I wish there was a test flight option

[=X51=VC_]

For collector planes and planes from expansions you don't own. Not a fancy new feature, just have them all available, but only in the simplest "just your plane" option from the quick mission menu. No combat, nothing more. Would be great to be able to get a feel before you buy.

Edited January 27, 2018 by VC_

[Blackhawk_FR]

+1

[BMA_Hellbender]

This will never happen as it would cut into their revenue. I would say that wanting to test fly a plane is a valid reason to spend a couple of bucks. Which one do you have in mind?

 

Thankfully they’re moving away from this model and Flying Circus (“Rise of Flight 2.0”) will have plane packages rather than individual plane purchases (unless we also get additional collector planes sold separately).

[FuriousMeow]

-1

[Bilbo_Baggins]

-1 here too.

 

Christ, 10 or 20 bucks isn't a lot of money, especially considering the effort and accuracy that has gone into these airframes. 10 or 20 bucks is the price of a couple of beers with the lads on any night for heaven's sake! 

 

If you're really that poor, there are always some good folks handing out charity collector airframes every so often. Ask for one if you're really keen- you never know who might help you out!

 

Cheers 

Edited January 27, 2018 by Mcdaddy

[56RAF_Roblex]

If you want to know if they are any good then fight against them 

[=X51=VC_]

This will never happen as it would cut into their revenue. I would say that wanting to test fly a plane is a valid reason to spend a couple of bucks. Which one do you have in mind?

 

Thankfully they’re moving away from this model and Flying Circus (“Rise of Flight 2.0”) will have plane packages rather than individual plane purchases (unless we also get additional collector planes sold separately).

 

It might actually increase their revenue. A couple of circuits of the airfield and some aerobatics won't be enough to satisfy most people, you could even hard time limit it to say, not more than 15 minutes total in a plane you don't own. But if the option is there when bored people might eventually try everything, and once they tried they might even buy something they otherwise wouldn't even have looked twice at.

 

 

-1 here too.

 

Christ, 10 or 20 bucks isn't a lot of money, especially considering the effort and accuracy that has gone into these airframes. 10 or 20 bucks is the price of a couple of beers with the lads on any night for heaven's sake! 

 

If you're really that poor, there are always some good folks handing out charity collector airframes every so often. Ask for one if you're really keen- you never know!

 

Cheers 

 

I know collector planes aren't particularly expensive, I was thinking more the ones in other expansions. I'm not that fussed about campaign or flying bombers, so a full game price for a couple of extra fighters in my MP line-up (that I might end up not liking) is quite a bit harder to justify. Anyway it's not about not being poor or unwilling to spend to support the game, just thought it was a nice idea. Didn't expect that level of backlash...

[Herne]

If you enjoy the feeling of flight in IL2 you will enjoy the collector planes no matter what you buy. 

[Rjel]

I can't see this as a viable option either. Sometimes you just need to take a chance. So far, I haven't been disappointed in any of the planes in this series. Some I like flying far more than others but I enjoy having them available whenever I want to try something different. Their price points aren't so high that most would feel cheated if they found they didn't like them.

[ShamrockOneFive]

You know, in the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't be too difficult seeing as all of the content is already present.

 

VC, seeing as this probably isn't going to appear any time soon, is there a plane you're looking at that we can help with? The thing is that you can get a sense of a plane via YouTube videos, screenshots, and the like. If a sale is on then these planes drop to $9.99. That's cheaper than a burger at some places these days.

[EAF_51_FOX]

I agree with you VC. It is a great marketing idea. 15 min. flight time to test any new plane collector especially now that Battle Of Bodenplatte will arrive with a lot of new planes may be considered that not everyone will like all of them. moreover even DCS has given the opportunity to test flight with P51 unarmored. This kind of things should be ever well considered by Companies of games-sim market.

