The Aviator's Chronicle

[No.23_Triggers]

THE AVIATOR'S CHRONICLE:

Your One-Stop-Shop for news regarding Events, V-Lives, Community Awards, and more, all wrapped into one bundle. 

Evening, Gents! I thought I'd start this little project to bundle together some of the happenings in the community into one place where it can all be briefly checked at once, in order to save from having to sift through the many threads on the forum. 'Articles' contain information on upcoming community events, squadrons that are currently recruiting, interesting info from the various servers, and news about the top V-Life Aces on the J5 Flugpark Server.  I'll do my best to release one new 'edition' per week!

 

Edited May 17, 2020 by US93_Larner

[Panzerlang]

Sizzlorr was 'out of persona' surely (flying an Allied plane), so his death doesn't count?

I guess it screwed his parser stats though.

 

Edited October 15, 2019 by J3Hetzer

[JGr2/J46_Sturm]

Fantastic newspaper post!!!! Great job Larner

[US103_Baer]

Great idea and execution.

S!

[JGr2/J5_Hotlead]

Brilliant! Now if only I could get it delivered to my door... ?

 

 

[No.23_Gaylion]

We sure can! Now which POW camp is it???

 

?

[JGr2/J5_Hotlead]

The one with a hole under the fence that definitely wasn’t there last night. ?

[FTC_Snowy]

Great idea, thank you.

[No.23_Triggers]

Issue No. 2 of the Aviator's Chronicle - Hot off the Presses! 

 

(2 Revisions have been made to this edition) 

If any Squadrons want to advertise that they're recruiting, or if anyone has any interesting stories that they might want to share in the 'Paper', etc, feel free to shoot me a PM! It might not be the most popular 'media' on the forum, but you never know who's reading  

Edited October 22, 2019 by US103_Larner

[No.23_Triggers]

Issue No. 3

 

Edited October 29, 2019 by US103_Larner

[JG1_Rotermann]

Nice

[No.23_Triggers]

Edited November 6, 2019 by US93_Larner

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

Pleased to make the Aviator's Chronicle!

 

I would like to let it be known to the editors that I am not in pursuit of the Blue Max; but rather aim to become the first recipient of @J5_Hellbender's  proposed "White Max".  My record will remain unsullied by live pilot victories, and the AI slaughter will continue, until such time as I have achieved my goal. 

Edited November 6, 2019 by J28w-Broccoli

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

To your White Max...

 

[No.23_Triggers]

2 hours ago, J28w-Broccoli said:

Pleased to make the Aviator's Chronicle!

 

I would like to let it be known to the editors that I am not in pursuit of the Blue Max; but rather aim to become the first recipient of @J5_Hellbender's  proposed "White Max".  My record will remain unsullied by live pilot victories, and the AI slaughter will continue, until such time as I have achieved my goal. 

 

Aha - I see! I wonder if the House order of Hohenzollern would make for a good historical medal for AI killing sprees...? Perhaps J5 will consider making it the 'official' AI-included medal! 

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2019 by US93_Larner

[Cynic_Al]

3 hours ago, J5_Klugermann said:

To your White Max...

 

 

 

I'll see you never wear that medal!

 

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

Nice to see TOP 10 ACE score , but didn't know that AI kills are there... I can't suggest Larner to count which is AI and substract it by hand . I see solution:  make script which do it or talk to J5 guys to change the server stat policy about AI kill  - most Il2 GB servers stats do not count AI to the players streaks. 

Edited November 7, 2019 by 1PL-Husar-1Esk

[BMA_Hellbender]

8 hours ago, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

Nice to see TOP 10 ACE score , but didn't know that AI kills are there... I can't suggest Larner to count which is AI and substract it by hand . I see solution:  make script which do it or talk to J5 guys to change the server stat policy about AI kill  - most Il2 GB servers stats do not count AI to the players streaks. 

We’ve had this discussion before, having AI count towards your stats creates an incentive to seed the server when it’s empty. The Blue Max is only awarded when your 25+ kill streak involves predominantly human pilots.

