is the game worth the price? and some other questions.

[CheeseMerchant]

i have an interest in WW2 tanks/Vehicles for over 20 years and have tried out several tank sims before. this game has catched my attention and it seems to have some of the best Models i have ever seen in a simulator game. especially the interiors look awesome. but i have heard people describe the game currently as a glorified model viewer and the game behind it being almost non existing.

i am just wondering how much of an actual "game" there is? like does the game offer an active Multiplayer experience? or is it a struggle to find a server that has any activity? especially the multiplayer is something i am interested in which makes up for the awfull AI most Games like this have.if the game has a dead on arrival MP and no Significant single player to it then i don't think the price point is acceptable to me.

also do i need to buy IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad as well in order to play tank crew? Steam mentions this on their page. which would be bad because it further increases the price and i don't care about planes so most content  will not see any use by me



 

[DD_Friar]

On line game play is what makes this module for me. I have never played a tank based sim until I got into Tank Crew and am loving every bit of it.

There are some very good, objective based, tank and plane mixed servers. Finish Virtual Pilots for example.

There are off line campaigns and missions but pitting your skills against other players for me is a great experience.

Yes people will post to say there are faults with it but the dev team are working very hard to keep improving it with new maps and vehicles being added soon.

[No_Face]

To be fair, tank crew multiplaying isn't very active.

There are basically 4 servers:

-The official server (planes + tanks + AI, in normal mode). Which I find uninteresting . It is quite crowded I think

-Finnish Virtual Pilots (planes + tanks, in realistic mode). The server is not bad. Most of the players present play in planes (you will not face many human tankers ?). I hate planes but on this server, since there are many of them, they usually fight each other, letting the tanks breathe.

The problem is, it's a server primarily designed for airplanes. So when the tanks have accomplished their 1st objectives, the 2nds are really very far away. On the other hand, it's nice to watch the dogfight above our heads from the ground.

-Advance and Secure. (planes + tanks + AI, in realistic mode). I don't like it but I think it is quite frequented.

-Attention EFronter server: My favorite server. The one that, in my eyes, is really designed for tanks BUT there are too many "stupid" players on it. That is to say, players who will play by plane, to attack the tanks. They can do that on any server (against AI it's the same) but no, they come on the only server that's really good for tanks and spoils the tanker game.

It's not the planes strictly speaking that bothers me because in reality, it was like that. It is the ratio of planes to tanks. This server is sparsely populated so when, out of the few players present, 80% of them are on planes ... you can leave the server, you know you will not enjoy it.

For information, an IL-2 mod. 1941 can carry 6 FAB-50sv / FAB-100M bombs + 8 ROFS-132 rockets and be equipped with 2 23mm cannons in the wings.

As a tank pilot, you have NO possible defense. (except your AA at your base).

You usually have little cover.

You are clearly at the mercy of planes. (and it's really not fun)

With its weaponry, they can kill you many times before having to return to base to rearm.

And even if the player is bad and misses all his shots, in 5 minutes he will have had time to land and then come back to harass you.

 

*I dream of a server only with tanks piloted by humans. (without planes)*

 

The solo part of the game is a failure so not very exciting.

 

But the more players there are, the more people there will be in multiplayer.

 

I know that say like that, it does not make you dream but at 70€ the game, I had to be honest with you.

 

EDIT : You don't have to buy Il-2 BOS to play with tanks. You can buy Tank Crew directly and only from the official store. On the other hand, if you want to buy Tank Crew on Steam, you will also have to buy Il-2 BOS on Steam.

Edited January 1, 2021 by No_Face

[LachenKrieg]

1 hour ago, CheeseMerchant said:

i have an interest in WW2 tanks/Vehicles for over 20 years and have tried out several tank sims before. this game has catched my attention and it seems to have some of the best Models i have ever seen in a simulator game. especially the interiors look awesome. but i have heard people describe the game currently as a glorified model viewer and the game behind it being almost non existing.

i am just wondering how much of an actual "game" there is? like does the game offer an active Multiplayer experience? or is it a struggle to find a server that has any activity? especially the multiplayer is something i am interested in which makes up for the awfull AI most Games like this have.if the game has a dead on arrival MP and no Significant single player to it then i don't think the price point is acceptable to me.

