JG1_Pragr Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I'm checking the multiplayer population last week or two and I noticed significant fall in online population. Few months ago there were usually two full servers (with 48 pilots limit) every day during the Euro prime time. Now it seems the 20 pilots maximum on single expert server is common. There are no more pilots even during the weekends when I would expect the peak. That's not the best mark for the game. I always thought that the biggest weak spot of BoS is no campaign concept (either multiplayer or singleplayer). Dog fight concept is fine, but IMO games like War Thunder are better suited for such kind of play. And BoS has no chance to beat them in this area. BoS offer better planes simulation but in totally sterile environment. I mean no stats here for MP, mission success/failure has no impact on what happens next and each server runs the same mission all day long (or I have the biggest bad luck because there always is the same mission every time I join Syndicate/DED Expert). So I would really like to know what do you think the game need to attract more people for multiplayer. More planes? New maps? Online campaigns?
Brano Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Personally,I am mostly offliner.I do not have much free time to attend to prolonged MP sessions.Recently I was away from my gaming rig for almost 2weeks.Real life issues.But whenever I have chance,I try to join.Only that I preffer closed COOP missions to mindless DF.And I think there are lots of other MP players who preffer COOPs to fly with squad against AI or other squad. Sim hobby is grown men business.Most of us have real life,jobs,families,kids.I am glad to fire up the game at least for half an hour late in the evening to do some scenery flying over Novosokolniki.I call it Aerotherapy But with FMB and Dserver released and anounced summer/autumn maps it will slowly grow as people will add more interesting missions with much variety.
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Tbh I have not noticed a drop. I.fly from about 6pm to 1am gmt and there is normally one full normal and one full hardcore server. But I do think there is a lot of room for improvement such as more mission orientated servers..... I'm sure this will come over time time, I mean it's only been a week since the d server release 1
=EXPEND=Tripwire Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) The P40 will help bring in more of the US market I think. I think also that maybe some of the drop(if any?) is people concentrating on learning/creating missions. One some viable CO-OP missions start showing up more of the single player groups may be enticed to get online. Edited March 6, 2015 by Tripwire
Wulf Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Funny, if anything I thought I'd noticed a bit of an increase in numbers over the last week or so.
AbortedMan Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 There can be campaigns in MP servers! It's just that no one has made them yet.
303_Kwiatek Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Microstutters, worse visiblilty, only boring dogfights, max 48 slots. 1
SR-F_Winger Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Microstutters, worse visiblilty, only boring dogfights, max 48 slots. the first and the last are the biggest gamebreakers for me any my mateys as well right now. Stuttering is soooooo annoying and the 48 is just too few. 1
=EXPEND=Tripwire Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 48 is just too few. For the size of some of the current missions I agree. I think the first thing I am going to try in the mission builder would be to attempt to change the scope/focus of the mission based on the current number of players. Gradually enable more "objectives" as the population grows? Some of the missions have a lot of good quality objectives, but with a small population leads to some very quiet flights.
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Re Microstutters. I set game to windowed mode and did a speed test and set download to my speed divided by 4 and upload to 1. This seemed to reduce the stuttering a lot although it is still there. The only problem is that this was on the new Ded normal 2 server so it's hard to tell if it was server refinement or not as I normally play the ded normal
von_Tom Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 48 can be more than enough for lots of action, depending on how the action is concentrated. Also a smaller map would would help - I remember lots of fun in the small IL2 maps with fewer numbers. What a large map does allow is co-op style flying with completely random encounters. Last time I was on about 5 or 6 of us did a ground attack run followed by a fighter sweep. I did one dive/attack, smoking a Yak then as I was in a FW and there were many VVS above me, I ran away. Very good fun. von Tom
Yakdriver Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 weather is too good and ladies too fine for gaming atm...hunting other "game" at the moment.
