Developer Diary 294 - Discussion

[Asgar]

5 hours ago, Pict said:

Stunning, great improvment and to do it without the need for extra computer resources is above and beyond what the larger majority of developers appear to be capable of 

 

Where is @Asgar when there's a wip 410 clearly hidden behind these beutiful clouds? 

 

…

[Chief_Mouser]

Oh wow. Really, really liking the look of these - and localised rain showers ?! Great work. ?

?

[BornToBattle]

Looks great! I’m always for better visuals with little to no impact on performance. Usually this statement is a contradiction in terms in most sims/games for the PC. Kudos!

[JGr2/J5_Hotlead]

Back when I was playing il-2 1946, if I could have seen this update, my jaw would have dropped. ? Heck, my jaw is still dropping now! These look gorgeous! ?

On 9/23/2021 at 9:13 AM, Imperator_TFD said:

The localised weather is the part that has me the most excited about this.

I'm very keen to learn how that works and whether or not mission makers could possibly have control over where the rain/snow might be located.

 

Example: players take off in the rain in England, fly over the Channel into sunny France to bomb something then fly home to land in the rain again.

 

+1! I think that would be very, very cool. This sort of thing will look especially amazing/immersive from open air cockpits like we have in Flying Circus IMHO.

[mpdugas]

The single largest reason I have not bought a copy of MSFS is that their simulation of clouds just seems to be off, a little unrealistic.  It's enough that I don't want to "fly" amongst them.  That, and their initial resistance to including a satisfactory version of VR.

 

Of course, this is purely subjective on my part, but my many decades of living on planet Earth have never shown me clouds like those of the MS universe.  It's idiosyncratic, I know.  To me, their representation just isn't quite right.

 

So it was with some trepidation that I looked at these photos, worrying that IL-2 might be taking a step in the MS direction, but fortunately, these simulated clouds look pretty and mostly "realistic" to my experienced eyes.

 

I never cease to wonder at how well these developers do, with their resources; they produce a flight simulator that is every bit as complex and satisfying as that (cough, cough) other one, while making a tank simulator that is far better than certain dedicated tank simulations presently on the market.  How do they do this?

 

Amazing stuff, really.

[Jade_Monkey]

40 minutes ago, mpdugas said:

The single largest reason I have not bought a copy of MSFS is that their simulation of clouds just seems to be off, a little unrealistic.  It's enough that I don't want to "fly" amongst them.  That, and their initial resistance to including a satisfactory version of VR.

 

Of course, this is purely subjective on my part, but my many decades of living on planet Earth have never shown me clouds like those of the MS universe.  It's idiosyncratic, I know.  To me, their representation just isn't quite right.

 

So it was with some trepidation that I looked at these photos, worrying that IL-2 might be taking a step in the MS direction, but fortunately, these simulated clouds look pretty and mostly "realistic" to my experienced eyes.

 

I never cease to wonder at how well these developers do, with their resources; they produce a flight simulator that is every bit as complex and satisfying as that (cough, cough) other one, while making a tank simulator that is far better than certain dedicated tank simulations presently on the market.  How do they do this?

 

Amazing stuff, really.

 

It's weird. Their regular clouds are very nice, but the VR version is pretty crude.

I experience the same with DCS. Everyone was raving about the new clouds but since I play in VR there is not much to celebrate.

 

Somehow the IL2 clouds hold their own very well in VR, i hope that is the case for the new ones too.

 

[blitze]

I think I will be lost in and amongst these clouds.  My VR head will never come out of them.?

 

Great stuff.

[paulysch]

I am so excited for this! I always wanted multiple weather variations that are localized or are slowly moving from A to B. Does this also mean that we might get wind direction that can change? Different turbolence strenght depending on where you are at? The possibilities are endless

[willeverton]

Loving the radio language matching the aircraft nationality. I've been calling for this for a white. Flying the hurricane and the spit V against some early 109s and he111's is so much more enjoyable? The new cloud tech looks awesome, great work as ever?

[Pict]

5 hours ago, Asgar said:

…

 

... _

 

Spoiler

Edited September 24, 2021 by Pict

[Lusekofte]

Things like this is much better than a new plane. It looks stunning. I already enjoy the flight to target. This will make it even more enjoyable.

Many thanks

[Denum]

Man if they spruced up the sounds a bit.

 

They'd pretty much have my entire wish list crossed off. 

 

They already have most of my favorite planes. 

