Thought for future expansions: Release Chronologically

[Voyager]

I was thinking about Il-2 and its expansion packs, and the post Cliffs of Dover future, and it strikes me that it might be worthwhile to do the expansion packs for Cod in more ore less Chronological order, especially focusing on significant changes in the airwar.

I see several advantages, and some weaknesses.

The first major advantage is aircraft facetime. Online, most people fly the best planes they can get, which means the older models get left on the shelf. Most of the crap planes were at one point cutting edge, or state of the art, so by moving through them in chronological order, most planes will be the best at some point in time. This also means that most players would get new toys to play with every major expansion pack.

The drawback of this is that some popular aircraft don't show up until very late. For example, the first P-51A's don't show up until early 1943, the P-47C first gets in in April of '43, and the Merlin Mustangs aren't there until 1944.

That said, it still seems to me that there would be a big bang for the buck for every new aircraft added, since most would have their day in the sun.

The second advantage I could see would be story continuity. You can do the entire arc of the war in continuous, but manageable pieces. Midway is more important if you spent the last three packs on the retreat, and you've already had two carriers shot out from under you. Likewise the reversal from the German Offensive in the BoB, to trying to defend against the bomber offensive that followed their defeat, and the progression from intercepting lightly armed and armoured bombers to the later flying tanks with escort fighters everywhere.

If they want to push the storytelling of the campaigns, I think having that continuity between expansion packs would be a big thing.

I also think it would reduce the plane fatigue factor, but I think that falls under the "new toys" I mentioned above.

Any thoughts?

Harry Voyager

[ChrisDNT]

First addon : Britain 42, first Focke's (please, the bar !), Westland Whirlwind, Spit V etc...

[Mr_Zooly]

The Battle of France or maybe Poland would make perfect early addons, we should have to wait for the late war planes...crap planes all the way for me

[Sturm_Williger]

Originally Posted by Mr_Zooly

The Battle of France or maybe Poland would make perfect early addons, we should have to wait for the late war planes...crap planes all the way for me

I know it's not very likely, but I'm all for this.

But I'll settle for the Med

[Widowmaker214]

Well, even if you do it in order...
The AVG was in China rather early.. and the Pacific campaign got underway in 42. I. Love. Carrier Ops. Its just awesome... and considering islands.. the maps would be a bit easier to crank out. But considering how long it took last time to get the pacific involved.. and the controversy over American aircraft.. Im not holding my breath. Can only hope some 3rd party guys will work on those aircraft.
If not the pacific... Id still say to stay on time with 42-43 Europe and North Africa.

[GnigruH]

Honestly, I don't get what is so special about poland or france campaigns.

- Crap planes?
You can have plenty of those elswhere.
I also dubt that large audience will enthusiastically fly unknown (and, with one exception, inferior) polish planes from this period.

- Luftwaffel planes o b l i t e r a t i n g everything?
Yeah, this might be enough for those, who like to blitz over the sky in their bf109 untouchable and superior to all. Luftwaffel loving king of the sky wannabes ...

These battles have no allied aeroplane that became a legend of ww2.
And you need one to sell the sim worldwide.

So why poland/france?
Enlighten me.
Btw I don't want to cause a flame war, just curious

[JG53Frankyboy]

Originally Posted by ChrisDNT

First addon : Britain 42, first Focke's (please, the bar !), Westland Whirlwind, Spit V etc...

DIEPPE 1942 !
Mustang Mk.I, Spit V&IX, Fw190A, Bf109G, B-17, Do-215, Typhoon (to name a few) and that with almost no work for a new map, if at all. And i belive working on a map in CoD quality is a lot of work ....

[Wolf_Rider]

Battle for Britain
Western Front
The Mediteranean (Italy/ Africa/ Malta)
The push into Germany
The Pacific Theatre of Operations

Its an age old argument, but keeping plane sets pegged to the year and the region would be nice

[Coen020]

I thought the Korean conflict was already being worked on by Oleg and team?
Should be good fun, really crappy jets + maybe UH-19's?.. anyone?

[camel24hrs]

Originally Posted by Wolf_Rider

Battle for Britain
Western Front
The Mediteranean (Italy/ Africa/ Malta)
The push into Germany
The Pacific Theatre of Operations

Its an age old argument, but keeping plane sets pegged to the year and the region would be nice

Ditto that. I would love to see the 8th airforce bombing campain against Germany. Large formations of B17s and Me109s, FW190s attacking and P51s coming to the rescue. So far that is one thing IL2 has not touched. It would be sweet but complex. Those bomber missions covered a large area.