How many skill levels are modeled for AI pilots? Will pilots increase in skill with experience?

Ace, Veteran, Experienced and Green. Skill level of AI pilots will be balanced according to player's skill, to keep good playability. Any of AI pilots can do sometime (randomly) flight mistakes, like human….

How configurable will the game be? Can we choose enemy ability or accuracy? Can the player choose an easier flight model?

Shortly speaking the answer is for all modes of Singleplay it is possible to set:

• Wind/Turbulence - On/Off
• Flutter effect - On/Off
• Stalls/Spins - On/Off
• Blackout/Redout - On/Off
• Mid-air collisions - On/Off
• Engine overheat - On/Off
• Engine reactive effect/Torque - On/Off
• Realistic landing/Gear damage - On/Off
• Take Off/Landing - On/Off
• Cockpit shake - On/Off
• Invulnerable/Damaging - On/Off
• Realistic gunnery - On/Off
• Ammo limit - On/Off
• Fuel limit - On/Off

If all described above settings are "On" - then it is realistic mode for serious simmers.

For multiplay, before player will begin the flight, his client part will download the settings of server settings (other player who owns dedicated server or common dedicated server). That means that the player will play with the same settings as all other players, connected to such server and everyone will be in equal conditions. So, if some server has realistic settings - all connected to such server will have realistic settings on their client part of IL-2 online. If server has dummy settings - all clients will load automatically such settings before the game. In other words, if someone sets IL-2 Online or LAN server - all clients will play with settings of such server and can't change to the easiest mode that to be bad guy. The receiving code of such settings will be secured from bad guys.

In addition there are Mission Builder for single- or multiplay and Quick Mission builder where you can create own flights with the adjustable settings.

In Quick Mission builder player will be able to:

• Select aircraft (any of flyable with the release or from add-ons),
• Amount of friends in air and their AI skill for each plane,
• Loadout of each friend plane,
• Amount of enemy planes in air and their AI skill for each plane,
• Loadout of selected enemy plane(s),
• Time of Day: With smooth changes of the sun position 01:00 - 24:00
• Weather: Clear, Good, Hazy, Poor, Blind, Rain/Snow, Thunder-storm
• Situation: None, Advantage, Disadvantage
• Map: Available all (or almost all) of our maps of the sim.
• Target: None, Armor division (column or in action), Ship(s), Bridge, Airbase, City
• Defense: None, Light AA (Including fire from the ships), Heavy AA

AI. Do you model the pilot losing sight of his target? Is there a panic model in place?

Yes, it is modeled a bit.

Will AI pilots use the same flight model as the player?

Yes, basically FM is the same, but with necessary changes for AI. AI pilot and brains of a simmer are incomparable things. Normally things are like AI reaction is inadequate to reaction of the man...That to do such reaction adequate - we need to do some changes in flight model, which doesn't means that it is simplified or is non-realistic. Also, there are different planes and we have to create different AI and FM's for each type.

Tell us about the mission editor. What are the key features?

We didn't decide at all yet what to give in hands of end user. At least it will be mission builder, where user will be able to create own missions for single- or multiplay coop missions. It will be possible to set area, location of ground troops (tanks, ships, etc) and air forces with all necessary parameters for both sides. Any mission, later could be send to player's friends. Others, that to play it, will need only the sim itself, and if necessary - the new models of objects or maps from our own add-ons (if used) Mission builder will be incorporated into the sim. Other tools, perhaps we'll give later for downloading. We'll look at simmer's reaction.

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I understand that we will have access to the campaign in multiplayer mode, for individual or co-op play. How many players will be able to fly online via LAN? Internet?

More correct way is to say that there will be a feature to play multiplay in coop mode in many missions and in missions, designed for such purpose especially. One of the key features is that a player is able to fly alone in such coop mission and chose other planes as AI. In other words, it is possible to play mission with any amount of players (up to 16) and other planes, which are not piloted by other players (AI). This is in development progress now. So there could be changes. Also, as I have already told, players will be able to build their own missions designed for multiplay. There are lots of problems for us as developers, but think we know what to do. And all thanks to hundreds of simmers that helped us and sent detailed replies! Currently we plan 16 players for coop multiplay and 32 visible in air players for mode, comparable to deathmatch. That is for Internet and LAN.

Will we be able to fly in a rear gunner position for single- or multiplay (for IL-2* plane itself)?

Yes, for both of single- and multiplay. Generally, there is AI for the rear gun(ner). For singleplay that means that player can switch his position from pilot to rear gunner position during the flight. In case, when player is in the rear gunner position - AI will take control of the flight. At this time AI will continue to execute the main goal of mission with IL-2 AI tactics. During the flight player can switch such positions at any time. For multiplay - in one IL-2 can play two players. One for pilot and one for rear gunner. If player selects only pilot for multiplay, AI will take control of the rear gunner.

I understand that you will allow the player to paint their own aircraft. Is this a total paint scheme or..?

Yes. This is very important feature of our multiplay. Each flyable plane can be original! Virtual squadrons can have their original painting with individual numbering, etc. It will be much easy to identify friends or enemies.

What we plan for the release:

• 1. National markings, Standard list will be with about 20 images. Other country players can paint new and load others from ftp.
• 2. Numbers on the fuselage. Standard list: No number, 00 - 99. In addition it is possible to select the color of number.
• 3. Squadron markings. Standard list includes some historical images. In additional player can paint any new mark with the correct size and palette, then load it on ftp for others. Look for example of Maddox Games logo on the fuselage of MiG-3 on screen shots.
• 4. Camouflage. Standard list includes some most well-known paint schemes for each flyable plane. In additional player can paint own schemes and place over painted skin new markings, numbering, etc. Then upload it on ftp for others.
• 5. If other players, who didn't download new non-standard (items 1,3,4 above) markings or paint scheme - they will see such plane with the standard settings (no national markings, no numbering, no squadron markings and standard N1 camouflage).

Here I would like to ask the members of virtual squadrons… If you like that your squadron logos will be present in our sim with the release and will display without any problem for other online IL-2 players - please send me 62x62 pixels images with your squadron logos Here.

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