BoB II version 2.12 gets closer!

A big update now on the coming improvements to Battle of Britain II - still listed in the top 50 games ever for PC, by PC Gamer magazine 2011!

While other period sims such as Rise of Flight and IL2 Cliffs of Dover have overtaken BOBII in the GFX bells and whistles category, none in the opinion of this writer has come close to  BOBII for either the historical accuracy, depth of the strategic campaign engine, or the human like experience of dogfighting the BOBII AI.

The past

The BoB Developers Group (BDG) is a motley crew of transatlantic Battle of Britain sim enthusiasts who was given access and rights to the code for the Battle of Britain II flight sim by the developers A2A Simulations, several years ago.

Since then, they have released regular improvements to the sim - including a mission editor, Multiskin (a mod which gives nearly every one of the thousands of individual fighters and bombers in the game historically accurate skins and aircraft codes) a new single player campaign mode, AI code updates which have made it the benchmark in flight sim AI, new campaigns including the Battle for France, and constant improvements to the historical accuracy of skins, airfields, and landscapes. Update 2.10 won a Sim HQ award for the best community mod, while update 2.11 introduced hundreds of new period ground objects, and a new flyable aircraft, the de Havilland Tiger Moth trainer.

But as with all bands of volunteer enthusiasts,  the pace of work of the BDG is driven by the availability of members with critical skills, and recently the group has been hampered by the lack of coding capabilities. Nonetheless a core of BDG heroes (including but not limited to Stickman, Two27, PV, Borton, Buddye and Ben) has kept plugging away and version 2.12 is now finally nearing a beta release.

The future

What will version 2.12 bring to this venerable sim? Emphasis in this patch has been on increasing the historical accuracy of this already incredibly accurate simulation.

The list of improvements is a long one, but I have pulled out a few highlights:

AI behaviour

AI behaviour at squadron level has been further improved. Squadrons and staffeln leaders will give their pilots an order 'break and run' if the number damaged or lost reaches a trigger level. This applies to both fighters and bombers, and bomber formations feature better 'straggler' behaviour. Damaged bombers will more realistically drop out of formation and head for France.

Campaign reporting

This has been given a real workover. BOBII campaign features detailed reporting for the player on everything from pilot fatigue and morale, to squadron and staffeln readiness, infrastructure and factory production/damage and daily kill/loss statistics. There were however somethimes inconsistencies between reports, which were put down to 'fog of war' but which were in fact bugs in the code. These have been dug out and the reporting interface significantly improved.

Below: Example of the revised 'Airfield level' report. Here we are looking at Middle Wallop airfield, which we can see is currently home to 238 and Squadrons. The report shows damage to airfield buildings and runways, and individual squadron reports on who the CO is, what their morale and the morale of the unit is like, what the current skill level of the leader and unit is (in BOBII this is dynamic, and afffected by combat results) and the readiness level of the squadron.
























Example below: the updated National level 'resources' report, showing in this case the number of available aircraft and status of every gruppe with symbols indicating 'non operational due to low morale' (eg 37!), 'non operational due to losses ( >35< ), 'non operational due to fatigue' (36).









    


Campaign AI improvements

Multiple fixes have been made to the way the game manages the hundreds of game events: Luftwaffe staffeln leader death rate has been adjusted, RAF factory damage and recovery has been optimised, as has aircraft repair rate, Luftwaffe unit 'lockouts' due to low morale and fatigue or damage have been adjusted, and locked out units now receive a morale and fatigue boost while being rested.

RAF units which need to be rested are now rotated in and out of 13 Group, as was historically the case. And while resting, they regain strength and morale.



The way the game manages skill upgrades and downgrades has been adjusted so that pilot skill improvements come mainly through combat, not just stick time. And squadron scrambles have been simulated so that the amount of damage inflicted on units which are rearming or refueling on the ground when bombed, is more realistic.


Fuel values for various aircraft types have been corrected to better match historical reality.


Landscape and terrain


Updates have been made to key locations such as Southampton, Weymouth, Thameshaven, Tilbury Docks, Dunkerque and Brighton. Docks and factories have been remodelled - all of this work using scale maps and historical sources.


The number and type of AAA defences at key locations has been painstakingly mapped and reproduced.


 Example: Rework of the coastline and docks at Weymouth, showing the BOBII coastline, and a satellite image for comparison. And, it aint fun, unless you can blow it up, right?

