A Case For FC1 Career Mode

[[CPT]milopugdog]

Howdy all!

 

So I think that alongside everyone else, I was a bit disappointed to see that Flying Circus does not have a career mode like we've seen with the other game expansions. However, I'd like to look at why it might not have been included, rather than just saying we should get it because we want it.

 

I'll go out right now and say that I am going to walking through reasons why we might not have one, then why I think we do not have one. So let's go!

 

 

Firstly, what is the background?

Flying Circus takes place on a map named Arras, which is in reference to the Battle of Arras in 1917. So, while not explicitly stated, Flying Circus 1 is focused around a certain battle, with a time frame that it takes place over. For the Battle of Arras, it was 9 April - 16 May 1917. That gives us a little over a month of time to play around in.

 

The battle was a British offensive with the purpose of being a breakthrough on the Western Front, and Arras was chosen. During this, the French also launched the Second Battle of Asine from 16 April - 9 May 1917 in a planned synchronized offensive.

 

 

Okay, so that's good and all. But, What is the significance of Arras?

To be honest, nothing in terms of ground warfare. British forces gained ground on the first two days of the battle, only to be locked in a stalemate for the rest of the conflict. However, the Battle of Arras is the backdrop for what is referred to as Bloody April. This was, obviously, an event that encompasses pretty much the whole battle (April 1917), and is a significant period in the aerial engagements of WW1. During this period; the British lost 245 aircraft, with 66 lost aircraft for Germany.

 

 

Knowing and understanding that point, Why don't we have a career mode?

Truth is, I don't know. While it wasn't something that was promised, it was obviously something that was assumed. I doubt the fact that the Battle of Arras lasted a little of over a month had anything to do with it; because let's be honest, only a few of us would survive to the end anyways.

Although, upon thinking about this topic, I had the realization that there probably simply wasn't enough resources to develop a career mode.

 

What do I mean? Well, without getting into anything specific, let's look at what it would take to develop a proper career mode like we see in the rest of the game:

1. Pilot images and biographies:

- Images of pilots of the era need to be gathered and ran through that thing they use to randomize heads and facial features.

- Biographies for pilots need to be written, translated multiple languages, and grammar checked.

2. Squadron research and development:

- This includes locations, movements, history, aircraft types flown, a description, and also insignia (which will need to be made).

3. Medals and ranks:

- Award artwork, descriptions, conditions, descriptions need to be created.

- Rank insignia, promotion requirements, and a rank tree needs to be established.

(For example, a decision was made to give new US pilots in the American Career the rank of a flying sergeant instead of a 2nd LT; which your normal pilot would be by 1944. Ranks are also capped to Lt. Col, even though there were flying Colonels).

4. Entities and mission types:

- Every mission type has to be established and developed. Photo recon, patrols, ground attack; they do not simply appear out of thin air.

- Every ground objective you see in the career mode has to be hand made by someone. (And I'm not sure if you've ever made an objective that looks interesting, but is also fun to blow up? It is no menial task).

5. General battle development:

- The weekly newspaper needs to be written, proofread, and translated by someone.

- Battle sections need to be developed, alongside any movement of lines. The Battle of Arras has a few of these. British attack at Bullecourt, German attack at Lagnicourt, then continued brawling at Bullecourt.

- The usual pre-rendered scene whenever a section of the battle changes will also need to be made (if they choose to even have them.)

 

Given that these are what it takes to develop a career mode, it seems fairly evident to me that alongside the development of Bodenplatte and Tank Crew, there simply wasn't enough room for a career mode right now. I hope as much as the next guy that one day we will have one, but I also think it is understandable why we don't.

 

So let's be patient and keep showing our support so we can get it!

 

Blue skies,

Milo

 

 

 

 

[Zooropa_Fly]

On 11/22/2020 at 7:19 AM, [CPT]milopugdog said:

there simply wasn't enough room for a career mode right now.

 

If the retail cost had reflected this, it would have nullified half of the complaints.

 

S!

