  Is this a problem on my end?

 

thanks

[coconut]

thanks for letting me know, I'll check that tomorrow.

[coconut]

Hi Coconut

 

Tried to logon to your server but I get the error msg:    #10016 Unable to save file to disk.  Is this a problem on my end?

 

thanks

I can see in the logs that other people could join and play. I wonder, is your game installed under "Program Files"? I've heard that can cause issues, sometimes.

[Cathaoir]

No I have the game installed on the C:\ drive.....I learned the hard way about having games installed in the Program files.....I do not seem to have any problems connecting with other servers....maybe my connection is too slow.  Will try again when I get off work.

 

thanks for the reply

Did some research on the error and it may be my DCOM drivers or setup...will check this when I get off work.

[Cathaoir]

Hello again....tried the fix I found on line but still a no go....did a search on the forum and found this,,,,,http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/14986-10016-unable-save-file-disk/?hl=%2B10016&do=findComment&comment=242785.....this is exactly what I am seeing...in my multiplayer folder I see 2 folders Coconut and dogfight......your folder has the missions files but upon trying to launch the error happens....will check to see If I have another mission file with the same name as yours.

[coconut]

Maybe I know what it is... You can try manually creating a folder aieverywhere in the coconut folder and see if that works.

[coconut]

Updated the mission. The aieverywhere subfolder of coconut is no longer needed. This subfolder contains other missions. It also contains two mp3 files that the new mission uses, now moved to the same location as the mission files (under coconut).

 

The mission map now shows the score. Destroying targets at objectives gives your team between 1 and 3 pts. Spawning a plane gives 0.2 pts to the enemy, landing at a friendly airfield gives your team 0.2 pts. This is a small incentive to land your plane, instead of just throwing it away when you are done with it.

[beepee]

 

 

#10016 Unable to save file to disk. Is this a problem on my end?

 

I have had this before.

 

I deleted the mission file in the multiplayer folder and the mission re-downloaded fine.

[coconut]

The server currently taking a break, should be back next week.

[coconut]

Server is now back on Expert settings with GPS. I've added one BOM mission, "Attack on Mozhaisk". Previous missions Novomax, Krasnoarmeysk and Kalach are also there.

 

I'm reserving the GPS-less settings for events.

[coconut]

Just a quick message to say there is a new mission (BOM) on the server. Will post more about it later. No strategic bombing, the focus is on intercepting German attack planes and supply convoys on trains on both sides. There's also Pz3 to shoot using IL-2s, if you can shake off the AI cover.

Winter time, very cold (-30C), which interestingly gives contrails at low altitude (2000m). Clear weather, no wind.

 

The mission is based on a real battle at Istra where a soviet riffle division halted the advance of two German Panzer divisions, but utlimately fell two days later.

[SC_Manu653]

Just try it . The best server to play against aggressive AI, a lot of action. When the big server are low on peoples try this one you will enjoy it !

[coconut]

Mission updated, many small changes and some notable additions:

• Added strategic bombing target, one on each side. Russians get to bomb a camp and two bridges. If successful, half of the attacking bf110s are changed to less dangerous Ju87s. Germans get to bomb hangars on an airfield near Istra. If destroyed, the airfield is disabled (see below)
• When a German tank approach Istra, after passing the defenses, an advanced airfield with 3 IL-2s opens for the Russians, giving them a last chance to stop the capture.
• Russians get one mission with AIs: When spawning at a specific airfield, two AI pe2s wait for the player to taxi to the runway, then take off and fly to the German camp

[F/JG300_Gruber]

Hey Coconut, I played a couple mission yesterday evening on the server (LW side only).

 

I like the mission, here's however a few improvements that I think might benefit the experience :

 

- Bf110s too effective at the mission start, useless after 20min.

 Taking off at the very beginning of the mission, even before I brought my Emil to the defense line, they already took care of all anti tank guns of the area. A 10-15min additional delay before they go to combat might help, I'm not sure VVS have even enough time to intercept them.