 

 

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

28 minutes ago, J5_Hellbender said:

We’ve had this discussion before, having AI count towards your stats creates an incentive to seed the server when it’s empty. The Blue Max is only awarded when your 25+ kill streak involves predominantly human pilots.

 

 

Ok then , IMHO AI kills should not be visible (count) in the TOP 10 on Larner Chronicles  or pilots who only have AI streak. Just my opinion it's not my show anyway.

On server stat page -  I don't believe that it really counting AI helps seeds serves when it is empty. AI itself do. Who would be pleased by killing the AI then check the stats page to see AI Camel or DR.1 has been killed - wow I'm in the top 20 ... We all know and new guys who join multiplayer know it 2 that in the  reality AIs are just practice opponent not the real one. Exclude AI gunners hehe

 

IMHO Shot down AI should appear as kill in the game  scoreboard same as destroyed static planes on ground do in ww2 part of game but not as streak in the game server stat page.

Edited November 7, 2019 by 1PL-Husar-1Esk

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

So you've shot down 23 then....

 

 

No, twenty.

[BMA_Hellbender]

22 minutes ago, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

Ok then , IMHO AI kills should not be visible (count) in the TOP 10 on Larner Chronicles  or pilots who only have AI streak. Just my opinion it's not my show anyway.

On server stat page -  I don't believe that it really counting AI helps seeds serves when it is empty. AI itself do. Who would be pleased by killing the AI then check the stats page to see AI Camel or DR.1 has been killed - wow I'm in the top 20 ... We all know and new guys who join multiplayer know it 2 that in the  reality AIs are just practice opponent not the real one. Exclude AI gunners hehe

 

IMHO Shot down AI should appear as kill in the game  scoreboard same as destroyed static planes on ground do in ww2 part of game but not as streak in the game server stat page.

 

There are no official centralised stats in IL-2 as they exist in RoF. The (horribly broken) RoF leaderboards were removed many years ago, but at least the (equally broken) streak mechanic remained.

 

In IL-2, all stat keeping is left to the community. The community decides where they fly, following which rules and what community newspaper to post. Everyone is free to do as they please. For the moment, the J5 Flugpark appears to be the popular option. Tomorrow it could be a different server operating under different rules, with a different statpage and a different person could be keeping up with stats in a different community newspaper format. If this game has one certainty, it's that there is almost absolute uncertainty, but also absolute democracy.

 

Again 1C/777 is more than welcome to take a more active role in keeping official centralised stats. I would welcome this, if it were done correctly.

 

As for AI counting towards streaks, it certainly does create an incentive to play online, otherwise we wouldn't have a player dedicated to getting the highest possible AI streak. Everyone else is welcome to hunt him down while he's at it. If nothing else, I don't break off fights as soon as I figure out that the enemy is an AI. And since ground targets are by definition AI and are equally important targets, it seems fair enough to me.

[No.23_Gaylion]

Well, first of all, any RAG that utilizes Cockburn-Lange photos in their daily publication should not be a part of ANY debate except from which way to wipe ones behind with it!

 

Scandalous!

 

Edited November 7, 2019 by US213_Talbot

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

2 minutes ago, J5_Hellbender said:

 

There are no official centralised stats in IL-2 as they exist in RoF. The (horribly broken) RoF leaderboards were removed many years ago, but at least the (equally broken) streak mechanic remained.

 

In IL-2, all stat keeping is left to the community. The community decides where they fly, following which rules and what community newspaper to post. Everyone is free to do as they please. For the moment, the J5 Flugpark appears to be the popular option. Tomorrow it could be a different server operating under different rules, with a different statpage and a different person could be keeping up with stats in a different community newspaper format. If this game has one certainty, it's that there is almost absolute uncertainty, but also absolute democracy.

 

Again 1C/777 is more than welcome to take a more active role in keeping official centralised stats. I would welcome this, if it were done correctly.

