214 replies to this topic

[BlackSix]

This thread is designed for communication with the 1C Game Studios team.

Before you ask a question, please read the following information:

  1. Announcement of the game "IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad"

  2. Team Statement

  3. FAQ:  About Partnership and Battle of Stalingrad

 

  4. Developer Diary

We will try to respond to your questions as best we can and we will publish the most important questions and answers in this section. We also ask you to understand the fact that while we want to have a dialog with the community, we cannot reveal all the information about the project or our business dealings. Over time, we will answer as many questions as we can and we will keep you informed of progress of development.

 

Rude or incendiary questions and comments will be deleted or ignored.

 

The Team

[acare84]

Will Battle of Stalingrad be available on Steam and Steamworks like the CLOD? I hope it will use Steamworks and maybe Steam Workshop for the mods, it would be awesome thank you.

Edited by acare84, 11 December 2012 - 10:22.

[startrekmike]

Okay, I got a few to throw out there.

 

  1.) Can we expect the same level of detail that we found in Cliffs of Dover (clickable cockpits, complex engine management)? Those were features that I loved about CloD and I hate to see them go (not saying they will, just wondering).

 

  2.) I have heard some rumors about Cliffs of Dover content being usable in Battle of Stalingrad, basically, I gathered that it was going to be almost a port of the old content into the new sim so players could experience a much more functional version, is this going to be the case?

 

  3.) Any chance for a few hints as to a aircraft list? I have to get studying!

 

 

  This is a exciting time and I have nothing but enthusiasm for this new endeavor.

[Flashy]

Will the digital nature engine be modified to handle (many) more ground objects for this project? RoF's only major failing was the massively restrictive object limit,especially in MP, which totally crippled mission makers' attempts to create historically accurate scenarios. Will BoS share the same fate if it uses the same engine?

[Nugz]

What multiplayer modes will new il-2 offer?

What is the max number of people in one multiplayer game?

Will people be able to use ground vehicles like AA or tanks ?

What are the game system requirements?

Edited by Nugz, 11 December 2012 - 10:52.

[Feathered_IV]

Congratulations 777 and 1c.  This is a very welcome decision.

 

If I may ask, will the Stalingrad title have a significant single-player component, and will the title have a similar style of addon content to the Rise of Flight series?

 

Very best of luck to you in this new venture!

[csThor]

1.) Which area is taken under consideration for the map? Il-2 1946's Stalingrad map had massive accuracy issues (post-war dams and reservoirs) as well as a lack of historically and gameplay-wise important areas such as the airfields of Tazinskaya and Morosovskaya or the area of 4. Panzerarmee's "southern hook"?


2.) I've seen the research forum and I was wondering what kind of support you want/need? How much "community involvement" is wanted/needed?


3.) What kind of offline content is planned? RoF and CloD were kinda total opposites in this regard, RoF having a dynamic campaign while CloD had nearly nothing.

Edited by csThor, 11 December 2012 - 11:06.

[JasonWilliams]

Guys,

 

We'll take in your questions here and we'll respond throughout the week. We have a lot of moving parts today and it's 3am where I am located. So please be patient.

 

Also, please read all the FAQ and Team Statement. A lot of fine detail of what will actually be in the sim is hard to tell as this is just the beginning, but I'll do my best to answer after I get some sleep.

 

Jason

[Feathered_IV]

Previous comments from the Maddox Games team indicated that content from Cliffs of Dover would be rolled into the next sequel.  Will this still be the case, or is CoD content incompatible with the BoS/Digital nature engine?

 

Edit, thanks jason.  Might want to grab some z's 

Edited by Feathered_IV, 11 December 2012 - 11:14.

[Feathered_IV]

Gah, so many questions....

 

Will the RoF engine benefit from any of the development being made in the making of BoS?  I'm mostly thinking about the current object limit in RoF missions etc.

[A1_Phoenix]

As first thing: good luck to everyone involved, my two favourite sims are now ideally together for a brighter future!

i wonder if -using the same engine- the new products could be compatible with ROF: my dirtiest dream is a "total" sim with planes from ww1 to present wars, together in a wonderful virtual airshow..

(and a full dynamic career, of course heheeh i'm from Red Baron days, so.. )

again, a good pint for the best sim future possible!

