Game is just not fun (for new people)

[LegioX]

I love aviation. I'm a pilot in real life. However, the online aspect of this game is just not fun for new people. I'm sitting here competing with people with 5+years experience in online fighting. I can fly around and do BnZ all day, however my aim is crap, because you have to sit down and play this game for a good amount of time just to get your aiming to a somewhat "respectable" hit ratio. I'm a "pick up and play" type of guy due to real life and I'm finding out the hard way that this game is not one of them. I guess i will just stay in the single player mode and get what $94.00 bucks i can out of this game. Sorry had to vent.

[JtD]

Or get into a squad and have guys with 5+ years of experience share it with you.

[YoYo]

Remember than its a beta still. Wait for coop online missions with friends, more content for single players like single missions or campaign for both side, full editor, possibility to set up Your own serwers with Your settingns/ skills. Im sure than it will be OK and IL-2 BoS will bring You a lot of fun!

[Gambit21]

Practice - and learn to be mission oriented rather than 'kill' oriented and not only will you be happier, but the kills will come eventually.

Stick with the Stalingrad map and stay away from the Lapino 'air quake' map. 

[Finkeren]

That's exactly how I feel about online shooters like the Call Of Duty and Battefield series.

 

They seem to be doing ok.

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

Being a pilot is a good first step but it is only the beginning for combat.  I suggest you (print and) read the following.  This will help you whether flying off or on-line.

 

http://pilotpress.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/inpursuit.pdf

 

Cheers!

[TX-Gunslinger]

LegioX, as said earlier in this thread - get with a group, they'll help you when you need it.  Learning curve becomes shallower this way.   I've seen people who struggled (I was one once) for months, who joined a good group and within a few weeks and sometimes days, went from no kills, always shot down - to the opposite.

[BraveSirRobin]

Ground attack is probably a better option for newer pilots who don't have time to practice dogfighting.  It's very similar to single player, but you're being hunted by humans instead of AI. 

[SR-F_Winger]

Or get into a squad and have guys with 5+ years of experience share it with you.

+1 flying with friends is what makes th experience great. Also my friends save my butt on a regular basis and vice versa.

[Finkeren]

+1 flying with friends is what makes th experience great. Also my friends save my butt on a regular basis and vice versa.

...and makes the experience far more realistic. IRL it was almost never left to the individual pilot to defend himself or turn around a disadvantageous situation. That's what wingmen are for.

[Tompa_73]

Ground attack is probably a better option for newer pilots who don't have time to practice dogfighting.  It's very similar to single player, but you're being hunted by humans instead of AI. 

 

Yep I suck at dogfighting but bombing is one thing I can do in MP and it makes it fun, just wish for more MP oriented objects coming...soon hopefully.

[Sparrer]

S!
That's because online objective is only one: kill kill kill kill

If you don't have a good kill ratio, you're out of the game. Unfortunately that's the design dev's planned. Then you feel like Finkeren described, surrounded by addicted players
But fortunately there are online wars by 3rd party on the way...

In mission based concept, you may have fun even don't killing nobody,...and ground attacks aren't worthless

A good way to improve your aim is in QMB, against sitting ducks bombers*...trying to shoot them in engines...later shooting them doing curves and then turning to fighters, when you may train deflection shoots better

* ops, i forget the bos bombers are "doggers" and a single shoot in il2 turns it in a active volcano of smoke

[LegioX]

Thanks. Maybe i just had a bad day flying. I play on the Expert server so i know how to handle the AC properly. I just feel like I'm someones biatch every single time.

[=38=Tatarenko]

Sometimes when I'm not in the mood for a DF I fire up an IL-2 and go for the trains or tanks or whatever else is around. There's plenty of fun to be had without DFing all the time.

[Gambit21]

S!

That's because online objective is only one: kill kill kill kill

 

If you don't have a good kill ratio, you're out of the game. Unfortunately that's the design dev's planned. Then you feel like Finkeren described, surrounded by addicted players

But fortunately there are online wars by 3rd party on the way...

 

Many of us are mission oriented - means we'll dogfight when it arises during a mission and do very well, but are happy to cover bombers and fly ground attack missions.

Edited August 14, 2014 by Gambit21

[snowsnipersnow_sniper]

In custom Settings (all in full real and no assistance) except external view for the pleasure. Of a flyby view no stats are recorded. But i really don t mind. Stats are not the cup of tea of hardcore simmers. Bombing coop high altitude nav intercepting and well performed flight and landing are much more fun in a great flightsim like these one. Dogfighting is a bonus for me when good conditions make it just affordable but not the only way.

