First impressions

[Marrond]

I just wanted to ask - is there any indicator of flaps? Briefing says to put it onto 15-20 degree so I do it "on feel" - LaGG doesn't have any flaps indicator in cockpit or it's just not working yet? How one determines from cockpit view state of the flaps? Gears have clear visual indicators both in cockpit and mechanical indicators on wings, how about flaps?

 

Also my mission waypoint in 1st mission doesn't bother to move from airfield - do I forget about something during taking off so it can't process to the next waypoint or it's just not working? (I've tried only 1st mission and night relocation mission - in the last one I've got everything to work except for the last waypoint after landing, not sure what should I do more there in order to finish the mission)

 

 

About my embarasing flight experiences - assigned prop control to buttons and brake control to 2nd throttle (I don't have rudder pedals ) and now everything went silky smooth . Before I couldn't even take off because takeoff distance was too long as opposing to airway lenght, and I barely could keep takeoff path straight since plane was turning to the right like crazy despite me using left brake (as it seems it doesn't work) and full left rudder. I almost thought: "Damn... did I really forget how to takeoff bloody virtual plane after playing War Thunder?". After change could takeoff with no problems at all, I would even say it was easier than in WT (but more challangeing than in IL2 for sure since I've checked it just like yesterday).

 

 

- Had a very difficult time getting the plane to turn left at any speed despite rudder controls, turned right without issue but did not want to go left, even from stop.  I think some of this was caused by the very low FPS issue, not sure if others are reporting the same. 

I'm not an expert, only a gamer but... when you use even slightest pressure on brakes it works like a charm. Just give slight pressure onto main brakes (I mean not separate ones, they're not working and judging by the cockpit looks LaGG didn't have separate brakes on different buttons but don't take my word on that, just a wild guess based on visuals, also by the sound it seems that while using rudder and brakes, ruder determines which wheel receives more braking power) and then turning with rudder works like a charm. Atlest that's my experience so far.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Marrond

[Rivet]

I'm very impressed with this so far. Runs smooth as silk for me on high settings + vsync 30 to 55 fps on my rig (specs in sig). Of course there's not much other activity other than me flying at this stage but I believe the team has a masterpiece on their hands. For a product that is only 32% complete it's a stunning achievement.

 

The Lagg 3 is a tricky beast for me at least. I think I've pretty much mastered take off, but the landings - oh the landings. This is my best attempt so far:

 

Oops!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh well, at least its still got its wheels on which is better than any of my previous attempts. I'd call that a resounding victory.

 

Now where's that super strong Red Airforce Duct Tape. Back in the air in ten minutes

 

 

[-JG2-SilencerBF]

It feels like the game is not using all my cpu/gpu power, they are only at around 60% (according to taskmanager and msi afterburner) although I use high settings and only get about 30-35 fps in cockpit.

 

CPU: Q9550 4x3,4ghz GPU: HD 7870 2GB

 

I also get a weird gizzl effect in cockpitview. Like watching through dirty googles

Edited November 19, 2013 by -JG2-SilencerBF

[FuriousMeow]

If it were stuck at 100%, that would be a sign of bad code and your FPS would be lower than that.

 

For the strange view overlay, search the forum for SSAO and how to turn it off. It might even be mentioned in this very thread.

[ST_ami7b5]

...

I also get a weird gizzl effect in cockpitview.

 

see: http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/2113-first-impressions/page-2?do=findComment&comment=50764

 

"For that grainy/vaseline effect, that is from SSAO. SSAO applies a shadow map, which is giving the grainy effect. To get rid of it, go to startup.cfg in your data folder and locate the two lines that begin with ssao. Set them both =0."

 

BIG difference, thanks FuriousMeow

Edited November 19, 2013 by ST_ami7b5

[Kuro-Nezumi]

I just finished having a good fly around in the LaGG-3, and I must say that flying the plane is very fun and easy. Taking off is rather hard as the plane likes to taxi to starboard rather than doing as she's told.

 

Landing is... tricky as I tend to come in waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to fast and I need to learn how use the flaps.

 

But above all, it is extremely enjoyable and I can't wait to fly the other planes when they're available.

 

And this is only 32%!

