Pre Pre-Announcement announcement?

[Mysticpuma]

 

There is no rush though. We are only two years behind the hoped for release of the Visual Update ?

 

[Snowdon]

On 9/14/2023 at 9:20 AM, Mysticpuma said:

 

There is no rush though. We are only two years behind the hoped for release of the Visual Update ?

 

 

[Koziolek]

On 9/13/2023 at 11:05 PM, simfan2015 said:

V6 Release date... hopefully a year will be mentioned. 

Don't be too greedy. I would be happy with a decade ?

[DD_Arthur]

On 9/13/2023 at 8:38 PM, 86th_Leifr said:

You couldn't write a better comedic tragedy, really.

Look, you people should understand; it can be really difficult to organise yourself out of these paper bags.
They’re tough!?

 

[BOO]

2 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

Look, you people should understand; it can be really difficult to organise yourself out of these paper bags.
They’re tough!?

 

Fortunately the pre launch celebration planned to be held in a brewery failed to materialise due to administrative oversights otherwsie it could have been even worse...

Edited September 16, 2023 by BOO

[Dagwoodyt]

On 9/13/2023 at 2:26 PM, Mysticpuma said:

Silence indicates assent or maybe too busy with TF 6.0 to visit this forum ?

[Semor76]

2 hours ago, Dagwoodyt said:

Silence indicates assent or maybe too busy with TF 6.0 to visit this forum ?

Sure...?

[BOO]

Maybe on hold to Fulqrum's Developer Support 

 

 

"a told em they could make the announcement next week"

 

 

[Volant_Eagle]

On 9/13/2023 at 6:27 PM, deathmisser said:

Tbh If the FW's are not the selling point then it has to be ether the Spit IX or the Mustang 

 

On 9/13/2023 at 6:35 PM, Mysticpuma said:

I think as many have said over the many months and years, it's likely to be the Typhoon ?

 

I agree that one of these has to be included if not possibly all three. Something has to be included to counter the Fw 190 and these three seem the most logical for 1942. The Spit IX has to be the easiest to include since it's basically a re-engined Mk V. It's a very common aircraft though and almost all sims covering this time period have it(same for the 190). Either a Typhoon or an Allison Mustang would be much more unique but obviously a lot more work to include. However, I just can't see any of these three aircraft being the "one aircraft" Joshua was referring to. He says "IMO there will be one plane (not the Fw-190) that will be the main selling point of 6.0" Neither the Spitfire, Tyhpoon, or Mustang seem to me like they're on a level any different than the Fw 190. Whatever this one plane is, it has to be pretty darn unique to not only be more interesting than the 190, but even a "main selling point" in comparison to it. My first reaction to reading this is we'll be seeing something crazy like a flyable Sunderland or Condor. That just seems way too good to be true though. Either of those would be absolutely epic though. They would definitely be "main selling points" in and of themselves. And announcing a flyable 4 engine aircraft (even if it's not a dedicated bomber) would be huge news not just for CloD, but for the combat simulator world as a whole. I'm not going to get my hopes up too high yet though. And there are plenty of other aircraft that would be very interesting to see and could make stand alone selling points. I'm just saying it seems very unlikely that such a singly important aircraft would be any single seat fighter when we already know the Fw 190 is coming.

[BOO]

if you want something unique thats not a complex multi stationed aircraft, fits the anticipated time period, is able to hold its own agaisnt 109s and suits the situation of the time.....

 

 

 

Though the downside is its limited deployment, short operational service life and likely lack of data. 

[Mysticpuma]

One aircraft not the FW-190, well the Typhoon is certainly interesting but not unique. P51A, similar. P-47 Razorback...nope.

What about a B-17D?

[9./JG52_J-HAT]

8 minutes ago, Mysticpuma said:

One aircraft not the FW-190, well the Typhoon is certainly interesting but not unique. P51A, similar. P-47 Razorback...nope.

What about a B-17D?

 

B-17E and F fit the time frame well, even for 43. So good ground covered. That's my take. Only a/c truly different from what's been done in the last decades. (the Whirlwind it also very unique but not famous enough so I don't think it's that). 

Another is the Swordfish. They were based at Manston iirc and participated in Cerberus hunting the ships. But if it were me I'd save this one for a theater where it was more important or used more frequently (MTO).