[SeriousFox]

That's exactly how I feel about online shooters like the Call Of Duty and Battefield series.

 

They seem to be doing ok.

 

xD yeah it's basically the same. Clan people get all the kills and new players get frustrated   

[39bn_pavig]

When I started playing Arma3 I got sick of being pwned by kill-happy players on the public servers and joined a clan. I imagine IL2 squadrons will be similar. I learned that as a serious player I had to turn some of my instincts around, namely getting the shot should be the last thing on your mind. Playing well means keeping a cool head, coordinating with other teammates, target identification, positioning, managing the tactical situation, keeping yourself from getting flanked, and finally when you have the advantage, taking it.

 

You should only attack when you have the best tactical advantage and a cool head, and quickly escape and recover if that advantage is lost. Playing this way your kill ratio may go down, but your death ratio will plumet, and that means on balance you consistently win over more agressive (and sometimes more experienced/skilled) players. Attacking from a position of tactical advantage will also magically make you more skilled, as your attack will be more controlled and will require less unexpected corrections to execute successfully. 

 

Playing this way emulates the way true war aces survived. Those that went in hot and were shot down did not get a second mission. Those who played it safe fought another day. I feel that this style of play, though less exciting, is more immersive. Nothing kills immersion more than being killed and respawning, We would not be so cavalier with our own single live. Our sunday Arma3 missions often take many hours to complete, with permadeath (no respawns), so we play very carefully. From that discipline we get much more out of the game than an endless stream of close engagements, and even failed missions have a story to tell.

[Stallion]

I love aviation. I'm a pilot in real life. However, the online aspect of this game is just not fun for new people. I'm sitting here competing with people with 5+years experience in online fighting. I can fly around and do BnZ all day, however my aim is crap, because you have to sit down and play this game for a good amount of time just to get your aiming to a somewhat "respectable" hit ratio. I'm a "pick up and play" type of guy due to real life and I'm finding out the hard way that this game is not one of them. I guess i will just stay in the single player mode and get what $94.00 bucks i can out of this game. Sorry had to vent.

 

Only way to get better is to have more practice.  The best way to practice is to fly.  The best way to fly is to not be shot down/not flying.  So for online (I went from last place to sometimes first place in about 6 mos of practice), pay attention to what keeps you alive the longest. 

 

In essence, the ones who climb to 3k after takeoff instead of zipping at 500m to the enemy airfield will be in the air a lot longer.  Always remember to stick with your teammates. 

 

Most importantly, don't engage in a fight you aren't sure to win.  Especially as a noobie, you want to have all the advantages - damn "honor".  Never give up an altitude advantage, and evade enemies which have an advantage over you.  Learn the strengths of the plane you are flying, and when will be the best time to attack your target.

 

For the 190/109, keep a height advantage of about 1km to your enemy.  Watch your target and see what he does.  When you notice a decrease in speed, or a stall, you want to pounce.  Avoid dogfighting as you are sure to make a mistake and lose tons of energy and eventually be shot down.

Edited August 14, 2014 by Beebaboo

[Sparrer]

S!

When I started playing Arma3 I got sick of being pwned by kill-happy players on the public servers and joined a clan. I imagine IL2 squadrons will be similar.

From the experience i have flying il2, other sims and other games, this is not so much in non-objective based combats, mainly in dog mod.

 Even with a lot of people in squad, people fly for themselves. Why ? Because if he dies, he need to WAIT for the other refly to keep them close and implement those tactics (even in FPS or other combat flight simulators). But they don't want to. Of course there are people who wants to play in team, but they are minimal (i would guess less than 10%). Every sim i played in "dog" mode i met this condition (warbirds, aces high, batlegroud europe, AWF for il2, etc)

But when you run a coop, you obligated to start up close, and this changes a lot. People mind to stay close, mind to work as team mate, and the game itself became much more insteresting.

Thats one of the reasons that i'm thinking that just adding vehicles to bomb and map rotate will not change that much....and this bos gameplay will ruin soon. Hoping Stenka's SEOW to change it

my 0,2 cents

[71st_AH_Mastiff]

lol I thought the very same thing back in 2007 when I started playing IL2 1946... took me a good month before I shot anyone down.