 

As for AI counting towards streaks, it certainly does create an incentive to play online, otherwise we wouldn't have a player dedicated to getting the highest possible AI streak. Everyone else is welcome to hunt him down while he's at it. If nothing else, I don't break off fights as soon as I figure out that the enemy is an AI. And since ground targets are by definition AI and are equally important targets, it seems fair enough to me.

Community decided and all can say what do they think about it in that community.

 

I hope the guy who decided to do the   best only  AI streak do not deside to break off because he mighty kill real player too ?  Hi is  example of end of the curve  not the majority who decides and bad example in that agrument. 

[BMA_Hellbender]

2 minutes ago, US213_Talbot said:

Well, first of all, any RAG that utilizes Cockburn-Lange photos in their daily publication should not be a part of ANY debate except from which way to wipe ones behind with it!

 

Scandalous!

 

Completely off-topic: why the hell did you guys all change tags all of a sudden? Did I miss a memo? Are you flying American Camels now or something? Is that easier to shoot parachutes with?

[No.23_Gaylion]

Deleted.

 

?

Edited November 7, 2019 by US213_Talbot

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

9 minutes ago, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

I hope the guy who decided to do the   best only  AI streak do not deside to break off because he mighty kill real player too ?  Hi is  example of end of the curve  not the majority who decides and bad example in that agrument. 

 

I'm unlikely to shoot down any real players.  Pretty much harmless, really.

 

If The Aviator's Chronicle decide to only list player kills, I assure you I won't be in here all butthurt about it.

 

I just want that White Max.    It's the only medal the AI respect.  ?

Edited November 7, 2019 by J28w-Broccoli

[BMA_Hellbender]

Just now, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

Community decided and all can say what do they think about it in that community.

 

I hope the guy who decided to do the   best only  AI streak do not deside to break off because he mighty kill real player too ?  Hi is  example of end of the curve  not the majority who decides and bad example in that agrument. 

 

But who are we to decide that what he's doing is wrong?

 

He's enjoying himself and his fairplay index is 100%. More power to him. Plus, whoever shoots him down deserves a medal (though something tells me that it will likely be an AI that eventually gets him ?).

[No.23_Triggers]

11 minutes ago, US213_Talbot said:

*Snipped* 

 

?

 

Hm, I'd keep that in the PM's, ya'know? 

 

BUT ANYWAY,

As for not counting AI victories, I could either try and set up two leaderboards, or omit AI kills from the paper - whatever you think is better, fellas! 

 

EDIT: For next week's edition I'll omit AI victories from the board and see what everybody thinks - if we want AI victories recorded, I can easily enough put them back. If not, I'll stop recording them! 

Edited November 7, 2019 by US93_Larner

[BMA_Hellbender]

17 minutes ago, US93_Larner said:

 

Hm, I'd keep that in the PM's, ya'know? 

 

BUT ANYWAY,

As for not counting AI victories, I could either try and set up two leaderboards, or omit AI kills from the paper - whatever you think is better, fellas! 

 

EDIT: For next week's edition I'll omit AI victories from the board and see what everybody thinks - if we want AI victories recorded, I can easily enough put them back. If not, I'll stop recording them! 

 

It was a joke, right? The Beatles Ramones didn't actually split up, did they?

 

I think it's your judgment call to make.

 

In my opinion including AI goes a long way in curbing some of the elitism and "noob-hunting" that ran rampant in RoF. Elitism we still have plenty of, noobs far less so.

[No.23_Triggers]

6 minutes ago, J5_Hellbender said:

In my opinion including AI goes a long way in curbing some of the elitism and "noob-hunting" that ran rampant in RoF. Elitism we still have plenty of, noobs far less so.

 

It's a good point - my only real issue with recording AI victories is that it's possible for some pilots to just knock AI down in their hordes, which can muddy up the scoreboard a little - but at the same time I would like everyone to 'get their dues' in my humble little paper - even if a pilot is just AI-hunting, there's a lot that can go wrong in-between kills. 

