Friday Update, February 3, 2012
 

Good morning gentlemen!

Another quick update today. As promised, we’re going to show a few more screenshots of the I-16 damage model. We’re also doing another community Q&A.

We’re working on the patch and the sequel same as before. A more detailed description of the process can be found in our last week’s update.

Tune in next week for a German bomber, ground units, and video footage of an unexpected new feature.


1. Will the new graphics engine have improved SLI/Crossfire performance? SLI currently gives minimal frames per second increase for many players and can introduce stutters.

2. To dev team regarding the SpeedTree technology. We all know the problems with them: shimmering, LOD changes and what not. I scoured thru SpeedTree forums and saw similar issues with trees and also solutions. Add that there are new versions of it etc. So my question is that has dev team worked with SpeedTree Inc and using newer version and tools? Can anything be done with trees?

3. Do you have any plans to enable 6DOF vision in the bombardier's seat? Bombing without the horizontal stabilizer in the Blenheim is hard enough and 6DOF here would help a lot.

4. Do you plan to expand (or explain) server settings for client control? Currently a dedicated server only has the ability set netspeed and turn VAC on/off through the [Net] code but there is no options to control the clients connected. This is resulting in exploitation.
For reference, some of the relevant IL-2 settings are checkServerTimeSpeed, checkClientTimeSpeed, socksHost, checkTimeSpeedDifferense, checkTimeSpeedInterval, farMaxLagTime, nearMaxLagTime, cheaterWarningDelay, cheaterWarningNum.

5. Have you considered a formal bug tracking system that the community can get involved in? It is difficult to tell what bugs the devs are/are not aware of at the moment since the bug threads do not get feedback.

6. Oleg didn't promise, he just alluded to the hypothetical suspect of the probable but unconfirmed existence of occasional glints from distant planes' canopies, and only in the version of the game compiled at the time of his propositions. Now, can we have those reflections again?

7. Will the Russian aircraft be modelled historically in terms of equipment? For example most Russian fighter aircraft (especially early war) had only a crudely painted gun sight. Radios were usually removed to save weight as the quality was poor and often they were useless. Except of course with the GIAP regiments who had access to the best aircraft and equipment.

8. Are you planning to return to the reflections on aircraft surfaces as shown in this video?
http://youtu.be/Ye_VY1aV3Zg

9. Are you planning to fully support force-feedback joysticks such as MS FF2, which are currently not supported the game?

10. Will there be a closed beta for the next project?

11. Are you planningto make different octane fuels an option for the plane load out?

12. Are you planning a working airmass model that affects aircraft, including propwash etc?

See you later!

Oh, completely forgot a tiny detail. :rolleyes:
Benchmarks on the BETA version of the new graphics.
Testing FPS on the first British campaign mission. Max details.
Old graphics – 74 FPS average. New graphics – 134 FPS average.
i7-870, 4Gb RAM, GeForce GTX 570



Blacksix Responses to questions below: (thanks mate! ;)

Maybe we will set up

Graphical patch created for CoD

I can not tell yet accurate information on this

Testing of the graphical
...

Now we can not give information

Ок

No. Maybe there will be modifications of flyables aircraft

Yes, maybe

No. Feedback will not be

Yes

Wait for the news, can not say
....

Yes

thx for the Infos and the nice pictures

Thanks! Nice update.

nothing really new.

still waiting for a patch release till then its all small talk.

also, average is never been the issue i had in cliffs of dover. i can easely average 60 fps ( wich is more than what i average in il2 1946!!) thre problem is the stutters.

Nice job B6! ;)

That was a tiny but great news detail!

Thank you for the punctual update Blacksix,

Nice weekend!

Next time, if possible, some information on which bugs may be fixed (on existing planes) would also be welcome... e.g. fix for the automatic course navigation (gyros) of the HE111 and JU88...

~S~

Thanks for the info, B6.

Excellent!

Question for next update regarding point8:

--------
8. Are you planning to return to the reflections on aircraft surfaces as shown in this video?
http://youtu.be/Ye_VY1aV3Zg
Quote:
These exact same reflections you see are there today, just toned down.
--------

So, will you consider tune it up again? at least to the point where that calculations are not wasted in something not visible?

Than you!