Edited January 27, 2018 by EAF_51_FOX

[=X51=VC_]

Thanks Shamrock but I didn't start this thread to request charity. I was just musing, I find the plane selection on early war maps a bit stale (not to mention airfield restricted) with just the BoS plane set but I haven't got a specific plane in mind to fill the gap, which gave me the idea it would be nice to try them all. Steam tends to have regular sales, if something tempts me I'll probably pick it up eventually. This really wasn't the reaction I was expecting to this thread.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Thanks Shamrock but I didn't start this thread to request charity. I was just musing, I find the plane selection on early war maps a bit stale (not to mention airfield restricted) with just the BoS plane set but I haven't got a specific plane in mind to fill the gap, which gave me the idea it would be nice to try them all. Steam tends to have regular sales, if something tempts me I'll probably pick it up eventually. This really wasn't the reaction I was expecting to this thread.

 

Fair enough. The devs also run sales through this site when the Steam sales are on and they sometimes run their own sales too. If that comes up I'd say just buy Battle of Moscow (for $25ish dollars) if you don't already have that. Not sure what you usually fly but that has a lot for everyone...  the Bf109E is very popular with some folks, the I-16 is a gem to fly, the MiG-3 is really cool, I love the Bf110, and the Ju88 is great for Moscow through Kuban if bombing is more your thing.

[CastorTroy]

A "test flight" option would be a welcome idea. Almost like a demo. Many games have demos btw. No need for the backlash.....

 

Maybe an empty map, and 30 mins flying time to take off, do some maneuvers, then land.

I am not poor, but I would not want to spend money on a plane I would never use or did not like.

 

You must be drinking cheap beer if you only spend 10 bucks on a couple with your "lads". LoL

Edited January 27, 2018 by CastorTroy

[Pupo]

I agree this would be a cool thing. Perhaps not available ALL the time. But similarly to how steam does "free-weekends". So you'd have a collector plane to try out for a couple of days. 

 

The veterans around here must realise that they have spent hundreds of euros in this game in a period of 3+ years. Newer players (or those returning to the game), currently have a store filled with over 10 different products they can't experiment with before buying. 

 

> You must be drinking cheap beer if you only spend 10 bucks on a couple with your "lads". 

 

Where I come from 0.5L beer is 1€, and so are most shots. So with 10 "bucks" I will definitely get completely destroyed.

[CastorTroy]

What type of beer tho? A cheap lager beer that was brewed for the masses,.... or say a good New England Style unfiltered IPA craft brew.

 

I can buy a beer as well "cheap" where I come from also, but I won't.

 

Same with shots....House or Premium? Are they both the same in price? I doubt it.

Edited January 27, 2018 by CastorTroy

[JtD]

Newer players (or those returning to the game), currently have a store filled with over 10 different products they can't experiment with before buying.

I hope there'll be packages in the future, maybe a 'Battles of the Eastern Front' in some time to come. To make it easier for new players to catch up.

[Thad]

For collector planes and planes from expansions you don't own. Not a fancy new feature, just have them all available, but only in the simplest "just your plane" option from the quick mission menu. No combat, nothing more. Would be great to be able to get a feel before you buy.

 

Fully agree with having a free flight option in the quick mission builder.... but only for craft you own (purchased).   

[Frenchy56]

Fully agree with having a free flight option in the quick mission builder.... but only for craft you own (purchased). 

We already have this though.

[ShamrockOneFive]

I agree this would be a cool thing. Perhaps not available ALL the time. But similarly to how steam does "free-weekends". So you'd have a collector plane to try out for a couple of days. 

 

The veterans around here must realise that they have spent hundreds of euros in this game in a period of 3+ years. Newer players (or those returning to the game), currently have a store filled with over 10 different products they can't experiment with before buying. 

 

> You must be drinking cheap beer if you only spend 10 bucks on a couple with your "lads". 

 

Where I come from 0.5L beer is 1€, and so are most shots. So with 10 "bucks" I will definitely get completely destroyed.

 

Spreading the money out over a few years definitely helps. I bought into BoS after the LaGG-3 was flyable but before it had guns so I'm pretty early on the adoption curve and have had way more time to spread things out.

