Hi everyone, err.....I just remembered why I don't participate much in online discussions, particularly ones in which no consensus, or anything even approaching it will ever be reached. They almost inevitibly descend into petty name calling and childish playground **** slinging from otherwise intelligent grown Men who really should know better, and whilst sometimes it can be quite amusing, it gets old very quick. "And never the twain shall meet".
I've been playing IL-2 for 6 years, so hardly a newcomer. I have been reading the Ubi Forums for about the same. Bearcat, you are pretty much the voice of reason in my opinion, and make usually make a valid, cogent and articulate argument....In the case of mods no exception. As some guy from Minnesota once said, "The Times they are a changing", either roll with it or roll over, your choice. I respect the views of the naysayers, and see where they are coming from, but bottom line is you don't like them then don't use them. The prophesied "Online apocalypse" never happened. Is Nostradamus in the house? Maybe 2012? LMAO. I have two installs, one 4.08 Vanilla, and modded 4.09b1 beta. I play the former exclusively online CRT=2, mods for single player only. The mods as Bearcat rightly points out are in the VAST majority aesthetic and will not turn a bad pilot into an ace. They will however, enhance enjoyment of a title which despite its faults is the best WWII combat simulation there has ever been, to date. Whilst many are in fact rubbish, there are many which are a VAST improvement. Fact. Nothing lasts forever, every thing is in flux.
RE: Cheaters.....they will always be amongst us, bad apples are one of lifes constants and nothing will change in that regard. Call me an optimist or naive, but I truly believe that the OVERWHELMING majority of this community are decent and honourable people, who would never resort to such a low thing. While they of course exist, they remain a pathetic minority. In fact I KNOW it.
But there you go, my Ha'penny. On a lighter note.....all the best to everybody for the New Year, and I hope you all have a good one!!!
~S~ Take care people.