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An early feedback of OFF3

R

roarkr

Guest
Hi,

I got my copy of OFF3 yesterday and been testing a little bit today.

Overall I am happy with what I see, the flying and fighting is very good in addition to most of the crafts and skins. The quality of the crafts varies too much and some look more like a cartoon drawing.

I feel the maps and the replay function have the quality of a 1980 games. This actualy draw the game down in quality a lot. Is this something you plan do improve with in the future? Regardig the Ace Dossier I can only see that the German ace lists have scores listed. In addtion there are too many non real flier names in some of the most famous squadrons to my likings. What are the names of those databases, I would like to update some of the squadron info.

I know this seems like a lot of negative feedback, but this is my view of the game so far. The potential is great and there is none other WW1 aviation games above or at the side of OFF3 today , but some issues are drawing it down.

roarkr
 
Hello Thanks for your feedback and the support.

1) Yes we are constantly upgrading skins and craft.

2) The maps issue is because of the sheer size of the map and how much memory it uses in GPU - we are limited hardware wise - the map covers the entire theater in one and no way to split it up yet in CFS3.
So when you zoom in it becomes pixellated.

3) With the admittedly rather limited Replay function we have the same limitation of scale as in 2) but we are working on a higher res option - but we will have to see if support justifies any further work.

4) The focus of OFF is of course the immersion in flight and the living environ and recreating WW1.

HTH
 
roarkr said:
I feel the maps and the replay function have the quality of a 1980 games. This actualy draw the game down in quality a lot. Is this something you plan do improve with in the future?
roarkr
Click to expand...

I had the exact opposite reaction to the maps and replay function. I was so totally grateful to be able to know exactly what occurred, that I was pretty much oblivious to the graphics. They certainly weren't distracting, or anything, or I would have noticed. Overall, I see this as a definite plus for P3.
 
Regardig the Ace Dossier:
There are about 1000 aces. Doing bios and kill lists for all of them is a huge job, and one which is ongoing. If we develop OFF further, you will see the blanks filled in.
In addtion there are too many non real flier names:
Again, to fill the roster of every squadron with real historical pilots is a huge job. We have around a thousand now, but to fill all the possible slots in each squadron would multiply that number many times. Again, if we carry on, we will expand the list, but it takes time.
Millions of men fought in the Great War - their names and lives lost in the mists of time. Our goal is to bring some of them back to life in OFF, as representatives of a generation sacrificed in the mud of the trenches, and in the skies Over Flanders Fields. The men who became national heroes - MvR, Guynemer, Ball, Lufbery - they are all there, but so are very many men who most of us had probably never heard of. Over Flanders Fields is dedicated to all those lost in the Great War.
shredward
 
I love OFF and so the following shouldn't be misconstrued..

Two questions..
1- Is there still a Pilot photo file? I've looked , but it escapes me. If so where can I find it?

2- Perhaps I'm just "lucky", however, in lets' say 4 Campaign flights so far, all different years, different sides as well, I haven't seen or been approqached by ONE AI! Is there a Workshop setting that should be turned on or maximized?

I have "Normal and Realistic" settings on all choices. Sliders are 5/4/4/5/3

All in all I am findinding P3 very enjoyable..but I am "hoping" to see the major difference that I have read about. If this was a "blind taste testing" , I 'm not sure I wouuld be able to tell P2 and P3 apart.

I have a Intel Dual Core2 E8400 3Ghz, 2.5GB ram/ GPU is 8800GT SLI'd 512RAM each. Fans and cooling on all appropriate devices. Perhaps I need some specific CFS3 Config settings enabled or disabled. Any suggestions on the Config settings optimizing for OFF?

Regards,
Royce
 
Hello

I am really sorry that u cannot tell P3 and P2 apart - that has me floored to the point that I am prepared to give you your money back!

Please contact us on support on e-mail and I will arrange it!

HTH

Best

WM
 
Hi Cappy,
The historical ace photos are in campaigns - campaign data - aces (I'm on a French keyboard, and can't find the slashes, and I'm not home, so I don't have the actual folder names in front of me). The user aces are in something like
campaigns - campaign data - Germany pilots etc - look around in the campaign data folder and you'll find them.
Not sure why you've been so lucky and have lasted so long in the air - perhaps your reputation preceeds you?:applause:
Cheers,
shredward
 
Er Capt Royce are you sure it installed OK? Maybe uninstall via Add/Remove and install fresh.

