Musings on inclusive, sustainable online-play

[Plippy]

I've gotten into some competitive multiplayer communities relatively late in their lifespan and noticed that, since only the hardcore really stick around that long, they can be pretty inhospitable to new players.

I doubt that matchmaking based on skill level will be effective with a smaller pool of players, so it may be feast or famine in IL-2 Land within a few short weeks of launch.

Hopefully the various difficulty levels will help with this, but I'm concerned for the new player or the person who loves the game but doesn't have the time to dedicate to it. There is a certain inclination to say, "Screw it, as long as we're having a good time that's all that matters." but I think that our chances of seeing more DLC or a sequel do depend on attracting new players who continue to play online and don't trade in the game after blazing through SP on Arcade mode.

I know that the devs are ready to support IL-2 and keep it thriving, but all that is based on publisher support and cashflow. With this concern, what ideas do you guys have for helping sustain the online community over the long-term?

I have at least one idea, but admittedly an instance of "low hanging fruit" that may be better suited for the dev suggestion thread." I'd love to see a true "coop" mode that pits a group of players against an AI squadron, for instance. Many of out there aren't big into the whole chest-thumping, competitive online experience (no offense to those who are). It's always nice when there's a way to jump online and try to beat the computer with your buddies. This has been really popular in shooters (GRAW 2, GOW, L4D, COD5) recently and I know that it's helped sustain a thriving community for games with less mainstream appeal (see GRAW 2). In a way, this could be a good training grounds for those transitioning from SP to competitive MP by teaching good communication and teamwork in a more low-pressure environment.

I'd also be interested to hear how you folks who have been playing IL-2 on the PC think this all might play out. Are there lessons to be learned from how that has played out over the years? Any thoughts? Bueller?