B17 II Interview Update by Leonard "Viking1" Hjalmarson
	Q: Since the basic crew management is done on the ground prior to flight, what will we see the crew doing during the dull times on a long flight? A: Each crewman randomly plays out one of a number of wait scenarios. For instance, the two gunners will engage in idle pranks with each other, kicking each other, knocking each other's caps off, and so on. You'll also see the navigator tapping his fingers and bobbing around in his seat listening to any radio stations he can pick up. Q. Tell us about multiplayer features in general. A: B-17 II has its server technology included, so people will be able to set up a server right out of the box, given the usual technical limitations like connection speed and bandwidth. The game gives players the ability to get together in the Quickstart, Historical Missions and the Campaigns. Depending on the mission the host chooses the players can quickly find themselves spread out amongst a squadron of B-17's, escort fighters and interceptor fighters. Hosts have the ability to set the game up, and are granted the full powers of the single player in the single player game in addition to setting up the game environment. Thus they can plan missions to specific targets and repair bombers etcetera in the Squadron Commander campaign. In game things will run exactly the same as in Single Player, with vacant roles being filled by AI's as normal. Active players can switch into and amongst any vacant role, according to the rules set up by the Server Host. Click to continue		One of the big questions is how we're handling game balance in multiplayer and the way that's happening is that the number of planes of various types is fixed, with vacant slots being filled by AI's. If a player is being, say, a Luftwaffe pilot and he gets his Bf-109 shot out from under him then he CAN move to another Bf-109 controlled by the AI, provided one is vacant, and take control. If, however, there are no vacant Bf-109's then he must spectate until there are - or take over a different role as the host allows. In this way the games balance is preserved. There will be no sudden influx of new Me-262's, unless the squadron flies within range of a base that can launch them. Q. Will a player who has three computers in his home or office LAN need more than one CD to connect the machines? A: This is something we're thinking over at this time. Certainly it will depend in part upon what resources are pulled from the CD in game amongst other issues. Ultimately though, it will be up to Microprose. Join a discussion forum on this article by clicking HERE.
Copyright© 1997 - 2000 COMBATSIM.COM, INC. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated November 30th, 1999