To fly or not to fly

[canadiantrout]

Hello gents.  My name is Trout and I've been flying since the original box release IL2 Sturmovik days.   I flew with the DD (Danger Dogz) and the 69.GiAP.  Have participated in and helped run may SEOW campaigns.  The glory days of gaming.

 

I see IL2 has several versions out now (BoM, BoS, CLoD etc) and myself and a few friends are thinking about dusting off our flight goggles and jumping in again.  My questions are: 

 

- Just how active is the IL2 community now?   Lots of players?

 

- Is SEOW still a thing?  Or is there something newer? 

 

-Which IL2 has the biggest player base and/or which one should I buy?  I see some of the games only come with like 8 planes.  Is there more than that available?  Download?  purchase? 

 

I really appreciate your replies and hope to see you in the air soon.   <Preferably in front of me, not behind me>

 

S~

 

Trout.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Hey canadiantrout! (fellow Canuck here)

 

Yeah things got a little confusing there for a bit but we're on a pretty solid path now. There is IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover. That was the last game released by the original Maddox games crew before they disbanded. Cliffs was a bit of a disaster on release but third party efforts have made it more playable and Team Fusion (the third party team) now has some access to the source code so they are continuing to work on that.

 

After Cliffs of Dover, the Rise of Flight team (now under the banner of 1CGS) was given the go-ahead to develop new IL-2 content and they brought considerable expertise to the fore with their team. IL-2: Battle of Stalingrad was the first in that series, IL-2: Battle of Moscow was the second and IL-2: Battle of Kuban is the third. Each of those three comes with 8 planes each plus 2 collector aircraft in the Premium release (or purchased separately). There have also been two collector planes that were released independently.

 

The full list is here: https://il2sturmovik.com/about/

 

It's a little lower in number than what we got used to with IL-2: Forgotten Battles and the like BUT... these aircraft are modeled to a pretty high standard and there are some aircraft that are listed singly with the new product that were broke out into separate types in the old IL-2. E.x the MiG-3 comes with several armament variations that were individually divided in the original IL-2 (into at least 3 aircraft there... all in one aircraft with modifications in the new IL-2).

 

If you can wait... Jump in during a sale. If not I'd maybe start with IL-2: Battle of Stalingrad and then purchase what you want later on.

 

Battle of Kuban is set to release in December of this year (early access is happening right now so pre-order people get new content as its finished) and the big announcement is that the series will be doing some Pacific scenarios as well with Battle of Midway and Battle of Okinawa confirmed for future development. Pretty exciting time to jump in!

[BlitzPig_Bill_Kelso]

I fly CloD and BoX often as I enjoy both of them

[JG13_opcode]

Hello gents.  My name is Trout and I've been flying since the original box release IL2 Sturmovik days.   I flew with the DD (Danger Dogz) and the 69.GiAP.  Have participated in and helped run may SEOW campaigns.  The glory days of gaming.

 

I see IL2 has several versions out now (BoM, BoS, CLoD etc) and myself and a few friends are thinking about dusting off our flight goggles and jumping in again.  My questions are: 

 

- Just how active is the IL2 community now?   Lots of players?

 

- Is SEOW still a thing?  Or is there something newer? 

 

-Which IL2 has the biggest player base and/or which one should I buy?  I see some of the games only come with like 8 planes.  Is there more than that available?  Download?  purchase? 

 

I really appreciate your replies and hope to see you in the air soon.   <Preferably in front of me, not behind me>

 

S~

 

Trout.

Camps are kinda divided between CLOD and BOS. Personally, I think BOS has much better physics modelling and is the better sim overall. The multiplayer scene is not nearly as big as the glory days of 1946 but it's been growing slowly and steadily over the last 6 months or so. New improvements (and Battle of Kuban) for this sim are coming down the pipe that should really boost numbers. BOM and BOS merge together to make one game, much like the old sim but without the hassle of having to worry about installation order. Yes, they only have a handful of planes but if you flew 69GIAP you'll love the Yak1b in this sim. I feel like a god when I fly it. They periodically release collector planes on an individual basis. Keep in mind this is still a pretty young sim so it's still growing.

 

SEOW is not a thing right now because Co-ops are not a feature in this game yet. If you go look through the dev diary you will see they are adding that feature sometime this year.

Edited February 28, 2017 by JG13_opcode

[1./KG4_Blackwolf]

Hey Trout! I seem to remember you from way back in the day! So S! my friend. I'd say get them all. BOS, BOM, BOK is just great. The eye candy and the physics are just top shelf. Clod is great too. Now that Team fusion has the code for it I look for good things in the future from it.  SEOW may not be a thing now but there are many squads in here that do something like that in multi player. Bomber nights, grudge matches and so on. My old Nemesis, The Menacing Ferrets have come over from Warbirds to BOS. (sorry MF, once an Avenger, always one. )  It takes some time to get used to the new set up screens, its not like old IL2, but once you do its no big deal and well worth the money for the fun. So jump in the water is just fine.

