Klaiber

I'm very disappointed. For the ROF community, this project just seems like double dipping. While I of course understand that there are different backers for this new project, I don't understand why it can't be added to Rise of Flight as an add-on... Either way, here's an overview of what I've read so far: The planned release date for Ilya Muromets (IM) is Q4 2014 with the Early Access program starting August 1st. The IM project has been primarily funded by the Russian Military Historical Society. 777 / 1C Game Studio (which I guess are now the same thing) have designed this sim while simultaneously working on the Battle of Stalingrad (BOS). So I guess very little has been done recently to ROF. However, rather than having the BOS engine, IM will have the same engine as ROF. Also, IM will have no career mode or anything that we'd see as a "new feature". The only things that IM will give us (that we don't currently have) is 1 extra aircraft (the Ilya Muromets) and 1 new map (the Ternopol-Chernovtsy-Stanislav region). Everything else is just a copy of ROF, save for the controls. The IM has been designed for a new control option that allows the mouse and keyboard to fly the aircraft. This is supposed to allow more casual simmers to fly IM. It seems like an attempt to appeal to "War Thunder" gamers. Either way, regarding the Ilya Muromets, this is the same build that was created by the community modder Korontari last year: http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=602394&f=2#p602394 http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=278&t=35966&p=516507#p516507 777 / 1C Game Studio purchased Korontari's build and finished it to their current specs. Additionally, as you can already guess, the "Austrian" Alb D.III mentioned in the write-up will be the same D.III we currently have in ROF. That said, IM is truly a stand-alone. There are no plans to ever integrate either the Ilya Muromets or the Ternopol map into ROF. http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/7197-1cgs-announces-ilya-muromets-flight-sim-development/?p=128321 And regarding the future development of ROF: ROF2, only mentioned in posts by Zak with zero details, will supposedly have the features and improvements of Battle of Stalingrad. http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/7197-1cgs-announces-ilya-muromets-flight-sim-development/?p=128348 http://ilyamuromets.net/forum/topic/11-1cgs-announces-ilya-muromets-flight-sim-development/?p=17 However, there is no indication that ROF2 is in development. It can't even be called vaporware, as it hasn't even been officially announced yet. Additionally, after the Hanriot aircraft is released for ROF (sometime this summer), 777 is going to assess what they're going to do with the ROF sim. http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/7197-1cgs-announces-ilya-muromets-flight-sim-development/?p=128350 Based on Jason Williams' statement that "as products get older the return on investment fades", I would say it doesn't look good. Which is a shame because I bought their add-on products in order to fund new ROF content.

New announcement from Jason Williams regarding an Eastern Front sim, made by 1C Game Studios (which is basically 777), in cooperation with the Russian Military Historical Society: http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=41772 Here is a direct link to the game's webpage: http://ilyamuromets.net/ And it's features: http://ilyamuromets.net/forum/topic/3-about-game/

Very cool! Great flight Schweizer. It's so weird to see you and not just hear your voice.

Interesting debate, filmed at the Royal Geographical Society on 15th April 2014.

Thanks to everyone who flew the FIF test last night! The 42's server was very smooth, and outside of a few scripting issues, things went really well. As far as I know, we're still good to start the campaign on Wednesday, 18 June 2014 @ 8:45PM EDT. Check back for more updates as we get closer.

Hi All, Just a quick bump. Tomorrow, June 11th, @ 8:45PM EDT, we will have our first test mission on the No. 42 Squadron server. The No.42 will circulate the server password before the launch of the test.

Welcome!

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3965032/1 Enjoy!

That is good to know. Honestly, I've always assumed that the kickstarter money was spent on the project itself. But I do question the proper management of that resource. I think these posts pretty much sum up my issues with Luthier: http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3964998/Re:_Luthier_out._ED_is_in.#Post3964998 http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3965036/Re:_Luthier_out._ED_is_in.#Post3965036

Yeah, that's basically how I feel about it. And this is basically why I'll always think twice before supporting a kickstarter initiative for something that has a strong possibility of being vaporware. Now that this project is being run by Eagle Dynamics, I'm confident that we'll eventually see a decent product. But, Oleg and Luthier have basically bled out all of my trust in them. And I'm actually glad that Luthier is no longer involved (though I'm sorry to hear that the kickstarter money is probably gone). Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that game development is a business, and that this industry is often unstable. Things happen. Especially in niche markets like combat flight simulators. However, for me, part of being successful in a business is cultivating audience confidence in your product. And while Oleg and Luthier, circa 2005, had that confidence in spades, they spectacularly managed to flush that all down the toilet in the years after.

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3964870/1

Hi All, Just a reminder - in order to get Central or Entente access, you must officially sign up for Flanders In Flames in one of the two areas provided: Central Powers Entente Powers Not signing up means you cannot fly in the event. . . . Additionally, if anyone is having any problems with the forum, please let me know. This forum works best with Chrome or Firefox. Older version of IE will work fine as well. Newer versions of IE (version 11+) do not play well with IP Board. This is a known issue with IE, and is not the board's fault. To use IE version 11+, you must: Thanks!

Just pinned it.

http://io9.com/this-aviator-cat-scene-will-cure-whatever-ails-you-1586406839 If only my cats were this helpful...

Hi All, Thanks to everyone for signing up for what promises to be an extremely fun tournament event! Currently, here is our timetable. On Wednesday, 11 June 2014 @ 8:45PM EDT, we'd like to have a test mission. This test will primarily be designed to make sure everything on the maps are working correctly. However, the key secondary role of the test is to give everyone unfamiliar with FIF the chance to see how the system works. Then, on Wednesday, 18 June 2014 @ 8:45PM EDT, we'd like to officially start Flanders in Flames XVIII. This is of course assuming that the test on June 11 goes well. As of this posting, there are 5 registered squadrons participating: Central: JG1 BH Entente: 42 w/ RAC J5 WW We're expecting about 20+ people per side, with more coming in after the event commences. We're also hoping for a few more squadrons, like the TM, RAF 74 and others. Post any questions below. Looking forward to flying with you all! -Klaiber

http://gawker.com/off-duty-bomber-pilot-helps-land-a-united-737-after-cap-1585019067 Thought this was interesting.

It looks sweet! Do you think you'll pick it up?

Very cool! I'm glad you found them.

Excellent!

Hi Bandy, Stubby mentioned that you were having trouble seeing the Entente areas. I checked your settings and you should be all set. Let me know if it doesn't work.

Thanks Heinrich!

Saw this on io9.com: http://www.westernfrontphotography.com/main.php If you'd like to read the io9 article, here is a link: http://io9.com/sobering-images-show-famous-world-war-i-battle-sites-a-1581624280

Hi Wolf, Haha, you noticed that. The non-Prussian awards that Manfred von Richthofen received are what we use for Merit. So, there is no Bavarian Military Merit Cross (because he never got it), even though that's what an NCO would receive. I've been seriously thinking of expanding the awards and decorations though. This way, people have more of a chance to earn them. There is no set reason why someone gets a Merit award - usually it's for bravery or going above and beyond the call. But I do give them sparingly. So very few people have them. For normal Merit, we have a German Army Report, which can be given multiple times. But to get a full decoration (like the Bavarian Merit 4th Class) is special. In this case, you and Lee received the Bavarian Merit 4th Class because of your outstanding job with the recon missions within Bloody April IV. They were long and grueling and highly dangerous. And yet you both kept volunteering for them. That's the type of dedication that deserves recognition.

Cool! Adding it to my amazon cart.