Grégory "PB0_Foxy" Lemasson: Visit of 1C Studios in Moscow (part 3 and end)
Special interview and insights in SoW:BoB
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Another detail on which they worked is the modelling of the pilots !
When in IL2 we had only one pilot whose uniform color changed, BoB will bring a whole lot of different pilots, in totally different clothes ! Even parachutes will be different... Indeed Oleg told me that the English parachutes were steerable, while the German ones were not at the moment. They are different in the game as well...
Thus Oleg's team dedicated itself to the modelling of all these differences.[/FONT]
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The DM of the ships also evolved and are now more complex, so the straffing will have a measurable effect on the ships. Each ship will be divided in several sub-assemblies which will bring a lot of immersion. A seabed was modelled, and the wreck of a ship will have an impact on the water surface and the waves.
After a good meal offered by Oleg we get back in the office, and spend some time with the team responsible of the map.
The person working on it is using an old map which he superimposed on his modelling tool and is reproducing all the ancient roads exactly where they should be ! I think that it's really insane to give such a hard work to the team, but in a way, that's why we love Oleg's games !
Oleg gives me informations about the new textures they will use and told me that his photo experience helps him a lot to get the most realistic textures possible !
For those who do not know, Oleg is gifted for photography and is known in this field ! He often tests the last Canon cameras and is a specialist in underwater photography... I advice you to visit his website, you will be able to see by yourselves what he can do : http://www.maddoxart.net/[/FONT]
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After this most interesting visit, Oleg met me in his office to answer the questions of my interview, most of which coming from C6 members. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Let's begin the questions ! The answers were given by Oleg Maddox(OM), Dmitry Soldatenkov(DS) and Roman Deniskin(RD).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- What kind of new improvements will be done about the AI in BOB ?[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]DS: AI is more proficient in interacting with other units and acting in large groups. It employs varying tactics in both attacking and defending, and looks more personalized as AI skills may vary from unit to unit.
OM: I would say [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]it is simply way more complex AI than in IL-2. If with the release of original Il-2 users were impressed with the most “humanized” AI behavior on the market… Then with BoB you will be more than impressed in comparison to any flight sim.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will clouds, night or sun affect AI behavior ?
DS: Yes[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif], as well as the shape of the aircraft, AI skill and level of awareness all count in its ability to see and distinguish targets.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will the interaction between players and AI be improved ?
OM:[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- What kind of new improvements will be made about the FM in BOB ?
OM:[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Will be more precise for each aircraft, and a more complex model of internal airplane structure adds more details into its behaviour.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will the icing condition in high altitude be simulated ?
RD: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes. At least it is working now in code – it is not so a dramatic effect now for the airframe, but has a strong effect on the engine and prop.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- What kind of new improvements will be made about the DM in BOB ?
OM[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]&RD: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]It is a mix of Il-2 and new DM. Better to say some part - the way more complex than Il-2 type DM (improoved due to more complex internal structure) plus actual hits (holes) shown for the small caliber weapons.
And in general in short words - more complex interaction of DM due to way more modelled details of the internal structure.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Which aircraft systems will be simulated in the game ?
RD[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]All listed. Even more : all the listed systems are modelled, they can be damaged, they wear down from abusement, and they affect each other as they perform. Say losing hydro pump from a stalled engine will shut the hydraulic-operated landing gear, or abusing electrical system would degrade plane electrical instruments, and if you try to press out pneumatic-operated landing flaps with a battle-damaged pistons, you would lose pressure in braking system as well, and so on, and so on.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will we have a clickable cockpit ?
RD[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes. As an option.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- In Il2 we had 2 main playing methods : cooperative or dogfight.
Is there anything new about that ? A new playing method ?
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]There will be similar to old modes and completely new. Say in dogfight will be possible to fly bomber with multicrew positions... just one sample. There will be possibility to connect and replace the bot, if there is permission for that action (many options to limit or to add in settings).[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will it be possible to reload guns from the gunnery stations in the bombers ?
RD[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes, but simplified at the moment.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- How will the engine management be improved ?