BK. 

[hames123]

I play Il2 BOS and not Clod because BOS is newer, and I prefer ground attack to fighters and stuff. However, I am British, and CLOD is now run by the Team Fusion people, and they have big events every now and then, like the ATAG missions, that might need someone like you to make. It really depends on what you are more interested in.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

Flay or not to fly - Just try!

[Scojo]

If you like combat flight sims, I would suggest getting whichever expansion for BoX appeals to you most as far as plane set goes. Then buy CloD since it's cheap and very much worth the money. You'll like both and before long you'll have all of the extra content as well.

 

If I had to choose, though, I'd choose one of the BoXs

Edited February 28, 2017 by 71st_AH_Scojo

[Scojo]

The community is growing. The more people, the faster it will grow, I think!

 

A few servers are almost always pretty well populated and right now we have a decent mix of different types of servers.

 

Check out the mission making section to find a lot of good missions made by the community you could fly.

 

There's also PWCG for added single player fun!

[canadiantrout]

Thanks for the replies lads!  S~

 

So it appears BoS it is.  Maybe others down the road.  Thanks for the suggestions and comments.  Just a couple more questions:

 

- I just simply have to have a FW.... so why is BoS worth $80 on the IL2 site but $100 on Steam.  Is there a difference?

 

- I can't remember the second question....

 

- Anyone know where I stashed my TrackIR few years ago?

 

S~

 

Trout

[Scojo]

Thanks for the replies lads!  S~

 

So it appears BoS it is.  Maybe others down the road.  Thanks for the suggestions and comments.  Just a couple more questions:

 

- I just simply have to have a FW.... so why is BoS worth $80 on the IL2 site but $100 on Steam.  Is there a difference?

 

- I can't remember the second question....

 

- Anyone know where I stashed my TrackIR few years ago?

 

S~

 

Trout

Maybe it's due to markup for using their system and advertising? I don't know for sure

 

For the FW, look into just preordering BoK. Any of the expansions can be standalone, including Kuban and they just released the FW-190 A-5 today for Kuban, so you'd instantly have it! At the very least you could buy the A-3.

 

Track IR sounds like the best reason possible to swim through all the clutter we humans create lol

[canadiantrout]

Thanks.  I know us "purists" who love a real tactical flight sim are in a minority.  I hope there are populated servers for me and my friends to join.  We fly North American times.  

 

It's either CLoD or BoS..... we'll see when I whip out my credit card.  

[Gambit21]

I wouldn't bother with CloD.

This sim is the way to go - especially with Kuban on the way.

[Scojo]

Thanks.  I know us "purists" who love a real tactical flight sim are in a minority.  I hope there are populated servers for me and my friends to join.  We fly North American times.  

 

It's either CLoD or BoS..... we'll see when I whip out my credit card.  

Wings of Liberty will be well populated for you most nights then.

 

But if you're more of a "purist" then you're looking for Random Expert or TAW. Those are both doing pretty well on NA times. However you may not be able to fly on TAW with just BoS until the campaign moves into later dates with planes you do have.

 

Have fun! and I'll join you if you ever need a wingman and you see me on

[canadiantrout]

I've heard that there is not many players on NA times for the BoX games..... now totaly confused. lol

[SC_Manu653]

I've heard that there is not many players on NA times for the BoX games..... now totaly confused. lol

 

We have players on NA time too don't worry.

[JG13_opcode]

I've heard that there is not many players on NA times for the BoX games..... now totaly confused. lol

I'm Canadian and I've been unable to get into the big servers due to them all being full during our primetime more than once.

[canadiantrout]

I'm Canadian and I've been unable to get into the big servers due to them all being full during our primetime more than once.

 

Thank bro.  Well guess I'll have to buy both games to cover my ass.   For BoS are "the big servers" all hosted in EU?  How's lag etc??

[TheElf]

Thank bro.  Well guess I'll have to buy both games to cover my ass.   For BoS are "the big servers" all hosted in EU?  How's lag etc??

 

 

DD_Trout,

 

I remember you from the Old IL-2: 1946 days.

 

I've been flying Il-2 Sturmovik now since it opened early access.  Let me tell you we have come a LONG way.

 

The Western Population is growing.  There are several groups that fly consistently with North American players.  I'm West Coast US and I fly generally in the evenings when the Europeans are bedding down for the night.  Easier to get on, crowd is a little more laid back, but sometimes it can feel as though you are hunting for a needle in the haystack; typically mid to low 20s per side, which is respectable.  I personally haven't played much this last month, as I go in cycles.

