The status of the yet-to-be-announced title

[Cleo9]

9 hours ago, Trooper117 said:

 

Perhaps the days of many fans who bought everything to support the team under Jason will now have a different view of their loyalties...

You've got that right; for one, I have almost stopped buying "everything"

[Guest deleted@83466]

I have a Voodoo doll of Luke, and I’m poking pins in it right this very moment!

[Trooper117]

6 hours ago, SeaSerpent said:

I have a Voodoo doll of Luke, and I’m poking pins in it right this very moment!

 

OMG!... you know you will be reported and end up in a Gulag don't you...

[LukeFF]

And I was wondering why I had an itch I couldn't get rid of earlier this week... ?

[Gambit21]

1 hour ago, LukeFF said:

And I was wondering why I had an itch I couldn't get rid of earlier this week... ?

Where was the itch? Just wondering what part of your body SeaSerpent was fixating on. Naught naughty SeasSerpent.

 

 

[Blooddawn1942]

I don't get all the fuzz. 

Keep calm, listen to Iron Maiden and wait for what's to come. 

 

In my opinion, some things are certain:

 

The new project will be something new that is not compatible with GB. Of that I'm sure. 

The new project will involve russian aircraft. For good or worth that is to be decided by everyone's self. 

The new project has to be far more than an GB 1.5 to stay competitive. 

 

I appreciate all the speculation because that's what a healthy community should do. 

But I for myself am not too excited. Good things will come for those who wait. 

And if the developers choose to be sparse with information, so be it. 

 

[Enceladus828]

On 9/23/2023 at 11:20 AM, LukeFF said:

The thing is, though, even if all those things were announced when they were truly ready to be announced, too many other things were announced far too soon. One example: showing the C-47 with the 3D model of the U-2, etc - things like that should never be shown in that state. There's not another developer out there who would do or does things like that, and neither should they. You show and announce new content and features when they are in a presentable state. ?

If the devs had waited until these features were in a presentable state before announcing them would we have the announcement by now and not Q2 2024?
 

Some questions here:

1. Has a planeset and map been finalized?

2. Can you tell us where the next installment will NOT be? (And please don’t joke with this such as a place that saw very little, if any combat like Madagascar, Australia, etc. and wouldn’t be appealing to players.)

 

Thank you

[LukeFF]

4 minutes ago, Enceladus828 said:

If the devs had waited until these features were in a presentable state before announcing them would we have the announcement by now and not Q2 2024?

 

Maybe, but to state the obvious we're never going to know that. ?

 

4 minutes ago, Enceladus828 said:

Some questions here:

1. Has a planeset and map been finalized?

2. Can you tell us where the next installment will NOT be? (And please don’t joke with this such as a place that saw very little, if any combat like Madagascar, Australia, etc. and wouldn’t be appealing to players.)

 

1. Yes

2. LOL, no more hints in that area. ? Some people have got it, some have not. 

[Blooddawn1942]

Whether we are going to fight in the sky over 37 Spain or the Korean peninsula 53. I'm quite sure the dudes will deliver. 

 

Sure I'd like to have more transparency but it is as it is. Alas, so long I enjoy what we have in GB, move the F15e around the Sinai Map and care about my daily life. ?

Edited October 7, 2023 by Blooddawn1942

[Gambit21]

1 hour ago, Enceladus828 said:

 

2. Can you tell us where the next installment will NOT be?

This is more than evident - go stand in the corner. ?

 

 

 

 

[deathmisser]

4 hours ago, LukeFF said:

 

Maybe, but to state the obvious we're never going to know that. ?

 

 

1. Yes

2. LOL, no more hints in that area. ? Some people have got it, some have not. 

Can you at least deny it's Korea please, as it's annoying to see people keep asking for it even though the era won't help the other modules.  ? 

[[CPT]milopugdog]

Come on Luke, spill the beans! I'll have earned a whole Master's degree before this thing is announced!

[dburne]

C'mon guys, you do understand that nothing else is going to be revealed until Spring of 24 right?

Go fly and have fun in the meantime!

[Gambit21]

44 minutes ago, deathmisser said:

Can you at least deny it's Korea please, as it's annoying to see people keep asking for it even though the era won't help the other modules.  ? 

No imagination! ‘shakes head’

 

You can play “Time Pilot” where your character discovers a time machine.  You can then warp back to Stalingrad or Moscow and wreak havoc over the surprised and helpless Hun pilots in your La-11 or MiG 15 bis.

 

FYI, the purpose of the next release is not to “help” older modules.

 

 

 

[Lusekofte]

Korea would bring in A-26 , Corsair and the Skyraider. Who am I to dismiss that. 
End of discussion, we have decided. 

[Rjel]

13 hours ago, dburne said:

C'mon guys, you do understand that nothing else is going to be revealed until Spring of 24 right?

Go fly and have fun in the meantime!

Yup. A very simple yes or no answer to the most obvious question about compatibility with the existing sim would solve everyone’s anxiety. Obviously that is of little concern to the team so why should any of us care about what comes next? It might be all that and a bag of chips. Or it might not. I will continue to enjoy what I’ve got and not give a s*** about what may or may not happen here in the future. 

