Opinions wanted on a 'realistic' autopilot application for IL-2 GB.

[AndyJWest]

TLDR: I'm tinkering around with an autopilot application for IL-2 GB and would like opinions on whether people object to it on gameplay grounds.

 

Though it is intended for another use entirely, the new Motion Support API has enabled me to begin experimenting with a project I've been wanting to try for some time, having done something similar in IL-2 '46. In brief, it is an emulator for a 'proper' WW2-vintage autopilot. These work (as far as I've been able to find out) solely from gyroscopic inputs, and produce output to adjust trim on the aircraft to hold a given attitude and heading. Note that it is 'attitude', not 'altitude' - you set the nose-up/down attitude of the aircraft, rather than any sort of altimeter-linked control, and whether the aircraft maintains level flight, climbs, or descends, depends on the pitch angle set (along with throttle, obviously). This should be more useful than the level-flight-only 'autopilot' function in game, in that you can set up a steady climb or descent, rather than being restricted to level flight. I've put a quick test application together to prove the concept, and it seems to work so far.

 

As to exactly how I'm doing this, I'll not say for now, though it isn't that hard to figure out. It isn't any sort of 'hack' to the game itself, but nevertheless it could I suppose be seen as providing an unfair advantage, which is why I'm asking for opinions before I discuss it more. Personally I can't see anyone other than bomber pilots using it online (climbing to level-bombing altitude can be tedious), and since it is capable of doing nothing much beyond maintaining a steady course, it won't do a lot to help in combat! Nevertheless, if there is a consensus that this isn't wanted on gameplay grounds, I'll keep the details to myself (and not use it online, though I'm not flying online these days anyway). 

 

If there aren't objections, I'll reveal more, and POSSIBLY look at releasing a finished version for others to use at some point, though any such release is likely to be a long way off, as I'm only an amateur programmer, and a rather out-of-practice one at that.

[-TBC-AeroAce]

I think it is a great idea that I would welcome but you will have people objecting it. People have even started threads about getting auto level removed because it is unrealistic... so please do not get put off by some of the people that will cry about this kinda thing. 

[[DBS]Browning]

I don't think this is in the spirit of the motion support API and may diswade the devs from releasing other telemetry data in the future in case it is used for other purposes.

[AndyJWest]

1 minute ago, [DBS]Browning said:

I don't think this is in the spirit of the motion support API and may diswade the devs from releasing other telemetry data in the future in case it is used for other purposes.

 

If the devs feel that way, I'd rather they said so themselves, though I'm sure they thought through what they were doing before releasing the API. I'm asking what the community thinks.

[RedKestrel]

I don't really see how it could be exploited in a way that matters, any more than autolevel is an exploit (i.e. it is not). People will complain about it, but its not like its increasing performance in any fashion. 

I wouldn't have a problem with it, but I'm about 70% offline play and 30% online play so I'm not super competitive in multiplayer. Maybe there's a way to 'exploit' something like this but I doubt it.