Feathered_IV Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I find the worst aspects of multiplayer are: Repetition - Servers run the same mission over and over again every day for months. No mission variety - Simplistic fighter and bomber tasks that do not cater to other roles or interests. No recon, spotting or other types. No incentive - No leaderboards or enduring score system to encourage participation or mission focused play. No rewards - Weak mission objectives that have no great impact on outcome or scores. Balance - Mission design that sacrifices immersion, depth and interest in a misplaced pursuit of gamer "parity". 5
I./ZG1_Juno11 Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 We need online wars like in the old il2! Moving frontlines etc. like Mist of war or adw. These things need to be done, not only by the devs but by a community. Bos/bom with a war-> best sim ever
6./ZG26_Emil Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 We need online wars like in the old il2! Moving frontlines etc. like Mist of war or adw. These things need to be done, not only by the devs but by a community. Bos/bom with a war-> best sim ever Yes we need co-ops and an easy way to get opponents. I am sure that would change everything.
I./JG1_Baron Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 We need online wars like in the old il2! Moving frontlines etc. like Mist of war or adw.... Exactly... + one "green" map.
[7e]Forza42 Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 what i saw: people left MP the day the ''unlock'' system was released .... and the never come back. Mainly because plying the poor campaign to unlock is a kind of waste of time, and because there is no reward if you want to play online. 1
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) I have only recently started playing BoS on line, yesterday in fact and I found it to be a somewhat of an arcade experience tbh. It seemed to consist of just buzzing and strafing of the runway as aircraft are waiting to take off. I was trying to be sporting and flying over the enemy runways waggling wings and letting the chaps get airborne for a jolly good dust up. This was clearly a bad idea, because several times the chaps that I was wagging my wings at opened up almost as soon as they had lifted off and shredded my aircraft with cannon fire! I was shot down by UFO twice, had my fuselage riddled with fire from AeroAce and had the bottom of my LaGG-3 blown out by ground fire. In a final desperate effort I jumped in an IL2 without a rear gunner I may add and went to work on the ground defences around one of the axis runways. I managed to sneak in very close and took some fire from a random G2 but I was in a flying tank and laughed this off! Then I saw it..... in front of me 4 enemy player planes lined up in my gun sight on the runway. The urge to strafe them was overwhelming but still being sporting I ignored them and concentrated fire on the ground defences and promptly got shot down by said defences. Admittedly, I was on a server in normal mode but in all seriousness I think that a more structured, persistent campaign and a move away from endless take off.... fly to enemy runway ....wait till the poor sod spawns bounce him taking off and repeat the whole process again would help. If you see me wagging wings, flying over your runway I won't strafe you, honest! Edited March 6, 2015 by OriginalCustard
6./ZG26_Emil Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 what i saw: people left MP the day the ''unlock'' system was released .... and the never come back. Mainly because plying the poor campaign to unlock is a kind of waste of time, and because there is no reward if you want to play online. I think that's a part of it for sure and something that would take 1 minute to fix. If the devs listen to the community they will have a sim very close to what the original IL2 was like but we absolutely need co-ops, an easy way to generate missions and a way to find people to fight against. The 3rd party mission generator by Lupson is very promising and I pray to god he expands it to being able to generate co-op missions. I don't always think the 'community' is right when it speaks but there are times when the Devs must listen to us for the future of the genre. People hate unlocks for MP so get rid, people want co-ops and online wars and not to be stuck flying DF servers for ever.
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Lol custard I'm sorry dude, will watch for u next time
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Lol custard I'm sorry dude, will watch for u next time It certainly was a wizard prang!
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Not really sure what that is but I will take it as a good thing
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Not really sure what that is but I will take it as a good thing All good, 1940's RAF talk (prang = a knock or damage )
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I should be about later around 7pm gmt if u want to fly coop Pm me
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I should be about later around 7pm gmt if u want to fly coop Pm me Cheers, If I'm on I will look out for you.
IRRE_Belmont Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Truth is, the population of the game is getting lower and lower. I guess we'll see a player increase when BoM will be released
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I really don't think it'd getting lower, it seems pretty constant to me
-TBC-AeroAce Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I really don't think it'd getting lower, it seems pretty constant to me
BraveSirRobin Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 MP numbers during US hours appear to have improved a little.
