Friday 2010-02-25 Development update:Interview by Grégory Lemasson/Discussion Thread

[Oleg Maddox]

3d Modeling:

- Will it be possible to model African wildlife (eg. for a civilian 1930s addon)? What animation supports are there for elephants?

OM: Probably yes. But not right from the beginning. For animation itself it is possible to use many professional and expensive tools, however the main thing is how to port it in engine. We’re planning to issue tools for importing external animations in time.

- Will there be support for wing warping (eg. in the Fokker Eindecker and other early aircraft)?

OM: In aircraft currently modeled it is impossible. If the longeron(main wing spar) is damaged to the moment when possible “warping” then the wing will be out. Simple physics. In realty it may happen, but not in air, say for such aircraft as Spitfire or Messerschmitt. More or less realistic “warping” of some panels due to damage – yes we have it.

- Will it someday be possible to support distortions (bending) of damaged/destroyed aircraft like in Rise of Flight? Or will the game engine always be limited to the still wonderful approach to damage modelling seen in Il-2.

OM: Like in RoF – never. I don’t think that to make incorrect things, replacing real physics is right way. This is my opinion as aviation engineer, but not as a programmer.
Of course for the very old biplanes with bracing construction in some really very rare cases may happens in air some shit damage, _looking_ like distortions, but it can’t be standard and usual situation or often (each time) happened damage.
Really what we are doing is many times more complex and realistic in terms of DM. RoF isn’t even close in comparison to our system modeling and its interaction. I said what I said. Hope you will understand it.


Artificial intelligence:

- Can the amount of variation between AI be set by the mission builder (ie. to simulate more highly drilled english pilots vs. the more unpredictable American pilots in 1943)?

OM: I think yes. There is an option to selects different character. I said character. It’s not a mistake. However it isn’t done yet 100%. But I can say now that we have AI restrictions by level of experience (or by other word – education) and also in additional - by character.
Don’t ask me the types of character. It will be known for all only when I will use it for real advertising later, but not for the speech with you all here.

- Is there support for higher level AI? More specifically is there support for formation level tactics (ie. Something in-between vectoring by ground control and a flights rotte/pairs)?

OM: I can’t tell you all details. I think in interview for the current moment all things were said enough And the short answer of Dima covering well the main part of you request.

- Is there support for airplane specific AI (eg. Yak-7 and YAK-9 would have different AI modules)? Doing so would allow AI to change tactics depending on the airplane and mirror changes in tactics throughout the war (as later variants could use later tactics).

OM: Such things were in Il-2. But in BoB it is way more complex restrictions and specializations.

- How open will the AI be to tweaking and expansion by modders?[/quote]

OM: Probably will be not open. Same reason as above about weather and online gameplay.

Scripting:

- What support is there for music tied to in-game triggers? What about audio files? Will it be possible to have pre-recorded conversations that play out during gameplay?

OM: Wish list. Not less then in Il-2. I can say that there are triggers with the regulating zone – making own mission you may put in some place of the map the point with own sound and define the zone (diameter) on which distance it will begin to work for you aircraft. This is minimum. However you should try to understand how much features such “simple” function may offer you.


- Also, is it possible to have the player activate a trigger via the radio menus?

OM: Interesting … Will put in a wish list. We have not such thing.


Weather model:

- Will the weather model be open to 3rd party modification? (not only changing the weather to reflect a historic date, but changing the model: wind patterns near cliffs, wind from bodies of water etc.)

OM: Can’t say right now. Maybe we will open. However first time – probably no. There is so many innovations, that I don’t like to show for all developers in the world. At least for the first time after the release.


- How does the flight model function at >1 atmospheres (ie. a plane flying in a valley below sea level)?

OM: It is depending of atmosphere density. It is one of the functions.

Minor questions:
- Will it be possible to make minor features of an aircraft (eg. presence or absence of an armoured headrest) selectable via a separate tab (independent of the weapons tab)? This would be good for aircraft that went through many minor upgrades.

OM: Only these things modeled in 3D model and given selectable in menus. Same for third party. So probably in life time of sim series such things will be also possible.

- Will it be possible for the 3rd party to make drivable trains (or will be be limited to trucks)?

OM. If BoB will go on the market with enough success then I can say yes. In principle any vehicles later will be possible to make dive-able. Including from third party without us.

[MikkOwl]

O mighty Oleg,

IL-2 has tail gunners in Bf 110 that we cannot interact with in any way, and in multiplayer, they cannot even communicate.

I wrote suggestions on things I would like to see if you saw that. My question is: what might Storm of War might be offering regarding these important rear crew members (especially in multiplayer with AI tailgunner)?

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by MikkOwl

O mighty Oleg,

IL-2 has tail gunners in Bf 110 that we cannot interact with in any way, and in multiplayer, they cannot even communicate.

I wrote suggestions on things I would like to see if you saw that. My question is: what might Storm of War might be offering regarding these important rear crew members (especially in multiplayer with AI tailgunner)?

I already answered that we have something changed in that area. In interview. How much will be done - can't say right now. You should understand my position and principles.

I already answered even more than usual was answering in time of the Il-2 peak.

[MikkOwl]

Well yes, you said that the speech engine was 'new'. That does not say anything for if AI can even speak in multiplayer though

I was not here before IL-2 was released (I wish I knew about it) and I understand you do spend quite some time on posting here. And sure, I understand your position about not revealing before being sure, but I did not know that you were not sure I heard no one talk about the gunners or even speech in multiplayer before.

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by MikkOwl

Well yes, you said that the speech engine was 'new'. That does not say anything for if AI can even speak in multiplayer though

I was not here before IL-2 was released (I wish I knew about it) and I understand you do spend quite some time on posting here. And sure, I understand your position about not revealing before being sure, but I did not know that you were not sure I heard no one talk about the gunners or even speech in multiplayer before.

There was some speech about it.

Community, that knows me for a very long time, knows that I remember almost all my answers and important questions from users.

[MikkOwl]

Originally Posted by Oleg Maddox

There was some speech about it.

Community, that knows me for a very long time, knows that I remember almost all my answers and important questions from users.

Well, at least there is plenty of opportunity for the features

Ever thought about making an appearance personally in SoW? As pilot, instructor (that would be something) etc, both in voice and graphically? It would be a suitable easter-egg

[SlipBall]

(quote)
Happy with his little surprise Roman decides to show me something else on the Stuka, he begins showing the new physics engine and has fun letting mortar shells fall besides the Stuka on the ground. There is no possible comparison with Il2 anymore, the blast of the explosions damage objects and may even disturb them.





Is this to say that a bomb blast will move lite objects (light bulbs, chair/table, barrel etc.) that are a good distance from bombs ground zero, but yet close enough to be affected

[Oleg Maddox]

Originally Posted by SlipBall

(quote)
Happy with his little surprise Roman decides to show me something else on the Stuka, he begins showing the new physics engine and has fun letting mortar shells fall besides the Stuka on the ground. There is no possible comparison with Il2 anymore, the blast of the explosions damage objects and may even disturb them.





Is this to say that a bomb blast will move lite objects (light bulbs, chair/table, barrel etc.) that are a good distance from bombs ground zero, but yet close enough to be affected

yes. Even cars. Its why we model them from all sides with so good details

[SlipBall]

(quote)
yes. Even cars. Its why we model them from all sides with so good details




Movie makers are going to love that

[Snake_C6]

Originally Posted by Oleg Maddox

yes. Even cars. Its why we model them from all sides with so good details

to have seen how the cars are modeled I can tell it will be georgous