Another terrific WWI update from Gennadich.

[Pips]

It's wonderful to see things progressing so well. Heaven knows it's high time that another (quality) WWI filght sim hit the retail stores.

My only concern is that whilst the sim will obviously have all the glam and glitter of beautifully modeled aircraft and graphics, what will be the quality of the campaign? To me it's a real drawback that they are useing the IL-2 engine - it's got to be the worst campaign engine around.

I haven't seen much info on the campaign setup, which can mean one of three things:
a) that it doesn't rate very high on the developers list
b) that it will be directly modelled on the IL-2 engine
c) that it's under development but being so complex the deveoplers are not tyet in a position to unwrap it for the public eye.

Only if it's c) will I be likely to buy this sim. It seems (to me) that almost all new sims over the past three/four years have concentrated on graphics and incredibly detailed aircraft. That's great, but it doesn't make for longevity.

RB3D, EAW, MiG Alley and BoB are still constantly flown on my computer, whilst 'glam' sims like CFS 2, B-17 II, the IL-2 family and SFP1 all sit idle. Why? 'Cause they lack soul.

I really, really hope that Knights doesn't fall into the second category.

[CaptSopwith]

Thanks for the welcome, it's great to have some free time to post (summer off before final fall semester of undergrad work).

This sounds like the most promising venture we've seen yet. The IL2 engine sounds like a great base to work with - it's the most visually attractive I've seen in a flight sim so far. The screens I've seen so far look fantastic - they look like something right out of a Mark Miller picture. They do have a full plate indeed - this is a tough war to replicate well, but as long as they're geared up for it, and have a publisher willing to back a sim rather than an arcade experience - I think we're in for a treat.

Red Baron is tough to top - I've been flying it since 1998, and while I've recently moved to a newer computer, Red Baron moved right along with me. However, I would love to see something new. I think that SWWISA, PL, and others have taken the graphics as far as they're going to go in RB and I think the hardware is far enough now to really start replicating what it was like to fly over the Western Front (a living, breathing, populated area in conflict), and to fight over it. I'll definately keep a close watch on this one.


*crosses fingers*
CaptSopwith

[FlyXwire]

I've got to agree with what you and Cobby have written here CaptSopwith!

As a simmer mostly interested (motivated) by flying online nowadays, flying campaigns are less of a priority for me (I don't know....just can't get beyond the feeling that I'd rather be flying against another human being, rather than trying to convince myself that downing another AI pilot is really that rewarding anymore).

Still, if a sim has an included dynamic campaign engine it's certainly an asset, but the GT team has already mentioned that "Knights" will not have such a campaign system.....it'll probably be more like IL-2's.

Hopefully the core flying and fighting experience that "Knights" offers will open up a new degree of depth and immersion, that the sim creates a renewed sense of adventure for us old time simmers. I think the sim's piloting requirements are going to be challenging enough, that actually scoring a kill will become that achievement it really was during the Great War......and that mastering the skies will call for true merit and devotion to the task.

[CaptSopwith]

I agree with you Dave. I think the technology is there now that the flight and combat aspect of the sim can be complicated enough to test even the hard core flight simmer. I know many of my friends are still in awe of how I can hit anything in Red Baron - they simply cannot pilot the aircraft. Mind you - Red Baron does not factor in many outside forces like wind - something this sim should be able to do with no problem. Also, the combat should be tricky enough now with new technology. Look how far we've lept from Medal of Honor on the PS1 to the latest Call of Duty 2 for the PC - big difference. I suspect the dogfighting will feel much the same way if they nail it.

It kills me that there won't be a dynamic campaign editor. I'm primarily an offline pilot. First, I'm on dial up (out in the boonies), and second, the mmp on Red Baron works best if you're in a squadron - something I never had the time to do. Melee combat and "get the baron" games always felt shallow - and were usually populated by teenagers bent on destruction. I flew a few simulated combats with full squadrons online and it was great - but on dail up... I drove them nuts with the lag.

So good AI and a dynamic campaign are huge for me. That said - I've seen from my experiences in CoD2, that even a scripted mission, when done right, has the potential for a lot of replay. If they toss in a mission editor, I'm sure we could construct a nearly limitless series of missions to enjoy. The options are huge - I imagine flying an artillery spotting mission over Verdun during the siege of 1916 would be incredible - just picture the sight of thousands of soldiers spilling over the trenches, inching their way towards the fort while you spot artillery, in the midst of a flak barrage...I'll stop now lol.

Personally I think the dynamic campaign is dead because of the need for profit. If you make the end all, be all WWI flight sim and give it a limitless campaign - there is no reason to make add on packs, or sequels. Just think if CoD 2 was a series of big WWII maps with randomly generated squads. You'd never have to buy another WWII FPS for years.

So if I was in the shoes of a publisher, and I needed to turn a profit on a small market, yeah, make it scripted and leave me room for more add ons later. Just makes sense...though it still irks me lol.

[FlyXwire]

Very good points Captain!

Hey, I wish you had a better online connection, but sometimes being off the beaten path is part of the appeal of living out there in the boonies.

Like you motioned previously.....*crosses fingers*.....lots of us are hoping GT makes it to the final stretch with this one!

*crosses toes*

[BarkhornXX]

Latest update posted:

http://www.gennadich.com/lang/en/

Fokker DVII
some 3 ton trucks

...and in the forum section some WIP picks of the GOTHA - which is huge.

Good progress again. At this rate they should be about done w/ a/c and vehicle stuff in a couple of months. Then we can see what lay in store for us in other areas.

Barkhorn.

[FlyXwire]

Originally Posted by BarkhornXX

Good progress again. At this rate they should be about done w/ a/c and vehicle stuff in a couple of months. Then we can see what lay in store for us in other areas.

Regarding the campaign engine:

I'm sure I've seen Lowengrin's name on the GT forums. Isn't that the same guy that's done customer campaign and mission generators for IL2/FB/AEP/PF?

If so it should be ok. May not be world beatingly immersive (like the F4 campaign can be when the bugs don't kick in!!)m but it shoud be extremely playable offline.

[CaptSopwith]

Man! That's a beauitful looking D7! I can't wait to see some screeshots down the road with these aeroplanes flying over terrain. *tries to imagine*.

If Lowengrin is involved in the post-release community, we'll be in good shape. IIRC, he did some work over in the world of RB.

Here's hoping that this sim gets off the ground in good shape, and lands in the loving care of the Red Baron community. We'll be aces if we can pull that off!

[BarkhornXX]

Originally Posted by Jester

Regarding the campaign engine:
I'm sure I've seen Lowengrin's name on the GT forums. Isn't that the same guy that's done customer campaign and mission generators for IL2/FB/AEP/PF?

That's the guy, and he will do a Campaign Generator for this game like he did for IL2 and CFS2 before that.

...and yes that is one fine looking DVII - just think of all the paint schemes that will be sported:

Lowenhart
Udet
Lothar vR
Stark
- practically all of JGII



Barkhorn.