Ilya is added at the last moment))

B6 You dont happen to have any info you can share with us on if the CTD/memory leak issue has at least been identified and worked on possibly for the next patch? :)

Thankyou!

6. Oleg didn't promise, he just alluded to the hypothetical suspect of the probable but unconfirmed existence of occasional glints from distant planes' canopies, and only in the version of the game compiled at the time of his propositions. Now, can we have those reflections again?

Quote:
I might probably allude to the hypothetical possibility that this feature might or might not eventually make it into the game.
__________________________________________________ ____________

LOL! I knew that I wouldn't get an answer ... :)

Thanks B6 & team,

look forward to the update.. One thing will we see the new graphics patch on COD or will it be down in one complete whack..So you buy BOM and with that you get the new G/E for COD?

O_Smiladon

Oh, completely forgot a tiny detail.
Benchmarks on the BETA version of the new graphics.
Testing FPS on the first British campaign mission. Max details.
Old graphics – 74 FPS average. New graphics – 134 FPS average.
i7-870, 4Gb RAM, GeForce GTX 570
__________________________________________________ ____________

OK, crude numbers are there, but what is the quality tradeout? Everything comes at a price ...

I'm pretty sure that force feedback is broken with all FFB sticks and not just MS FFB2. The FFB will cut in and out randomly I've heard logitec G940 owners complain of the same problem. Plus the cannon shake is broken on the bf109 it uses the wrong ffe file.... but I've mentioned that a million times on here already.

... thanks for the update, ...
 

... again, nice aircraft, looks like a swiss cheese this time...

but what about the online problems with constant game crashes when in multiplayer, suddenly disappearing planes, poor visibility of planes and stuff, will that also be resolved with the next patch ?

And ..., WHEN will this next patch come, this spring, in summer, autumn next year ? When ? No mention about all that ... ?!
:???::?:

We need a date for the release :S , anyway good job, keep up it

I don't think you'll ever hear anything about release dates from MG again, unless of course they're about to release something (the next day or so) and know it'll be this date. They got burned by missing previously published dates quite often so they now prefer to say not more than absolutely necessary.

... same problem here, I also have a MS Sidewinder FFB2 plus a Saitek X45 (throttle only in use). Whenever I shoot the guns or drop a bomb, FFB cuts out regularly. Sometimes it recovers, sometimes it doesent.
:?

... I fear you are right, ... :|

So can we take from the new data on fps that you guys are now in a closed beta stage of the new patch?

Benchmarks for the beta sound encouraging. Wasn't there plans to release the beta for public testing?

Good results on the optimising the graphic engine of the game. Well done team. The PC used for testing is even a bit slower than mine. Nice. Any info on the fixing memory leak and the fix for slowdowns (drop of FPS) when effects are near (dust, fire etc.)?

Great work an thx B6!
You can show us ANYTHING next time and be sure it's unexpected because nobody expects anything at all ^^ just kidding, I'd be stoked to see new features.

Excellent, thank you for the update all.

Ref reflections, they are very visible on exposed metal on well worn planes, just not at all visible on paint.

Impressive fps increase too, well over the 50%! can only echo the post that I hope stutter is eliminated and that it still looks the same as previously stated :-)

This is VERY USEFUL info and update!

Thanks!

BlackSix, I'll post something more detailed tomorrow but regarding bomber 6DOF the problem is that you can currently swivel your head but not move it in actual 6DOF as in x- and y-axes. The target gets hidden behind cockpit features (e.g. panels framing the canopy glass) on the final approach and you can't look around them to see it. Nothing to do with the sight view.

As I said, will post something more detailed tomorrow.

Nice update, thanks. Especially the last bit!

You can't see a reflection on matte but it didn't stop it shinning that's what's missing/needs work

thx for info.

Good news about fps im sure some of actually problems will be solved on next patch.

Only one question , i can understand work its very hard and needs too much time ( last update ) , this its the question.

¿ its programated turn some actually non-flyables planes to flyable?? like Defiant, gladiator, beaufighter...

Its posible this question be posted in other post, but i no read nothing about this on last Update post and its posible developers remade agenda.