[Bunny287]

I’m still waiting and hoping FC will go sale for this Black Friday week. Doesn’t sound like there is much of a MP presence and doesn’t sound like it has much single player content? Wish Rise of flight had the old school levels of MP servers full in the meantime   Am I correct that I should wait for a sale fellas ?

 

thanks

 

Bunny

[Varibraun]

3 hours ago, Bunny287 said:

doesn’t sound like it has much single player content?

 

If you are interested in a FC, I wouldn't let the current lack of a SP career be the determining factor.  See this thread:

 

[ShamrockOneFive]

4 hours ago, Bunny287 said:

I’m still waiting and hoping FC will go sale for this Black Friday week. Doesn’t sound like there is much of a MP presence and doesn’t sound like it has much single player content? Wish Rise of flight had the old school levels of MP servers full in the meantime   Am I correct that I should wait for a sale fellas ?

 

thanks

 

Bunny

 

It's dropped off a bit for a few different reasons but there are still Thursday and Sunday events and those are generally attended well enough that they can be fun if you bring some friends to the party. Admittedly I've not been able to attend to any of them in weeks but they were good fun.

 

IF a Vol 2 gets announced I think that will help reinvigorate the community.

[Bunny287]

Thanks for the info gents! Didn’t know PWCG was also for FC! That’s glorious! Definitely ready to buy and may just do it today. Just would be pissed if it goes on sale Thursday for half off after the fact haha. Anyone have any inside info whether a sale is coming by end of week ? 
 

Cheers and look forward to flying with you all!

Bunny

[Varibraun]

4 hours ago, Bunny287 said:

Just would be pissed if it goes on sale Thursday for half off after the fact haha. Anyone have any inside info whether a sale is coming by end of week ? 

 

No insider info, but it certainly could happen based on the time of year. 

[Bunny287]

I hope so!  man I can’t wait to fly ww1 glory in my oculus rift s!

[40plus]

15 minutes ago, Bunny287 said:

I hope so!  man I can’t wait to fly ww1 glory in my oculus rift s!

You will not be disappointed by the VR experience. Top shelf.

[Bunny287]

Just purchased it for $80 screw it I can’t wait haha. See ya fellas in the skies !  
 

Cheers,

 

Bunny

[=IRFC=Gascan]

Good luck out there, Bunny287! If you go online, don't forget to hop on Discord as well. Flying is much better together.

[Bunny287]

Thanks yeah god the little bit I played when about 6 were on last night was glorious ! I joined the discord but no one was in a voice room. See everyone soon! I’m USA east coast I assume if it’s like rise of flight most the community is Europe and that time zone so it seemed everyone dropped out by the time I got on around 8 pm my time. 
 

 

[RNAS10_Oliver]

On 11/23/2020 at 6:46 PM, Bunny287 said:

Thanks for the info gents! Didn’t know PWCG was also for FC! That’s glorious! Definitely ready to buy and may just do it today. Just would be pissed if it goes on sale Thursday for half off after the fact haha. Anyone have any inside info whether a sale is coming by end of week ? 
 

Cheers and look forward to flying with you all!

Bunny

? Just announced a sale.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by Oliver88

[Bunny287]

Haha I know haha dammit I bought at full price yesterday cause I couldn’t wait lol. I messaged steam if they could discount refund me because I also bought bodenplatte at full price ?

[J37_Spyboy]

Send them back to Steam & buy from the website IL2.

 

[Varibraun]

19 minutes ago, Bunny287 said:

Haha I know haha dammit I bought at full price yesterday cause I couldn’t wait lol. I messaged steam if they could discount refund me because I also bought bodenplatte at full price ?

 

Well, if not, take solace in the fact that your extra $$ are supporting hard working Devs that keep improving things along the way.  

Is there are collector plane on sale that you are missing?

[Bunny287]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. The guys that made this and continue to do are amazing so it’s worth it either way. Yeah just bought the last couple of collector planes for Stalingrad I needed so saved there

[40plus]

Ha, I saw the sale email come out then immediately thought of you and this thread....I'm glad to see you have a good attitude about it. Devs deserve the extra coin. 

 

Happy skies

[Blitzen]

'Righto!"