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

[Robert]

Originally Posted by zapatista

the Rof crowd seems to have gone from being hyper critical of CoD and forever whining about trivial minor things, to lapping anything up the RoF folks produce, even if inferior by a mile. poor show folks, lets apply similar standards to determine quality then again, logic, reasoning and common sense has never been a troll attribute lol, so maybe i am asking there for the impossible !

I can't disagree on this bolded point. There are some who were annoyingly vocal about the development cycle of CoD and now some of the same seem to be very eagerly awaiting BoS. I don't think it's fair... or honest.... but it is what it is.

I have CoD, despite 1C abandoning it and thanks to Team Fusion, but I also have BoS. I don't think it will be as in-depth as CoD, on the other hand nor do I think it was ever advertized as such.

As much as I cut slack for CoD's development, I can't bring myself to be an early adopter of the new DCS/Oleg/Luthier offering. I'll keep an open eye and view what folks think.



EDIT: I can only hope the change of heart is in recognition that flight sim pickings are slim and the constant complaining and bickering was fruitless. I honestly don't think the complaining was personal (except for maybe one or two folks). Considering that if 1C didn't pass the torch to 777 there could possibly be a wasteland of flight sims instead of the hope of the continued work on CoD by TF.... 777's BoS.... and DCS's 1944 scenario.

[klem]

Originally Posted by Robert

...................................
I have CoD, despite 1C abandoning it and thanks to Team Fusion, but I also have BoS. I don't think it will be as in-depth as CoD, on the other hand nor do I think it was ever advertized as such............................

I hop you will be willing to give us some objective feedback on graphics, FMs, DMs etc when BoS beta begins.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by klem

I hop you will be willing to give us some objective feedback on graphics, FMs, DMs etc when BoS beta begins.

I'll try to do so without the fanboi fanatasizm.

I'm expecting the game to have the same level of graphics, DMs and FM as RoF - but updated to a WW2 setting. I still think RoF has had a decent development cycle where at least graphical improvements have been steadily added. I like the feeling of flight, but can that be updated to a WW2 setting? I hope so.

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 still have CoD and TF is continuing to greatly improve the game. When I hear some positive updates from Luthier and fans I'll invest in DCS 1944. It's finally a good time to be a flight sim enthusiast. No?

[klem]

Originally Posted by Robert

I'll try to do so without the fanboi fanatasizm.

I'm expecting the game to have the same level of graphics, DMs and FM as RoF - but updated to a WW2 setting. I still think RoF has had a decent development cycle where at least graphical improvements have been steadily added. I like the feeling of flight, but can that be updated to a WW2 setting? I hope so.

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 still have CoD and TF is continuing to greatly improve the game. When I hear some positive updates from Luthier and fans I'll invest in DCS 1944. It's finally a good time to be a flight sim enthusiast. No?

Yes, absolutely.

[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.

[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.