also do i need to buy IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad as well in order to play tank crew? Steam mentions this on their page. which would be bad because it further increases the price and i don't care about planes so most content  will not see any use by me



 

As @DD_Friar mentioned, there are a number of MP servers that you can check out, or you can join with one of the groups that host MP game play. You could have a look here for an example:

 

In terms of Single player content, Tank Crew comes with a number of SP missions included and there are a number of mission creators in the community that have added significantly to the SP content. I personally like the Quick Mission Builder that also comes with Tank Crew, as it allows you to quickly and easily create your own SP engagements on the fly.

 

I am also quite new to the IL2 community, and while the current price point of the Tank Crew module itself is high, I have no regrets with my purchase. I would also like to say, as a new community member, I had a number of concerns regarding the Development team and how much support the Tank Crew module would get as part a much larger flight simulator. But I have to say in the few months that I have been here, the Dev team has proven to be very committed to Tank Crew  and its users. My interests are also mainly focused on the armored vehicle side, but I purchased the other modules while they were being offered on sale, and couldn't be happier with the additional content I received for my Tank Crew module. I can highly recommend Tank Crew.

 

Good luck with your decision.

[SCG_Neun]

If you like Multiplayer....you will like this sim.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2AnMg9Wkr8

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_2tH6-qXI

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofL96v40QTU

 

 

 

 

Just a small sampling of our exploits...but you get the idea.  We hold our missions on Sunday and you will find a post about them in the Multiplayer Server section.  If you use the game...and you sound like someone who will...then you will get your investment out of it.  Especially if you come join us. 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2021 by SCG_Neun

[THERION]

1 hour ago, CheeseMerchant said:

i have an interest in WW2 tanks/Vehicles for over 20 years and have tried out several tank sims before. this game has catched my attention and it seems to have some of the best Models i have ever seen in a simulator game. especially the interiors look awesome. but i have heard people describe the game currently as a glorified model viewer and the game behind it being almost non existing.

i am just wondering how much of an actual "game" there is? like does the game offer an active Multiplayer experience? or is it a struggle to find a server that has any activity? especially the multiplayer is something i am interested in which makes up for the awfull AI most Games like this have.if the game has a dead on arrival MP and no Significant single player to it then i don't think the price point is acceptable to me.

also do i need to buy IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad as well in order to play tank crew? Steam mentions this on their page. which would be bad because it further increases the price and i don't care about planes so most content  will not see any use by me



 

 

Well, if you ask me - definitively! Every single byte and pixel! It's not perfect, no and we all know that, but it's absolutely amazing - in SP and also in MP.

[CheeseMerchant]

1 hour ago, No_Face said:

To be fair, tank crew multiplaying isn't very active.

There are basically 4 servers:

-The official server (planes + tanks + AI, in normal mode). Which I find uninteresting . It is quite crowded I think

-Finnish Virtual Pilots (planes + tanks, in realistic mode). The server is not bad. Most of the players present play in planes (you will not face many human tankers ?). I hate planes but on this server, since there are many of them, they usually fight each other, letting the tanks breathe.

The problem is, it's a server primarily designed for airplanes. So when the tanks have accomplished their 1st objectives, the 2nds are really very far away. On the other hand, it's nice to watch the dogfight above our heads from the ground.

-Advance and Secure. (planes + tanks + AI, in realistic mode). I don't like it but I think it is quite frequented.

-Attention EFronter server: My favorite server. The one that, in my eyes, is really designed for tanks BUT there are too many "stupid" players on it. That is to say, players who will play by plane, to attack the tanks. They can do that on any server (against AI it's the same) but no, they come on the only server that's really good for tanks and spoils the tanker game.

It's not the planes strictly speaking that bothers me because in reality, it was like that. It is the ratio of planes to tanks. This server is sparsely populated so when, out of the few players present, 80% of them are on planes ... you can leave the server, you know you will not enjoy it.

For information, an IL-2 mod. 1941 can carry 6 FAB-50sv / FAB-100M bombs + 8 ROFS-132 rockets and be equipped with 2 23mm cannons in the wings.

As a tank pilot, you have NO possible defense. (except your AA at your base).

