London Ruft V1.1 submitted

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Hi everyone,

I've just submitted the updated files for London Ruft V1.1 to Bliss for his review etc.

The easiest way to check which version of the mission you are flying is to check the briefing - you should see the name 'London Ruft V1.1' if/when Bliss loads the new version.

I've made a bunch of changes in response to feedback (thank you to those who provided some) with some of the main ones being:

(a) removed all the cloud objects - Bliss thinks these may have been the cause of the invisible bug issue. Hopefully Bliss will be able to get Salmo's random time / weather script - thanks again Salmo - working so there will still be clouds in the mission. But the big cloud objects wont be present in the updated version. Maybe one day....

(b) removed the AI aircraft that ummm, <cough cough> i inadvertently left in there by mistake

(c) removed a bunch of AI moving vehicles (trains and fuel convoys and some tanks) to reduce the number to less than 30

(d) placed some more flak (bofors) on Gatwick to make it similar to Canterbury re flak / AAA

(e) included the location of the Tiger Moth agent insertion / downed pilot pick up areas in the Allied mission briefing. At present these arent scripted so you wont get any points but i think some players might enjoy the challenge of flying thru enemy territory and landing/ taking off in a small field to simulate inserting agents and picking up downed pilots. Down the track i hope to be able to use some script magic to allow points to be awarded for successful completion of this mission and perhaps bomber resupply missions into Gatwick and Canterbury which might use a similar script.

(f) Removed the PRU/ unarmed aircraft and replaced them with armed variants.

(g) And a few other tweaks.

After its loaded if you have any further feedback pls dont hesitate to post. In particular if you have the invisible aircraft bug in the V1.1 version pls let me know and i will investigate - i'm hoping the changes i made might have gotten rid of this issue but only time will tell.

And lastly. Once again a big thanks to the various people (Reddog, Philstyle, Salmo, Bolox, Swallow, Spiritus M, Bliss, Wolverine, Freya et al) who have directly or indirectly helped me thus far and continue to help - thanks for your help and patience.

Ezzie

[InvaderZim]

Cool, can't wait to see the new version. As the map gets more refined, I am cerian we wll see more participation on this map. It was a bit frustrating bumbing into stuff on the airfield spawn points and getting the airfield landmines. I think that turned a lot of payers off.

[3./JG51_Heiden]

Were you able to fix the aircraft markings issue as well? For example, aircraft selected from Eastchurch cannot apply markings.

[♣_Spiritus_♣]

Thanks for your continued work on this!

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Were you able to fix the aircraft markings issue as well? For example, aircraft selected from Eastchurch cannot apply markings.

I think so Heiden.

In the original version I'd assigned specific squadrons to each base -not sure why in hindsight- but have removed this detail from the spawn area set up. I think this will fix this but if it doesn't pls let me know and I'll re investigate.

Ezzie

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Cool, can't wait to see the new version. As the map gets more refined, I am cerian we wll see more participation on this map. It was a bit frustrating bumbing into stuff on the airfield spawn points and getting the airfield landmines. I think that turned a lot of payers off.

Thanks InvaderZim. I've gone thru every airfield reviewing the spawn points but I believe some bugs are beyond my control. If they continue then I might have to remove complete bases from the spawn list.

If you get any more airfield bugs let me know and I'll continue to review/update as required.

Ezzie

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Thanks for your continued work on this!

Thanks SM. You too for your help.

[♣_Spiritus_♣]

If you get more issues with people spawning in and "bouncing" then crashing, its not your mission. This is a known bug and has been documented most notably at the Le Havre airfield. I'd just ask people to document where it happened, airfield and a good idea about where in relation on the field, then register on the bug tracker and report it.

[JG51_dab]

Fantastic news. Excited to play the new version. Thanks again Ezzie!

S!

dab

[Vadr]

Tracked some bombers using tab-7-1 for about 10 minutes tonight, flying blue. Those bombers turned out to be a pair of AI JU88s. I found them going south near Portsmouth, taking flak at about 3KM, and they opened fire on me when I approached them in my 109. I shot one down and was credited with a Ju88 kill.

