Finally, it took a long time coming but,

[HagarTheHorrible]

I haven't been playing flight sims very long, only since the Amiga 500 came out, so I haven't always been in tune with the latest fads.

 

Finally I managed to hook up with another player (Oliver88), on Discord, and conduct a couple of patrols while communicating via voice comm's (and actually have some idea what the hell was actually going on).  It really gives a MASSIVE advantage to people using Voice comm's, especially for a practiced, or semi competent team.  It really is like night and day.

 

The game should, first and foremost, be about fun, and chatting with your mates is part of that comaraderie, but it does load the dice against casual, or newish players, potentially crushing the life blood out of the game, sure they can try and join a Virtual Sqn, but there are probably lots, and lots, of players who just don't want that sort of commitment or hassle.

 

I really enjoyed flying and chatting with Oliver88, and he sure as hell saved me from being bounced and killed, but I can't help but be in two minds as to the double edged sword that voice comm's (particularly in WW1) presents.

[BMA_Hellbender]

It's always great to see a veteran player joining the social aspect of the hobby! For me, personally, it's a huge draw of what makes the game enjoyable, which is to play with friends

 

As for the hassle and commitment, there are several levels of involvement that are perfectly acceptable. The good news is that you've taken the first and most difficult step, which is to get on comms and break the ice with someone. I'm a shy and reserved person myself, but getting on comms from a relatively young age and playing together with strangers (who don't remain strangers for long) has helped me tremendously in real life as well. You could get on comms casually, as you have done, and keep forming ad-hoc groups. In time these casual groups tend to become the best organised squadrons. Joining an existing squadron is always a tougher call, and you'll be "the new guy" for some time.

 

That said, I've never seen a more welcoming community in any other game. Okay, the Hello Kitty Island Adventure community was a bit too welcoming. Don't ask.

 

 

Anyway, I hope you stay in touch with Oliver88, and I hope you guys have many more sorties together and absolutely crush those filthy casuals — until they too learn to fly together with friends. As for the historical aspect of "no-comms WWI", we got you covered! The J5 Discord has a room in which your mic is hot but you're not allowed to speak (The"Mutes"). There's been a few RoF events in the past where all participants where required to do the same. Typically, though, you need to have a group of people you can actually trust to do such a thing first.

 

For the record, the forum is absolutely no substitution for comms. This is a slow chat room where you are still mostly anonymous. Comms is as close to human interaction as it needs to get for practical purposes. Until you start meeting up in real life, that is. Which reminds me: we haven't had a community meeting since 2018 at the Shuttleworth RAF Centenary.

[J2_Trupobaw]

Aviation museum in Krakow? We have a Halberstadt Cl.II, and a Bristol (in 1PL colours). And DFW.

 

As of comms, my favourite solution is and always was to keep channels open, inviting and advertised. (Anyone is invited to join up with J2 on our Discord whenever you see us online btw - link is in signature). If someone decides to stay off comms, it should be concious choice.

 

But for me comms make half of the point of playing. Comms add fun. Point of game is to have fun.

 

Bender has illustrated this much better already.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 4, 2020 by J2_Trupobaw

[BMA_Hellbender]

38 minutes ago, J2_Trupobaw said:

Aviation museum in Krakow? We have a Halb—

 

On my way.

 

 

P.S. That video, geez. What a change in damage model and G-forces can do to a sim! Those were fun times, though. The F.E.2b bit at the end really was our first time flying that thing. Amazing machine.

 

P.P.S. What hasn't changed is my stupid laugh. God, I'm annoying.

 

Edited February 4, 2020 by J5_Hellbender

[J2_Trupobaw]

[No.23_Gaylion]

Arent all those from Goehrings collection?

[J2_Trupobaw]

Yes they are. 

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

Trup, did you just come from a Star Trek convention and only change your shirt. (I'm almost positive it would be a red one)

 

Edited February 4, 2020 by J5_Klugermann

[J2_Trupobaw]

But shirt on photo is blue. Didn't you notice I am a science officer yet?

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

6 minutes ago, J2_Trupobaw said:

But shirt on photo is blue. Didn't you notice I am a science officer yet?

 

I just extrapolated cause the guys in the red shirts always die.

[J2_Trupobaw]

That's why extrapolation is best left to us science officers...

[Guest deleted@83466]

IMO, looks like someone photoshoped a mullet and a beard onto Greta Thunberg.

[OrLoK]

2 minutes ago, SeaSerpent said:

IMO, looks like someone photoshoped a mullet and a beard onto Greta Thunberg.

sexy...

[DD_Arthur]

6 minutes ago, SeaSerpent said:

IMO, looks like someone photoshoped a mullet and a beard onto Greta Thunberg.

 

I am laugh.....

[J2_Trupobaw]

On 2/4/2020 at 11:34 PM, SeaSerpent said:

IMO, looks like someone photoshoped a mullet and a beard onto Greta Thunberg.

No, I've never skipped my classes when in high school. That's how you make a science officer, Greta!

EDIT: (Come to think of it, she resambles present me more than I did when I was her age :P. Ehhh, nineties...)


 

Edited February 6, 2020 by J2_Trupobaw