Conclusion

With the 2.12 update, PC simmers will get the most historically accurate flight sim representation of the Battle of Britain that has ever been developed. It builds on the already existing attention to detail so that BOBII now features historically accurate:

- placement of factories, buildings, infrastructure, ports, piers, harbour facilities, and AAA emplacements. Cliffs of Dover map is nowhere near as accurately modelled (for example on the CoD map, Folkestone harbour is completely lacking port buildings, docks or factories.)
- correct location and designation of Fighter Command, Bomber and Coastal Command airfields, for 10, 11 and 12 Group. (Again, Cliffs of Dover map is smaller, basically only covering 11 Group.)
- placement, size and structure of RAF and Luftwaffe units. When the player starts a campaign, no matter at which time period they start (Convoy phase, Adler Angriff, or Blitz) the relevant squadron will be placed at its historically correct location for that day, with the actual CO of the time in charge. (There is no campaign engine in Cliffs of Dover, so this element is only available in BOBII)
- skins, markings and code letters for every one of the hundreds of bomber, dive bomber and fighter units in the game (basic skin functionality is avail in CoD, but individualisation is left to modders)
- geographically accurate coastlines, rivers, roads and city sizes scaled to period photographs from 1940
- fuel capacity and aircraft ranges
- period tactics: Luftwaffe staffeln fly and fight in rotte and schwarm formations, RAF squadrons use the outdated and less flexible Vics. Luftwaffe fighters can be ordered to fly sweeps, or more typically, stay tied to the bomber formations, which was Luftwaffe doctrine.
- resource availability: Limited Luftwaffe resources are available during the first phase of the battle, Kanalkampf, but are increased for subsequent phases as the full strength of Luftflotten 2 and 3 are brought to bear. Stuka geschwader are available at the start of the Battle, and withdrawn in later phases.
- Luftwaffe strategy can be completely historical - the Luftwaffe will target first convoys, then RAF airfields and factories, and finally throw itself at London. Or, the player can choose to fight an alternate Luftwaffe strategy in which it focuses on relentless attacks on RAF airfields and factories for the entire Battle.

So, dust off that BOBII CDRom or re-install your digital download, because BOBII is back!

Operation Sealion: Germany reaches Canterbury!

Missions 15-17 now available for download. These missions feature ongoing land warfare, large scale air conflicts, and Canterbury populated with Cathedral, vehicles and trains.

http://www.box.com/s/er8cx7x66d06ei7hy3h8

September 26, S-tag +4, 1230 hrs GMT

Elements of the 10th Panzer and Liebstandarte SS Adolf Hitler have fought their way out of the Denton Pocket. Rather than retreating South toward the main German force at Folkestone, they have taken British forces by surprise and escaped north toward Canterbury. The 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions were in the process of reinforcing their southern front, and German armour was able to drive through a gap in British lines at Gorsely Wood. Panzer IIs and IIIs of the 10th Panzer and Stugs of the Leibstandarte SSAH, backed by motorised troops of the XXXXI Army Corps, have radioed to Berlin that they have captured the Canterbury train station and are pushing on the center of the city. They are however, totally cut off from German supply lines. In an act of bluff and bravado, Adolf Hitler broadcasts to the British people, "Germany wants peace with Britain," he thunders, "But your leaders have brought war to the high streets of English villages and cities, and the German flag now flies from the spires of Canterbury Cathedral! London is next! The nations of Britain and Germany are not natural enemies. I call on Britain to surrender and avoid an inevitable and terrible fate!" After a conference with Churchill, Dowding orders all remaining 11 Group squadrons withdrawn north to preserve them for the defence of London. Churchill convenes an emergency session of the War Cabinet.

Mission 15: Breakout from the Denton pocket. German armour, expected to try to fight south and rejoin the main German force at Folkestone, pushes north on Canterbury instead. Missions feature CAP, ground attack and the first raids by Corpo Aero Italiano during the invasion.



Mission 16: German tanks reach the center of Canterbury and the Cathedral. The largest air battle of the invasion to date takes place. Germany throws all available units, including Italian fighters, into the effort to protect the forces attacking Canterbury. The depleted RAF responds with all available 11 Group units while inadequate British forces try to hold back the German armour.



Mission 17: German armour captures the Canterbury train station, and troops dig in for the night beside the River Stour. The Royal Navy begins direct naval bombardment of Folkestone. Flyable sorties include RAF recon and CAP, while Luftwaffe sorties include CAP, shipping attack and a dramatic escape from behind the lines, by captured Tiger Moth.

_________________________

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?'

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.

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