I hear ya
I guess I am blessed with the fact that I don't pine for an offline sim even though I feel for those who do. No shame in preying for something you want.
Myself, I want great online experience. Flying for a decade with IL2 would have never been possible if I only flew offline, it is multiplayer that does it for me, to hang out and fly with my fellow squad mates.
Now I couldn't agree more about C(l)oD. As "she" is now she is just a great looking high maintenance (HUGE demands on hardware) gal; great to look at but very little substance. Beside the fact that I can't run her decent enough on MY hardware, she has very little to offer in terms on flyable planes, different theatres of war etc: IL2 has really set the standard for me in those terms.
That is why .. for me, this title look very promising; as you said - it is coming fast as it is built on an already built sim (which I have but again.. bad multiplayer ni WoP), lots of flyables, lots a possible theatres of war.... YES I DO hope this may be the well earned heir to IL2.. if CloD can't be it...
But for me, they have to deliver some things for me to take the plunge; realistic FM/DM (better than that WoP) different theatres of war, they don't forget bombers (cockpits) and yes... bigger maps than in WoP... dont demand CRAYcomputers to run it. etc etc amongst many many things:D
So I keep hoping