Considering adding another monthly Fortress Event

[Nefarious]

In addition to the more standard Fortress Europe event which will focus on 8th AF operations over Germany, I would like to start doing another event that would be similar in format but rotate different theaters and timeframes.

Events would include Pacific, Mediterranean, Eastern Front, and Early-Mid War Western Front stuff.

I have several missions already created, just curious your opinions on when and where.

Right now, Fortress Europe usually does open Friday Nights, but we only get about 7-8 of those a year. I was considering doing stuff on Sundays or Wednesday Nights at 10:00PM EST.

What are your thoughts?

[Devil 505]

I like the idea in principle, but I'd like to see some format changes from regular Fortress Europe.

First of all, there needs to be some set player/squad registration. Either like FSO or a scenario. Along with that comes some idea of organized side leadership. I really like the rotating CiC format of FSO.

Second, the total length of the campaign needs to be far shorter than FE. I'm talking 10-12 frames at maximum. FE is 9 official frames in and the planes are pretty much unchanged. I know a long campaign seemed like a great idea at first, but to be brutally honest, FE has gone stale to me. But it's not just the planes, the mission profile is the same frame to frame. It seems to me that the only things that really change from frame to frame is the number of bombers and how good the AI is in them - and those are the two elements that really need consistency.

I'd love to do either an Eastern Front or Western Desert campaign and I've been noodling with some spreadsheets about those designs in between making skins. Once I finish the skin batch for this month, I'd be happy to share what I've got with you and to go more in depth about my ideas.

[Nefarious]

I like the idea in principle, but I'd like to see some format changes from regular Fortress Europe.

Sure, I'm always interested in feedback that help improves my events.

First of all, there needs to be some set player/squad registration. Either like FSO or a scenario. Along with that comes some idea of organized side leadership. I really like the rotating CiC format of FSO.

While I really like this idea, I'm not sure if it can be done. Spikes would know, as he has handled the website in the past. I guess it could be done old school with paper and pen and tracked somewhere online. We also have to worry about participation, it may start really small. And sadly, with current AH numbers it may not go anywhere.

Second, the total length of the campaign needs to be far shorter than FE. I'm talking 10-12 frames at maximum. FE is 9 official frames in and the planes are pretty much unchanged. I know a long campaign seemed like a great idea at first, but to be brutally honest, FE has gone stale to me. But it's not just the planes, the mission profile is the same frame to frame. It seems to me that the only things that really change from frame to frame is the number of bombers and how good the AI is in them - and those are the two elements that really need consistency.

I'm game for that, would you like to switch up the plane set now? Add the P-51B and G-14/A-8 this Saturday? Perhaps a chart showing progression would be helpful to see exactly how fast you would like to progress.

I'd love to do either an Eastern Front or Western Desert campaign and I've been noodling with some spreadsheets about those designs in between making skins. Once I finish the skin batch for this month, I'd be happy to share what I've got with you and to go more in depth about my ideas.

Right now I have created three different missions:

- Malta 1942 features two large formations of He 111s and Ju 88s striking Malta.
- Demyansk 1942 features 3 formations of nine low level IL-2s striking the Demyansk City Strat on the new Russia Map.
- Rabaul 1943 features one large formation of B-25Cs striking the Rabaul Port on the New Britain Map.

I'm happy to cook any mission up you like, and I am currently testing some different features of the Mission Editor to expand on gameplay. Still, the main focus will be on AI Bombers/Attackers, with human players being in the role of escort, interceptor, or bomber pilot.

[Devil 505]

I'm game for that, would you like to switch up the plane set now? Add the P-51B and G-14/A-8 this Saturday? Perhaps a chart showing progression would be helpful to see exactly how fast you would like to progress.

It might be a benefit to move the plane set along. But like I said, the planes is just one of the issues I see with FE. I'm more concerned with making the next event better than FE.

Right now I have created three different missions:

- Malta 1942 features two large formations of He 111s and Ju 88s striking Malta.
- Demyansk 1942 features 3 formations of nine low level IL-2s striking the Demyansk City Strat on the new Russia Map.
- Rabaul 1943 features one large formation of B-25Cs striking the Rabaul Port on the New Britain Map.

I'm happy to cook any mission up you like, and I am currently testing some different features of the Mission Editor to expand on gameplay. Still, the main focus will be on AI Bombers/Attackers, with human players being in the role of escort, interceptor, or bomber pilot.

Are these missions just for testing or do you see them being the event theme, depending on theater?

[Nefarious]

It might be a benefit to move the plane set along. But like I said, the planes is just one of the issues I see with FE. I'm more concerned with making the next event better than FE.

 

Are these missions just for testing or do you see them being the event theme, depending on theater?

I was planning on running all three, they are really no different from 8th AF Fortress missions, except altitude and formation size(s). My idea was to kind of rotate theater and time like FSO, I like campaigns too though.

The Demayansk event is my first mission to use three formations. Low level IL2s attack from 1-2K feet in smaller 9 ship formations, from different angles and times. I will also be testing using parked AI aircraft to see if I can get AI attackers to strafe.

[KCDitto]

 

[DaddyAce]

I'm always up for scenario type events when I am available.  My timing is flexible, other than I tend to be an early to bed guy, which is the main reason I stopped participating in FSO....but now that it's getting to be winter here, FSO is more tempting now too.  2200 EST would likely work for me, although I'd prefer earlier.

[RichardDarkwood]

Right now, Fortress Europe usually does open Friday Nights, but we only get about 7-8 of those a year. I was considering doing stuff on Sundays or Wednesday Nights at 10:00PM EST.

What are your thoughts?

This last edition was the first for me since returning to the game. was a lot of fun. I miss the wed night snapshots so to have one of these events in its place would be even better.

[LCADolby]

That AI... Diddle diddly diddlious no