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Tracked some bombers using tab-7-1 for about 10 minutes tonight, flying blue. Those bombers turned out to be a pair of AI JU88s. I found them going south near Portsmouth, taking flak at about 3KM, and they opened fire on me when I approached them in my 109. I shot one down and was credited with a Ju88 kill.

Yeah those ju88s were flown by some RAF pilots trying to escape back to their territory -glad you got one

Unfortunately those AI -88s weren't supposed to be in the mission. I'd left them in by mistake when I submitted the first version to Bliss for testing. I fessed up about that mistake in one of the other threads on this mission along with details of a few other AI aircraft that I'd missed as well.

I've removed them from the updated version and hopefully you won't see them again once its loaded to the server.

Ezzie

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Fantastic news. Excited to play the new version. Thanks again Ezzie!

S!

dab

Thanks dab. Hopefully it's fixed up the issues u identified but if not let me know and I'll take another look.

[EAF51_Jimmi]

Flew it first time today!

Very immersive!
You really feel you have something to do to push Jerrys back in water!

Just one request!
Can we have more english squadrons to chose from?

AS EAF right now we are using a NON HISTORICAL
type: bomber
Regiment: No. 49 Squadron RAF
squadron

this will give us the EA markigs (stands for EAF) and so we can recognize squadmates easily, but this squad is not available when choosing planes...

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Hi Jimmi,

Glad u liked your first go on the mission.

Re squadrons. I think I've fixed that now so when u fly the updated version u should have all your usual options. I'd tried to be too clever and didn't realise I'd removed the flexibility to choose diff squadrons and staffels etc in my first attempt.

Should be fixed in the update but if its not let me know and I'll revist.

Ezzie

Flew it first time today!

Very immersive!
You really feel you have something to do to push Jerrys back in water!

Just one request!
Can we have more english squadrons to chose from?

AS EAF right now we are using a NON HISTORICAL
type: bomber
Regiment: No. 49 Squadron RAF
squadron

this will give us the EA markigs (stands for EAF) and so we can recognize squadmates easily, but this squad is not available when choosing planes...

[Otyg]

Gotta say i love doing bomb runs on the bridges and cars in a 109/B and 50 kg bombs. Good stuff

[Cassius]

Thx for the new mission.
Made only one successful flight on the railyard AG24.6. The mission has many objectives and needs time for detailed study.
As 3. / JG51_Heyden said blue airfield have no aircraft specification properties, which they can generate. Because of this, it is impossible to choose the matching skins of the squadrons. For example Ju87 can be marked like only linear bomber.

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Gotta say i love doing bomb runs on the bridges and cars in a 109/B and 50 kg bombs. Good stuff

Thanks Otyg - thats pretty much what the bridge tgts were designed for so I'm glad you are enjoying it.

If you havent done so already then the railyards have a bunch of cars as well - i've had to modify them slightly in the updated version so they are now static and not a convoy but they still should be bomb-able. The big fuel tanks at the railyards go boom rather nicely as well although i didnt try using a 50kg bomb in testing so not sure if they will set them off.

Ezzie

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Thx for the new mission.
Made only one successful flight on the railyard AG24.6. The mission has many objectives and needs time for detailed study.
As 3. / JG51_Heyden said blue airfield have no aircraft specification properties, which they can generate. Because of this, it is impossible to choose the matching skins of the squadrons. For example Ju87 can be marked like only linear bomber.

Thanks Cassius - the updated version should fix the issue you have identified hopefully. Once that is loaded you should be able to change the skins and units designators etc.

Ezzie

[Jugdriver]

If you get more issues with people spawning in and "bouncing" then crashing, its not your mission. This is a known bug and has been documented most notably at the Le Havre airfield. I'd just ask people to document where it happened, airfield and a good idea about where in relation on the field, then register on the bug tracker and report it.

Biggin Hill has several death Spawns and invisible bounce spots


AKA_MattE

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update.

I've been taking a breather from working on the map but will hopefully do another update by end of Jan or thereabouts - I'm still not ready to re-open the FMB (other map makers may know this feeling). The big issue identified thus far is spawn points so I'll see what i can do there. Some i might be able to fix others maybe not.