Edited September 20, 2023 by 9./JG52_J-HAT

[Mysticpuma]

14 minutes ago, 9./JG52_J-HAT said:

 

B-17E and F fit the time frame well, even for 43. So good ground covered. That's my take. Only a/c truly different from what's been done in the last decades. (the Whirlwind it also very unique but not famous enough so I don't think it's that). 

Another is the Swordfish. They were based at Manston iirc and participated in Cerberus hunting the ships. But if it were me I'd save this one for a theater where it was more important or used more frequently (MTO).

I think I am being a bit opto'mystic'  with the B17. I mean look how long it took to get a Wellington flyable with turrets (not all of which are accessible). However an Ai B17 would certainly be useful for mission builders, even a B24 (used extensively by Coastal Command) would be impressive.

 

I just can't think of a unique aircraft, not done by BoX, unless it is a bomber aircraft? Even a PBY Catalina for Coastal Command would be unique?

 

Time will tell. Hopefully this week

[Volant_Eagle]

I think it’s been said that 6.0 is only advancing the timeline up to mid or late 1942. For that reason I think we’re not as likely to see USAAF aircraft as we are RAF. It is true the US was operating in Europe in ‘42 and B-17s and B-24s were present (both USAAF and RAF). However, they wouldn’t be representative of the norm in that period. The Brits had been operating their heavies for a while at that point. The Sterling had been raiding since early 1941 before the Blitz was even finished, and the Halifax and Lancaster started raiding in early 1942. I’m not saying the US heavies couldn’t be included in a 1942 expansion, I’m just saying I think it would be more appropriate for them to wait until a 1943 expansion.

 

The Whirlwind and the Swordfish have crossed my mind as well. Whirlwind does seem unlikely though. Swordfish is possible but I’m not sure if it would generate more interest than the 190. I would personally love it though. I know they’re working on making seaplanes flyable, so a Walrus and/or an He 115 could be coming. Maybe that’s 7.0 though.

 

I’m not too convinced at this point that 6.0 will be Malta. I do expect Malta to be coming within the next few expansions though and it’s probably the one I’m most eager to see. That and the Battle of France but unfortunately I think that is near out of the question. . . at least for the next decade. But if somehow it is Malta, I’m certain we’ll be getting the SM.79. A Malta expansion without any tri-motors would be an absolute travesty. In my opinion the C.200 and the SM.79 are must haves for Malta and the CANT Z.1007 is a high priority as well (assuming enough documentation for it exists).

 

Does anyone think airborne radar could possibly be a thing in 6.0? or is that for sure a 7.0 or later thing?

[Blitzen]

I know there's no chance , but I've always had a place in my heart for this unique 1940 French fighter:

[simfan2015]

The Pre Pre-Announcement announcement will be pre-announced soon whenever it will be ... I just feel the impact ... OMG it may even hit us before then.

Let us all just pray it was not revoked before it was about to happen !

?

[21.Gr.CT.Ludovisi]

2 hours ago, Volant_Eagle said:

 In my opinion the C.200 and the SM.79 are must haves for Malta and the CANT Z.1007 is a high priority as well (assuming enough documentation for it exists).

 

 

I agree, but while other fighters are available (eg. 202 and Fiat), have a North Africa/Mediterranean scenario without SM79 is almost a non-sense.

[FTC_Karaya]

1 hour ago, Blitzen said:

I know there's no chance , but I've always had a place in my heart for this unique 1940 French fighter:

 

The chance might be low but it's never zero ?

[56RAF_Stickz]

9 hours ago, BOO said:

short operational service life

Whist I totally support its inclusion (although believe its more like to be B24), its service life was not that short. Jan 41 thro to Nov 43 is not "short". Especially as this was almost totally unchanged(assuming do not count adding bomb load), how many single variants had a 34month operational life(109E at least for one, maybe spitV)

[deathmisser]

We are on day 3 out of 5 and it doesn't look great and no word from Buzz since the last date been moved. 

[BOO]

3 hours ago, 56RAF_Stickz said:

Whist I totally support its inclusion (although believe its more like to be B24), its service life was not that short. Jan 41 thro to Nov 43 is not "short". Especially as this was almost totally unchanged(assuming do not count adding bomb load), how many single variants had a 34month operational life(109E at least for one, maybe spitV)

A good point well made Stickz. I think its lack of variants along with its limited deployment perhaps limits its appeal for many - though I remain an ardent fan. 

