Hello from an FNG

[snoopy-joe]

Hi Everyone

 

I spent years playing IL 2 1946, and absolutely loved every minute of it

 

When the BOS Kickstarter happened I was so excited

I pitched in

Because let's be honest - how many people are making WW2 flight sims these days?

 

When BOS launched I played it and was a little disappointed

The map was cool, the planes were cool

But what I really wanted was an immersive single player experience

 

Making me shoot down at least two Stukas before the campaign proceeds?

Sorry - not interested

Surely the war proceeds no matter how well I do on this mission?

 

I completely understand that a lot of people are into the MP thing

And good luck to them

I really hope they get what they want out of this

 

But it was not what I was after

I have played so many IL 2 1946 single player campaigns, both static and dynamic, in theatres all over the world.

 

The static ones - I could turn off 'No Instant Success'

Then I would progress to the next scripted mission regardless of my performance

 

The dynamic ones?

Well - using 3rd party software (from Axis and Allied) I could start a pilot in 1939, and follow him through the war, getting promotions, decorations and new planes

It was absolutely awesome 

 

It looked like BOS was always going to be focussed on MP

But I always checked the forums every few months to see what was being developed - just in case

As I have said - how many other DEVS are making WW2 aircraft for us?

 

I was so incredibly happy when I looked last week and read the Dev Notes about putting in a proper Career mode for us single players               

 

It inspired me to re install BOS

I also bought BOM, and have pre ordered the Kuban

 

I am so happy that the DEVS have decided to put in a fully fleshed out SP career

 

Looking forward to the Kuban

 

In the meantime I am experimenting with Pat Wilsons Career Generator

 

If you are reading Pat - Many many thanks - this looks real good 

 

[LLv24_Zami]

Welcome back, never loose hope 

 

Future is looking bright for SP side of the game now. New career system is looking very cool, can`t wait! 

 

Not to mention other things that has been announced, there is plenty of good stuff coming for us.

[Jason_Williams]

I'm glad you are happy about our current direction, but please understand, there was no BOS Kickstarter. Just early access that was not a crowdfunding campaign.

 

Jason

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Welcome back. The game is not without a couple of warts still but it has steadily evolved and is, IMHO, the best WWII flight sim on the market. The upcoming improvements, over the next 12-18 mos, have the potential to make it the best combat flight sim ever. It is a very hard working crew and it's nice to see many of those who swore it off after EA returning to the fold. Again, welcome back.

[snoopy-joe]

I'm glad you are happy about our current direction, but please understand, there was no BOS Kickstarter. Just early access that was not a crowdfunding campaign.

 

Jason

 

Sorry Jason - it was a while ago and I misremembered

 

It must have been the early access that I joined

[Neil]

Yes, this is sim is going much better now, I am very happy of that. Jason took actions and this sim is taking new directions: proper single player campaign, dx11 , the ju52...so many good things to come!, the dev team  continue to make this sim with love and dedication. 

 

Truly is becoming the best ww2 combat sim. Like his ancestor the legendary original IL2.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Nil

[74_jim_nihilist]

I share your feelings.

 

Great and deep simulator - shallow gameplay (from a SP perspective).

[Finkeren]

This was always a very good sim, and it's well on its way to becoming a very good game as well.

 

Glad to see the people who abandoned it along the way come back. It's good to know, that those people can still be reached

 

I'm so optimistic about the future.

[PatrickAWlson]

 

 

If you are reading Pat - Many many thanks - this looks real good 

 

Thanks.  I was reading posts on various "I want this in a campaign" threads, I would argue that PWCG has 90% of what people are asking for.  Some people have a tough time with the fact that it is not integrated into the game, but if alt-tab doesn't bug you then PWCG should serve quite nicely.  Others don't like the graphics - point taken - but even those are easily changeable.  

 

Beyond that, it generates realistic missions, keeps track of squadron mates, keeps tabs on former squadron mates (if you transfer back into an old squadron your old mates will still be there - at least the ones that are still alive), has AI pilot learning, offers the ability to move to any unit, offers a continuous career that goes as far as the maps and planes allow, medals, promotions, no mission do overs, lots of mission randomization, etc.  If there is something that you feel should be there post a suggestion.  I work on it almost every day and i have been quite willing to do major refactoring if an idea warrants it.

[Danziger]

This is also what I had been missing most. This is how it is with most games today. Nobody has to write a story because all anyone wants is to go online and run around in circles killing each other over and over. I wasted my money on Red Orchestra Heroes of Stalingrad thinking about how awesome it was going to be. They didn't even make the SP campaign playable... I am still hoping the guys making Verdun can be convinced to do a proper SP storied campaign. 

 

PWCG has fixed the problem with SP experience and I think the new official campaign will be awesome as well. It is good to see the SP side of things getting some attention. 

[PatrickAWlson]

P.S. a good example of if you post it I'll listen: Feathered_IV suggested more variability in briefings.  Great idea!  I'm gong to do that.  I have already extended the timeline of Moscow and Stalingrad such that you can fly outside of the battle period.  I can now make context specific briefings for the map and time and combine that with the standard mission briefing.

 

Then I can take it a bit further.  I did something over the last couple of days that greatly increases the size of the ground forces.  I can create large scale battles during actual battles and smaller ones during quieter times.  Then vary the briefing based on the scope of the action as well as the historical context.  It's doable.  The mission text will still repeat, but hopefully it will be worth reading.

 

Last is to sequence the briefing.  Start with the briefing, move to the map, then finish with pilot selection.  Give players the feel of a briefing and make them pay at least a little attention

Edited October 7, 2016 by PatrickAWlson

[BMW801]

Patrick, your work is superb!

Thanks for all you have done

[Bando]

I agree with BMW801.

 

Thank you Patrick.

[snoopy-joe]

P.S. a good example of if you post it I'll listen: Feathered_IV suggested more variability in briefings.  Great idea!  I'm gong to do that.  I have already extended the timeline of Moscow and Stalingrad such that you can fly outside of the battle period.  I can now make context specific briefings for the map and time and combine that with the standard mission briefing.

 

Then I can take it a bit further.  I did something over the last couple of days that greatly increases the size of the ground forces.  I can create large scale battles during actual battles and smaller ones during quieter times.  Then vary the briefing based on the scope of the action as well as the historical context.  It's doable.  The mission text will still repeat, but hopefully it will be worth reading.

 

Last is to sequence the briefing.  Start with the briefing, move to the map, then finish with pilot selection.  Give players the feel of a briefing and make them pay at least a little attention

This sounds fantastic

Cheers Pat 

[MadisonV44]

Many Thanks Patrick.

Great additions !

Edited October 8, 2016 by MadisonV44