 

 

 

 

[Jade_Monkey]

7 hours ago, Denum said:

Man if they spruced up the sounds a bit.

They'd pretty much have my entire wish list crossed off. 

They already have most of my favorite planes. 

 

 

+1 for sounds.

 

My "must have" wishlist:

• Fix the butter brakes
• improved engine sounds
• better large formations with multiple flights. 

[Soilworker]

1 hour ago, Jade_Monkey said:

 

• Fix the butter brakes

 

+1 

[BlitzPig_EL]

While I agree that the braking power in the sim is far too weak, I suspect the devs have made a gameplay compromise for the many players that don't have brakes mapped to a potentiometer.  Using a button with full strength brakes would be, ummm... exciting.

 

Sadly, I fall into that group, as the toe brakes on my CH pedals failed long ago.  Since you need a button type for Russian and British types anyway, I just run them all that way.

No real hardship.

[Eicio]

Maybe a bit out of the subject but do you know is the advanced quick mission is still a thing ?

 

Last I checked it was expected for the end of summer and I may have missed the last news about it.

[Jade_Monkey]

36 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

While I agree that the braking power in the sim is far too weak, I suspect the devs have made a gameplay compromise for the many players that don't have brakes mapped to a potentiometer.  Using a button with full strength brakes would be, ummm... exciting.

 

Sadly, I fall into that group, as the toe brakes on my CH pedals failed long ago.  Since you need a button type for Russian and British types anyway, I just run them all that way.

No real hardship.

 

Good point. Maybe the buttons can be set to half strength (or whatever is appropriate) and axis can be tuned to its full strength if necessary? Just an idea.

[BladeMeister]

Having used the 'cloud mod' quite extensively, this can only be a good addition to GBS. Knowing rowdyboot is involved is a plus for sure after what he has already been able to acheive outside of the offical game engine. Good luck to these guys for adding local rain storms as well, as this will add a lot to the immersion of flying missions on stormy days.

 

S!Blade<><

[Trooper117]

9 hours ago, Denum said:

if they spruced up the sounds a bit.

 

Yes... some of the aircraft sounds are ok, but some are awful, (Typhoon and Tempest for instance.)

[Denum]

1 hour ago, Trooper117 said:

 

Yes... some of the aircraft sounds are ok, but some are awful, (Typhoon and Tempest for instance.)

Yeah they're missing that low end rumble and bass. 

 

Typhoon and Tempest had the Sabres. 

I think they maybe close on the sound as they will be a bit raspy? 

 

They just need a little more life. 

 

That Tiger33 on YouTube had some amazing sounds. Shame it never became a mod. I think with a bit of Dev involvement they could have been phenomenal.

[Trooper117]

45 minutes ago, Denum said:

Typhoon and Tempest had the Sabres. 

I think they maybe close on the sound as they will be a bit raspy? 

 

They just need a little more life. 

 

The sabre engine sound we have in game is nothing like the real thing, not even close.

I really hope they find a way to get it right in the future...

 

 

 

[WWDriftwood]

Excellent, I'm very excited about the localized weather! Can't wait... great job.  

[chiliwili69]

I love this Dev diary, one of the best. Well done Jason,  Sergey, Isay and the team!!! and rowdyboot !!! 

 

VR is the number 1 item for me in flight simulators. Second item is clouds. So, when I read the diary I was happy to see that efforts went in that direction.

 

My obsession for clouds, smoke and turbulence simulation in computer graphics started in 1993, when I dedicated one year to simulate those Navier-Stokes equations. When Computer Graphics was just borning and computer power and resolutions were not like today.  I have rescued some capture from VHS tape in 24fps to give you a glimpse of that:

https://youtu.be/HjyCRXo8gqA

 

So, when I enjoy  (and will enjoy) those clouds in my VR headset at 80fps I really apreciate the awesome work done by the IL-2 team and the evolution of the CG technology. The complexity of the work behind the scenes can not be paid enough. 

 

Well done and keep improving! 

 

Edited September 26, 2021 by chiliwili69

[Soilworker]

22 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

While I agree that the braking power in the sim is far too weak, I suspect the devs have made a gameplay compromise for the many players that don't have brakes mapped to a potentiometer.  Using a button with full strength brakes would be, ummm... exciting.

 

Sadly, I fall into that group, as the toe brakes on my CH pedals failed long ago.  Since you need a button type for Russian and British types anyway, I just run them all that way.

No real hardship.

