Multiplayer

[Denum]

Is it just me or has the multiplayer population dropped significantly? 

 

When I first picked this up it was difficult to find a spot on any of the popular servers but as of late it's rare to even see one completely full. 

 

I know when late war sets arrive on FvP hit that place gets substantially less popular (for reasons most of us know) and other popular late war servers are experiencing the same. 

 

Just my observation, curious if others noticed the same. At first I was just expecting that it was because it was nice out, But there seems to be a bit of frustration in the online community.

 

 

Edited July 2, 2021 by Denum

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

Every summer the number of folks flying on different servers drops. Most folks are spending more time outside, traveling, on vacation, etc. Matter of fact, I'm leaving for a week of vacation on Saturday....much needed from work. ;)

 

The fall will bring the numbers back up as always.

 

HB

[itsbillyfrazier]

Seasonality is certainly a factor as mentioned above. Furthermore, as Covid related lock-downs and restrictions ease in many places across the globe, many people are keen to get out of the house and socialise more.

 

In saying that, there's also an extremely vocal but toxic few who wish to kick this sim and disrespect the developers at any given opportunity, most of which seem to be from one section of the MP community, you can pretty much narrow them down to one server.

 

While this cohort may have made some valid arguments on certain shortcomings of the sims game play, the way in which they have communicated these arguments, both here and on a particular Discord server, helps nobody. 

 

Whether this abundance of negativity correlates to a drop in players across MP servers, well I cant substantiate that, but it's the sole reason why I quit one discord server in particular and why I will no longer play on that online server anymore, even if I considered it to be one of the most interesting in terms of game play and features.

 

This cohort is now spilling out into other servers, spreading their vitriol into the in-game chat. I've simply had enough of their constant whining and disrespect.

While this sim is far from perfect, I've seen real progress over recent years and trust that the Devs will address some of the issues raised by the community when they are in a position to do so.

 

Some people just take it all a bit too seriously and have lost sight of the fun element.  I'm back to playing SP now mostly. I'm sure there are others who probably feel the same.

 

[CountZero]

1 hour ago, Denum said:

Is it just me or has the multiplayer population dropped significantly? 

 

When I first picked this up it was difficult to find a spot on any of the popular servers but as of late it's rare to even see one completely full. 

 

I know when late war sets arrive on FvP hit that place gets substantially less popular (for reasons most of us know) and other popular late war servers are experiencing the same. 

 

Just my observation, curious if others noticed the same. At first I was just expecting that it was because it was nice out, But there seems to be a bit of frustration in the online community.

 

 

 

I look at stats page of 3 main servers and compared to same time last year there is more players on their stats this year. So lower numbers are probably summer time low. Thing that changed is VP is now top CB next and WL last, last year it was CB WL and VP by popularity.

I would like to belive comical AP vs HE ammo since 4.005 had impact on online players, but that is only american airplanes problem so players can just take german, VVS or RAF airplanes and that wont have big impact on overall numbers.

Also ACG is doing COD Tobruk campaign this year insted BoX like last year, so their few 100ppl every week are missing this year from peak times numbers, last year on good days 500-600 players at same time was most i saw on weekends at around 8pm cet.

 

Edited July 2, 2021 by CountZero

[Denum]

51 minutes ago, itsbillyfrazier said:

In saying that, there's also an extremely vocal but toxic few who wish to kick this sim and disrespect the developers at any given opportunity, most of which seem to be from one section of the MP community, you can pretty much narrow them down to one server.

 

While this cohort may have made some valid arguments on certain shortcomings of the sims game play, the way in which they have communicated these arguments, both here and on a particular Discord server, helps nobody. 

 

Whether this abundance of negativity correlates to a drop in players across MP servers, well I cant substantiate that, but it's the sole reason why I quit one discord server in particular and why I will no longer play on that online server anymore, even if I considered it to be one of the most interesting in terms of game play and features.