 

For newbies I recommend starting slow rather than being overwhelmed by everything. Buy one pack and then slowly expand your collection from there. That's not exactly what VC is talking about though... He's just thinking about buying other aircraft and isn't sure if he'll like them. It's an interesting feature concept of trying the aircraft for 20 minutes or something in a non-combat way. Will they do it? Probably not and probably because it takes time to think something like this through that could be spent on something else. Still, it's an idea!

 

Also... Beer is cheap there eh?! If I go to a pub I'll be looking at $6 Canadian a pint for most craft beer options. Mind you... we have some seriously tasty brews around here. If I have two craft beers it will cost me more than a Collector Plane on sale. If I have 3 ... that's a Collector Plane not on sale

 

Fully agree with having a free flight option in the quick mission builder.... but only for craft you own (purchased). 

 

We already have that

Edited January 27, 2018 by ShamrockOneFive

[Field-Ops]

In the Bodenplatte announcement Jason mentioned a Great Battles Demo being considered. It wouldnt be for as much content as what you are requesting (demo of the collector planes) but would be enough to get new customers excited. A single plane and a single tank I think is what he considered.

 

To me, making collector planes "previewable" isnt as important as having a free demo for the masses who have not bought into any Great Battles series content. If you are interested in IL-2 content, enjoy your time flying, and have the extra money to get what you want I dont see any reason to need something more to get your attention than what you've learned about the plane from performance data or word of mouth on these forums. I'm no marketing major but I'm not sure a test drive is as impacting on collector plane sales as some would hope. 

[Rjel]

I agree this would be a cool thing. Perhaps not available ALL the time. But similarly to how steam does "free-weekends". So you'd have a collector plane to try out for a couple of days. 

 

The veterans around here must realise that they have spent hundreds of euros in this game in a period of 3+ years. Newer players (or those returning to the game), currently have a store filled with over 10 different products they can't experiment with before buying. 

 

> You must be drinking cheap beer if you only spend 10 bucks on a couple with your "lads". 

 

Where I come from 0.5L beer is 1€, and so are most shots. So with 10 "bucks" I will definitely get completely destroyed.

There was mention a while back about a demo. Whether it ever happens who knows?

 

As far as we "veterans" around here, it isn't as if this series was kept a secret for a select few who were invited in based on some greater entity. I fail to understand how our buying a premium plane or a campaign six months ago or yesterday makes a lick of difference. No one else knew before purchase how it or they would be. You can either use your knowledge of the plane or campaign from history, read a review from someone else who's already bought it or just take a great big leap of faith and try it out.

 

People keep complaining about wanting more planes, maps or some other feature. That's typically followed by a complaint about the price of the game and the statement "When's the next sale?" I like sales too but in this case it's a whole lot of different from other goods you might buy that way. Paper thin profit margins are keeping this development team afloat. So we hear and I tend to believe Jason when he's told us more or less that. To those of you who brag on how much you smoke and drink and the monies you spend on that, thinking the answer is waiting til the next sale to make every purchase here, let me leave you with this. You'll likely find this title on sale permanently as abandoned software on Steam someday. You know those titles right? The ones that just weren't the hit or didn't generate the sales dollars their publishers hoped for. I'll bet they slashed prices too hoping to bring in new people.      

[OrLoK]

Perhaps a time limited demo in a solo situation?

 

Although I'll buy pretty much any BoX plane my interest in an aircraft I probably wouldn't have considered  buying has been piqued by flying before I buy in the past.

Edited January 27, 2018 by OrLoK

[Pupo]

A demo would be really cool. I have several of friends who would like to try this game, but paying 60 euros to try something out is simply not reasonable.

 

 

 

He's just thinking about buying other aircraft and isn't sure if he'll like them. It's an interesting feature concept of trying the aircraft for 20 minutes or something in a non-combat way. Will they do it? Probably not and probably because it takes time to think something like this through that could be spent on something else. Still, it's an idea!

 

Another idea would be to have one single player mission available for each plane as a demo. Just like a drug dealer, the first ride is for free, but then you have pay. 

 

 

What type of beer tho? A cheap lager beer that was brewed for the masses,.... or say a good New England Style unfiltered IPA craft brew.