 

I like the idea of bouncing a couple ideas off of the community, or those who check in whenever I update this thing, to find a medium and a 'standard' that everyone's happy with! 

[No.23_Gaylion]

I want to know how he can fly around and ONLY catch AI? Or are those two seaters running up and down NML living an eternal hell of "Edge of Tomorrow-Flying Circus"?

 

::Edit::

I vote just to let it ride man. More work for you. Let those who care most about it go chase down the minute details. 

 

At the end of the day you're (the community) is just ostracizing people from an already tiny group of people. It's like the old bomber pilot vs. fighter pilot debate. 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2019 by US213_Talbot

[BMA_Hellbender]

10 minutes ago, US93_Larner said:

 

It's a good point - my only real issue with recording AI victories is that it's possible for some pilots to just knock AI down in their hordes, which can muddy up the scoreboard a little - but at the same time I would like everyone to 'get their dues' in my humble little paper - even if a pilot is just AI-hunting, there's a lot that can go wrong in-between kills. 

 

I like the idea of bouncing a couple ideas off of the community, or those who check in whenever I update this thing, to find a medium and a 'standard' that everyone's happy with! 

 

Well, the problem is indeed how the AI has been implemented on the map. This is why I called for those AI two-seater flights a little while ago, which should be hard to attack and worthwhile to defend, or else it would lead to some people going after AI with impunity. So it's really not a player or a stat problem, but one of mission building. Building those missions takes time, though, and I'd still rather have someone farming AI to pad stats than not fly online. If he goes after predictable AI, then he should be predictable enough to kill.

 

Once again if you remove AI from the streak, it removes the incentive, removes the AI-hunting player, removes the players that join to hunt the AI-hunting player, and the house of cards comes crashing down.

 

Now you can keep track of whatever score you want, heck you could outright lie and you wouldn't be breaking any forum rules. I still think that whoever puts in effort to go after AI and does so without getting shot down by other players should receive recognition. If obvious cheating is involved like disconnecting, then it's a whole different story. If anything you should check a player's fairplay index rather than his human/AI kill ratio.

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

You could use the old unofficial RoF Career "real score" when it comes to counting AI:

 

Take the AI kills listed and divide by 10 when tallying AI. 

 

Then list any scores with significant AI presence with an asterisk.  That would put someone like me at...4, with a big asterisk at that.

 

 

 

Also with regard to AI slaughter, the AI with working gunners, like those on Sizzlor's map are quite dangerous.  J5 need to tweak their two seaters on the Arras map to be like those ones.

Edited November 7, 2019 by J28w-Broccoli

[No.23_Triggers]

After giving it much extended and careful thought, since my post from a couple of minutes ago, I think I might actually keep the AI scores as-is. At the end of the day, the 'Airman's Chronicle' is supposed to serve two functions - to update the community on what's occurring in one neat little package, and to add a fun sense of historical 'immersion' (or at least, a historical aesthetic). 

In the war, it's pretty irrefutable that the Aces largely preyed on total rookies that could barely fly their planes, let alone effectively fight in them. I think the AI actually simulates the 'bumbling green pilot' quite well - and the shooting down of AI is open to anyone. 

 

The idea of marking 'Mainly AI' streaks with an asterisk isn't a half bad idea - I'll keep that one in 'the vault' for further consideration  

 

9 minutes ago, J5_Hellbender said:

I still think that whoever puts in effort to go after AI and does so without getting shot down by other players should receive recognition. If obvious cheating is involved like disconnecting, then it's a whole different story. If anything you should check a player's fairplay index rather than his human/AI kill ratio.

 

Agreed. In regards to disconnecting / etc, I have no qualms erasing someone from the leaderboard if their stats suggest they repeatedly and purposefully do this to maintain a 'streak'. One chap's already been struck from the leaderboards for this - not naming any names, of course... 