6./ZG26_Emil Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 MP numbers during US hours appear to have improved a little. What has increased are the numbers of dedicated servers. My feeling is that a lot of people/squads are currently testing them, that's what I've been trying to do this week. Our squad is flying more now and the number of squad members flying BOS has increased from almost nothing to 4-5 but at the moment we're still frustrated by not being able to fly how we want. The dedicated server and release of the FMB is changing that, hopefully it's the same for other squads.
Yakdriver Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 Then I saw it..... in front of me 4 enemy player planes lined up in my gun sight on the runway. The urge to strafe them was overwhelming but still being sporting I ignored them and concentrated fire on the ground defences and promptly got shot down by said defences. Admittedly, I was on a server in normal mode but in all seriousness I think that a more structured, persistent campaign and a move away from endless take off.... fly to enemy runway ....wait till the poor sod spawns bounce him taking off and repeat the whole process again would help. If you see me wagging wings, flying over your runway I won't strafe you, honest! you are flying a Tank and are approaching a bunch of well-armed Humvees who got TOW missiles and stuff like that. Not shooting. being a sport. I honestly do not know what you expected. The germans captured Douglas Bader in what...1940? that brit had the nerve to get to sit in an emil and ask for permission to take off. The germans asked the RAF to drop a few prostetic Legs for bader... The RAF responded with a bunch of Bombs ... along with the Legs. I am not one of those who see war as a cricket match where you first give anything to defeat the opponent and then shake hands Lucas 1981, p. 95. This is WWII. From my personal PoV... being a sport is being a victim. Especially flying a stormo, and not shooting at a bunch of 109s on a runway. That is ... sorry... a noob's mistake.
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) you are flying a Tank and are approaching a bunch of well-armed Humvees who got TOW missiles and stuff like that. Not shooting. being a sport. I honestly do not know what you expected. I was expecting for a jolly good show and old fashioned "Knights of the air" kind of behaviour don't you know! Luckily for me the axis powers didn't seem to have Humvees or TOW missiles whatever the hell they are! Edited March 6, 2015 by OriginalCustard
Yakdriver Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 There is no Jolly good show at Stalingrad any more, i am afraid.The Knights of the air have traded their flying shoeboxes for purpose-built killing machines, and - know that both sides are using them without any sort of chivalry.To me, the air war over the white Steppe has nothing noble any more [hasn't had anything noble for the last 15-odd years] - from the moment i sit in that cockpit, i expect to be killed, and so should you.As a result, i can only draw the conclusion that a Pilot must first and foremost survive, if his action is to serve a purpose in the outcome of the Battle
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 There is no Jolly good show at Stalingrad any more, i am afraid. The Knights of the air have traded their flying shoeboxes for purpose-built killing machines, and - know that both sides are using them without any sort of chivalry. To me, the air war over the white Steppe has nothing noble any more [hasn't had anything noble for the last 15-odd years] - from the moment i sit in that cockpit, i expect to be killed, and so should you. As a result, i can only draw the conclusion that a Pilot must first and foremost survive, if his action is to serve a purpose in the outcome of the Battle Yakdriver, the first post was a tongue in cheek view of the my first experience of multiplayer with BoS (Maybe it didn't translate very well) I did find it rather unsatisfying that a lot of people just did the same thing over and over again and I refrained from just strafing folks who had just spawned on the runway to give them a chance to get airborne. I really do think that a persistent campaign with better missions and objectives and rewards would make the experience much better as apposed to what is literately a turkey shoot at the moment. Regards
6./ZG26_Custard Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 The Knights of the air have traded their flying shoeboxes for purpose-built killing machines, and - know that both sides are using them without any sort of chivalry. It's interesting to note that chivalry did still exist towards the end of WWII. A B-17 Flying Fortress on a bombing mission just before Christmas 1944 ( "Ye Olde Pub") was severely damaged by German fighters. JG 27 Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler was sent to intercept but took the decision not to shoot it down and escorted it back on it's return journey to England. There is a great book out "A higher Call" and if you haven't read it I would recommend it.