You usually have little cover.

You are clearly at the mercy of planes. (and it's really not fun)

With its weaponry, they can kill you many times before having to return to base to rearm.

And even if the player is bad and misses all his shots, in 5 minutes he will have had time to land and then come back to harass you.

 

*I dream of a server only with tanks piloted by humans. (without planes)*

 

The solo part of the game is a failure so not very exciting.

 

But the more players there are, the more people there will be in multiplayer.

 

I know that say like that, it does not make you dream but at 70€ the game, I had to be honest with you.

 

EDIT : You don't have to buy Il-2 BOS to play with tanks. You can buy Tank Crew directly and only from the official store. On the other hand, if you want to buy Tank Crew on Steam, you will also have to buy Il-2 BOS on Steam.

Thanks for the indepth response. also nice to know that i do not need IL-2 BOS to get access to tankcrew.

 

1 hour ago, LachenKrieg said:

As @DD_Friar mentioned, there are a number of MP servers that you can check out, or you can join with one of the groups that host MP game play. You could have a look here for an example:

 

In terms of Single player content, Tank Crew comes with a number of SP missions included and there are a number of mission creators in the community that have added significantly to the SP content. I personally like the Quick Mission Builder that also comes with Tank Crew, as it allows you to quickly and easily create your own SP engagements on the fly.

 

I am also quite new to the IL2 community, and while the current price point of the Tank Crew module itself is high, I have no regrets with my purchase. I would also like to say, as a new community member, I had a number of concerns regarding the Development team and how much support the Tank Crew module would get as part a much larger flight simulator. But I have to say in the few months that I have been here, the Dev team has proven to be very committed to Tank Crew  and its users. My interests are also mainly focused on the armored vehicle side, but I purchased the other modules while they were being offered on sale, and couldn't be happier with the additional content I received for my Tank Crew module. I can highly recommend Tank Crew.

 

Good luck with your decision.

thanks for the reply

the price point of the game is only a problem for me if the game is barely supported in the long term. did the developers say anything about wanting to add more tanks to the game?more game modes and just improving the gameplay in general? i am really curious what the long term plan is for the game. because if i know for sure long term support is the plan  then i don't mind the 70 Euro investment.

 

2 hours ago, SCG_Neun said:

If you like Multiplayer....you will like this sim.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2AnMg9Wkr8

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_2tH6-qXI

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofL96v40QTU

 

 

 

 

Just a small sampling of our exploits...but you get the idea.  We hold our missions on Sunday and you will find a post about them in the Multiplayer Server section.  If you use the game...and you sound like someone who will...then you will get your investment out of it.  Especially if you come join us. 

 

 

those vids look awesome. i guess you guys are also on discord?

and yes i agree that Multiplayer significantly increases the long term value of a game. 

[LachenKrieg]

54 minutes ago, CheeseMerchant said:

Thanks for the indepth response. also nice to know that i do not need IL-2 BOS to get access to tankcrew.

 

thanks for the reply

the price point of the game is only a problem for me if the game is barely supported in the long term. did the developers say anything about wanting to add more tanks to the game?more game modes and just improving the gameplay in general? i am really curious what the long term plan is for the game. because if i know for sure long term support is the plan  then i don't mind the 70 Euro investment.

 

those vids look awesome. i guess you guys are also on discord?

and yes i agree that Multiplayer significantly increases the long term value of a game. 

If you go on IL2's main webpage, you will see a like for "NEWS". You can follow the Dev team's comments as more content is added. Here is the link to the most recent update:

 

In terms of the addition of more vehicles, they have not yet announced any specific details concerning more vehicles, but they have recently added a collectors vehicle section a few months back with the announcement of adding two new AAA vehicles. So my guess is that we will see more in the way of collector vehicles, but there has been nothing specific to confirm this other then the AAA vehicles. They have also announced that infantry will be added as an AI asset. So as a WWII themed combined arms simulator, the roadmap going forward looks pretty exciting.

[Thad]

Salutations,

 

I desire the addition of a included Map Editor in 2021!

 

This would be great for historically based missions where the required towns/villages/terrain are missing from the current maps. Hey, I can dream. ?