 

Weekends, it can be all the action you want, as most everybody is playing at all hours so Online play, Primarily on the Wings Of Liberty Server, is high tempo and the Europeans and Russians are on in full force.  You better bring your "A" game and a wingman or 4.  You'll need both!  No lone Wolfing unless you are really good.

 

In addition to the come as you are servers, there are a few Event/Campaign Servers.  TAW (Tactical Air War) is one that I personally support, though the current campaign I am not participating in.  They run a Historically based campaign with score tracking and Hangar aircraft that advance as the maps are won/lost.  You might start out in a Moscow Era Campaign flying MiGs, Ratas, and E-7s, and then be given LAGGs, F-2s, and such as the war progresses.  The TAW campaign can last several weeks, and go about a month between bouts.  Lots of fun, and totally objective based and self-preservation based.  You don't even want to nick your prop on landing or you'll lose a valuable aircraft.  My kind of Server!

 

Additionally there are a few North American Servers.  One is The Eagle's Nest provided by The Wet Bandits [TWB].  I fly with these guys all the time.  Great group, great leadership, all on TS3, typically on the leaderboards in most servers and TAW events.  Their fledgling server is being designed by Sketch, who has done some really nice work with maps and objectives trying to condense the play area for more suitable NA play with lower numbers.  The rest tend to be squad training servers with small groups of Squaddies training together.  If any new servers have popped up recently I am not aware of them.

 

Latency IS and issue for me personally, as unscientifically we think Packet loss is a at play when we make solid attacks and see very little damage done, and then still have to fight a bandit that should be dead.  Time to kill becomes a problem, and you know what happens when you take too long to get that bandit to lay down....

 

I hope the NA crowd continues to grow and we can seed some popular NA servers where latency issues are less noticeable.  Perhaps as news of some US/UK Lend lease aircraft in the works for Kuban gets out and buzz around the Battle Of Midway which is slated to follow Kuban grows.  As it stands now latency an server population it isn't a game breaker for European Servers, just a little annoying.

 

Hope this helps!  And welcome back to IL-2!

[canadiantrout]

Hi Elf I remember you too!  Thanks for the informative post man!   It was SEOW that kept me in IL2 for a looong time.  Sometimes pub servers just get boring.  So TAW sounds interesting.  I have a lot of rust to break off before that happens though.   Thanks again, see you soon

 

S~ Trout

[ShamrockOneFive]

Thank bro.  Well guess I'll have to buy both games to cover my ass.   For BoS are "the big servers" all hosted in EU?  How's lag etc??

 

A lot of them are but for me I've had no lag related trouble at all (GTA area here) flying on EU servers. I'm not sure where Wings of Liberty is but I've found it busy most of the time... actually nearly all of the time recently.

 

Player numbers are rising with the new IL-2 in the online world. Come and join us for sure!

[SharpeXB]

Although Cliffs of Dover has been plagued by trouble since it's launch, it will now get new official development by 1CGS along with Team Fusion. So all the IL-2 games are now supported by the same company.

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/26758-1c-game-studios-cooperate-team-fusion-il-2-sturmovik-cliffs/?p=422861

[=EXPEND=CG_Justin]

I wouldn't bother with CloD.

This sim is the way to go - especially with Kuban on the way.

 

Personally, I own both and love each of them for their pro's and cons. To me, the price of CLoD alone makes it silly not to own it. It really is a very good sim now, and with TF getting the official nod to continue development, I am glad I do own it so I don't miss out on TF 5.0 and North Afrika. Good things are coming down the pipe for good ole CLoD. I wouldn't be so hasty as to write it off yet.

[TP_Silk]

Hi Trout.

 

With regards to BoS, BoM and BoK (and future developments) you can think of them as plane sets or content access licenses rather than separate games. The basic situation is that when you buy one you are buying a license to access a certain slice of content. You can now fly on any available map with whichever plane set you buy.

 

When it comes to collectors planes there are two ways to get them. Each BoX title has two collectors planes attached to it if you buy the Premium edition as follows:

Battle of Stalingrad - FW190-A3 and La-5

Battle of Moscow - Mc-202 and P40

Battle of Kuban - Hs-129 and Spitfire Vb (neither of which is yet released)

Version independant - Ju52, Yak1b

 

The other way to get collectors planes is to buy them stand-alone and just get the 'normal' versions of the plane set/BoX version that you like.

 

More details here https://il2sturmovik.com/about/

 

In general you can think of BoM plane set is based around 1941 aircraft, BoS plane set is based around 1942 aircraft and BoK plane set is based around 1943 aircraft. This is very much a generalism.

