How is the MP Scene?

[Porkins]

I am a BoS owner and am considering pre-ordering BoK. If I do, it'll be to play multiplayer and really throw myself into it, which I didn't touch in BoS.

 

So my question is, what's the MP scene like in the series now? Are there plenty of servers with people playing, and if so do you expect that for the foreseeable future? Is it correct that all 3 games (BoS, BoM, BoK) combine for MP?

Thanks,

Porkins

[ShamrockOneFive]

It's growing. I used to login and not find people frequently but after a few years the numbers are up, servers are plentiful and there are busy times where there's lots of activity.

 

Great example of multiplayer action comes from one of CheckSix's most recent video:

 

 

For multiplayer the devs have been really smart. Regardless of what you own, you can fly on any map in multiplayer. You're only restricted by the airplanes you own. So you can login now and check it out and probably even go flying. BoM and BoK just add to the experience and give you more options in multiplayer.

[Field-Ops]

On weekends I see 2-3 full servers at a time with the next 10 on the list having between 10-20 people. On weekdays its a different story with the top server having half players and the next 5 having 5-10 players. Its very engaging though and each server has its own rules and setup for a campaign like round. Limits to the number of aircrafts available, locked mods for certain vehicles, aircraft types limited to the time frame, etc. Its pretty diverse, but not all over the drawing board with the game modes. 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Also keep in mind that this is not like the other online games which initially have millions of players only to disappear within a month. BoX has had some sort of activity for years.

 

With exciting additions planned for the next two years, Il-2 is likely to live on for a very long time.

[7.GShAP/Silas]

It's better than it's ever been.  And with the next iteration of the Random Expert dynamic campaign server under development, that should nicely expand the hardcore server ecosystem.  Regarding the future, if you're into WW2 combat flight simming online there's really nowhere else to go so that should help ensure a long-term healthy MP population.

[VeryOldMan]

I am a BoS owner and am considering pre-ordering BoK. If I do, it'll be to play multiplayer and really throw myself into it, which I didn't touch in BoS.

 

So my question is, what's the MP scene like in the series now? Are there plenty of servers with people playing, and if so do you expect that for the foreseeable future? Is it correct that all 3 games (BoS, BoM, BoK) combine for MP?

 

Thanks,

Porkins

 

During weekends   in fact sometimes is hard to find a free slot on the  most popular servers.

[Finkeren]

MP takes up most of my flying time at the moment. MP is good enough as is, though coop is what’s going to take it to the next level.

[Tomsk]

MP takes up most of my flying time at the moment. MP is good enough as is, though coop is what’s going to take it to the next level.

 

I think coop is such a good idea for bringing new players to the scene. Personally I don't get that much out of SP, I like flying with other people, and I think many other people feel like this. However, competitive MP can get pretty brutal and the standard is very high. It took me a long time before I was no longer "fodder". The great thing about coop is that stronger pilots can fly with new pilots and both can have a great experience, I've experienced this first hand flying co-op in DCS .. even though DCS is in many ways a terrible co-op experience (the AI is dreadful).

[SYN_Mike77]

What time zone are you in? When in that time zone are you planning on playing? This matters a great deal.

Edited November 27, 2017 by SYN_Mike77

[DakkaDakkaDakka]

Being in California, GMT -7/8, is just about the worst of all possible timezones for server populations across all the MP flight sims I've played, and I find that BoX has the most consistent population by far.

 

And it's growing, as others have noted.

 

War Thunder is of course much higher, but if you were interested in flying an airplane with your mouse and keyboard, you probably wouldn't be here in the first place.

 

Anyways, when I re-started my flight simming hobby with Rise of Flight in 2011, I have played almost exclusively MP. The biggest advice I can give for improving in the often brutal world of MP is this:

 

1) Don't get angry. Success will come through study, consistent practice, and patience. Every failure is an opportunity to learn what you did wrong. Don't waste it on an emotional reaction, be grateful your flaws were highlighted and learn from it.

2) Use the vast number of high quality resources available online to learn about ACM (air combat maneuvering) and practice applying these tactics in MP.

3) Practice your gunnery. Ground targets are great for this, and study the 1943 RAF gunnery manual "Bag the Hun" (this was invaluable for me).

4) Use TeamSpeak to coordinate with others (most servers with have a dedicated TS for this purpose)

5) Join a virtual squadron. There's no replacement for teamwork in air combat.

6) Find your niche. Not everyone enjoys being a fighter jock. Ground pounding and level bombing are what win the maps, not K:D ratios.

 

Good luck, welcome!

Edited November 27, 2017 by DakkaDakkaDakka

[Porkins]

What time zone are you in? When in that time zone are you planning on playing? This matters a great deal.

I'm CST, and would likely play around 7:00 PM CST on the weekdays, but much more frequently on the weekends, anytime from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

[Porkins]

Thanks all for the replies. As a bit of a niche title PC gamer, I have learned that a game with 200-500 dedicated players online is often better than 50,000 of the "general public" playing online. As long as there are enough players to reliably fill up a few servers at any given time, I'm happy. I also do expect to see a rise in activity once Kuban is released. I thought BoM was a bit of a misstep in terms of commercial appeal after BoS, but Kuban looks absolutely gorgeous (and geographically unique), and the plane set is very hard to resist. 

[Jade_Monkey]

I've noticed it's been significantly better lately.

 

WOL is always packed, and TAW and Finnish virtual pilots (my new favorite) are looking pretty busy lately.

 

There are more that are half full as well. Coconut has a campaign server that i have yet to try.

[1./KG4_Blackwolf]

Finnish is great, we spend a lot of time there and Coconuts as well.