Other problem with them : they don't care about any other ground forces once the guns are destroyed. BM13 still alive, all 37mm still alive and so on (quite a lot of them btw...). They just circle around, even when the AI IL2s come to destroy the German tanks, they don't try to engage anything. 

 

- Maybe VVS is lacking a bit of air support, I only saw a couple IL2s coming one by one (roughly at 15 min interval) to hunt the panzers, without any air cover while there was 3 110s and a couple AI 109 above the defenses. Having flown for an hour, I wasn't threatened by anything else than Flak.

 

- Mission very short, it only takes 30min to capture Istra. By shooting down the 2 IL2s, that was a guaranteed win for Germany as all ground defenses were long gone. 

 

 

A weird thing also : After taking of from the south airfield, I ran into a lonely 110 seemingly heading home but it disapeared mid-air 10s later. Not sure if it is a bug or designed in the mission to reduce server load (it happened maybe 10km NE of the airfield). 

 

 

This being said, I like this new mission, very promising. 

[coconut]

Very good feedback, thanks! I'll look into balancing things out after I've seen what the new version brings to the table in terms of AI-related features.

[coconut]

 

 

Bf110s too effective at the mission start, useless after 20min. Taking off at the very beginning of the mission, even before I brought my Emil to the defense line, they already took care of all anti tank guns of the area. A 10-15min additional delay before they go to combat might help, I'm not sure VVS have even enough time to intercept them.

 

I have now delayed the start of Bf110s by 20min

 

Other problem with them : they don't care about any other ground forces once the guns are destroyed.

I have extended the radius of their attack area, they are now attacking everything on the ground. They also attack air targets.

 

 

 

Maybe VVS is lacking a bit of air support, I only saw a couple IL2s coming one by one (roughly at 15 min interval) to hunt the panzers, without any air cover while there was 3 110s and a couple AI 109 above the defenses

Now each IL-2 is escorted by its own i16, and there is a pair of mig3s that spawn when enemies approach. They are still a bit weak, it seems the AI for the Bf110 is pretty good at wiping out the sky.

 

 

 

Mission very short, it only takes 30min to capture Istra. By shooting down the 2 IL2s, that was a guaranteed win for Germany as all ground defenses were long gone.

Capturing is no longer instantaneous. Tanks now need to stay and survive near the flag for a few minutes, giving a chance to the IL-2s to kill them.

 

I just did a test run, playing as German, and this time the Russians won after 3h. Looking at the logs, it's common that Germans win, but it seems to take longer now (2h+). Hopefully things are better balanced now.

 

 

A weird thing also : After taking of from the south airfield, I ran into a lonely 110 seemingly heading home but it disapeared mid-air 10s later. Not sure if it is a bug or designed in the mission to reduce server load (it happened maybe 10km NE of the airfield).

 

That's by design, I was worried that letting the Bf110s land and taxi would take too much CPU. So instead they just disappear on the way home away from the battlefield.

There's a similar thing for the patrols. If the leader doesn't see any enemy within 5km or so for some duration (5min, I think), he and his wingmate disappear. I was once battling with the wingmate when that happened.

These are the donwsides of having to save resources. I could probably refine the logic a bit to avoid despawning things close to the player, but the mission's logic is already pretty complex as it is.

[NN_Elanion]

merci (thx)

 

 

[coconut]

Nice pictures Elanion!

 

Server restart today at 18.00GMT, to add more missions to the rotation:

• Istra BOM, the one that has been running since august
• Attack of MozhaiskBOM , Moscow mission in autumn. Features player-controllable tanks.
• Early-Invasion: BOM planeset on the summer Stalingrad map. That's an oldie, but it never got a chance to run to its true potential because of passive AIs. Now that they are more aggressive, I thought it might be fun to give it another chance
• Krasno: BOS/BOM on autumn Stalingrad map. Player-controllable tanks and ships
• Novomax: BOS/BOM on summer Stalingrad map. Player-controllable tanks. It was pretty successful when it was running. WIth more aggressive AIs it's although worth giving it another round.