;))

i for one would also like to see some heads up on the memory leak and disappearing dots (ghost planes are making multiplayer verging on edge of unplayable at least for me); else is good to know, but i'll save my judgement over the FPS increase until i see it myself. as others pointed out, stutters are the main issue...

and no word on the flight characteristics revision ??? we'll bear with the super rotol hurricane, pitty MkI and meh 109s like forever?... again good to know you're at it, but this issue is a MUST. i dare not elaborate, fear the mods...:rolleyes:

Thanks for the update. Good news about the FPS increase, looking forward to seeing some images from the graphics overhaul, in lieu of the graphics overhaul.

Whilst there wont' be any more content for CloD you will still be looking to improve FMs won't you?

Hope so! I'd really like to see the HE-111 bomb release calibrated to drop at the correct point. Unfortunately short at the moment - seems modelled in imperial and interface in metric!

Thanks for the update Black Six,the new FPS figures look impressive,are there any figures for ATI/AMD gpus please?

Also is there any further feedback from the questions and request list you took 12-28-2011, 09:10 AM ?

Even with matte paint at very tangent angles the material becomes reflective.
Here you have some images where this effect its clearly visible. It helps a lot to give a photo feeling to the image and material:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-expSF8gTws...s400/Mk.II.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5n7Pq3ec3c...00/Mk.VIII.jpg

http://www.airmuseumsuk.org/airshow/...7/Triplane.jpg

Here you can see a full reflection under the wing. Also in aircraft in the background you can see reflections and direct sun shining.
http://www.atpm.com/12.06/eea-airven...20Spitfire.jpg

Etc...
Even more, at right angles even mate paint shines a lot. Without that matte it simply become blinding and even blinding when reflecting the sun.

but this has been discussed a lot.

B6, can you ask Ilja to run the blackdeath track with the new graphic engine and post min., average and max. frame rates by highest setting and resolution?

I think that would be more comparable than only average.

And thanks for the little update.

You do know that warbirds today are painted with gloss coats....nothing like the matt used in service.

+1

Thanks for the update 8-)

Thank you for the up-date...wow on the FPS

Thanks.

Great news on the FPS increase.

Showroom shine, like for cars is a lot shinier than in real use...the top pic looks like a plastic model...:cool:

Great news for fps, even if only a vague average spec.

Thanks

And please, add some screenshot if you make a Black Death test. I doubt if it's fact or fiction :P

HEYOOOOO!!! Nearly 100% increase in fps on the upcoming patch, I swear to God luthier if you don't get that patch out of the door soon. :) As soon as that patch is released I'll re-install CloD again, promise. Thanks for the update B6! :D

In fact it's nearly 100% increase. ;)

Great news on FPS increase, but no news about physics updates.

Alexander, please ask Ilya about changes to FM and when they will happen. Ilya promised that ground handling/landing/tako offs will be drastically improved "soon". This was back in September:rolleyes:

LOL! and :oops:, I swear the news was so great I didn't think clearly when I made the comment.:grin:

Thanks Insuber ! Your update is the best update yet! With real numbers ! :grin: And altough its WIP and NOTHING is promised, seems promising ...:rolleyes:

Salute !

S!

I was happy for the answer on trees until it turned to basically an insult. I did NOT ask for a patch to trees etc. Just a question about IF ANYTHING could be done..Whatever. Rest of update was nice.

Don't forget, the obligatory Unforseen Disaster hasn't been detected yet. So real world performance may likely be a good deal less. ;)

Screenshots will not show if the stutters are still there. I wonder if they've been able to fix the slow downs during close combat when there's lots of smoke and explosions.

Great update. Don't care that it's minimal, just keeps us in the loop. Even if some of the above is not fixed, the almost doubling of the fps should make it at least playable for people with older systems. Maybe time to get a 120hz monitor for the well equiped members of the forum.

The news about groundcrews got me curious on how that will be implemented. Static crews or fuelers and ammo guys moving about the aircraft. No more ghost aerodromes, nice.

