That was more what i was getting at.
Not that it wouldn't have been an improvement in 2007, but looking at those latest videos makes me glad it's coming out soonish. (And that i upgraded my computer last winter doesn't hurt either)

Dont bet on it, as far as i know the "orginal" SoW was based on the IL2 game engine. If sow would have been released in say 2007-8 it wouldnt have been nearly as complex or pleasing on they eye as it is now.
2-3 years is a loooong time in gamedevelopment and alot have happend since 07-08 programming and graphics wise

I don't know how that rumor got started on the forums, but BOB was never being built on a modified IL-2 engine. It was always going to be a new game engine. The new game engine was put on hold in 2004/2005 when the developers decided to continue building addons to the IL-2 game engine {Pacific Fighters thru IL-2 1946} Work again started on the new game engine after the release of IL-2 1946.

The old map size controversy... I don't honestly believe Oleg didn't include such a significant airfield as Duxford by mistake or that its not being there reflects any lack of historical research on the part of the SoW team. I'd say that was more of a compromise they had to make in order to be able to include more of France in the South of the map.

SoW was never meant to be just a BoB game, but the first in a series of simulators that should eventually reach a scope close to that of Il2. As someone stated before, with a map like this, all you'd need to add is a Spit Mk.V, Hurris Mk.II, 109F and late Emil variants, and you'd have yourself a Summer 1941 scenario.

The area covered may seem small compared to the gigantic Il-2 maps, but you need to remember the Channel area is a much more densely populated region than the Russian steppes, with a Capital city and many important harbours and industrial areas, not to mention the bocage countryside on both shores that is going to take millions of objects to render properly. If the level of ground detail in SoW is anything like we've seen in the preview shots, this is actually a pretty big map as it is. Time, amount of work and system ressources were probably the main considerations when building the map, and sacrifices had to be made keeping future plans for expansion in mind.

Also remember the air battles will include more than just a few schwarms, we might be talking hundreds of planes up in the air at the same time.

Cheers

Nico

"Storm of War map compared with BOBII map"


First: Anyone checked if the BoBII is accurate, kind of important if we gonna use it to find "faults" in the SoW map me thinks.


Second: Comparing maps is just that, comparing MAPS, and since we havent got the foggiest idea of how SoW actually looks flying over it in game its nothing more that....comparing maps (did i allredy say that?)

Im pretty sure its been said that orginal SoW was based on IL2 engine but they abandoned the idea since they relized it wouldnt be up to the job.

Anyways, i very much doubt that the complexity of present day SoW was even considered back in 2004, let alone technically doable. Just my guess. Remember, everything we see in SoW today is based on experiance gained, wishes from us players etc.from orginal IL2 right up to 1946. Oleg is trying to implement all the best from years of development into SoW, that experiance/wish list was far shorter in 2006-2007 (or whenever it was orginaly suposed to have been released)


Im not saying we should wait another 3-4 years to get a even better orginal SoW release though.

The BOBII map is accurate.

Indeed. Totally based on Ordnance Survey reference.

Let's make no mistake, here, Rowan were professionals.

To opine to a new regime is fine, but let's not forget that each generation does not have a unique wisdom.

It has been said many times by forum members that the origianl BOB was based on the IL-2 engine but they were wrong. Oleg said from the start he was building a new game engine for BOB. That said the new game engine would naturally be revised many times during the time of its build from 2003 thru 2010.

The BOB II map is very accurate, but without the aircraft icon it would be very difficult to locate your actual position. The BOBII map has only two views, one large piccelated mess, and a much better one zoomed in to approx 5000ft altitude. The later too high to easily pick out landmarks. The BOBII developers do sell a very good authentic RAF map which would be very helpful, if authentically cumbersome for navigation use.

I much prefer a multi zoom map with place names, and without icons. A map that can be zoomed in and out to better reference the map with ingame terrain. This along with the BOB II sold RAF map hung on wall would be very nice. http://www.a2asimulations.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=24

Rise of Flight's map is also a good example of this.

This

Interesting comparison indeed. I think the SOW airfield symbols could do with being more distinct - or perhaps they are but have lost something in the screenie presentation process. Also, I am sure you must be right about the maps being zoomed shots and not representing the entire operational area.