S!

A1_Phoenix

[Hood]

Q. Will content from CLOD be imported and be used in BOS?

A. If any is used, than all previously createdcontent by 1C Company will be used in the future projects with maximum possibilities.


Q. Will BOS install over CLOD as promised by previous management?

A. Sorry it will not, BOS will be based on a completely different engine and be a completely different product line.

 

I am reading this as saying that BOS will not merge with BOS, but that if any aspect of CLOD can be incorporated into BOS then it will be (if feasible).  So if, for example, the BoB map could be ported across, and the aircraft models etc, then they can be used albeit the physics/FMs will be BOS.  Is this correct?

 

Will the emphasis be solely on low altitude combat or will there also be focus on the high altitude physics/FMs etc?

 

Thank you

 

Hood

[klem]

Will BoS be the first in a series, as 1C's SoW was meant to be and the original IL-2 Sturmovik (through to '1946') was?

EDIT: I re-read the release. Will the new theatres include one to replace the Batle of Britain which CoD was never able to really achieve?

 

 

PLEASE make it support more than just a 100 or so players. Larger scenarios are the life blood of on-line play.

Edited by klem, 11 December 2012 - 13:27.

[Hooves]

I just want to know if I can still open up my cockpit canopy and lean out!  And yeah the clickable cockpit is a really nice feature.

[SYN_Vander]

Will Rise of Flight share the same code-base as BOS? In other words: Will features that will be developed for BOS also be available in updates for RoF? 

[heinkill]

Hello again B6 and congrats to all. Very nice news. Many questions!

 

First, in the news it is stated: 'Battle of Stalingrad will include both single-player and multi-player scenarios for virtual pilots to enjoy as well as brand new gameplay modes'

 

The Q&A also says "Will BOS be classified as an MMO? A. No, BOS will include both SP and MP game-play options but giving some new unique experiences."

 

So what are these 'brand new gameplay modes' and 'unique new experiences' if they don't involve not MMO-style gameplay?

 

Secondly and very importantly: combat AI. Is there any plan to improve/change the RoF AI code for this project?

 

Third: Channel map. Will the aircraft of Battle of Stalingrad be flyable on the Channel map, allowing creation of missions using this map?

 

Fourth: +1 to providing as soon as possible a flyable/non flyable aircraft list. You must already have specced out the basic list, can you share?

 

Yours,

 

Hein (intrigued) Kill

B)

Edited by heinkill, 11 December 2012 - 16:01.

[Tvrdi]

1) Will IL2 Sturmovik BOS have the same limitations as ROF engine (limited NO of ground units in MP in one mission etc...)?

2) Will development of IL2- Sturmovik BOS in any means slow down the further development of ROF (new planes, long waiting FM revisions, features etc..)?

 

 

Wish a good luck to the new team, you will need it.

Edited by Tvrdi, 11 December 2012 - 13:51.

[Fjordmonkey]

Will there be a dedicated, standalone server-module for BOS?

[Juri_JS]

- Will BoS have a dynamic campaign like ROF?

- Will BoS have the same mission editor as ROF or will it be improved?

- Will it be possible for users to create their own campaigns in BoS?

Edited by Juri_JS, 11 December 2012 - 15:58.

[droz]

Alright, I have a lot of questions.  Here goes.

 

1.  With a brand new game engine being created, what version of DX are we looking at as a standard?

 

2.  Will we have a Full Mission Builder that we are accustomed to in all the previous IL2 series games?

 

3.  What are the ballpark numbers for available planes to fly at initial release?

 

4.  What are the ballpark numbers for planes that come with the product vs. planes that need to be purchased to fly them?

 

5.  Any idea how much each of the new planes will be?

 

6.  If we want to choose to do so, will there be a package deal that will allow us to purchase everything being released at a single price point at inital release?

 

7.  Will there be an option for user created content for private hosting or offline capabilities?

 

8.  Will it have a scripting language that we can code in things the way CLOD has allowed?

 

I'm sure I will have more as this goes on.  I'm actually looking at this from a standpoint of someone who helps run an online virtual war.  We want to know if moving to the new game may even be feasible, or are we going to stay with IL2 1946 in the forseeable future.