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

 Just got time to get 2 flights last night before bed. But initial feel is very positive even encountered some of the bugs already mentioned. A good suggestion: Give a choice to reset ALL controls so one can map them from ground up thus minimizing conflicts. Back to setting up and testing.

[-JG2-SilencerBF]

If it were stuck at 100%, that would be a sign of bad code and your FPS would be lower than that.

 

For the strange view overlay, search the forum for SSAO and how to turn it off. It might even be mentioned in this very thread.

Thanks for the SSAO trick.

 

Well it should definitly use more than just 60% of the cpu/gpu power i have.

[Marrond]

The Lagg 3 is a tricky beast for me at least. I think I've pretty much mastered take off, but the landings - oh the landings. This is my best attempt so far:

It's child easy (well a bit harder when on crosswind scenario ), just glide 200km/h before airstrip and have arround ~180km/h when touching down (on HUD, not sure about indicators since they're hard to read as now I just move my head with mouse). Then just adjust brake pressure and everything should be fine! Full flaps down, gear down, full prop, 50% throttle - sits like a princess

 

If it were stuck at 100%, that would be a sign of bad code and your FPS would be lower than that.

Actualy not really. Stuck at 100% is bad (since it would mean that your CPU is not sufficient for the game needs) but when someone have problems with FPS and his CPU is sitting at half usage then something is not right. For example go check ArmA3. You can have BEAST rig and then game is using 30% CPU and 40% GPU - and you struggle with FPS. Same goes for released few days ago X-Rebirth that barely runs with similar hardware usage. BoS could definitely work better just need a bit optimization work. People here say it works marvelous but they have one of the most expensive rigs outside of Titan range that is. There's certainly work to be done but aside from optimization, game performs really well at current state. Edited November 19, 2013 by Marrond

[FuriousMeow]

RoF does the same thing, it's very optimized. But with my CPU, even with sky full of aircraft, never goes above 60% because it doesn't have to. Utilizing more doesn't mean it's making more use of it, it means it needs it because it's falling behind and that doesn't necessarily mean it's because it's producing better results. This isn't a car engine, it doesn't have to run at full throttle to attain the best performance.

 

If my i7 4770k @4.5GHz was pegged at 90%, with just one airplane and this small map - something is very wrong, and those poor guys on C2Ds wouldn't even be playing.

Edited November 19, 2013 by FuriousMeow

[SeaW0lf]

Actualy not really. Stuck at 100% is bad (since it would mean that your CPU is not sufficient for the game needs) but when someone have problems with FPS and his CPU is sitting at half usage then something is not right.

 

Totally agree.

[ATAG_Slipstream]

Working well for me. Thanks for the tip about SSAO in startup cfg. Getting good FPS (50-60) .Had the '50% throttle bug' after I inverted the throttle, but a game restart fixed it.

[Marrond]

even with sky full of aircraft, never goes above 60% because it doesn't have to.

It's okay when you don't have problems with framerate. If you struggle with framerate and your harwdare is below 90% usage it simply means it's not optimized enough for this particular hardware. I agree it would be problem with small map and only one plane but it also is a problem when one can't even play the game due to framerate issues while his CPU and GPU are chilling somewhere on the beach with hot chicks and cold drinks

 

Nothing to judge just yet, since it's Alpha but definitely something that needs to be looked into before release.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Marrond

[=38=Tatarenko]

Flap indicator - very left hand gauge in cockpit.

[TheBlackPenguin]

 

Nothing to judge just yet, since it's Alpha but definitely something that needs to be looked into before release.

 

Yep, nothing worth worrying about yet. Actually kind of a good sign people seem interested in this at this early stage. The core looks good so far, a nice foundation to work on and improve.

[Zettman]

Well I fear im doing something wrong, coming from WT taking off is a problem for me, 50% attempts to take off will end in a crash. My successfull takeoffs so far were all at speeds of 150-160 km/h (I know it should be around 180-190 km/h).

 

Landing on the other side feels easier than in WT, its just approaching the run way, throttle down, flaps and gear down and no crash so far.

 

Zettman

[ST_ami7b5]

You must set prop pitch (lever) fully back to achieve 2700 RPM when taking off

Edited November 19, 2013 by ST_ami7b5

[Marrond]

Well I fear im doing something wrong, coming from WT taking off is a problem for me, 50% attempts to take off will end in a crash. My successfull takeoffs so far were all at speeds of 150-160 km/h (I know it should be around 180-190 km/h).