 

This cohort is now spilling out into other servers, spreading their vitriol into the in-game chat. I've simply had enough of their constant whining and disrespect.

While this sim is far from perfect, I've seen real progress over recent years and trust that the Devs will address some of the issues raised by the community when they are in a position to do so.

 

Some people just take it all a bit too seriously and have lost sight of the fun element.  I'm back to playing SP now mostly. I'm sure there are others who probably feel the same.

 

 

 

Thought I'd take a second to address this. 

 

There's quite a few that are tired of very valid complaints being ignored for incredible lengths of time so far. 

 

Especially when you have Axis only players desperate to ensure they can keep their advantage. 

 

In the games current state you have to be quite a bit better skill wise to do well against Axis aircraft as the skill floor is so disgustingly low.

 

The fact that even temporary fixes haven't been considered and now there's evidence that axis aircraft are sporting armor nearly 5 times heavier then allied aircraft this brings things into a uncomfortable light. 

 

People have put in some serious work to help the Devs and have received nothing or in some cases simply being told to just "stop" 

 

So I can understand the frustration from both sides. 

 

If the Devs are in a wild time crunch. Be honest with us. If someone said to be me, we are way behind and can't even look at it right now. Ok fine! I get it. I've been there. But when I was in that situation I didn't get to give half answers. I was honest and direct. 

 

Personally I found single player to be a bit boring because the enemies fly the same way, turn right, fly in circles until they either G out and crash or you shoot them down after doing multiple round and rounds.

 

I much prefer multiplayer. 

 

I haven't found anyone that I find myself around to be taking it too seriously, they are just simply leaving the game for the competition because they can't enjoy their favorite aircraft.

 

 

I don't feel anyone has been unreasonable, the response so far has been less then ideal in my opinion. Personally I'd be satisfied with a quick partial fix vs waiting a year or longer, I know I'm not alone in that regard. 

 

Heck just let server owners allow certain mods. It would do so much to help right now!

Edited July 2, 2021 by Denum

[itsbillyfrazier]

29 minutes ago, Denum said:

they are just simply leaving the game for the competition because they can't enjoy their favorite aircraft.

 

Well my respect to those who vote with their feet and move onto pastures new if they are unhappy with the sim.

 

These people have substance IMO, I would do exactly the same if i felt the same way.

 

Should customers begin to leave in their droves over the issues raised, it's likely the Devs will be forced to take action, listen and prioritise the issues accordingly. 

 

After all, money talks loudest in these situations, not people regurgitating the same stuff over and over at every given opportunity (even if some of the issues raised are valid.)

 

For the vast majority of those who enjoy the sim for what it is (warts and all), these arguments become weary.

 

 

 

[Denum]

9 hours ago, itsbillyfrazier said:

For the vast majority of those who enjoy the sim for what it is (warts and all), these arguments become weary.

 

 

 

 

No one made you reply to the thread. 

 

If you're content with the current state of things then why say anything? 

 

Seems like you're the creator of your own problem here.

 

Fortunately the "vast majority" is going to struggle with the AI regardless. They could not tell you if the DM feels a little off if they tried. 

 

Although I suspect the due to the Axis popularity little will be done to rectify the issues in a reasonable time frame. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2021 by Denum

[Creep]

6 hours ago, itsbillyfrazier said:

In saying that, there's also an extremely vocal but toxic few who wish to kick this sim and disrespect the developers at any given opportunity, most of which seem to be from one section of the MP community, you can pretty much narrow them down to one server.

I disagree that it's a small group of people that are dissatisfied with the current state of the damage model, and I think the majority of those that are frustrated are being polite but persistent about that problem. 

 

6 hours ago, itsbillyfrazier said:

While this cohort may have made some valid arguments on certain shortcomings of the sims game play, the way in which they have communicated these arguments, both here and on a particular Discord server, helps nobody. 

The arguments have been stately politely in many ways with a lot of supporting evidence. Not sure how it can be done in a more constructive manner really.