[Enzo38]

On 1/1/2021 at 5:33 PM, CheeseMerchant said:

i have an interest in WW2 tanks/Vehicles for over 20 years and have tried out several tank sims before.

 

Then, this game is for you mate. I've the same background and I'm quite sure you'll find what you want in this game.

I've found recently this video, have a look to it https://youtu.be/Z8K6Yf0Ctio

 

also you will enjoy using the Zeiss TZF optic to evaluate target distance, a must.

Edited January 3, 2021 by Enzo38

[II./JG77_Manu*]

I am asking myself a similar question, even though with a bit different assumptions.

Almost 10 years ago i switched from War Thunder to Il-2 BoS, and there was no going back to "lesser flight simulation" titles since.

 

Now a few weeks ago a good friend persuaded me to start playing War Thunder again, though Tanks this time - funnily the first time ever for me to play a tank game/sim. Oddly enough, we are having a blast these past weeks. It's a lot of fun to do tactical ground battles with WW2 vehicles.

 

But of course there are shortcomings regarding the WT tank gameplay, pretty similar to the aerial battles and what drove me to serious flight sims 10 years ago.

- Unhistoric use of maps (for example 1941 tanks at Normandy)

- Weird, unhistoric way to mix countries together (e.g. Germany+Italy+Sweden+Russia ?)

- and most importantly: Tank line-ups not dependent on operational use but some weird, unhistoric balacing called "battle rating".

 

So now i am asking myself, if these problems could be "fixed" in switching over to Tank Crew, while still maintaining the fun i have in WT to constantly fight real humans in a tactical way.

I know, i am preferring one historical encounter over 20 artificial ones any time. But there is still one question unanswered - how populated are the TC servers at any given time, especially in European evenings? I don't care how many servers there are, as long as there is one (realistic) always populated at my prime gaming time. I want to fire up the game, go into a server, and fight against other players within 10 or 15 minutes after joining, at best with proper mission goals (defend A, attack B, etc.). If this is currently possible with TC, it would be a big argument to spend 70€. The SCG Sunday Campaign sounds awesome, but it's only once a week. 

[LachenKrieg]

8 minutes ago, II./JG77_Manu* said:

I am asking myself a similar question, even though with a bit different assumptions.

Almost 10 years ago i switched from War Thunder to Il-2 BoS, and there was no going back to "lesser flight simulation" titles since.

 

Now a few weeks ago a good friend persuaded me to start playing War Thunder again, though Tanks this time - funnily the first time ever for me to play a tank game/sim. Oddly enough, we are having a blast these past weeks. It's a lot of fun to do tactical ground battles with WW2 vehicles.

 

But of course there are shortcomings regarding the WT tank gameplay, pretty similar to the aerial battles and what drove me to serious flight sims 10 years ago.

- Unhistoric use of maps (for example 1941 tanks at Normandy)

- Weird, unhistoric way to mix countries together (e.g. Germany+Italy+Sweden+Russia ?)

- and most importantly: Tank line-ups not dependent on operational use but some weird, unhistoric balacing called "battle rating".

 

So now i am asking myself, if these problems could be "fixed" in switching over to Tank Crew, while still maintaining the fun i have in WT to constantly fight real humans in a tactical way.

I know, i am preferring one historical encounter over 20 artificial ones any time. But there is still one question unanswered - how populated are the TC servers at any given time, especially in European evenings? I don't care how many servers there are, as long as there is one (realistic) always populated at my prime gaming time. I want to fire up the game, go into a server, and fight against other players within 10 or 15 minutes after joining, at best with proper mission goals (defend A, attack B, etc.). If this is currently possible with TC, it would be a big argument to spend 70€. The SCG Sunday Campaign sounds awesome, but it's only once a week. 

I couldn't agree more with your comment, so thanks for adding it. My feeling is that the average gamer doesn't get far in the simulation world because it is much harder to get/find the instant gratification they want/expect. Most gamer's will not put themselves through the learning curve required to generate missions in the mission editor, and therefore never experience the benefits of a sim platform like the IL2 GBS. And when you mention the need for more WoT/WarThunder style game play to grow the community, the hardcore simmer's take it as an assault on realism. The truth is, if there was a War Thunder like server, the net effect would more likely be growth in the community as opposed to a watering down of realism. But I believe there are still a few options available to you, and maybe someone with more experience then I can chime in.

