Future of simulations 2010 discussion

[csThor]

Originally Posted by PE_Tigar

No, not suggesting that at all - I just think that, by nature of things, a server-client environment would be able to drive that "virtual BoB" with many more airplanes etc., and compared to that the offline experience would be more limited. I.e. - you have a set limit of airplanes you can put into an MDS mission in 4.10, if you had a server farm you could theoretically put in many more planes, a bigger map, more ground objects etc.

Given the playing habits and the general dweebery of +70% of the online crowd the online area and the "human factor" is grossly overrated. Most cannot think beyond their limited horizon of dogfight this, dogfight that, sportive contest and other such cr@p (planeset whines anyone?) which is why you'll never see an accurate depiction of WW2 aerial warfare online. Simply put human entertainment and a realistic simulation of aerial warfare do not go along on a grand scale. This is limited to offline campaigns and perhaps handpicked tight sub-communities.

Limiting offline is the surest and straightest way to send a sim to the gray plains of insignificance. Offline players, despite not being well represented on message boards, are still the largest customer group. Alienate them and you'll have shot yourself in the foot.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by csThor

Limiting offline is the surest and straightest way to send a sim to the gray plains of insignificance. Offline players, despite not being well represented on message boards, are still the largest customer group. Alienate them and you'll have shot yourself in the foot.

+1

[SlipBall]

If I understand Oleg correctly, we will have full system's, management, and controls...what we won't have is realistic starting of the engine's, but. We may even see that someday through a third party effort.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by SlipBall

If I understand Oleg correctly, we will have full system's, management, and controls...what we won't have is realistic starting of the engine's, but. We may even see that someday through a third party effort.

Engine starts like this you mean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XVgC...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkcX0KGIBwk

That would be awesome. Of course radials only start that badly if let sit for a while.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

Engine starts like this you mean

That would be awesome. Of course radials only start that badly if let sit for a while.

The Beech 17 is my favourite aircraft. I wonder if they hand swng her backwards to pump the oil out of the cylinders? Is that where the puddle of oil on the floor came from?

Cheers!

[Wutz]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

The Beech 17 is my favourite aircraft. I wonder if they hand swng her backwards to pump the oil out of the cylinders? Is that where the puddle of oil on the floor came from?

Cheers!

Ah yes love those radial engines!
One of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSpBw...eature=related

Should add also this one love the Ju52!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8_9r...eature=related

[bolox]

one thing that i thought wasn't addressed in the interview was 'user generated content' (and let's be very clear here, i'm talking about legal content such as skins, missions etc)
to me this is one of things that not only make a simulation more (re)playable but acts as a 'viral marketing tool'- how many people come to a game through having their interest aroused by seeing say a youtube video?
it also gives users sense of 'having a stake' in the product. hooking the talented people out there who do these things is i feel extremely important:- just imagine IL2 with all the community content removed would there be anywhere to fly online?

[whatnot]

Originally Posted by SlipBall

If I understand Oleg correctly, we will have full system's, management, and controls...what we won't have is realistic starting of the engine's, but. We may even see that someday through a third party effort.

\o/

[kendo65]

Originally Posted by csThor

Given the playing habits and the general dweebery of +70% of the online crowd the online area and the "human factor" is grossly overrated. Most cannot think beyond their limited horizon of dogfight this, dogfight that, sportive contest and other such cr@p (planeset whines anyone?) which is why you'll never see an accurate depiction of WW2 aerial warfare online. Simply put human entertainment and a realistic simulation of aerial warfare do not go along on a grand scale. This is limited to offline campaigns and perhaps handpicked tight sub-communities.

Limiting offline is the surest and straightest way to send a sim to the gray plains of insignificance. Offline players, despite not being well represented on message boards, are still the largest customer group. Alienate them and you'll have shot yourself in the foot.

+ a lot

[whatnot]

Originally Posted by csThor

Given the playing habits and the general dweebery of +70% of the online crowd the online area and the "human factor" is grossly overrated. Most cannot think beyond their limited horizon of dogfight this, dogfight that, sportive contest and other such cr@p (planeset whines anyone?) which is why you'll never see an accurate depiction of WW2 aerial warfare online.

True every word you're saying I recon, don't have too much online experience but I guess it's often a fragfest. And offline indeed is a mandatory piece which I couldn't live without.

I just started wondering whether arranging simulating WW2 aerial warfare online is indeed a mission impossible. One thing that there might be a lot to learn from is iRacing. For those of you not familiar with it, it's a pay per month approach of arranging true racing simulation online. You need to log with your real name (I think it was controlled by cross checking with your credit card) and there is an active governing hosted by the staff and the community to keep the experience top-notch.
I tried it and never ended up with a morons crashing or whining in the races or in the boards. You progressed in rank as you learned and the level of opposition remained challenging. I had to give it up as the level was too high for me at the moment, but I long to log in again and drive a few races. It's no GT5 when it comes to volumes but it has a community 20k strong.

I just wonder how many of the WW2 enthusiasts would be interested enough to invest a few bucks monthly for a well arranged and facilitated WW2 experience with mission/campaign focus, solid chain of command and only gentlemen in your wing. I would give high-fives for a thing like that, but I wonder if I'm the only nut willing to invest on something like that. Probably not enough volume for a 24x7 running controlled experience but with scheduled flying nights I think it might be easy to get a server filled over and over again.