 

I can buy a beer as well "cheap" where I come from also, but I won't.

 

Same with shots....House or Premium? Are they both the same in price? I doubt it.

 

I'm from Portugal. The beer scene is really simple. There are 2 main beer brands that dominate (95+%) of the market. Unless you go to some fancy place, you won't find any hipster beers. The plus side is that the beer is pretty good, and pretty cheap. There is no such thing as premium or House shots either. 1€ Tequilla, vodka, jagermeister, etc...

 

Point is, I understand that for some of you 20€ is pocket change, but please consider that for some of us 20€ is 2-3 nights out with friends, or a fancy dinner with the girlfriend. One BoX pre-order is my entire budget for food for one month! 

 

Having the opportunity to try out the goods before making a decision would be a very welcomed feature for me. If you are ever in Lisbon, you can pay me a P40 and I will buy you all the alcohol you need for one night 

[56RAF_Roblex]

On the other hand,  a limited time on an aircraft that is a bit tricky to fly might stop someone buying a plane that they would otherwise have mastered and grown to love.  Especially if they try it without reading about its quirks first.

 

Imagine if someone tried out a P40 without reading up on how the engine should be looked after.  It would probably blow its engine 5 seconds after leaving the ground.  They might try another couple of times but then run out of time and give up and never buy it.

How about someone trying the FW190 and ending up spinning in circles as soon as they try to taxi or a 109 that wont turn right when taxiing?     Maybe the PE2 or Spitfire that never develops enough speed to take off because they do not know that these planes start with the pitch set at zero? 

Edited January 27, 2018 by 56RAF_Roblex

[OrLoK]

On the other hand,  a limited time on an aircraft that is a bit tricky to fly might stop someone buying a plane that they would otherwise have mastered and grown to love.  Especially if they try it without reading about its quirks first.

 

Imagine if someone tried out a P40 without reading up on how the engine should be looked after.  It would probably blow its engine 5 seconds after leaving the ground.  They might try another couple of times but then run out of time and give up and never buy it.

How about someone trying the FW190 and ending up spinning in circles as soon as they try to taxi or a 109 that wont turn right when taxiing?     Maybe the PE2 or Spitfire that never develops enough speed to take off because they do not know that these planes start with the pitch set at zero? 

hmmm, didnt think about that!

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

It will be interesting to see how they implement the demo. I hope that its flyable aircraft will be new to show the best of the series and not some rehash of Battle of Stalingrad. 

 

'Test flight' does not seem like the best idea. Quite a few people only buy planes with the intention to fly outside of combat for a while. Also, it is pleasing to have a game that is free of marketing material. 

 

You get exactly what you payed for, nothing more or less. This is in stark contrast to the f2p p2w nonsense that currently dominates everywhere else. 

[Rolling_Thunder]

 

 

and not some rehash of Battle of Stalingrad

wow.  

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

wow.  

Could you elaborate?

[Stig]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having the opportunity to try out the goods before making a decision would be a very welcomed feature for me. If you are ever in Lisbon, you can pay me a P40 and I will buy you all the alcohol you need for one night 

 

Check your PM

[Field-Ops]

Could you elaborate?

Having the Demo plane be a completely new one does not fit well with this teams limited time frame to make something for free. Id much rather it be one of the actual IL-2 planes already in the game. Probably the IL-2 1941 or 42.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Having the Demo plane be a completely new one does not fit well with this teams limited time frame to make something for free. Id much rather it be one of the actual IL-2 planes already in the game. Probably the IL-2 1941 or 42.

 

I should have been more clear with 'new'. I meant to say that it could be a relatively recent aircraft (Kuban or later), not built specifically for the demo. 

 

It just seems that the newer stuff is modelled to a higher standard. After three years, the maps look much better and aircraft are very polished. I can't help but think that this is what a demo should show off. 

[Rolling_Thunder]

The stalingrad map is getting a facelift. All the aircraft are subjected to the same FM updates. All the aircraft have 4K skins available for download. I don't know if you read the dev diaries but no part of this game is left behind and forgotten after release. Every aircraft is as "polished" as the next one. The stuka is as polished as the soon to be releases p39.

