Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Drivable vehicles in a flight sim? WHY?
1C announced this week they are making vehicles drivable in Cliffs of Dover in the next patch. And introducing a new Ju 88 variant.
Of course! Introduce a feature no one has asked for, and a new variant to an aircraft virtually no one flies.
Seriously. Why do the things people are desperate for in the next patch, like eliminating CTDs in the online game, or fixing the substandard AI routines that make it virtually impossible to be shot down by an AI even flying straight and level.
You want to drive a Kubelwagon around an airfield dodging strafing Spitfires? That's why you bought a flight sim? Then you must be in heaven. Or maybe you get shot down, jump in an MG sports outside the Bull n Bear pub, have to drive back to the airfield and wait for a Kite to respawn (a la the tanks in Call of Duty 2) and while you are waiting you jump on a bofors and hope someone flies overhead your position while you are waiting.
Give me a freaking break!
There is a challenge in all complex projects which is called scope creep. You start out with the very fine and admirable ambition to build a little garden shed for your mower. Along the way, you decide it would be good to have your tools in there too. And why not just extend a bit and put a roof over the extension so you can park under there. The BBQ could probably go on the shed too, and the pot plants, and that firewood you want to keep dry. You run out of money, the roof isn't quite finished, you've got wet tools, a shed full of wet firewoord, and the car is still parked in the street because your BBQ is in the driveway.
Cliffs of Dover is a case study in scope creep.
And the guys at 1C are all wandering around saying, 'Hey, anyone remember where we left the mower?'
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Missions 12-14 of Sealion, the Battle rages!
Download here:
http://www.box.com/s/79qsxei5k0bzc0e4jyyx
If you were to fly every individual sortie in just these three self-installing mission files (all Sealion missions include a self install program), it adds up to 16 sorties. With an average of 5 different player flyables in every mission, the mission set to date includes around 70 flyable sorties, each with its own individual briefings, primary and secondary targets, and accompanying challenges. It is a much more varied and intense player experience than is possible in an offline scripted campaign following a single point of view. He is a sample of the briefings for the sorties in mission 12 alone... enjoy!
Seelowe 12: Sept 25 morning, S-tag +3
In yesterday's fighting the RAF lost 97 more fighters leaving only 440. The SE England airfields of 11 Group, Bomber and Coastal Command were cratered ruins, and once more the threat of collapse, which had receded in early September, was looming. The Luftwaffe had lost another 71 fighters and 142 bombers. Few of the final 2nd wave German reinforcements made it through the British naval and air blockade of Folkestone. Despite stubborn resistance by the 1st and 2nd Canadian divisions overnight, the German XXXXI Army Corps, with the 10th Panzer as its spearhead, captured intact one of the two bridges over the River Stour at Kingston, and troops are pouring across. However, in the early morning, the British VII Corp committed its 1st Armoured strategic reserve, comprising Valentine and Cruiser tanks, on the left flank of the German salient. The German supply line to Kingston is stretched tight, and the British mean to cut its throat. They have been met by the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment, comprising mounted troops, flak battalion and a Stug batterie.
RAF Spits
Our engineers at Kingston were killed trying to mine the southern bridge, and now the enemy has crossed to the Western bank of the Stour and has flanked our defences. Bomber Command has been given the job of destroying both bridges. 64 Sq is down to its last 4 machines. You will fly a combat air patrol over Kingston in advance of the raid, and engage any Luftwaffe fighters in the area. Volunteers from the 1st and 2nd Canadian Division are holding their positions on the ground, and will do so throughout the bomber attack. Pray for them.
RAF Hurris
Our engineers at Kingston were killed trying to mine the southern bridge, and now the enemy has crossed to the Western bank of the Stour and has flanked our defences. Bomber Command has been given the job of destroying both bridges. 111 Squadron will escort the bombers. Volunteers from the 1st and 2nd Canadian Division are holding their positions, and will do so throughout your attack. Pray for them.
Luftwaffe Hawkinge
Flying for Erpro 210 you will take off from Hawkinge and fly N-NW to Elham. An enemy column of tanks and vehicles is headed East toward Selstead where a surprise British armoured attack has been met by Leibstandarte SS Stugs. Our tanks have the upper hand but the arrival of the extra enemy force could tip the balance. When you have destroyed the column, you are free to engage targets of opportunity, both land and air.