[dburne]

36 minutes ago, Rjel said:

Yup. A very simple yes or no answer to the most obvious question about compatibility with the existing sim would solve everyone’s anxiety. Obviously that is of little concern to the team so why should any of us care about what comes next? It might be all that and a bag of chips. Or it might not. I will continue to enjoy what I’ve got and not give a s*** about what may or may not happen here in the future. 

 

Perhaps they really are not even sure of that yet but who knows. Seems they are throwing a lot of stuff out there to try and see what might work. 

[Guest deleted@83466]

North Korean air force, with the old Soviet-built pistons, had about 100 planes, was outnumbered 10 to 1 at the start of the war, and was pretty much destroyed after less than a month.  UN air forces had complete air supremacy until the appearance of the MiG.  So if the developers are making Korea, it’s going to be MiG-15 versus World?  Outside of MiG Alley, there doesn’t seem like much material for air to air combat at all.  

[Han]

23 hours ago, LukeFF said:

 

1. Yes

 

Yes and No.

We started development of all airplanes. Yes. But:

 

We still have no final sure how many them will be player controlled and how many of them will be ready till release date.

 

So: Yes and No.

 

And if we will not post the player's planeset and release date in a week after announce - you guys will walk around our office with pitchforks and torches claiming about them (planeset and release date) same as now you claim for announce.

 

And this one of the reasons why we postponing the announce. There is no pisitive for anyone in announce without ability to tell to community the general details of the new product and show some visual stuff from the new game engine.

 

I know this explanation will not statisfy you guys, but at least we try to be fair with our community and not give any promises unsupported by our own sureness.

[Trooper117]

Han, you don't need to go into plane sets or when you think it will release... if the project is definite and won't be changed, just tell the fans and pitchforks and torches won't happen! cross our hearts and hope to die... ?

[szelljr]

I just hope the N 17 , Alb II Template will be relased before  the new game engine...  

Edited October 8, 2023 by szelljr

[Nickkyboy99]

Imagine adding the bf109 G-6AS and Ta-152 to a game where combat at high altitude never happens

[sniperton]

I'm one of those whe left GB more than one year ago. You can see on my badges at what point I stopped supporting this franchise. Now I returned to see what has happened in the meantime. Sadly, I see no reason to return.

[Gambit21]

Han, you guys need marketing momentum...well actually you need marketing...period. You began it with the Q/A, then proceed to not do a follow up Q/A, and have let the momentum not only die, but let it go the other direction. It's a real thing...this "marketing" that is.  When you open a window of opportunity, it's essential to follow up. There's much you guys could have been doing this whole time.

 

It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other (No comms at all  vs  announce everything immediately) there's a way to keep momentum, build enthusiasm, educate the community on the period of history you're covering, etc. and not let the whole concept of marketing just go out the window. Customers are creatures of habit. (and while I was typing this, the above post happened)

I want you guys to succeed...and not having someone onboard at a high level anymore who understands these things is really hurting you guys.

Great timing Sniperton.

[LukeFF]

50 minutes ago, Nickkyboy99 said:

Imagine adding the bf109 G-6AS and Ta-152 to a game where combat at high altitude never happens

 

Both planes were used quite frequently in lower(er) altitude combat too. ?

[R33GZ]

1 hour ago, Nickkyboy99 said:

Imagine adding the bf109 G-6AS and Ta-152 to a game where combat at high altitude never happens

My great uncle was shot down and killed in a Mk V Tempest by a Ta 152H at low altitude, just before the wars end. So yeah, they did fight at low altitude, even though it was designed as a high altitude interceptor 

 

RIP Owen Mitchell ?

[sniperton]

16 minutes ago, Gambit21 said:

Customers are creatures of habit. (and while I was typing this, the above post happened)

Dunno, customers are gamers. Hardcore or casual gamers, but gamers. They have a field of interest with a scope. Products within that field of interest compete with each other. Someone remarked at the beginning of this long and boring thread that in the meantime he replaced GB with strategic games, be they naval or grand strategy games. So did I. Games are interchangeable to some extent. I love flying, but sometimes commanding a submarine more closely fits my 'habits' than dropping bombs. Paying more attention to the "other games" section would be more fruitful than counting rivets, for both the community and the developers IMHO. Playability is the key here. This is where GB lost me as a customer.

[Gambit21]

26 minutes ago, sniperton said:

Dunno, customers are gamers. Hardcore or casual gamers, but gamers. They have a field of interest with a scope. Products within that field of interest compete with each other. Someone remarked at the beginning of this long and boring thread that in the meantime he replaced GB with strategic games, be they naval or grand strategy games. So did I. Games are interchangeable to some extent. I love flying, but sometimes commanding a submarine more closely fits my 'habits' than dropping bombs. Paying more attention to the "other games" section would be more fruitful than counting rivets, for both the community and the developers IMHO. Playability is the key here. This is where GB lost me as a customer.

I agree to some extent, but the phenomenon (habit) is real, to varying extents regardless if you’re talking about forum visitation , or which barber you choose. Thus shouldn’t be disregarded completely. That’s my only point.

