Quote:
Originally Posted by zapatista
so what for of coop would you suggest ? there is no need for it to be a rigid copy of the old version, but it needs to satisfy a few criteria:
- people need to be able to meet in a lobby type format where they can collectively discuss the mission (plane types, target, map, loadout, route to target and egress etc..)
- server owner needs to be able to start the mission so people can take off from the airfield as a cohesive unit
- late comers (who might be finishing dinner etc..) should not have to be waited on for mission start or for them to join, they should be able to join a little later and take over an AI plane etc..
- when players are killed they should be able to rejoin the server without having to wait another 60 - 90 min for the next mission
if you know a better way to include this and not use an improved version of the old system, please explain 
the only other way i see this is that we have a 24/7 dynamic server that runs an unfolding battlefield scenario over several weeks (largely with scripted elements, not completely player controlled). the server owner could then pause the server when his coops buddies arnt playing ( or let it unfold/run on its own when not used even). you then could use "mission task screens" that give a continuous series of missions that need to be flown, and the players choose some they like (large formation bombers, fighter escort etc). to do this right would be fairly complex, and i dont see luthier pulling that one out of his hat any time soon.
so what other version of coop would you suggest ?
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Mate, I am with you for the requested capabilities, but let me explain my position. I've played countless Il2 coops in the last 11 years: there is good and bad, but all in all they're too rigid, and they lack a lot of tactical and strategical flexibility, both for air and for ground units. My opinion is that nowadays MG could do - and possibly did - a much better "coop mode" than that one.
And if I listen to the few C# mission builders here, all of the features of your exhaustive list - that I approve - are already present in CloD, except for the first bullit - where TS comes in more handy
. That's the reason for my stance: we need a GUI for the FMB, to exploit fully what is under the hood. Once we will know the limits of the new mission builder, we can ask for new functionalities.
BTW, the ATAG Axis vs. Allies server has already a lot of interesting coop-like features. I miss mainly the points for ground targets ... but there are objectives, updates on the targets status, you can join and quit at your will, and once the objectives are reached a faction wins and the mission restarts ... and you can work cooperatively with your mates. AFAIK one cannot jump in a flying AI plane, but I believe that this is a server choice.
I suggest the following to facilitate the communication and understanding on coop, which is one of the most ambiguous and misunderstood debates we have had:
- starting from today's state of the art for online missions, that is the ATAG server, one can specify what one wants different/added/improved. I believe that this would be a more efficient way to proceed.
Cheers!