Why are the mission being changed?

Newbie Joined: Jun 26, 2008 Posts: 346

Some have no briefs... but who and why are the missions (planesets being changed????

sup wid dat?

X.O. Joined: Jun 24, 2008 Posts: 472 Location: WA. USA

Because they can Cain ... because they can!

Newbie Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Texas

[quote="FA_Cain"]Some have no briefs... but who and why are the missions (planesets being changed????

sup wid dat?[/quote]

The answer to that is basic. To make them more enjoyable or play correctly! Many requests and critiques come in and if desirable, or valid, changes are made. I edit my own missions quite often to achieve better or more enjoyable game play. It's called tweaking.
I have conferred with known mission makers to make minor changes to their missions or told them about it after the fact to get their blessing with the understanding that I will change it back if they so desire. So far nobody has told me not to, or asked that I don't do it. Some of the missions needed corrections because of errors in waypoints or faults on the map itself to make them play better or properly. Others were just enhancements for either time considerations or so there aren't as many dull periods without any action.

If I've made a correction or change to one of your missions without your consent I apologize. Or, if I've offended anyone else for that matter please speak up. If anyone feels I've ruined their mission please speak up and I'd be more than happy to correct any change that I have made or please send the original mission with your name on it somewhere.
The idea is to make better more enjoyable missions so more folks will find enjoyment on the Winds Of War server. This server exists to serve the IL-2 community. So far I've had nothing but positive feed back form a variety of patrons from Europe, England, Japan, Russia and the USA. If someone else would like to spend the time and take a hands on approach to manage the missions on the server I'll be more than happy to step away. This place won't run itself and IKYYO doesn't have the time to do it all. I may not be the best at it but I'm doing it the best way I know how.

As an old teacher used to tell me: There's three kinds of people in this world. Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that wonder what happened. The question is, which one will you choose to be?

I've asked more than once for a list of missions that don't have briefs. Feel free to help out.

If there is a problem don't beat around the bush. If anyone has a problem with the way I'm trying to manage the missions on the WoW server feel free to send me a PM if you like.

Newbie Joined: Jun 26, 2008 Posts: 346

OK.

I would propose a format for missions on the WOW server.

Perhaps a meeting with our mission builders would be appropriate, if they are willing.

I would object to any mission being edited with out the updated Brief containing the term 'edited' and the Brief itself corrected.

I would like to see types of missions, and these types clearly indicated.

Type 1. Fun or Fantasy mission, not historically accurate but intended for training or sheer fun.

Type 2. Plausible Historic mission, perhaps did not actually happen but uses historically accurate map/planesets and dates. These can be series missions, rather than one big mission. They can be series to be played from different sides and that should be clearly stated in the Briefs.

Types 3. Historically accurate missions. (disclaimer: limited by the game itself and internet speed and personal rigs) It is all well and fine to create a big beautiful mission but if only a select few with very powerfull rigs can play them, they will not be popular.

The idea is to populate the server. This was discussed at the last FA meeting I was at.

There is room for players who like the historical immersion factor and room for the players who would like a quick gunfight.

Even if you are not a mission builder, post a reply to this. I would like to see some input from FA members on this.

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:34 am

We have lots of very old missions Cheech made back in the day. We have recycled some of those and created new ones.

As for missions being changed, many times edits need to be made for playability. For instance, since MDF mod, sometimes the map is unplayable because of so many AI and moving objects. Similarly, we need to update maps so things are not so static, think of it as if DCG was making missions, everything is new.

For now we need maps and attendance, anything will help.

Newbie Joined: Jun 26, 2008 Posts: 346

I can understand a mission being edited for reasons of playabilty.

I know that I am still a little touchy about some missions that were on the former FA coops server being changed. That is in the past.

I have gotten feedback from non FA players while on WOW lately.
When I see 'timeleft' typed in several times I know that some players are wanting a different map. I also know that some of the Briefs are not complete or were in some cases lacking altogether.

There were some very good missions on the coop server that could be updated perhaps. The thing is that there is room for the types of missions I mentioned and they should be clearly explained in the Briefs.
31Flavors is a great mission for P-38 lovers and good for practice and fun even if it is not historical. HSFXcvRaid seems to need more info in the Brief. London Blitz was almost unplayable for some. There was lots of sync/lag problems in one of the Korean Missions.