 

6 hours ago, itsbillyfrazier said:

it's the sole reason why I quit one discord server in particular and why I will no longer play on that online server anymore, even if I considered it to be one of the most interesting in terms of game play and features.

You quit playing on CB because of things people were saying in Discord? You make it sound as though you left and went to another MP server, but then later you state that you are playing single player. Out of curiosity, I went to look at your stats on WOL, CB, and Finnish. I found that you fly Axis almost exclusively (95%+) and that you don't have a lot of success on any of these servers. I think you stopped playing multiplayer because it's not fun losing constantly and hearing that the planes you are using are the ones which are generally easier to do well with since they do not rely on AP ammo as much. I doubt it has anything to do with complaints people are voicing about the current state of the damage model.

[RedKestrel]

On 7/3/2021 at 12:22 AM, QB.Creep said:

I disagree that it's a small group of people that are dissatisfied with the current state of the damage model, and I think the majority of those that are frustrated are being polite but persistent about that problem. 

 

The arguments have been stately politely in many ways with a lot of supporting evidence. Not sure how it can be done in a more constructive manner really.

 

This. Considering the magnitude of the problem people are being pretty even-keeled about it. People flew off the handle more about the 190's armoured glass controversy than they do about the DM. 
 

 

On 7/3/2021 at 12:22 AM, QB.Creep said:

You quit playing on CB because of things people were saying in Discord? You make it sound as though you left and went to another MP server, but then later you state that you are playing single player. Out of curiosity, I went to look at your stats on WOL, CB, and Finnish. I found that you fly Axis almost exclusively (95%+) and that you don't have a lot of success on any of these servers. I think you stopped playing multiplayer because it's not fun losing constantly and hearing that the planes you are using are the ones which are generally easier to do well with since they do not rely on AP ammo as much. I doubt it has anything to do with complaints people are voicing about the current state of the damage model.

And also this.

I've just started flying the Typhoon as my primary ground attack platform rather than a P-47 and I suddenly have a huge jump in air kills despite flying ground attack almost exclusively. Overshoots are suddenly deadly for the lazy fighter pilot, and headons have consequences when you're packing hispanos.

Plane matters and gun matters and ammo matters more, and even with 4 cannons blazing you can see the difference between AP hits and HE hits like night and day.

It's not like I got better overnight, I'm basically the same skill level as I was a year ago. It's the guns and the plane. If I left when I got tired of getting owned you would all be free of me by now. 
 

[357th_KW]

2 hours ago, RedKestrel said:

It's not like I got better overnight, I'm basically the same skill level as I was a year ago. It's the guns and the plane. If I left when I got tired of getting owned you would all be free of me by now. 
 

100%

 

I went from flying mostly US planes to doing a lot of Tempest/Typhoon/Spit this past month, and suddenly my performance has wildly improved in aircraft I’ve hardly flown and don’t know any of the quirks of.  These issues are being painted as the complaints of just a few, but they’ve already caused A LOT of players to vote with their feet and their wallets.  Player count online should be growing with all the new content, and instead it’s barely treading water.  I’m a perfect example.  I’ve spent tons of money on this game buying collector aircraft and campaigns in the past that I had zero interest in.  I’ve even bought copies of BoBp to donate to others to help encourage people to come play online.  I’ve posted up single player missions to try and help out the community.  I’ve worked on MP mission ideas to try and help the community.  I’m pretty invested in IL-2.  But we’ve reached a point where instead of preordering the latest collector aircraft, I spent $60 on a competing product that has a lot less to offer, all in the hopes that I can fly a US aircraft in a MP environment with functional guns.

[Denum]

I've seen a few going so far as to get refunds, 

 

I can't say I blame them as I've often considered it myself. Realistically unless there's something done, 3 of the aircraft with Normandy are all show and no go. 

 

Personally I'm still waiting to get surprised with a fix. I'm dangerously optimistic, I know. 

 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2021 by Denum