[Dakpilot]

The fact that you are able to fly on all maps in MP even if you only own one of the modules was a very good idea to help with MP fragmentation, seeing as many of the aircraft are historically applicable over a long time frame on Eastern front

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[Scojo]

Thank bro.  Well guess I'll have to buy both games to cover my ass.   For BoS are "the big servers" all hosted in EU?  How's lag etc??

I personally don't have any problems...

 

However, some people with slower intrawebz occasionally get kicked or notice some slow down when it does happen.

 

If you have bad latency on games that have NA servers, you may experience some issues. I hope they get NA servers at some point

 

For reference my ping to NA servers in other games is around 30-50 I think, and in this game the servers are all roughly 150. I've never been kicked due to bad ping. The limit for that seems to be 250+

[JG13_opcode]

Thank bro. Well guess I'll have to buy both games to cover my ass. For BoS are "the big servers" all hosted in EU? How's lag etc??

I ping in the 100-150 millisecond range to Wings of Liberty and the other big servers except for Berloga, which is hosted in Russia and I ping 200+ to it. Up to about 150 ms, making snapshots is still possible. On Berloga I find it's literally hit and miss.

 

It makes gunnery hard on Berloga but warping and lag on the other servers is infrequent. There's a separate issue related to server overloading that also causes warping but that's a problem with the server executable and not a network problem. You'll see that when the player count gets above 80.

 

This game does in fact need some North American servers running full switch settings (or nearly full switch). No denying that fact. I've never seen more than 4 players on The Eagle's Nest except once.

Edited March 1, 2017 by JG13_opcode

[Brownshortz]

Like the OP....I bought the original IL2 and spent many fun hours in MP back in the day. So when I saw a new SIM by the same people I quickly parted with the cash and installed it. Unfortunately being in Australia with this game really sucks as far as MP goes as local servers seem to be few and far between, and the ping to European and American ones is usually in the 250-350 range. Love the SP experience though.....great sim....just wish more people played it over here.

[Gambit21]

Personally, I own both and love each of them for their pro's and cons. To me, the price of CLoD alone makes it silly not to own it. It really is a very good sim now, and with TF getting the official nod to continue development, I am glad I do own it so I don't miss out on TF 5.0 and North Afrika. Good things are coming down the pipe for good ole CLoD. I wouldn't be so hasty as to write it off yet.

 

I appreciate that.

I purchased CloD on the day it was released and I still have the disk right here in my drawer.

It wouldn't even boot up properly - thus was immediately uninstalled and I haven't messed with it since.

It left a foul taste in my mouth and for years I felt like I was owed $50.

Maybe I'll give it a whirl again down the road, but with PTO coming I doubt it.

[=IL2AU=chappyj]

Like the OP....I bought the original IL2 and spent many fun hours in MP back in the day. So when I saw a new SIM by the same people I quickly parted with the cash and installed it. Unfortunately being in Australia with this game really sucks as far as MP goes as local servers seem to be few and far between, and the ping to European and American ones is usually in the 250-350 range. Love the SP experience though.....great sim....just wish more people played it over here.

 

 

hey brown. quite a few of AU NZ players are around now. we manage to make the EU pings work generally we don't find them too terrible. There is a bit of gauging as to whether theres appetite for an AU server and giving that some serious consideration.

[LLv24_SukkaVR]

I appreciate that.

I purchased CloD on the day it was released and I still have the disk right here in my drawer.

It wouldn't even boot up properly - thus was immediately uninstalled and I haven't messed with it since.

It left a foul taste in my mouth and for years I felt like I was owed $50.

Maybe I'll give it a whirl again down the road, but with PTO coming I doubt it.

 

Give it a try with Team Fusion patch http://teamfusion.theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/

[Roo5ter]

Hi Elf I remember you too!  Thanks for the informative post man!   It was SEOW that kept me in IL2 for a looong time.  Sometimes pub servers just get boring.  So TAW sounds interesting.  I have a lot of rust to break off before that happens though.   Thanks again, see you soon

 

S~ Trout

A few months ago I kicked off the rust and I am absolutely loving it.  I used to prefer CloD but now BoS has definitely progressed to the dominant sim.  If you get CloD on a Steam sale you can pay $5 so I would suggest you do that just for the hell of it.  It is a great sim and good things are coming!

 

That being said, more than happy to help you with any questions you have.  Just shoot me a PM on the forums and I am sure I can answer the vast majority of questions you have, even if it is as small as problems on taxi or engine settings.  I fly everything but the Macchi.

[Czar66]

There's no loss adding a sim next to another. Fly both.