Well, I play vanilla 95% of the time but what I would like is the ability to have both without "loaders" etc. There should be some security solution so that I can join an "official" server knowing that no one uses different code than me - but the next session could be on a server with user made content... This is the way other games work, and that is the way I think SoW:BoB will work. If version 4.11 could include this it would for sure unite the community again. Have a mod folder like BF2 for example where the original game actually is treated as a mod like the user made mods... Then make some solution to secure the original files from tinkering and we are set. Thats how to handle the fact that users WILL mod a game if its possible in any way and that is GOOD for the developer if they take care of it. Look at CS? It's a friggin mod - and the cash it generated for Valve in form of sales of the original Half-Life product are enormous (which itself can be seen as a Quake mod ;)).

Well, Spits vs 109 MODS is the server which most people choose to play, usually its over 50 players online

Hmmmmmm, okay I see what you mean, and I agree that the MODS are and have been truly awesome.

I think my problem has been the fracturing of the online community because of the many variations of mods needing to be installed to play on specific servers.

So rather than just seeing a server on hyperlobby and joining it, you have to see which MODs need to be activated, de-activate mods that are already not needed for the server, then join. Server may timeout, so you go to join another server, but you have to change your Mods again, repeat until you get into a server which has players....and then play!

Hmmm, now, I want to join another server....go through the above again.

Look, I have an IL2 'Vanilla' install, a HSFX 4.11 Install and a UP 2.01 install on my Hard-drive. I use the mods for movie-making, but to play online is a real chore unless you use one-server only and stick with the settings.

Sadly, due to other commitments in an IL2 movie, I just haven't been able to get much time online lately, but wondered what the feeling would be to making 4.10 'unified' so that 4.10 Servers can be joined by anyone running 4.10, rather than a multiple switch on and off before even attempting to join?

Cheers, MP

Why do you care? Would it change any of the points I made?
The fact that mods exist means what? Should we do something about it?
Considering what I stated before we have the following options:
1) Ignore mods
2) Introduce new protection scheme to prevent them (at least temporarily)
3) There is no 3rd option

Again: There is a program called IL2 Server Library, which will auto-detect and auto-enable the necessary mods for each server


http://ultrapack.il2war.com/index.php/board,84.0.html

Guys, the community does not wants, ugly textures, horrible sounds
and enviroment, the mods make this game different, that was the reason why the people broke de game code and if you think we want the old il2 return back you are wrong

Okay, missed the first post of this.....but this is very impressive. Thanks for the link......roll on 4.10 ;)

what is the issue about anyway?

Il2 works independently from the Windows registry. If you want to fly stock you can fly stock if you want to fly mods you can fly mods if you want to fly both you can fly both. nobody forces you to do either.

Yes, stick the head in the sand if you like to. Reminds me of the managers at the large record companies that missed the wide open market opportunity that Apple, Spotify etc grabbed from the table in front of them... Soon there will be no market for music that is not online and they will sit there with their "there is no third option" mentality and no customers. I don't think that I have ever heard of a game developer that fights people that wants to create mods for their game? This is actually rather amusing - especially with the bunch of now made "official" mod developers that now rant about the others that are not in the club... Why not work together instead?

Not really where the thread was meant to be heading? More about the fact if everyone has the same install, all servers are available with 4.10. Not a case of changing a setting (or many) before entering a server.

The link above to IL2 Server Library is pretty impressive, although enhancements are allowed on the Warclouds Server, they seem to be disabled when using IL2 Server Library to enter though :(

Cheers, MP