Is Steam version of IL-2 a good choice for patches and mods?

[tripecac]

I bought IL-2 from GoG a couple years ago, and patched it up to 4.11.1. I'm considering re-buying it on Steam (to keep things simple) but have some questions:

1) I see that Steam patches IL-2 to 4.12.2, but googling shows that there are also patches up to 4.13.3. Does that mean that Steam doesn't automatically update IL-2 to 4.13.3, so that we have to patch manually?

2) Are the "big mods" (dark blue, hsfx, etc.) all compatible with the Steam version, or are there issues?

3) Are there any other factors to consider when deciding whether to switch to the Steam version?

Thanks!

[putmer]

steam version is indeed moddable, but it only comes with 4.12.2.m which is the version that has the most mod packs for it, 4.13 doesnt have much going for it at all and it is a manuall install from the web. http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php#c13 take a stroll through here for more info on whatever mod pack caught your eye . this mopack here is what i recommend for everyone that wants jsut a ww2 game that you can mod to your liking http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,50919.0.html

[tripecac]

Does the VP modpack contain the same [type of] visual enhancements as Dark Blue World?

And will the graphical improvements work well on a 4GB GTX970? Or do they require a more modern card?

Also, are you recommending that I buy the Steam version, or find a way to upgrade my GoG version to 4.12.2?

[putmer]

Автор сообщения: tripecac

Does the VP modpack contain the same [type of] visual enhancements as Dark Blue World?

And will the graphical improvements work well on a 4GB GTX970? Or do they require a more modern card?

Also, are you recommending that I buy the Steam version, or find a way to upgrade my GoG version to 4.12.2?

it does contain stuff from DBW
http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,50919.0.html this is the link to VP's modpack it will tell you everything you need to know about the pack.

also how you spend your money is up to you, im not gonna tell you yes or no. just know you can upgrade to 4.12.2m through the patches http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,38443.0.html The SAS IL-2 4.12.2m Mega Patch

This Patch gets you straight from any IL-2 4.07m or later base game installation to the official 4.12.2m patch level.
Valid base game versions for this patch: 4.07m (Original IL-2 1946 DVD release version)
4.08m
4.09b1m
4.09m
4.10m
4.10.1m
4.11m
4.11.1m
4.12m
4.12.1m
4.12.2m (useless to upgrade but theoretically possible)

[DonKanaliee]

Hello,

at the moment i have installed the Steam Version 14.12.2. I took a look at the Link http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Knowledge_Base&op=show&kid=584#Link02.

How can i upgrade to Version 14.13.2? (most played on Multiplayer).

Do i have to install Version 4.13RC04m Official Patch, SkinPack Chalchyn Gol 1939, 4.13.1m Official Patch and so on. Or can i install Version 14.13.2 directly?

Thx for Help

[putmer]

Автор сообщения: DonKanaliee

Hello,

at the moment i have installed the Steam Version 14.12.2. I took a look at the Link http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Knowledge_Base&op=show&kid=584#Link02.

How can i upgrade to Version 14.13.2? (most played on Multiplayer).

Do i have to install Version 4.13RC04m Official Patch, SkinPack Chalchyn Gol 1939, 4.13.1m Official Patch and so on. Or can i install Version 14.13.2 directly?

Thx for Help

looks like you just install these few in order Patch 10: 4.12.2m Official Patch - (If your version is 4.12.2m continue to the 4.13RC04m patch.)

Patch 11: 4.13RC04m Official Patch - (If your version is 4.13RC04m continue to the "SkinPack Chalchyn Gol 1939" patch.)
(Also note after installation the splash screen shows v4.13RC04 This is normal until a hotfix is released.)

Patch 12: SkinPack Chalchyn Gol 1939 - Optional Skins Patch
(Install and continue to the 4.13.1m patch.)

Patch 13: 4.13.1m Official Patch - (If your version is 4.13.1m continue to the "4.13.1 Supplemental Campaigns, Missions, and Skin" patch.)

Patch 14: 4.13.1 Supplemental Campaigns, Missions, and Skins - (Optional Patch)
(Install and continue to the 4.13.2m patch.)

Patch 15: 4.13.2m Official Patch - (If your version is 4.13.2m continue to the 4.13.3m patch.)

Patch 16: 4.13.3m Official Patch

Once the patches above have been installed your installation is current.

Follow the instructions on each download page carefully.

[tripecac]

Should those extra patches be installed before or after installing the VP mod pack or does it not matter?

[putmer]

Автор сообщения: tripecac

Should those extra patches be installed before or after installing the VP mod pack or does it not matter?

vp's modpack is for 4.12.2m, if you are gonna use your non steam version for vp's modpack you will need to upgrade to 4.12.2m first then install the mod.

[tripecac]

I installed the mega patch to 4.12.2m. I then installed the VP modpack. Finally, I started the game to give it a test drive.

The first thing I noticed is that there is a lot of lag/stutter when I move the camera around in the cockpit. Not as smooth as FSX. FRAPS says I'm getting 60 FPS but it looks more like 20.

Also, I can't immediately see the difference in graphics between the VP modpack and vanilla. Maybe the cosmetic differences are subtle?

And finally, if I try to switch from OpenGL to DirectX, the game crashes. Similarly, if I try to switch from Full Screen to Windowed, the game crashes. This happens even if I have not started a flight yet.

Any suggestions?

[putmer]

the graphics are subtle on my end aswell, but i have not played stock il-2 since i owned it, so i am not a fair judge. but it runs good on my end and i am using the mods that come with VP

the game prefers opengl from what i have read but i don't know why, or what would crash the game from switching it to directx, or any graphics options for that matter.

did you happen to get the patches, and did you add the conf.ini file lines. these probley won't help it run better but never know.

also for the conf.ini, here is the max settings the game can allow through editing the conf.ini http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,9756.0.html look for storebror's post about half way down he shows the max, it's still not gonna look amazing by any stretch of the imagination though.

you can also take out the effects mod, that may help with the stutters. go to your il-2 folder #SAS / !!00_0_FXEvolution_v4.12

other then that i honestly don't know what to tell you man, i have not had problems on my end. and i know i got a lesser system then yours.