My views on Tank Crew so far

[stormridersp]

My background is from playing and modding (map and mission making) sims like Steel Beasts Pro PE, DCS A-10C, Arma 3, Armored Brigade, Command: MNAO and car physics development for Assetto Corsa.

 

Why I came here? In the hopes that this sim, which is in its early stages, can ever become a WW2 Steel Beasts with VR SUPPORT! This is my main expectation.

 

My first and foremost opinion is that devs need to realize what they really want with this sim. Do they want to materialize the full potential of a tank simulator, or they want to keep it as compromised tank option on a flight sim world? This answer is of utmost importance right now because it will delineates the path of development and decisions throughout the sim's life time. Why?

 

A tank sim differs from a flight sim in its environmental complexity and simplicity at the same time. Tank warfare is land based: it reads the land, therefore the complexity of the terrain will most of the time change the outcome of battle. As stated recently in Steel Beasts forums, with the addition of the new terrain engine that is about to be released, existing battles will probably have a different outcome, closer to reality, in that a more detailed terrain simulation will result in more hits to turret while a less detailed terrain, the old, did result in more distribution of hits between hull and turret. So more than ever, battles are likely to end in unresolved outcome. Right now, as a map maker, I see that the terrain is optimized for its brothers and sisters flight sims IL2. You see, flight sims on the other hand see the terrain from above and afar, so concessions could be made, primarily in the compromise between terrain detail vs size = performance. That my friends, is why on a top level simulation, tank sims and incompatible with flight sims: One of the two worlds must make a compromise. Either the flight sim sister will have to play on smaller, more detailed and performance hungry maps made for tanks on a dedicated, fully standalone sim, or tanks must make the compromise and simply become mere playable targets on the flight sim environment.

 

The second most important aspect the complexity of the environment. On one hand a flight sim can go well with a simpler mechanics, like some ground targets pretending to fight in the general location of the objective, like it was in Longbow 2, is already enough. On a tank sim, on the other hand, coordination is key. Instead of writing and explaining, I think the best explanation is steel beasts manual. That's how it should be done. That includes the mission editor. It must be possible to create intelligent complex ground warfare missions and AI management while at same time it being simple enough that anyone can try. This also includes the controls which I don't need to say, are currently awful.

 

So the question is: Are you devs going to make it a stand alone fulfilled potential tank simulator, or a mere tank option on a flight sim?

 

 

https://www.steelbeasts.com/files/file/1095-sb-pro-manual-english/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SCG_Slater]

From what i can gather of information, TC will be a ground based combat option incorporated into the IL-2 GB series. That means the map will be as good as it can be with the technology 

the devs can develop, however the message is no infantry (i think that is unfortunately)  and the map will be made in a small area with more details, however you can use the tanks wherever you want. In the future who knows what they will do, at the end it's all about money, if they sell 2 million copies i'm sure they will do as much as they can, then again, candy crush and fortnite is probably what people like to play more.

[BigBadVuk]

TBH im on the other end of a scale - for so high price i expected static and dynamic campaign, missions and at much more vehicles to use. Much more content within game itself.

Especially if you look at what other IL-2 titles can offer atm.

 

And what we have?  Quick mission and few tanks... Im sorry but for 60$ that is robbery in my book. Hell even old 1946 has more value per $$ then this.

 

Also, yes, this is FAAAR cry from Steel Beasts on all fields except maybe (BIG maybe) if you compare graphics. Enemy vehicles dont try to retreat or return fire.. they just drive straight at you etc. 

VERY disappointing, again, especially considering that this is no early access 20$ title.

[SCG_Neun]

I agree with Slater, this is going to interplay with the GB series and the compromise on Flight Sim and Ground Combat terrain is going to be  the reality of the sim. Our group has morphed into our own MP objective based weekly combat and we are having a lot of fun with it.  Yes, it's got some issues on terrain, and we are hoping for more concealment options and some additional map features.  The best you can do with AI is mix them with human players as immersion fodder.  Having said that...you can get killed by AI. 

 

That being said....sending a group of human piloted stukas on a specific target and mixing the air combat element in the skies above us, does add to the immersion factor and provides a neat component of combat on the Eastern Front.  Basic terrain considerations on this map are still a factor in our gameplay and must be taken into consideration to achieve our objectives.  What we lack in infantry, we make up for in artillery/AT positioning.  It's a work in progress and it's understandable that some people are upset with their investment if they want to stick with single player content and not branch out into MP online play.  

 

Communication and coordinated tank movement in an objective based multiplayer server is the best option for this sim.  Ballistically, the  game is being tweaked...but optics and combat are pretty damn cool right now.  The Dev's are implementing some new features and we are hoping for some updates in the not too distant future.  So....can TC compete with other tank sims?  It has its strengths and for our unit, it's upholding our expectations for now.  

 

There are some excellent single player missions out there and some campaign based missions coming in the immediate future.  I look at my investment as just that...I'm investing in the evolution of TC and having been a customer of the series for many years, the Devs (and this is not EA games we are talking about) a small but talented group of individuals has delivered time and again.  Worth it to me.....to help in a genre that is unique and so historically centered.

 

In fact while the naysayers are lamenting the sims shortcomings, I feel like I've already gotten my money out of the game even at this point.  Stormridersp, if you'd like to join us for our weekly combat mission, which lasts about 2 1/2 hours or so, please shoot me a PM.  

Edited June 25, 2019 by SCG_Neun