The reason for clearly stating the 'edit' is because players play a mission one day and get to know the map and targets and develop tactics from what the experience, then come back the next day and the tactics they try do not work because the mission was changed. That did happen on the coop server. We did have a growing attendance there. To keep the attendance growing on WOW needs some attention.

Newbie Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Texas

Checking "timeleft" could be because of someone waiting for the next map but some use it to find out how much time left they have for a sortie or various other reasons.

In my opinion having new stuff happen on a map would be a bonus to add a little unpredictability to the fun. But I can also see the point of having the exact same mission over and over.

I do agree that more information needs to be in the brief including the designated time set for a particular mission to run.

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:44 pm

Those who don't build missions think it is just a copy and paste thingy. But it is far from that.

It takes time to edit a mission and see how it performs online. So cut the mission builders some slack.

Those who want to do coops I highly suggest you host them on your own machine. This way you have total control over everything.

Briefs will be fixed when people have time to do so.

Newbie Joined: Jun 26, 2008 Posts: 346

Ikkyo. I do not think it is a copy and paste thing, not at all. I respect and admire that ability to make missions and I have told that to each of the mission builders here, Bong, HRD and Bury.

I mentioned the coops as an example and did state that that was in the past. I did not post anything about bringing the coops back.

My interest is in the WOW server and the missions on it.

I have tried to bring some of them up using the list from the stats/missions page. Some come up some do not.

Perhaps there are some assumptions concerning my interest.

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:39 am

I have given Bury the Green light on any edits that need to be made for the mission briefs or other content, at least on my missions. In some cases I have taken a mission apart and changed some things and when they get reloaded the briefs have disappeared (dunno why). In those cases I make a new one and try to make it as accurate as possible. I have even tried to recycle some of the coops into MDF missions. There are a couple missions in the rotation that I might want to pull because try as I may some of the possible mission scenarios with the planeset involved are just not that exciting, or popular. As with all the missions on the server they need to be fun, playable by the people who aren't fortunate to have a Mac Daddy PC and have some relevant parallel to WWII history. I haven't done any pure fantasy mission sets but in deference to the history aficionados I put a label of semi-historical on those missions that have been created from my own imagination and not based on some specific event but on historical circumstances or to just make it more fun. For instance Torch is an attempt to recreate a specific event but the present map choice isn't really sufficient, so it would probably be considered Semi-Historical , Vella Lavella is based upon real events but has been compressed for travel time so it is semi-historical as well. If anyone wants a particular mission and doesn't have the skill in FMB to create it themselves please get the research together ie time, place, planeset etc.. and I would be happy to try and recreate it. We all can have input on what we want to play it isn't about just HRD, Bury and I .
Actually it might be a good Idea to form a Map Builders forum where we could trade ideas and help edit each others maps for errors and playability, we could get together and discuss possible mission scenarios as a small committee and then host the maps and get feedback from the squad. Just something to think about.

Newbie Joined: Jun 26, 2008 Posts: 346

Bong!! GREAT Idea!! A mission builders forum. Who knows I may learn a few tips from you master mission builders. Wink

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:51 am

Hi everybody,

As I typically do, I waited to consider everyone else's viewpoint before adding my part. I feel that you guys are wonderful. The teamwork and mature conversation is much appreciated. Smile

This is what I get from this:

1) The ultimate goal is to create missions which appeal to the largest number of pilots that is possible.

2) Encourage creativity with the missions that in turn inspires appreciation for history in IL-2 pilots.

3) Simply put, we want to have fun!

4) Of course, we want to see more IL-2 lovers in the server, which has many benefits.

5) Maintain a fascination with the variety of WW2 related things.

6) Make a connection with pilots of any skill level or language ability.

Some other things that come to my mind are:

Clear mission objectives.

A reasonable amount of the " fog of war " - unforeseen occurances in the missions.

Eliminate predictability as much as practical.

Create mission briefs with a good amount of useful information, appropriate to the mission.

Keep the pilots engaged in various activity through the missions to keep them interested.

Manage the number of details in order that anyone with an ordinary computer can get good performance.