 

Landing on the other side feels easier than in WT, its just approaching the run way, throttle down, flaps and gear down and no crash so far.

Change your prop pitch controls (or just find it, I reassigned it to joystick buttons), set prop to max and use brakes - takeoff will be as easy as landing. I've spent some time in WT too, couldn't even take off because of these two things. But after that - no issue at all.

 

Thanks for confirming, I thought it was only my impression - yeah, landing seems way easier than in WT for me too.

[ST_ami7b5]

Big SALUTE to dev team!

[Marrond]

Big SALUTE to dev team!

I guess they're now opening champagne since we're not complaining as far as alpha goes. I can't wait for ammunition to arrive so we could start training already! :3

 

I just wanted to ask - is there any indicator of flaps? Briefing says to put it onto 15-20 degree so I do it "on feel" - LaGG doesn't have any flaps indicator in cockpit or it's just not working yet? How one determines from cockpit view state of the flaps? Gears have clear visual indicators both in cockpit and mechanical indicators on wings, how about flaps?

I've found an answer in another thread, posting it here so it might actualy help someone too:

 

It does in fact have flap indicators though:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ayYelxrpyY#t=4

Edited November 19, 2013 by Marrond

[ST_ami7b5]

I guess they're now opening champagne since we're not complaining as far as alpha goes. I can't wait for ammunition to arrive so we could start training already! :3

 

In RoF I practiced shooting (in first stage) by destroying all ground targets at my own airfield 

I will use the same 'tactics' in BoS 'cause there are plenty of them

 

For the time being it's quite good I have no ammo, so I am 'forced' to learn flying first, LOL.

[Marrond]

For the time being it's quite good I have no ammo, so I am 'forced' to learn flying first, LOL.

I think it's hard to learn flying without facing perfect-flying AI that we could compare to. As it is I have no problems with takeoffs, landings, stalls, climbing and various manouvers, but will it be the same in combat situation? All we can train now are takeoffs, landings and eventualy navigation aside from small terrain. Atleast in my opinion. Edited November 19, 2013 by Marrond

[ST_ami7b5]

I will concentrate on proper engine management in 'expert' mode and testing the plane 'boundaries'. 

[AndyHill]

AA even on 8x seemed a little jaggy, in my ATI settings I have everything application controlled. I also had that strange "dirt filter" look. I'll update my drivers and mess with different settings and see if it helps. I'd love to run this with 3 screens but right now I'm only using 1 for the time.

Do you have the AA problem both in 3 screen and 1 screen modes? It seems to me that there's an issue with post processing inherited from RoF that makes the graphics very blocky in wide resolutions when postproc is enabled. Unfortunately in this first test version you can't turn off postproc so I could test (if you know how let me know too). 

[Dirkbert84]

As others have stated multiple times, the look of this sim is fantastic.  All the little nuances that make you feel cold (burrrr) just by looking around the landscape and being in the cockpit with the canopy open.  The sounds are magnificent to say the least.  I have not been in the cockpit of any plane in any sim and almost thought I was there as I do in this one.  The most important and amazing thing I noticed, as a pilot who has learned to handle taildraggers on the ground, and struggled at mastering it, the feel of ground handling in this sim is spot on.  No other sim has made me feel "connected" with the terrain beneath me.  Taxiing the LaGG around while looking out the side of the cokpit was such a real experience.  Once the locking tailwheel is implemented it will be complete.  Also, even without trim, the flight model does its best to make you feel "airborne" and it succeeds.  No more of this feeling of being on rails, as with other WW2 sim engines.  Once trim is implemented, it will also be complete.  Thank you devs.  This sim (even in early access - alpha) has lived up to my expectations and more!

[Marcomies]

Very happy with the alpha so far. The game runs great at max settings even on my ageing computer and everything about engine feels very RoF-like which is good. The snowy landscape is some of the best I have ever seen in games.

 

Lagg feels quite powerful when compared to mid-series laggs in original IL2 but that's probably thanks to the more powerfull engine it has.

 

Can't wait for the guns and combat!