[II./JG77_Manu*]

3 minutes ago, LachenKrieg said:

I couldn't agree more with your comment, so thanks for adding it. My feeling is that the average gamer doesn't get far in the simulation world because it is much harder to get/find the instant gratification they want/expect. Most gamer's will not put themselves through the learning curve required to generate missions in the mission editor, and therefore never experience the benefits of a sim platform like the IL2 GBS. And when you mention the need for more WoT/WarThunder style game play to grow the community, the hardcore simmer's take it as an assault on realism. The truth is, if there was a War Thunder like server, the net effect would more likely be growth in the community as opposed to a watering down of realism. But I believe there are still a few options available to you, and maybe someone with more experience then I can chime in.

 

Don't get me wrong, i never asked for "instant gratification". Even though, i think, there is not much of a difference between WT and IL2, apart from some number pop-ins i have never cared about. I used to rack up kills in WT, i similarly did in IL2, so pretty even in "instant gratification" - time to kill was also pretty similar.  

And well regarding WarThunder style gameplay - what they get right is, that there are proper assignments for everybody, and even if it is only to capture or protect a location. I don't know how current MP servers in TC work, but clear assignments what to attack or protect should be a bare minimum. There is much more realism in that "WarThunder style gameplay", then in most IL2 MP servers, where everybody is just roaming around in "free hunt" and the distribution bomber<-> fighter is completely off. 

[Thad]

There are arcade (simplistic gameplay) and simulation (realistic gameplay) players. There are Simple minded game players and complex minded game players.

 

I 'm in the complex minded group. Why else would I have submit myself to the challenge of creating missions with the Mission Editor? 

[LachenKrieg]

24 minutes ago, II./JG77_Manu* said:

 

Don't get me wrong, i never asked for "instant gratification". Even though, i think, there is not much of a difference between WT and IL2, apart from some number pop-ins i have never cared about. I used to rack up kills in WT, i similarly did in IL2, so pretty even in "instant gratification" - time to kill was also pretty similar.  

And well regarding WarThunder style gameplay - what they get right is, that there are proper assignments for everybody, and even if it is only to capture or protect a location. I don't know how current MP servers in TC work, but clear assignments what to attack or protect should be a bare minimum. There is much more realism in that "WarThunder style gameplay", then in most IL2 MP servers, where everybody is just roaming around in "free hunt" and the distribution bomber<-> fighter is completely off. 

I get your point and I agree. I was commenting on what I see as the overarching issue of what is missing in Tank Crew to give it that mass appeal. WarThunder is designed around the concept that you plugin, log-on, and play, where as Tank Crew is largely centered around its mission editor for game play. It doesn't have to be, but that is the way it is. If the Sunday campaign thing would be available 24/7, things would be heading in the right direction IMO.

 

 

21 minutes ago, Thad said:

There are arcade (simplistic gameplay) and simulation (realistic gameplay) players. There are Simple minded game players and complex minded game players.

 

I 'm in the complex minded group. Why else would I have submit myself to the challenge of creating missions with the Mission Editor? 

Fair enough Thad, but attracting more players to the platform would have no effect on how you use the SIM. You could enjoy your play style, probably with more people if you could just get them in the door first. Complexity of the SIM and the realism of the game play it is able to create would not be affected in the slightest by the simplicity of any single game mode.

Edited January 4, 2021 by LachenKrieg

[Thad]

Dumbing down gameplay is not desirable as a means to attract more players. More players don't guarantee quality players.

 

I've challenged a few constantly whining, complaining and negative minded new players and strongly suggest they go play something else while not letting our hangar doors hit then in the arse on their way out. I'd much rather deal with intelligent players that desire the complexity of a simulations challenge.

 

Checker players should stick with playing checkers while Chess players will stay with Chess. 

[Enzo38]

it's also difficult to be in a niche market (by this I mean complex and historical game) and maintain constant mp game session available 24x7, there is some compromise to accept here.

