I hear you Codex.
Long long ago (mid 90's?) my friend told me about some WW1 dogfighting he would do at work. I don't remember the name of the game because I THINK this may have even been before Red Baron series. He was playing against a friend either on line or on a lan. He was so excited telling me about it. Of course my interest wa s highly kindled. I wasn't into computers at the time, but was still enthralled thinking of downing my own Albatros.
Flash forward until about 4 years ago. I have a full HOTAS set up, Track IR etc etc AND IL2FB/PF. My friend comes for a visit and sees all this paraphenalia om my computer desk. He surprisingly scoffed when I told him what it was. I got the old rolling of the eyes when I told him about Track IR (good thing I had the hat instead of the stickers I put on the bridge of my glasses
).
I told him to sit down. I turned on the surround sound. Put on the hat and reflector. Showed him a few controls and fired up a QMB. He's always had a fascination with Russia so I set him up in a MiG over Moscow.
For someone who just looked at me rather askance when viewing my sim set up I couldn't get him away from the computer. 3:30 in the morning and he's now in a Wildcat with no sign of getting out. It was fun watching him try taking off in the MiG with the opposiye torque. He was amazed at that little detail, while being frustrated. LOL We've all been there I said.
Yeah, I think he found a new respect for the hobby.