There is tons of content added or improved, Terrain is redone and higher res, totally new front lines ! new improved towns, decaying towns, redone etc - AI dogfights are dramatically better (you haven't a dogfight yet?)
- manager is totally improved in terms of it's campaign engine and other additions, new changing weather as you fly, realistic to the date, new escort missions, new craft, blah many new upgrades (Se5, Camel, etc etc) have you seen none of these yet? The feature on the website will point more obvious changes out list is better than me typing it out but ... I'm with WM, I'm floored by that comment!
Now you see whole squadrons of authentic skins J11, J7 etc etc.. swooping on you with great AI for a fab dogfight... DFW's and Hannovers with all sorts of squadron markings, new paints for all.
I think I'll stop there lol.

"2- Perhaps I'm just "lucky","

yep I get toasted very often. Try putting labels on or radar then you will notice the many aircraft flying PAST you because you haven't noticed or they are on their way elsewhere on a real mission !

You'll need to zoom in a couple of notches to scan the skies if you have labels off.
 
Wow I can understand Winder giving the response he did, its like night and day P2 and P3.. even to the point of intelligent infantry.. a good example is I was flying a camel last mission and shot down an allied balloon (By mistake) and then they started shooting at me!! (allied Infantry below the flaming ballon) ALL OF EM!... nothin like flyin down your own trench line being shot by your own side.. hahahaha if thats not realistic then i dont know...

just my 2 cents worth ;)

Blue 781 :friday:
 
I'm with you guys. This sim is so seriously improved as to be a completely different product. The new skins (especially the Camel and SE5) are things of beauty and the flight models are way more serious now (although I bemoan the loss of the Camel's quirkyness). As I mentioned in another thread, the dogfights are great swooping maelstroms that literally give me sweaty palms. Winder's new terrain is breathtaking and the AI is someting to behold.

My first serious campaign (after much sampling as with a box of chocolates) is in the Camel, 80 RFC Feb. 1918 stationed in Boisdinghem. I've flown 6 missions, have 4.5 hours, 3 claims and have been blown away by the sheer immersion. Last mission was balloon defence and on the way we tangled with 5-6 Albatros DVs. I actually shot two down and what really got me, the third was hit and went down. I thought he was going to crash, since he was burning. He landed in a field so I circled to see what was going on. His engine was on fire, but went out. I went on with the mission, noticed on the radar that this enemy showed as a black marker. So I made note of the location, flew to the balloon and was directed to home field. Instead of following the direct route home, I flew back to the scene of the action and LO, the albatros was still there in the field. I landed and taxied up just to check it out. Albatros was sitting there, engine cowl all blackened with the fire (now out) and peppered with bullet holes. Amazing. I wheeled around, took off and flew home. Sorry to write a book, but I am a highly impressed customer (who has played this fiddle from phase 1). My sincere thanks to Winder, Pol and Company for this time machine.
 
I'm extremely impressed with phase3....really its the skills of the AI which has me stunned. I have been flying for my life everytime I see, or unfortunately get jumped by; enemy fighters(with super respect for the Dr1). Not to say the terrain, aircraft, and the interface, are not greatly improved; but whomever tweaked the AI did a great job. My 2 cents.....
 
Winder- I don't want my money back..read the opening line of my post. Obviously, for me there is something "going on".
I get the new P3 Manager screen, so I know it's installed. I did the install over a completely clean CFS3 upgraded, flown once, etc. Could I have the P3 manager screen showing but not have teh P3 features installed??

I have flown perhaps 4 flights, and not seen any enemy AI. 1916,1917, 1918. French, German, Brit. So I was inquring if maybe I have the set up config wrong, or something..or maybe it's the "random reality" of the sim. The weather doesn't change for me and I do have the Dynamic button on as well as historical.

But I have not encountered anything at ground level that looks different (at least to me) that I haven't seen in P2.

Is there a "prescribed or optimal" set up in the Config screen that someone would recommend?

