Good news everyone!
The end of November is near, and the beta-testing of the next update, 1.105, is near its end as well. Today I'll tell you about what our team prepared this time. It's hard to pinpoint a biggest feature, so lets say there are three main and interesting additions to the game:
1. German two-seater fighter Bf 110 E-2 which has been developed for Battle of Moscow project. This aircraft turned out to be very interesting. First, it has rich instruments array, almost as good as on bombers. Second, it is capable of carrying very diverse and huge bomb load. Third, it is very charismatic and leaves a striking impression in handling and visuals. Fourth, its gunner station is somewhat unique with holders for spare magazines both for MG-15 turret and for nose MG-FF guns (you need to reload the cannons each 60 rounds). All in all, I think that getting acquainted with it will bring many interesting moments for you.
2. Player controlled tanks. I told you about them in detail in our previous developer diary, so today let's talk about gameplay. Currently, we release them for multiplayer only, so 'detailed' player controlled tanks have no AI and can't follow commands set in mission editor (they are supposed to be controlled by one or two players). However it's possible to create a user scenario where a player controlling a tank can participate in a large AI battle with ground and air forces involved. We can add the best of such scenarios created by players to the game (by author permission of course).
There will be two multiplayer missions with tanks at 1.105 release:
- First mission is a territory capture that can be played on tanks and planes simultaneously. Tanks need to capture enemy tank spawn points designated by flags, getting closer to the enemy airfield. Players who prefer air power can take off from the airfield either on ground attack planes to support their own ground forces or on fighters to counter enemy air. To capture a flag, ground forces must preserve numerical superiority in its vicinity for a short time. After capturing a couple of enemy flags, tanks can move further to the enemy airfield and wipe it out for good, winning the mission.
- Second mission is simpler, but can be more hectic. Players on tanks can participate in the endless AI tank battle (roughly 2 vs 2 tank companies with artillery support) to turn the tide in their favor. Here you immediately jump into the heat of battle. If many players participate in this mission, it can grow up to battalion vs battalion size. Supporting your side from the air is also possible.
A tank is controlled by the following commands (they can be changed in input settings):
"E" - Start engine
"Cursor Keys" - Movement (the game automatically translates these simple direction commands to pushing pedals, switching friction clutches and changing gears).
"RAlt-C" - Close/open hatch (riding with open hatches is obviously more dangerous).
"LCtrl-C" - Switch to gunner and back to driver seat.
"RAlt-G" - Switch ammunition: Armour Piercing / High Explosive / Machine Gun.
"Ralt ;" "Ralt ." - Adjust gunsight verticaly (range)
"Ralt ," "Ralt /" - Adjust gunsight horizontaly vertical (only on T-34)
"Mouse Wheel" or "LShift - Mouse Wheel" - Zoom in or out
"T" - Set turret to stowed position / Take control over the turret
Please note that tanks are considerably slower in the field, especially Pz III, use roads for faster movement.
AP rounds of these tanks penetrate roughly 68 mm (German one) and 77 mm (Russian one) armor at 500 meters.
Remember:
- 60° (relative to vertical) armor slope almost doubles its effective thickness at short distances;
- If a tank is positioned at 45° to the firing gun, it increases effective armor thickness by additional 40% (try to fire as perpendicularly to the armor sheet as you can);
- If an armor sheet almost stopped a projectile, damage it inflicted to inner modules will be much less than in case of clear penetration;
- To destroy a tank, fire at its ammo racks, which are located under the turret and partially in it. Hitting other parts of the tank can kill the crew or immobilize it (engine, tracks, ...);
- If a tank looks damaged outside, this doesn't necessary mean it is no threat anymore;
- It can be useful to learn the enemy tanks construction to know their weak spots.
"T-34-76 made by Stalingrad Tractor Factory, model of 1942" and "PzKpfw III Ausf. L" will be available for all "IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad" and "IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Moscow" customers.
Dev blog #114, part 2