[Gustang]

My first impressions of BoS are overall very good.  Control Setup was labored.  Maybe it was the CH gear, but setting buttons required multiple attempts and throttle was reversed (inverted in game, it would only traverse half-way).  It seemed like there were several controls missing (trim & others I haven’t yet verified) that caused some confusion. 

 

The interface was familiar, so I quickly found my way to the cockpit.  Once I had correctly mapped prop-pitch controls, it didn’t take long to figure out how to get the LaGG-3 into the air.   Most everything I enjoy about RoF is present, so navigation was easy.  Flying the LaGG is a joy.   

 

Flying at night was especially immersive.   Moonlight, close to the horizon, cast deep shadows on the bump-mapped snow.   The detail on the ground, including the snow drifts, vehicle tracks, snow-plowed textures on the ramp was all a wonder.   The LaGGs landing light cast a neat reflection on the cement textures of the runway.   The vehicle tracks don’t linger for more than a minute, but the typical vehicle casts long trails and I can’t wait to be able to hunt tank and vehicle groups using those tracks. 

 

The new terrain is looking great.  I’d like to see more shrub-like vegetation, but the bump-mapping used for snow drifts and roadways looks awesome and really shows off in dawn, dusk or night lighting.   It looks great down-low too, in typical RoF fashion, giving us enhanced sensation of speed at low altitudes. 

 

As Loft mentioned, the game seemed to perform as well, if not better than, RoF on the same system, and this is just the beginning!   Many thanks to 777 and the dev group for this initial offering.   From my perspective, this is far more than I had expected in an alpha release.

[Zettman]

Change your prop pitch controls (or just find it, I reassigned it to joystick buttons), set prop to max and use brakes - takeoff will be as easy as landing. I've spent some time in WT too, couldn't even take off because of these two things. But after that - no issue at all.

 

Thanks for confirming, I thought it was only my impression - yeah, landing seems way easier than in WT for me too.

 

Thank you. Taking off has become easier.

 

Zettman

[siipperi]

First impression was pretty much: "wait, this handles really tricky" but after setting 15% curve to my joystick axes it's handling really well. Shouldn't use these short sticks when trying to fly ww2 planes. I had few pretty odd stalling where my plane magically turned right way after stall but could be me just being too used to P51.

[Rivet]

It's child easy (well a bit harder when on crosswind scenario ), just glide 200km/h before airstrip and have arround ~180km/h when touching down (on HUD, not sure about indicators since they're hard to read as now I just move my head with mouse). Then just adjust brake pressure and everything should be fine! Full flaps down, gear down, full prop, 50% throttle - sits like a princess

 

 

Well everything's child easy once you can do it .  Thanks for the tips anyway. I messed about with trial and error and basically did what you explained here except I still come in a bit too fast, but I've made a good few successful landings now.

 

Actually for take offs the crosswind scenario I found easy because the crosswind is coming from th eleft and almost cancels out the torque effect of the aircraft wanting to turn to the right all the time.

[csThor]

I'm still in the "find a decent control setup" phase. I have one for the ordinary controls and my joystick, but I haven't even gotten to programming my Logitech G15 extra keys with the more exotic key combos (I hate finger acrobatics when flying with a HOTAS: Right Shift + Left ALT + X in the middle of a complex maneuver? Yeah, right! ) yet. Apart from  that the build is stable on my PC (only had the lockup control settings once) and the game is running smoothly even on high settings. It's still too early for me to make a more in-depth comment, though. That'll take many more flights and some more work on the control setup.

 

The lack of elevator trim is a massive pain in the rear, though, as it screws up any attempt at flying smooth and precise maneuvers. This is really taking away a lot of experience ATM and I feel more like one of those Texan cowboys trying to ride a rather angry bull.

[Livai]

First impression; performance is ATROCIOUS. I can't even take off because I'm running 10FPS - This is on a 3930k and SLI Titans 

 

What? SLi Titans and a 3930k and 10fps?     I don't have seen my fps on my Htpc with a AMD HD6550D at 1920x1080 @ All Settings on Maximum and I could take off and fly around with Keyboard. Only the Response Time of the controls could be better and faster.  

 

Its a Driver problem. Run the game with one Titan and it would solve the 10fps.