Regards,
Royce
 
Wow Royce, really something is screwed it if all looks the same!

Did you read above? Do you have labels on - if not turn them on and see if you miss flights going past??

Terrain?? You do not see the totally new front lines, broken up, not long brown line anymore??

yep maybe cfs3config is screwed and showing in low res or whatever dunno very odd!

cfs3config see the website we have recommended settings there, and also in the FAQ tells you how to configure if not sure, but check you did actually run cfs3config and set sliders up.

Are the Fms not different to you? Nothing?


recommendation Nuke it via add/remove programs. Re-install!
 
Pol- I will do that later this evening..recheck settings etc. But FM is the same..FPS same..actually the terrain is the same. I do not fly with the labels on but I'll try that and see what around. I did try the "radar" Shift T a few times and never saw any other A/C on it. I'll try a new install and see, if nothing else works.

Regards,
Royce
 
OK no problem, well the odd craft maybe be the same but most are revised FMs, and new, and revamped cockpits etc
yeah something is definitely not right lol!

Do the uninstall from Add/Remove programs to make sure.

Set up your sliders
Let us know (take some pics).

er... 1 thing, you aren't flying QC only are you?
and if so you aren't flying "FreeFlight" ?
and did you try any new craft?
 
I have just read sharks among minnows by Norman Franks (again)

& wanted to fly Fokker Eindekkers of the period so I joined Jasta 1 FFA32 as my first campaign for P3 The Graphics are vastly improved over P2 in both aircraft & terrain, P.S. is the barking dog I hear before i start my engines something new in P3, or did i miss it on P2?

I take off on my first line patrol - in squadron strength with Otto Parschau!!!

although i never encountered any enemies during this flight, there was certainly a lot of ground activity on the front lines & the terrain is superb.

Congratulations on a first rate flight sim OBD. I cant wait for the next mission :woot:
 
Just had my second campaign mission flying eindekkers with FFA32 Jasta1 - our airbase had come under attack by some bristol scouts took off & during the combat, i became a lawn dart after stalling at low altitude - Man those AI's
are tough!! they dont just sit flying around in circles while you blaze away at them as they did in P2, oh no - thay fly like they WANT to stay alive, just when you get a few rounds in them they dive away again - better luck next time i guess,

P3 is definately worth both the wait & its money, - couldnt be more happier with it! :amen:
 
Thanks for the feedback Legion - I might check that squad out myself after that :)
 
cptroyce said:
I love OFF and so the following shouldn't be misconstrued..

Two questions..
1- Is there still a Pilot photo file? I've looked , but it escapes me. If so where can I find it?

2- Perhaps I'm just "lucky", however, in lets' say 4 Campaign flights so far, all different years, different sides as well, I haven't seen or been approqached by ONE AI! Is there a Workshop setting that should be turned on or maximized?

I have "Normal and Realistic" settings on all choices. Sliders are 5/4/4/5/3

All in all I am findinding P3 very enjoyable..but I am "hoping" to see the major difference that I have read about. If this was a "blind taste testing" , I 'm not sure I wouuld be able to tell P2 and P3 apart.

I have a Intel Dual Core2 E8400 3Ghz, 2.5GB ram/ GPU is 8800GT SLI'd 512RAM each. Fans and cooling on all appropriate devices. Perhaps I need some specific CFS3 Config settings enabled or disabled. Any suggestions on the Config settings optimizing for OFF?

Regards,
Royce
Click to expand...

Hay, Royce: Unless I missed it, what version of CFS3 do you have, the old CD version, and was it patched to 1.3 before the install? ..or the newer DVD version? Just wondering if there was some install problem you may have over looked that is giving you problems with BHH?
 
Someone said that they seen battle damage? I must have my settings wrong, because I've have yet to see any battle damage to the planes I am shooting or when I am getting shot.

One other question, is it just me or does CFS3/OFF have one of the most stupidest view control systems in a flight sim?
I know that OFF disign team had nothing to do with key assigment.

Why is it when you hit/go to Player/target view it give you a view From the target to the Player ? Wouldn't that be Target to player view?

Now I know why I only played CFS3 for about 30 mins 4 years ago, because of the stupid view system.
 
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