Cliffs of Dover Is The Best. But Some Of You Don't Appreciate It.

[Seeker]

Clod was supposed to better than IL-2, a better game, an improvement.

IL-2's faults were:

Crappy, non immersive, non intuitive interface.
Interface so lacking in development one had to edit game files.
Game files so undocumented, even after ten years, that no one really knows how the .rcu files work (for example) with out a degree from the Unseen University in google operands.
Extremely limited game content (out of the box).
Extremely limited content generator.
Extremely arcane content generator
Crappy 1990's static campaign "generator", that missed over half the flyables.
Clunky in game AI command interface
Clunky AI
Vox so awfull every body used a third party program instead.
Multi play support so awfull every body used a third party program instead.
Clunky Track -ir support
Failure to update with the times (wide scren, font size etc.)
Failure to update difficulty settings (F3, 1980's icons etc.)

Now, every new software, even every new patch, introduces new problems which need addressing. That's understood. But how much of the above has Clod fixed?

There IS a very good sim under all this, I think we're all agreed.

But there's no interface, no documentation for the file hacking we're going to have to do to mack up for the appalling interface and most importantly of all, NO GAME!

We, the IL-2 fliers, can see the potential.

But we're losing flyers fast, new users just won't have a chance and I haven't dared recommend this game to any one I know yet. I've denied having it on two forums I frequent to avoid having to give an absolutely negative review.

They'd better buck up, and fast. Other wise it won't matter how much the fanbois wave their little flags, it'll all be game over.

So no, Avro. I can'tagree with you on this one. So far, this software is not fit for purpose.

[=69.GIAP=STENKA]

This was a development management problem and it is now a marketing management problem.

If you put put a development team in a closed environment without regular product contact with real users for 6 years and constantly slippable deadlines you are asking for trouble.

They will fiddle with technicaly and philosphicaly intersesting stuff and will not even notice real world requirements.

Every Sim developper will as a professional always have the latest hot PC setup, so will not notice that performance is an issue. He will build a quirky user interface which he always tests in the same way and think it's obvious to anyone that it should work that way, users are so stupid. A complete manual, documentation and content are not interesting, after six years immersed in the product he thinks humans are born with a head full of such inate knowledge or can make it up themselves.

Note carefully, IL2 was not developed this way. If I remember right they bought out a limited prototype which was first released to the public as a demo way before the product. From that point it had constant user feedback which refined it and kept it on-track.

OK so the problem exists, you can't fix the past, what's happening now?

Well they could have put in a development manager to spend another 12 months trying to sort it out.... and probably money would run out...

The other choice is to stick it on the street, let user feedback focus the development team on real world issues and well it will sink or swim.

As far as I'm concerned it was a good decision. Another 12 months in the closed room with a manager weilding a baseball bat and it might have been all lost.

What you will now see is the development team reacting like a scalded cat and delivering patches

The current marketing problem is a bit more regretful. It would have been more honest if they had offered the chance for customers to buy a copy so they could participate in product testing. I think a lot of us would have bought in to that - I would have.

However, you don't get rich in marketing by scrupulous honesty, so I can understand the decision.

Now what are we going to do about it?

1/ Say there is no problem
2/ Have a good rant
3/ Throw the toys out of the pram
4/ Get testing and log nice clear bug reports
5/ Get back to real life and start complaining that I have to press shift F1 to see 109 gunsight and while I'm on the subject it dives slower than a spitfire and..
6/ Have a go at Stenka cos what he's said is immoral
7/ Open a beer and chill out

Now all together now, in chorus let's.....

[dgeorge04]

Yes,its gonna be a great game....the best....when its "finished"...after some more patches.We've waited years to buy an unfinished game...but still its better than nothing.So,after some more patches,and FORCE FEEDBACK,we'll all stop complaining!!

[Zoom2136]

Originally Posted by Seeker

So no, Avro. I can'tagree with you on this one. So far, this software is not fit for purpose.

And this is why it was not a worldwide release... One would assume that they are giving themselve time to fix a bunch of stuff before they enter their biggest market...

Its like I said... no $$$$, no candy. Without money, you can't pay your staff, without staff you can finish the game... ... ...