buster_dee

Just got mine today, and it won't power up. Biggest problem is that HP does not recognize the headset's serial number, so I can't register it or get tech support. Has anyone had a problem getting HP to accept a valid serial number? Could it be some kind of browser compatibility thing? I use a current Edge in Win 10.

The old game, B-17 II The Mighty Eighth, hinted at some answers. It's MP was never implemented, so I'm making a leap in assuming the devs would have applied all the off-line features on-line in some fashion. Basically, there was a fast-travel system that was disallowed when a group was taking off (like your fighter cover) or there was danger nearby (such as flak or interceptors). Crewing was supposed to be either all human, a mix of human and AI, or all AI (the balance of squadron ac). AI performance was dynamic in that, every time you inserted yourself and outperformed him, the AI crewman was better when he resumed his duties. If you/he was killed, you started over. So, you could train your AI off-line, then turn them loose on-line. Camaraderie was available for, say, a human pilot, copilot, flight engineer, bombardier, and navigator (or any mix for that matter). How the AI level of training would have been shared is a mystery. If your human bombardier could not make it to a meet, how would his AI training be transferred? How would a single seat be denied to an unknown player when you'd prefer to accept AI to a stranger. I'll never be a great stick-and-rudder guy, but I'm still dreaming of being a crewman. By the way, what is somewhat missed is that complex systems, atmosphere, and damage models occupy a lot of net code when you are trying to synchronize several people in a single plane--or several multi-crewed planes for that matter. Fortunately, heavies don't make abrupt moves that could require predictive algorithms as long as the Great Wall.

I think hammering out the level of human involvement would help define the extent of modeling and coding. Full human crews, partial human crew roles, pilot-only? Every a/c of a flight available? Lead bombers only? I would love to be part of a well-trained, full crew.

VK-62

For immersion and just plain good focus, B17II was the best. The game model, to my mind, was perfect. The ground was simple, but to the point. Flak was excellent. Formations were dynamic, precise, and hair-raising (remember fighting in the ball when a bomber suddenly crosses, closing up formation after another bomber went down). Planning and crew complexity were on target--no overkill. The "warping" and effect on the participants made long missions make sense. None of its concepts were inimical to DCS fidelity. Plug great planes, systems, and physics, you have DCS where everyone has a job to suite his taste, and a purpose.

I suffer from the same affliction. :smilewink: I hope distributors, when involved, gain some patience for developers. You can't build these toys in 6 months anymore.

Helldiver had R-2600 Wright, and I think C-47 had PW R-1830 14-cylinder, like in B-24. C-47 with 1820 would seem reasonable (Wildcat used both), but I don't think either could push a Helldiver away from its oil stain.

I have Graham White's book on Allied WW2 engines. I was surprised at the significant differences between models. Visually, there is the nose case of the B and C.

Maybe the math works. I don't know. I intended to give him 2 planes for WW2, and alpha access to a WW2 environment. The others were just my curiosity about how well they were modeled. I'm really not a flyer, except when I can drag my brother into it. I'm a half-baked modeler who just wants to support other talented people. So, the DCS world doesn't strike much a note for me. I was trying to help Ilya pick himself back up. Obviously, that is no longer possible. Thanks ED for making the best of a bad situation. I'm not happy, but I accept it.

Sounds like I lost the extra keys intended for my brother: Was (for 170): All aircraft plus 2 digital copies of DCS World FW-190D-9 with beta access (when available), 2 digital copies of DCS World P-51D Mustang. Includes two invitations for ALPHA ACCESS for yourself and for your friend.

Good stuff. I take back the lawnmower comment--sounds more like a Formula 1 engine. I thought the two crankshafts were synchronized to fire cylinders in pairs, but it sounds so hi-revving. Maybe they were interteved. Thanks for links. EDIT: Ok, fires in pairs. Hmm. Wait! It runs up to 4000 RPM--about 1000 more than its peers. Imagine that screaming down on you while you're trying to run messages on your trusty R75.

Napier Sabre: the most fascinating engine to me. 24 small pistons/cylinders moving at a mad blur. Last test runs yielded 4000 HP. Sounds a little like a lawnmower though. Typhoon and Tempest equal favorites to me. Square-jawed beastly things.

I personally don't care, but there is no way to ensure that all backers join this discussion. So, we should not go down this road. I think it is enough that some of us are suggesting to ED that we would be flexible.

B17II was perfectly conceived and horrible executed. Give me the same thing with the kinks worked out, and you can just prop me up with pillows and plug in the feeding tube.

