My I request in one of the Friday updates some Weather pictures or info. from BoS? Please ;)

[Mysticpuma]

That's pretty much it really.

 

One of the things that I have found really lacking in many of the recent sims is the lack of weather effects. Particularly the effect of a true overcast sky. Now I know I have mentioned it before but the weather effects, Rain, clouds, overcast in this clip really add a dimension that makes you feel like you are truly in a three-dimensional environment.

 

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE SIM SHOWN, IT'S ABOUT THE WEATHER IMPLEMENTATION! (That's before we go down the route of arcade Wings of Prey!).

 

So please look at the clip and only consider the weather effects shown. So-far in the WW2 sims I have flown, I have never seen a better implementation of weather effects AND an overcast sky which underneath is pouring with rain and above is Blue sky and sun. IL2:1946 and CloD have the 'we're trying to give you clouds...but it's just not working' effects, as there is no way of getting a solid overcast in either.

 

For me the weather effects play a huge part in simulations as if we can get a complete 10/10 cloud-cover, then it really would be a 3D environment. The high-flyers wouldn't know if the enemy was sneaking in below the cloud cover, you can properly hide in the clouds...do you then sneak out the top, only to be highlighted against the cloud-tops for a B 'n' Z attack, do you stay low and draw the high cover down and get into a low T 'n' B dogfight?

 

I am just hoping that we can see some real progress in the environmental effects in one of the updates, sooner rather than later?

 

Here's the example from the "Sim that shall not be named!" Check out just after 2 minutes if you want to see the 10/10 cloud-cover extending to the horizon, for me, it's just a superb example of what I would hope would be the minimum expected from the atmospheric effects in BoS?

 

Cheers, MP

 

Here's the Video:

 

[FuriousMeow]

I know this is the standard response, but tried Rise of Flight? That's probably going to be the overcast.

[BraveSirRobin]

There is overcast in RoF.  It seems unlikely that it would not be included in BoS.

[FuriousMeow]

And with the less than overcast cloud cover, the clouds move with the wind.

[Finkeren]

The main problem with weather in RoF IMHO is perspiration. The only time you ever see rain or snow is when it's overcast, and at least in the career mode you can't have overcast without perspiration. For IL2-BoS it would be nice to experience local showers as you pass under clouds and at least the posiblity to have overcast and dry weather at the same time.

 

Is cool as they would be, I don't think we need dynamic weather with moving fronts and constantly changing air pressure, humidity etc. As long as the clouds move with the wind, perspiration get's a little more flexible and temperature changes with altitude, I think we're good. 

[pilotpierre]

The main problem with weather in RoF IMHO is perspiration. The only time you ever see rain or snow is when it's overcast, and at least in the career mode you can't have overcast without perspiration. For IL2-BoS it would be nice to experience local showers as you pass under clouds and at least the posiblity to have overcast and dry weather at the same time.

 

Is cool as they would be, I don't think we need dynamic weather with moving fronts and constantly changing air pressure, humidity etc. As long as the clouds move with the wind, perspiration get's a little more flexible and temperature changes with altitude, I think we're good.

 

What do you mean by "perspiration", are you talking about precipitation?

[Mysticpuma]

I appreciate the " see what RoF looks like" reply, but even though this is based on the engine, I'd hope for some advance in the quality? Saying that though, is there a good example picture showing a solid overcast in RoF similar to the cloud effects seen around 1min 30 secs onwards in the video I linked to?

 

cheers, MP

[01Wingchaps]

I love the rain in ROF.

 

I'm a bit underwhelmed with the snow I've seen in ROF. I'm hoping BOS does a really good job of snow, and that it ports back to ROF some day...

 

So, show me a snowstorm in BOS some day. Please.

[migmadmarine]

My problem with the overcasts in ROF, besides the lack of overcasts with out rain, and vice versa, is the fact that the clouds always seem to appear higher up then they are... 