As always feed back appreciated especially if its helpful.

I got an 'imbecile map' comment in chat just before while flying it which i'm ok with but would add the slight amendment ' imbecile free map' to make the comment a tad more accurate. I've spent 100+ hours thus far on the map and i'm happy to spend a few more trying to make it work but that can only happen if i get constructive feedback (thanks to many of you who have done so). 'Imbecile map' doesnt give me a whole lot to work on unfortunately.

I cant fix what I dont know about and i didnt set out to deliberately cause bugs and cause people angst.

Soooo, as always all constructive feedback welcome and hopefully we can make this map better.

Ezzie

[ATAG_Freya]

Soooo, as always all constructive feedback welcome and hopefully we can make this map better.

+1000. "One guy builds the map, the community builds the mission" - as they say in.....well whatever, it just sounds good. I applaud your dedication, it is a time consuming endeavour to build missions, and we as players should not shoot ourselves in the foot by dissuading mission building individuals from providing entertainment for us all. Hopefully more people decide to get into the FMB, as it is an enjoyable hobby overall. I haven't spent much time on your map, but enjoyed flying a BR20 on it for a while! Haven't even played the map I built yet, now that I think of it. If it'll lighten things up for you, I'd be happy to work on a few airfeilds spawnpoints for you / with you. Just shout.

[DUI]

Maybe as an idea to put some of the "dogfight" focus away from Canterbury: Would it be an idea to make Canterbury airfield a destroyable target? This would lead to high focus in the beginning of the map but switch focus on the other targets afterwards.

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Thanks DUI.

When I was designing the map I thought about making them destroyable but decided to not do so for a couple of reasons. To explain why I'll have to summarise the overall design philosophy.

In essence I wanted to cater to 3 types of player. Firstly I wanted bombers to have a range of interesting tgts spread out a bit to encourage more bomber pilots to play. Spreading the tgts out a bit will hopefully encourage different routes and make bombers a bit more survivable. I fly bomber defence in a 110 most of the time and find defending the tgts on fall rotte much more challenging due to the geographic spread of the tgts compared with the Sea Lion/hellfire corner maps where the tgts are in a much smaller geographic area and are easier to defend. I counted 10 Blue bombers on the map this morning so maybe this is working to some extent, although there weren't the same number of Blennies so maybe it isn't.

Secondly I wanted to cater for those players who like to attack/defend bombers as part of the overall rolling the map activity and hopefully having more bombers flying over reasonably spread out tgts caters for this second group. On the few times I've played this map online I've come across more escorted Blennies than I normally do on the other maps so this might be working ok. But maybe I was just unlucky and there isn't more escorting going on.

And thirdly I wanted to cater for those players who just like to furball and/or only have a limited time available and want some quick action -this is why I created Canterbury and gatwick. Also I was thinking that Canterbury and gatwick would be focus areas for when there are low numbers on the map and would be a good spot for flak/aaa gunners to hang out with guaranteed action.

So if I made Canterbury and gatwick destroyable it would potentially impact on those players who like furballing or when player numbers are low if it was destroyed. I've been on the Dynamo map when the numbers are low (10 max) and when Oyle plage is destroyed there is often a big drop off in action/interest, so much so that blue pilots won't totally destroy it sometimes (or cop some unfriendly chat when they do)

But it is possible to crater these airfields and make them very challenging to take/off land which is somewhat of a compromise to your suggestion so maybe bomber pilots could be encouraged to do this early if you wanted to spread the activity?

I was also hoping that giving the jabos lots of tgts would also spread the action around the map and it see from feedback that some players enjoy flying jabos. What I don't know is whether red defending fighters go after the jabos though or whether they just flock to Canterbury and gatwick.

So to cut a long story short -I did consider making it destroyable but decided to not do so for the reasons above. If you don't think the map is achieving what I had intended and still think that making Canterbury destroyable would still be better pls let me know.

I'd be interested in other players' views on this.

Thanks again DUI.

Ezzie

[trademe900]

Firstly I wanted bombers to have a range of interesting tgts spread out a bit to encourage more bomber pilots to play. Spreading the tgts out a bit will hopefully encourage different routes and make bombers a bit more survivable.

