IL2 Normandy

[Devil 505]

Compared to IL2 COD the snap views seem better but they aren't as changeable as AH, there is not FOV setting that you can easily change for instance. I found that I had difficulty following cons between some of the view snaps.

Read this if you have not yet,

Bozon, I use a hat switch in IL-2 just like AH. Not sure how different using key commands for views, but with the hat switch Il-2 offers more flexibility in views than AH - with one noticeable drawback.

In AH, your view angles are locked into increments of 45 degrees regardless of where you move the head position using the mouse keys.

In Il-2, the Insert, Home, End, Delete, Page Up, and Page Down keys move your head positions and you can move the mouse to adjust the center point of a given view. Also, all views are zoomed in about 50% by default, so zoom out each view to get total coverage.

The snap speed is adjustable in the options menu.

The only drawback to the Il-2 view system is how handles the dead 6 O'clock position. In AH, it is exactly 180 Degrees and it will rotate to that position in the shortest path possible from your current view. In IL-2, dead 6 is either 179 Deg. (over the right shoulder) or 181 Deg. (over the left shoulder). This becomes a problem when tracking an enemy rearward from the side opposite the saved 6 O'clock view. For example, if your dead 6 view is 181 Deg. and your enemy is passing on your right, as your enemy moves from your right-aft view into the dead 6 view and you press the key for dead 6, the view will rotate left from right-aft through the forward position, all the way to 181 Deg. You will lose sight of the enemy every time.

Should cover most of your issues.

[CptTrips]

It just was no problem at all -- not in the slightest -- tracking a real plane during a real flight at prop-plane distances (not talking about jets here).  A flight sim with icons is more realistic than one without.  Without icons, games make something effortlessly infallible in reality into something that is an error-prone PITA in the game.

Agreed.  The game should be combat, not playing "Where's Waldo" as Mr. Magoo.

[Oldman731]

I hate no icon as well.  It is not hard to keep track of a real airplane in a real dogfight (my opinion based on when I flew Air Combat USA), but in Bruv's video of his fight, I lost track of the enemy when the field of view swept past some ground features with darker background.

Squinting at the screen or losing sight of a guy you are focused on who is only 300 yards away isn't for me.

I hated how they handled views and icons in the old WWIIOL as well.

This debate is many years old.  I flew Air Combat USA as well, and, as you say, it wasn't hard to keep the other guy in sight (although I do wonder if our AW experience helped out with that).  But we knew where the other guy was when the duel began.  It is much more difficult to pick out another plane when you don't know where he is, particularly if it's a mile or more away.  Real-life pilot accounts agree on this.  Just the other night I was reading Johnson's book, Wing Leader, where he gives an account of an entire Spitfire wing (23 + Johnson) who did not spot a single FW190 a few thousand feet below them, flying in the same direction.  I have often been surprised - "shocked" is more accurate - to cross over a VOR station and suddenly have another plane appear 200 yards away.

I suspect the debate has been settled for all time in AH, but for a few years we had no-icons in the AvA, and, once you figured it out, it worked very well and prompted you to use real-world tactics, if only because you wouldn't be able to pick out the guy behind and under you by his neon red icon. 

I guess no-icons works fine for the people in IL2.

- oldman

[CptTrips]

I guess no-icons works fine for the people in IL2.

I dunno.  Maybe.  I hear the online servers are often not populated.  Certainly not populated with a large percentage those that own the game.

 

[Nefarious]

This debate is many years old.  I flew Air Combat USA as well, and, as you say, it wasn't hard to keep the other guy in sight (although I do wonder if our AW experience helped out with that).  But we knew where the other guy was when the duel began.  It is much more difficult to pick out another plane when you don't know where he is, particularly if it's a mile or more away.  Real-life pilot accounts agree on this. 

In my very limited real life pilot experience, I had trouble spotting traffic even after being told where it was at by tower. It was a big gray C-130 against the the Allegheny Mountains. My instructor had to point it out to me.

It's my only gripe with IL-2 and it's not even really IL-2, it's just one server. Unfortunately, it's the most populated server every time I log on.

I dunno.  Maybe.  I hear the online servers are often not populated.  Certainly not populated with a large percentage those that own the game.

 

When I log on, Combat Box is the most populated server and usually around 50-60 people. It's no icons make it really make it difficult, VR helps with situational awareness, but ID'ing cons is difficult and frustrating when you get killed by friendlies. You almost have to fly a P-38 to not get killed. lol.

[CptTrips]

When I log on, Combat Box is the most populated server and usually around 50-60 people.

Given the millions that own the game, maybe that no icon thing isn't working so well for them after all.

[Nefarious]

Given the millions that own the game, maybe that no icon thing isn't working so well for them after all.

Right now, I only see 4 arenas with more than 10 people. Combat Box is pegged at 72/72. Can't get in.

[pembquist]

Right now, I only see 4 arenas with more than 10 people. Combat Box is pegged at 72/72. Can't get in.

To me this is what you pay the $15 for in AH. Imagine AH in a box with a bunch of volunteer servers of varying quality with their own settings and no in game vox, would that be a good deal for over a hundred bucks?

[Nefarious]

To me this is what you pay the $15 for in AH. Imagine AH in a box with a bunch of volunteer servers of varying quality with their own settings and no in game vox, would that be a good deal for over a hundred bucks?

At Midnight Eastern Time, There was less than 100 people online across all servers and Combat Box was down to 30 people.

[Shuffler]

Yall talk about how many box games they sold. Seems hardly no one is actually playing the game though. Looks as if many make that initial investment and then nothing.... just like here. Then there are the ones who make initial investment and then buy more aircraft and addons.... which we actually have from day one because we pay monthly.

[CptTrips]

Yall talk about how many box games they sold. Seems hardly no one is actually playing the game though. Looks as if many make that initial investment and then nothing.... just like here. Then there are the ones who make initial investment and then buy more aircraft and addons.... which we actually have from day one because we pay monthly.

Why do you think people only buy it to play online?

[Shuffler]

Why do you think people only buy it to play online?

... and all this time I thought it was being compared to AH. LOL

[Nefarious]

In my few week soiree into online IL2 play, the numbers are probably comparable to primetime Eastern Aces High. The difference is IL2 is spread out over 3 or 4 servers over 10-15 players. Combat Box alone is usually has 50-60-70 players, One or two other servers have 10-20-30 players.  The remaining servers that actually have people in them are under 5 players.

FSO attracts 40-50 more players every Friday night with 110-120 total in SEA1. FSO has sides (Allied and Axis) as big as the largest IL-2 Server most evenings for me personally (10PM-1AM EST)

PS. I have yet to start a pilot career. Have only played quick missions and online.

[CptTrips]

... and all this time I thought it was being compared to AH. LOL

Jesus.  You are so insecure.

[CptTrips]

FSO attracts 40-50 more players every Friday night with 110-120 total in SEA1. FSO has sides (Allied and Axis) as big as the largest IL-2 Server most evenings for me personally (10PM-1AM EST)

I doubt it is a structured as FSO is it?  Is there any thing like the planning and coordination of the FSO?  Or is it more like the AvA, except populated?