Friends, Investors, Countrymen...
My sincerest apologies... my delay in responding to you all was completely out of my hands... the last few days have been quite a Challenge. A Challenge, indeed.
A tear was brought to my eye when I read this thread just now.
It turns out, in God's strange way, that the scorpion bite was the best thing that ever happened to me (and this sim). While I was in the hospital, the doctors noticed a strange lump on my skull. At first, it appeared to be the result of prolonged exposure to high-altitude atmospheric pressure (of lack thereof) from some of my U-2 flights but, upon further examination, with the good, comes the bad... and with the bad, comes the good.
I have a brain tumor.
While this means I only have 2 weeks to live, that should be enough time to finish the sim. Additionally, since I am a positive guy and like to find the silver lining in everything, it turns out that the tumor makes me unable to participate in Operation (CLASSIFIED) against the (CLASSIFIED). I was really hoping to reach 'Ace' with a couple more kills over (CLASSIFIED) but, despite my disappointment, I will have that much time available for coading.
I have, thus far, transferred about 50% of my coading gear to the hospital (which is where I am writing you from, now), but have run out of money and the movers wont offer credit to someone with a scorpion bite and a brain tumor. They think that repayment risk is high for some reason. I will show them this thread as evidence of my (and my next of kin) future cash flows.
I will need about $5,000 to move this equipment. Doing it myself is too much a Challenge. I am weak, frail and will likely need a nap after typing this. Anyhoo... I have set up an account on Grand Cayman for this purpose.
Additionally, please allow me to clarify a few things about this new, cutting edge sim, which will revolutionize the way we all play (or the way you all play... after my departure from this Earth in 2 weeks):
Firstly, this is a WWII based sim. There will be no modern day fighters included with the sole exception of the F-16C, which will be available at the annual con. There is some talk about including the Superhornet as a special use aircraft, as well... I understand that a forum member is a Superhornet driver but I have yet to get in touch with him. We may have served previously (although unknown to me due to circumstances of the "industry") in the (CLASSIFIED) and the (CLASSIFIED)... and I believe that his absence may be due to deployment with the (CLASSIFIED) in (CLASSIFIED). If true, he is a prodigy of air combat, especially above 40,000 feet, and his input will be invaluable. I first met him at Red Flag a few years back and he was a Challenge to "kill."
Secondly, yes, nukes will be available. However, in the interests of fair gameplay, they will be limited to historically appropriate levels; I have identified 15 kilotons as the appropriate yield. Rest assured, this will be more than enough to inflict considerable damage on all cities; including those build in accordance with there-local hurricane zoning requirements (Yes, Puerto Rico has already been mapped and the long-range "America Bomber" has been modeled). Damage to GV's will also be catastrophic, but there is an issue I cant quite conquer... if behind a tree, relative to ground zero, the GV takes no damage from the nuke. Strange.
This bring us to the third point; cities. Rest assured that they will be sprawling, VERY realistic (almost photo-like) and will require complete destruction for the capture of the near-by airfield.
This brings us to number four. In addition to cities, airfield captures and GVs, we will have infantry. The working arena cap (Alpha testing is underway) is 100,000. This should provide ample numbers to ensure a proper WWII experience. Just imagine the possibilities!
Fifth, I will be reintroducing factories. While I will be modeling airplanes such as the Spitfire XVI, the La-7 and the N1k-2J, the destruction of each country's factory producing each of those aircraft will result in the target country's inability to fly that aircraft for a period of six months. This should improve strat play, though destruction of the factories will be a Challenge.
Sixth, I will be throwing away the requirement for "true" WWII service. While, as previously stated, the F16C will be the only special aircraft to be coaded, to this point, (and, in fact already has since I know all about it; its not even a Challenge) aircraft like the F8F, 109K-14, 190D-11 and P-47X15 (you might now know about that one... could still be classified... will check) will be useable, although heavily perked.
$eventh, $ubmarine$. I have decided not to include the$e as the money required to modify the game engine i$ not available. $hould this change, de$pite the Challenge, I would love to have them, as Im $ure would many of you.
Eighth, formation flying. This will no longer be available. Drones are a thing of the past. With 100,000 players online at once, each position in each bomber will be manned. The Deathstar hath returned. Taking them down will be a Challenge, I assure you.
Updates as they come... I am playing around with the idea of a Relaxed Realism arena where we might include, not only the inability to stall aircraft, but "auto-aim" gunnery. That is, for newer player, the tracers will follow (within a reasonable distance) a path directly to the target aircraft. This should make the learning curve less of a Challenge.
I am also considering the use of a revolutionary new piece of equipment, not unlike Track IR, which should make previous attempts at "virtual reality" a thing of the past. When I was based in Japan for Operation (CLASSIFIED) I came across some new technology that, not only mimics head movement, but adds olfactory and other physical sensations to the experience. What this means is that, when you get an oil hit, you will SMELL OIL!
I am not yet sure how much that technology will cost but Im sure it will be expensive... but it WILL be worth it.
Finally... I am truly blown away by the outpouring of support from the community during this difficult time and appreciate your thoughts, your prayers, and your investment in my... no... not my... OUR project.
(No date for IPO set, yet)
-Pau... er... Mike.
