Questions for Luthier

[FS~Phat]

Hi Ilya,

Thanks for dropping by, I know there are going to be a lot of questions, but I have just a couple that I think cut to the core of the issue with CLOD. (and the success of the sequel)

Apart from the obvious initial CLOD performance issues and bugs, even now its playing pretty much and looking almost as good as it its going to get.... but somehow something about it just doesnt feel right.

I want to ask that you don't loose sight of the fact this is a game and the importance of "Game Play" isnt lost in the effort to "fix" CLOD and release new content for the sequel. More content in a new theatre with slightly better graphics and dynamic weather and "better simulation" or what ever other features you introduce wont make up for bad game play and game dynamics... I think you know what I mean by this. The game, bottom line, also needs to be fun.

I have been playing Battlestations: Pacific for the last few days for something different. Played it years ago and its prequel and forgot how much fun it was. Sure the flight dynamics are far from simulation (just like a certain title based on wings of prey) but the gameplay is fun and involving, especially the ship to ship, ship to air and submarine gameplay. CLOD even when its working, still feel a little hollow... and im not quite sure what its missing because the basic elements are there..... perhaps its too much simulation and not enough substance?

In anycase, my question is, do you think you can do better with "gameplay" in the sequel? Whether that be, "MMO" or a new "co-op" mode or team "death match", "capture the flag" these kinds of things from a flightsim perspective for the online world would bring a bit of variety. The other obvious thing missing from CLOD was a campaign...

Will a sequel contain the ability or content for a dynamic campaign? or even better, a rolling dynamic online war, where choices your team makes determine the outcome of a battle over a number of days or weeks?

So.... is "gameplay" a big priority for the sequel/s now most of the graphics engine is ironed out, because it would seem to me that is the only thing that can propel this series to greatness in the face of the new world of online gaming.

No one really wants to fly around in a bunch of A2A or FSX type WWII modelled planes if there's no soul and "game" to be had. At least not for more than a few hours anyway! (if you want proof of this, look at what MS did with FLIGHT after a year, they shut it down) (anyone ever play FSX multiplayer?) Which I think is where most people struggle with CLOD, especially with the large map and low number of online players!

Food for thought anyway!
Cheers and Salute! Phat.