I know you can't hear this now, but thanks;)

Yay! Looks like she's already trying to fly (or levitate). Ditto on landscape. I hope it is leaping over hurdles as well.

Will have to check, but I usually stick to the one email. I think, because I don't fly DCS, that I really don't know how many "entities" are involved in all this. As far as I can recall, I have the DCS pw and had a kickstarter pw before I deleted that account. I'll look through my emails. I guess I'm forgetting what I was sent for rewards. Would have been nice to just have one to worry about, but I'll be glad to just see RRG land on their feet, and that's what I'm really here to help do. Ok, deleting my Kickstarter account did not |block" me from anything. I created digitalcombatsimulations account (thought it was the same as this "account," but I understand now), and I was listed as backer with all rewards expected. Thanks for the help.

I probably shot myself in the foot. I closed my kickstarter account when the breach happened. I already showed as a founder. I had already received the two P-51 keys. I could see no reason to keep the account open. So, do I still need a kickstarter account?

I love bombers. I got my start in the stillborn Target for Tonight project a dozen years ago. I think no bomber sim can succeed unless the bomber is the primary aircraft, even at the expense of the fighters. That's a very different "sim," with a very different crowd in mind. Give me immersive terror and a strong multi-crew bonding element. Give me B17 II with modern graphics. And, no, I'm not suggesting that DCS abandon its true fan base--who have probably also waited a long time for an unrestrained commitment to flight and systems modeling. It just doesn't interest me, and I don't see "my" sim ever happening again--or an effort to revive the B-17 II model would have happened again, and again, until someone succeeded. I backed this because I--God forgive me--respect the whacky, creative, stubborn guy who calls himself Luthier. When he is in total control (not so here, as teaming was the best way to pick his dream off the deck), he comes the closest to giving me what I like, even if only peripherally. There's a simpler explanation: I learn like a stone, and the only thing I ever contribute to a dogfight is to signal the beginning with my flaming corps. Mods, delete this post if needed. It's obvious I've gotten off track.

I should read my posts more carefully. I meant that I cringe at the extra work.:doh:

Actually, I had over 6 years in it. But, in fairness, I was not experienced (Guse, much more so). And, honestly, I had no idea how many other people had to burn time on it after my part was done until they did so (and are still doing). It was an eye-opener to think I ever thought I was due any personal credit. When I hear "not to DCS standards," I cringe. It was daunting to manage what we did for 46. I personally think that living by blueprints is not the Holy Grail; there are too many holes, and it would seem to me that you never even know if a drawing was for a discontinued or stillborn part. I'm battling with a canopy ATM (for 46 again). I have not seen a single picture, wartime or otherwise, that supports the blueprint I have. I really hope Luthier hangs in. I still think he is smitten by the right bug.

Strike Photos I just stumbled onto this link and thought it might be helpful at some point. I looked quickly through all posts; hopefully this has not already been discussed/dismissed. http://www.8thafhs.com/db/photos.php

HonorNecris, I can't help commenting. In my opintion, B17 II nailed the experience, with the only heartbreak being that multiplyer was never implemented. 10 friends acting in concert to complete a mission. Or, one man planning from both sides and sweating the outcome. Plenty of jobs for everyone. At the risk of wrath from Vpilots, there was more to the air war than piloting.

Map. I agree that planes probably pull in more people, but working with any map will do more to tell Luthier et al: What is going to be possible with regards to size (you don't have to have big out of the box to know how efficiently resources are being used). What level of detail can that footprint manage? Does that translate into the sense of place and time Luthier said will set this project apart? Have sufficient resources survived to maintain the DCS flight dynamic bar? Yes, you can set the table in the yard and start sending dinner invitations, but I think a house should come first.

I'm the odd sort. I'm a Yank (French Canadian parents) who prefers British bombing exploits. Fighters never meant much to me--so much so that I wouldn't even want to pilot the bombers I prefer. I've flown in RL, but I love the notion of being a crewman on a well-oiled human crew. I would be happy being a gunner my crew can count on. For me, it is sad that B17 II was a "different" game, and that its MP support was never realized. To me, that is exactly the kind of game I would stick with if it existed. The "lone wolf" accomplishments mean nothing to me. I feel this about all games. SH3-5: why not have 4-man human crews coordinating the sub's kill? In FSPs with heavy role-playing elements (ala FC3), having a human buddy during the campaign would have been phenomenal. Ok, I'm whacked!