Ok, here you have some real WWII color pictures where the same effect ( yet not so strong like in shows but more than in COD ) can be seen:

http://www.303rdbg.com/nored02.jpg
http://www.303rdbg.com/nored04.jpg
http://www.ww2incolor.com/german-air...n+Romania.html
http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/648342-2/SPIT-MERLIN
http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/618332-2...some_polecat_2
http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/630680-2...pitfir_885212p
http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/617280-2...78-524_964x425
http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/417412-4/20100328-003
http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/359916-2...217_8e2d93d6ac
http://www.ww2incolor.com/german-air...f110Color.html

I really hope they don't implement super shiny again, the whole point of a matt paint job was to prevent being too conspicuous, whats the point in loosing a potential tactical advantage of not being spotted because you are blinging away like a massive beacon.

I should add that in those pictures the shine on the aircraft is quite diffused and wouldn't reflect over a great distance unlike the mirror like flash of a gloss job.

There will be a il2 COD specific patch before the release of BoM. Been clarified by Luther several times. I can't find the thread where it's in.

You're right, but the planes look so pretty.;) Also, aircraft are really very hard to detect when viewed from above. They blend in too well with the landscape. Camouflage is one thing but MKI eyball stealth is another.

Maybe we will set up

Graphical patch created for CoD

I can not tell yet accurate information on this

Testing of the graphical

I guess this means it might be out in beta form soon, am I right?

Don't want to kill your excitement, but B6 wrote sth. about "ground units". As far as I understand it, he propably meant sth. like Sovjet/German tanks, cars, Artillery etc.

Despite Groundcrews on the aerodrome would be awesome though

Now we can not give information

Ок

No. Maybe there will be modifications of flyables aircraft

Yes, maybe

No. Feedback will not be

Yes

Wait for the news, can not say

Yes

Ok, thanks for the reply you are doing a great job! :)

Is the footage of unexpected new feature next week going to be the feature to make competitors worry?

Another question. Will the trees get collision model in next (graphic optimisation) patch or its planned to be included later?

Thx for the update.

Could you post minimum fps aswell please?

Will DirectX 11 make it to the sequel?

Can't Wait!

Thanks for the update BS! S!

rotfl

Guys. Please take note that the FPS posted was AVERAGE.

CloD on my 570gtx had always been adequate at average FPS - it's the slowdown with smokes/clouds and low level stutter (resource loading/texture shuffling?) that kills the experience.

So let's not celebrate too much until more info is posted - I think there might be a reason why Luthier didn't post the benchmark more in detail - they probably are still ironing out the quirks.

Yes, we are well aware that it was an average figure thanks, maybe you missed several of us making comments on the stutter and dust too? They are quite obvbiously still ironing out the quirks, otherwise we would all be using it right now.

I was hoping to see a little more info on a timeline of the patch release, I mean if you are releasing stats now maybe that means you are closer? But then without some sort of acknowledgement, its all just guessing, and I am tired of guessing :)

If I am guessing, closer than last week is about all I can guess, something firmer would be nice, getting harder and harder to come here and just see a little tease or two.

hope this doesnt come off too bitchy, just frustrated.

I guess all we can say is that the new graphic-Engine is nearly finished. But if they want to pack other things into the patch as well, this things might not be finished yet.

I wouldn´t take this update as a promise that the patch will be out very soon...

Oh trust me, I dont take anything as a promise of anything... hence why I am frustrated...

Good work!
Only one idea: Pls make it possible that big parts (like 60x60 cm) of the engine hood flew away afer a hit from 6 o´clock 10 high. I often read that parts of the I16´s engine hood flew away after a hit from there !

Thx


Ps: don´t forget the Hs123 and the R5 :D

Greez Dave

Thanks for the update BS.

With regards to FM - I am sure you are aware that the Spifire MkIIa is banned from most on-line servers which leaves only the Spitfire Mk1's which are slower than a Hurricane and the Spitfire Mk1's Boost Cut Out does not function. Can we expect to see these performance issues corrected?

Pretty good update thanks. Looking forward to next weeks with a new feature video and a german bomber....hmmm I wonder which one? We already have the 111 and 88, maybe the ole flying pencil is flyable now?

Any fps increase is welcome, no matter if it's avg fps or max/min. But it won't mean much if there still is no AA. The jaggies right now are the biggest problem for me with the graphics. The I16 screens look pretty smooth around the edges...so maybe there is some AA but these shots are likely not taken from inside the the game.

thanks a lot for the update of your work. Nice pictures and a lot of work, i think so. And good fps news.
Of course ...WE ARE WAITING FOR THE NEXT PATCH:);).