Luftwaffe Kingston
Our troops have captured a crossing at Kingston. Fighting is still intense but it is vital we get as many men and machines across as possible today, with the gates of Canterbury wide open! Patrol the airspace over Kingston to deter any enemy aircraft. You are free to engage targets of opportunity on the ground, particularly gun emplacements, but your priority is air defence.
Luftwaffe Elham
Flying for LG2 you will proceed N-NE to Elham. An enemy column of tanks and vehicles is headed East toward Selstead where a surprise British armoured attack has been met by Leibstandarte SS Stugs. Our tanks have the upper hand but the arrival of enemy aircraft could tip the balance. Keep the airspace clear.
http://www.box.com/s/79qsxei5k0bzc0e4jyyx
If you were to fly every individual sortie in just these three self-installing mission files (all Sealion missions include a self install program), it adds up to 16 sorties. With an average of 5 different player flyables in every mission, the mission set to date includes around 70 flyable sorties, each with its own individual briefings, primary and secondary targets, and accompanying challenges. It is a much more varied and intense player experience than is possible in an offline scripted campaign following a single point of view. He is a sample of the briefings for the sorties in mission 12 alone... enjoy!
Seelowe 12: Sept 25 morning, S-tag +3
In yesterday's fighting the RAF lost 97 more fighters leaving only 440. The SE England airfields of 11 Group, Bomber and Coastal Command were cratered ruins, and once more the threat of collapse, which had receded in early September, was looming. The Luftwaffe had lost another 71 fighters and 142 bombers. Few of the final 2nd wave German reinforcements made it through the British naval and air blockade of Folkestone. Despite stubborn resistance by the 1st and 2nd Canadian divisions overnight, the German XXXXI Army Corps, with the 10th Panzer as its spearhead, captured intact one of the two bridges over the River Stour at Kingston, and troops are pouring across. However, in the early morning, the British VII Corp committed its 1st Armoured strategic reserve, comprising Valentine and Cruiser tanks, on the left flank of the German salient. The German supply line to Kingston is stretched tight, and the British mean to cut its throat. They have been met by the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment, comprising mounted troops, flak battalion and a Stug batterie.
RAF Spits
Our engineers at Kingston were killed trying to mine the southern bridge, and now the enemy has crossed to the Western bank of the Stour and has flanked our defences. Bomber Command has been given the job of destroying both bridges. 64 Sq is down to its last 4 machines. You will fly a combat air patrol over Kingston in advance of the raid, and engage any Luftwaffe fighters in the area. Volunteers from the 1st and 2nd Canadian Division are holding their positions on the ground, and will do so throughout the bomber attack. Pray for them.
RAF Hurris
Our engineers at Kingston were killed trying to mine the southern bridge, and now the enemy has crossed to the Western bank of the Stour and has flanked our defences. Bomber Command has been given the job of destroying both bridges. 111 Squadron will escort the bombers. Volunteers from the 1st and 2nd Canadian Division are holding their positions, and will do so throughout your attack. Pray for them.
Luftwaffe Hawkinge
Flying for Erpro 210 you will take off from Hawkinge and fly N-NW to Elham. An enemy column of tanks and vehicles is headed East toward Selstead where a surprise British armoured attack has been met by Leibstandarte SS Stugs. Our tanks have the upper hand but the arrival of the extra enemy force could tip the balance. When you have destroyed the column, you are free to engage targets of opportunity, both land and air.
Luftwaffe Kingston
Our troops have captured a crossing at Kingston. Fighting is still intense but it is vital we get as many men and machines across as possible today, with the gates of Canterbury wide open! Patrol the airspace over Kingston to deter any enemy aircraft. You are free to engage targets of opportunity on the ground, particularly gun emplacements, but your priority is air defence.
Luftwaffe Elham
Flying for LG2 you will proceed N-NE to Elham. An enemy column of tanks and vehicles is headed East toward Selstead where a surprise British armoured attack has been met by Leibstandarte SS Stugs. Our tanks have the upper hand but the arrival of enemy aircraft could tip the balance. Keep the airspace clear.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sealion Missions 9 to 11
Download now:
http://www.box.com/s/1irh61pbq5en4r9a63j8
Mission 9 highlight: RAF, train busting / LW ground pounding
Mission 10 highlight: RAF and LW scrambles
Mission 11 highlight: RAF convoy attack, LW airfield defence
http://www.box.com/s/1irh61pbq5en4r9a63j8
Mission 9 highlight: RAF, train busting / LW ground pounding
Mission 10 highlight: RAF and LW scrambles
Mission 11 highlight: RAF convoy attack, LW airfield defence
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