So I did like other posters have stated, start small.. Ground pound, you learn more aspects to the sim and its planes...

[PreachR]

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but you can turn an aiming assist on in custom settings for single player practice. I did this, and I got used to the leads and deflection shots relatively quickly I think. Also, you might want to spend some time in the normal settings servers just to get your aim down. You'll have a lot more opportunities for engagements in one of those servers. I did that as well, and still do. I think the expert servers are really going to shine when and if we get a more goal oriented approach to the MP battles. Good luck!

[AbortedMan]

These are all great tips, but above all get on teamspeak (the official BoS teamspeak)!

 

Teamwork is op!

[Bussard_x]

Personally I am only interested in single player. And for this the sim is excellent.

Edited August 14, 2014 by Benz

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

For me, learning a new sim and even new aircraft in BOS, it's all about being efficient and staying alive. Remain high and fast, conserve your E, attack in a straight line, don't turn with a Russian crate for more than 180 degrees (at first), climb shallow and maintain your speed for the escape. Staying alive is the most important thing IRL. So should it be in the sim...............at first.

[No_85_Gramps]

I was as new to this MP thing as anyone else. I got shot down a lot as I learned but my skills have improved and that is due to practice, practice and more practice! It can be quite disconcerting, to say the least, when you get shot down four or five times w/no kills of your own, I know, I've been there. Practice in SP and then jump back into MP. It's a blast! I still think the I've gotten my money's worth out of this game over and over again. Read the other comments above and apply those tactics and I'm sure your experience will improve! Good flying!

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Gramps, you were one of my first kills in an Fw. Check six. I'll look for you too

 

~S

Edited August 15, 2014 by A1FltTrn=HerrMurf

[Felix58]

Welcome to flight simming!  That frustration you feel is actually flight sim's version of enjoyment!  

It is a challenge and take's some (read heaps of) thoughtful practice.  And plenty of practice with the bail out keys in multiplayer.

Best advice is to join a squad if you really want to improve your skills and enjoyment of the genre.

[andyw248]

but my skills have improved and that is due to practice, practice and more practice!

 

...plus watching Mr MkX's videos. Not that I'm even close to that, just saying...

[FuriousMeow]

I was as new to this MP thing as anyone else. I got shot down a lot as I learned but my skills have improved and that is due to practice, practice and more practice! It can be quite disconcerting, to say the least, when you get shot down four or five times w/no kills of your own, I know, I've been there. Practice in SP and then jump back into MP. It's a blast! I still think the I've gotten my money's worth out of this game over and over again. Read the other comments above and apply those tactics and I'm sure your experience will improve! Good flying!

 

I've said it before, and I think it needs repeating - Gramps, you are awesome! I don't know if Gramps is just a moniker and you're 20, 50, 90 or 110, or anywhere in between (edit, please take that as joke since anyone can be anything on the internet - I'm a cat! I did see your profile so please believe me when I say that you are an awesome air combat/flight simmer), but regardless of age - you searched for information to find out if you would like this (even with an alpha bit of software back when you first posted here and you didn't complain about its lack of items not yet present that would be eventually since it isn't a finalized product), you figured things out on your own without posting "How do I.." for things that have been answered many times previously, and you ventured into MP as a neophyte but chose to learn and take the lumps everyone else before you has taken for the past, almost, 30 years of online air combat because no one joined these games online in the times of Air Warrior, and became instant aces, and no one will join today and be an instant ace - or even not be shot down a ton without learning how not to be shot down a ton.

 

You are the epitome of what everyone should strive to be in all realms of gaming, shooter - MMORPG - tactical military simulator - online air combat simulator - etc. You were brand new to the genre, you were brand new to the game, you educated yourself by searching for the information and the little you couldn't find you asked a new question for, you ventured into a hostile environment (online air combat) and took it upon yourself to learn while not expecting to be an insta-ace, and you are still here without griping about wasting your money or that because "everyone" is so good it is not fun because you couldn't win all of the time.

 

I am singling you out Gramps, because you - you are freaking awesome! I hope to see you in the virtual Stalingrad skies, and I hope to be shot down repeatedly by you!