 

Im not sure about it being a heavy though given any map will better to lend itself to tactical over strategic air power. Equally something like a CC lib or sunderalnd in the game would really be more a novelty as opposed to something one would use in a historical manner I would have thought. 

 

5 hours ago, Karaya said:

 

 zero ?

hmmmm........nah........but........nah..........but...... hmmmm that 190s been hinted at for a while.........a red herring perhpas or a throwback to less ambitious days?  If you want to grab a market grab one that isnt over saturated and done to death already..........but.......nah. 

 

[Volant_Eagle]

6 hours ago, Blitzen said:

I know there's no chance , but I've always had a place in my heart for this unique 1940 French fighter:

At least if we do ever get the battle of France the MS.406 is nearly guaranteed to be included.

 

One of my most favorite airplanes since childhood has been the Caudron CR.714 Cyclone. Very little chance I'll see that even if we do get a BoF expansion. Only about 36 operational planes and they were kind of crap. However, from what I've read their kill ratio was around 1-to-1. For a 500hp fighter going up against the Luftwaffe that makes me think it wasn't quite as bad as people claim. Since it's such an odd fighter for the time I've always been curious to try it for myself in an accurate sim and see how good/bad it really is.

 

The 406 could also very well show up randomly in an expansion at some point much like the D.520 did. This could actually happen for a lot of French aircraft. Especially for any expansion that covers North Africa or the Mediterranean. The H75 saw combat in Morocco, the MS.406 in Syria and Madagascar, the Potez 63.11 also saw use in North Africa and the Middle East as did the Douglas DB-7, Martin 167F, and the LeO 451. The DB-7 and the 167F could also easily show up in an expansion not covering an area of French operation. That's because different variants of them were operated by other allied nations. So if we ever get an expansion including the Boston/Havoc, we might get the DB-7 thrown in as well. And if we ever get an expansion including the Maryland, we might also get the 167F.

 

So it's possible we might end up with at least a reasonable representation of BoF aircraft even without an official expansion. I think it's possible that in this manner we could eventually get a roster like this:

 

D.520

H75

MS.406

Potez 63.11

Martin 167F

DB-7

 

This would certainly be very incomplete but I think it would be just enough to facilitate some decently immersive BoF themed missions, campaigns, or even servers. There are several planes I don't think are likely to come without an official expansion that personally I feel like not having would be glaring omissions though (but I'm kinda picky):

 

LeO 451

MB.152 (and possibly MB.151)

Breguet 693

Potez 631 (could come along with 63.11)

ANF Les Mureaux 115 (and/or 113, 117) (would only need to be AI unless recon is made a mechanic in the game)

and at least AI only versions of these outdate aircraft:

   Bloch MB.210

   Amiot 143

   Farman F.222 (not many were made but hey, it's a legitimate operational 4 engine heavy bomber)

   maybe Potez 540

 

That would be an idealistic roster in my opinion but obviously a tall order. Especially since it's so hard to find info on French aircraft of this period. Even if TFS was fully interested and capable of filling out a roster this size, the required info may simply not exist for planes like the Leo 451 or Breguet 693.

 

Most of the British and German aircraft of this battle are already in game. But the Fairy Battle is very iconic for this Battle and should be represented if possible. If recon is made a thing and the ANF 115 is included, then the Hs 126 should be included as well. It may also be a good time to make the Do 17Z flyable. Also, representing the Phoney War isn't a high priority, but if it was to be covered then the wooden propped Hurricane and the Bf 109D-1 would be cool to see. These would be inferior to the MS.406.

[BOO]

Its definately going full bore pacific -deal done -  if you carefully and quite comprehensively edit what Karaya wrote (and commit fully and uncompromisingly to the notion, ignoring every technical issue this theatre would present) you will see that he clearly knows something  ?

 

 

11 hours ago, deathmisser said:

We are on day 3 out of 5 and it doesn't look great and no word from Buzz since the last date been moved. 

I dont beleive there was any cast iron guarantee given. Even I can see the pointlessness of doom mongering given this. And ask Kintaro - I am a doom monger of some repute apparently. 