[SCG_judgedeath3]

2 hours ago, II./JG77_Manu* said:

what they get right is, that there are proper assignments for everybody, and even if it is only to capture or protect a location. I don't know how current MP servers in TC work, but clear assignments what to attack or protect should be a bare minimum. There is much more realism in that "WarThunder style gameplay", then in most IL2 MP servers, where everybody is just roaming around in "free hunt" and the distribution bomber<-> fighter is completely off. 

Warthunder compared to tank crew is like world of tanks vs warthunder: il-2 is way more realistic and harder and more correct and no holding hands and being arcadish, inw arthunder you spawn 3-5 tanks and attack and attack until youre dead or won in 15 minutes time. IL-2 when playing on finnish server or in SCG missions then expect to be playing 2-4 hours and like in real life its a lot of driving and mundane tasks and then a few stressfull and nerv wrecking action and with dead is dead rules very immersive and hard.
Some servers are more arcadish but if you play on finnish server or the ones that offer a battlefield and moving frontline then you have to defend military objects and attack enemy bases and defences, no capture the flag silly stuff and if you get killed you wont see what killed you, no hand holding here.

After I got tank crew which is a simulator, warthunder isnt, heck they have the commander in the wrong place in the ferdinand... I never look back and play IL-2 80% of my time.

[LachenKrieg]

5 hours ago, Thad said:

Dumbing down gameplay is not desirable as a means to attract more players. More players don't guarantee quality players.

 

I've challenged a few constantly whining, complaining and negative minded new players and strongly suggest they go play something else while not letting our hangar doors hit then in the arse on their way out. I'd much rather deal with intelligent players that desire the complexity of a simulations challenge.

 

Checker players should stick with playing checkers while Chess players will stay with Chess. 

Chess is a game that requires foresight Thad, and being able to read text and understand it at the same time obviously requires a certain level of thinking power that appears to be missing from your last post. First of all, you're not dealing with anything here other than your own opinion, and your opinion about whining, complaining, or negative minded players seems to be in need of a tuneup... Someone asked a valid question, as a potential player, regarding Tank Crew servers. He clearly stated what he liked about another game platform, and whether he could maintain what he likes and get rid of what he doesn't by switching to Tank Crew. Are you suggesting that he is Dumb, whining, complaining, or being negative?

 

But if we would all use the same shortsightedness you just used, then it might be better to say that there is very little value in growing the user base for Tank Crew and as result we can all enjoy longer wait times between updates, less product announcements, and next to no support. Where did you learn that strategy, the Marines?

 

 

5 hours ago, Enzo38 said:

it's also difficult to be in a niche market (by this I mean complex and historical game) and maintain constant mp game session available 24x7, there is some compromise to accept here.

Your right, and that is why a dynamic player vs player scenario like WarThunder works to generate larger communities. I personally think game play like a WarThunder type scenario in Tank Crew vehicles would be a lot of fun and a huge bonus. It would be like adding a serious dose of realism to the arcade world. It doesn't take anything away from the time I would want to spend in missions set on Expert. And it certainly wouldn't take anything away from groups that host things like the Sunday campaign. These are also very important to the Tank Crew community.

Edited January 5, 2021 by LachenKrieg

[II./JG77_Manu*]

13 hours ago, SCG_judgedeath3 said:

Warthunder compared to tank crew is like world of tanks vs warthunder: il-2 is way more realistic and harder and more correct and no holding hands and being arcadish, inw arthunder you spawn 3-5 tanks and attack and attack until youre dead or won in 15 minutes time. IL-2 when playing on finnish server or in SCG missions then expect to be playing 2-4 hours and like in real life its a lot of driving and mundane tasks and then a few stressfull and nerv wrecking action and with dead is dead rules very immersive and hard.
Some servers are more arcadish but if you play on finnish server or the ones that offer a battlefield and moving frontline then you have to defend military objects and attack enemy bases and defences, no capture the flag silly stuff and if you get killed you wont see what killed you, no hand holding here.

After I got tank crew which is a simulator, warthunder isnt, heck they have the commander in the wrong place in the ferdinand... I never look back and play IL-2 80% of my time.

I am not at all against 2-4 hours dead is dead missions, if they are filled with useful (realistic, historic, meaningful) tasks.