Give this man a medal!

For quite some time now we have desperately been in need of some incentivising map structure and gratification for bomber aircraft. Targets that are bugged/too difficult to trigger completion, enormous bomb tonnage requirements or simply too many/all targets required for victory conditions; these have sometimes been real barriers for encouraging team-work objective play and the subsequent formation of big raids, for both red and blue.

Today was a really fun time with this map. In addition to some other 110s and jabo 109s, we rolled London Ruft with our 6 Ju88s in 1 hour! We had both good 109 escort and bomber crews but this would not have been possible if it were not for the points system and map structure you have here planned. It worked exactly as you had envisaged; we had guys over on the other side of the map out to sea by Manston attacking shipping and all sorts, whilst our big Ju88 raid was on the complete opposite end by Gatwick and Tangemere. It was a feeling of great scale as we saw the yellow messages popping up frequently from guys at work on various shipping, radars and so on, all over the map. By no means could this be considered easy, however, the energy put in to form up raids on TS was duly rewarded .

Again, the 3 important facets to this: loads of target options, not troublesome to trigger target completion, achievable points goal.

A final additional thought- if possible, I think this could all benefit greatly from an on-screen points display to see where each side is at. You can imagine how things might be further motivated if there was a points tally that popped up on screen at intervals or that could be checked via the TAB menu. Perhaps a lot of work needed to implement this, but just an idea I thought worth mentioning nevertheless.

Thanks for your work, once again!

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Thanks Trademe.

Really appreciate the positive post and am glad you were able to play the mission/map as it was designed. Your description is pretty much how I envisioned it being played and hopefully it encourages others to play it this way.

Re score - good idea and I'll look into it. It will involve some scripting but I think it might not be too difficult to put the scores up on the screen. I think the time remaining is displayed every ~15 mins automatically so maybe I'll see if the score can be shown as well.

Freya is very kindly taking a look at the spawn issues for me so we might be able to improve that aspect of the mission - thanks Freya.

Are any players still having frame rate issues on this map? I noticed Vranac mentioned it in another thread and Trade mentioned it to me in TS earlier today so would be interested in hearing if others are still experiencing them. I removed a lot of objects for V1.1 (mainly moving AI objects) including those big clouds and could trim some more if people are still getting annoying/unplayable frame rates. Just let me know and I'll look into it.

Ezzie

[DUI]

Thanks for the (very detailed) answer, Ezzie!

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Another quick update.

Freya has taken a look at my spawn points and it turned out i'd made some errors with how i set them up (back to fmb school for me...). He's re-worked the spawns at biggin , kenly, gravesend, worthydown and shoreham and fixed up some other things I didnt get quite right. These quick fixes will hopefully improve some of the issues players have been reporting and make the map better for holiday flying. He'll check out the other spawn sites as well and submit another update later on.

Freya's submitted the update to Bliss and you'll know when its live as its V1.3 in the briefing. If the spawn issues continue at these updated bases pls report it and we'll take another look.

Big thanks to Freya for the assistance.

Ezzie

[EG14_Marcast]

Ju88s at Sandown carry no bombs. Whatever load you select, the aircraft is unarmed. I think because they are considered as fighters, in fact at the end of the mission you see a mission report page just as for fighters.

[ATAG_Ezzie]

Ju88s at Sandown carry no bombs. Whatever load you select, the aircraft is unarmed. I think because they are considered as fighters, in fact at the end of the mission you see a mission report page just as for fighters.

Ahhh - thanks Marcast.

In the original version of the map Sandown was the home of Ju-88 recce aircraft that werent able to carry bombs due to their recce role. Looks like i forgot to fix up that base when i amended the recce roles from the Spits and -110s etc.

I'll add it to the list of fixes.

Thanks

Ezzie

[xvii-Dietrich]

In the original version of the map Sandown was the home of Ju-88 recce aircraft that werent able to carry bombs due to their recce role. Looks like i forgot to fix up that base when i amended the recce roles from the Spits and -110s etc.

Either that, or clearly mark the airfield as "Ju 88 Recon (UNARMED)"