[Aioros]

I don't know if this is compatible with your business model...but... will be possible for the users to create content (planes, maps, etc)?

 Because it would be great.

[Kalimba]

Great news !

 

I am very confident that this will be the best new series of WWII simulation !

 

WIll the first release of BOS look and feel like ROF does at this point, or other improvements to the engine  need to be done before release ?

 

Thanks !

 

Salute !

[JasonWilliams]

Will Battle of Stalingrad be available on Steam and Steamworks like the CLOD? I hope it will use Steamworks and maybe Steam Workshop for the mods, it would be awesome thank you.

No decision has been made about Steam. This is a complicated subject that involves technical issues and legal restrictions etc. We always want to reach as many potential users as possible and we have nothing against Valve, but we would need to do it in a way that makes sense for everyone involved. Right now our engine works independently of Steam, but I would not rule out a Steam version sometime in the future if it is workable. Short answer. I don't know yet... maybe, but right now no?

 

Okay, I got a few to throw out there.

 

  1.) Can we expect the same level of detail that we found in Cliffs of Dover (clickable cockpits, complex engine management)? Those were features that I loved about CloD and I hate to see them go (not saying they will, just wondering).

 

  2.) I have heard some rumors about Cliffs of Dover content being usable in Battle of Stalingrad, basically, I gathered that it was going to be almost a port of the old content into the new sim so players could experience a much more functional version, is this going to be the case?

 

  3.) Any chance for a few hints as to a aircraft list? I have to get studying!

 

 

  This is a exciting time and I have nothing but enthusiasm for this new endeavor.

 

1. Technical questions are better suited for Loft to answer, but I don't think clickable cockpits is on our to do list. I'm sure the engines will operate in a realitic manner as they do in ROF.

2. See the FAQ

3. Sorry no list of planes yet. Still being worked on.

 

Will the digital nature engine be modified to handle (many) more ground objects for this project? RoF's only major failing was the massively restrictive object limit,especially in MP, which totally crippled mission makers' attempts to create historically accurate scenarios. Will BoS share the same fate if it uses the same engine?

 

1. I don't know the final result because we have not built it yet. 

 

What multiplayer modes will new il-2 offer?

What is the max number of people in one multiplayer game?

Will people be able to use ground vehicles like AA or tanks ?

What are the game system requirements?

 

1. Don't know the final features yet.

2. Probably as much as the server can handle.

3. In theory it is possible with our engine, but for BOS I don't think that will be a feature upon release.

4. Remains to be seen.

[Blitzen]

Can we get regular screenshots during developement as we did in RoF or the developement bulletins we get on the RoF site now?Please?

[Hunty]

Will i be allowed to use my S.E.5.a in the BoS?

[JasonWilliams]

Congratulations 777 and 1c.  This is a very welcome decision.

 

If I may ask, will the Stalingrad title have a significant single-player component, and will the title have a similar style of addon content to the Rise of Flight series?

 

Very best of luck to you in this new venture!

 

1. Yes of course, there will be significant single-player options. As far as add-on content, WWI offered some unique opportunities with gear etc. WWII much less so as equipment was pretty much standardized, but I can't say exactly what will be offered as any add-on until we get through the initial release. 

 

1.) Which area is taken under consideration for the map? Il-2 1946's Stalingrad map had massive accuracy issues (post-war dams and reservoirs) as well as a lack of historically and gameplay-wise important areas such as the airfields of Tazinskaya and Morosovskaya or the area of 4. Panzerarmee's "southern hook"?


2.) I've seen the research forum and I was wondering what kind of support you want/need? How much "community involvement" is wanted/needed?


3.) What kind of offline content is planned? RoF and CloD were kinda total opposites in this regard, RoF having a dynamic campaign while CloD had nearly nothing.

 

1. This I don't know. I'm not the most educated on Stalingrad geography, but I'm quite confident we will make a geographical map that is accurate as we have done before.

2. We will always ask for help from the community and want their help just as we have done with ROF. I'm sure there will be areas of collaboration as we move through development, especially the gathering of information. I also work with talented 3rd parties on special projects to make special content (mods, missions, tools etc.) for ROF and I don't see that changing with BOS.