If the reason of a 4 hour mission is, that you have to drive for 2 hours to get to the frontline, or there are only 9 tank drivers online on a 100sqkm grid, well, that is where the problems start for me.

And regarding those immersive, realistic 4 hours missions, given that they work properly and have enough players online - they are more those "once a week" type of games for the normal citizen, and even then by a stretch if you have a partner, kids and/or other hobbies. When talking about daily gaming, really only unemployed, pensioners or sunday students can do 4 hours gaming in one piece on a regular basis.

A normal employee has 30min, 1 hour, maybe sometimes two hours after work, that's it. And for these days (the majority!) it would be nice, to have a quicker way to play online - if done properly, it doesn't make the game "less realistic" in any way. 

 

 

On another note (not related to the quote) i still didn't get an answer to my question unfortunately:

Are there realistic servers always populated during European evenings with meaningful tasks for the tanks (not just free hunt), that don't take 4 hours to achieve? 

 

 

[Koenigstiger]

Hello tankers,

 

As a former armored infantryman, armored platoon leader and tank model builder, I would also like to add "my mustard" to this, especially since I have been playing all tank simulations for decades - even if only as a single player, who attaches great importance to realism, tactics and use of the terrain.

For me, TC is the "non plus ultra" in its present form and it seems to me as if some of the critics here need the "egg-laying woolly milk pig" in order to have fun that catapults them onto a battlefield and can prove them to themselves and others what kind of guys they are.

 

For me it is always nice to stand - or sit - in the tank with increasing realism in this game and to be able to carry out the various activities and see the landscape, to feel the terrain in my imagination and thereby awaken memories. ....! It's almost as if I walk across the country with me in autumn and have the scent of a plowed field in my nose and then also remember (good) old times with my comrades and of course my "excavators" = Marder IFV , Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 and the fun we had despite of all the work.

 

If TC continues to develop like this, thanks to the tireless work of the developers and the support of the community as well as the forward-looking planning of the owners (donors), we will have a lot of fun and our little gray cells will have enough imagination to do well. It is the fantasy itself that drives us to such beautiful activities - as it is already said in the beautiful film "Die Feuerzangenbowle" with Heinz Rühmnan = "... but only the memories that we carry within us are true, the dreams that we spin and the longings that drive us - we want to be content with that!"

 

Good luck

Guenther

[Enzo38]

27 minutes ago, II./JG77_Manu* said:

 

And regarding those immersive, realistic 4 hours missions, given that they work properly and have enough players online - they are more those "once a week" type of games for the normal citizen, and even then by a stretch if you have a partner, kids and/or other hobbies.

 

This has always been the same issue with Wargaming, you need time to invest in it. After there is a difference by finding 2 or 4 hours to play a single game, than having regular weekly as you say. Anyway, there have been some progress on this, if you come back to the tabletop epoch where you needed at least one hour to properly setup the game  I remember the longest day, war in the east, world in flames and so on ... at tactical level, where we are with TC this can compare to Squad Leader where it is clearly easier to setup a quick game.

but all in all, this is not War Thunder and you certainly need more than 15' or 30' in a row to play properly and this is what we are looking for, isn't it ?

[II./JG77_Manu*]

2 minutes ago, Enzo38 said:

 

This has always been the same issue with Wargaming, you need time to invest in it. After there is a difference by finding 2 or 4 hours to play a single game, than having regular weekly as you say. Anyway, there have been some progress on this, if you come back to the tabletop epoch where you needed at least one hour to properly setup the game  I remember the longest day, war in the east, world in flames and so on ... at tactical level, where we are with TC this can compare to Squad Leader where it is clearly easier to setup a quick game.

but all in all, this is not War Thunder and you certainly need more than 15' or 30' in a row to play properly and this is what we are looking for, isn't it ?

 I am completely fine with 1 hour sessions without interruption, i am used to this kind of time commitment from flight sorties or sim racing and do not need 15min battles like in War Thunder. But when it passes 90min it gets really hard to incorporate into my daily schedule. 

[LachenKrieg]

19 hours ago, II./JG77_Manu* said:

Now a few weeks ago a good friend persuaded me to start playing War Thunder again, though Tanks this time - funnily the first time ever for me to play a tank game/sim. Oddly enough, we are having a blast these past weeks. It's a lot of fun to do tactical ground battles with WW2 vehicles.

