Here is some food for thought for the FMB and the AI.
1.) In Il-2 ships do have a speed setting that the mission builder can set freely (within the limits of the ship, that is). On the other hand trucks, cars and tanks do not have such an option which makes "mixed columns" a pain in the rear to create. Usually the result is mayhem on the road with each and every group bumping into the next available.
Suggestion: Standardize AI control settings in the FMB so that all moving AI objects have a modifiable speed setting to allow for an easier creation of road traffic.
2.) In Il-2 road traffic is limited to either single objects or pre-designed columns - and several trucks/cars are only available as single item or as part of a column. This makes creation of non-standard columns considerably tough.
Suggestion: Allow the player to define variable sets of "personalized" road columns (perhaps via a txt file).
3.) In Il-2 all guns are considered "direct fire weapons" and require a direct LOS to the target. While this is true for AAA, AT guns, MGs and tank guns it is absolutely wrong for artillery, rocket launchers and mortars which are providing "indirect fire" by definition.
Suggestion: Have a separate AI mode for artillery guns, rocket launchers and mortars (and also heavy guns on ships if they are used in the fire support role). Allow them to shoot across hills and beyond their own visual range. (see next point for further suggestions)
4.) In Il-2 the mission builder is unable to direct and concentrate fire of artillery units onto specific points (i.e. an enemy position or enemy tanks).
Suggestion: Allow the mission builder to combine artillery units into "batteries" and allow the mission builder to define "fire zones" to bombard. Add several fire modes such as "harassing fire" (low ROF) or "salvo fire" (high ROF) and a way to time their fire.
The same should apply to all warships. Here I'd like to have control over the various gun types (heavy, medium, AAA) and their roles, i.e. I'd like to make a cruiser fire only its heavy guns at the enemy destroyers and keep the AAA for anti aircraft defense.
5.) In Il-2 ships have modifiable settings for AI level and ROF. Land-based artillery as AAA doe not have this setting.
Suggestion: Standardize control modules for all gun/artillery-type objects.
|