Announcement of the game "IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad"

[kendo65]

Originally Posted by Robert

...

I don't expect anything revolutionary or groundbreaking in BoS...... which is sad considering the depth that CoD was going for. In the last developer update Loft mentioned on several occasions that this was like playing IL2 (the original game). As much as we liked it, the game wasn't as in-depth as what is currently allowable with today's technology. I think his comment (whether he realizes it or not) is an honest assessment of what BoS will be. Nothing more, nothing less. On the whole, I can live with that.

...

I tend to disagree with you on this. There are already some demonstrated features in BOS that break new ground - the quality of the pilot figure models sets a new standard, with animation used during normal flying to provide a very believable representation, and also animated bailout sequences.

The new cone-lighting used for the Soviet aircraft landing lights (and vehicle lights) is very impressive. Also interior cockpit lighting that is visible externally.

The quality of the ground-handling physics in the recent dev update video - again a new standard of quality there. They also say that FM is modelled to a new standard too. Time will soon tell.

The idea for the single player campaign of having server-generated missions with server-generated ground units, friendly and enemy AI flights, etc is new and potentially could be very immersive.

If the recently trailed AI is as impressive in reality as it appeared in print (vastly expanded sets of maneouvers) then it will be something special.

Stalingrad is apparently modelled to a very detailed level beyond what has been attempted before in a flight sim.

So I'd say there are already features that are ground-breaking. The focus for the new game seems to be on 'immersion' - if they can achieve that then I'll be happy. I was fortunate enough to be gifted a premium edition of the game a few weeks ago (after initially deciding to hold off on buying) so I'll be interested to try it out and judge for myself.

[He111]

If BOS AI doesn't keep barrel rolling into the deck then it's one up on COD !

Lets hope we also see Aircraft weak-points recorded that enemy AI might know and use to it's advantage - ie attack from 6 low on most aircraft, attack head-on on He111 etc etc etc

H

[SlipBall]

what you are witnessing is a battle damaged AI going down

[Feathered_IV]

Playable alpha is available now. Rather exceeded my expectations too. Very pleasantly surprised.

[SlipBall]

Originally Posted by Feathered_IV

Playable alpha is available now. Rather exceeded my expectations too. Very pleasantly surprised.

Hi Feathered, are screenshots available?...never mind, I went over to the forum and looked at them

[Feathered_IV]

Hi Slipball. Plenty here http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/...ots-vids-here/



Edit, ah! Beat me to it

[zapatista]

the funniest part was when the RoF-BS sales reps recently announce that those that had prepaid for the game would only be able to play it on Tuesdays during the beta stages (eg it is linked to some server activation control thingy RoF controls, you dont have normal access to pay it whenever you want to yourself)

roflmao, not something they declared when they asked people to hand over their money now, did they ! unsurprisingly people are starting to ask for their money back already

[Robert]

Originally Posted by kendo65

I tend to disagree with you on this. There are already some demonstrated features in BOS that break new ground - the quality of the pilot figure models sets a new standard, with animation used during normal flying to provide a very believable representation, and also animated bailout sequences.

The new cone-lighting used for the Soviet aircraft landing lights (and vehicle lights) is very impressive. Also interior cockpit lighting that is visible externally.

The quality of the ground-handling physics in the recent dev update video - again a new standard of quality there. They also say that FM is modelled to a new standard too. Time will soon tell.

The idea for the single player campaign of having server-generated missions with server-generated ground units, friendly and enemy AI flights, etc is new and potentially could be very immersive.

If the recently trailed AI is as impressive in reality as it appeared in print (vastly expanded sets of maneouvers) then it will be something special.

Stalingrad is apparently modelled to a very detailed level beyond what has been attempted before in a flight sim.

So I'd say there are already features that are ground-breaking. The focus for the new game seems to be on 'immersion' - if they can achieve that then I'll be happy. I was fortunate enough to be gifted a premium edition of the game a few weeks ago (after initially deciding to hold off on buying) so I'll be interested to try it out and judge for myself.

I wanted to test out the alpha version before I commented, kendo. Over all I like it and do hope the additions you feature come to fruition, and I won't comment on AI until I try it for myself. It's only fair.

The pilot animation, while very nice looking is the same three movements over and over again. Heck, the LaGG is going down the runway at full speed and the pilot wipes his nose ( brow). IDK if I'd be doing that in real life. The fact he does it every ten seconds is ridiculous, IMO.

The light cones are a nice touch, but to me are nothing but an extension of RoF's lighting effects as a burning plane reflects the light on water or land. It's very good. I'm glad they implemented the effect, but I was expecting good lighting anyway so as I said in my last post it's not ground breaking.

The ground physics add a lot of realism and I find the handling to be above any flight sim I've flown. Well done.

I haven't see Stalingrad, but honestly I'm not impressed with the few cities on the map so far. They are too generic and repetitive for my tastes. It's like they were positioned on graph paper and the builings and fences were built at rigid intervals. Now, they may be place holders and we may see something as beautiful as RoF's cities...... but in all candor those don't come anywhere near the scale and depth of CoD's London or Cannes.

The rest will be shown on release and I hope you're right - that we'll get detailed, immersive off line campaigns with superlative AI. To me, that's the holy grail of combat flight sims.

I think this is the evolution of IL2. It won't have the detail of CoD - or maybe even some of the physical/graphic realism, but I think it'll be a very nice sim, and I look forward to more development. Hopefully it will meet our expectations.

As I said earlier I have CoD. Now I have BoS. If DCS' 1944 sim has positive news, I'll have that too.

[David Hayward]

Originally Posted by Robert

I'm not impressed with the few cities on the map so far. They are too generic and repetitive for my tastes. It's like they were positioned on graph paper and the builings and fences were built at rigid intervals.

Someone on the dev team posted a photograph of a village near Stalingrad. What you see in the game is what they look like. Lots of rigid right angles and intervals. Communist planning and design at it's best.

[Feathered_IV]

I'm not normally a huge luftie fan, but I must admit there is a certain something there...