 

22 hours ago, Jade_Monkey said:

 

Good point. Maybe the buttons can be set to half strength (or whatever is appropriate) and axis can be tuned to its full strength if necessary? Just an idea.

 

I totally get the need for softer braking, had to use a button myself for quite a while. 

 

I think your half strength button idea certainly has merit JM, I personally was thinking it could be a realism setting, like with spotting and engine management, etc.

"✅ Realistic Braking" 

 

[Tipsi]

Great to see that the developers have the humility to ask fellow community members for assistance/ share ideas to make our sim the best it can be.

 

nice one @rowdyb00t!

 

The cloud visuals are absolutely stunning! 

[Jameswildwood]

The clouds look awsome can't wait ! I also have to agree to the call for better sounds . The Tempest and Typhoon are awfull , Lawnmower springs to mind! And how about someting that sounds remotely like a Merlin , the Mossie's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mysticpuma]

Would still like to know if these are completely new or if they still have the stripes in them

[BMA_FlyingShark]

On 9/23/2021 at 3:00 PM, Jason_Williams said:

They also have localized rain showers

Guys,

 

This is probably gonna be the most stupid question anyone ever asked on this forum or even on internet fora in general but...what are localized rain showers?

Does it mean we'll have parts on the map where it rains and parts where it doesn't during the same mission?

 

Have a nice day.

 

[Avimimus]

11 minutes ago, FlyingShark said:

Guys,

 

This is probably gonna be the most stupid question anyone ever asked on this forum or even on internet fora in general but...what are localized rain showers?

Does it mean we'll have parts on the map where it rains and parts where it doesn't during the same mission?

 

Have a nice day.

 

 

Yes

[BMA_FlyingShark]

Just now, Avimimus said:

 

Yes

Thank you.

 

Have a nice day.

 

[Avimimus]

2 hours ago, FlyingShark said:

Thank you.

 

Have a nice day.

 

 

You too!

 

P.S. It'd have been cool if some of the rain spoke Russian, some Italian etc.

[Ghost666]

So it's going to rain on the plain, but not on the mountain, but only in Spain will it rain on the plain, yes the plain in Spain.  

[BraveSirRobin]

9 minutes ago, Ghost666 said:

So it's going to rain on the plain, but not on the mountain, but only in Spain will it rain on the plain, yes the plain in Spain.  

Spanish civil war is unlikely, so it may only rain on a plane bombing a train.  ?

[Ghost666]

31 minutes ago, BraveSirRobin said:

Spanish civil war is unlikely, so it may only rain on a plane bombing a train.  ?

And the train would have to have a Fair Lady as a passenger.  

[GOZR]

I am not 100% sold on the clouds as for now I hope they have different levels ..  but I am happy that finally the clouds are getting some good TLC 

Edited September 29, 2021 by GOZR

[Jeronimo83]

I’m looking forward to some overcast screenshots. I always disliked the faint sunshine beneath even the thickest cloud layer, casting subtle shadows in the cockpit, in the current version of the game. The only time overcast is convincing for me is flying through the cloud layer, when the sun/shadows does seem to totally be absent for a brief moment.

Anyway, I think the screenshots of the current state of development are super nice.

[senseispcc]

Great news, a step into the right direction. Wonderful work from a great team. Thank to all those how at each upgrade give us, the players, a better game. Hurrah!

[Imperator_TFD]

20 hours ago, GOZR said:

I am not 100% sold on the clouds as for now I hope they have different levels ..  but I am happy that finally the clouds are getting some good TLC 

 

If you'd look at the screenshots they posted you can easily see some with multi layered clouds.

[Spidey002]

And I thought the game was already beautiful!

So stoked for these clouds!

~ Spidey

[mpdugas]

for what is possible in weather effects, take a look at some of the multilayered clouds and localized weather effects in Falcon BMS.

 

From my personal, real-world experience, this stuff comes really close to the real thing...except for the cheesy lightning sprites, lol:

 

Their rain-on-glass effect is second to none, particularly when increasing airspeed simply wipes the canopy clean.

 

IL-2 is running an extraordinarily close second to BMS.  No one else comes even remotely close.

 

For the nadir in rain/weather effects, check-out the textured billboards in Steel Beasts.  Sometimes, it's raining (snowing) and sometimes not, depending on the POV:

 

 

There is no weather effect in the game world, per se, at all.

 

IL-2, as a flight simulator, simply out-performs this software title as a tank warfare simulator.

Edited September 30, 2021 by mpdugas
grammar