Friday 2009-11-06 Screenshots Update discussion thread

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by HFC_Dolphin

In IL-2 there were some limitations due to the original engine design.

Now I wonder, after the BoB is released, which parts of the engine will be "out-of-discussion" to be amended?

I know it's difficult to tell 100%, but maybe you can give us a rough idea of what's to be "locked" as soon as the game is released.

1. There will be a complete lock on all changes to the core code. Especially for basic online engine.
The code will be open to external additional modules, for inclusion of new any ground objects or planes flyable or AI. New campaign engines and other possible programs. Basically open interface for many things. Even game menu is designed for such future additions.
2. A tool for such models to be inserted into the engine
3. A tool for non programming, but tuning of aircraft behavior (all data neccessary for FM of that aircraft. You simply put digits and move sliders.)
4. Some 3D models as a basis for learning or rework by third party.
5. Probably totally or partially open code for the programming of cockpits and animations of aircraft details.
6. Editor of maps. Allow to create maps from users made textures, etc. The map will be limited in size. Unlimited in size maps editor - only by a license for third party with agreement.


That isn't a final decision. So maybe some changes in one or other side.

Notice about online gameplay:

All new Aircraft or player-controlable content may not be included in our core online gameplay set without our certification and agreement with third party developer.
In all other cases such content you may play in a single play or probably online on specially created servers, that are not certified (updated in code) by us.
This is the general idea how to escape online cheaters and don't damage fair online gameplay.

To clarify. Let's take the Spitfire for example. Its FM will be completely locked in the "core" set. You will then be able to create your own Spitfire version with our tools, with tuned FM parameters, etc, let's call it the SuperSpit. You'll be able to use the SuperSpit offline whenever you like. When you join an online server with the "core lock" enabled, you won't be able to fly the SuperSpit. You'll only be able to fly our stock Spitfire with all parameters unmodified. Alternatively, when you join a server with no core lock, you'll be able to fly your SuperSpit, or the regular Spitfire, whichever you prefer.
Same goes for all other changes that we'll allow through our user tools.

Attention:

Items 2,3,5 and 6 will be released some time after the relase. We will take time to make user friendly interface and manuals. At the moment the goal it to finish BoB itself and we can't make all things in parallel process. We have just some basis that we using ourselves with totally open source code that all time in changes. its why we can't release many things right with the BoB release.


PS. this post a bit edited by Ilya Shevchenko that to make clear my Olegish English

[HFC_Dolphin]

WOW, I'm impressed by the last reply!!!
And as far as I can understand, actually there won't be any engine limitations for you. Meaning, that whatever you want to change, you'll be able to do it (not like the IL-2 maps, for example, which could not be worked after the final release).
This is very promising and thank you for letting us know!!!

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by HFC_Dolphin

WOW, I'm impressed by the last reply!!!
And as far as I can understand, actually there won't be any engine limitations for you. Meaning, that whatever you want to change, you'll be able to do it (not like the IL-2 maps, for example, which could not be worked after the final release).
This is very promising and thank you for letting us know!!!

Limitation is always present:
1. Time
2. Money for additional development.

[Abbeville-Boy]

will bullet holes be visable on ground targets such as barrels, buildings, etc?

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by Abbeville-Boy

will bullet holes be visable on ground targets such as barrels, buildings, etc?

I can say that they will be visible on aircraft.
But can't say now about such target as buildings.

[Tbag]

Oleg, thank you very much for all your answers! One question concerning clickable cockpits:

If a 3rd party wants to model clickable cockpits for the aircraft, could those be used online in the Maddox-Approved mode of SoW?

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by Tbag

Oleg, thank you very much for all your answers! One question concerning clickable cockpits:

If a 3rd party wants to model clickable cockpits for the aircraft, could those be used online in the Maddox-Approved mode of SoW?

I can't say it now. The code isn't finished in this part.

However I'm sure that these that will use clicable will have disadvantage in control speed .

[AdMan]

The things said about in-game training, user customizations, and the third party tools are just as I imagined they should be - truly innovative not just for the genre but for gaming, cant wait to see where the SoW engine leads us throughout the next decade.

[Caveman]

Originally Posted by Oleg Maddox

Limitation is always present:
1. Time
2. Money for additional development.

1) Can't do much about this since it is a "constant"

2) We exchanged an email on this years ago; perhaps you remember... I really think there is a segment of users out there in the community like myself that would pay over $100 dollars for "premium user package" that would include additional tweaks or modules that are locked and not provided to all users... Perhaps some advanced flight modeling, tweaked graphical features, etc... I know add-ons can address these needs, but you have such a personal following and people who know sims know you give quality and would be willing to pay more with your stamp of approval. At the very least, I hope you're getting a good kickback % on the add-ons that are produced for SOW. The whole flight sim business model should be different than shooters... Not sure it can withstand a high price for all users, but to make up for lack of total users, price needs to be higher...

In general, it seems shooter folks are starting to get bored of the cheap/fast thrill of shooters and are looking for substance. Perhaps in the coming years, we'll see a ressurgence of interest in simming like there was in the early/mid 80s with the original MS FS which "every" gamer had in there PC collection.

Hope you succeed... IL-2 is still fantastic after all these years... Funny to think we all may be playing SOW + add-ons 20+ years from now...!

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by Caveman

1) Can't do much about this since it is a "constant"

2) We exchanged an email on this years ago; perhaps you remember... I really think there is a segment of users out there in the community like myself that would pay over $100 dollars for "premium user package" that would include additional tweaks or modules that are locked and not provided to all users... Perhaps some advanced flight modeling, tweaked graphical features, etc... I know add-ons can address these needs, but you have such a personal following and people who know sims know you give quality and would be willing to pay more with your stamp of approval. At the very least, I hope you're getting a good kickback % on the add-ons that are produced for SOW. The whole flight sim business model should be different than shooters... Not sure it can withstand a high price for all users, but to make up for lack of total users, price needs to be higher...

In general, it seems shooter folks are starting to get bored of the cheap/fast thrill of shooters and are looking for substance. Perhaps in the coming years, we'll see a ressurgence of interest in simming like there was in the early/mid 80s with the original MS FS which "every" gamer had in there PC collection.

Hope you succeed... IL-2 is still fantastic after all these years... Funny to think we all may be playing SOW + add-ons 20+ years from now...!

I hear you.