 

But of course there are shortcomings regarding the WT tank gameplay, pretty similar to the aerial battles and what drove me to serious flight sims 10 years ago.

- Unhistoric use of maps (for example 1941 tanks at Normandy)

- Weird, unhistoric way to mix countries together (e.g. Germany+Italy+Sweden+Russia ?)

- and most importantly: Tank line-ups not dependent on operational use but some weird, unhistoric balacing called "battle rating".

 

So now i am asking myself, if these problems could be "fixed" in switching over to Tank Crew, while still maintaining the fun i have in WT to constantly fight real humans in a tactical way.

I know, i am preferring one historical encounter over 20 artificial ones any time. But there is still one question unanswered - how populated are the TC servers at any given time, especially in European evenings? I don't care how many servers there are, as long as there is one (realistic) always populated at my prime gaming time. I want to fire up the game, go into a server, and fight against other players within 10 or 15 minutes after joining, at best with proper mission goals (defend A, attack B, etc.). If this is currently possible with TC, it would be a big argument to spend 70€. The SCG Sunday Campaign sounds awesome, but it's only once a week. 

Sadly, no one has answered your question yet, so I will do the best I can with a limited knowledge.

 

Regarding your new found interest doing tactical ground battles with WWII vehicles. Obviously, Tank Crew fits the bill.

 

Regarding the shortcomings, or things you don't like about WarThunder, I can personally confirm that they have been addressed in Tank Crew. So the answer to your question is yes, you can get rid of those issues in Tank Crew.

 

I have no experience with any of the servers, but my understanding is that there is more than one server that will meet your requirements. The Finnish server seems to be quite active based on what I have read on the forum. I would suggest that you have a look over on the IL2 GBS/Multiplayers Servers and Hosting forum. There you can find links to all the different servers including the Finnish server if you haven't already done that. You can also repost your question there. I am hoping you will get a much better response.

 

Here is a link to the Finnish server, where I think you will find the answers your looking for.

 

 

 

 

 

Just a thought, you could also message the players that made the posts and ask them directly more specific questions.

Edited January 5, 2021 by LachenKrieg

[Enzo38]

12 hours ago, LachenKrieg said:

Your right, and that is why a dynamic player vs player scenario like WarThunder works to generate larger communities. I personally think game play like a WarThunder type scenario in Tank Crew vehicles would be a lot of fun and a huge bonus.

Agreed, this would be great if not sacrificing to much too realism, obviously this need a growing community, hope this is the case.

 

1 hour ago, II./JG77_Manu* said:

 I am completely fine with 1 hour sessions without interruption, i am used to this kind of time commitment from flight sorties or sim racing and do not need 15min battles like in War Thunder. But when it passes 90min it gets really hard to incorporate into my daily schedule. 

yes, I have the same concern, it's getting more and more difficult to have more than 2 hours ahead.

this is certainly the success of computer game compare to tabletop where you can't save your game, paradoxically this is not achievable in simulation game. but, yes a one or two hours format is a good option.

[Fritz_Faber]

I tried out several tank simulations before, but TC for me is the most realistic one.

Interior is as precise modeled as exterior, same for effects (fire, shooting, smoke) and landscape.

 

TC has the potential to be THE WWII tank simulator in future, I guess.

Servers for real online tank-battles are rare, unfortunately.

I'm visiting Advance and Secure, which you can play without a big community, because of the rich AI (- tanks/-planes/-artillery).

Attention Efront is my second favorite, but here - without AI - you will be very lonesome from time to time.

Finnish server isn't really made for tanks, you can spawn one, but you will have long long time to drive for about 10 km to frontline, a bit boring to me.

 

My wishes for the future are later tanks like Tiger II, Jagdpanther, and of course Sturmgeschütz III.

And I hope, the few online tank-servers will getting better and better by time, with focus on tanks, not planes.

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by Fritz_Faber

[SCG_Neun]

Our last combined arms mission....July 1941, using the MkIII M......showing that the AI can be very challenging...

Edited January 6, 2021 by SCG_Neun