3. See my earlier comments. We will have both SP and MP features, but as far as offline goes you can expect a QMB, Single Missions and a Career/Campaign system. I don't know how any of that will differ from what we have now. A lot of this is still in early phases and design decisions always change over time.

 

Gah, so many questions....

 

Will the RoF engine benefit from any of the development being made in the making of BoS?  I'm mostly thinking about the current object limit in RoF missions etc.

 

1. Of course, there could be some reciprocal benefits, but I don't know what exactly.

 

Congrats guys, hope the new merged teams mesh like clock-work.

 

I'm tad concerned about the release date, early 14 ? Don't forget, quicker release (fewer planes) = quicker $$$$$, with more $$$$ for patches / DLCs (with planes).

 

Anyway, all the best, i'll be waiting. How about some new pictures ?

 

RST

 

BTW, I plan to buy a Microsoft Surface Pro early next year, so I'll be able to test CLOD on it. If CLOD works then Stalingrad too ??

 

1. We, as always, will have an aggressive development cycle and release something as soon as we can. There will be a beta phase where some lucky users will get to try it and assist us with bugs before release.

[kestrel79]

Will the multiplayer be dynamic? Moving frontlines, supplies, capturing territory and airfields, cities? I'm really looking forward to this congrats and good luck!

[JasonWilliams]

Will Rise of Flight share the same code-base as BOS? In other words: Will features that will be developed for BOS also be available in updates for RoF? 

 

1. I've already answered that one my friend, but there is no guarantee that something made for BOS will automatically be put into ROF. Only the possibility exists at this point.

 

So what are these 'brand new gameplay modes' and 'unique new experiences' if they don't involve not MMO-style gameplay?

 

Secondly and very importantly: combat AI. Is there any plan to improve/change the RoF AI code for this project?

 

Third: Channel map. Will the aircraft of Battle of Stalingrad be flyable on the Channel map, allowing creation of missions using this map?

 

Fourth: +1 to providing as soon as possible a flyable/non flyable aircraft list. You must already have specced out the basic list, can you share?

 

1. We only have some ideas at this point. Don't read too much into that topic yet.

2. We have AI programmers and they will work on WWII AI for our engine. Faster planes, different performance and tactics with new types of vehicles etc. Work on AI is inherent to any new sim. Details on how it will change is unknown at this time.

3. No sorry.

4. The plane list will be released in the future. We're still working on some details.

 

 Will there be a merge of the new game to Cliffs of Dover as promised? 

 

1. See FAQ, but no. This promise was not made by the new management.

 

Will there be a dedicated, standalone server-module for BOS?

 

1. Yes that is in our plans.

 

- Will BoS have a dynamic campaign like ROF?

- Will BoS have the same mission editor as ROF or will it be improved?

- Will it be possible for users to create their own campaigns in BoS?

 

1. It will have a career system the details of which are not clear as we are still designing it.

2. The ME will probably be very similar, it is very powerful. Whether we change the interface or not is something I don't know. If you are interested in learning how to make missions, I suggest learning how to make them in ROF. Some really cool, unique stuff can be made with our current ME. We know some don't like the interface, but changing that is a huge task.

 

1.  With a brand new game engine being created, what version of DX are we looking at as a standard?

 

2.  Will we have a Full Mission Builder that we are accustomed to in all the previous IL2 series games?

 

3.  What are the ballpark numbers for available planes to fly at initial release?

 

4.  What are the ballpark numbers for planes that come with the product vs. planes that need to be purchased to fly them?

 

5.  Any idea how much each of the new planes will be?

 

6.  If we want to choose to do so, will there be a package deal that will allow us to purchase everything being released at a single price point at inital release?

 

7.  Will there be an option for user created content for private hosting or offline capabilities?

 

8.  Will it have a scripting language that we can code in things the way CLOD has allowed?

 

1. It's not a brand new engine. DX9 will be standard at launch.

2. See my earlier comments about the ME.

3. No comment yet.

4. No comment yet.

5. it's not going to be exactly like ROF so I can't answer this. 

6. We plan different packages.

7. I'm not an expert on scripting. This is something someone from the dev team should answer. A lot of scripting already happens in ROF missions so I don't know how exactly to answer this. ROF has many complex features for missions and events in both SP and MP.