Edited August 15, 2014 by FuriousMeow

[Skoshi_Tiger]

I love aviation. I'm a pilot in real life. However, the online aspect of this game is just not fun for new people. I'm sitting here competing with people with 5+years experience in online fighting. I can fly around and do BnZ all day, however my aim is crap, because you have to sit down and play this game for a good amount of time just to get your aiming to a somewhat "respectable" hit ratio. I'm a "pick up and play" type of guy due to real life and I'm finding out the hard way that this game is not one of them. I guess i will just stay in the single player mode and get what $94.00 bucks i can out of this game. Sorry had to vent.

 

Just think of in it terms of having the opportunity to practice your forced landing drills. Hopefully in real life you'll never need use it but there's nothing wrong with practicing

[No_85_Gramps]

.

 

I am singling you out Gramps, because you - you are freaking awesome! I hope to see you in the virtual Stalingrad skies, and I hope to be shot down repeatedly by you!

Thank you for the kind words FuriousMeow! I choose Gramps as I do have 5 grandchildren and they bring me joy & happiness. I will say I'm on the north side of 60, though that doesn't kill any youthful enthusiasm I have.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Gramps

[fjacobsen]

While flightsims generally has a steep learning curve, it doesn´t mean that there is no fun climbing up that ladder.

 

Personally I really sucks getting kills in first person shooters, like Battlefield or Call of Duty, but I still have fun.

 

Use the quick mission builder to practice.

Select Your favorite aircraft and stick to it - learn it´s weak and strong points.

That way it´s much easier to find out how to win against various enemies.

 

Note that winning doesn´t necessary equal getting a kill - surviving is a victory of it´s own. Whn Your succeeding with that, then the You kill tally will start to grow.

 

 

FinnJ

[ARM505]

I'm a pilot too, and that means a weird lifestyle, combined with family means no real time to practice much, and given that I'm often at work when others are playing, no time to join squads or anything like that. I used to play IL2 online with mates all the time before the children came along, but nowdays I don't practice enough and don't feel like being an easy target for somebody online all the time - single player messing about with quick missions is where it's at for me, plenty fun enough.

 

Even for somebody who used to do it (like me) it would be a daunting task getting back into it. Plus there's the constant adrenalin overload (I get enough of that from EVE and World of Tanks) which means I'd actually rather just relax and not get into ultra-competitive mode! Frankly the whole multiplayer gaming craze is pretty much overrated if you ask me, and might have contributed to the complete stagnation of decent AI development in games :D

[Dalon]

Interested to know how you got on OP, I got this today and after about 3 hours I still don't have a kill. Sim wise I come from FSX, the last combat sim I played at all seriously was CFS so it's been a while but even still it's bloody hard! I shall spend the evening watching tutorials and doing some reading perhaps. My problem was staying on someones tail let alone worrying about aiming, then before I know it I'm shot down.

[Hocus]

Dalon, initially stick with the normal servers and keep the minimap visible. It will help greatly your situation awareness. You will detect early anyone closing in your six.

I find this minimap/labels excellent to learn tactics. Anyone get the same info, just learn to use better!

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Dalon, if CFS was your last combat you are on the right path with tutorials. Comparing the two sims is comparing oranges to tangelos . Look up SYN Requiem's YouTube videos. Fly in the QMB or Normal servers for a few weeks. MP is filled with multi-kill aces with months of experience with these flight models (despite the recent tweaks).

 

Welcome aboard.

Edited August 18, 2014 by A1FltTrn=HerrMurf

[Leaf]

Interested to know how you got on OP, I got this today and after about 3 hours I still don't have a kill. Sim wise I come from FSX, the last combat sim I played at all seriously was CFS so it's been a while but even still it's bloody hard! I shall spend the evening watching tutorials and doing some reading perhaps. My problem was staying on someones tail let alone worrying about aiming, then before I know it I'm shot down.

 

Practise in singleplayer first. Use quick missions to hone your skills in a variety of scenarios. On "ace" difficulty the ai is deadly, so it'll be good practise. Learn your aircraft inside-out, it helps. Most important thing for me is just to enjoy myself. Flying in BoS is such a wonderfully immersive experience that half the time I don't even want to shoot anything, I just like the feeling of flight. 

Oh yeah, and patience. Probably one of the most underrated aspects of air combat. It's absolutely vital. There's a reason Erich Hartmann amassed over 350 kills.

Edited August 18, 2014 by LeafyPredicament

[Crump]

 

 

I'm a pilot too, and that means a weird lifestyle

 

No doubt......

[FlatSpinMan]

Yay, 'oranges to tangelos' reappears.

It's going to be a thing, I'm sure of it.