[JG53_Valantine]

Doc,

The main thing for Co-ops is taht it sets everything up and starts everyone at the same time: not great for ATAG as ATAG is a dogfight server: even if it has missions / objectives and teamwork it is still an old IL2 styled Dogfight server game-mode wise. (admittedly with AI spawns etc. although modded IL2 46 had this with the Moving Dogfight Server stuff)

Co-Ops on the other hand are missions where X number of pilots join the mission at the same time: select their aircraft, loadouts and read the breifing before the host then hits "start" everyone is started where they aircraft they selected was palced: be it in the air or on the ground. This is a CO-OP server and can be either human vs human or human vs AI or a mixture of both on each side. They are extremely useful for Co-Op squads and were a very popular part of the old IL2 mix that is sorely lacking in CloD. Both Dogfight servers and Co-op servers have their advantages and disadvantages, however to not have that option is really a reversal of many years of progress in lots of people's eyes.

Sometimes you WANT everyone to be in the mission and "starting" at the same time, exactly where you placed their aircraft: these tend to be pre-organised things either on a squad level, online war level or even just a historical scenario (Take the 633 mossie mission that ran on hyperlobby frequently: NOW THAT was great fun and a fully co-operative experience that simply wouldn't work on the dogfight map) - Dogfight maps are great for those who want to jump on when they can: be it for a bit of "air-quake fly/gun/die/rinse & repeat stuff" or for an objective based "mission" but very poor for other things like a co-ordinated start, historical missions, co-op squadrons etc.

Sure: keep the dogfight server in CloD the way it is (as in IL2 46 MDS Moving Dogfight Server) but give us a proper Co-Op interface as well: it's not as if we are asking for all online experiences to be Co-Op only - we just want the option we used to have without spending hours messing around with scripting before we can even get missions in - time is limited for lots of us as it is.

So adding Co-Ops isn't "a step abckwards" in any shape or form: it is just giving us more options for us to enjoy the online experience.
V

Doc,

to add in: it really may help if you pick up a copy of IL2 46 and just spend an hour or two playing about with the co-op mode and you'll understand it. Trying to explain it is a little like trying to explain how the combustion engine works to an uncontacted tribesman: no matter how much you say it's like, or it does it is doubtful they will get the full picture.
V