[Sim]

1. Why did the "IL-2 Sturmovik" name was used for this project, seeing as this has little to do with the original IL-2 engine (requested by 1C as part of the contract?). Wouldn't it better to start fresh and not carry the CloD shadow?

 

2. Any plans to improve the forum look and the website in the very near future?

[JasonWilliams]

1. Why did the "IL-2 Sturmovik" name was used for this project, seeing as this has little to do with the original IL-2 engine (requested by 1C as part of the contract?). Wouldn't it better to start fresh and not carry the CloD shadow?

 

2. Any plans to improve the forum look and the website in the very near future?

 

1. 1C owns the Sturmovik brand and virtual flyers know it. We have no problem with using the IL-2 brand. I'm not going to comment on details of such decisions though.

2. Maybe if you're nice.

[JasonWilliams]

Can we get regular screenshots during developement as we did in RoF or the developement bulletins we get on the RoF site now?Please?

 

1. Of course.

 

Will i be allowed to use my S.E.5.a in the BoS?

 

2. Umm...no. LOL

[Requiem]

Just for clarification, it is just 1C and 777 right? No Ubisoft?

[JasonWilliams]

I don't know if this is compatible with your business model...but... will be possible for the users to create content (planes, maps, etc)?

 Because it would be great.

 

1. Planes, probably not. Maps I don't know. We are experimenting with some talented folks in ROF on how to make maps so this is an open question. Other content like skins, missions, maybe objects as in ROF and other mods are to be expected.

 

Jason

[gibbage]

Big congratz on the new project!  I have a long history and strong roots to the IL2 franchise, so needless to say im excited and I think its in good hands.  Is this the same Jason that was on the 3rd party team (Devastator?) and I taught how to use 3DS Max?  

 

Anyways, I have 1 question and 1 question only for now.

 

#1.  Will you support 3rd party mods?

[JasonWilliams]

Just for clarification, it is just 1C and 777 right? No Ubisoft?

 

1. Ubisoft is not involved.

[JasonWilliams]

Big congratz on the new project!  I have a long history and strong roots to the IL2 franchise, so needless to say im excited and I think its in good hands.  Is this the same Jason that was on the 3rd party team (Devastator?) and I taught how to use 3DS Max?  

 

Anyways, I have 1 question and 1 question only for now.

 

#1.  Will you support 3rd party mods?

 

1. Yes, same guy. Halfwit and I made the Devastator among others. :-) We have mods in ROF, but not total aircraft mods were you can build your own plane. I would expect our Mods On system to also be included, but I need to clarify with Loft.

[SiThSpAwN]

1. Technical questions are better suited for Loft to answer, but I don't think clickable cockpits is on our to do list. I'm sure the engines will operate in a realitic manner as they do in ROF.

 

Dont you see this as a step backwards from some of the additions CloD gave us. Does this rule out Complex Engine Management, such as is in CloD, for a more simplistic engine management system, which would also seem to be a step backward from where CloD took us.

Edited by SiThSpAwN, 11 December 2012 - 20:04.

[SlipBall]

Jason, Luthier often says that the planes should be flown as the airplanes owner manual states to do in Clod

 

1. will that be your/the development goal?

 

2. Early rumors said that the realism level would be very high, do you envision the CEM at a higher level than we now have in Clod?

Edited by SlipBall, 11 December 2012 - 19:06.

[gibbage]

Dont you see this as a step backwards from some of the addions CloD gave us. Does this rule out Complex Engine Management, such as is in CloD, for a more simplistic engine management system, which would also seem to be a step backward from where CloD took us.

 

IL2 never had clickable cockpits.  I think in a combat, clickable cockpits gets in the way and breaks immersion.  Its a cool feature, sure, but I think its best left to civil sims.  I would rather have a full HOTAS with keyboard.  Much faster then fumbling around with a mouse, and taking my eyes off-target.

[klem]

Why only Dx9?!

 

The RoF graphics aren't great (no offence, they are what they are) whereas the CoD graphics are a big step forward on RoF and IL-2 1946.

Won't Dx9 hold you back? Won't this just be RoF with WWII aircraft?

Edited by klem, 13 December 2012 - 08:58.