[FuriousMeow]

I appreciate the " see what RoF looks like" reply, but even though this is based on the engine, I'd hope for some advance in the quality? Saying that though, is there a good example picture showing a solid overcast in RoF similar to the cloud effects seen around 1min 30 secs onwards in the video I linked to?

 

cheers, MP

 

Yes. You can see it for free with RoF. Just download it, and test out the various weather systems. It takes a few minutes to setup and the benefit is that you'll know your way around Il-2:BoS, or at least how to configure it, in the end.

 

RoF also doesn't have the short view distances/fish bowl that WT uses to simulate a larger area.

[71st_AH_Hooves]

Here ya go Mystic, not sure if this is what you were looking for but.  take a look at these.

 

CHEERS!

 

 

 

 

 

[Finkeren]

What do you mean by "perspiration", are you talking about precipitation?

Yeah, ofc. Do'h!

Sorry, English is my second language.

[Uufflakke]

@MysticPuma:

I agree with every line you've written down.

I'm still surprised about the lesser quality of clouds compared to what have been achieved over the years in let's say creating 3D cockpits, lighting, high rez textures etc. That counts, I think, for most of the combat flight sims.

Clouds in flight sims like MS Flight are much better.

 

In ROF clouds look nice seen from close distance. Further away they look oversimplified in my opinion.

Let's hope things will change for the better in BoS.

Here is a good example of ROF clouds from close distance and far away:

 

 

 

 

 

@Hooves:

Are those clouds or is it whipped cream?

 

 

 

 

[Finkeren]

Since we get bump-mapped terrain, I'm hopeful that overcast weather will look better from above the clouds than it currently does in RoF.

[Mysticpuma]

I think with the addition of bump-mapping we'll see considerably better clouds.

 

I have to agree with the above image showing the overcast does look a little 'creamy'!

 

The images I am attaching show the current 'overcast' settings in Wings of Prey (yes the ARCADE game...but this is about the representation of the wether effects NOTHING else).

 

Above the clouds you get a grey layer which obscures the ground completely. You then dive through it and under the clouds you can choose weather, thunder, just overcast and as you can see, above the clouds you can't be see from below and vice-versa.

 

So ultimately I'm hoping we can get some great weather/environmental effects that mean 3D tactics are vital for completing missions or objectives?

 

Thanks for the interest and not slating the use of WoP. I can't help which Sim shows the effect I am hoping to make people understand, so thanks for just discussing the weather effects.

 

Cheers, MP

 

 

[Dooga]

Screen 2 looks brilliant!

 

I agree, weather and clouds in particular could use some love, also those in RoF. Would be nice if the basic cloud types were there, with more variation in size and shade, and more options for stratiform cloud types (the layered, drawn out ones that normally go together with crappy weather).

 

Also, combinations of different cloud types in different heights, as seen in screen 2 above...

Edited August 2, 2013 by Dooga

[Novotny]

It will be nice to see how the weather effects are implemented and I'm entirely confident that the team will allocate whatever resources they sensibly can to this area of the production, whilst working hard to make it as good as possible within the constraints placed upon any commercial product seeking to make a profit and thus engender further work, such as more IL-2 for us.

 

Edited August 2, 2013 by Novotny

[MACADEMIC]

Hire the guy who did these clouds and lighting!

 

MAC

[Heywooood]

Wings of Prey had some really nice atmospherics - the moisture as you passed through a cloud would condense and streak past the windscreen and canopy most realistically 

 

and the dawn dusk lighting was the best I've seen

[Mysticpuma]

That's exactly why I am hoping that we can see a little of the volumetrics and how they are implemented to create realistic atmospheric conditions. Looking at the RoF they look good, but not great. I'm hoping that BoS has the ability to make me feel like I can hide in clouds, flying blind and only on compass as I can't see above or below....but know an enemy is out there waiting for me...or I can gain advantage by flying away...darting out and climbing and then hopefully get an alt. advantage...or just run!

 

The need for a true opaque overcast in a current or next-gen Sim is vital to make it feel like a 3D combat experience and I'd love to see something that shows off the new (or updated) cloud effects, especially a 10/10 overcast

 

Cheers, MP