Are you an online or offline user?

[HFC_Dolphin]

Originally Posted by csThor

Gave up online long ago (although I'm always keeping an eye on the developements there) because online has degenerated into a steady ego-driven gangbang between various fighter types - essentially not much more than a "Shoot-em-up" in the air. A serious simulation of aerial warfare as it happened in WW2 is only possible offline as the AI doesn't have an ego that needs to be stroked. It won't b*tch and moan when it doesn't get the latest and best aircraft of the period (because it wasn't present in the operation I want to simulate), it will fly Il-2s, bombers, Stukas and the likes without yammering about being the poor target drone and it won't run to the nearest message board to whine and cry about just how biased I am ...

No, online is in my opinion completely overrated unless dogfighting is all you're interested in. You can't do a serious simulation of aerial warfare with living people flying for their enjoyment, 'cause war isn't about having fun.

Hi csThor!

I do agree in almost all of your points, but the problem with IL-2 is that offline mode is extremely boring. AI is not good enough and the worse part is that...you feel alone.
You know well that combat flying experience has a lot to do with flying in formation, covering each other and taking tactical and strategic decisions. IL-2 just does not offer these options and the communication interface with AI is poor and non-effective. Not to mention the lack of a worthy campaign system.

And that's where online covers these holes. If you get some good company to fly with (which is difficult, I agree), you can fly and speak(!!!) to your wingman. You can ask him for help or save his ass when there is a bogie on his 6. Is there anything better than the feeling of guiding your wingman, who has a bogie on his 6, to the place where you can save him?
Is there any offline mode that can offer you this intense feeling?
Or the campaign system...All these online wars have offered maps and moving frontline and made us feel like we're actually doing something more than just flying. You can't underestimate the value of strategic options that good online campaigns offer.

And there's more, but you get the meaning.

Anyway, if your message referred more to the online dogfight servers, I couldn't agree more. Just another Quake arena, nothing more...