Edited October 8, 2023 by Gambit21

[Han]

1 hour ago, Gambit21 said:

Han, you guys need marketing momentum...

Offcourse you right. Momentum is very important, but it works only if applied in right moment. So moment of momentum is important too. You can gain the attention by event, but you need to have somenthing in your hands to hold it till release date. Plus we're not in vacuum and competitors are not a joke. Plus - every reason I've described above.

Yep, it's not easy puzzle.

There are many aspects why we think now that right now is not the best moment. I've shared major part of them to you guys allready. So I hope pitchforking will be not so hard - I open everything I can to you now )))

 

PS

For a while I've spent my Sunday evening for some MP combat. This week WoL gave me my lovely MiG-3, so I was happy with our game as player. There were 65+ players on the server and, at least for me, game was smooth as silk. Hope that you too have such experience.

[-250H-Ursus_]

2 hours ago, Nickkyboy99 said:

Imagine adding the bf109 G-6AS and Ta-152 to a game where combat at high altitude never happens

The AS variants were used low. Just check Operation Bodenplatte the ammount of AS variants that were deployed in combat

[dburne]

@Han  I don't think you need to worry about pitchforking at all.

At this time I would be more concerned with an exodus of players. But I am sure you guys know what you are doing and I am sure with your online game design you would be aware of what participation you are continuing to get and any trends.

Long as you guys are ok with it that is all that matters really.

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by dburne

[BraveSirRobin]

I’m impressed by how many combat flight simmers who are also marketing experts.

[danielprates]

"Moment of momentum", "announcement of the announcement"... this thread is expanding the very limits of linguistics.

[spreckair]

19 hours ago, BraveSirRobin said:

I’m impressed by how many combat flight simmers who are also marketing experts.

What!?  You aren't?  How do you fool yourself into believing that you are flying combat in WWII if you aren't a marketing expert?

Edited October 9, 2023 by spreckair

[Guest deleted@83466]

20 minutes ago, spreckair said:

What!?  Your aren't?  How do you fool yourself in believing that you are flying combat in WWII if you aren't a marketing expert?

 

The King of Beers, Budweiser.  When you say Bud, you’ve said it all.

[Skycat1969]

It tracks.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-09-mn-38-story.html

[Gambit21]

3 hours ago, BraveSirRobin said:

I’m impressed by how many combat flight simmers who are also marketing experts.

 

Well my friend, I don't think anyone here is a Formula 1 mechanic, but if anyone here sees the guy on the right rear wheel trying to bolt on a front wheel during a pit stop, I'm sure they'd be qualified to comment that perhaps there's a better way.  I know very little about marketing, just broad stroke basics... in way that's the point.

Just like being an F1 mechanic, I know the rear tires go in the rear, and the front tires go in front.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

7 hours ago, Han said:

This week WoL gave me my lovely MiG-3, so I was happy with our game as player.

That was you flaying Sunday? It crossed my mind that this player has the same name as Han The developer - might be you , but then I thought -no can't be true ?. 

[EAF19_Marsh]

On 10/6/2023 at 6:44 PM, LukeFF said:

 

My evidence of that is the internal discussions and screenshots that are posted practically every day. Real, true progress is being made, but obviously, I cannot give out details, because that's not what our marketing people want. It's up to Han and others on the team what sort of details they want to reveal right now. But obviously I can't just go around and start posting details and screengrabs on my own. ? That's no different than any other business.

 

Sure, understood, but if you could admit to it I would be surprised if you honestly felt this were being handled well from a customer relations or basic business perspective.

5 hours ago, BraveSirRobin said:

I’m impressed by how many combat flight simmers who are also marketing experts.

 

Maybe some of us are. Maybe you could post your qualifications?

 

At a base level, if your forum seems full of potential customers rather unhappy - which I would argue it does - the team are not doing well in the marketing department. You do not need 'expert level' to appreciate this. I am not a chef, but if a restaurant starts serving food that tastes like crap then I'm not going back.

Edited October 9, 2023 by EAF19_Marsh

[EAF19_Marsh]

On 10/6/2023 at 10:36 AM, Lusekofte said:

I cannot understand that one either but it is what it is. And I am fed up guessing. 
But why people figure it is Korea beats me. 
I am pretty sure they said no carrier operations and prop focused. To me that is not looking like a Korea scene. 

 

No major cities = E. Front less likely

No carriers = probably not Pacific

Prop 'focussed' was actually a statement about it being mixed 'with props'

'New concepts' sounds more like early jets

WW1 carries some interest but FC has addressed that

Spanish Civil War, Battle of France and similar interesting for some but not for many

Manchuria also unlikely to drive strong sales

Israeli wars would be very left-field

TF are doing Med

Post-1953 would require elements not currently in the game

 

That rather leaves Korea. Most of the operations were from land, Seoul was not huge, it has a mixed generation of aircraft from various nations / customer interest areas, A2A and A2G. And (say it quietly) 'acceptable' for a Russian development company.

 

What would you suggest?

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by EAF19_Marsh