full-real in SoW...

[Blackdog_kt]

Well, that's not true in my case as 99% of my IL-2 time is offline. This is a bit skewed by certain ISP troubles (that is, i can't fly online as often as i would like to), but even before that i was still a mainly online player.

Forums and such are a great way to collect information, learn things and follow upcoming developments but being a frequent poster in one doesn't make me a frequent online flyer

For me, the main issue with online flying is time constraints and commitment. I dislike having to leave in the middle of a mission or even worse, in the middle of a combat situation. So, if i am to be flying online i need to be absolutely sure that i won't be having any interruptions during my sorties.

I'm no hot-shot but i don't mind losing as long as the match is good, i learn something new or see something impressive, or i plain manage to help my team in accomplishing mission objectives regardless of my K/D ratios and survival rates, i have found servers that suit my difficulty/realism preferences, have nice missions in the rotation and are populated by a nice crowd of flight simmers. It's just that all too often i want to know that i can quit the simulator mid-flight without it reflecting negatively on someone else's gameplay experience, so i mostly stick to offline flying.

[Flyby]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

Biased sample

The majority of Il2 players play offline and never come to forums.

There is an over-representation of online players on online forums because online players tend to usually be online more often than offline players

How can you say that? I don't understand. How does it follow that offline (IL2) players don't visit online forums as much as online (IL2) players do. Just because a player does not fly online in no way implies that he or she does not get online to visit and/or participate in forums like these any less so. Well, that's my opinion (so I suppose I should grant that you have your opinion too).
Flyby out

[zauii]

Originally Posted by Flyby

How can you say that? I don't understand. How does it follow that offline (IL2) players don't visit online forums as much as online (IL2) players do. Just because a player does not fly online in no way implies that he or she does not get online to visit and/or participate in forums like these any less so. Well, that's my opinion (so I suppose I should grant that you have your opinion too).
Flyby out

Well, looking at the facts it's more obvious that offline players represents the majority of the install base within almost all games, especially realistic once.
That is about to change more and more though and have changed a lot within casual gaming the last 5 years.. anyway..

A player is more likely to participate in discussions and the community if he/she is a regular online player, fan of the game and a regular internet user.
Many folks who play don't really go online, they might not even have the knowledge/care? that these kinda communities and boards exists or wouldn't take their time to bother.

Many here maybe prefer Single Player and/or are offline players, but at least you're above the average joe who might have never even touched MP.
They are casual hardcore gamers if that makes any sense lol... i know plenty of folks who play and prefer simulators but don't hang around boards or such.
They buy the games and play em... simple as that.

(I am looking at the big picture here and it works the same with any community really)

Even looking at Call of Duty, Battlefield which has huge online communities, it's nothing compared to all the "uber" mainstream guys that just buys it of the shelves.
It's those guys who are responsible for the majority of the sales. I believe that maybe within another 10 years, technology, games and the internet will be a lot more accepted
thus, even getting the none gamers to realize things.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by Flyby

How can you say that? I don't understand. How does it follow that offline (IL2) players don't visit online forums as much as online (IL2) players do. Just because a player does not fly online in no way implies that he or she does not get online to visit and/or participate in forums like these any less so. Well, that's my opinion (so I suppose I should grant that you have your opinion too).
Flyby out

I simply base it on the number of offline players I have known over the years (especially older ones) that simply are not online at all, not even connected to the internet, or rarely go online.

I personally have no internet at all at home and only use the net when stuck with nothing to do at work to fill in time. (yeah i have one of those jobs)

[AndyJWest]

M4T currently (4.30 AM BST, 3rd August 2010) has 26254 members registered. How many of those ever fly online?

[RiffRaff]

I will play off line to start as to get the feel for the rig am flying.
Then phase into online part. coop is always fun with your squad m8 but the best part for me is the dog fights.

[Xilon_x]

if you don't have the AREAL PHOTO of enemy terrain and if you don't have the navy and convoy traffic you not project a good briefing.
FIRST start a recon mission
after study the photo and loock the map for project new briefing.

[Flyby]

Originally Posted by RiffRaff

I will play off line to start as to get the feel for the rig am flying.
Then phase into online part. coop is always fun with your squad m8 but the best part for me is the dog fights.

thanks for replying, RR. Ever watch UnderDog!

Hey Skosh, looks like you're catching it a bit today!

Flyby out

[Xilon_x]

BRIEFING REQUIRED MORE MORE INFORMATION AIR-SEA-AND TERRAIN if you not have this information briefing is very diifcoult.
one example italian pilots have german areal recon photo for start a new attak bombers.