tovarisch Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) I like the game...but...I agree...most of times I do not find any enemy flying...I think the map is too big and the visibility of distance airplanes too low. Most of times I go back to base just a bit bored. It also looks a bit death...except the area of Stalingrad. The strong points is the amazing soft clouds ..super inmmersive...the nice lighting and textures...the perpex reflections....nice explosions...smokes....atmosphere in general. but then again...few activity in the skies...as I think there are too much objectives...for not many planes. In old Il2 objectives were more concentrated...so people used to gather there for battle. This map is excellent for coop missions...but too big for dogfights. Also snow (though the textures are very nice) is getting a bit bored scenario. Also micro stutters are now annoying...but they will fix that soon. All in all...an excellent game...with a big way to develope...full of potential, and we must have patiente as devs are doing very good...but it takes time. I think this will be the game which will take the lead from old Il2...it is only a question of fine tunning little by little. Go devs ! Edited March 6, 2015 by tovarisch
Uriah Posted March 6, 2015 Posted March 6, 2015 I have been having a blast on MP in normal servers. I am not a very good fighter pilot so I am having fun learning how to do better. Until last night the DED MEAT normal has air fields that were protected by AA. I had fun trying to get back to base after being shot up in an engagement and land at my field. Hence I would deprive my would be killer of a kill and sometimes get lucky in getting the AA to shot down the SO... I often fly for an hour or two in the evening as I don't care much for what is on TV. But what I really would like is to have a bomber formation to have to attack or defend or even a ground invasion. Your score and bragging rights would be as much to do with did you do your duty in attaching the bombers or defending them then just the air quake.
AbortedMan Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I find the worst aspects of multiplayer are: Repetition - Servers run the same mission over and over again every day for months. No mission variety - Simplistic fighter and bomber tasks that do not cater to other roles or interests. No recon, spotting or other types. No incentive - No leaderboards or enduring score system to encourage participation or mission focused play. No rewards - Weak mission objectives that have no great impact on outcome or scores. Balance - Mission design that sacrifices immersion, depth and interest in a misplaced pursuit of gamer "parity". You have some valid opinions on mission dynamics and I'd like to pick your brain regarding feedback on what it is you'd like to see in public MP servers.@Uriah, bomber raids and ground invasions are on the current Eagle's Nest server!
Uriah Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I popped in and like much of what I saw. But I just have to have outside views and something to tell me where the enemy is. No icons and no map means I just fly around finding nothing and then get killed out of no where. Even if you had a map up with a area turning a different color to indicate activity in that area I likely would join and even contribute monthly. But with no clue it is no fun for me. Salute to those who like it that way. Which made me think about War Thunder. In BoS you just pick a field and fly off by your self. Rather un-realistic. Most of the time in RL pilots went up together with a squad. In WT in some set ups the game does not start until there is enough players on each side. Then everybody starts together. I thought I did not like the waiting but now I can see the merits of doing it that way. Seems more realistic.
BraveSirRobin Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I popped in and like much of what I saw. But I just have to have outside views and something to tell me where the enemy is. No icons and no map means I just fly around finding nothing and then get killed out of no where. Even if you had a map up with a area turning a different color to indicate activity in that area I likely would join and even contribute monthly. But with no clue it is no fun for me. Salute to those who like it that way. Which made me think about War Thunder. In BoS you just pick a field and fly off by your self. Rather un-realistic. Most of the time in RL pilots went up together with a squad. In WT in some set ups the game does not start until there is enough players on each side. Then everybody starts together. I thought I did not like the waiting but now I can see the merits of doing it that way. Seems more realistic. Having icons to tell you where everyone is isn't very realistic at all.
Recommended Posts