Friday 2010-12-03 Dev. update and Discussion

[FlatSpinMan]

Thanks a lot for this update (despite the fool earlier in this thread). It looks very good and very familiar too. excellent - I'm a keen campaign builder in IL2 so I look forward to using it.


[EDIT: Seems PeterPan beat me to most of these questions]

FMB Questions
1.Can you please make the speed set in the FMB CONSTANT across altitudes, aircraft types and fuel/loadout states? If the FMB value could display TRUE airspeed rather than indicated, it would also be helpful.
Of course all those factors effect actual airspeed, but in IL2, speed in-game differs based on the above points. This makes assembling large formations very hard.


2. Can multiple flights be set into larger formations simply (e.g. by clicking "formate on flight 1" ; or by making a flightpath for one flight then clicking a button to add a second or third flight suitably spaced)? From the Group Properties screen that looks to be correct.

3. On properties screen I saw Ammo Belt or similar. Will it be possible to add different ammo states, e.g. 20%, 5% etc. This could help us simulate jams. (Not so important).

4. Do you think it'll be possible for AI to taxi and take off from dispersed positions, or in formation? I remember you said it was difficult to avoid collisions with IL2's AI, hence the starts on the runway.

5. Set target. Is it possible to set an enemy FLIGHT as a target, rather than just the LEADER of that flight? This would reduce occasions where the whole flight is chasing the mortally wounded enemy leader while his AI mates fly along undisturbed.


SHIP AI
1. In Il2 it can be very hard to get ships' guns to work as expected. "Sleep" is often ignored by the ships, or else it is obeyed too strictly, so that when the enemy plane flies past, the AI gunners do nothing until the flight has passed overhead.

Many thanks for the work you have put in. Can't wait to get it!

MARKINGS
1. Are markings squadron and time-specific? Do the RAF roundels vary according to the date of the action, for example?

2. Are the markings subject to weathering along with the rest of the skin. (I imagine so).