Thanks. And a nice Time - Out, for you and the rest of all people how stand behind the project

Cliffs of Dover

LoL. the answer to question 6 is comedy gold.


The Luthier and B6.

Yea that was a knee slapper for sure over here.

I sincerely hope that the Soviets won't be restricted to three flyable combat aircraft as is currently the case for the RAF in Cliffs of Dover (Spitfire, Hurricane, Blenheim), in lieu of introducing further flyable steeds for the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe currently has five flyable combat aircraft (109, 110, Ju87, Ju88, He111), plus there are two Italian flyable combat aircraft (BR20, G50).

Or to put it another way, three Red and seven Blue.

Or is this 'German Bomber' only AI?

Thanks for the update B6.

Agreed I am still smiling! Glad to see they still have a sense of humor what with all that has transpired thus far ;)

thanks guys nice update..:-P

Thank you for the update and the continued hard work! :grin:

Good update, thanks.

The development has stopped giving guestimates. They have been royally roasted in the past by many community members that just don't understand its impossible to give a solid timeframe when there are no foolproof checklists for this type of work. Its unfortunate but we brought it on ourselves.

Thanks for the update. A Polikarpov I-16, now with holes! Oh, and the 134 FPS tease...didn't Luthier mention that about five months ago? Glad to see everything is progressing smartly.;)

I agree there has been progress. :) Luthier did mention awhile ago that they were looking at a 50% increase in frame rates during beta testing the new graphic engine, but now that has increased to 100%. Its also interesting they will be showing video footage of an unexpected new feature in the next update.

I'm excited about this video feature...What could it be?

I hope people get too excited, they only said an 'unexpected' new feature......they didn't say it was amazing/spectacular.

Wait and see... so many promised ago...

Maybe next week's update will be a real update...something to look forward to. In terms of a 50% or 100% increase in fps, I'll believe it when I'm seeing it on my computer with the same maxed settings and no loss in visual quality. Finally, is the "unexpected new feature" the same "amazing new Top Secret feature that will be a first in the industry?" The one that Luthier teased us with five months ago. All a bit squirly if you ask me. Note to MG...I think we can only handle one promised ground-breaking feature at a time.:)

I appreciate their communicating more with us, but it doesnt ease the frustration any less, I want to love this game, but its still frustrating to come browse these forums with know good estimate on when we might be moving forward.

I understand the reasoning or justification of not saying anything, but doesnt ake it any easier, especially with how this game has been handled, oh well.. just keep on keeping on...

No...they just said 'unexpected'

Thanks B6 for these infos. I have to get used to it that now every Friday is an update. Great !

Keep up your great work!

They could at least give the year the patch might be released

Honestly, Discussing a sequel doesnt make much sense when the prequel doesnt work... With nothing concrete to latch onto...this just looks like all smoke and mirrors at this point.

Guess we will have when when we have it...but all bets are off when Andromeda and the Milky Way collide.

We shouldn't have to be told that we may not see a 100% increase in fps, these are just beta tests, on a specific system, and will ALWAYS be different on different systems and ALWAYS subject to change. The unexpected feature might be amazing to some and not so much to others. Some will find something to positive to say others not so much.

LOL!

but seriously, the world ends this year, they have a deadline :)

I agree its been a long wait with countless setbacks. I remember being totally pissed when BOB was delayed because Luthier need help finishing Pacific Fighters. I feel your pain.

When you see the potential in this game, thats what makes it hurt so much lol

Does this mean there will be no 100 octane for BoB or that some aircraft will have it but they will not have an 87 octane option (like when you out the Rotol prop on the Spit Ia but could not have the DH)?.

1+++. This is the root of much of the frustration. We've been looking forward to this sim for years...after countless delays get an unfinished product...and the next beta is a complete mystery in terms of content and timing. But we get images from the sequel and it’s a plane that most outside Russia would never want to fly. I bought the game and will keep watching and hoping for real progress but all the missteps have left me quite skeptical.

Thanks for the update! The new beta benchmarks sound very promising!

You wont get anything more of an update until it's ready for release, thank the community for that and move on, it's getting tiresome reading how peeved you are at it now, we know.