 

At the end of the day, I think the leaderboard is more of a fun little touch to add to the 'immersion', with the events listings & awards listings being more the 'focal point' of the whole thing  

Edited November 7, 2019 by US93_Larner

[No.23_Gaylion]

The problem with fairplay index is that its tied to ANY disconnect while flying. There was a time last month were my ISP drop like 3 or 4 times during the night. I was not in any fights when I dropped or anything like that. My fairplay went down to like 30% or whatever.

 

Any disconnect while flying at any time is counted against you which sucks when you have to squeeze in flying around family and work.

[J5_Gamecock]

56 minutes ago, US213_Talbot said:

The problem with fairplay index is that its tied to ANY disconnect while flying. There was a time last month were my ISP drop like 3 or 4 times during the night. I was not in any fights when I dropped or anything like that. My fairplay went down to like 30% or whatever.

 

Any disconnect while flying at any time is counted against you which sucks when you have to squeeze in flying around family and work.

 I agree with this, getting dropped happens and it will effect the fairplay index.  On the other hand, there are those who only seem to suffer disconnects when they are getting owned by someone, or get wounded, or collide......   

Edited November 7, 2019 by J5_Gamecock

[No.23_Gaylion]

Not complaining really. It is what it is. I try to land out quick when I gotta go or "go west" and hope the map rolls before I run out of fuel lol.

[SeaW0lf]

I think the AI scores in ROF made more sense. You could shot them down and fatten your points or improve your gunnery accuracy, that's all. I agree that AI could be considered a rookie back then, but in this way you can login everyday when the server is empty (for whatever reason) and shot them down constantly and climb the stats / v-life ladder without a sweat.

 

For example, yesterday I was flying a Dr1 and was met by two SE5as flown by players above 9000ft. In the mêlée I got my engine damaged, got wounded and lost control of my elevator. I dove resorting to right spins (also to avoid some strafing). Then they were gone, perhaps engaged by other folks. It took me forever to get down there and find a pond to ditch, since I could flip on land and most certainly die from my wounds and lose my streak. But by then I had gotten used to control the airplane without the elevator and I made a run to land at the airfield. Took me forever again, but I landed safely and got the "Successful Landing" score. Little did I know that I had gotten a kill as well in that dogfight. It was pretty rewarding for all the sacrifice [reminds me of Red Baron II]. So it is not the same as to go to the AI zone, find those two D7s or two SE5as [Buy one, get one free], shoot them down and go back home.

 

And this is not veteran / ace related. I'm sure every novice has the same stories, the same way I had mine when I started playing this game. Just that in ROF you could ditch everywhere, so BOX is giving us one more reason to bring the plane back home.

 

So to mix both PvP kills with AI kills seems off to me. I’m also contrary to the idea to give the AI gunner ace status. Then they become pot-shot machines. In my mind, AI, as long as we are talking about 1C AIs for now, should but just that, target practice with some challenge from the gunners or the duos working together. 

 

I can only see a purpose for them with recon / strafing two-seaters escorted by one or two scouts, that's all. A small / tight formation that can attract novices, that on their turn can attract veterans on the hunt and so on so forth.

 

But I’m OK with everything.

 

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

29 minutes ago, SeaW0lf said:

...that can attract novices, that on their turn can attract veterans on the hunt...

 

Heh.

[BMA_West]

 

17 hours ago, US213_Talbot said:

The problem with fairplay index is that its tied to ANY disconnect while flying. There was a time last month were my ISP drop like 3 or 4 times during the night. I was not in any fights when I dropped or anything like that. My fairplay went down to like 30% or whatever.

 

Any disconnect while flying at any time is counted against you which sucks when you have to squeeze in flying around family and work.

16 hours ago, J5_Gamecock said:

 I agree with this, getting dropped happens and it will effect the fairplay index.  On the other hand, there are those who only seem to suffer disconnects when they are getting owned by someone, or get wounded, or collide......   

 

Can't the paser sort out that difference.

There is something like RL how incredable that might sound to some )))

Edited November 8, 2019 by West