[Snowdon]

8 minutes ago, BOO said:

Its definately going full bore pacific -deal done -  if you carefully and quite comprehensively edit what Karaya wrote (and commit fully and uncompromisingly to the notion, ignoring every technical issue this theatre would present) you will see that he clearly knows something  ?

 

 

 

[BOO]

4 minutes ago, Snowdon said:

 

Another sign - hes clearly says "Ships p...lanes" if you read his lips.....

Edited September 21, 2023 by BOO

[Snowdon]

After everything I've said I still want to see this project succeed, That being said why the hell do they keep winding us up only to go silent. leaving the forums to turn into a stream of grumpy buggers complaining into the void (chief grumpy bugger here)

 

I'm confused do they want all three of us left playing to forget the project exists???

 

Maybe they let this thing go WAAAAY too soon?

[Mysticpuma]

1 hour ago, Snowdon said:

I'm confused do they want all three of us left playing to forget the project exists???

Maybe they let this thing go WAAAAY too soon?

 

 

There's at least 25 individual replies to this post!

That may be everyone though

[BOO]

6 minutes ago, Mysticpuma said:

 

There's at least 25 individual replies to this post!

That may be everyone though

well i know 3 people who would likely be interested but would never sully themsleves by posting on a forum. And I hate people (and the feeling is mutual) so the average ratio is likely to be far higher...

[Feldgrun]

14 hours ago, Volant_Eagle said:

One of my most favorite airplanes since childhood has been the Caudron CR.714 Cyclone. Very little chance I'll see that even if we do get a BoF expansion. Only about 36 operational planes and they were kind of crap.

Nope. Sorry, but it's got to be something that will sell.

 

7 hours ago, BOO said:

Its definitely going full bore pacific -deal done -  if you carefully and quite comprehensively edit what Karaya wrote (and commit fully and uncompromisingly to the notion, ignoring every technical issue this theatre would present) you will see that he clearly knows something  ?

FW 190 & Pacific theater? Lol.

 

Something with the FW 190 that would get me excited:

[Blitzen]

Now that the long awaited Great Battles update has just landed , I believe its clear Clod's announcement which has been circling in the landing pattern for such a long time should land- it must be nearly running out of gas by this time...?

[Mysticpuma]

17 hours ago, Blitzen said:

Now that the long awaited Great Battles update has just landed , I believe its clear Clod's announcement which has been circling in the landing pattern for such a long time should land- it must be nearly running out of gas by this time...?

What Great Battles announcement? 

Have they said what the huge secret update is? 

Edited September 22, 2023 by Mysticpuma

[BOO]

7 hours ago, Mysticpuma said:

What Gray Battles announcement? 

Have they said what the huge secret update is? 

Update patch not announcement. 

 

Not sure if Blitzen was arguing a case for the TFS annoucment being held for the GB patch but, as they are no longer in the same stable I doubt that was the reason. 

 

There's a comment in the VR beta thread that TFS are busy with "certain PR" things. I assume its just a generalisation of the whats happening behind the scenes but it does make one wonder why the whole of TFS should still be busy on the PR when everything has supposedly been hanging in the bomb bay for a month awaiting the button press from Fulqrum. On the plus side TFS to indicate that they will not be busy with this next week so perhaps we are in the final straight (or perhaps not, given history). 

 

Whats deflating are the increasing references popping up from TFS about 6.0 now being the point where many of the current woes will be fixed/implemented (VU, AI etc). The jam tomorrow/all or nothing culture appears to remain firmly in place. 

 

I see a long road and a tin can about to be hoofed a fair away down it. 

Edited September 22, 2023 by BOO

[Mysticpuma]

1 hour ago, BOO said:

Whats deflating are the increasing references popping up from TFS about 6.0 now being the point where many of the current woes will be fixed/implemented (VU, AI etc). The jam tomorrow/all or nothing culture appears to remain firmly in place. 

 

I see a long road and a tin can about to be hoofed a fair away down it. 

I do wonder that too. 

Maybe a bit of sweet and sour. 

"Here's the announcement of V6 and everything it contains, but we have decided that we will release the VR/Graphics/Speedtree (Visual Update) at the same time" 

 

The main issue at this point is, what progress has there been on any of the Visual Update since a few beta videos showing what features it has? 

