Gentlefolk

 

I've spent far too long in multiplayer for the last couple of days. There are some things that I have noticed:

A number of players have acquired Flight via Steam. They never would have heard of it unless it was on there.

Many are just cruising around the in the Icon and Stearman, lamenting the cost of the extras.

Some have splurged and got the lot.

Most seem to think it's all good fun.

 

Couple more things:

There have been precious few idiots join my games. One session got heated while I was gone. A shame, as I would not have stood for it if I'd been there. That's what the eject button is for.

One today wanted someone to follow around. I volunteered. After a couple of stops, I suggested he picked the next point. Last time I saw, he was leading the gaggle off on their next adventure. They got lost occasionally, so I gently coaxed them back on track.

The night before, a chap was landing rather fast in his Maule. I asked if he had the flaps out - didn't appear to. "The what?" My missus was not impressed when I retired to bed well after midnight after having spent a lot of time with this guy doing circuits, explaining instruments and (I'd like to think) getting through the first bit of the learning curve.

I did what I said I wouldn't: bough the Mustang and the Zero. That way, when people are trying to get to grips with the things, at least I know roughly how they perform so can help them along. Usually they're just landing way too fast. It would be really helpful if you could bring up the HUD while view another player. It's the closest thing we'll get to the right hand seat.

I'm one of those loons who tries to use unattended radio procedures via the text as best I can ('Barking Sands traffic, RV MJD on final 35, full stop' is a lot to type on final...). The odd wt* response is had. But lately I've found people trying it themselves - called out when they're on final (alhough usually not where(!), but mostly at Hilo), and saying what direction they're going in.

 

Long may it continue.

 

Mike

Good observations, Mike. Thank you.

 

Best regards.

Luis

Too cool, Mike! Thanks.

 

What percentage of planes are Zeros?

 

Hook

@Mickel,

 

That's a cool thing you did; helping a newcomer understand some basics. I am always up for multiplayer flying (preferably jobs but free flight is also fine) so you can add me. My gamer tag is "Turbofolkrolla".

Unfortunately, i don't have many observations from multiplayer since i only fly with my good friend and we flew once with Kabronicus, which was really fun (he seems like a great guy). So, feel free to add me, guys

and see you on the runway :)

 

 

Cheers

Hook - I've not seen many Zero drivers. There are a few Mustangs, presumably because they're in the Steam combo pack. Not that impressed with the Mustang. I presume both are racing versions. The Zero has a lot more character. I just hope that a cockpit is in development.

 

Added you Eevun.

 

I had the good fortune to be introduced to flight sims by a neighbour who had been an instructor and a crop-duster in Lodestars and Daks in the RW, so got things hammered into me from the start (Mirrorsoft's Spitfire 40 on the C64, circa 1986). I can't imagine what it's like to come in completely cold, so I'm happy to help those who are willing to give it a go.

my gamer tag its holguinerito , 2 days ago i helped a 16 yearold that joined my session and had the full adventure pack and all the other planes . we spent about 2 hours at hilo i even told him about avsim and other realworld aviation sites so he could do his home work. If only someone up there would consider including some basic flight training for the new players/pilots it would make life alot easy for some folks and eventualy make our entire multiplayer experience alot more realistic and fun .

There are a lot of curious people on multiplayer. People who would probably never have payed for flight, but now have a good chance of being hooked. Zeros and Mustangs are there in abundance, but a surprising amount of people are diligently working their way through the challenges and learning quite a bit about airplanes in the bargain. If the intention is to bring in new blood, then I think its working well.

 

I think above all else in the multiplayer arena though, Microsoft needs to find a way to kill the jumping and stutters. They need to do it soon.