Thats what I ment by wow.

Edited January 28, 2018 by Rolling_Thunder

[Rolling_Thunder]

And 1 more thing.

When i wanted something and couldn't afford it I would save. I would improve my job prospects to be able to afford the things I wanted.

I dont want to sound like an old fart but JFC so many folk expect so much for so little around here.

Theres a demo comming.

[Danziger]

Don't the MP only crowd already get all the maps for free?

[Rolling_Thunder]

Don't the MP only crowd already get all the maps for free?

Exactly.

$50 for 8, count them 8, aircraft and a map is a pretty good deal.

[ShamrockOneFive]

I should have been more clear with 'new'. I meant to say that it could be a relatively recent aircraft (Kuban or later), not built specifically for the demo. 

 

It just seems that the newer stuff is modelled to a higher standard. After three years, the maps look much better and aircraft are very polished. I can't help but think that this is what a demo should show off. 

 

That's actually not the case with this series. A couple of great examples are things like the new Career mode which will be available for Moscow, Stalingrad and Kuban. Or the revised flight model that affected all planes globally. Or as previously mentioned the upcoming revised Stalingrad map: https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/168-developer-diary/?p=543945

 

The devs have done an excellent job of not leaving their early releases behind and making sure that everything is done at the same standard.

[56RAF_Roblex]

All the aircraft have 4K skins available for download.

 

Not sure this is true when it comes to templates so we can make our own. It took about 6 months after launch before we got a 4K template for the Spitfire (which was made by ICDP) and last time I looked we did not have one for the 1943 IL2 yet.   I am really keen to make a skin for the A20 but I am resigned to not seeing one for many months (I would love to be proved wrong)       

 

Does anyone know why this is a problem?  I am not complaining, I just don't understand.  In my ignorance I assume that if someone in 1C has made skins then they must have a template which can be released on launch.  Is that not how it works?  Do 1C not use templates so all the ones we have are made by players?

Edited January 28, 2018 by 56RAF_Roblex

[Mac_Messer]

While I don`t know how exactly could try&buy convince anyone to buy a plane in this case, I do think that a demo with one flyable from BoS (maybe Lagg or IL2 like in the old times) would be good for bringing in new customers. Different times now, though I did start my IL2 adventure in 2001 from the Demo of it, that is after I saw it covered on one of tv shows (probability of me seeing IL2 in that show, at that hour was probably 1%). The Demo had only IL2 in it I think, doesn`t matter cuz I was blown away and bought the game rightaway when it was released in my country.

The stalingrad map is getting a facelift. All the aircraft are subjected to the same FM updates. All the aircraft have 4K skins available for download. I don't know if you read the dev diaries but no part of this game is left behind and forgotten after release. Every aircraft is as "polished" as the next one. The stuka is as polished as the soon to be releases p39.
Thats what I ment by wow.

What???Where?

 

Exactly.
$50 for 8, count them 8, aircraft and a map is a pretty good deal.

In your opinion. Plenty other people think it`s very steep.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Not sure this is true when it comes to templates so we can make our own. It took about 6 months after launch before we got a 4K template for the Spitfire (which was made by ICDP) and last time I looked we did not have one for the 1943 IL2 yet.   I am really keen to make a skin for the A20 but I am resigned to not seeing one for many months (I would love to be proved wrong)       

 

Does anyone know why this is a problem?  I am not complaining, I just don't understand.  In my ignorance I assume that if someone in 1C has made skins then they must have a template which can be released on launch.  Is that not how it works?  Do 1C not use templates so all the ones we have are made by players?

 

The 4K templates and bump maps are being done by the player community right now. When we got 4K skin capabilities the devs said they didn't have time yet to go over and redo all of the templates but that players could do their own.

 

Folks should also note that in the long range plan as laid out in the Bodenplatte announcement we know that they intend to make an option for 4K default skins too.

 

What???Where?

 

It's not all... But most are here: https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/forum/107-4k-skins-and-templates/