 

Edit: Only to compare I fly Cliffs of Dover on Medium Settings @ 1920x1080 with keyboard and the Response Time of the controls was much better

Edited November 19, 2013 by Superghostboy

[=AVG=Zombie]

Anyone know why i cannot select the sli box in the graphics settings? I am running dual evga gtx 760 in sli mode.

[Marrond]

What? SLi Titans and a 3930k and 10fps?     I don't have seen my fps on my Htpc with a AMD HD6550D at 1920x1080 @ All Settings on Maximum and I could take off and fly around with Keyboard. Only the Response Time of the controls could be better and faster.  

 

Its a Driver problem. Run the game with one Titan and it would solve the 10fps.

And I have 6950 2GB and with max settings 1920x1080 can get as high as 30fps. With lowest settings it barely changes. It's not necessarily the driver problem (especialy as I've checked various versions, although fact is that game has now problems with multiGPU which is certainly his case) since just by this thread you can see that people with weaker hardware rigs have better performance than people with monstrous rigs therefore it requires quite a bit optimization work. Nothing to be sad about (yet) as we're in Alpha. Hopefuly 1C will talk to Nvidia and ATI so we can get some new beta drivers so atleast some of the problems will go away for now.

[MadisonV44]

Very very good impressions for this first flight.

Sim is running smooth even at full graphics settings (GTX 680) and immersion is there.

 

Congrats to all the dev team, just keep up the good work for the long road to come ...

[Bearcat]

Cliffs of Dover all over again. I paid good money for early access and what did I get, one aircraft that I could not fly because of problems with control mapping. I will come back in a month or two when it might be fixed. It says it all on the first page 32% developed, well I want 100% that is what I paid for

 

  If you have problems with control mapping then that's is your problem.. because hundreds of other guys managed to figure it out just fine...   You got early access ..  It's an Alpha ... if you want 100% access then wait till spring. Cliffs of Dover wishes it was this far along less than a year in. It took more than 5 years just to get out of rumored vaporware status.. Please..

[71st_AH_Hooves]

Cliffs of Dover all over again. I paid good money for early access and what did I get, one aircraft that I could not fly because of problems with control mapping. I will come back in a month or two when it might be fixed. It says it all on the first page 32% developed, well I want 100% that is what I paid for

Holy unrealistic expectations Batman!!

 

Look up "alpha stage" in context of video games. And maybe not preorder for early access next time. Its not for everyone mate.

[Wolger]

Love it!!

 

Erm after spending hours mapping the control to my hotas (which works all ok) ...just mapped the essential keys.

 

Love the engine misfires sound, hydraulic brake sound, exhaust flames. very polished graphics plane model and in fact it's so much easier to fly than DCS P-51D and some ..ahem War Thunder planes. Feel it's like a scaled down DCS in terms of realism and aircraft controls but gotta remember the game's focus is on combat and WW2 scenario.

 

Uploading my first attempt takeoff and landing video .

 

The virtual HuD is not working (bug?), took off and landed smoothly with my gut feeling without knowing the actual IAS lol...Didn't know where the heck is speedometer gauge. (that's why I prefer to fly  anglo-american planes)

[AbortedMan]

  If you have problems with control mapping then that's is your problem.. because hundreds of other guys managed to figure it out just fine...   You got early access ..  It's an Alpha ... if you want 100% access then wait till spring. Cliffs of Dover wishes it was this far along less than a year in. It took more than 5 years just to get out of rumored vaporware status.. Please..

Hey Bearcat, explanations from a mod like this could probably use a little less "stank" on them...a positive effort toward customer relations/service and all.

[Maico]

  I love the way these rookies come in here to whine.  There is so much love to give this BETA right now.  If you planed on rebuilding your PC before BoS came out... Guess What!?!?  Its out.  So get your gremlins out and Use that Windows disk and start anew. 

  My PC

  i7 960 3.07 @ 4.0Ghz

  Evga 580 Yes, its getting old

  16 Gigs of Ram,  Yes, I could have spent that money on a night out

  Windows 7 installed 18 months ago

  Performance?  Smoking this game at 1920x1200.

 

  Hint, ITS NOT THE GAME. 

 

  Please realize this is a SIM not a game.  But even War Thunder needs programming.  So read, read and read before you post the obvious.  It just makes you look ...  Silly.  And if you need help... Just ask.

 

  There is my two cents.

  Got to fly!

  Maico