There has been no news or update on progress, which leads me to think the V6 announcement will give all the news but then taint it by pushing back the Visual Update. 

 

I read a post 2 years ago saying the Visual Update was due in Summer 2021.

Now 2-years later we still have no sign of the Visual Update, no news of when it will be ready.... but with the announcement of what is going to be included in V6 and a guaranteed release date, I do wonder if they will push back the Visual Update and tie it all together? 

 

The only issue is, TFS regularly miss the mark with updates, so getting a guaranteed release date.... how seriously should we take it? 

 

Still wishing the team well, but damn it's been a long time coming ?

[BOO]

@Mysticpuma

 

It'll all hang on the roadmap for 6.0. If its imminent (which I have to doubt) then theres perhaps some sense. If its not then thats not so good for us in the here and now. 

 

One of the oft touted mantras is the "there will be no one left to care" and I do find myself  subscribing to that at times. However, flight sims are not FPS titles. They are rare, long lived and appeal to a hardcore. Clod is also quite unique in its history and development so the ultimate result is an unknown. No flight sim currently can sit easy in the knowledge it does enough to be the one "go to" title.. All have faults and plus points. None have a core state that both the MP and especially the SP comminity would consider acceptably finsihed or close and, whilst  I think GB comes closest, its far from what many would consider "the dream". 

 

So perhaps its not about how long it takes but more about what the field looks like when it arrives. If Clod can provide a more rounded and relaible experience for SP over the others it stands a resonable chance of success. If its another Tobruk with no meaningful improvment in AI, user experience or SP focussed content it likely wont. 

[Mysticpuma]

[BladeMeister]

1 hour ago, BOO said:

@Mysticpuma

 

It'll all hang on the roadmap for 6.0. If its imminent (which I have to doubt) then theres perhaps some sense. If its not then thats not so good for us in the here and now. 

 

One of the oft touted mantras is the "there will be no one left to care" and I do find myself  subscribing to that at times. However, flight sims are not FPS titles. They are rare, long lived and appeal to a hardcore. Clod is also quite unique in its history and development so the ultimate result is an unknown. No flight sim currently can sit easy in the knowledge it does enough to be the one "go to" title.. All have faults and plus points. None have a core state that both the MP and especially the SP comminity would consider acceptably finsihed or close and, whilst  I think GB comes closest, its far from what many would consider "the dream". 

 

So perhaps its not about how long it takes but more about what the field looks like when it arrives. If Clod can provide a more rounded and relaible experience for SP over the others it stands a resonable chance of success. If its another Tobruk with no meaningful improvment in AI, user experience or SP focussed content it likely wont. 

I have to totally agree with this statement. I would add that if Buzzsaw and TF do not somehow take a step back and prioritize and begin to correct the most glaring known bugs in CLOD/DWT then all of this development work and production work will be useless. All flight sims seem to ignore bug fixes in favor of shoving new material out the door. It is time for one of these Dev companies to make bug fixes a top priority along with game development. Why can't TF lead the field in this endeavor? Be a leader for all of the flight sim developers instead of simply doing what everyone else does.

 

S!Blade<><

[No.54_Reddog]

40 minutes ago, Mysticpuma said:

I will say this, the ground textures are very much better and the general look of it is great at first glance. On closer inspection the hedges and their shadows look a bit off to me in the mid-distance lods, almost like they're hovering. The shadow should touch the bottom of the hedge surely? But whether that'll be noticeable (unlikely) for the brycreem boys thundering along in their magnificent machines remains to be seen.

[BOO]

17 minutes ago, No.54_Reddog said:

I will say this, the ground textures are very much better and the general look of it is great at first glance. On closer inspection the hedges and their shadows look a bit off to me in the mid-distance lods, almost like they're hovering. The shadow should touch the bottom of the hedge surely? But whether that'll be noticeable (unlikely) for the brycreem boys thundering along in their magnificent machines remains to be seen.

Its not something Id have picked up from the shot. One of the great advantages of onset infirmity is the automatic Anti-alisaing and detail filtering my eyes provide me with. 

[9./JG52_J-HAT]

It's been posted. Check the pinned threads under Announcements and, for discussion, here. 

 

[Lorena_Scout]

today is the day!

 

buying beers and snacks!