RD[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]It is too much to tell – the engine model itself is a very complex one, and includes many features of a real aircraft. In full-real mode you are to operate the range of controls – from throttle to mixture, wep enablers, radiators, carb heaters – and failure to keep the engine in its limits would result in premature wear, loss of performance, and failures. This applies to all-out full real, you can change into a il-2-like simple system where you can’t damage your motors whatever you chose to do.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will it be possible to rearm and refuel in a cooperative mission ?
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Proabbly. The question is how to make it looking more or less realistic but at the same time to keep playbilty. Speaking about many aircraft in reality the ground crew wasn’t able to refuel (rearm) them for a shot time... Do you want to sit [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif](wait) [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]in the cockpit for a couple of hours[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]?[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- How the radar will improve the game ?
OM[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]It will work according to their real life features (including speech). For German and British side – by different way.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- The radio chattering is really important for the atmosphere especially during the BOB because there were a lot of different nationality of pilot and there was a lot of radio guidance due to the radar
What kind of new improvements will be made about that in BOB ?
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Totally new speech engine[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- What kind of new improvements will be made about the user interface in BOB ?
RD[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Absolutely new GUI. Nothing common with IL-2. With lots of new ways to customize your controls and personal aircraft set-ups.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will it be possible for some human players to exchange positions if they are in the same plane ?
(we have already talked about that but if you can give me more details …)
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]If the pilot killed and gunner would conrol aircraft[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]? Should be possible, however the body of pilot must be disappearing. This feature is under question.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- What kind of new improvements will be made about the FMB in BOB ?
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Copy-Paste, including many objects at once and completely new features. But general interface we’re keeping like in Il-2 – more easy to learn when you are experienced with Il-2 mission builder.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will you release tools or technical information about the things that will be need to be worked by third party, like maps, adding 3d models (humans, vehicles, buildings, ships, and so on) previously to the release of BoB?
That way, we can start gathering information while we wait for the sim.[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]After release. Some things are impossible to release untill the time when we’ll get final version. It is separate work. The core is ready, but some simple user interface will be later. Also, to make instructions – that is a big deal and time. So I don’t expect the release of external tools for third party right with the release. But I personally hope that it may happens soon after release.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- What kind of things will it be possible to do for a third party ??[/FONT]
OM: I[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]n time, not right with the release – all these things[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]: Aircraft, ground and sea objects with AI (then possibly controllable by player), new maps.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] But size of maps will be limited. We will make big maps only ourselves that to go for the next sims in a series...[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Will we have a victory sharing system in the game ?[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]It is possible[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will the game be compatible with the 3D technology ?[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Such things define [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]now only graphics cards, their drivers and power. We don’t need really to make anything special.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will the game be compatible with the triple screen technology ? (Triple Head Matrox)[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will the game be optimized for the multithreading processing ?[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will we have more human’s life on the ground ?[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]In time - possible. Now all things depends of our own speed of work. And how many different types of human (soldiers or even civilians) will be in the sim – just god knows. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] We plan many. But can’ say right now how many will be in release.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- For the track IR user. Did you think about a head movements limitations according to the G factor ?[/FONT]
OM: [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes. And according cockpit (canopy glass) limitations as well [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- Will the weather be dynamic ?[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]OM:[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Yes. Very complex code. Details – more close to release.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will we have the trail wind from the other inflight planes ?
OM:[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Yes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- What kind of new improvements will be done about the sounds in BOB ?
OM:[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Completely new 3D sound engine[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- If you were a normal player what would you like the most in the game ?
and what would you like the least ?
OM : I personally would like to have simulation with elements of the gameplay.
Or by other words I would like to have the good game, that we may really name by this word : s_i_m_u_l_a_t_o_r. Last time I didn’t see such games, offering these both features in comparable level between each other.
In additionall we also need to implement so easy settings of customizable difficulty level that would be useful for complete newbies.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- Will the oxygen system be functionnal ?
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]If you mean manual use of oxygen mask then I would say yes. As an option of difficulty settings.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]- How Will you change the black out system ? (for positive and negative G)
OM: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]We don‘t plan to change it in graphics. But just small changes will be in program code. In Il-2 it was almost optimal replacement comparing to the real life.[/FONT]
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Now the interview is finished , just a little photo finish
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