SDK and importing custom vehicles into IL2 feature

[=KG76=flyus747]

Hi everyone,

 

Back in 2016 when Kuban was announced alongside a string of other additional features, two that really caught my attention was the "SDK for Vehicles...and other objects" and "ability for players to import vehicles...like ROF"

Technology and Features:

- DX11 - VR (with existing GUI)

- New Career for Kuban, Moscow, Stalingrad (ROF-like)

- Scripted Campaign game mode with first Campaign of 15 missions. Community can add their own scripted Campaigns later.

- CO-OP Multiplayer Game Mode (ROF-like to start)

-Air Marshall and Field Marshall modes for MP. (i.e. HQ-ATC-GCI type screen to manage a battle with realistic limited info)

- In-Game Model-Viewer (tool for skin makers)

- Mods On/Off Mode (As open as possible including sounds and textures)

- Support for Tacview

- Rear View Mirrors

- Re-vamped Triple Monitor Support

- External Gauges API for app makers

- Ability for Players to Import Vehicles and Objects (Like ROF)

- SDK for Vehicles, Buildings, Boats and other Objects

- Custom Graphics Settings Options

 

 

 

Of course, by now, a plethora of these features have or are already in the final stages of being implemented, but one that we haven't really heard about is that SDK for vehicles.

 

The reason it caught my attention was because I had long envisioned a day where this generation of IL2 would enable us to fly those large strategic bombers of WWII, but judging by the current and planned "Battle of..." additions, these long range A/C won't really have a place in those games.  Personally, I'd like to one day see the finest WWII bomber simulation and at the moment, it seems no one else can pull this off better than IL2 and its community.  

 

Walking around the cabin, fixing wires lol.  And then after you're done playing, you're sweaty and like "fuck, I do not wanna be in there again."  Yeah, I know I'll keep dreamin' for awhile, that is...unless the SDK and ability to import models features being planned enables the community to do just that: create and add their own aircraft into the game.  How did you guys react to seeing this?  Will this SDK, in short, revive the era of modding IL2?  Produce large scale aerial combat, epic singplayer focused gameplay etc....?  

 

I mean right now I really like the direction the series is headed in, but SP definitely feels like its behind MP in the race.  Of course the future career mode aims to fix some of that, I'm sure us members of the community will still like to create and play some of our own custom missions and thus breath life into SP.  That was my take from reading those notes.  Did the devs or anyone else talk about this because it seemed like something that quickly flew under the bridge as everyone was hyped for a Midway or Kuban and new planes etc...

 

 

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

flybys, heavy bombers are far out because of technology problems. A 10-man aircraft means calculating 10 AI crewmembers per aircraft, in a formation of twenty for example. It's very CPU heavy.

[Yogiflight]

 

 

flybys, heavy bombers are far out because of technology problems. A 10-man aircraft means calculating 10 AI crewmembers per aircraft, in a formation of twenty for example. It's very CPU heavy.

This, plus vehicles are trucks, tanks and so on. I think it was Jason, who made it very clear, that they won't open the door for aircrafts, built by the community, as their standarts for aircrafts are too high, to let them be built by someone outside the developer team.

[Ribbon]

Taking in consideration dev team is working overtime and missing workpower i'm sure devs would do that if somebody give them funds to do that and hire more personel, few millions for a start should do the job.

I like the idea but that amount of work CIG with Star Citizen (200-300devs and 150mil. $) is struggling so i wouldn't expect it at all since we are small community suporting this game.

These devs are already supermans!

[Jade_Monkey]

If you are talented enough to make vehicles then check this out:

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/forum/108-jobs-contractors-and-content-creators/

[6./ZG26_McKvack]

This, plus vehicles are trucks, tanks and so on. I think it was Jason, who made it very clear, that they won't open the door for aircrafts, built by the community, as their standarts for aircrafts are too high, to let them be built by someone outside the developer team.

 

I am pretty sure that if someone had the talent and did it then they would welcome it but the chance for that is very low and I guess they dont have time to help fans create such planes with high quality. 

[216th_Jordan]

Also they would not reveal their FM technology. This technology is one of their key technologies. They surely don't hand out such a technology to anyone without a contract and lots of money.

 

Vehicles on the other side....the more the merrier!

 

I do deeply hope however that ways can be found in the future to be able to create CPU efficient multicrew planes.

Edited August 27, 2017 by 216th_Jordan

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

The plan is to eventually make better use of multithreading which will considerably improve computing performance.

[Guest deleted@30725]

A plane that complex to build would certainly cost a lot more and take a lot more dev resources, but low flyovers would be fun.

 

 

 

User created planes for this sim is a really bad idea and creating multiple new environments would not fit with the themes of each release. Each plane set is tailored to each map to represent each theater. Producers would have to check, test and evaluate every submission for quality purposes as adding an open section and allowing these user creations online could be a game breaking nightmare.

 

Potentially people could submit their 3d renders of planes, but someone still has to quality check them.

 

I think the fantasy is of having a swarm of b17s supported by mustangs being attacked by 109s and being multi crewed. That's a pretty big step from what we have now.

 

Never is too broad a statement, but soon is more unlikely.

 

I've always gone on about how Il2 bos / bom crafts an atmosphere and it's been it's biggest selling point. The planes, the landscape and themes all combine for a whole experience. I've never played it just because of the plane in question. I'd lament the loss of atmosphere having a bunch of random planes in a random map, but then I'm not a fanboy of any one plane. I've seen most of these planes in real life static and flying and that's been a bigger joy than I can ever get playing them in a video game.

 

I guess we all have different dreams and that's OK. Some dreams do come true.

Edited August 28, 2017 by deleted@30725

[Jason_Williams]

We have no SDKs at the moment and the ones we planned are way behind schedule due to slow downs in other areas. When we have more information on this subject we'll share. We never intended to allow users to make flyable airplanes. We only make planes ourselves or with qualified professionals. Tanks, trucks, guns, buildings, boats, ships and other objects are what we are referring to. If someone talented creates a model that meets our standards and submits to us we will consider adding it. We have done this previously in ROF. We are surprised at the lack of interest in doing this for Sturmovik. We've always left the door open for talented people to do this.  

 

Anyways, that's the status of this topic and I don't plan to comment further at this point. There is no need to get into a big discussion over it, but I will move this topic to its appropriate area of the forum. 

 

Jason

[Mesha44]

 

 

We are surprised at the lack of interest in doing this for Sturmovik. We've always left the door open for talented people to do this.  

 

 

I have already started working on an Australian Merchants ship, I can probably have it done by the time BoMidway comes out.  Now that I can see the types of large ships in the Kuban set, I think this is a simple project and I look forward to anything you put out that will make the process move along.

 

Any hints at the poly limits would be great.  Otherwise I will plug along at a snails pace and hope to be done with it next year some time.

[OrLoK]

Thanks for the clarification, Jason. i got the wrong end of the stick from previous posts and thought it meant plans were afoot to allow modding for aircraft. I know know better! I do hope some decent modellers apply for your vehicle jobs though. Id love to see some more high quality tanks in game.