Thoughts about Friday's update

[Lurker_71]

Originally Posted by csThor

[...]
Secondly the abysmal AI and the utter lack of a working player-AI interaction is making offline gaming as a whole pretty pointless.

This is the reason why I uninstalled CloD, and will wait until the final patch before giving it another try.

IIRC, the guy (can't remember his name) who was working on a dynamic mission/campaign generator gave up working on it for this very reason.

CloD offline is worthless, and no one in the community can do anything about it.

[klem]

Originally Posted by csThor

Sorry, but that's too easy. Fact is we don't even have the most primitive of campaign systems, no ranks (even in the very primitive form as used in 1946) and therefor no medals or anything like that, either. For an average dolt like me, who could turn out some missions in 1946 for own consumption, this is far beyond my capabilities to actually design a campaign module like the Desastersoft guys did. And because I don't like their style of campaigns (achievement over storytelling) I'm bitten in the hinder again.
Secondly the abysmal AI and the utter lack of a working player-AI interaction is making offline gaming as a whole pretty pointless.

Please forgive me if I don't understand the full scope of offline play, it has never appealed to me (I did try out the abysmal Hurricane 'career' for a few rounds). I assume that the future core fixes (in the sequel) will address the FMB and make it easier to create missions. I also assume that it will be possible to create dynamic campaigns either through a future 1C tool or one devised by the community as in IL-2 FB/'46. I really don't know how ranks and medals are generated in an offline campaign. I think your push for better campaign possibilities is related to the sequel as they have said they won't change what's in CoD but if the methods/techniques are core issues then hopefully they can be retrofitted into CoD even if it is necessary to buy the sequel.

I suppose my main concern for CoD is that the aircraft should be improved so that we can start to enjoy it more and that future core improvements will take CoD forward as well.

[ATAG_Snapper]

I have the "Wick vs Dundas" Campaign(s) by Desastersoft which I consider to be an excellent product -- it's what Cliffs of Dover SHOULD have shipped with as part of its own package. Unfortunately, and this is no fault of Desastersoft, the CoD AI and Comms really suck, as we all know, which greatly affects gameplay. If -- a BIG "if" -- the devs can fix these two glaring aspects, then offline play will be very good.

At present, I get value from offline play to practice my deflection shooting while making high speed passes on bomber formations. With the current beta (1.08 ) I've turned Engine Temperature Effects "off", so I can at least use realistic engine settings with the RAF fighters without blowing a head gasket, plus get more realistic flight performance. The downside, of course, is that you're no longer required to monitor or manage oil & glycol temps, even with Boost Cut Out Over Ride activated, which is unrealistic as well -- but at least you're flying! (So I do what the Real Pilots did, use BCOO sparingly and report same to the Chief Mechanic after I land. ).

[fruitbat]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

I have the "Wick vs Dundas" Campaign(s) by Desastersoft which I consider to be an excellent product -- it's what Cliffs of Dover SHOULD have shipped with as part of its own package. Unfortunately, and this is no fault of Desastersoft, the CoD AI and Comms really suck, as we all know, which greatly affects gameplay. If -- a BIG "if" -- the devs can fix these two glaring aspects, then offline play will be very good.

I tried the demo, and was unimpressed straight away that the spit they had in the missions was the Dunkirk 2 stage as opposed to CSP during BoB.

Is this different in the actual paid campaign, or is it still wrong?

[Stublerone]

Additionally you have to see, that flying offline is not what the game is made for. I think, that these single player related problems could be left alone. Building a community is not working with a crowd of single players. Also a further development is simply impossible, as there is no life or culture in it.

[Continu0]

Originally Posted by fruitbat

I tried the demo, and was unimpressed straight away that the spit they had in the missions was the Dunkirk 2 stage as opposed to CSP during BoB.

Is this different in the actual paid campaign, or is it still wrong?

I have little knowledge what is right or wrong, nor do I know if they use the 2-stage-spit in the paid-version.

But if you can back up your facts with a valid source, they will listen to you and change it. Yes, their support is that good...

[fruitbat]

Originally Posted by Stublerone

Additionally you have to see, that flying offline is not what the game is made for.

with the old il2 series there has always been many many more people offline than online.

so i think your comment is not accurate.

[fruitbat]

Originally Posted by Continu0

I have little knowledge what is right or wrong, nor do I know if they use the 2-stage-spit in the paid-version.

But if you can back up your facts with a valid source, they will listen to you and change it. Yes, their support is that good...

The 2 stage was changed after Dunkirk and before July, its documented all over the place.

yes i can back it up with valid sources.

[furbs]

Originally Posted by fruitbat

with the old il2 series there has always been many many more people offline than online.

so i think your comment is not accurate.

With the current netcode, online is limited too.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Originally Posted by fruitbat

I tried the demo, and was unimpressed straight away that the spit they had in the missions was the Dunkirk 2 stage as opposed to CSP during BoB.

Is this different in the actual paid campaign, or is it still wrong?

No, you're right. Actually, I just flew that mission yesterday -- it is the 2-speed Mark 1 that's used. Don't shoot me if I'm wrong, but I believe that many Spitfire squadrons hadn't yet been retrofitted by May, 1940, with the CS props (DH or Rotol? Can't remember offhand which was field mounted and which was factory-installed later). IIRC Al Deere of 54 Squadron flew a Dunkirk mission in a Mark 1 with 2-speed prop (and got shot down and had to take a boat home with the evacuees).

Re-reading Alex Henshaw's "Sigh for a Merlin". Early on he mentions that the BoB pilots quickly discovered that the 2-speed prop pitch lever could be carefully manipulated at the center of travel to adjust the prop's pitch between Full Fine and Full Coarse -- which gave huge obvious advantages in performance if done skillfully. This was strictly variable pitch though, NOT Constant Speed. Neither DH nor Rolls Royce countenanced this, fearing serious damage to engine and/or prop governor -- but neither Company's reps were in the cockpit with the pilot at 20 angels with a 109 on their six! This aspect is not modelled in CoD, but IS modelled in A2A's Wings of Power 3 Spitfire 1a.